Chapter 13 – Waking Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed
Author's Note: Right off where we left these two… Thanks ever so much for the positive reviews.
KAORU
So much for her indoor activity. Actually, so much for everything that she had planned for today. Because this, this was definitely something she did not planned of and prepared for.
From panel wood to blue eyes – the transition was quite a shock to her. "Aoshi-sama?" she asked slowly, taking in the sight of him standing in front of her room, already dressed and looking determined. Okay. There's a distinct possibility that I am still dreaming. She stared at Aoshi blankly. Aoshi stared back. There was a whole second of staring before Aoshi actually greeted her, as she was unable to do so, with her jaws slightly hanging open. She blinked several more times, still unsure of what to make out of this situation. He seemed to have realized her startled reaction but ignored it.
"Would you like to take a walk with me Kamiya-san?" he asked instead, sounding as though it was the most natural thing for him to say.
Kaoru blinked again. "Walk?" Wow, that sounded really really dumb. Kaoru shook her head and tilted her head, meeting Aoshi's eyes. "Um, I mean… but it's raining." She replied in a still confused tone of voice.
She silently watched as Aoshi flicked his wrist and jumped back in surprise as an old faded yellow umbrella sprung open. "Oh." She said staring at it, trying to decide if she had gone mad or this was the sort of dream that's supposed to weird you out. After all hadn't she been dreaming of Aoshi just a few hours ago? But now he's standing at your door with an open umbrella in his hands! That's a rather big jump from your last dream. She stared up at him again biting back the urge to ask: Are you serious?
He looked serious enough.
Aoshi was looking at her expectantly. He raised his eyebrows at her and tilted his head, mimicking her. "So?" He asked this time his voice gentler and with a tinge of nervousness.
"Um…Ok." Kaoru finally decided that if it was a dream, then no harm done right? She can just wake up the moment Aoshi start dancing and singing in the rain. If this was for real, then no harm done too… what could Aoshi do anyway that can traumatize her? Surely he would not do anything as stupid as… kissing her…Kaoru frowned. Would he? She began to step outside her room when she noticed Aoshi's eyes darkening. What the – I was just kidding about the kiss! Her panicked voice rang loudly inside her head.
Sure you were.
Shut up shut up shut up! Aoshi's talking to you… go and pay attention to whatever he's saying! Don't mind Kaoru The Second! She tried to concentrate on understanding the words coming out of his mouth, careful not to lose herself in the movement of his lips.
"Ugh, I think it would be better for you to get dressed first, Kamiya-san." He said calmly, fixing his eyes slightly off to the right of her head.
Kaoru instantly noticed the soft cool air on her skin, on her bare exposed skin. She felt the blood rising to her neck and then to her face. Her heart started to bang almost painfully against her chest. Oh fuck. She need not glance down to know that she was still wearing her flimsy night robe. Her very almost see-through robe. Without another word, she quickly slammed the door in his face.
She stood against the door for a whole minute, her back pressed against the wood. That was embarrassing. No, it went beyond that. There was no way she can face Aoshi again, ever, without remembering his darkened blue eyes. Eyes that weren't so cold and detached anymore. This was not how she wanted to find out that he actually was human after all. He can react! Wow, wonder how Sano would think of that.
Forget Sano. Aoshi's outside of your door, waiting for you to come out, go change… or not change, depends on what you feel like doing. Hahaha.
No uh-uh. He isn't there. And if he was, I am definitely going to change!
Yes uh-huh. He is there, trust me.
He isn't there. He's a figment of your imagination.
Yes he is. And quit blaming this on me! I am you, remember?
Dammit, shut up! I'm dreaming. I just got to be.
"Kamiya-san? Is everything ok?" A muffled voice from behind her asked. She jumped away; her second in a span of five minutes, and something was telling her that she'd be doing this for the whole day.
Definitely not dreaming.
