I'd like to say thank you to my beta-reader, Icewings. ^o^ She does wonders!!!

Innocence

Chapter Two: Culinary Delights

      Giggling, Kaoru knotted a hasty ribbon around the bento and stood back to admire her handiwork. The gift of food was placed in a pearly white bento box adorned with branches of sakura.

      The eight year old girl chortled. She sure hoped her Ken-nii would like it. Sou-nii-chan had been busy cooking for lunch, and Kaoru offered to be his assistant.

       With his immovable smile, Soujiro had taught Kaoru how to make a bento.

      She appeared overjoyed at the prospect of learning the art of cuisine...as for Soujiro...

      "Ehm, Kao-chan, what are you doing?"

      Kaoru lifted her head, question obvious in her round eyes. "What is it Sou-nii-chan?"

      "I don't think you're supposed to put that in the rice cooker..."

      Kaoru shrugged and backed away from the open rice cooker where she'd been dangling the top half of a raw fish. She slapped the fish onto the counter with a wet 'splat' to grab a stool to stand by her brother who also stood atop a stool over the stove.

      She watched his hands pour some kind of powder or spice in a pot of noodles that boiled with tiny bubbles.

      Knowing Kaoru was not as accustomed to the kitchen as he, Soujiro led her away from the heated stove and brought her to the counter, dragging their stools with them.

      "How about I teach you to make some rice balls?"

       "Okay!" chirped Kaoru.

      There was already some rice and water laid out. (I've never made rice balls before, ok?) Kaoru watched as Soujiro took some and began to gently knead it with his hands, rolling it delicately until it began to form a rounded shape. He offered some to Kaoru who began her trial run.

       He made it look so easy! Kaoru bit her lip when she pressed too hard and the supposed rice ball disintegrated with a soft squelch.

       "Mou...."

      And so a frustrated Kaoru had toiled on, Soujiro by her side teasing her with his never ending smile.

       A few hours later, Kaoru had had enough and decided it was time to wrap things up.

       Proudly, Kaoru took the box in her hands and skipped outside the house.

       Glorying in the warm summer day, Kaoru smiled up at the dazzling sun, allowing the golden beams to play across her face and breezes toss her customary ponytail.

      Crossing their house's lush green lawn, Kaoru went over to Kenshin's house. It was a bit smaller than the Kamiya house, but practically the same with its plain green lawns and stone path that trailed to the front door. She knocked tentatively on that door, and secretly wished it would not be answered by the other resident of the house.

      But then again, is fate really ever that kind to us?

      The door opened to reveal the tall form of none other than Hiko Seijuuro. He was larger than possibly any man Kaoru had ever met, but then again, she was only a little girl. A small smirk lifted the ends of Hiko's lips, even that seemed to show some sort of regality.

       "Um..."

       "The baka is doing the laundry." Hiko supplied to the small child, knowing she only came to see his adopted nephew.

      She offered him in return a bow and a murmured "Thank you," before kicking off her shoes like any typical child and rushing off to the back.

      Sure enough, Kenshin was in the laundry room, a room quite close to the kitchen, small yet efficient. Currently he was dumping some random articles of colored clothing into the white washing machine, the rhythmic hum of the dryer around him. He was clad in faded gray sweatpants accompanied by a plain white t-shirt and socks, his red hair brushed back in a low ponytail.

       "Good morning, Kaoru," he greeted, looking up at her with shining violet eyes.

      "'Morning Ken-nii-chan!" Kaoru chimed with a large beaming grin.

      Kenshin chuckled and turned around fully and kneeled down so their faces were level.

      "What," he indicated the bento, "have you got here, Kaoru?"

      "It's for you!" Kaoru lifted the bento box up to the fifteen year old. Kenshin smiled and pressed his palms under the lacquered container.

       "Thank you Kaoru....Ano...you would not mind if I ate it later would you? I still have much washing to do." He indicated the clothes piled by his foot, reaching to about his knee.   

      A pout turned down Kaoru's small mouth. "B—But I made it especially for you this morning..." 

      The sadness that brimmed in her eyes panged Kenshin with guilt and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

      "How about I leave the laundry for a little while later and I'll eat what you have made. As a matter of fact, I have a friend over who I am supposed to be working on this school project with..."

       Kaoru interrupted him with a joyful cheer. Feeling better, Kenshin took one of Kaoru's hands and took her to the living room.

