Disclaimer:
Kenshin: Sessha must hurry and heat the bath before Kaoru-Dono gets angry, that I do. *walks towards bath house*
Kaoru: *really sweetly* Oh Kenshin! Where are you?
Kenshin: Sessha must hurry....
Kaoru: *walks around corner and spots Kenshin* Oh, hello Kenshin what are you-
Kenshin: *laughs nervously*
Kaoru: *angry tanooki eyes* Kenshin. Do you mean to say that you haven't heated my bath yet?
Kenshin: Oro? Sessha was doing it... *Kaoru advances with bokken* Sessha will give Kaoru-Dono honor of doing disclaimer if she does not hurt Sessha.
Kaoru: Alright. IcyPanther does not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of us! *turns to look at Kenshin* Now about the bath...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru's Wish
Chapter Six: Akabeko
'...' indicates thought
*~*~*~*~*~*~
From last time:
A large grin spread over Kaoru's face. "Thank you so much Tae! Every little bit helps!"
Suddenly, Tae clapped her hands together. "I've got a great idea. Why don't you all come down here for dinner and then we'll all head up to the dojo together? It'll even be on the house. Would that work?"
"That would be awesome! Would you mind if we brought Misao and Aoshi with us. They dropped by the dojo this afternoon."
"But of course! The more the merrier!"
"Including Sanosuke?"
"....Maybe not." And both women burst into laughter, both happy that everything seemed to be headed in the right direction.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru skipped back to the dojo, the tofu clutched to her, little bits sloshing out because of her little jumps. Everything was going right. Tonight, a chance that Yahiko could become his normal proud fifteen year old self, a free dinner at Akabeko, and Aoshi and Misao had stopped by. Yep, everything was great.
She entered the dojo yard and a smile spread over her features at the sight before her. Kenshin was still doing laundry peacefully, a soft hum escaping him. Sano was sprawled out on the porch and he smiled warmly at the kendo instructor. Using Sano's stomach as a pillow was Misao who appeared sound asleep. Two little boys were lying next to Misao, both asleep. Aoshi was sitting in the shade of a tree and meditating, Ayame and Suzume sitting next to him and copying his pose.
Kenshin looked up from the laundry when he noticed the added presence in the yard. He smiled as he took in Kaoru and then let out a small yelp. "Kaoru-Dono, what happened to your kimono?"
"Huh?" Kaoru looked down at her brightly patterend orange and yellow kimono. "Oh Kami! It's ruined!" The tofu had stained the kimono so that several brown splotches covered the front.
"Now now Kaoru-Donno, Sessha is sure he can get the stains out," said the red haired ex-rurouni, surveying the darkened material. "A little soap and water can go a long way, that it can."
"Oh really Kenshin? Thank you so much!" She hugged the samurai tightly before quickly pulling away. "Oh no! Now it's all over your clothes!" Kenshin examined his shirt and sure enough a familiar brown stain was now on his beloved pink gi.
"Sessha can get that out too Kaoru-Dono, do not worry."
Kaoru smiled gratefully at Kenshin. She opened her mouth to thank him again but was interrupted by a little voice. "Okasan, what time is it?" Kenji sat up and looked at his mom. "I'm hungry." His stomach growled loudly to backup his statement.
"It is almost dinner time Kenji. And I have a surprise for you."
"Really? What is it? Tell me Mommy!" He climbed off the porch and hugged Kaoru around the knees. "What's the surprise?"
She laughed at his eagerness. "How would you like to go to Akabeko for dinner? Does that sound good?"
The little boy let out a squeal of excitement and raced back towards the porch. "Yahiko! Yahiko! Guess what!" He shook his playmate happily. "Wake up!"
"What?" asked the black haired child sleepily. "What's going on?" He blinked at Kenji, sleep still clouding his eyes until they slowly started to close again.
"Wake up! We're going to Akabeko!"
Sano flicked his gaze over to Kaoru. "Why are we all heading over to Akabeko? I thought the tofu was for dinner?"
"It was supposed to be," admitted Kaoru, "But Tae offered to let us all eat over there and then come back to the dojo. Isn't it a great idea? She's even paying for all the food!"
"Alright!" Sano jumped up, throwing the ninja girl into the air. "Free food!"