"Coming." She answered back and quickly peeled off the offensive yukata, throwing it angrily on the floor. She headed for the small table and found the glass of water that she kept there. She took huge gulps and then grabbed the pitcher to splash some water on her face. I'm good. I'm calm. I'm ok now.
She could feel her Annoying Voice rolling her eyes. Good God, now it has eyes! Last time she checked it was juts a voice and then laughter. What's next? A pair of arms to slap her silly?
Who knows?Now it was Kaoru's turn to roll her eyes. Great. Now she was losing her mind. Wonderful. She changed in record time taking a neatly folded kimono from her trunk.
What are you so bloody nervous about? It's just a freakin' walk!
I am not nervous! I'm sorry if I'm acting a little too strange for you! Seeing that you're safely hiding at the back of my head while I am the one to actually go through this. Of course you can be flippant and… Damn it! She was not going to explain to herself. She tied a yellow ribbon on her hair and took a deep breath. She stood still for a moment and then shook the tension out of her arms, tilting her head from side to side. Ok, Kamiya, act calm. Normal. Respectable. Act like a girl. She faced the door, took another deep breath and slid it open in a loud snap.
For a brief moment she was convinced that she'd find the hallway deserted and that Aoshi standing outside her door, holding the faded umbrella would be another hallucination. She glanced up and mentally kicked herself. Of course!
He was still there, umbrella in hand and blue eyes looking at her calmly. He glanced down at her, as though making sure that she was properly dressed. She had put on her green kimono. But this was one was lighter in shade, almost yellowish in hue… like freshly rain-drenched leaves of her father's garden. Aoshi was silent for a whole second and then, when he stared at her again, his eyes were still darker than usual. He silently nodded and started off without another word. Kaoru stood there for a few seconds, unsure if she should follow a figment of her dream, she might be sleepwalking – but she wasn't a sleepwalker – and this was too vivid for a dream. When Aoshi glanced back at her, she swallowed hard and followed him until they were both out of the house and then into the streets.
It was still dark outside. So very somber and gray. She glanced at Aoshi-sama who was now holding the faded yellow umbrella over their heads and walking by her side. She looked up at the gloomy sky partly covered by the umbrella, the rain had actually let down and was almost just a slight drizzle. Outside, the air was cooler too, like velvet and satin brushing against her skin. She watched Aoshi by the corner of her eyes. His face was unreadable. He looked neither happy nor sad. Just a blank face and blue eyes staring straight ahead.
Kaoru pouted and forced herself to walk faster, trying to catch up with his longer strides. He seemed to notice this, although she never did thought that he actually paid her any attention, and slowed down his pace. He still didn't look at her. "Is everything ok Aoshi-sama?" she asked staring up at his profile.
He nodded and that was it. Kaoru tried to hide the grimace forming on her lips. She wondered what this was all about. She felt slightly anxious but right now, with Aoshi's curt nod and strange behavior, annoyance was the emotion winning over.
Kaoru watched the wet cobbled streets with some fascination since Aoshi didn't seem all that open for a conversation. What else was she to do? There were very few people who were outside. Understandably enough but it wasn't because it was raining, she knew a busy city such as Kyoto would not stop its flurry of activity just because the weather was bad. This rain though, it was the "Lazy Sort of Rain". One that would make you want to curl on a corner, sip some tea and read a good book. And not walk about town, which was Aoshi-sama had asked her to do.
But then again, the real mystery here was why had Aoshi-sama asked her to accompany him to only Kami knows where? They had already passed the temple, so she (thankfully) ruled out meditation. She wished she could read Aoshi a lot better. In her two days of being with him, he presented himself as the quiet guarded type. Oh, Kenshin was also like that, but with Aoshi, it was different. His guardedness was manifested by coldness. One look from him and you'd get the feeling that he'd rather be tied on a burning post that be caught in a heart-to-heart where he would be forced to tell you his deepest darkest fears. With Kenshin, he uses overwhelming warmth; he'd just automatically make you feel like you're already his best friend that you'd feel guilty to actually pry.
