Well, I am writing once again, and I hope you readers like this chapter.
At least you could say I updated this faster then my other chapters. Since
I have the whole week off, I will continue to work on my unfinished fics,
but I can't guarantee to you, when I could update my other fics. Plus I
have started writing a new story. One I think you'll like. If you do have
time, and you're bored, please feel free to read it and tell what you
think. Gotta go, please leave a review, whether it's questions, comments,
and/or suggestions. I don't take flames, there are from those who can't
write or at least that is what I believe.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I wish I did but I don't.
Our Special Moments of Time
Chapter Two
Sanosuke rushed over to the phone call, Soujiro informed him about. The phone call had to be important, more like a phone call from Kenshin stating his reason for not coming into work today. In ways Sano was pissed off, because he worked so hard on the report of Shishio's trial, when Kenshin wasn't going to be around to check it. Didn't life suck anyway?
Grabbing the phone, he heard at the other end of the phone, a voice yelling in the background.
"Hello," Sano said trying to sound professional on the phone and also trying to show the other co-workers around him, how well he could talk to someone on the phone.
"Hey Sano!" the other man yelled. Automatically Sano realized his boss was at the other end of the phone line. Realizing whom it was talking to him, Sano straighten himself out and waited for his boss to speak. Right now he couldn't afford to lose this job, not when apartment rents were so high.
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" answered Sano. Just then Soujiro passed by with mockery on his face. It was a sign, telling him that he was kissing up to the boss again to still keep his job. Sano felt like punching Soujiro, though Soujiro could dodge any attack with ease.
"Where the hell is Kenshin? Where did he go? The business is doing like hell without him! Do you know how late the shipments are? Do you know the newspapers are falling behind in Tokyo? I need Kenshin back on his job as soon as possible!" yelled the boss. His voice rang through Sano ears.
"Certainly sir. Though I have no idea where he is at the moment. He never called in the office to notify his disappearance. No one knows where he is located," replied Sano.
"What?"
"I was thinking maybe you could find someone to fill in his position for now, maybe like me."
"Are you joking? You would ruin me in less than a day! I prefer have Soujiro to fill in the position! But if you are interested in doing something, why don't you find out what happened to Kenshin?"
Before Sano could say anything, the boss on the other end hung up; leaving him dumbfounded and no leads to start his search for his missing buddy.
***
The day at Akabeko went as normal as usual for everyone except Kaoru. She was planning to take the day off and try to recuperate from what happened to her last night, but she couldn't. She really needed the money, plus she had to do something then sit down and cry her heart out. It may take her sometime to heal from yesterday's incident after all, the wounds were still fresh, but somehow she was determined to move on with her life.
Maybe Kenshin might call. Maybe he might come through those doors over there and greet me like nothing ever happened yesterday, Kaoru mentally told herself, yet a part of her knew that would never happen. For Kenshin to do something like that to her, something must have gone wrong. He would never disappear without telling her something important. Where did he go? Where is he right now?
Grumbling to herself, Kaoru moved from table to table, just picking up after people. The dirty dishes were tossed into the sink, while she organized the other supplies in the kitchen. She mentioned to the other waitresses, that she did not feel like taking people's orders today. It was the only conversing she did with the other maids. Besides that, she completely avoided Misao. Her heart did not want to pour any emotions out to one person. From small she believed she didn't deserve anyone's pity. What happened, just happened. What Megumi said early this morning about her being naïve, was right. It was time she opened her eyes to the real world and see what it really was like to live in it. It was time that she stopped looking at the brighter side of things and played with life just a little. I should live everyday like it's the last day, only I wish this pain would go away.
Silently moving through the crowds of people that were in the fast food joint, Kaoru picked up the dishes to carry them in the back, while all the time she remained quiet. From the distance Misao watched her friend drowned in her sorrow. Through her sapphire eyes, sadness could be seen. The grief in which she walked with part the day, worried Misao. What got this situation worse was Misao could not help her friend. She had the feeling her friend was purposely avoiding her, for not having to explain her situation. Could have something gone wrong last night?
