This fic has 16.18.. Um, sorry memory lapse, anyway, this fic has somewhere
between 16-18 chapters. You've heard right, it's almost over. I know it's a
short fic, but I'm already working on a sequel. Once u see the ending of
this then u'll know why I neeeeeeeed to make a sequel. Anyway, I want all
of you to keep watching out for new fic that I'm going to put out soon.
Funny how I say "all of you" when I really mean the two of you that have
reviewed, tear. PLEASE REVIEW PPL!!!!!!!! Lastly, I think a bunch everyone
will like this chapter. I've been editing it forever, and the last
paragraph in particular is amazing! You've all been waiting for some
romance to kick in, well... go on, go read, have fun!
Disclaimer: Oh Kenshin, Kenshin. Where for art thou Kenshin? Not here with me. *Sob*
"Miss Kaoru I will return your ribbon." Kenshin said holding onto a piece of ribbon I had handed him. I made him promise to return it. I felt like crying, but I couldn't figure out why. Giving him the ribbon only made me feel slightly better. I was scared that he would not return it. But he had to. He just had to. However, what if he didn't? What if... What if... Before I could finish the thought everything started to ring. This annoying ringing sound vibrated everywhere. "Damn it," I said groping for the phone. "What?" I said into a pad of paper. Cursing, I put down the pad, and groped again for the continuously ringing phone. I finally got it, and was surprised it was still ringing. "What?" I repeated, this time into the phone.
"Good morning, Kaoru." Soujiro said cheerfully.
"What time is it?" I said yawning.
"8."
"You woke me up at eight in the morning?" I felt like flinging the phone away, and snuggling back into my pillow.
"You sound happy." He laughed, "Did you get the job done last night?"
"No." I was a little bit ashamed. This had never happened before. It had never taken me so long to kill someone.
"Why not?" His voice still sounded happy. I wasn't in trouble yet.
"Well..." I was preoccupied by Arturo, and his warmth. I'm sure that wasn't the answer that Soujiro wanted. "He said he had business to take care of that night, so I couldn't see him. I found out he was really going to be at a club. I went there, but he left early." That was the truth, the truth with a little bit of omission, but still the truth. "By the way, I may have a problem."
"What problem?"
"Big J may know who I am."
"..."
"Soujiro?"
"How?"
"I called him from my cell yesterday and he called me back, so there's a chance that..."
"He can't trace your cell phone, I've made sure no one can." Soujiro interrupted.
"Then how the hell did he call me back Sou?"
"You don't know this for sure." He said quietly.
" So I just dreamed that he called me back?!?! Look, if he has my number, what else does he have Sou? I haven't done anything about it, but sooner or later."
"He'll find out your real name, and track you down. So? It's not like you have a sign that says 'assassin' over your head."
"Don't you even care that maybe he could find out? I don't have a legal occupation. Don't you think that my not having a job, and yet still having an income will tip him off that something's wrong? He'll get suspicious and he might dig deep enough to find something."
"Kaoru you're over reacting."
"I'm sorry for being scared Soujiro. I'm sorry for over reacting, but you know what? I can't help it!"
"Don't be afraid. Even if he finds you I doubt he'd be able to kill you."
"You don't understand. I'm not scared because he could possibly kill me. I'm scared because what happens to my cover? What happens to my friends? What if they get caught in the crossfire? I don't care if I die Soujiro, I only care if they do. They can't get mixed up in this. He can't find out. I never thought I'd care if something happened to them. Usually death is nothing to me, but this. this scares me. I've realized this over the past four years. I don't want to be responsible for their deaths. They're innocent. They don't need this shit."
"."
"Plus, it's fucked up that you think against Big J's men I'd win, but against some centuries old hitokiri you don't think I'd be able to survive. I always thought I was crazy, but not you. Never you Soujiro." I said hanging up on him. It was too damn early for this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grocery shopping, one of my most beloved chores, believe it or not. I like cooking, even though people tell me I'm horrible at it. I can waste more money in a super market then anywhere else. It's pretty scary. I was searching for red lipstick in one of the isles when Sano's head poked up beside me. I was so startled that I clutched at my chest and took deep breaths. I'm surprised I didn't scream. "Are you trying to kill me?" I accused.