Two tactics were so darn obvious and annoying to deal with. "Where are we going Aoshi-sama?" She finally asked.
Aoshi paused to looked down at her. And then, to Kaoru's utter surprise, Aoshi actually smiled. A real gentle genuine smile, his eyes suddenly looked open and warm. "Somewhere special, Kamiya-san." He said. And then out of nowhere Aoshi lifted his hand and lightly touched his fingers on her cheek.
Oh, shit! Kaoru thought drawing in a sharp breath. She was totally unprepared for that. Was Aoshi trying to give her a heart attack? Did he want her to faint dead away on this dirty street? Did he know that he was touching her face? Or was it someone else's features that he was seeing? He traced his fingers lightly against her skin, and she knew that he was following the rush of blood that had filled her skin. She shivered at the contact.
"Cold, Kaoru?" he asked her, suddenly dropping his arms on his side, as though she burned him. There was a hint of blush spreading on his cheeks.
Well, that answers your question. He called you by your name! This realization made her heart stop for a few seconds.
"Are you cold?" He repeated again, looking like he'd wrap his arms around her if she answered yes.
Kaoru firmly shook her head no and restrained herself from reaching up to Aoshi's face and doing exactly the same thing. She actually wanted to touch and trace the slightest hint of red smeared on his cheek. She swallowed hard and tried to think of something to say, anything that would break this… this moment. She cleared her throat and words spilled out even before she can stop them, "Where is this Somewhere Special?" She asked and then shocked to hear her own words, she closed her mouth shut realizing how incredibly stupid that sounded. There's no place in Kyoto called Somewhere Special, you idiot!
"It's my… it's my special place…" He said, looking away. "I used to go there when I was a little boy." He looked down at her, "I, um, I wanted to show it to you." Aoshi answered quickly turning away from her as he began to resume their walk.
"Oh." Kaoru said, barely getting the word out of her mouth. They silently moved on forward, Kaoru immersed on her own thoughts and Aoshi staring straight ahead, his eyes so dark and so blue. It was probably best that Kaoru was not able to see this, as her mind was quite preoccupied.
Oh my ass Kaoru. You are so, so going to be in trouble with Misao! Get ready to dodge kunais!Kaoru could not think of a proper snappy comeback for that. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Aoshi and Kenshin. Both names being repeated inside her head, each name tugging at the corner of her heart. Kenshin. Aoshi. Kenshin. Aoshi. Kenshi. Aoshi. Kenshin…
Feeling strangely defeated, Kaoru could only quietly walk beside Aoshi. When their shoulders brushed and touched, Kaoru jumped back slightly. Third time for today and still counting…
Hundreds – no make that thousands of kunais, she corrected herself grimly.
MISAO
"I hate you!" She screamed at him. "I do Sagara, I fucking hate you!" She was lying on her back staring at the gray gray skies. She silently cursed herself. This wasn't what she had in mind when she said she wanted to play in the rain.
"Ah, Misao, haven't you heard of the saying: The more you hate, the more you love?" Sano asked, looking down at her, a goofy smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Stop calling me Misao!" She muttered, unsure why.
Why not? It's your name isn't it?
But Sano can't call me that! He calls me Weasel or Amazon Mikamachi. Never my name!
"Fine. I'll call you, sweetheart instead. Hey, sweetheart, wanna go for another round?" He asked actually sounding… well, there was no other term for it, but he sounded really sweet. His voice pleasantly lilting softly at the word sweetheart.
Misao smiled up at him, "Sano, sweetheart," she returned in the same tone, "eat mud." And with that she used her left leg, hooked it around Sano's knees and swung it viciously.
Sano went down – face first on the mud. "Yatta!" Misao screamed in delight letting out a loud squeal of laughter that shook her body. She laughed harder as Sano began cursing and spitting.
"Very funny Misao." He said pouting, his face a complete mask of brown wet soil.
"Oh, you look so adorable!" She said, using her elbows to prop her body up and look at Sagara more closely.