Walking up to the counter of Akabeko, she took the orders of plates that were handed to her by her young helper named Tsubame. Taking the plates to their rightful places, she remembered yesterday when Kaoru told her she had a date with Kenshin. Kaoru left early to spend the evening with him. Could have something gone wrong between Kaoru and Kenshin? That could be the answer.
At the ending of the day, Misao promised she would confront Kaoru and get her to tell her what happened last night. After all as a friend the least she could do was try to help Kaoru stop drowning herself in misery.
***
Megumi hummed to herself, while taking a peaceful shower. It was times like these she rarely got. It felt so good to be home today, when everyone else was working so hard trying to bring home a good salary, more like Kaoru. She was surprised when she found Kaoru dressed this morning, ready to go to work. After what happened to her last night, she thought she might stay home to get over her relationship with Kenshin. In a way it would be amusing to see the raccoon girl grow up. Kaoru seemed very immature for her age. Her childish ways could be so annoying at times, especially her short temper. Yet knowing that Megumi could easily annoy Kaoru brought a lighter side to things. Finally Kaoru would realize that everything in life is not so simple, like for example her job could barely pay for rent and food.
Nodding to herself, Megumi took off the shower and grabbed her towel at the side of the shower drapes. She dried herself, still trying to wonder how did Kenshin, a well paying man, such a fine looking one too, ended up dating a woman, no girl like Kaoru. Even her younger brother still called her a child and he was almost done with high school. To Megumi that was the worst insult she ever heard, yet Kaoru never did anything to her brother, besides put her short tempers on him.
Finally putting dry, clean clothes on, Megumi heard the phone ring. Hastily she ran from the bathroom, to her bedroom to pick her portable phone.
"Hello," she lightly said. Waiting for another answer at the end, all she heard was a bad connection. The other person's phone must be in a dead zone, or the battery on the phone was close to dying.
"Hello," she iterated.
Still no one answered. As she was about to put down her phone, she heard someone on the other end of the statically phone.
"Kaoru... is... that... you.," said the other voice. The words could hardly be heard because the other end connection was so bad.
"No whose this?" asked Megumi curiously, wondering who would call at a time like this.
The other end of line cut off. The voice that was once there was no longer there. Megumi hung up the phone thinking it was a strange phone call she ever received. Just about when she was going to walk out her room, the phone rung again. Megumi picked it back up, expecting to hear a bad connection at the other end, but didn't.
"Hello," she said gently, her voice sounding like an angel.
"Hello, is this Kaoru?" asked a voice, this time much clearer. The masculine voice left a mystery to Megumi. She was dying to know who it was. Could it be Kenshin? Is he calling her right now? That girl surely was one lucky girl!
Megumi wanted to play. If the man couldn't recognize her as Kaoru, then she would be happy to play her part. For once too, she wanted to know what t was like to be Kenshin's girl. "Yes this is."
"That's good to hear. I am a personal friend of Kenshin, and he wanted me to let you know that he is going to leave tonight from Tokyo, to New York (United States). He won't be back in quite a while," said the voice calmly on the other end.
Megumi realizing it wasn't Kenshin yawned like she was bored. But the news proved to be rather interesting. So the man didn't forget his girlfriend. "Well, how long will it take before he comes back here to Tokyo?"
"Three to four months. His father is sick in New York. Apparently, he needs someone to take over the job for him, while he's resting in bed. The perfect job went over to Kenshin. He will be back in no time. I will tell him that you received his message."
"Thank you for calling and notifying me."
"It's my pleasure madam, though I thought you would sound a little bit more worried for him."
Oops, Megumi was busted! "I am worried, but I knowing about his whereabouts and why he is leaving, has me confirmed that I no longer have to worry for him."
"Well said Madam. Have a nice day." With that the other end of the phone line clicked, leaving Megumi to smile a furtive smile.
***
At the ending of the day Kaoru traveled from Akabeko to the dojo right at the Corner Street of her neighborhood. The place reminded of her of times in her childhood when she and Kenshin sparred against each other. As always, he used to win her, but make up for it when it came to buying her ice cream. Those were her best memories. He and she were so innocent. It was then that they were still discovering how close they were, and the love they both shared for one another.
Entering the quiet dojo, Kaoru took out a match to strike it against the rough surface of the match on the outside package. Once she got a flame, she lighted a few candles facing away from the door fame of the dojo. There she sat down and thought about him, about the first time they got together. Yesterday marked the anniversary of their relationship.
