*Pout* I'm a big fan of… any well written fic, essentially- alternate pairings don't bother me, though I will admit I've yet to read a fic where Kenshin and Tomoe are together that I like… =) I will admit Kaoru is probably my favorite character (now)- but I have nothing against Tomoe- I don't know much about her… really… anyway, I even enjoy alternate pairings. A lot. Well, when Kaoru is involved. I dunno if I like Kenshin gallivanting around with other girls. Especially when Kaoru is left hanging, but I do feel bad for Kenshin when Kaoru hooks up with someone else and he's left hanging…
I don't know how to speak [or write] concisely. (yes, laugh- please do)
Ah, what the hell- I was going to put reviewer responses in the next chapter, but I've already written them all out so…
8/13/02 ororo- for some reason, "pomp and circumstance" just popped into my head…
Jason M. Lee^6- *muah!* you reviewed them all like… in one sitting?! =) I'm glad you liked my twist on Kenshin, well, the rurouni, I was a bit… I dunno- I like thinking I think of innovative things… I think I covered most of the bases… =) I'm glad you're annoyed w/ Kenshin…- thanks for translating the Japanese… I can't seem to find a working translator… =) oro- and then you stopped…ack- … I *LOVE* your reviews! They are hilarious, fun, love em!
Pia-san- hm, well, I dunno if Battousai is masochistic (or any part of Kenshin), but, he will do laundry for Kaoru… =) you don't have to thank me- I am thanking you for reviewing!
Kagome- thank you so much for the review, and I'm so sorry it took me so long to update!
P.h.a.t.e.- =) hm, as to the rurouni, read and find out… oro- sorry about the long dry period- I hope you enjoyed this chapter and that it was long enough for you!
nymph- yeah, I love reviews. I have already admitted before and freely, that I'm a review whore… heck, I should start a club… =) your input was noticed- and… well, *hands nymph a rubber mallet* go for it- maybe you can knock some sense into the rurouni
Rurouni Baka- thanks so much for taking the time to review!! =) I love it when anyone does… hm… as to Rui… we'll see
t- thanks for reviewing and the encouragement- I'm glad you enjoyed the humor…
vesca- no prob! I always feel so sad when I review a fic and the author acknowledges what seems like everyone, their mom, and dog, but not me… =) so I thought I'd talk to everyone… hm, sano beating rui up… well, rui is a fighter too, so it might be interesting… =( I tried to find that story you suggested, and I couldn't- where is it?
mae^2- I don't remember much about freakazoid other than he's blue… my friend who's awesome (a giant dork, yay) who knows like every cartoon theme song that's existed, sent me this quiz "what cartoon hero are you" or something like that. Glad you like my fic! I'm trying to keep the same attitude etc through the fic… hope you still like it!
Midori Natari Himura^3- =) I'm glad you liked the banter- I actually do somewhat try… hm… a battousai that's crazy for me? *drools* yeah, that silly rurouni- walking around for ten years with no home… it'll do bad things to you.
Isis- yeah, I think Battousai is… pretty d@mn great in any sense, just being so intense… too bad the Rurouni usually has (had) the most control, since Kenshin did back him up…
supernaturalove- did my review go in this time? I SWEAR I had reviewed that fic @ least twice before (I know b/c I had saved reviews on my comp- long story…) if it didn't *growls* then I give up and I'll just have to… I dunno. Eat my speakers. =) thank you so so much for your encouragement and tactful commentary. I dunno how far I'm going to go with K/K before the guys leave, but *sigh* yes, ship scene, sorry… it promises to be rather good though… I hope
mokona- thanks a bundle for reviewing! =) I'm glad you think it's cute… I try…
tenshineko- *pouts* yes indeed, how did you miss this fic? *laughs* hm… your fav? I think this fic is fun, but I can't understand why everyone likes it the most out of what I've written… well, no… *shrugs* I won't think of that, I'll get confused. oro- I dunno if I'll let Kenshin @ Rui- with the way he's unbalanced now, he may really hurt the poor guy.
