Disclaimer: Do I still need to do this? How bout this, I'll tell you all if
the plushie situation changes. (I was bidding on eBay again)
Warnings: Sano/Ken shounen-ai, slight oocness (I am trying to keep it a minimum but its been awhile since I saw the series), and slight Kaoru abusing (I just couldn't help myself)
Time to Wander Chapter 3:
Kenshin picked idly at his dinner with his chopsticks, his thoughts overpowering the growing din of Yahiko and Sano's good-natured bantering, Kaoru glowering at both of them, occasionally remarking about how the 'freeloading bozo' disrupted everything. He was thinking about the remainder of the previous grocery run. It had been uneventful, the matter of his preoccupation having been dropped and after a few moments sparse conversation, they'd simply walked in silence, leaving Kenshin with nothing more then Sano's comfortable presence. Making up for his earlier inattention, he'd stayed acutely aware of his surroundings, letting his mind stray to the beautiful weather, the light wind ruffling his kimono, anything and everything around him, including Sanosuke. He'd been walking at a mild pace, fish bones sticking from the side of his mouth, staying in front of, but not too far ahead of Kenshin. He'd sporadically stretch his arms up or out, catlike, catching Kenshin's notice from the corner of his eye, causing the little samurai to tense for a second, hand straying to the hilt of his sakabatou. Even that eventually relaxed, and their hike became more of a morning stroll, and stayed that way until they returned to the dojo, where the waiting Kaoru had made him glad to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning.
'Miss Kaoru looked awfully pleased for me to be home, and I don't think it was because she wanted to cook the ramen I bought, that I most certainly do not.' He flinched a little as he remembered the second of the unnerving bouts of affection he'd received from her that day. Her eyes were bright and shiny when she half dragged him into the kitchen with his bags; completely missing the 'help me' look he unthinkingly sent Sanosuke's direction. 'I should not have done that, Sano will be more curious now, that he will.' He had been thankful that Yahiko had walked in when he had moments later, because Kaoru had looked as though she was gathering the courage for something more then a clumsy embrace.
"Kenshin? ... Are you there Kenshin?" Speaking of the devil.
"Oro? Or- Yes Miss Kaoru, of course. My mind was just roaming for a moment," he replied smiling stiffly. The continuous noise in the background in addition to his heavy thinking was beginning to grate on his nerves.
"Are you not hungry? You've barely touched your fish."
At that point the fight that had been casually brewing for hours exploded when Sano swiped the last of Yahiko's rice when Yahiko wasn't paying attention. At that point the usually even mannered redhead had had enough. He rose gracefully from the table and opened the sliding door. "I'm going out for a walk."
But one second later, there was that damned tug on his kimono again. He stopped but didn't turn around to face her, even when she spoke. "But where are you going? What if you get attacked, or hurt? How am I supposed to find you?"
'I am not a child, that I most certainly am not.' Irritated at her coddling, and knowing he'd feel guilty for it later, but not caring, he informed her sharply, "I am quite positive I will be safe without being under everyone's watch for a few hours, that I am." He stepped out the door, closing it harder then he'd meant to. "And do not think about following. It will get ugly if I have to spend my walk ducking and dodging all of you, this I promise."
There was nothing but silence from the other side so he left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inside the three inhabitants were in shock. The second Kenshin's footsteps were out of earshot Kaoru collapsed on the floor where she'd been standing. And for a few moments her plaintive, girlish sobs were the only sound in the room.
When Sanosuke finally got up, startling the others, and walked softly over to the crouched Kaoru, her hand went up as if to swat him away. "Don't," she said in a pained voice.
"Where is he going Kaoru?" he asked gently. "One of us needs to go keep after him."
"How am I supposed to know?" she was horribly shaken, tears had soaked her collar, and her face was red from sobbing. "He just basically told me he didn't want me around, or didn't you catch that part?"