Flashback
The rain poured endlessly from the heavens above, trapping Kaoru within the dojo. Her younger brother promised to meet her here in the rain, before they went off to go meet Misao and her special friend. Yet with the rain falling so hard and fast, it only kept her stuck inside the dojo, and the special plans she had tonight would be ruined. If her brother were smart enough, at least he would look inside here before leaving without her.
Stuck in a place with nothing to do, Kaoru sat down on the dojo floor. The flickering lights from the candle were the only dimmed lights in the room. The slight breeze from outside blew its way inside, making her shiver a little. Feeling so alone, feeling so desolate, Kaoru tried humming, while waiting the rain out. Until she heard a loud crackling of thunder from the sky. Her body jumped from the loud sign, while her heart itself thundered through the room. No more feeling so alone, but more afraid of the thunder coming from outside, Kaoru brought her knees up to her chest. She hugged her legs while moving back and forth, praying for the weather to past her by, praying for a miracle to happen, more like someone would open the dojo doors to rescue her from the storm.
Knowing that such a thing would never happened, Kaoru rubbed her arms feeling so cold, shivering from the suddenly cold room. She closed her eyes counting, waiting for the next thunder to rage its howl in the winds, when suddenly the only lights in the room dispersed. The wind somehow blew the lights out.
"What are you doing here by yourself?" asked a masculine voice from the distance. For a moment Kaoru did not recognize the voice or even the person the voice came from, until she looked up at the shadowy figure. What she saw there astonished her, in ways she never knew. She didn't know Kenshin could look so seductive and so dark at the same time. The way he walked, he walked as a predator ready to pounce on his prey.
"I didn't want to be caught in the storm," Kaoru said quietly. Her voice sounded so small for her own ears to hear. "I had to meet Yahiko here and then meet up with the others at Akabeko, but the rainstorm delayed the progress."
"I see," he said moving closer to her. His voice never wavered.
Kaoru felt aware of how she looked. Her long raven hair once tied in a high ponytail was out clinging to the sides of her face. Water dripped from her face to her damp clothes, making a puddle on the ground. Already soaking wet compared to a dry Kenshin made her feel awkward. Wait, how did Kenshin remain dry? Even with the storm outside, there was no way he could remain dry, unless he was in here all the time.
"Were you here before I came inside here?" asked Kaoru, now watching him precariously. Her body was ready to bolt if needed too.
"What makes you ask that?" asked Kenshin. He could see her frowning at him, while his eyes boldly took in the shape, in which her clothes clung too, like her second skin. Appreciating the view, feeling the uncomfortable gaze of Kaoru's sapphire eyes looking at him, speculating whether she should run or stand her ground, only aroused feelings in him.
"I just wanted to know. I mean when I was sitting down here and the storm..." Kaoru never got finish, for before she could comprehend the situation before her, she felt Kenshin's arms around her, his amber eyes looking down on her, and then his gentle kiss claiming her, stealing the very breath inside her.
It was then from that kiss alone, it spoke of their childhood years, the feelings that grew as they grew. The secrets in which they held from each other shimmered that night, and that night she gave him a scarf, a blue scarf to remember their bonding, to remember their night of passion they shared together. That scarf represented to always remember their kept promise of being together, and to never forget the night of them finally being together.
Present
Tears streamed down Kaoru's face and splattered like gems on the wooden floor. She watched the flickering candles as they reminded her of that night. She loved Kenshin with all heart. Hell, she was willing to die for him if he only he asked. But to walk around with this pain in her heart, hoping to hear from him, when she wasn't sure she ever could or ever would again, made her cries burst into sobs.
Misao walked into the dojo then. She moved slowly to Kaoru and bent down to put a soothing hand to her back. "Please tell me what's wrong Kaoru? You can't always run from your problems. Maybe talking it out, will make you feel a little bit better."
"Nothing could make this pain I walk with go away. Nothing will ever make this heart break, better. Even as time passes me by, the pain would never fully heal," said Kaoru with tears in her throat. She looked so forlorn, so helpless, just sitting down there, as though she lost everything in her life.
