Chapter 8
~~~~~~~~
Let's do Some Math
~~~~~~~~
(AN: YAY! Somebody voted on the pole!! Now the pole stands as thus um, I also added my own, but, it's nothing partial or anything:
Aki: 3
Sano: 3
Kenshin: 2
Kaoru: 1
Suzuka: 1
Aoshi: 1
Misao: 1
Don't worry about the title, it's math like 1+2=3 math not evil Algebra equations. By the way, the question about Misao and Aoshi. I'm taking it that's a question as to why they're not together in this fic? Anywho. I would like to do that, but Suzuka is Luna-Sama's character, and she'd kill me if I didn't put her with Aoshi. Since I'm completely and utterly bored...I take character sketch requests! Just email or review me.)
(AN P. S.: also, I'm dedicating this chapter to Rurouni Kaoru. I love it when reviewers review a chapter at a time ^_^ hope you like)
~~~~~~~~
A few weeks later, everyone had gone to bed for the night, and Aki decided she was just going to sleep on the porch. Autumn was just beginning so she figured she might as well get some fresh air before her hair changed color again. Suddenly all coherent thought turned to mush as she started to nod off...
She vaguely noticed someone coming up behind her and sit next to her. Was it morning already?
"Aki?" she heard a familiar voice ask in a whisper. "Aki-Chan..." the person said, slightly shaking her shoulder.
"Eh?" she finally answered, rubbing her slightly throbbing head. Why did the first day of Autumn have to be today? "What is it, Sano?"
"Get your kimono and a Maid of Honor."
"Wait," she said, trying to collect her thoughts. "Today's the first day of Fall and I might not have heard you correctly. Run that by me again."
"I've got everything ready and set up for tonight. All you have to do is get your kimono and pick a maid of honor."
"Put it in simpler terms please."
"We're eloping tonight."
"That's your brilliant solution?"
"Well, you're right, if we invite everyone from here, they'd invite all their connections. So, I got to thinking and arranged everything to happen for tonight. I'll get my stuff ready, Katsu should be here in a few."
"Fine," she said. "Just one more thing."
"Nani?"
"Help me up..."
Aki looked around the girls' room with her kimono in her arms. Which one? Suzuka-San was a great friend, but then again, so was Kaoru-San, Misao-Chan, and Megumi-San. Megumi was at the clinic, though. That scratched her off. Kaoru-san would probably wake everyone up and insist that they all go to the ceremony. That somewhat scratched her off, although she felt a little guilty. That wouldn't work. Suzuka-San would probably freak out before going. That would wake everyone up. That left her with one choice.
"Misao-Chan," she whispered, shaking Misao awake.
"Nani?"
Aki explained the situation as best she could, considering how late it was and how tired they both were, but Misao didn't seem to be phased.
"You mean...you want me to be your maid of honor?" she asked with an excited smile.
"Course," Aki said with another smile.
Misao jumped up as quietly as she could and silently darted to her things and got out her kimono. "Okay, let's go!"
~~~~~~~~
"Bye, Katsu-Kun," Aki said, waving over Sano's shoulder after the ceremony as Sano carried her over the threshold.
"Bye," Katsu said as he walked off. "Good luck, you two. Visit me when you get the chance."
Misao cracked the door open and peeked inside and hastily closed it back. "Kaoru's up...and she looks mad."
"Sano, I suppose you might as well put me down so we can get this over with."
"But I haven't carried you through the door yet," he said with a smile.
"You just want us to get thrown out, don't you?"
He shrugged. "I don't care. As long as you're still here."
"Where were you?!" Kaoru shouted as Misao opened the door and let the newly-married couple through. "I had the whole dojo up and looking for you!"
"We-" Aki started as Sano set her down.
"No, I wanna tell her," Misao said running over to Kaoru and whispering in her ear.
Kaoru's eyes widened in disbelief and suddenly grew larger and much more watery. "And you didn't invite me...?"
"Didn't invite you to what?" Suzuka asked, next to Kaoru.
Kaoru pointed to Aki and Sano while at the same time slowly turning her head to Suzuka. "They eloped..." she almost whimpered.
"And they didn't invite us? Hoé...oh well, congratulations."
"Oro?" Kenshin asked, walking in. "They eloped?"
"Well," Sano said as Aoshi and Yahiko walked in. "You gonna stand there or get us an extra room?"
