AN: Okay do not murder me! I plead guilty *ducks objects thrown in her direction* So sorry about this slow updating business! Its just that last semester with orgo chem and cell/molec bio I could not keep up with my time online. Thanks to all that reviewed, my responses are at the end of the chapter ^^ Thanks very much! Here is my new goal ¡V I am going to remove all unnecessary Japanese from this fic. How random huh? But, thanks for reading guys! The story is finally progressing! Whoo hooo~~~ Read and review?
Chapter 3: Honor that was Compromised
A loud clash followed by "UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP UP!!! Do not touch that snooze button! Beep Beep Beep"
"Not. . .happening. . .not. . .waking. . .up" Kaoru groaned as she tried to pummel her incessantly irritating alarm clock into oblivion. Thanks for the birthday gift Yahiko, a really sincere annoyance, she thought inwardly. "Damn. . ." She yawned, sat up, rubbed her eyes and dove right back into her sheets. "Bed is good. . ." she purred before shutting her eyes. Her door creaked open.
"BUSU!! I have come for revenge!" war-cried Yahiko as he jumped on his half-awake sister.
"Holy . . . !" Kaoru screamed as Yahiko drove her out of her reverie. Kaoru tried to squirm out of Yahiko's grip and bumped into another sleeping figure.
"Get off me!!" The sleepy figure protested in annoyance.
"Kaoru, you have someone else on your bed?" Yahiko teased half-mockingly. "Naughty. . ." He grinned as Kaoru pouted in defense and leapt on him to commence yet another tickle fest.
"Its. . ouch, stop tickling me. . .its my high school friend Misao, who is a . . . crap, I'm going to get you for doing that. . . Misao is a GIRL!" Kaoru successfully wormed her way out of Yahiko's grip but tripped over herself and fell on the still cranky Misao.
"Oh! You are lesbian then?" Yahiko concluded, only to receive an aggressive kick in the stomach by Kaoru.
"YAHIKO!!" Kaoru bellowed; her face red and puffy from frustration.
"Kaoru! I'm still trying to sleep here!" growled Misao who finally opened her eyes and beheld a half laughing, half disgruntled Kaoru with a clearly amused Yahiko. Why, Misao's eyes twinkled, why not join the fun?
"OW! Hey" protested Yahiko as Kaoru and Misao grabbed him from the behind and pinned him onto the bed "Hey! No fair! Two against one!"
"Life is unfair, get used to it" laughed Kaoru.
"Um. . ." Sano scratched his head as he poked his head through the bedroom door and observed Yahiko laugh involuntarily as Kaoru mercilessly tickled him. He had come to wake Kaoru. Sano chuckled; he had not seen her in such high spirits for a long while. He scratched his head and hummed, hmm. . . why, why not?
"Mornin'!!" shouted Sano as he jumped onto the tangled mess of laughing bodies.
"Ahh! Sano! Get off! Get off!" screamed Kaoru as she dove behind Misao for cover.
"The tables have turned!" exclaimed Yahiko triumphantly as he and Sano successfully trapped Kaoru and Misao.
Hearing the noise coming from Kaoru's room, Enishi nudged Kenshin, who was characteristically hard at work in the kitchen.
"You go check on them" Enishi murmured, offhandedly.
"You go." Kenshin retorted, not paying attention to his surroundings, only to that extremely difficult burnt edge on a sunny side up egg that refused to cooperate. When Enishi didn't answer him, Kenshin lightly shoved his friend. "Look, You're not doing anything, if you are so concerned about the noise, you go. I'm working here"
"I swear. You and your domestic fetishes, you really haven't changed at all since . . ." Enishi muttered underneath his breath. Kenshin caught this and threw Enishi a stern glance.
"Once again, I will have to ask you not to bring up. . ." he was cut off by Enishi turning his back and waving him off.
"All right, I won't say a thing." A moment of silence fell upon the two and was broken by a loud crash emitted from Kaoru's room. Enishi rolled his eyes, "I think I will go check on what is up in that room"
Enishi stuck his head into Kaoru's room and, if he weren't such a reserved person, the sight before him would have caused earth-shattering laughter. Misao held Sano by his hair while Kaoru attempted to pin him down only to be firmly gripped on the waist by Yahiko. These people really are odd, Enishi thought as he scratched his head slightly. He approached the bed silently. Those on the bed were too absorbed in attacking each other that they did not take notice of his approach. Enishi stood by the bed, glancing down at them wordlessly. Kaoru chose this inopportune time to free herself from Yahiko and lost her balance, tumbling directly towards Enishi.
