Kenshin stared at Hiko and opened his mouth to defend himself only to be cut off rather abruptly.
"But Master-" He stuttered unsure how he could defend himself. He wasn't even sure what he had done this time. Hiko simply ambushed him as he walked back lost in thought. Of course, it was about a certain young lady...
"But nothing stupid student. You sound better with your mouth shut." The larger man berated eyeing him in a way Kenshin didn't much care for. His teacher had some nasty habits and he tended to get his way on more than a few occasions.
Kenshin gave him a flawless smile, hoping to appease him. As usual it only served to annoy the older man.
"If this unworthy one-"
"Don't give me that." Hiko sighed getting down to business, "I need you to cook dinner tonight."
"Ah, so you have a date with Miss Tokio?" Kenshin asked insightfully earning a dark scowl from his mentor.
"I don't see how it is any of your business." Hiko glowered before growling gruffly, "Just do as I say."
Kenshin suppressed a sigh. He had been hoping to have a quiet evening spending some quality time with the television not cooking for his master and Miss Tokio. After all, there was that mission tomorrow to think about. One he didn't particularly wish to go on, but was resigned. It occurred to him suddenly that he was being quite the doormat. With a private smile at that thought he was startled when Hiko addressed him.
"What are you grinning about?"
"Nothing Master." Kenshin answered earning another hard look. He knew his normal routine was utterly useless and dropped it as best he could. Nothing served to annoy his master more than the act he put on in the office. Few really knew how he was out in the field and he intended to keep it that way.
"That's sure some nothing." Hiko grumbled and Kenshin furrowed his brow. What had upset his master so much? He decided he'd rather not go out on a limb at the moment. It was enough that he was already waist deep in some muck conjured up by his master.
"I was just considering what to make for dinner, that I was." Kenshin lied pleasantly though his teeth. He added a sincere look for good measures.
He knew that Hiko's kitchen would have none of the supplies he required. For all he knew that man survived off sake and fast food. The first few times he had ventured in he was appalled by the lack of edible food. The refrigerator was being used for numerous things and none of them were fit for human consumption. He opened up the freezer only to find, to his complete horror, dead rats along with various road kill. When he inquired, rather faintly, about them Hiko was prompted to show him the largest snake he had ever seen. That was the end of his sojourns in his master's kitchen.
He was so busying thinking that he wasn't paying the slightest bit to where he was walking and managed to smash into someone.
"Himura, so sorry." A female voice said and he raised his violet eyes to meet Miss Tokio's gray ones. She looked like she had been crying with the delicate skin around them puffy and red. Her mouth was pinched in a miserable line and her shoulders were hunched.
"That's alright. This unworthy one was not looking where he was going, that he was not." Kenshin replied automatically. He watched her with concern. "Is something bothering you Miss Tokio? You look upset."
She withdrew hastily, "Do I look like shit Himura?"
His mouth dropped open and a suspicious noise tried to tear from his throat.
"This unworthy one would never make comments on a lady's looks!" He yelped searching for the hidden death trap. Instead she gave him a wry smile.
"At least you have more sense than Hiko." She tried to keep her tone light, but he could hear the despair in it. "He said I look like I had a fight with a killer toy poodle and lost."
Kenshin knew his master didn't mean what he said, but he was still deeply disappointed. Couldn't Master see that Miss Tokio was in pain?
"Look to you're own love life Himura." Tokio advised and he flushed mentally berating himself. Eyes were certainly mirrors to the soul and he didn't want to know what his were reflecting at the moment. Reflectively he lowered his head dropping his bangs to hide them. "Why don't you pick out some nice girl? There's no short supply of them. In the office alone I think you have a rabid fan club of stalkers."
"This unworthy one has someone in mind..." He admitted before cutting himself off. It didn't matter. A cat-like smirk crossed the woman's face knowingly. He shrank back instinctively.
Instead of flaunting her guess she looked at him seriously, "Well, then maybe you should act on those feelings."
He was about to reply when the object of their discussion just happened to walk up. He couldn't help but flash a smile.
"Miss Takagi, Eiji informed me of my duties and he asks if he may leave a bit early tonight?" She asked not even looking at him. He was slightly confused why she was addressing Miss Tokio in such a way.
Tokio rubbed her temples with long, slender fingers, but didn't hesitate in her answer, "Tell him to go and not come back until after the honeymoon. He shouldn't be cooped up here like this. Life's too short."
That's why you and Hiko have been in a long relationship for seven years? Kenshin silently asked.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good lord, don't call me that!" Miss Tokio requested in exasperation. She rolled her eyes slightly and gave a tight smile. "Never ever call me ma'am. Do I look all that old? Like hell yes, forty no. Call me Tokio, I insist."
Kaoru looked up startled and Kenshin had to smile. Evidently Miss Tokio's out going attitude was something she wasn't used to. She would understand soon enough.
"Yes Tokio." Kaoru corrected and sped off. Kenshin stared after her and only when Tokio's voice cut through his stupor did he hope he wasn't looking like a hormonal teenager.
"I'm sure Hiko wrangled you for dinner." Tokio remarked making no mention to his state although he was sure that she didn't miss it. How could she?
"That he did." Kenshin muttered under his breath.
She turned and made for the door. He realized that he was to follow and wondered if he looked like an obedient little puppy dog. Shoving that notion out of his mind he didn't see what was coming. They got in the car, to go shopping as they did on the occasions he ended up cooking, and she locked the doors. He looked at her, surprised.
"You're not getting out of this car until you tell me all you know about the Shinsengumi members Himura. I want to know who murdered my ex and which one of those bastards has my child." There was tempered steel in her tightly controlled voice and suddenly Kenshin Himura was very afraid.
Reviewers:
the sacred night: The cute little endearments. And thank you, I try. Most people make him too... well, not Saitoh.
MissBehavin: Yes *wicked grin*. Of course he loves her, who doesn't? He just doesn't want to admit it >:)
Wistful-Eyes: I'm only trying to keep him in character. He goes to the goal, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Fyyrrose: *raises eyebrow* I should be nicer to him ne? Not make him FKB or CHB or RCP. What do you mean not get bolded? It was pure accident if I forgot. HTML is a headache. At least in Italy they all thought I was Italian and didn't bother me ^______^ Even when I laughed. Yes, you are, among other things.