"GROSS!" Yahiko shouted. "They got married?! Who would wanna marry HIM?!"
"That reminds me," Aoshi said thoughtfully.
"We got engaged, too!" Suzuka added.
Kaoru crossed her arms. "Well, don't expect me to treat you as nicely as I have been! I only have room left here, you'll have to move out!"
Aki and Sano exchanged glances and shrugged, got their stuff, and started to walk out the door.
"Wait!" Kaoru shouted, throwing her arms around Aki. "Don't leave...I'll get Kenshin, Aoshi, and Yahiko to fix the room up for you! I really am happy for you..." she pleaded with a semi-guilty smile
"Suzuka-San, I'm so happy for you and Aoshi!" Aki said walking over to Kenshin's cousin.
"Aki-Chan..." Kaoru said, looking as if she was about to cry.
"Oh, don't worry Kaoru-San, I was just congratulating Suzuka on her and Aoshi's engagement."
Sano rolled his eyes and walked over.
"We have to get the room together, don't we?" Yahiko asked with a yawn.
"Maybe you should go to sleep Yahiko, Aoshi and I can get the room fixed up, that we can," Kenshin said, gently pushing Yahiko down the hall.
After the small boy went to bed, Kenshin and Aoshi got to work on the room.
"We have to start planning!" Kaoru said happily.
"Yeah, this is gonna be fun!" Misao added.
"Personal opinions being stated here..." Aki said. "I think Megumi- San should be your maid of honor."
"Yeah!" Misao agreed. "You two hang out all the time, she'd be perfect for the job."
"Oh, I've got to invite my students!" Kaoru said, clasping her hands together.
"Yeah, and I'll invite the Oniwabanshu in Kyoto. This IS Aoshi- Sama's wedding after all," Misao concluded, holding up a finger.
"You have to invite your patients, Aki-Chan, and Megumi will have to invite hers since she's going to be the maid of honor," Kaoru continued.
"Yutaro, Gensai, Dr. Gensai..."
"Ayame, Suzume..."
"Wouldn't they come together, though?"
"You're right. Well, Tsubame, Tae..."
"Hoé..."
While Kaoru and Misao were naming off names, Kenshin and Aoshi walked back in. "We're done with the room, that we are."
"Well, Aki," Sano said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Should we retire?" he asked with a sly grin.
Before he could get his question out, Aki had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He shrugged. "Or we could just sleep."
~~~~~~~~
A few months later, Autumn had set in and so had Aki's hair color, thankfully. She walked outside green tea in hand. She smiled at the dojo's changing colors all around her.
Suddenly, she saw something that surprised her so much so dropped her tea. "Kaa-San? Tou-San?"
She stood there in shocked silence. Her parents died ten years ago! But there they were, standing in front of the dojo's porch. She calmed down and finally concluded they were ghosts.
Usually from what she had heard of ghosts they had something to say, but they stood there smiling. All of a sudden, she saw a foggy figure slowly materialize in her father's arms. She couldn't believe what she saw when it had finally formed all the way. It was her ten years ago.
Her parents didn't say anything, but she finally got the message as they faded away.
Five minutes afterward, Sano had woken up to see that Aki wasn't there, so he figured she had gone outside as she usually did when she got up before him. He walked outside and was surprised to her lying on the ground. Maybe she was sick or something.
He shrugged.
Well, if she was sick she needed to get to bed at least.
He scooped her up and headed into the dojo. He turned his head because he could've sworn he had seen something out of the corner of his eye. Nothing was there. He shrugged again and went on his way.
~~~~~~~~
"What's wrong with Aki-Chan?" Misao asked during breakfast. "It couldn't be her hair color changing, that happened a while ago."
"I know, she usually fixes breakfast with Suzuka-Chan, but she didn't even do that," Kaoru added.
"Yeah, Kenshin had to cook breakfast because Suzuka spent the night at the clinic helping out Megumi."
"This morning I went outside and she was asleep on the ground," Sano explained. "I figured she must have been sick or something so I took her inside. When she woke up the only thing she could say was to postpone her appointments for today."
"Well," Kaoru said, hands on hips. "Did you postpone them?"
"Yeah..." he as if she should already know. "What kind of a husband do you think I am, Jou-Chan?"