She yelped as she toppled off the bed. Enishi watched, making no move to break her fall when suddenly he felt a firm grasp pull him off balance. Wham. His face made an extremely ungraceful contact with. . .hmmmmm, with something that was definitely too soft to be the floor.
Enishi peered up and beheld Sano's face, red from holding in laughter. He glanced over and Kaoru's fuming visage came into full view. He frowned back at her. He still did not understand what of his actions earned a frown, as far as he was concerned, she caused him to fall. He had more right than her to be angry. Then, he glanced down. Ahhhhh. A moment of enlightenment; he apparently made quite an awkward impact with Kaoru's erm. . .chest area.
"Good Morning Enishi" Kaoru spoke through gritted teeth, crossing her arms and turning her head furiously in the other direction.
"Good Morning" replied Enishi, almost without emotion. Though, if you searched his face hard enough, you could find a smidgen of blush tinting his cheeks.
"Uh. . .Mornin' Enishi" smirked Sano as he disentangled himself from Misao and Yahiko who all looked as if they were really to explode with laughter "Sleep well last night?"
Enishi merely huffed in response. Kaoru, sensing the iciness of his demeanor, shoved him rather harshly.
"What is this? Too good to apologize for shoving your face into a girl's um. . .chest" Kaoru spoke, her face reddening.
"I didn't fall off the bed and drag an innocent bystander down onto the floor with me, now did I?"Enishi spoke haughtily.
"You!" Kaoru barred her teeth "Its my.. . .that was my, my honor you compromised!" Upon hearing these words, even the most composed Enishi had to try really hard to stifle a snicker.
"Enishi nii-san has somewhat hit the mark you know. . ." Yahiko grinned, adding oil to the already blazing flame of Kaoru's anger. "Had you not fallen off the bed your, uh, honor" Yahiko held in his grin as he emphasized the word "would not have been compromised"
Nii-san? Enishi stole a quick glance at the clearly bemused Yahiko. He has not heard such an endearment attached to his name since, well, since he could remember.
"From the way I see it" Sano reasoned in half seriousness, "Enishi here got the raw end of the deal. He had to come into direct contact with your tomboy boobs. I don't know many men brave enough to accomplish such a feat and live to tell the tale"
"Screw you all!" Kaoru's face, now burning red with anger and embarrassment, was contorted into a frown so large that even Bongo the clown would have been proud.
"No apology?" Asked Yahiko, knowing full well this would greatly provoke his sister.
"Hmph. . ."Kaoru faced Enishi and starting speaking in mock sincerity, shocking everyone present in the room "I apologize," she paused. "I am sorry that your precious face had to come into contact with, what was it? Oh yeah, my tomboy boobs." Kaoru scowled. Enishi crossed his eyebrows and returned the scowl full force.
Oops, thought Yahiko sheepishly, shouldn't have done that.
"Anyway,"interrupted Sano cheerfully "Now that we are all on a friendly footing, let's go see about breakfast"
"Breakfast! Oh Crap!" exclaimed Kaoru, forgetting completely her current row with Enishi "I didn't have time. . ." She hurried to get up, only to trip over the still-fuming Enishi. Once again, she fell. This time, her face made full impact with something. . . uh oh. . .something that definitely was too soft to be the floor.
A pregnant silence ensued the fall. Everyone, except for the aforementioned fuming and somewhat embarrassed persons, tried especially hard to contain their laughter.
one . . .
two. . .
three...
Yahiko was the first to break the quiet, his insides aching due to uncontrollable laughter. Misao and soon Sano joined in and the room was encompassed in unchecked laughter.
"Lil' Sis, ha ha ha . . .seeing as you've now compromised Enishi's. . .uh, how did you word it again? honor, I'd like to call it even" Sano, who knew very well both the person whose fatal blunder caused such hilarity and the person whose face, up until now, never lost its composure, vowed he would never let either one of them forget this moment or live it down.