"Sorry bout that Jou-chan! Saw ya over here shopping away, and I thought I'd come say hi." He picked up a bag of chips from my cart, and opened it. He munched while I looked for my lipstick.
"So where's Kenshin?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Why? Worried he's with another girl?" Sano laughed. I gave him a death glare, but he just kept on laughing. Idiot. "He's at work." Sano said finally sobering up.
"Oh. Where does he work?" I said picking the perfect red lipstick. I smiled at the tube. Hurrah.
"He works at a day care center. He loves kids. Don't know why, but he does." Sano shrugged. "I didn't know you were a red lipstick kinda gal." He said snatching it from me.
"I'm not. It's for a friend." I said grabbing it back, and putting it in my cart, "I would have never guessed that Kenshin worked at a day care center. That's so cute." I shouldn't have said that out loud. Sano was grinning widely. Grrr. "What do you do Sano?"
"I'm a carpenter." He said proudly. He flexed him muscles. Show off. Scarfing down more chips, he asked me what I did.
"I work in an office."
"That's really descriptive." He snorted.
"Well, it's not like there's anything special about it. It gets boring after a while. Right now my boss isn't too happy with me because I've been messing up lately. Our newest client is not cooperating, and I'm getting in trouble because of it. He hasn't been angry with me yet, but I can feel it. If I mess up again he won't be thrilled with me, plus the whole fiasco this morning was horrible."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. It was just too early to think that's all."
"Yo, Jou-chan I got to go. My lunch break is almost over, but hey, thanks for the chips." He smiled, handing me a half eaten bag of Tostitos. He went to the supermarket on his lunch break? Ooook.
"You're..." I looked passed Sano and there was Arturo walking by the isle. "welcome."
"Jou-chan?" Sano said waving his hand in my face.
"Huh?" I said. What was Arturo doing here? Would he recognize me?
"You look like you saw a ghost." Sano said looking around.
"No, I just saw an old friend. I was surprised to see him..." Arturo had come back to the isle, and was walking in our direction. I casually turned to look at the items on the shelf.
"Only an old friend?" Sano asked cocking an eyebrow. I wasn't even paying attention. I ignored his question, and waited for Arturo to pass. "Earth to Kaoru..." he said when I didn't answer. Arturo was behind me. He seemed to hesitate a little bit before moving on. I let out the breath I was holding, and relaxed my hands, which I hadn't even noticed were gripping my skirt. "Was that him?" Sano said noticing me relax.
"Yeah."
"He wasn't just an old friend was he?" Sano smiled slyly.
"Don't you have a job to do somewhere?" I asked. He laughed at my anger, and walked off waving.
~~~~~~~~~~
I went to the gym to work off my stress, and get all the kinks out. My brain was on over load, and the best thing to do would be beat the crap out of someone. Too bad I didn't have anyone to hurt. So, I settled for a punching bag. By this time it was 4. I had been here for 3 hours. It's scary how much time I could spend at a gym. It wasn't exactly a gym though. It was the dojo-ish place Misao dragged me to. I saw Michael there. I waved. He didn't wave back.
"Miss Kaoru!" A hand lay on my shoulder. I grabbed the hand, and crouched about to throw the person over my shoulder, but something happened. It happened too quickly for me to follow. All of a sudden, I was on the floor, and Kenshin was on top of me.
"How?" Was all I could say.
"I'm fast, that I am." He said standing and helping me up. "I did not mean to startle you."
"No one ever does." I said.
"Practicing your fighting skills?" He inquired.
"Yes. You?"
"I do not know any martial arts. I can use a bokken fairly well though." He smiled, "Would you like to go out for some lunch?" That was random question...
"Why not." I said, but then realized how sweaty, and probably smelly I was. "Can we stop at my apartment quickly so I can take a short shower?"