"Maybe we should check on her," Kaoru said, slightly worried.
"After breakfast, though," said Misao.
"Okay."
~~~~~~~~
After breakfast, Kaoru, Misao, and Sano went to see what was wrong with Aki.
"Maybe she's having feminine problems..." Kaoru suggested.
"Maybe she just needs rest?" Misao said with a shrug.
Sano quirked a confused eyebrow as he watched the argument like a gentleman's duel or something.
"I say it's feminine problems."
"I still say she needs rest!"
"Feminine problems!"
"Rest!"
"Feminine problems!!"
"Rest!!"
Aki finally slowly sat up, with a very glazed look.
"Aki-Chan!" Misao said. "Maybe you could clear this up for us!"
"You're having feminine problems, aren't you?" Kaoru asked.
"No, you just need some rest, right?" Misao added.
"You're both right and you're both wrong," Aki answered.
"Huh?" Sano asked, more confused than ever.
"I am having feminine problems and I do need rest, but it's not what you think."
Kaoru and Misao got the idea and both hugged Aki.
"Congratulations!" Misao shouted.
"I'm so happy for you!" Kaoru continued.
"I don't get it," Sano said, scratching his head.
"Alright, Sano, let's do some math," Aki said.
"Okay..."
"How many Sagaras do you know?"
"Four."
"Let's try that again. How many LIVING Sagaras do you know?"
"Just you and me. Two."
"There's about to be three."
Sano's eyes bulged nearly out of his head as his fell over backwards.
"I guess we'll spread the news when we both wake up," Aki said, going back to sleep herself.
~~~~~~~~
"Kenshin, Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted, noticing the small samurai walking through the dojo. "I've just heard the most wonderful news!"
"Before you tell me," Kenshin said with a smile. "I need to talk to you."
"Okay," Kaoru said with a blink.
He took his hand he had behind his back and held out a rock resembling a heart. "Ayame and Suzume found this and thought it would be perfect for you."
"Kenshin, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed, happily accepting the token. "Oh, I almost forgot-"
Before she could get anything else out, Kenshin threw an arm around her shoulder and kissed her. "Will you marry me, Kaoru-Dono?"
~~~~~~~~
Let's do Some Math
~~~~~~~~
(AN: YAY! Somebody voted on the pole!! Now the pole stands as thus um, I also added my own, but, it's nothing partial or anything:
Aki: 3
Sano: 3
Kenshin: 2
Kaoru: 1
Suzuka: 1
Aoshi: 1
Misao: 1
Don't worry about the title, it's math like 1+2=3 math not evil Algebra equations. By the way, the question about Misao and Aoshi. I'm taking it that's a question as to why they're not together in this fic? Anywho. I would like to do that, but Suzuka is Luna-Sama's character, and she'd kill me if I didn't put her with Aoshi. Since I'm completely and utterly bored...I take character sketch requests! Just email or review me.)
(AN P. S.: also, I'm dedicating this chapter to Rurouni Kaoru. I love it when reviewers review a chapter at a time ^_^ hope you like)
~~~~~~~~
A few weeks later, everyone had gone to bed for the night, and Aki decided she was just going to sleep on the porch. Autumn was just beginning so she figured she might as well get some fresh air before her hair changed color again. Suddenly all coherent thought turned to mush as she started to nod off...
She vaguely noticed someone coming up behind her and sit next to her. Was it morning already?
"Aki?" she heard a familiar voice ask in a whisper. "Aki-Chan..." the person said, slightly shaking her shoulder.
"Eh?" she finally answered, rubbing her slightly throbbing head. Why did the first day of Autumn have to be today? "What is it, Sano?"
"Get your kimono and a Maid of Honor."
"Wait," she said, trying to collect her thoughts. "Today's the first day of Fall and I might not have heard you correctly. Run that by me again."
"I've got everything ready and set up for tonight. All you have to do is get your kimono and pick a maid of honor."
"Put it in simpler terms please."
"We're eloping tonight."
"That's your brilliant solution?"
"Well, you're right, if we invite everyone from here, they'd invite all their connections. So, I got to thinking and arranged everything to happen for tonight. I'll get my stuff ready, Katsu should be here in a few."
"Fine," she said. "Just one more thing."
"Nani?"
"Help me up..."