Sano put his hand on his face, trying desperately to figure out how to get reasoning through to her. He tried again, taking both her hands lightly in his own, "Do you know anyplace he likes? We can't just leave him out there, and you've gone chasing after him before. Don't you have any idea? Even just a place to start?"
She shoved him squarely in the chest and met his surprised dark eyes directly. "I. Don't. Know. Alrig-!"
The strains of her overbearing self-pity, with Kenshin alone and distracted outside, caused him to lose his temper, and with one movement he had her hanging, feet dangling inches above the floor, shoulders pinned sharply to the wall. His face was nose to nose with her own, despite her terrified whimpers. He was furious, and close up with the firelight playing off of his features, transforming them, he looked angry, violent, demonic even, with a strange look burning in his eyes. "I don't have time this shit little missy. If you want to leave him out there in his condition, fine. Don't expect me to do the same. Now where is he?" his voice blackened in dark undertones.
"Sano! Sano let her go! You're hurting her! Sanosuke!" He could feel something tugging on his arms, and followed his first impulse to turn around and run his fist into the first thing it came in contact with, sending Yahiko crashing across the room, and releasing Kaoru in one motion. Seeing the younger boy laying in a pile behind the upturned table was enough to send his rage fleeting to whatever heinous place it came from, leaving him alone and unaided to try to explain what had just happened.
He took a step toward Yahiko before remembering Kaoru. Torn for a moment, he pivoted to see her first, and found the spot to where she'd fallen was bare. Bewildered, he turned again only to find her unstably making her way over to the boy on hands and knees. He moved to aid her but an irate glare from her stopped him in his tracks. Only after she looked the unconscious child over did he speak. "Is he-"
"Fine," she told him. Her blue eyes met his worried brown, probing, and before she turned away, her posture softened.
"Are y-"
"I'm positive." Her voice was clearer, no longer muffled by snuffling. She picked the kid up and wove her way into his room, laying him out on his bedroll. When she came back into the other room, she paused by the doorframe, regaining both her balance, and her presence of mind. Noticing the mess from the upturned table, she righted it and began to clean up. Sanosuke stayed motionless, his mind still processing the last few minutes when he heard a soft, "Check by the river. To the left of the bridge."
"Huh?" was all he could come up with to say, shuffling from one foot to the other, not sure he had heard properly.
"The bridge. Look there, baka," she said poisonously, irritated by his inattention.
Sano looked confused, as though the simple directions were far too much for his comprehension. He made a brief move towards the door, but stopped to shoot her a glance.
She saw him hesitate, and it was her turn to lash out angrily, "Well what are you waiting for you no-good-lazy-idiot?!"
Relieved he had indeed heard her correctly, he ran his fingers through his hair compulsively, and with barely a nod of his head to signify that he'd understood, was bolting out into the night, leaving Kaoru staring emptily out of the open door. She could hear Sano's steps disappearing into the black city as well.
'He's coming Kenshin.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, wasn't that some chapter eh? I love injuring Kaoru, the stupid whiny little ::mumble mumble:: and the chance was too good to pass up. Well, wonder what our little rurouni has been up to in the meanwhile, out late, all alone. I've got three or four places this could be heading, and due to thus, it might be a little longer for the next update. I need time to experiment you know? I think it depends on fast I want to finish this up, and while I don't want to drag it out, I'd like more then another or chapter or two out of this. What do you guys think? And how am I doing staying in character? Reign me in by chewing me out if it gets too ooc. Because I'm trying. Hard.
Left some reviews for your stories today too. I love having more stuff to read. If you know any really good Inu/Miroku writers, or like websites, email them to me, for there is a lack in really well written ones.
And hey, do you know anyone who knows this series well, who'd like to beta read for me? I kinda want someone who can do more then just proofread. I want someone to bat around ideas with, and it may help if they don't love Kaoru -too- much. ::giggles:: I'm kidding, I think. I should behave with her, it's not her fault she loves Kenshin too. And is a pain in the butt about it, and everything else.
