Title: A New Beginning
Rated: PG-13 (Violence & Language)
Author: charismatic angel
Email: charismatic_angel@msn.com
Chapter Date: June 27, 2003
All the stuff you do not want to read but I have to say:
* sighs * I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Someone else owns the rights and characters to this series. You know the rest…(Please don't sue me)
Chapter 12:
Kenshin led both Kaoru and Tsubame inside as Aya made a face of disapproval. The interior reminded Kaoru of her home, in Japan. It was as if she had never left the city of Tokyo, her heart ached at the thought of never going back.
"Don't mind Aya, she is only doing her job…she can be a really nice person." Kenshin said
They were directed past a beautiful fountain that trickled water down to its base where it cascaded over smooth flat rocks. The sound of calming music flooded the air and a distinct sound of a nightingale could be heard in the background.
Kenshin pointed out certain details, like the hand crafted Japanese portraits that hung on the walls and the decorative paper light fixtures that loomed above them. He showed great enthusiasm as he showed them around.
He led them to a hallway, which contained a series of paper doors. Each door was painted in a beautiful array of colors and scenes. Kenshin slid open a door that had a cherry blossom tree painted on it. The pink petals fell off the tree and flittered in the air as if they were caught in a still moment.
Kenshin gestured for them to walk inside. Both Kaoru and Tsubame removed their shoes before entering. Kaoru was in awe as she stepped into the elaborate room. A small black table sat in the center with four silk embroidered pillows surrounding it. The light paper walls reflected sunlight and made, which made the paintings on them come to life.
The two girls kneeled on either side of the small table, still marveling at the room's beauty.
"Miss Kaoru, do you like?" he said, hopefully standing outside the doorway.
"Yes, it is truly beautiful."
Tsubame nodded in agreeance.
Kenshin smiled, "Our special today is, soba soup, hand rolled sushi, and shrimp tempura."
"That sounds good." Both girls said in unison.
"I will personally see that you are served." with that said, Kenshin bowed and closed the paper door behind him.
"Wow, this place is spectacular! No wonder you'd have to make reservations first!" Tsubame said with awe.
"I agree this is a beautiful place."
"We are lucky you knew Kenshin, otherwise we wouldn't be eating here. So how do you know him? He is rather handsome with that long red hair and those violet eyes…I mean how many guys look like him?"
Kaoru seemed a bit perturbed by her questions.
"Kenshin lives in my building. We have only met a few times." She flatly said.
"I think he likes you." Tsubame said, giving Kaoru a wide grin.
"Don't be silly…We are nothing more than…"
Someone who slid the door open interrupted Kaoru. A beautiful Japanese woman entered bowing before them.
"Master Himura, has asked me to take care of you." She said pleasantly, "Can I bring you anything to drink while you wait for your meal?"
"I've always wanted to try sake." Tsubame chimed
"We have many different brands and flavors of sake to choose from. May I recommend, Juyondai. It has a quite pleasant flavor."
"That sounds wonderful, we will have that then." Kaoru replied
The woman nodded her head and bowed once more before leaving.
A few minutes later the same woman returned carrying a tray with two small cups and a giant crystal bowl of ice that contained two decorative bottles of sake. She sat the tray before them and placed the bowl on the center of the table and gave them each a cup.
She took one of the bottles of sake and poured Tsubame's and then Kaour's cup. She replaced the bottle back into the ice and left once more.
It had been awhile since Kaoru last had sake. She clearly remembered the last time to be at a wedding. The sake didn't quite settle with her at the time, but maybe that's because she was only 16.
Kaoru brought the glass to her lips and sipped the contents. This sake didn't taste like the kind she had before. It had a flowery aroma and was fruity to the taste. The sake was sweet, light, and elegant to her surprise.
The rest of the courses came and went. Each had a unique and delightful taste. Kaoru had never enjoyed a meal that was quite as satisfying.
I wonder if he made this? Duh, he must have. He's the chef of course.
Kaoru and Tsubame sat a little while longer, after finishing their last course.
"This was so good! I am so glad we came here. Wait until I tell Tae, she is going to flip. She's always wanted to try this place." Tsubame said smiling.