"Do I?" He asked in a sheepish tone. He sat up and rubbed his face at his also muddied sleeves. Not that it was of any help. At least it had cleared some of the dirt from his face. He gave her a crooked smile. "You look don't bad yourself"
Misao scowled. "You ruined my kimono!" She swept her hand across the soiled fabric. They had been sky blue colored when he stepped out of the Aoiya. "Shiro said I look pretty in this one!" she complained.
"You look pretty with or without a kimono." Sano said staring at her.
What?
"I mean," Sano began, seeing the strange expression that crossed her face, "you look pretty in anything. Kimono, uniform… you'd look pretty wearing banana leaves!"
"Jerk!" Misao said, feeling herself blush. That was so sweet Sano, she thought, "You're such a damn pervert aren't you?" She said out loud, scowling even more.
"Hey, I'm just being honest here."
"Oh yeah. Like you know what honesty means."
"Sure I do." Sano said in a serious voice. "When I tell you you're pretty, it's what my heart is saying, and so it's true. That's honesty." He said simply, his brown eyes looking darker, almost black.
Misao smiled up. "You're not honest, you're just a smooth talker. Girls like your geisha friend eat it up, but I'm way smarter than them! Give me a little credit why don't you?" she sounded irritated, although deep inside she could feel a warm glow spreading from her chest.
Sano smiled and raised his eyebrows. "Misao, Misao, you should give yourself more credit."
She didn't know how to respond to that. She didn't say anything, just bowed down to hide her face. She didn't want Sano to see her; she did not want Sano to see what was on her face. Because she wasn't sure what was on her face. If it was a pleased expression, or a faint blush or a sheepish grin… she just didn't want Sano to see her! Period. No explanation to give because she couldn't give one. It was what her heart was saying and so she had to obey it, no questions asked.
They were silent for a few minutes. She knew that Sano felt her discomfort and was letting her deal with it. Why was he being so sweet and considerate of her feelings? Why wasn't he acting like the normal insensitive freak that he was!
"Feel better don't ya?" He softly asked changing the subject and moving closer.
Misao stiffened a little but she immediately relaxed when Sano innocently sat beside her and stretched his long legs. His white pants were now colored brown; only a few patches of white cloth were visible. How was it possible that he managed to have them still remaining white? Had they not rolled all over the mud? She finally looked up and smiled at him, getting her emotions under control.
"Yeah." She answered quietly. It had felt like she was exorcising her insecurities that she wasn't girly enough. That she should act more refined and graceful. Although she really did hate acting so – so girlish!
Sano had said that she shouldn't care what people say. So what if she enjoyed being an Oni more than being a wall flower… "Go get dressed" he had told her as soon as she had opened the door that he had been relentlessly pounding on earlier, "let's ruin a damn kimono and be rebellious!"
And she did so and they wrestled around in the mud for almost a whole hour. Of course at first it had been mere mud throwing, until it escalated into a full-blown devil may care rolling around the mud.
She had never felt so exultant and free.
"Hey." Sano said, his voice a mere whisper.
Misao looked at him and was surprised to see that his nose was almost touching her face. She felt her heart pounding inside her rib cage. What is he doing? Is this some trick? She suddenly felt her wet kimono sticking to her body like second skin. She suddenly felt cold and she shivered. She felt Sano's arm go around her waist and try to steady her or warm her – or maybe both. She didn't know. She didn't care. Kick him in the leg! She didn't. Punch him in the nose! She didn't. Instead she remained as still as a marble statue.
What the fuck? She thought feeling nervous and excited and anxious and scared all the same time. Is he going to…
"You've got some dirt on your face." Sano said, impossibly leaning forward still.
Her heart was now banging its way out of her chest. Of course I have dirt on my face Sano, you idiot! I look like I'm dipped in mud! But she didn't say that, instead she breathed, "Where?" And although it sounded so damn stupid even to her own ears, Sano didn't seem to notice.