"Of course."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a shower I dressed in jeans and a pink tank top. I slipped on flip flops, and was ready to go. Kenshin, dressed in his sweat pants and t- shirt, commented that I looked great. It was a fairly simple outfit, but I accepted the compliment anyway. He took me to a Thai restaurant. It wasn't really formal, so they didn't care what we wore. The food was really good, and Kenshin mentioned that he used to cook at the restaurant. It explained how everyone there seemed to know him. I told him that he'd have to cook for me one day. I meant it. I can't cook; he can cook. It sounded like a good idea to me. We had reached dessert, and it had all turned out really great. If I may remind you of the last time I thought things were going great...
"Would you like to try some?" I offered. Kenshin hadn't ordered anything for dessert, so I felt compelled to share.
"No thanks Miss Kaoru." He smiled.
"I insist it's really good."
"I'm fine."
"I don't believe you, but whatever."
"Um... Miss Kaoru." He said after a couple minutes of silence
"Yes Kenshin?"
"I'm going to the Kamiya dojo next weekend."
"And?"
"And I would like you to accompany me. If you want to that is." Kenshin stared down at his lap. He was really embarrassed. It was adorable how shy he could be, but no matter how cute he was there was no way I'd go with him. No way in hell.
"I'm sorry Kenshin, but I'm busy next weekend." I apologized.
"Oh. It's ok. I just thought you would like to see your family, but if you are busy perhaps another time."
"Perhaps." I said finishing off my dessert.
"How are you related again?" Kenshin knew I hadn't told him. He was trying to trick me. I'm not that easy to fool.
"I never told you." I said, "Ready to go?"
"You refuse to tell me?" He looked hurt. Why?
"Yes I do." I gave him a sad smile. The past belonged in the past. I did not want for it to be brought into the light.
"I suppose Sano can come with me."
"You two are really close."
"We're best friends, and roommates. We've got a strong bond that most friendships lack, that they do."
"You're very wise, too wise for your age. You look 18, but you have to be older. 24?"
"28." He said chuckling softly at my dropped jaw.
"You're joking right?"
"No."
"Oh my gosh! I would have never guessed!" Kenshin 28? No way. No friggin way.
"I would place you at 25." He said squinting at me.
"26. You were close though." I beamed at him. Jeez, I'm sure I must look like a dork smiling like that, but I can't help it. His age was a complete surprise; it was so unexpected.
"I know where we should go now, that I do!" Kenshin said smiling widely. What was he up to?
~~~~~~~~~~
"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed watching the many butterflies fly around. Kenshin had taken me to a special spot in the park that was full of butterflies. The colors danced around me on little wings. I might not be a very girly girl, but this was breath taking. "Thank you." I turned to Kenshin, who seemed to have been staring at me instead of the butterflies fluttering around. My face turned red, and I averted my eyes from his beautiful lavender eyes. I changed from a sitting position to a lying down one on the grass. My body stretched out and relaxed.
"I knew you would love it." Kenshin said looking down at me. He was sitting next to me Indian style.
"I'm glad you took me here."
"Me too." He smiled. He turned to watch the butterflies, and this time I was the one to study him. He sat relaxed, his thick red hair in a low ponytail, the hair shined brightly in the sunlight. He looked so calm and peaceful. He looked his age for some reason. Noble, mature; kind. He had a calming presence that just made me want to stare forever. I was jealous of how carefree he seemed, while I was stuck in a world of spinning and confusion. I wanted to steal his peace. Take it for myself. Before I realized what I was doing I was sitting up next to him, still staring intently. He turned his head and smiled at me. I want his peace. I want his humbleness, his calmness, the security in his arms; I want...him? My lips brushed his gently. I pulled back slowly looking into his face. He was shocked, but I just smiled at him. I was drunk off of his kiss. It wasn't even a real kiss, our lips barely touched, but somehow I felt light as air. I laid back down on the grass, and stared up at the butterflies. Today was a good day.