"You stupid rooster! Are you trying to get me killed!" Misao had woken up and had skillfully landed on the roof from her throw into space. Sano didn't hear her; he was too busy celebrating on how he was getting free food.
"What's going on in here?" asked the newcomer who had just walked into the yard.
"Why hello Megumi-Dono," said Kenshin. "It's very nice to see you again. Sanosuke just found out he is getting free food from Tae-Dono, that he is."
"Okasan, how long until we leave? I'm starving!"
"Just let me go get dressed in a new kimono Kenji and then we'll leave. Kenshin, you should get changed too. I know you have that dark blue gi we bought you last week, go get dressed in that."
"Hai, Kaoru-Dono." Kenshin went inside the dojo followed by Kaoru. Misao jumped off the roof and landed next to Sano who was finally starting to calm down. Megumi approached the former fighter for hire.
"Listen hear Rooster, do not eat Tae out of food, alright? You're not going there to stuff yourself, you are going there to eat a normal meal and then leave, understood?"
"Whatever Fox." Before the two could start bickering Kaoru and Kenshin emerged from the dojo.
"Let's go everyone," said Kaoru. She took Kenji's hand and started out of the yard, Yahiko riding on Sano's shoulders. Aoshi took the rear with Misao walking quietly next to him and Kenshin took Kenji's other hand. Megumi walked next to Sanosuke, claiming she wanted to catch Yahiko when he fell off. Ayame and Suzume walked in the front of the group.
A few minutes later the large group reached the resturant that had a closed sign hung on the door. "That's odd," mused Kaoru, "Why is it closed?"
Suddenly, the door slid open to reveal a smiling Tae. "Well don't just stand there, come on in. Lots of food needs to be eaten and if all the stomachs are standing outside that can't happen."
"Why is it closed Tae?" asked Kaoru.
"Because I decided that I would join you and I can't do that very well if I have customers. Tsubame is here too." When the group entered, dishes and platters greeted them, all with a different course on it.
"That's is," said Sano. "I've died and gone to Heaven!" He raced towards the food and started to pile helpings of it onto his plate. Everyone else followed Sano's example, except they didn't take as much.
During the meal Yahiko was pampered by Tae and Kaoru. "Honey," said Tae, "Try some of this delicious baked potato. You'll love it!"
"Yahiko," Kaoru countered, " You need some meat on your bones - try some of this beef. It tastes really good!"
Now, since Tae had closed the resturant none of the kitchen staff were there. And the dishes couldn't wash themselves, could they?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How is this fair?" muttered Sano as he ducked another dirty dish from the pile next to him into the soapy water. There had to be at least fifty dishes that he had to wash and the starch from the potatoes didn't come off easily.
It had been unaminous, everyone present at Akabeko thought he should do the dishes, seeing as he ate the most of them and made the biggest mess. Even the four year olds were neater.
Back in the dining area Suzume started to complain that she was thirsty and that she needed a drink of water. "I'll go get you some water," said Yahiko standing up. Kaoru stiffled a laugh. It seemed that her apprentice had forgotten about his small size.
Yahiko walked through the hallway that seperated the kitchen from the resturant and went to the back door that led out to the well. 'Darn Tae' he thought looking at the door. It was a Western door with a doorknob and he couldn't reach it.
Sano stopped washing dishes to watch the young boy. To proud to ask for help, the young samurai began gathering stable items and placing them on top of each other beneath the troublesome doorknob.
"Hey Brat, what are you doing?" asked Sano.
Instead of a nasty comeback like 'What's it look like I'm doing,' a little voice answered, "I said I would get Suzume a drink of water, but I can't open the door." His cinniamon eyes welled up with tears as he grew frustrated.
Sano put down the dish towel and moved towards the door. "I've got it Kid. Now don't take too long, okay?"
Yahiko smiled brightly, the tears disappearing. "Okay," he said cheerfully. A few minutes later, Yahiko regretted trying to get Suzume water. He had dumped the bucket down the well and heard it splash. But when he tried to pull it up, the water made the bucket too heavy and he couldn't lift it.
He had almost gotten the barely filled bucket up over the rim of the well when suddenly a hand picked him up by the back of his gi and lifted the little Myojin off the ground.