Kaoru's face was so hot you could have fried one of those eggs Kenshin was tackling with earlier between her shocked eyes and gaping mouth.
Enishi was in so much shock that none of this registered in his mind other than the fact that this, this girl who he had just met the evening before had just. . .just. . . although he did not mean bumping into her in the first place now. . . now. . . A deeper shade of red crept across his face.
"I. . .er. . ." Kaoru stammered, her voice now genuinely sincere "I. . .really did not mean to. . .uh, you know. . .bump into your. . . your. . ."
"Crotch?" Misao, who barely was able to sit up straight finished Kaoru's sentence for her. A couple milliseconds after the fatal word was uttered, an earth shattering exclamation could be heard emanating from Kaoru's mouth.
"MISAO! YOU PERVERT!" I did not do that! Kaoru felt like ramming her head against the wall for waking up this morning, I did not do that!!
"Actually," Yahiko stated, tears of mirth streaming down his face, "You technically are the pervert, seeing as you just. . ." Yahiko's never got a chance to finish his sentence as Kaoru lunged toward him.
"Whoa, little missy sure is pissed off today. Good job Enishi" commented Sano. Enishi, still seated on the floor, gave Sano a death glare that shut him up promptly.
Kenshin, after hearing all the commotion, shrugged and consoled himself. At least this mess was not occurring where he was. He admired at the breakfast he prepared with satisfaction. Even after so long, his abilities in the kitchen have not waned in the least. Although, he frowned as his eyes caught side of the black edge aligning the sunny side up he was wrestling with earlier, it would have been better if the eggs were a little less well done. Damn frying pan. He felt a little icky, having not taken a shower a night or two beforehand. He set the table and untied his hair.
"Breakfast is ready" he called, hoping some sane person in the room would hear him. Now, a more pressing matter, where did Sano's sister say that the shower was?
Misao bounded out of the room, accompanied by Yahiko, who was still whipping stray tears off his face. Sano followed suit, breathing heavily to regain his composure. Kaoru and Enishi glared at each other, neither willing to break the silence.
"Wow! Kenshin never lost his touch, did he?" Sano grabbed the not so delicately fried egg and toast.
"That he never did" commented Enishi, as he sat down beside his former companion remembering better days.
"I wonder where that idiot is?" Sano mused aloud. Enishi shrugged his shoulders and returned to his already cold breakfast.
"Its 10 already sis, you're going to be late if you don't hurry up!"Yahiko shouted, his voice muffled by the cheese toast half stuffed into his mouth.
Ten!? Oh no! Kaoru's mind raced, she needed to be in the office in another 30 minutes, at the very very latest. What would Saito do if she was late? Oh no. . .
"Dammnit you guys, my boss is really going to murder me this time! I'm going to take a quick shower! Yahiko, grab something for me and wrap it quickly" Kaoru demanded and she rushed into the sole bathroom of the apartment, quickly slipped out her clothes, stepped into the shower and grabbed the nearest bottle of shampoo.
Kenshin was happily shampooing his hair when suddenly, a dark haired figure snatched the bottle of lavender scented shampoo he was enjoying so much out of his hands. His eyes winded considerably when he realized who this figure was. Kenshin tapped the figure lightly on the shoulder and stated, ever so calmly,
"I believe I was using that"
Kaoru whipped around. Her mind instantly reverted to blankness. The only words that came to her mind was,
"Oh. My. God" She slowly placed the bottle of shampoo back into Kenshin's hands and stepped out of the shower, controlling her breathing. The beat of her heart drowned out everything. The scene that happened seconds ago slowly replayed itself in her mind as she tried to steady her breathing.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" She screeched as she gathered her towel and bolted out of the bathroom. Kenshin stood there, holding the shampoo, utterly confused at Kaoru's actions. What a weird one, he thought, nice body though. He smirked as he returned to shampooing his hair.
"So I gather that Kenshin was taking a shower then?" Hearing Kaoru's screem, Sano answered his own question by commenting offhandedly to Enishi, who carried an odd and unreadable facial expression. No need to tell the rest of the crew what happened. Misao looked as if she was going to die. Yahiko knew that this morning's events were to be forever his leverage against his older sister.