~~~PREVIEW: My eyes widened with shock. How the hell did he know my name, wait, how did he know where I lived? My mouth hung open, and I gaped at him. I recovered as quickly as I could, and swept my leg under his legs. He fell to the ground, and I shut the door before he could stand. 3 words vibrated through my head as I leaned against the door to my apartment, 'what the fuck?'
Disclaimer: Oh Kenshin, Kenshin. Where for art thou Kenshin? Not here with me. *Sob*
"Miss Kaoru I will return your ribbon." Kenshin said holding onto a piece of ribbon I had handed him. I made him promise to return it. I felt like crying, but I couldn't figure out why. Giving him the ribbon only made me feel slightly better. I was scared that he would not return it. But he had to. He just had to. However, what if he didn't? What if... What if... Before I could finish the thought everything started to ring. This annoying ringing sound vibrated everywhere. "Damn it," I said groping for the phone. "What?" I said into a pad of paper. Cursing, I put down the pad, and groped again for the continuously ringing phone. I finally got it, and was surprised it was still ringing. "What?" I repeated, this time into the phone.
"Good morning, Kaoru." Soujiro said cheerfully.
"What time is it?" I said yawning.
"8."
"You woke me up at eight in the morning?" I felt like flinging the phone away, and snuggling back into my pillow.
"You sound happy." He laughed, "Did you get the job done last night?"
"No." I was a little bit ashamed. This had never happened before. It had never taken me so long to kill someone.
"Why not?" His voice still sounded happy. I wasn't in trouble yet.
"Well..." I was preoccupied by Arturo, and his warmth. I'm sure that wasn't the answer that Soujiro wanted. "He said he had business to take care of that night, so I couldn't see him. I found out he was really going to be at a club. I went there, but he left early." That was the truth, the truth with a little bit of omission, but still the truth. "By the way, I may have a problem."
"What problem?"
"Big J may know who I am."
"..."
"Soujiro?"
"How?"
"I called him from my cell yesterday and he called me back, so there's a chance that..."
"He can't trace your cell phone, I've made sure no one can." Soujiro interrupted.
"Then how the hell did he call me back Sou?"
"You don't know this for sure." He said quietly.
" So I just dreamed that he called me back?!?! Look, if he has my number, what else does he have Sou? I haven't done anything about it, but sooner or later."
"He'll find out your real name, and track you down. So? It's not like you have a sign that says 'assassin' over your head."
"Don't you even care that maybe he could find out? I don't have a legal occupation. Don't you think that my not having a job, and yet still having an income will tip him off that something's wrong? He'll get suspicious and he might dig deep enough to find something."
"Kaoru you're over reacting."
"I'm sorry for being scared Soujiro. I'm sorry for over reacting, but you know what? I can't help it!"
"Don't be afraid. Even if he finds you I doubt he'd be able to kill you."
"You don't understand. I'm not scared because he could possibly kill me. I'm scared because what happens to my cover? What happens to my friends? What if they get caught in the crossfire? I don't care if I die Soujiro, I only care if they do. They can't get mixed up in this. He can't find out. I never thought I'd care if something happened to them. Usually death is nothing to me, but this. this scares me. I've realized this over the past four years. I don't want to be responsible for their deaths. They're innocent. They don't need this shit."
"."
"Plus, it's fucked up that you think against Big J's men I'd win, but against some centuries old hitokiri you don't think I'd be able to survive. I always thought I was crazy, but not you. Never you Soujiro." I said hanging up on him. It was too damn early for this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grocery shopping, one of my most beloved chores, believe it or not. I like cooking, even though people tell me I'm horrible at it. I can waste more money in a super market then anywhere else. It's pretty scary. I was searching for red lipstick in one of the isles when Sano's head poked up beside me. I was so startled that I clutched at my chest and took deep breaths. I'm surprised I didn't scream. "Are you trying to kill me?" I accused.
"Sorry bout that Jou-chan! Saw ya over here shopping away, and I thought I'd come say hi." He picked up a bag of chips from my cart, and opened it. He munched while I looked for my lipstick.