I'm done. I'm trying to keep these short, really I am.
Warnings: Sano/Ken shounen-ai, slight oocness (I am trying to keep it a minimum but its been awhile since I saw the series), and slight Kaoru abusing (I just couldn't help myself)
Time to Wander Chapter 3:
Kenshin picked idly at his dinner with his chopsticks, his thoughts overpowering the growing din of Yahiko and Sano's good-natured bantering, Kaoru glowering at both of them, occasionally remarking about how the 'freeloading bozo' disrupted everything. He was thinking about the remainder of the previous grocery run. It had been uneventful, the matter of his preoccupation having been dropped and after a few moments sparse conversation, they'd simply walked in silence, leaving Kenshin with nothing more then Sano's comfortable presence. Making up for his earlier inattention, he'd stayed acutely aware of his surroundings, letting his mind stray to the beautiful weather, the light wind ruffling his kimono, anything and everything around him, including Sanosuke. He'd been walking at a mild pace, fish bones sticking from the side of his mouth, staying in front of, but not too far ahead of Kenshin. He'd sporadically stretch his arms up or out, catlike, catching Kenshin's notice from the corner of his eye, causing the little samurai to tense for a second, hand straying to the hilt of his sakabatou. Even that eventually relaxed, and their hike became more of a morning stroll, and stayed that way until they returned to the dojo, where the waiting Kaoru had made him glad to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning.
'Miss Kaoru looked awfully pleased for me to be home, and I don't think it was because she wanted to cook the ramen I bought, that I most certainly do not.' He flinched a little as he remembered the second of the unnerving bouts of affection he'd received from her that day. Her eyes were bright and shiny when she half dragged him into the kitchen with his bags; completely missing the 'help me' look he unthinkingly sent Sanosuke's direction. 'I should not have done that, Sano will be more curious now, that he will.' He had been thankful that Yahiko had walked in when he had moments later, because Kaoru had looked as though she was gathering the courage for something more then a clumsy embrace.
"Kenshin? ... Are you there Kenshin?" Speaking of the devil.
"Oro? Or- Yes Miss Kaoru, of course. My mind was just roaming for a moment," he replied smiling stiffly. The continuous noise in the background in addition to his heavy thinking was beginning to grate on his nerves.
"Are you not hungry? You've barely touched your fish."
At that point the fight that had been casually brewing for hours exploded when Sano swiped the last of Yahiko's rice when Yahiko wasn't paying attention. At that point the usually even mannered redhead had had enough. He rose gracefully from the table and opened the sliding door. "I'm going out for a walk."
But one second later, there was that damned tug on his kimono again. He stopped but didn't turn around to face her, even when she spoke. "But where are you going? What if you get attacked, or hurt? How am I supposed to find you?"
'I am not a child, that I most certainly am not.' Irritated at her coddling, and knowing he'd feel guilty for it later, but not caring, he informed her sharply, "I am quite positive I will be safe without being under everyone's watch for a few hours, that I am." He stepped out the door, closing it harder then he'd meant to. "And do not think about following. It will get ugly if I have to spend my walk ducking and dodging all of you, this I promise."
There was nothing but silence from the other side so he left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inside the three inhabitants were in shock. The second Kenshin's footsteps were out of earshot Kaoru collapsed on the floor where she'd been standing. And for a few moments her plaintive, girlish sobs were the only sound in the room.
When Sanosuke finally got up, startling the others, and walked softly over to the crouched Kaoru, her hand went up as if to swat him away. "Don't," she said in a pained voice.
"Where is he going Kaoru?" he asked gently. "One of us needs to go keep after him."
"How am I supposed to know?" she was horribly shaken, tears had soaked her collar, and her face was red from sobbing. "He just basically told me he didn't want me around, or didn't you catch that part?"
Sano put his hand on his face, trying desperately to figure out how to get reasoning through to her. He tried again, taking both her hands lightly in his own, "Do you know anyplace he likes? We can't just leave him out there, and you've gone chasing after him before. Don't you have any idea? Even just a place to start?"