"Is she always like this?" Enishi inquired to a bemused Sano.
"No, not exactly. Although it is amusing to watch her so flustered." Under his breath, Sano muttered "Even more so to watch you loose your well kept composure." Enishi rolled his eyes.
"For your information, I heard that"
In a matter of a mere five minutes, Kaoru had finished dressing and was ready for her speed drive to work. Her red face, flushed from the morning's events, provided a stark contrast with her midnight blue work outfit.
"Yahiko, I'm ready, let's go!" Kaoru stormed into the dinning room, completely ignoring the odd combination of people who were currently polishing off Kenshin's well-cooked breakfast.
"All right, all right I'm coming" protested Yahiko, who disliked being ordered around but was willing to put up with it in light of current circumstances. "Oh yeah, your breakfast" Yahiko tossed a wrapped sandwich at Kaoru.
"Thanks dork" She retorted, then got down to business.
"Sano," Kaoru slapped the back of her brother's head lightly "In the cabinet right beside the fridge are the pills you have to take for your hangover. No pouting. Chances are I am going to be late tonight because my boss will tax me with overtime for being late. So, don't wait up for me tonight. Show everyone where the stuff is and call me if you need anything."
"Yes mother" replied Sano, acting like a good five year old.
"Watch it" Karou's voice had a dangerous tone to it.
"Have fun at work!" Misao waved cheerfully. Upon hearing her friend's voice, Kaoru whipped around.
"I almost forgot! The spare keys are in the drawer under the telephone in the kitchen. Misao, get one for yourself and uh. . .you too Yukishiro-san, don't forget" By the way Kaoru's face flushed when she spoke Enishi's name, one knew that this incident was going to hover around for a while.
Kaoru jammed her keys into her Honda, the blasted car wouldn't start!
"Whoa, clam down sis, clam down. You're going to kill the car" Yahiko tried the easiest method he could think of to get his sister to cool off. "Don't crack"
"I swear, if one more thing goes wrong today" Kaoru breathed murderously. Luckily the car started, as if it heard her warning and did not want to get on her bad side.
"Sheesh, you really got up on the wrong side of the bed today" commented Yahiko, as he buckled himself in.
"More like fell out of it" Kaoru retorted. Seeing that Kaoru had not lost her head (or her humor) completely, Yahiko relaxed.
"You've regained your sense or humor sis" Yahiko grinned, his face turned serious "I think we will be needing it" As soon as he spoke those words, his mischievous grin returned.
"Whatever. . ." Too absorbed in driving (in addition to all the things that are on her mind), Kaoru did not notice the slight change in Yahiko's demeanor. Perhaps it was better that she noticed nothing, a moment of calmness was needed for both.
"Well, you're here" Kaoru stopped the car and Yahiko slid out, grabbing his books.
"Don't overwork yourself" Yahiko grinned "There's no honor in that" Kaoru scrunched her nose.
"Do try to have a better day than mine" Kaoru remarked before rushing off to beat the 10:30 deadline to work.
Shit, Kaoru's face was grim when she saw the clock above her boss' office door. 10:45. Kaoru could think of nothing but her boss' negative reaction. Shit. Shit. Shit and more shit. Hope I won't get fired for this. She sighed and braced herself for this morning's harsh reprimand but much to her surprise, nothing came. The office was unusually quiet. Kaoru scratched the back of her nape as she glanced around. This is a bit out of sorts, she mused as she sat down on her desk.
"Kamiya-san!" A somewhat carefree voice interrupted her shock.
"Seta-san! Good morning!" Kaoru smiled as she saw her ever-cheerful comrade-in-suffering. "Do you mind telling me what is going on? Why isn't Saitou yelling at me for being an irresponsible employee and coming in late?" Soujiro flashed his famous smile and leaned in to whisper a message for Kaoru to hear.
"He. . .took . . .the. . . day. . . off" As soon as the meaning of those words registered in her mind, Kaoru leapt out of her chair in sheer joy.
"I'm free! Finally! I'm free! I'm free! I can't believe it! After that ordeal this morning..." Kaoru couldn't help chanting. Yes! Finally, after all that commotion in the morning, something was going right in her life. Then, as an afterthought she asked, "Wait. . .its not like him to miss a day of work, do you have any idea what is going on?" Soujirou only shook his head in response.