Aki looked around the girls' room with her kimono in her arms. Which one? Suzuka-San was a great friend, but then again, so was Kaoru-San, Misao-Chan, and Megumi-San. Megumi was at the clinic, though. That scratched her off. Kaoru-san would probably wake everyone up and insist that they all go to the ceremony. That somewhat scratched her off, although she felt a little guilty. That wouldn't work. Suzuka-San would probably freak out before going. That would wake everyone up. That left her with one choice.
"Misao-Chan," she whispered, shaking Misao awake.
"Nani?"
Aki explained the situation as best she could, considering how late it was and how tired they both were, but Misao didn't seem to be phased.
"You mean...you want me to be your maid of honor?" she asked with an excited smile.
"Course," Aki said with another smile.
Misao jumped up as quietly as she could and silently darted to her things and got out her kimono. "Okay, let's go!"
~~~~~~~~
"Bye, Katsu-Kun," Aki said, waving over Sano's shoulder after the ceremony as Sano carried her over the threshold.
"Bye," Katsu said as he walked off. "Good luck, you two. Visit me when you get the chance."
Misao cracked the door open and peeked inside and hastily closed it back. "Kaoru's up...and she looks mad."
"Sano, I suppose you might as well put me down so we can get this over with."
"But I haven't carried you through the door yet," he said with a smile.
"You just want us to get thrown out, don't you?"
He shrugged. "I don't care. As long as you're still here."
"Where were you?!" Kaoru shouted as Misao opened the door and let the newly-married couple through. "I had the whole dojo up and looking for you!"
"We-" Aki started as Sano set her down.
"No, I wanna tell her," Misao said running over to Kaoru and whispering in her ear.
Kaoru's eyes widened in disbelief and suddenly grew larger and much more watery. "And you didn't invite me...?"
"Didn't invite you to what?" Suzuka asked, next to Kaoru.
Kaoru pointed to Aki and Sano while at the same time slowly turning her head to Suzuka. "They eloped..." she almost whimpered.
"And they didn't invite us? Hoé...oh well, congratulations."
"Oro?" Kenshin asked, walking in. "They eloped?"
"Well," Sano said as Aoshi and Yahiko walked in. "You gonna stand there or get us an extra room?"
"GROSS!" Yahiko shouted. "They got married?! Who would wanna marry HIM?!"
"That reminds me," Aoshi said thoughtfully.
"We got engaged, too!" Suzuka added.
Kaoru crossed her arms. "Well, don't expect me to treat you as nicely as I have been! I only have room left here, you'll have to move out!"
Aki and Sano exchanged glances and shrugged, got their stuff, and started to walk out the door.
"Wait!" Kaoru shouted, throwing her arms around Aki. "Don't leave...I'll get Kenshin, Aoshi, and Yahiko to fix the room up for you! I really am happy for you..." she pleaded with a semi-guilty smile
"Suzuka-San, I'm so happy for you and Aoshi!" Aki said walking over to Kenshin's cousin.
"Aki-Chan..." Kaoru said, looking as if she was about to cry.
"Oh, don't worry Kaoru-San, I was just congratulating Suzuka on her and Aoshi's engagement."
Sano rolled his eyes and walked over.
"We have to get the room together, don't we?" Yahiko asked with a yawn.
"Maybe you should go to sleep Yahiko, Aoshi and I can get the room fixed up, that we can," Kenshin said, gently pushing Yahiko down the hall.
After the small boy went to bed, Kenshin and Aoshi got to work on the room.
"We have to start planning!" Kaoru said happily.
"Yeah, this is gonna be fun!" Misao added.
"Personal opinions being stated here..." Aki said. "I think Megumi- San should be your maid of honor."
"Yeah!" Misao agreed. "You two hang out all the time, she'd be perfect for the job."
"Oh, I've got to invite my students!" Kaoru said, clasping her hands together.
"Yeah, and I'll invite the Oniwabanshu in Kyoto. This IS Aoshi- Sama's wedding after all," Misao concluded, holding up a finger.
"You have to invite your patients, Aki-Chan, and Megumi will have to invite hers since she's going to be the maid of honor," Kaoru continued.
"Yutaro, Gensai, Dr. Gensai..."
"Ayame, Suzume..."
"Wouldn't they come together, though?"
"You're right. Well, Tsubame, Tae..."
"Hoé..."