How could he still move closer? There isn't any place left! One more shift from him – or from me – and what?
What Misao?
She felt Sano's finger brush across her chin. Oh my. Oh my.
"There you go." He said softly, staring at her intently.
He was leaning so close. She could see the dark iris of his eyes. His eyes weren't brown. They were brown-black. Not like chocolate or cinnamon… they were the color of mud and strong coffee that Okina would sometimes ask for and drink in the morning, especially when he was trying to wake himself up from a really nasty hang over.
Maybe she needed that coffee now. Because clearly, she was suffering from what would qualify for a really nasty hang over.
Except she hadn't been drinking last night, if she had, she would've remembered it. She should've. And she had no memory, even the vaguest hint of recollection of drinking anything alcoholic. And there's just no way that she's dreaming or hallucinating this. Sano felt so close.
So close that Misao could feel his warm breath on her skin. And they're sitting here on plain sight, at the back yard of the Aoiya, when anyone and everyone can come out and see them covered with mud with his fingers permanently stuck on her chin! She felt him move his fingers and her face was slowly rising up to meet his. And…
And…
Out of the corner of her eyes she saw a blur of dark blue standing a few feet behind Sano. Misao immediately pulled back and the moment was instantly shattered. Sano searched her eyes and then followed her gaze.
Standing by the porch, looking like she'd seen a ghost was…
Takani Megumi.
Aw fuck! Misao thought. I am so, so dead! I am going to die by way of needles.
Megumi stood there for a few second and then she loudly cleared her throat, "Has anyone of you seen Ken-san?" She asked in a smooth calm voice.
Misao instantly realized that Sano was now standing up, hands shoved inside his pocket. His face was unreadable. Totally calm. She had never seen Sano this calm before. Except when he was facing enemies. Or death.
Quite possibly death.
Misao was unable to answer and she heard Sano's voice instead, also smooth and calm totally identical to Megumi's tone of voice.
"Kitchen. He's making some soup for lunch." He said moving his head to the general direction of the kitchen.
"Oh. Ok then." Megumi's voice did not change. Did not so much as falter. But when she walked away, Misao could see the way she held herself almost stiffly, she could practically see an invisible weight on her shoulder. She looked awful.
And now Misao felt awful too. Did she mention death by needles? Because maybe she did deserve that.
She glanced up at Sano. And incredibly bad timing in her part, Aoshi actually came to her mind. His clod blue eyes looking at her with a mixture with regret and disappointment. And pain. It was like a sharp knife slashing the dream-like quality of the moment. Lancing at her heart. Oh no.
Oh no.
Misao glared at Sano. She deftly moved her legs and struggled a little with the weight of her wet mud-covered kimono and kicked him hard in the knees.
"Ow!" Sano yelped in pain glaring at her.
Misao glared back.
Definitely death by needles.
MEGUMI
Saw Sano and Misao underneath a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G…damn! Why can't she get rid of that song inside her head. It was ridiculous. It was insane.
That's right. Insane. What a perfect word to describe this day. One moment everything was fine and now the world had gone mad and had shattered her heart.
Saw Sano and Misao underneath a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G…
Well maybe on the verge of kissing would be a more appropriate term.
Brilliant plan you had Megumi. You found Sano's perfect match! Well at least now she knows. Poor Aoshi.
Actually, assessing the situation with medical detachment, poor Sano. He's going to get his ass kicked.
Unless Aoshi also suddenly realized that he was also in love with Kaoru that is.
Which would then leave her with Mr. Legendary Battousai The Slasher now known simply as Himura Kenshin Rurouni extraordinaire himself.
The man of her dreams.
Perfect. Just perfect. She could definitely live with a man who knows his way around the kitchen. Does the laundry. Is good with kids. Does not drink. Does not gamble. Knows how to get a bargain in the market. Is practically a legend in their country. Has a dark mysterious past that can and might probably get her killed in the end, she was ok with that. More than ok. In fact, maybe she should propose to Kenshin today? And with the state of mind he was in right now, he'd actually probably say yes too.