"I have no idea, really, he sort of left the office abruptly soon after you did last night. Well," Soujirou's voice turned sarcastic "Not before leaving the test results of company's new product for me to go through" Soujirou shook his head. "You were really lucky to have bolted out so soon" Kaoru nodded as if symphasizing with her co-worker.
"Does this mean that we get the day off?" Kaoru asked, a little disbelievingly.
"Huh, I suppose that does mean that we do" Soujirou hummed happily and rearranged a couple of things on his desk. "Well, I guess this means that I'll see you tomorrow then. Have a go. . "
"Wait!" Kaoru interrupted Soujirou suddenly"I almost forgot! I said I was going to treat you to dinner or a meal or something if you covered for me last night. Since you did and we have the day off, are you free for lunch?" Kaoru could not conceal the blush rising onto her face. Even though this was not an official date, she had not really had much experience in asking another man out to do anything.
"S..Sure" stammered a surprised Soujirou, who also seemed to have forgotten their previous unofficial agreement "Why not? Its practically lunch time anyway." Kaoru smiled warmly in response.
"Where to?" She asked before adding quickly "I really have not been out for a meal in a while, so I am not quite sure of what restaurants are good and. . ." She trailed off, feeling her face get a little warm for the umpteenth time this day.
"I am not quite sure myself either" Soujirou replied amicably "Why don't we just take a walk around the neighborhood and see what's available?" Kaoru nodded happily.
Kaoru stretched as she followed Soujirou out of the office, this is exactly what I needed, she mused, a nice long time alone, with a friend who doesn't know much about me. Being away from all that commotion. Ah, what peace! She was ushered into the elevator by Soujirou, the sandwich from breakfast sitting forgotten in her handbag.
AN: Sorry to end this chapter so abruptly, I could not bring myself to write anymore. See? There is the date that I promised a many months ago (occurring in the next chapter!) It took a little while for me to write the embarrassing moments in this chapter because I did not want to make them way of the mark and too absurd. Heh *sheepish smile* Did I succeed? Review and tell me! For all you that clicked onto this story, thanks a bunch! I never thought it would be enjoyable.^_~. Yes! You will be meeting Tomoe and Megumi soon, in the chapter after the next. That is my plan. Thanks again!
Reader Responses
CurlsofSerenity Keep guessing! For my part, I cannot tell you. About the Aoshi part, I reworded it because I didn't think it was very clear but...nothing was stated for sure, right? Misao was only thinking about what could have happened. Oh well, look! I'm giving it away again *Bashes own head* Thanks for readin~ Hope you liked this chapter!
Tsugoi Kakarlena You think this is really good? Wow. I'm really really flattered ^_^ Heh heh, I didn't really update soon but, yeah, at least I updated! Thanks for readin' hope the new chapter was up to your expectations.
l3al3yanime Yeah, they were sort of unwittingly on different sides. *Sigh* Wish I could write fast enough to get all my thoughts down. But, I suppose that's the disadvantage of writing during college, I'm usually too busy to do anything other than studying and sleeping.
lynxxie Another E/K fic supporter? Oh man, what am I gonig to do? Oh well, let's see this story unfold togehter, yeah? I sort of have an idea for the outcome but since I did not touch it for so long I am no longer sure of what to do anymore. It would be nice to have a different pairing. Ahhh. Anyhow, thanks for reading!
JustMe TWO reviews from you! In caps too! Wow, am I flattered. ^_~ I promise you I will finish it (uh, not anytime soon though) *hides in embarassment* Thanks and please keep reading^^
Silver Goddess! You like? Yeah! You're awesome! Heh...how about this chapter? I'm sorry to keep you guys constantly uncertain of when the next chapter will appear. Okay, after I find out my schedule for next semester, I'll set up a schedule and update reguarly. ^_~ Thanks so much for reading!
IMPROVED Uber Rei Model 06 Actually, I updated only after reading your review *sheepish smile* I was really surprised someone was still reading this fic. So, I supposed, not good to keep people hanging, right? Heh. So, here is the next chapter. Thanks for reading!
Till Next Time ~~~~~~~~~