"I am glad we came here too. I would never have believed there to be such a place like this." Kaoru replied
"We better get going if we're still going to go shopping." Kaoru said, looking at her watch.
"Ya, I guess your right…I really don't want to leave but who am I to pass a day of shopping. She giggled.
The two girls got up and exited the room closing the paper door behind them. On their way back they ran into the Japanese woman who served them.
"I hope you enjoyed you meal." She said bowing before them.
"Yes, indeed we did." Kaoru said giving a big smile of approval.
Kaoru wondered where Kenshin was, since she hadn't seen him since before dinner.
'He must be busy…I wish he was here so I could thank him.'
They rounded the corner to see Aya, standing at the podium looking cross as ever.
Kaoru approached her with her money out, ready to pay. At that moment, Kenshin came bustling out of the kitchen and rushed towards Kaoru.
"No, please put that away…It was my pleasure to treat both of you." He said pushing her hand with the money away.
Aya scowled at both of them feeling very unnerved by Kenshin's generosity.
"I..I can't possibly let you do that. It wouldn't be right." Kaoru said in protest.
Kenshin smiled, "Please, it would offend me if you did not accept."
"I wouldn't feel right if I offended you…but there must be something I could do to pay you back." Kaoru hinted.
"I will tell you what…since I keep odd hours and don't get out much…maybe you would visit me…we could get to know each other." His eyes focused on Kaorus, "We could be friends?" He lightly said, saying it as more of a question than a statement.
Kaoru was a bit uneasy about what he just said, but she thought it was a reasonable enough request.
'He said, only friends…There is no harm in that.'
"I would like that." She replied, with a warm grin.
Kenshin returned with a warm smile of his own, "Thank you, Miss Kaoru."
Aya, clearing her throat broke the nice moment. Kenshin read Aya's expression and reluctantly excused himself and bed Kaoru and Tsubame goodbye.
***********************************
The rest of the day Kaoru and Tsubame spent shopping. Kaoru was happy to have another person along, who loved shopping more than she did. She bought a few new items of clothing and some new hair ribbons.
Ever since she was a child, Kaoru wore ribbons in her hair. Her father always complimented on how pretty she looked when she wore them. It was one of the main reasons why she continued wearing them.
They both lost track of time and before they knew it was almost time for work. Tsubame told Kaoru she would give her a ride home so she could pick up her uniform and drop her stuff off.
Kaoru noticed the sky getting darker as a storm approached. Before long they reached Kaoru's place. She quickly got out of the car and raced into the building trying not to waste any time.
She unlocked the door to the entrance and raced up the stairs towards her floor. When she got to her apartment she unlocked the door and threw her purchases onto the couch. Kaoru picked up her uniform and grabbed her coat and umbrella.
Tsubame patiently waited in the car, as the sky grew darker. The wind was now beginning to pick up and it was raining. Kaoru pulled her coat tightly against her as she stepped outside and raced towards Tsubame's car.
In a matter of minutes the storm progressed, sending bright flashes of lightning and low rumbling thunder into the sky.
With only a few minutes to spare, they made it to work on time.
The usual crowds of people were not anywhere to be seen. The Akabeko was almost dead, with little activity going on. From outside, they could hear the loud tremors of thunder and the howling wind. Apparently, people did not want to face the storm to come there.
A few hours later, Tae came up to Kaoru and said she could go home early. There wasn't a lot for her to do, since Tsubame had done most of the backroom stuff earlier that morning.
Tsubame offered Kaoru a ride if she'd stay another hour, until she got off. Wanting to get home Kaoru turned down her offer and assured Tsubame she'd be all right.
Kaoru put on her coat and grabbed her umbrella, ready to face what was outside. The storm was violent sending several flashes of lightening into the sky. She opened her umbrella and ran as fast as she could toward home.
The rain propelled by the strong winds, pounded across Kaoru's face. It was hard to see where she was going. Finally, she recognized the lights of the corner store and knew she was almost home. Kaoru ran faster wanting to get out of the rain.
As she neared the steps to the building she saw a soaked figure run inside.
'Looks like they want to get out of the rain as much as I do I Wonder what they were doing out in this weather…guess they could say the same about me.'