While Kaoru and Misao were naming off names, Kenshin and Aoshi walked back in. "We're done with the room, that we are."
"Well, Aki," Sano said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Should we retire?" he asked with a sly grin.
Before he could get his question out, Aki had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He shrugged. "Or we could just sleep."
~~~~~~~~
A few months later, Autumn had set in and so had Aki's hair color, thankfully. She walked outside green tea in hand. She smiled at the dojo's changing colors all around her.
Suddenly, she saw something that surprised her so much so dropped her tea. "Kaa-San? Tou-San?"
She stood there in shocked silence. Her parents died ten years ago! But there they were, standing in front of the dojo's porch. She calmed down and finally concluded they were ghosts.
Usually from what she had heard of ghosts they had something to say, but they stood there smiling. All of a sudden, she saw a foggy figure slowly materialize in her father's arms. She couldn't believe what she saw when it had finally formed all the way. It was her ten years ago.
Her parents didn't say anything, but she finally got the message as they faded away.
Five minutes afterward, Sano had woken up to see that Aki wasn't there, so he figured she had gone outside as she usually did when she got up before him. He walked outside and was surprised to her lying on the ground. Maybe she was sick or something.
He shrugged.
Well, if she was sick she needed to get to bed at least.
He scooped her up and headed into the dojo. He turned his head because he could've sworn he had seen something out of the corner of his eye. Nothing was there. He shrugged again and went on his way.
~~~~~~~~
"What's wrong with Aki-Chan?" Misao asked during breakfast. "It couldn't be her hair color changing, that happened a while ago."
"I know, she usually fixes breakfast with Suzuka-Chan, but she didn't even do that," Kaoru added.
"Yeah, Kenshin had to cook breakfast because Suzuka spent the night at the clinic helping out Megumi."
"This morning I went outside and she was asleep on the ground," Sano explained. "I figured she must have been sick or something so I took her inside. When she woke up the only thing she could say was to postpone her appointments for today."
"Well," Kaoru said, hands on hips. "Did you postpone them?"
"Yeah..." he as if she should already know. "What kind of a husband do you think I am, Jou-Chan?"
"Maybe we should check on her," Kaoru said, slightly worried.
"After breakfast, though," said Misao.
"Okay."
~~~~~~~~
After breakfast, Kaoru, Misao, and Sano went to see what was wrong with Aki.
"Maybe she's having feminine problems..." Kaoru suggested.
"Maybe she just needs rest?" Misao said with a shrug.
Sano quirked a confused eyebrow as he watched the argument like a gentleman's duel or something.
"I say it's feminine problems."
"I still say she needs rest!"
"Feminine problems!"
"Rest!"
"Feminine problems!!"
"Rest!!"
Aki finally slowly sat up, with a very glazed look.
"Aki-Chan!" Misao said. "Maybe you could clear this up for us!"
"You're having feminine problems, aren't you?" Kaoru asked.
"No, you just need some rest, right?" Misao added.
"You're both right and you're both wrong," Aki answered.
"Huh?" Sano asked, more confused than ever.
"I am having feminine problems and I do need rest, but it's not what you think."
Kaoru and Misao got the idea and both hugged Aki.
"Congratulations!" Misao shouted.
"I'm so happy for you!" Kaoru continued.
"I don't get it," Sano said, scratching his head.
"Alright, Sano, let's do some math," Aki said.
"Okay..."
"How many Sagaras do you know?"
"Four."
"Let's try that again. How many LIVING Sagaras do you know?"
"Just you and me. Two."
"There's about to be three."
Sano's eyes bulged nearly out of his head as his fell over backwards.
"I guess we'll spread the news when we both wake up," Aki said, going back to sleep herself.
~~~~~~~~
"Kenshin, Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted, noticing the small samurai walking through the dojo. "I've just heard the most wonderful news!"
"Before you tell me," Kenshin said with a smile. "I need to talk to you."
"Okay," Kaoru said with a blink.
He took his hand he had behind his back and held out a rock resembling a heart. "Ayame and Suzume found this and thought it would be perfect for you."
"Kenshin, it's beautiful!" she exclaimed, happily accepting the token. "Oh, I almost forgot-"
Before she could get anything else out, Kenshin threw an arm around her shoulder and kissed her. "Will you marry me, Kaoru-Dono?"