"So where's Kenshin?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Why? Worried he's with another girl?" Sano laughed. I gave him a death glare, but he just kept on laughing. Idiot. "He's at work." Sano said finally sobering up.
"Oh. Where does he work?" I said picking the perfect red lipstick. I smiled at the tube. Hurrah.
"He works at a day care center. He loves kids. Don't know why, but he does." Sano shrugged. "I didn't know you were a red lipstick kinda gal." He said snatching it from me.
"I'm not. It's for a friend." I said grabbing it back, and putting it in my cart, "I would have never guessed that Kenshin worked at a day care center. That's so cute." I shouldn't have said that out loud. Sano was grinning widely. Grrr. "What do you do Sano?"
"I'm a carpenter." He said proudly. He flexed him muscles. Show off. Scarfing down more chips, he asked me what I did.
"I work in an office."
"That's really descriptive." He snorted.
"Well, it's not like there's anything special about it. It gets boring after a while. Right now my boss isn't too happy with me because I've been messing up lately. Our newest client is not cooperating, and I'm getting in trouble because of it. He hasn't been angry with me yet, but I can feel it. If I mess up again he won't be thrilled with me, plus the whole fiasco this morning was horrible."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. It was just too early to think that's all."
"Yo, Jou-chan I got to go. My lunch break is almost over, but hey, thanks for the chips." He smiled, handing me a half eaten bag of Tostitos. He went to the supermarket on his lunch break? Ooook.
"You're..." I looked passed Sano and there was Arturo walking by the isle. "welcome."
"Jou-chan?" Sano said waving his hand in my face.
"Huh?" I said. What was Arturo doing here? Would he recognize me?
"You look like you saw a ghost." Sano said looking around.
"No, I just saw an old friend. I was surprised to see him..." Arturo had come back to the isle, and was walking in our direction. I casually turned to look at the items on the shelf.
"Only an old friend?" Sano asked cocking an eyebrow. I wasn't even paying attention. I ignored his question, and waited for Arturo to pass. "Earth to Kaoru..." he said when I didn't answer. Arturo was behind me. He seemed to hesitate a little bit before moving on. I let out the breath I was holding, and relaxed my hands, which I hadn't even noticed were gripping my skirt. "Was that him?" Sano said noticing me relax.
"Yeah."
"He wasn't just an old friend was he?" Sano smiled slyly.
"Don't you have a job to do somewhere?" I asked. He laughed at my anger, and walked off waving.
~~~~~~~~~~
I went to the gym to work off my stress, and get all the kinks out. My brain was on over load, and the best thing to do would be beat the crap out of someone. Too bad I didn't have anyone to hurt. So, I settled for a punching bag. By this time it was 4. I had been here for 3 hours. It's scary how much time I could spend at a gym. It wasn't exactly a gym though. It was the dojo-ish place Misao dragged me to. I saw Michael there. I waved. He didn't wave back.
"Miss Kaoru!" A hand lay on my shoulder. I grabbed the hand, and crouched about to throw the person over my shoulder, but something happened. It happened too quickly for me to follow. All of a sudden, I was on the floor, and Kenshin was on top of me.
"How?" Was all I could say.
"I'm fast, that I am." He said standing and helping me up. "I did not mean to startle you."
"No one ever does." I said.
"Practicing your fighting skills?" He inquired.
"Yes. You?"
"I do not know any martial arts. I can use a bokken fairly well though." He smiled, "Would you like to go out for some lunch?" That was random question...
"Why not." I said, but then realized how sweaty, and probably smelly I was. "Can we stop at my apartment quickly so I can take a short shower?"