Oh happiness!
Never mind the "oro's" if it got too annoying, well, she'd just tell him that he needed a medical operation that would involve the severing of the tongue.
Megumi numbly went her way towards the kitchen. Looks like she'll be exchanging recipes with her future husband after all.
You're in shock. A voice from inside her head suddenly spoke up.
I am not! Megumi said, pushing the door open and automatically smiled at Kenshin who was standing by the stove, stirring at the pot. She strode over to the table and picked up a knife. Oh! A knife! How very appropriate! She began chopping the vegetables she could get her hands on.
Yes you are. You're in Shock. With a capital S. It's quite normal you know.
I didn't know I had an annoying voice! I had always thought Annoying Voices were for the mentally unstable, like Kaoru-chan and Misao-chan. She methodically lined up the vegetable: carrots, daikon, tomatoes, and those long green thingies… Huh what was that? Oh. She turned to Kenshin and smiled brightly. "Just helping you out Ken-san."
He answered her, something vaguely sounding like, "thanks." She ignored him.
Well now you know. And you're in shock.
Please. I'm a doctor! I know when I am in shock or not. And I do not need an annoying voice inside my head. I am stable. As stable as stable as you can get. She wondered if she was indeed hearing this voice.
Right, you are stable. There's nothing wrong with your fascination with needles. That's a clear indication of your stability, never mind the fact that you want to get married with Kenshin.
What's wrong with him? She glanced at Kesnhin who was looking at her strangely. "Oh, don't mind me Ken-san. I'm just happily chopping away!" She smiled and went back to work, a little amused as the insistent voice inside her head.
Nothing wrong with him, really. I already heard you list all of his good traits. A lot longer than Sano, huh?
Megumi frowned. Sano who?
Oh you know, the guy who's always inside your dream? In your every waking moments? Inside your heart?
Oh! Him. Lost cause. She tossed the drenched vegetable across the table. Was there nothing else to chop? What kind of a freaking kitchen was this?!
Really? And you're giving up already. Bravo! So much for that Takani pride of yours! The voice seemed to be really getting warmed up to this topic. It was even capable of the same level of sarcasm that she was. Megumi wondered if she could do something to shut it up. It's not a matter of pride. She reasoned, finally getting another carrot. She thanked Kenshin who had quietly handed it to her, his purple eyes shifting from the knife she was holding and back to her face. "I'm fine Ken-san, don't mind me." She mouthed nodding vigorously for emphasis.Giving up on the man that you truly love just because you think he's in love with that Weasel girl.
Well, isn't he? She started chopping more viciously.
Now you're the one being blind.
Oh, far from it. In fact, I just saw him with her, they were about to kiss.
And you know this for a fact?
I do not need facts! I know what I saw!
Fine. Whatever. Tell yourself that. It's so hard to be as stubborn as you, which is really quite disturbing considering that I am you!
There was a definite silence and Megumi knew that she had defeated the voice! She was about to celebrate when she felt the hot sharp burning pain in her left hand. On her index finger to be exact. She stared down and let her jaw drop at the sight before her. What the hell?
Heaps upon heaps of finely chopped vegetables were on the table. They were minced close to being microscopic. What sort of a freak did that? Glancing down at the knife in her right hand, she blinked as soon as she realized exactly what sort of a freak was capable of doing that.
Takani Megumi, the new resident Freak of the Kenshin-Gumi. Congratulations. You've been demoted, from Sly Fox to Freak Cutting Vegetable Woman. What had Sano done to her?
"Megumi-dono? You're bleeding!" Kenshin's voice sounded so far away, as though it was coming from a long dark tunnel.
She forced herself to look up and was surprised to find his violet eyes filled with concern as he looked at her. "Ken-san? What are you talking about?" She asked, although now she was feeling the slight throbbing of her finger. Surely she hadn't bled out of pure misery?
