Chapter 25: A New Relationship
Reporters swarmed towards the entrance of the hospital as Hiko, Megumi, Misao, and Soujiro exited the building, questions swarming at the four as they asked where Kamiya Kaoru was. The group managed to reach the limo but not without getting stopped by another group that were working for Beauty Magazines and wanted the inside scope on what happened.
"Mr. Seijiro, what has become of your nephew and Miss Kamiya? Why aren't they out of the hospital yet?" asked a woman in a gray skirt like business suit, a recorder shoved in front of the taller man's face.
"Miss Kamiya has yet to wake up and Mr. Himura has volunteered to look after her," answered Soujiro for Hiko as he tried to push away all the people so that they could get to the waiting limo.
"Then are the rumors true that Mr. Himura and Miss Kamiya are a couple?" asked another reporter to their left, trying to push his way towards the group as a few police from the hospital came out to help escort the four to the limo.
"Are you saying that Mr. Himura is beginning to have feelings for the model of M.R.S. Magazines?" asked someone else just before the limo door closed with the four relieved occupants inside.
"I'm glad that's over with," said Megumi as she dusted herself and watched as people raced after the limo until they turned a corner.
"Those people just don't know when to give up," said Misao as she shook her head.
"I hope that the other three get out of there alive," said Soujiro as he sighed and sat back in his seat.
"Which reminds me, we need to pick up Kamiya's grandfather," said Hiko as he ordered the driver to take them to the airport.
"Sir, do you really think that it's going to be okay to send Mr. Kamiya to the location of the others? I mean, the reporters are going to follow the man once they find out who he is," stated Megumi uncertainly.
"You're right about that.... Soujiro, I want you to called up Amakusa and tell his sister to pick the old man up. The public doesn't really know the girl, so it won't be as suspicious. Driver, turn the car around, we're going back to the office," ordered Hiko.
"Yes sir," said the driver as Soujiro dialed in Magdaria's cell phone number.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sanosuke pocked his head out of the back of the hospital, making sure that no one was around and if their get away car had arrived. Spotting a silver 2000 Acura with its car keys in the key hole, Sano motioned for Kenshin to help bring Kaoru. Rushing towards the car, he turned the car keys and quickly got into the driver's seat as he watched Kenshin hold Kaoru's hand and run towards the car.
"Where are we going?" asked Sano when Kenshin and Kaoru got into the back seats; Kaoru as confused as ever at why they were leaving the building so secretively.
"Go to the airport, we're going to Las Vegas," said Kenshin as he took out his cell phone after he helped buckle Kaoru and himself in.
"You mean we're staying at your private mansion? Well I'm all for it," said Sanosuke grinning as he thought about all the gambling that he could do once they arrived in Nevada.
"Just get us to the airport Sanosuke," said Kenshin as he waited for someone to pick up, they needed to get a private jet and fast, there were definitely advantages to being the richest man in Japan.
"Hold onto your seat belt Missy," warned Sano as he turned to face the wheel and step on the gas, causing the car to screech as they raced down the roads.
"Where's Las Vegas, why are we going there?" asked Kaoru once Sano's driving became stabled.
"It's the place in the United States that we're going to stay until you get back your memory Kaoru," said Kenshin as he moved a hand over the receiver so that the other person wouldn't hear what he was saying.
"Why can't we stay here?" asked Kaoru as she cocked her head at the redhead.
"Because Missy, you need to go somewhere where you won't be bothered by the public or the annoying media, and leaving Japan will allow you to see the rest of the world," said Sano as he looked at the girl from the rear view mirror.
"Watch the road Sano," said Kenshin as he noticed that the car was beginning to swerve.
"Sorry," said Sanosuke as he went back to paying attention to what was in front of him.
Kaoru watched as the two men that claimed to be her friends went about their own business, tired and uncertain, she sat back in her seat and leisurely closed her eyes.
"It took some talking with the manager, but I got us a jet. We'll be able to get there sometime tomorrow, and I can make arrangements with Kamatari to get us clothes as well, though I think that it'd be better if we choose our own from the stores there," said Kenshin as he hung up his cell phone.
"I'd rather pick out my own clothes than let that guy do the choosing," said Sano.
Kenshin only chuckled and nearly jumped out of his skin when something landed on his shoulder. Smiling at the raven haired girl that was using his shoulder as a pillow, he moved a hand over hers and felt a swarm of relief flow through him when he felt her squeeze his hand.
Laughing silently to himself at the scene in the back of the car, Sanosuke drove towards the awaiting airport.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The airport was filled with people rushing to catch their flights, people laughing and hugging those that were away from them for such a long time as they were met off the plane. As the shouts and screamed filled the airport, a girl in a pair of khaki tan pants, a white tank top, and a nice white unzipped jacket with her shoulder length brown hair neatly curled outward.