She ran up the stairs and forcefully opened the door as a strong gust of wind blew past. Kaoru shook the umbrella off in the entryway and closed it. The person who ran inside earlier was nowhere to be seen.
She unlocked the second inside door and proceeded inside. A trail of water could be seen leading up the staircase.
'Whoa, looks like that person was really soaked.' She said eyeing the puddles.
The trail led to the second floor where they stopped outside the door to its entrance. She wondered if that person was Kenshin but realized it could have been someone else on his floor.
Kaoru entered her apartment and took off her rain sodden things and decided to take a warm shower before she went to bed. She was about to hang her coat behind the door when she saw the spot was occupied by Kenshin's coat.
Her fingers trailed down its leather surface. She hoped that it wasn't him that she saw running inside. Kaoru felt guilty about not being able to return his jacket sooner.
'I hope he's alright.' She said to herself.
************************************
The next morning, Kaoru was awoken to the gentle pitter-patter of the rain. From the sound of it, the storm seemed to have past. Kaoru got up from her bed and yawned as she scratched her head. She looked at the clock to see it was 7:21am.
She arose and walked into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Kenshin's leather jacket still hung behind her door. She paused thinking to herself.
'Kenshin should be up by now…he is an early riser after all. I should return his jacket the sooner the beter.'
Kaoru finished her tea and went to get dressed. She chose to wear one of the new outfits she bought the other day. It was a blue button down shirt with white capri's. The clothing looked exceptionally good on her tiny frame. She stood in front of her mirror combing out her hair, which was not being agreeable. Giving up she decided to put it up in a clip.
Before leaving, Kaoru grabbed Kenshin's jacket and headed out the door. She was about to close the door behind her when a familiar voice called out to her.
"Hey missy! Sano shouted, bounding towards her.
"Oh, Hey Sano." Kaoru replied, "What are you doing up so early?"
"Just got back from a long night." He said
"What were you doing out so late?" she said, arching her eyebrow. "No, wait…I don't want to hear the answer to that question."
"Like I'd tell you anyways." Sano interjected as he eyed the coat in her arms.
"What are you doing with Kenshin's Jacket?" he asked
Kaoru shot daggers at him, "Why do you think this is Kenshin's Jacket?"
"Because I'd recognize it anywhere…Hey wait a minute." He said arching his eyebrow at her, "I guess I wasn't the only one having a late night." He said winking at her.
Sano moved towards Kaoru's opened door easing it open, "Is he still in there?" Sano smirked, "Yo, Kenshin looks like you were a little bus…"
He was abruptly cut off by Kaoru's hand. She removed her hand and slammed the door shut.
"PERVERT!" she shouted as she stormed off.
Kaoru was seething with anger.
'How could he think that! I will tell you how it's because he is a PERVERT! Good for nothing Rooster Head!'
Before she knew it she was standing at Kenshin's door, clutching his jacket in anger. Kaoru knocked on the door, a little harder than she meant to.
'Oops! I didn't mean to knock so loud.
Kaoru stood outside quietly listening for movement A few moments later she could hear someone shuffling towards the door. Her heart leapt into her throat as the door began to open.
"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin said weakly
She almost gasped when she caught site of him. He looked so different from the other day. His face was pale and his hair hung limply over his eyes. It definitely looked like he wasn't feeling well.
"Kenshin…you look sick." She gasped
"Come in miss Kaoru. I am not as sick as I look" He said as he coughed.
"I just came by to return your jacket. You're sick I can come back another time.."
"No, please come in. I could do with some company." He said hopefully.
"Well…all right, but not for too long. You should be resting."
"All right Miss Kaoru, we will talk a little while if that will make you feel better." He said, trying to smile as he coughed again.
Kaoru walked in and handed him his jacket.
"You didn't happen to be out in this weather last night? She asked
"Yes, I was walking home from work when the storm hit." He replied
"You didn't a jacket did you? Oh this is my entire fault. If I would have returned it to you sooner, you wouldn't be sick." She said guiltily.
"No, No, Miss Kaoru, I have walked in weather like this before. This time it got the best of me. Please do not blame yourself, it isn't your fault." He said, trying to ease her.