"Of course."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a shower I dressed in jeans and a pink tank top. I slipped on flip flops, and was ready to go. Kenshin, dressed in his sweat pants and t- shirt, commented that I looked great. It was a fairly simple outfit, but I accepted the compliment anyway. He took me to a Thai restaurant. It wasn't really formal, so they didn't care what we wore. The food was really good, and Kenshin mentioned that he used to cook at the restaurant. It explained how everyone there seemed to know him. I told him that he'd have to cook for me one day. I meant it. I can't cook; he can cook. It sounded like a good idea to me. We had reached dessert, and it had all turned out really great. If I may remind you of the last time I thought things were going great...
"Would you like to try some?" I offered. Kenshin hadn't ordered anything for dessert, so I felt compelled to share.
"No thanks Miss Kaoru." He smiled.
"I insist it's really good."
"I'm fine."
"I don't believe you, but whatever."
"Um... Miss Kaoru." He said after a couple minutes of silence
"Yes Kenshin?"
"I'm going to the Kamiya dojo next weekend."
"And?"
"And I would like you to accompany me. If you want to that is." Kenshin stared down at his lap. He was really embarrassed. It was adorable how shy he could be, but no matter how cute he was there was no way I'd go with him. No way in hell.
"I'm sorry Kenshin, but I'm busy next weekend." I apologized.
"Oh. It's ok. I just thought you would like to see your family, but if you are busy perhaps another time."
"Perhaps." I said finishing off my dessert.
"How are you related again?" Kenshin knew I hadn't told him. He was trying to trick me. I'm not that easy to fool.
"I never told you." I said, "Ready to go?"
"You refuse to tell me?" He looked hurt. Why?
"Yes I do." I gave him a sad smile. The past belonged in the past. I did not want for it to be brought into the light.
"I suppose Sano can come with me."
"You two are really close."
"We're best friends, and roommates. We've got a strong bond that most friendships lack, that they do."
"You're very wise, too wise for your age. You look 18, but you have to be older. 24?"
"28." He said chuckling softly at my dropped jaw.
"You're joking right?"
"No."
"Oh my gosh! I would have never guessed!" Kenshin 28? No way. No friggin way.
"I would place you at 25." He said squinting at me.
"26. You were close though." I beamed at him. Jeez, I'm sure I must look like a dork smiling like that, but I can't help it. His age was a complete surprise; it was so unexpected.
"I know where we should go now, that I do!" Kenshin said smiling widely. What was he up to?
~~~~~~~~~~
"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed watching the many butterflies fly around. Kenshin had taken me to a special spot in the park that was full of butterflies. The colors danced around me on little wings. I might not be a very girly girl, but this was breath taking. "Thank you." I turned to Kenshin, who seemed to have been staring at me instead of the butterflies fluttering around. My face turned red, and I averted my eyes from his beautiful lavender eyes. I changed from a sitting position to a lying down one on the grass. My body stretched out and relaxed.
"I knew you would love it." Kenshin said looking down at me. He was sitting next to me Indian style.
"I'm glad you took me here."
"Me too." He smiled. He turned to watch the butterflies, and this time I was the one to study him. He sat relaxed, his thick red hair in a low ponytail, the hair shined brightly in the sunlight. He looked so calm and peaceful. He looked his age for some reason. Noble, mature; kind. He had a calming presence that just made me want to stare forever. I was jealous of how carefree he seemed, while I was stuck in a world of spinning and confusion. I wanted to steal his peace. Take it for myself. Before I realized what I was doing I was sitting up next to him, still staring intently. He turned his head and smiled at me. I want his peace. I want his humbleness, his calmness, the security in his arms; I want...him? My lips brushed his gently. I pulled back slowly looking into his face. He was shocked, but I just smiled at him. I was drunk off of his kiss. It wasn't even a real kiss, our lips barely touched, but somehow I felt light as air. I laid back down on the grass, and stared up at the butterflies. Today was a good day.
~~~PREVIEW: My eyes widened with shock. How the hell did he know my name, wait, how did he know where I lived? My mouth hung open, and I gaped at him. I recovered as quickly as I could, and swept my leg under his legs. He fell to the ground, and I shut the door before he could stand. 3 words vibrated through my head as I leaned against the door to my apartment, 'what the fuck?'