       The coffee table in front of the television was covered entirely with papers and books, the ends of the wooden legs being the only things visible. One black leather sofa was on the other side of the table, opposite the TV, and sprawled across it full length was a tall boy obviously the same age as Kenshin.

      His clothes consisted of tan pants and a dark blue shirt beneath a black jacket. This friend of Kenshin's had his hands behind his head, eyes closed in half sleep. The most unique, would have to be his dark brown hair that stuck straight out except for some stray strands that fell over his eyes. If not for Kenshin's crimson hair, Kaoru would have thought of his as the weirdest she had ever seen.

      "...A bird man!" Kaoru blurted out.

      This 'bird man' opened one eye and grinned at Kaoru and Kenshin, whose hands were still intertwined. He let out a low and long whistle.

      "Wow Kenshin, never thought you were into women so...young."

       Scarlet bloomed across Kenshin's cheeks. "Sano! I--"

       "Oi! I'm kidding, all right? You're too serious about everything. You've gotta lighten up or life'll never be any fun."

       "Sanosuke," Kenshin retorted in a soft yet strong voice deep with no humor whatsoever, "you know you are supposed to help me with the project, not freeloading."

       Sano's brows lifted and it was as innocent as he could get his face to look, only making him look like a senseless idiot. "Freeloader? What're you talking about? I haven't taken any of your food--"

      "Then would you care to explain the crumbs on your jacket?"

      "Kuso!" Sano hissed, complaining about how his friend was always so sharply observant.

      Kaoru decided she would get to know this Sano for herself. After all, if he was a friend of Kenshin's she was sure he could be a friend of hers as well.

      She strode forward and pounced on him. Sano grunted in protest as Kaoru settled onto his lean stomach.

      "I'm Kamiya Kaoru!" she introduced with a wide grin.

      "Sagara Sanosuke." His eyes alit on the bento she had. Hm...Free food.

      "Ken-nii-chan!" Kaoru lifted up her bento to Kenshin who willingly took it, loosening the ribbon around it which he pocketed. Lifting the lid, he did his best not to cringe.

      Lumps of sopping rice balls sat splattered to the bottom, rivulets of water running from them. What looked like black ramen was tossed about, almost covering the head of a fish that looked like it'd been crisped to the bone and its eyes had popped out.

      Beneath his bangs, Kenshin glanced at Kaoru. She was watching him expectantly. Sighing inaudibly he picked up one of the mounds of rice and bit into it. One chew and he knew it was best to swallow all of it quickly.

      "Is it okay?" Kaoru asked sheepishly.

      "Aa...I'm sure your cooking skills will improve...." Kenshin replied, trying his best to not sound too harsh and not lie to her at the same time. He was interrupted by a hand that snatched the morsel of fish.

      A frown flashed across Kaoru's face. "That's for Ken-nii-chan, not you!" she reprimanded Sano as he bit into it.

      He grimaced. Not only was the fish overcooked and most of the meat had been scorched off, but it left this really disgusting tangy flavor like a whole bag of sour lemons and globs of aged wasabi was stuffed in your mouth.

      "Horrible."

      "Sano--!!" Kenshin began to reprove, only to be cut off short by Kaoru.

      "Mou! You dumb rooster!" And Sanosuke Sagara found himself pummeled by Kaoru, surprised a little girl could have such strength as she rained her fists on his head.

      "Agh—Hey! Get off me you violent maniac! Kenshin, a little help would be nice--"

      "It is not like you did not deserve it..." Kenshin smiled.

      "Geesh! Will you calm down jou-chan?! Ow—Hey, I think you almost dislocated my nose!"

      "Oro. Maybe I should get back to my laundry."

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You've probably noticed the change in years. Every chapter might be like that...advancing a few years. Need the characters to get older, and once they are, tragedy will strike. Better not give too much away...

[Response to reviews]

Waterflash: Um...Ow? XD *offers a bandage*

Aharah Musici: You should watch it! The animation is awesome and it is so funny! Lol.

jouchan-racoon-grl: Everyone says that too...and Dory's whale talk. XD I like your penname by the way.

SilverKnight7: Thank you! Awesome penname!

aglaia102: Thanks! Cool name!

Icewings: Arigato! Arigato! Arigato! *scratches head* I honestly did not think this would be that funny...

please review! ^o^