Chocolate depths scanned the crowd that was coming out of the airplane trying to find an old man out of the many hundreds that were coming from Kyoto to Tokyo. Standing on her tip toes she looked around with her Fellini White Satin Purse held closely under her left shoulder. Biting her lower lip anxiously, she tried to look for the old man that she was suppose to escort back to M.R.S. but she wasn't quite sure what the old man looked like just that he was well...old.
"Soujiro could have at least told me what he what he'd be wearing," said Magdaria to herself as she squinted her eyes.
"What's a cute little girl like you standing here all alone?" asked a ruff voice from behind her, spinning around she nearly slammed herself into a large chest.
Stepping back from the man in combat boots, a leather jacket and pants, and a smug grin on his face; your typical punk wannabe.
"I'm actually here waiting for someone," said Magdaria truthfully as she instinctively took a step backwards.
"Really, well where is he or she? Everyone's already off the airplane miss, why don't come with us and wait for your friend," said the man with a grin to the other two men behind him who were snickering.
"I'd rather not," said Magdaria politely as she held her purse closer to her and turned around but was abruptly swung back to as the man grabbed her elbows.
"You don't have a choice," said the man in a tantalizing tone.
"Let go of me!" shouted the girl as she struggled to get away but to no prevail as the three men laughed at her pathetic attempt.
"Let the young lady go," said a low threatening voice from behind them.
"What do you want old man?" asked the skinnier of the two goons.
A man that seemed as if he should be in retirement stepped out of the shadows, his white beard, mustache, and hair curling outward as he gave them a disappointed look.
"You shouldn't pick on young ladies," said the man, his hands calmly behind his back, his luggage placed on the ground to his right.
"What's it to you?" asked the larger man as he ignored the crowd that was forming.
"I'm going to have to teach you a lesson in manners," said the man as he got into a stance, his hands daring the men to attacking.
"We don't fight old geezers, but we'll make an exception for you," said the leader as he let Magdaria go and got ready to punch the living daylights out of the old man.
"Don't hurt him!" yelled the girl but no one paid attention to her, but to the fight that was beginning.
Before any of the three men could throw a punch towards the older man, they all froze as the old man suddenly appeared before them and punched their faces and guts sending them skidding towards the benches of unoccupied chairs.
"Kids these days, no manners whatsoever to their elders," said the man as he dusted off his hands and picked up his luggage after the security guards came and took the three men away.
"Thank you sir," said Magdaria in a nervous voice as she bowed to the man in respect.
"That's okay young lady; just be careful next time and be sure to carry pepper spray or some type of weapon of defense on you," said the man with a serious look at the girl as she nodded.
"Thank you sir. Oh, you were on the Kyoto flight to Tokyo correct?" asked Magdaria before the man left.
"Yes, why do you ask?" questioned the man, hoping that he could be of service to her.
"I'm sorry to bother you again, but did you see another old man on the flight by the name of Kamiya Okina?" asked Magdaria.
"You're not a bother, and... OH! You must be the girl that Mr. Seijiro sent to pick me up to go see my granddaughter," said the man as he smiled when he saw her face light up.
"Then we better get the rest of your other suitcases and be on our way, Mr. Seijiro isn't one to be very patient," said Magdaria as she rushed over to him happily as the man chuckled at her statement.
"Well you're right about that, so let's get going shall we?" asked Okina as he picked up his luggage that he was allowed to carry on the plane and headed towards one of the exits.
"Aren't you going to pick up the rest of your items Mr. Kamiya?" asked Magdaria as she trailed behind the man until she walking side by side to him.
"I do have all my items," said the older man as he looked at his suitcase.
"That's it?" asked Magdaria a bit confused, for when she planned to travel for a while she tended to bring more than just a single suitcase.
"I only plan to stay until Kaoru gets better, not for the rest of my life," said Okina.
"Oh," said Magdaria as she quickened her pace to catch up with the old man, for a man of his age he seemed healthier than herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"With Himura gone, we're going to have to work as if he's still here and nothing's wrong. The media is going to get suspicious if we hand anything out that doesn't have Kenshin's signature, so from now on try keeping the dealing underhand," said Hiko as he stood in front of the filled conference room with the other major employees of the company which included: Katsura, Saitou, Shishio, and Aoshi, Okita, Shougo, and Soujiro standing to the side.
"Where has our boss gone? We can't make any major business dealings without his signature," stated Shishio as he sat up straight in his seat.
"The baka has decided to take a vacation for a little while from all that's happened," said Hiko half truthfully, anyone being able to leave the country in leisure was considered on a vacation to him.