"Well well. What do we have here?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note:
*bounces in* Ta da! I'm back on my wonderful keyboard after so long! ^^ Although I really shouldn't be here and I shouldn't be bouncing either! hehe
I'm so happy! I'm on Spring Break until next Monday which means I have lots of time to try and write! My problem is I am totally booked! I'm going shopping Monday, am babysitting all day Thursday and am hanging out with friends! ^^ But I still have time for all of you!
Tell me, do any of you wear retainers? And if you do, did you wear braces before? Well, if you did, which did you like better? I say braces! My retainers are hurting me! I'm supposed to wear them everynight and I uh.... took a break.... a long one.
Hope to see a million reviews in my inbox! Just kidding, four of five would make my day though!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Reviewer's Comments for Chapter Seven:
~*~LishaChan~*~ I thought it was adorable when he pulled her braid. It's so long and I think that it should get some recognition for that. ^^ Are beef pots beef stew. I'm just glad Sano had to do dishes, it kind of paid for all the food he ate.
~*~Tocole~*~ Ah! Sou and Kairi make such a cute couple! Out of the normal cast of RK I like pairing him up with Misao! ^^ 'I've been so busy with schoolwork too! But the wrist is the real reason I've been out! Can't wait for your update either! Hope Sou catches up to Yahiko!
~*~KitsuneKrazy~*~ I love doing the disclaimers! They are like their own little story. I wonder if Yahiko will ever get to say one??? hehe I don't think any of my cousins like to play in the mud but some kids down the street from me have an obsession with parks and sandboxes!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Review Comments to make me feel better! ^^
~*~Tocole~*~ I got yours through the e-mail. I did elevate my wrist... Although most of the time it was uncomfortable. My doctor wanted me to walk around with it over my head the entire day! O.o
~*~moondragon-1001~*~ It feels better now. And all those pain killers I was on really helped. My fave was the vykodin (sp?) aka hydrocodon aka happy pills! ^^ Well, they made me really happy when my arm went numb! ^^
~*~HalownKougra~*~ Thanks Manda. Have fun on your Boston trip!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin: Sessha must hurry and heat the bath before Kaoru-Dono gets angry, that I do. *walks towards bath house*
Kaoru: *really sweetly* Oh Kenshin! Where are you?
Kenshin: Sessha must hurry....
Kaoru: *walks around corner and spots Kenshin* Oh, hello Kenshin what are you-
Kenshin: *laughs nervously*
Kaoru: *angry tanooki eyes* Kenshin. Do you mean to say that you haven't heated my bath yet?
Kenshin: Oro? Sessha was doing it... *Kaoru advances with bokken* Sessha will give Kaoru-Dono honor of doing disclaimer if she does not hurt Sessha.
Kaoru: Alright. IcyPanther does not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of us! *turns to look at Kenshin* Now about the bath...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru's Wish
Chapter Six: Akabeko
'...' indicates thought
*~*~*~*~*~*~
From last time:
A large grin spread over Kaoru's face. "Thank you so much Tae! Every little bit helps!"
Suddenly, Tae clapped her hands together. "I've got a great idea. Why don't you all come down here for dinner and then we'll all head up to the dojo together? It'll even be on the house. Would that work?"
"That would be awesome! Would you mind if we brought Misao and Aoshi with us. They dropped by the dojo this afternoon."
"But of course! The more the merrier!"
"Including Sanosuke?"
"....Maybe not." And both women burst into laughter, both happy that everything seemed to be headed in the right direction.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru skipped back to the dojo, the tofu clutched to her, little bits sloshing out because of her little jumps. Everything was going right. Tonight, a chance that Yahiko could become his normal proud fifteen year old self, a free dinner at Akabeko, and Aoshi and Misao had stopped by. Yep, everything was great.
She entered the dojo yard and a smile spread over her features at the sight before her. Kenshin was still doing laundry peacefully, a soft hum escaping him. Sano was sprawled out on the porch and he smiled warmly at the kendo instructor. Using Sano's stomach as a pillow was Misao who appeared sound asleep. Two little boys were lying next to Misao, both asleep. Aoshi was sitting in the shade of a tree and meditating, Ayame and Suzume sitting next to him and copying his pose.