"Here, let me get up and make us some tea." He said, getting up
"No…let me do it. Tell me where everything is and I will make it. You are sick so stay put." She said, putting her hand on his shoulder.
Kaoru made the tea and returned with a cup for Kenshin and herself.
"Thank you." Kenshin replied.
The rest of the time they made small talk. Kaoru talked about her friend Misao and Kenshin attentively listened to her every word. She felt at ease with him. Maybe it was because he hardly talked and mainly listened.
"I got a question for you. I forgot to ask you the other day, but the name of your restaurant "Shinta", did you choose it?" she curiously asked.
"Ahhh….yes I did. Shinta is someone I knew long ago." He said, as his voice trailed off.
"I was just thinking it was a peculiar name, that's why I asked."
Keshin directed the conversation away from the name of his restaurant by asking Kaoru if she knew how to use a computer.
"Yes, I know how. Why do you ask?" she said
"Since, you seldom get to talk with your friend Misao, I thought you would like to use my computer. To email her of her course."
Kaoru's eyes lightened up, "You would really let me use it? She said, with excitement in her voice.
"You seem to miss your friend Misao and I would be happy to lend my computer so you can contact her."
Oh Kenshin…I don't know what to say..thank you!" she said, getting up and giving him a hug.
Kaoru realized she had gotten caught up in her own excitement and removed her arms from around Kenshin.
Her face turned crimson red, embarrassed by her actions.
"I think I better go. You should rest. I'll try to visit tomorrow." She said, giving a soft smile.
"I would like that." Kenshin said
*********************************
All night Kaoru worried about Kenshin. She kept thinking about how sick he looked. She knew he wasn't letting on more about how he felt. Tsubame noticed how spacey she was acting and asked her what was wrong.
Kaoru said it was nothing, but she couldn't fool her. Eventually, Kaoru confessed she was worried about Kenshin. Tsubame smiled and assured her he was fine, but being that she was so concerned, Tsubame offered to take over Kaoru's shift.
After much hesitation, Kaoru took up Tsubame's offer and left for home. All the way there she kept thinking about how pale he looked and how raspy his cough was. She couldn't figure out why she was so concerned?
Kaoru reached the building and walked inside. She hesitated, as she walked towards the entrance of the second floor.
'Maybe I am overreacting. What will he think when he sees me at his door? What will I say to him?'
She decided to be brave and walked towards his apartment. Kaoru softly knocked on his door and waited patiently outside.
A few minutes passed by and no one opened the door. She was beginning to get a bad feeling. Kaoru knocked on the door a little louder than she did the first time.
'Please be all right…please be all right.' She said to herself
When no one answered she began to panic.
'He should have answered by now!'
Kaoru jiggled the doorknob and to her surprise found it was unlocked. Her heart pounded as she turned the knob and opened the door.
His apartment was completely dark and she couldn't see anything. She fished around for the light switch and turned it on.
Light flooded the room as Kaoru caught site of Kenshin. He was laying on the couch breathing hard his was flushed and had beads of sweat forming at the top of his head.
Kaoru raced towards the couch and kneeled on the floor beside him. She placed her hand on top of his head.
'He's burning up!'
Kenshin's eyes fluttered open as he tried to focus on the room.
'Everything is so blurry.'
"Kenshin!" Kaoru gasped
"Miss….Kaoru?" he said, as if it took a great amount of energy.
She put her hands over his lips as a gesture for him to stay silent. Worry etched over her face, upon seeing his condition.
"Don't worry Kenshin, I will take care of you." She whispered, brushing the matted hair out of his eyes.
End of Chapter 12
So what do you guys think so far? I know this chapter was a bit long, but I didn't update yesterday.
I can't believe I have 50 reviews! I never expected that many.
Thanks to everyone who's put a smile on my face these past few days. You guys are so awesome!
Well, I got good news! Today I purchased the entire season of RK! YAY! Although, it took a big chunk of my savings, it was worth it. Now, that hard part will be to wait till it arrives in the mail *sighs*
Anyways, please let me know what you thought of this chapter.
Take care,
~*Charismatic Angel*~
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