Before she can do or say anything else, she watched half-fascinated half-stunned as Kenshin reached out to take her wrist and pull it up so that he can examine the cut on her finger.
Oh. Megumi thought with disturbing detachment. I must've cut myself.
And then to her absolute surprise, she watched open mouthed as Kenshin brought her bleeding finger near his lips and then…
Oh Kami.
What the hell was going on here?
She felt Kenshin's lips move around her wounded finger and then without any hesitation, put it inside his mouth.
And then the light sucking sensation started.
Suddenly Megumi's mind was not only reeling from Sano and Misao's near-kiss that she had witnessed but also from this… this horrible aberration that was Kenshin sucking on her finger.
Was she going insane?!
Was the whole world hell bent on driving her insane?
"Ke-kenshin… what are you doing?" She asked, her voice coming out strangled and hoarse.
Kenshin looked up at her, his violet eyes suddenly not looking soft or gentle anymore but dangerous and warm.
"Trying to make it better for you Megumi." He said in his low voice that rumbled in his throat.
Better? How could she feel any better when her blood was now rushing to her head and making her knees all weak and wobbly and…
"Are you alright Kenshin?" Megumi suddenly asked, quickly regaining her composure and pulling her finger off Kenshin's mouth. Despite the slight drizzle outside, Megumi felt sudden heat from her fingers to spread out into her whole body, most especially to her face. "Are you drunk? Did you hit your head? Have you lost your mind?"
Kenshin merely smiled up at her, "Of course I'm fine, Megumi." He said and this time, Megumi noticed the "dono" missing at the end of her name. "I am just concerned about you. Are you hurt? Is everything ok? Do you need me to get anything for you? Water? Wait, I'll go ask Okon or Omasu for a first aid kit… but I hate to leave you here…"
Why was Kenshin acting like she was… like she was Kaoru? Why all the sudden attention and care and that change of tone in his voice and the whole sucking of her finger thing? What the hell was that all about? What is this all about? For Kami's sake, this was totally… totally BOGUS!
Had they all woken up at the wrong side of their beds?
Megumi tilted her head to look at Kenshin in the eye and she blinked when she saw how intense he was looking at her.
"Megumi…" he breathed. Breathed. Not said, not mumbled, but breathed in that strange, oddly scary voice of his. He stepped forward and she immediately took a step backward. A sudden picture in her mind popped up, three days ago, exactly on the same place, hadn't she done this before?
Of course then, she was doing the advancing and Kenshin the backing away. And now after two days of aimlessly wandering around the market… why the change? Why the reversal of roles?
"Megumi" Kenshin breathed again, this time reaching out to grasp her in the wrist again and pulling her close to him. Trapped. She was trapped. Panic began to rise in her heart.
Megumi blinked up at Kenshin in total shock. I so do not need this right now. "Kenshin, it's me Me-gu-mi." She said, feeling rather stupid for saying that and wanting desperately to correct the obvious wrong here.
"I know." Kenshin said, placing her palms against his chest. "I know that now." He said again in his Possessed Voice of his.
Megumi almost chocked on her own tongue.
Oh no, Megumi thought her knees suddenly failing her. She began to sit down and violently jumped back when Kenshin's arm snaked its way around her waist to steady her. And now she can feel the lean muscles of his abdomen pressed against her back.
Oh no.
It can't be. It can't be. She was finally able to seduce Kenshin. He had finally succumbed to her natural charms and good looks and intelligence…
She was so, so doomed. Kaoru would be sure to bludgeon her with that damn bokken!
"Steady now Megumi, here, let me get you some water. Do you want a bath too de gozaru? Maybe you need to lie down for a while, I'm going to look for some medicine for wounds. Do you have one with you?"
"NO!" She shrieked and stood up, placing as much distance between her and Kenshin. She smiled slowly, trying to ease the shocked look that Kenshin was giving her, "I mean, no," she said this time in a much gentler voice, "I'm fine, I really am Kenshin, it was just as small tiny teeny weeny cut. Nothing for you to worry about." She explained frowning as soon as she realized how she sounded so much like Kaoru.