Kenshin looked up from the laundry when he noticed the added presence in the yard. He smiled as he took in Kaoru and then let out a small yelp. "Kaoru-Dono, what happened to your kimono?"
"Huh?" Kaoru looked down at her brightly patterend orange and yellow kimono. "Oh Kami! It's ruined!" The tofu had stained the kimono so that several brown splotches covered the front.
"Now now Kaoru-Donno, Sessha is sure he can get the stains out," said the red haired ex-rurouni, surveying the darkened material. "A little soap and water can go a long way, that it can."
"Oh really Kenshin? Thank you so much!" She hugged the samurai tightly before quickly pulling away. "Oh no! Now it's all over your clothes!" Kenshin examined his shirt and sure enough a familiar brown stain was now on his beloved pink gi.
"Sessha can get that out too Kaoru-Dono, do not worry."
Kaoru smiled gratefully at Kenshin. She opened her mouth to thank him again but was interrupted by a little voice. "Okasan, what time is it?" Kenji sat up and looked at his mom. "I'm hungry." His stomach growled loudly to backup his statement.
"It is almost dinner time Kenji. And I have a surprise for you."
"Really? What is it? Tell me Mommy!" He climbed off the porch and hugged Kaoru around the knees. "What's the surprise?"
She laughed at his eagerness. "How would you like to go to Akabeko for dinner? Does that sound good?"
The little boy let out a squeal of excitement and raced back towards the porch. "Yahiko! Yahiko! Guess what!" He shook his playmate happily. "Wake up!"
"What?" asked the black haired child sleepily. "What's going on?" He blinked at Kenji, sleep still clouding his eyes until they slowly started to close again.
"Wake up! We're going to Akabeko!"
Sano flicked his gaze over to Kaoru. "Why are we all heading over to Akabeko? I thought the tofu was for dinner?"
"It was supposed to be," admitted Kaoru, "But Tae offered to let us all eat over there and then come back to the dojo. Isn't it a great idea? She's even paying for all the food!"
"Alright!" Sano jumped up, throwing the ninja girl into the air. "Free food!"
"You stupid rooster! Are you trying to get me killed!" Misao had woken up and had skillfully landed on the roof from her throw into space. Sano didn't hear her; he was too busy celebrating on how he was getting free food.
"What's going on in here?" asked the newcomer who had just walked into the yard.
"Why hello Megumi-Dono," said Kenshin. "It's very nice to see you again. Sanosuke just found out he is getting free food from Tae-Dono, that he is."
"Okasan, how long until we leave? I'm starving!"
"Just let me go get dressed in a new kimono Kenji and then we'll leave. Kenshin, you should get changed too. I know you have that dark blue gi we bought you last week, go get dressed in that."
"Hai, Kaoru-Dono." Kenshin went inside the dojo followed by Kaoru. Misao jumped off the roof and landed next to Sano who was finally starting to calm down. Megumi approached the former fighter for hire.
"Listen hear Rooster, do not eat Tae out of food, alright? You're not going there to stuff yourself, you are going there to eat a normal meal and then leave, understood?"
"Whatever Fox." Before the two could start bickering Kaoru and Kenshin emerged from the dojo.
"Let's go everyone," said Kaoru. She took Kenji's hand and started out of the yard, Yahiko riding on Sano's shoulders. Aoshi took the rear with Misao walking quietly next to him and Kenshin took Kenji's other hand. Megumi walked next to Sanosuke, claiming she wanted to catch Yahiko when he fell off. Ayame and Suzume walked in the front of the group.
A few minutes later the large group reached the resturant that had a closed sign hung on the door. "That's odd," mused Kaoru, "Why is it closed?"
Suddenly, the door slid open to reveal a smiling Tae. "Well don't just stand there, come on in. Lots of food needs to be eaten and if all the stomachs are standing outside that can't happen."
"Why is it closed Tae?" asked Kaoru.
"Because I decided that I would join you and I can't do that very well if I have customers. Tsubame is here too." When the group entered, dishes and platters greeted them, all with a different course on it.
"That's is," said Sano. "I've died and gone to Heaven!" He raced towards the food and started to pile helpings of it onto his plate. Everyone else followed Sano's example, except they didn't take as much.