"Please tell me what happened Kaoru? Please..." Misao tried once again. She kneeled down next to Kaoru and hugged her. She tried her best to comfort her very dear friend.
"He never called, he never came last night, he never bothered to reach me." At the last words, Kaoru cried more then she ever did in her life.
(To be continued)
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I wish I did but I don't.
Our Special Moments of Time
Chapter Two
Sanosuke rushed over to the phone call, Soujiro informed him about. The phone call had to be important, more like a phone call from Kenshin stating his reason for not coming into work today. In ways Sano was pissed off, because he worked so hard on the report of Shishio's trial, when Kenshin wasn't going to be around to check it. Didn't life suck anyway?
Grabbing the phone, he heard at the other end of the phone, a voice yelling in the background.
"Hello," Sano said trying to sound professional on the phone and also trying to show the other co-workers around him, how well he could talk to someone on the phone.
"Hey Sano!" the other man yelled. Automatically Sano realized his boss was at the other end of the phone line. Realizing whom it was talking to him, Sano straighten himself out and waited for his boss to speak. Right now he couldn't afford to lose this job, not when apartment rents were so high.
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" answered Sano. Just then Soujiro passed by with mockery on his face. It was a sign, telling him that he was kissing up to the boss again to still keep his job. Sano felt like punching Soujiro, though Soujiro could dodge any attack with ease.
"Where the hell is Kenshin? Where did he go? The business is doing like hell without him! Do you know how late the shipments are? Do you know the newspapers are falling behind in Tokyo? I need Kenshin back on his job as soon as possible!" yelled the boss. His voice rang through Sano ears.
"Certainly sir. Though I have no idea where he is at the moment. He never called in the office to notify his disappearance. No one knows where he is located," replied Sano.
"What?"
"I was thinking maybe you could find someone to fill in his position for now, maybe like me."
"Are you joking? You would ruin me in less than a day! I prefer have Soujiro to fill in the position! But if you are interested in doing something, why don't you find out what happened to Kenshin?"
Before Sano could say anything, the boss on the other end hung up; leaving him dumbfounded and no leads to start his search for his missing buddy.
***
The day at Akabeko went as normal as usual for everyone except Kaoru. She was planning to take the day off and try to recuperate from what happened to her last night, but she couldn't. She really needed the money, plus she had to do something then sit down and cry her heart out. It may take her sometime to heal from yesterday's incident after all, the wounds were still fresh, but somehow she was determined to move on with her life.
Maybe Kenshin might call. Maybe he might come through those doors over there and greet me like nothing ever happened yesterday, Kaoru mentally told herself, yet a part of her knew that would never happen. For Kenshin to do something like that to her, something must have gone wrong. He would never disappear without telling her something important. Where did he go? Where is he right now?
Grumbling to herself, Kaoru moved from table to table, just picking up after people. The dirty dishes were tossed into the sink, while she organized the other supplies in the kitchen. She mentioned to the other waitresses, that she did not feel like taking people's orders today. It was the only conversing she did with the other maids. Besides that, she completely avoided Misao. Her heart did not want to pour any emotions out to one person. From small she believed she didn't deserve anyone's pity. What happened, just happened. What Megumi said early this morning about her being naïve, was right. It was time she opened her eyes to the real world and see what it really was like to live in it. It was time that she stopped looking at the brighter side of things and played with life just a little. I should live everyday like it's the last day, only I wish this pain would go away.
Silently moving through the crowds of people that were in the fast food joint, Kaoru picked up the dishes to carry them in the back, while all the time she remained quiet. From the distance Misao watched her friend drowned in her sorrow. Through her sapphire eyes, sadness could be seen. The grief in which she walked with part the day, worried Misao. What got this situation worse was Misao could not help her friend. She had the feeling her friend was purposely avoiding her, for not having to explain her situation. Could have something gone wrong last night?
Walking up to the counter of Akabeko, she took the orders of plates that were handed to her by her young helper named Tsubame. Taking the plates to their rightful places, she remembered yesterday when Kaoru told her she had a date with Kenshin. Kaoru left early to spend the evening with him. Could have something gone wrong between Kaoru and Kenshin? That could be the answer.