Battousai angel- =) I know… everyone thinks the rurouni is all romantic… well not in *my* fic! I hope you liked this chapter…
marstanuki- =) believe it or not, I have two ideas in the waiting, one I've already written 12 pages, but before I typed it and posted anything, somebody posted a story with kind of not really the same idea, but now I'm afraid of being accused of stealing an idea so I can't post it… *siiigh* =) I'm hoping I can add more fics to my collection… my grammar is atrocious. I've given up… oro- is English not your first language? Technically English isn't my first language… it's my third, but it's my strongest… you're not unworthy at all- and I apologize for the slow update!
Ranma1517730129- *laughs* I very much enjoyed your review… hm…. Yaking Yahiko? Yodeling Yahiko? Yelping? Yipping? Oro- it only gets worse =) yaking makes me think hacking, so it's Sano and this sickly little kid… orororo ^__^
turtlepw- thank you for the review, I'm glad you're enjoying this, and don't worry, I'm die hard K/K too…
K-chan- I'm so glad you're enjoying the multiple personalities thing… I've been trying so hard to keep them distinct and… well. La! Thank you!
Sunny- =) I'll sure try! Thanks for the review!
Trafeane- yay! Second review ever! For the longest time 2 was my favorite number, so that's good enough for me! I am desperate for reviews… I love them. need them. I explained it at the beg of my fic "summer guest"… =) yeah, I'm working on making Kenshin seem guy-ish (well, @ least sometimes…) boys will be boys…
Shojin Takeru- no, I don't really have any opinion of Rui, but I'm not going to let Kenshin julienne him…yet… =) yes, I promise my fic will have an ending. Promise.
hinami-1412- hey there! =) thanks for reviewing! (I love it…) have you posted yet? I think you said you did… bleh- I haven't had time to check really and my phone lines are still going slightly haywire…
Kamimura Kaoru- sorry for the slow update… I'm so glad you like this fic!!
AngelsExist- ororo… uhm… in lieu of updating soon, I offer a hopefully appeasing long chapter? =) also, you're the only one who offered Kenshin comfort… everyone else wants him beaten up
lizzie- yes, silly Kenshin indeed…. And… Rui does seem to have this thing w/ timing, neh? Yeah, guys in general… *shakes head* enjoy!
Firekat- la, I know the idea isn't original, I've read what, three fics where all three personalities come up? =) this is my "totally ripping off old ideas for fun fic" though I hope I've managed to put in a few new things… thanks for the review!
Phruit- mou okok, I'm being low… I stopped- other than one thing, which I'd written before you'd reviewed… actually, in a way I thought it was slightly funny, but then I've always had an interesting sense of humor. Thank you for giving me a (rather kind, I suppose) reality check. In my defense, (I went through all my chapters and checked) I don't think I've done anything worse than other people have- in fact less… and in my mind, "reasonable" being more than zero isn't that unreasonable… I know I'm good now (thanks to you and everyone else) but… it was simply incredibly discouraging to have no response/reviews. Hm, I am convinced that each person has different personalities- I know I do… I just think Kenshin's are most obvious- thanks. Rui is perfect, neh? Hm…
LSR-7- *laughs* thanks for being so enthusiastic! I really enjoyed your review (honest)
Gakkuri Naishinnou^5- *huge grin* thanks so much for reviewing… yup, I'm a huge dork, your review made me curious and I went and skimmed chpt 2, and I found myself laughing (if anyone else is reading this, I hope my fic makes you laugh…) – esp the monkey part… hunh! I had never thought of rurouni and battousai as the little angel and devil in the cartoons on people's shoulders… wow! It's fitting… only =) battousai arguing for them to love Kaoru is *not* a bad thing- well, not in my mind. Oro- as to kicking Enishi in my other fic… you'll be wanting to kick other people too soon…hm, the rurouni will be coming back, don't worry (or should you?) as to the "orohoro" thing… I couldn't resist, and I needed something classic Kenshin- and something goofy, since he'd been acting slightly different, so that effectively brought him back to usual Kenshin cluelessness- at least I hope so. As to Kaoru and Rui… I do like Rui, he's my original creation, and pretty d@mn near perfect… don't worry… read on to see! Hehe, everyone loves K/K… and the bond just seems stronger… la- enough enough!