"A vacation at this time?" asked Saitou with a raised brow, it was usually when after a company got back on its feet they kept working until they were back to normal standards so that they wouldn't go back down.
"What about Kamiya?" asked Aoshi as he looked at Hiko for an answer.
"Kamiya is Kenshin's lawyer and personal assistant, she's suppose to be with him at all times," said Hiko calmly.
"It would have been better if she stayed, the public knows that she has just as big an opinion in our decision as our boss does," said Saitou.
"It's actually been most of her decisions and persuading that got us where we are today, the top of the charts even after what that moron put us through," said Shishio annoyed.
"Where had Himura gone to stay?" interrupted Katsura before any of the other men could open their mouths about the previous situation that they were in.
"He hasn't contacted me on where he's staying," said Hiko truthfully.
The other men all looked at the man suspiciously but kept silent.
"Well you're all dismissed," said Hiko as he waved his hand and quickly left the conference room.
"It seems that he's leaving something out," said Saitou once Hiko, Katsura, Okita, and Shougo left the room.
"Indeed. Something obviously happened at that hospital or Miss Kamiya would have left it with him and the others along with Himura," said Shishio as all eyes fell on Soujiro.
"What happened?" asked Aoshi as he looked at the man.
"Miss Kamiya was still asleep and Mr. Himura wanted to stay behind to watch after her," said Soujiro with his usual smile in place.
"And when she woke up he immediately left for a vacation?" asked Saitou almost sarcastically.
"I left with Mr. Seijiro before Miss Kamiya woke up," said Soujiro truthfully.
"Stop questioning my right hand man; Soujiro isn't one to lie to me," said Shishio as he dismissed Saitou's questions.
"Well if Miss Kamiya was in a bad condition then I doubt that Himura would have allowed her to leave the hospital at all," said Aoshi calmly.
"What are you getting at?" asked Saitou as he looked at the icy blue eyed man across from him.
"I know that you know what he's getting at; Himura wouldn't deny that girl anything," said Shishio straight out as he tapped his fingers on the table irritated.
"To put it plain and simple the guy is in love with the girl and doesn't even know it," said Aoshi calmly.
"That was obvious, the only question now is if we can persuade her to help us," said Saitou as he sat back in his seat.
The other two occupants in the room just turned and looked at him as if he were insane, they all knew that Kaoru hardly spoke to anyone in the company except her friends and Kenshin himself, and they were in no connection whatsoever with her two friends.
"There's always a way to persuade someone to help us by getting to another person that they're close with. Kamiya won't deny her friends anything and will help them to her power like Kenshin does her. If we can get one of her closer friends to ask her for something or at least mention it, then it'll be in our favor. The girl has a higher position than we do when it comes to doing anything for our company, so getting her on our side will benefit us all," explained Saitou.
"And how do you plan to persuade her loyal friends?" asked Shishio, who knew that loyalty went very deep.
"Whoever said anything about her friends?" asked Saitou with a devious grin.
The occupants of the room moved in so that they could hear what the man had to say.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Whoa man! You out did yourself this time," said Sanosuke as he whistled at the sight of private plane when they drove up to the plane area, the plane was one of the most expensive ones that you could get.
"Sano, it's only a twin-jet Gulfstream V," said Kenshin as he took a hold of Kaoru's hand and led her up the steps and into the jet.
"Yeah! But this thing costs up to $40 million and can fly 600 mph!" yelled Sano after them as he rushed up into the plane in long strides after he threw his car keys to one of the men that had been waiting for them.
Kaoru's eyes grew wide as she looked inside the beautiful plane; Italian leather chairs aligned the right wall of the plane, violet velvet curtains separating the different areas, it even had its own kitchen area, along with two comfortable queen size beds covered in silk bed sheets with the most comfortable comforter and blankets. The plane was customized to hold only four instead of the normal 14 people, therefore had enough room to create a place where they could dine and be able to face each other, along with a part of the plane that had an arcade. A metal door separating the pilots from the jet's occupants.
"Like it?" asked Kenshin he sat her down in one of the most comfortable chairs on the plane so that she could see out of the window.
"I adore it," said Kaoru and shocked herself when she sank into the comfortable chair causing the redhead to laugh good heartedly.
"Well this is just the beginning of your well earned vacation," said Kenshin as he sat across from her.
Sano sat on a couch that faced the two of them, but the man was busy jumping up and down in excitement as if he'd never been in such a fine plane before, and indeed he hadn't. He'd been in expensive ones but not this expensive, and private ones but not ones that were completely customized against its normal design.