At the ending of the day, Misao promised she would confront Kaoru and get her to tell her what happened last night. After all as a friend the least she could do was try to help Kaoru stop drowning herself in misery.
***
Megumi hummed to herself, while taking a peaceful shower. It was times like these she rarely got. It felt so good to be home today, when everyone else was working so hard trying to bring home a good salary, more like Kaoru. She was surprised when she found Kaoru dressed this morning, ready to go to work. After what happened to her last night, she thought she might stay home to get over her relationship with Kenshin. In a way it would be amusing to see the raccoon girl grow up. Kaoru seemed very immature for her age. Her childish ways could be so annoying at times, especially her short temper. Yet knowing that Megumi could easily annoy Kaoru brought a lighter side to things. Finally Kaoru would realize that everything in life is not so simple, like for example her job could barely pay for rent and food.
Nodding to herself, Megumi took off the shower and grabbed her towel at the side of the shower drapes. She dried herself, still trying to wonder how did Kenshin, a well paying man, such a fine looking one too, ended up dating a woman, no girl like Kaoru. Even her younger brother still called her a child and he was almost done with high school. To Megumi that was the worst insult she ever heard, yet Kaoru never did anything to her brother, besides put her short tempers on him.
Finally putting dry, clean clothes on, Megumi heard the phone ring. Hastily she ran from the bathroom, to her bedroom to pick her portable phone.
"Hello," she lightly said. Waiting for another answer at the end, all she heard was a bad connection. The other person's phone must be in a dead zone, or the battery on the phone was close to dying.
"Hello," she iterated.
Still no one answered. As she was about to put down her phone, she heard someone on the other end of the statically phone.
"Kaoru... is... that... you.," said the other voice. The words could hardly be heard because the other end connection was so bad.
"No whose this?" asked Megumi curiously, wondering who would call at a time like this.
The other end of line cut off. The voice that was once there was no longer there. Megumi hung up the phone thinking it was a strange phone call she ever received. Just about when she was going to walk out her room, the phone rung again. Megumi picked it back up, expecting to hear a bad connection at the other end, but didn't.
"Hello," she said gently, her voice sounding like an angel.
"Hello, is this Kaoru?" asked a voice, this time much clearer. The masculine voice left a mystery to Megumi. She was dying to know who it was. Could it be Kenshin? Is he calling her right now? That girl surely was one lucky girl!
Megumi wanted to play. If the man couldn't recognize her as Kaoru, then she would be happy to play her part. For once too, she wanted to know what t was like to be Kenshin's girl. "Yes this is."
"That's good to hear. I am a personal friend of Kenshin, and he wanted me to let you know that he is going to leave tonight from Tokyo, to New York (United States). He won't be back in quite a while," said the voice calmly on the other end.
Megumi realizing it wasn't Kenshin yawned like she was bored. But the news proved to be rather interesting. So the man didn't forget his girlfriend. "Well, how long will it take before he comes back here to Tokyo?"
"Three to four months. His father is sick in New York. Apparently, he needs someone to take over the job for him, while he's resting in bed. The perfect job went over to Kenshin. He will be back in no time. I will tell him that you received his message."
"Thank you for calling and notifying me."
"It's my pleasure madam, though I thought you would sound a little bit more worried for him."
Oops, Megumi was busted! "I am worried, but I knowing about his whereabouts and why he is leaving, has me confirmed that I no longer have to worry for him."
"Well said Madam. Have a nice day." With that the other end of the phone line clicked, leaving Megumi to smile a furtive smile.
***
At the ending of the day Kaoru traveled from Akabeko to the dojo right at the Corner Street of her neighborhood. The place reminded of her of times in her childhood when she and Kenshin sparred against each other. As always, he used to win her, but make up for it when it came to buying her ice cream. Those were her best memories. He and she were so innocent. It was then that they were still discovering how close they were, and the love they both shared for one another.
Entering the quiet dojo, Kaoru took out a match to strike it against the rough surface of the match on the outside package. Once she got a flame, she lighted a few candles facing away from the door fame of the dojo. There she sat down and thought about him, about the first time they got together. Yesterday marked the anniversary of their relationship.