She shoved him squarely in the chest and met his surprised dark eyes directly. "I. Don't. Know. Alrig-!"
The strains of her overbearing self-pity, with Kenshin alone and distracted outside, caused him to lose his temper, and with one movement he had her hanging, feet dangling inches above the floor, shoulders pinned sharply to the wall. His face was nose to nose with her own, despite her terrified whimpers. He was furious, and close up with the firelight playing off of his features, transforming them, he looked angry, violent, demonic even, with a strange look burning in his eyes. "I don't have time this shit little missy. If you want to leave him out there in his condition, fine. Don't expect me to do the same. Now where is he?" his voice blackened in dark undertones.
"Sano! Sano let her go! You're hurting her! Sanosuke!" He could feel something tugging on his arms, and followed his first impulse to turn around and run his fist into the first thing it came in contact with, sending Yahiko crashing across the room, and releasing Kaoru in one motion. Seeing the younger boy laying in a pile behind the upturned table was enough to send his rage fleeting to whatever heinous place it came from, leaving him alone and unaided to try to explain what had just happened.
He took a step toward Yahiko before remembering Kaoru. Torn for a moment, he pivoted to see her first, and found the spot to where she'd fallen was bare. Bewildered, he turned again only to find her unstably making her way over to the boy on hands and knees. He moved to aid her but an irate glare from her stopped him in his tracks. Only after she looked the unconscious child over did he speak. "Is he-"
"Fine," she told him. Her blue eyes met his worried brown, probing, and before she turned away, her posture softened.
"Are y-"
"I'm positive." Her voice was clearer, no longer muffled by snuffling. She picked the kid up and wove her way into his room, laying him out on his bedroll. When she came back into the other room, she paused by the doorframe, regaining both her balance, and her presence of mind. Noticing the mess from the upturned table, she righted it and began to clean up. Sanosuke stayed motionless, his mind still processing the last few minutes when he heard a soft, "Check by the river. To the left of the bridge."
"Huh?" was all he could come up with to say, shuffling from one foot to the other, not sure he had heard properly.
"The bridge. Look there, baka," she said poisonously, irritated by his inattention.
Sano looked confused, as though the simple directions were far too much for his comprehension. He made a brief move towards the door, but stopped to shoot her a glance.
She saw him hesitate, and it was her turn to lash out angrily, "Well what are you waiting for you no-good-lazy-idiot?!"
Relieved he had indeed heard her correctly, he ran his fingers through his hair compulsively, and with barely a nod of his head to signify that he'd understood, was bolting out into the night, leaving Kaoru staring emptily out of the open door. She could hear Sano's steps disappearing into the black city as well.
'He's coming Kenshin.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Well, wasn't that some chapter eh? I love injuring Kaoru, the stupid whiny little ::mumble mumble:: and the chance was too good to pass up. Well, wonder what our little rurouni has been up to in the meanwhile, out late, all alone. I've got three or four places this could be heading, and due to thus, it might be a little longer for the next update. I need time to experiment you know? I think it depends on fast I want to finish this up, and while I don't want to drag it out, I'd like more then another or chapter or two out of this. What do you guys think? And how am I doing staying in character? Reign me in by chewing me out if it gets too ooc. Because I'm trying. Hard.
Left some reviews for your stories today too. I love having more stuff to read. If you know any really good Inu/Miroku writers, or like websites, email them to me, for there is a lack in really well written ones.
And hey, do you know anyone who knows this series well, who'd like to beta read for me? I kinda want someone who can do more then just proofread. I want someone to bat around ideas with, and it may help if they don't love Kaoru -too- much. ::giggles:: I'm kidding, I think. I should behave with her, it's not her fault she loves Kenshin too. And is a pain in the butt about it, and everything else.
I'm done. I'm trying to keep these short, really I am.