During the meal Yahiko was pampered by Tae and Kaoru. "Honey," said Tae, "Try some of this delicious baked potato. You'll love it!"
"Yahiko," Kaoru countered, " You need some meat on your bones - try some of this beef. It tastes really good!"
Now, since Tae had closed the resturant none of the kitchen staff were there. And the dishes couldn't wash themselves, could they?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How is this fair?" muttered Sano as he ducked another dirty dish from the pile next to him into the soapy water. There had to be at least fifty dishes that he had to wash and the starch from the potatoes didn't come off easily.
It had been unaminous, everyone present at Akabeko thought he should do the dishes, seeing as he ate the most of them and made the biggest mess. Even the four year olds were neater.
Back in the dining area Suzume started to complain that she was thirsty and that she needed a drink of water. "I'll go get you some water," said Yahiko standing up. Kaoru stiffled a laugh. It seemed that her apprentice had forgotten about his small size.
Yahiko walked through the hallway that seperated the kitchen from the resturant and went to the back door that led out to the well. 'Darn Tae' he thought looking at the door. It was a Western door with a doorknob and he couldn't reach it.
Sano stopped washing dishes to watch the young boy. To proud to ask for help, the young samurai began gathering stable items and placing them on top of each other beneath the troublesome doorknob.
"Hey Brat, what are you doing?" asked Sano.
Instead of a nasty comeback like 'What's it look like I'm doing,' a little voice answered, "I said I would get Suzume a drink of water, but I can't open the door." His cinniamon eyes welled up with tears as he grew frustrated.
Sano put down the dish towel and moved towards the door. "I've got it Kid. Now don't take too long, okay?"
Yahiko smiled brightly, the tears disappearing. "Okay," he said cheerfully. A few minutes later, Yahiko regretted trying to get Suzume water. He had dumped the bucket down the well and heard it splash. But when he tried to pull it up, the water made the bucket too heavy and he couldn't lift it.
He had almost gotten the barely filled bucket up over the rim of the well when suddenly a hand picked him up by the back of his gi and lifted the little Myojin off the ground.
"Well well. What do we have here?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note:
*bounces in* Ta da! I'm back on my wonderful keyboard after so long! ^^ Although I really shouldn't be here and I shouldn't be bouncing either! hehe
I'm so happy! I'm on Spring Break until next Monday which means I have lots of time to try and write! My problem is I am totally booked! I'm going shopping Monday, am babysitting all day Thursday and am hanging out with friends! ^^ But I still have time for all of you!
Tell me, do any of you wear retainers? And if you do, did you wear braces before? Well, if you did, which did you like better? I say braces! My retainers are hurting me! I'm supposed to wear them everynight and I uh.... took a break.... a long one.
Hope to see a million reviews in my inbox! Just kidding, four of five would make my day though!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Reviewer's Comments for Chapter Seven:
~*~LishaChan~*~ I thought it was adorable when he pulled her braid. It's so long and I think that it should get some recognition for that. ^^ Are beef pots beef stew. I'm just glad Sano had to do dishes, it kind of paid for all the food he ate.
~*~Tocole~*~ Ah! Sou and Kairi make such a cute couple! Out of the normal cast of RK I like pairing him up with Misao! ^^ 'I've been so busy with schoolwork too! But the wrist is the real reason I've been out! Can't wait for your update either! Hope Sou catches up to Yahiko!
~*~KitsuneKrazy~*~ I love doing the disclaimers! They are like their own little story. I wonder if Yahiko will ever get to say one??? hehe I don't think any of my cousins like to play in the mud but some kids down the street from me have an obsession with parks and sandboxes!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Review Comments to make me feel better! ^^
~*~Tocole~*~ I got yours through the e-mail. I did elevate my wrist... Although most of the time it was uncomfortable. My doctor wanted me to walk around with it over my head the entire day! O.o
~*~moondragon-1001~*~ It feels better now. And all those pain killers I was on really helped. My fave was the vykodin (sp?) aka hydrocodon aka happy pills! ^^ Well, they made me really happy when my arm went numb! ^^
~*~HalownKougra~*~ Thanks Manda. Have fun on your Boston trip!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~