Flashback
The rain poured endlessly from the heavens above, trapping Kaoru within the dojo. Her younger brother promised to meet her here in the rain, before they went off to go meet Misao and her special friend. Yet with the rain falling so hard and fast, it only kept her stuck inside the dojo, and the special plans she had tonight would be ruined. If her brother were smart enough, at least he would look inside here before leaving without her.
Stuck in a place with nothing to do, Kaoru sat down on the dojo floor. The flickering lights from the candle were the only dimmed lights in the room. The slight breeze from outside blew its way inside, making her shiver a little. Feeling so alone, feeling so desolate, Kaoru tried humming, while waiting the rain out. Until she heard a loud crackling of thunder from the sky. Her body jumped from the loud sign, while her heart itself thundered through the room. No more feeling so alone, but more afraid of the thunder coming from outside, Kaoru brought her knees up to her chest. She hugged her legs while moving back and forth, praying for the weather to past her by, praying for a miracle to happen, more like someone would open the dojo doors to rescue her from the storm.
Knowing that such a thing would never happened, Kaoru rubbed her arms feeling so cold, shivering from the suddenly cold room. She closed her eyes counting, waiting for the next thunder to rage its howl in the winds, when suddenly the only lights in the room dispersed. The wind somehow blew the lights out.
"What are you doing here by yourself?" asked a masculine voice from the distance. For a moment Kaoru did not recognize the voice or even the person the voice came from, until she looked up at the shadowy figure. What she saw there astonished her, in ways she never knew. She didn't know Kenshin could look so seductive and so dark at the same time. The way he walked, he walked as a predator ready to pounce on his prey.
"I didn't want to be caught in the storm," Kaoru said quietly. Her voice sounded so small for her own ears to hear. "I had to meet Yahiko here and then meet up with the others at Akabeko, but the rainstorm delayed the progress."
"I see," he said moving closer to her. His voice never wavered.
Kaoru felt aware of how she looked. Her long raven hair once tied in a high ponytail was out clinging to the sides of her face. Water dripped from her face to her damp clothes, making a puddle on the ground. Already soaking wet compared to a dry Kenshin made her feel awkward. Wait, how did Kenshin remain dry? Even with the storm outside, there was no way he could remain dry, unless he was in here all the time.
"Were you here before I came inside here?" asked Kaoru, now watching him precariously. Her body was ready to bolt if needed too.
"What makes you ask that?" asked Kenshin. He could see her frowning at him, while his eyes boldly took in the shape, in which her clothes clung too, like her second skin. Appreciating the view, feeling the uncomfortable gaze of Kaoru's sapphire eyes looking at him, speculating whether she should run or stand her ground, only aroused feelings in him.
"I just wanted to know. I mean when I was sitting down here and the storm..." Kaoru never got finish, for before she could comprehend the situation before her, she felt Kenshin's arms around her, his amber eyes looking down on her, and then his gentle kiss claiming her, stealing the very breath inside her.
It was then from that kiss alone, it spoke of their childhood years, the feelings that grew as they grew. The secrets in which they held from each other shimmered that night, and that night she gave him a scarf, a blue scarf to remember their bonding, to remember their night of passion they shared together. That scarf represented to always remember their kept promise of being together, and to never forget the night of them finally being together.
Present
Tears streamed down Kaoru's face and splattered like gems on the wooden floor. She watched the flickering candles as they reminded her of that night. She loved Kenshin with all heart. Hell, she was willing to die for him if he only he asked. But to walk around with this pain in her heart, hoping to hear from him, when she wasn't sure she ever could or ever would again, made her cries burst into sobs.
Misao walked into the dojo then. She moved slowly to Kaoru and bent down to put a soothing hand to her back. "Please tell me what's wrong Kaoru? You can't always run from your problems. Maybe talking it out, will make you feel a little bit better."
"Nothing could make this pain I walk with go away. Nothing will ever make this heart break, better. Even as time passes me by, the pain would never fully heal," said Kaoru with tears in her throat. She looked so forlorn, so helpless, just sitting down there, as though she lost everything in her life.
"Please tell me what happened Kaoru? Please..." Misao tried once again. She kneeled down next to Kaoru and hugged her. She tried her best to comfort her very dear friend.
"He never called, he never came last night, he never bothered to reach me." At the last words, Kaoru cried more then she ever did in her life.
(To be continued)