Oh no. She wasn't going to get a husband. She was going to get a nanny! Kenshin would obsess about her safety, about her everything!
This was worse! So much worse than Kaoru bludgeoning her to death. Because Megumi was beginning to feel the need to escape Kenshin's legendary Fussing Over To Death Skill and she needed just a little push for her to actually bludgeon Kenshin himself to death. Or Sano.
That two-timing bastard of all batards! This was all his fault! I am so going to get him for this! Grrrr…
What… Megumi yelped in surprise as Kenshin took her hand and smiled at her softly, "Let sesha wa take care of you Megumi." He said his violet eyes glittering.
"Um." Megumi started but there was nothing else for her to do as soon as Kenshin began to drag her outside and straight to the bathhouse despite her protests.
And naturally, who should be there than Misao and Sano themselves, who were both trying to wipe the mud clinging to their skins.
"What's going on Kenshin?" Sano asked as he glanced from her to the smiling rurouni.
"Oh, nothing Sano. Just preparing Megumi's bath." Kenshin answered with a large smile.
Refusing to look at either Sano or Misao, Megumi welcomed the opportunity to lock herself inside a safe room. Away from Kenshin. Away from Sano and Misao. Away from the craziness that she had started. Not waiting for anyone of them to reply, speak or act, Megumi pushed the door open, practically ran inside and slammed the door shut, making sure it was thoroughly locked before she sat at the edge of the tub and place her head between her knees.
"Megumi?" She heard Kenshin's muffled concerned voice from outside. She ignored it and refused to answer.
"Would you want me to heat the water for you? And I'll bring you your towels too, de gozaru."
Argh! Megumi groaned out loud. What a really really sucky mucky plan she had thought of.
Karma. Bad karma most definitely.
Kami, please just get this week over with, and I swear, no more slyness, no more foxy laughter, no more underhanded schemes…
"Megumi? Are you ok de gozaru? Want me to come in there? Megumi?"
Megumi closed her eyes and banged her head against the tub. She wouldn't be surprised if she bludgeoned herself to death.
She wondered where Kaoru kept her bokken. When it comes to Kenshin, it was definitely a most effective weapon of choice.
"Daijoubu Megumi? Megumi? I'm coming in now…"
Ok quick! Think like Kaoru!
Outside the bathhouse, Sano and Misao yelped in surprise when a wooden bucket squarely hit Kenshin on the face effectively sending him sprawling on the ground. They watched in silence as Megumi slammed the door shut, shouting, "Kenshin no bakaaaaa!"
"Boy, she sounds so much like Kaoru-chan, doesn't she?" Misao asked blinking at the unmoving figure of Kenshin.
Sano smirked, his brown eyes misting over with happiness, "She even got Jou-chan's aim! I am so proud."
End Note: Well, that's Chapter 13. Looks more like Megumi's chapter doesn't it? I thought Megumi needed to have her old spunk back! And this has now officially become my longest fanfic ever. Surpassing A Date! Well, actually, to those who have read A Date With A Senpai I have something up my sleeves for that particular fic… Will keep it as a surprise for now… hehehe…
Well, any flames coming my way? Warn me ok? And be gentle… Boys' POV coming up next. Please leave a review! Feel free to tell me what you think. You guys know how to reach me!
Next Chapter Teaser: (Points to anyone who can guess who's POV this belongs to…hehehe)
If there was any consolation though, it was seeing a flicker of emotion at Aoshi's usual poker-face. And even funnier was when Aoshi realizes that he was showing his "feelings" and immediately trying to erase it. It was like a friggin' peek-a-boo. Now you see my emotions, now you don't, now you see my emotions, oops, now you don't…
Shinamori seemed really fucked-up in the head.
Well, I guess that's it for now… To chapter 14? Anyone?