"Stop fidgeting, you act like you've always lived the life of a poor man," said Kenshin as he looked at his old friend.
"But when you compare my life to this it's like I was poor my whole life! I bet you anything that your mansion in Las Vegas is going to be even better than your estate!" said Sano excitedly.
"My mansion in Las Vegas was made for fun and actually I've never been there myself, I just built the place so that I could have a place to go when I got bored to Japan. Obviously it's a good thing that I did. Place your seat belt on we're about to go into the sky," said Kenshin as he helped Kaoru put on her safety belt.
"This thing probably flies smoothly, no need to," said Sano as he moved his hands behind his neck and closed his eyes as Kenshin buckled himself in.
A scream was heard as Sanosuke flew off his seat and slid from their current room right into the beds, lucky for him the only things that separated the areas were the velvet curtains.
"You have to buckle yourself in every plane Sanosuke, the fact that we're defying gravity as we speak says it all as to why you have to," said Kenshin as he shook his head and listened to Kaoru's voice lighten in laughter as she watched the taller man crawl back into the room.
"Could have said that earlier," said Sano as he grabbed onto his chair and struggled to put on his seat belt before he fell back down into the bedroom area again.
"I thought that it was common sense," said Kenshin smugly, earning a glare and laughter from either of his two companions.
"Look! That creature is flying!" said Kaoru as she looked out of her window and saw a flock of birds flying side by side with the private plane in fascination.
"Those are birds Kaoru. Wait? She forgot so much that she doesn't know the name of animals?" asked Sanosuke shock as he looked at Kaoru and then at his silent boss.
"Animals? Is that what you call creatures that don't look like us?" asked Kaoru as she turned towards Kenshin and Sano.
"Yes Kaoru," said Kenshin with a small smile trying to get her to get use to them.
"Oh man, we're going to have to teach her from the beginning. I can only hope that she has knows what's good or what's bad for her," said Sano he moved a hand over his face in frustration.
"We have plenty of time to teach her, and she'll slowly gain her memories back," said Kenshin reassuringly to Sanosuke and Kaoru.
"Am I being a bother?" asked Kaoru as she realized that Sano wasn't all too happy about something that had to do with her.
"Of course not," said Kenshin as glared at Sanosuke.
"You're never a bother Missy! I was just a bit tired from worrying so about you," said Sanosuke as he got the hint from his boss.
"Why?" asked Kaoru almost child like.
"Because friends care and worry about each other," explained Kenshin; he wanted her to be happy and if shutting off all the bad things in the world from her would do that, then so be it. He had enough power and money to protect her from the rest of the world and the rest of her life, he could teach her true happiness and never have her suffer again.
Nodding in somewhat of understanding, Kaoru went back to watching as they flew past clouds.
"Man, do you really think that she's okay with this? I mean, we did just make her come with us without explaining everything, and I think that Missy deserves to know the truth," whispered Sanosuke as he leaned towards Kenshin.
"I know, but for now let's just let her have fun. She deserves it," said Kenshin as his eyes remained fixated on the woman before him.
"If you say so man, but...." began Sanosuke as he sat back in his seat.
"But what?" asked Kaoru as she looked over at the two.
"Sano only wanted to know if the house was going to have maids or butlers, but because we're going on a vacation we're not going to have any of that. Right Sano?" asked Kenshin as he narrowed his eyes at the man who smiled nervously and nodded.
"Why would there be other people on our vacation in the first place?" asked Kaoru as she looked at the men for an answer.
"Well you see..." began Kenshin, but was interrupted by Sanosuke
"We usually have people who do things for us because that's their job, though now that we don't want anyone around us while we're on a private vacation we don't want anyone there except us," explained Sano.
Nodding, the girl quickly fell silent.
"You know, you don't have to stay in your seat the whole time. Do you want to have a bit of fun?" asked Kenshin as he took off his seat belt and stood up, nearly falling over when Kaoru tugged him onto his arm.
"You're not suppose to get up while the plane is moving!" said Kaoru as she tried to move to sit him down, but was stopped when Kenshin placed a gentle hand on her own.
"You don't have to wear it once the plane is in the sky," comforted Kenshin as he took her seat belt up and allowed her to stand up.
Trembling in fear, Kaoru held onto Kenshin's arm when she stood up right, still not sure if it was safe.
"I told you that it was okay, just relax," said Kenshin as he held her hand and moved her towards the room to their left, the girl running to stay close to the man.
Sanosuke only rolled his eyes, he knew what was going through Kenshin's mind, even if they guy didn't know it himself. Suddenly an idea went through his head, grinning as the magnificent scheme began to mold within his mind Sano quickly got up out of his and followed the couple.
A/N: That's it for now, thank you for reading!