CHAPTER SEVEN: Uncertainty
Meanwhile…
"Kaoru-chan, you look gorgeous."
Kaoru chan?!?! Battousai sputtered.
Kaoru blushed. "Thank you Rui-kun, you look very nice too…"
Indeed, he did, as he was wearing a western style suit, and he looked very handsome and distinguished. Rui smiled wryly.
"Thank you, but I never feel very comfortable in these suits…"
Megumi stepped forward.
"Oh!" Kaoru exclaimed, embarrassed she had forgotten the others.
"You look perfectly dashing." Megumi said flirtatiously.
Kaoru rolled her eyes. "This is my friend Takani Megumi- she's a doctor." Kaoru said a bit proudly. "Megumi, this is Rui-kun. He's…" she trailed off uncertainly and blushed.
Rui didn't miss a beat. He bowed and smiled warmly as he straightened. "Hello Takani-san, I'm so glad to finally meet you. I've heard many wonderful things about you from Kaoru-chan and many others."
Kenshin then stepped forward.
Remember to be fr- er, civil
"Rui" a long pause "san."
"Hiruma-sama, I hope you are well."
He better damn well be calling me 'sama'…
[Well aren't we aggressive…]
Battousai looked at the rurouni, too annoyed to notice he had worked his gag free. Well, duh he said scornfully.
Both women, meanwhile, were thinking, 'Why didn't Kenshin/ Ken-san call Rui "dono"?'
Kaoru looked at Kenshin and saw the golden flecks in his eyes. "Kenshin- are you all right?" She asked, concerned.
Physically, yes, mentally? I never have been- now? I won't be until that…guy leaves…
He tried to think of an answer, but couldn't. Kaoru then put a delicate hand to his forehead when she got no response. "Kenshin- you feel… do you have a fever?"
"I'm fine, Kaoru dono…" he answered dutifully.
"Kenshin, you…"
Megumi spoke up. "Come on, Ken-san- I'll check your pulse…" before Kenshin knew what was happening, he was being led inside the training hall by Megumi.
How the hell did she do that?
Megumi dono is scary… They both stopped and Megumi left a crack in the door she was shutting when they heard Kaoru's clear voice. Kenshin then ignored Megumi and focused on the couple by the gates.
"Rui-kun, I'm so sorry… I'd ask you to stay for dinner but if Kenshin is ill I think it'd be best if…"
Rui cut in gently. "It's ok Kaoru-chan" Battousai gnashed his teeth. "I just stopped by because I wanted to see you before I had to go to the dinner ball…"
Kaoru smiled. "How could I have forgotten that? You got me such a lovely gown… I don't know how I'll ever repay you…" she sighed softly. "I'm so sorry; I hope you'll have an enjoyable time…"
Rui smiled wryly. "I'll go and talk politics with the other men just like my father wants me to… I had hoped to spend the night dancing with you, but I'll survive."
Kaoru blushed, and laughed prettily. "Well, I don't dance very well, so that's some comfort I can offer you…"
"Nonsense. And if you're self conscious about it, I'd be happy to practice with you."
I'm sure he would, the pervert, touching my Kaoru… Battousai broke off and scowled.
"Really?"
"Why not? How about tomorrow night?"
"I'd love to… oh, but I couldn't leave Megumi here especially since she's here to keep me company…"
Battousai smirked. For once Zanza's selfish planning has been very useful…
"Well, why don't I come here tomorrow? I can teach both of you how to dance- it's not every man who gets to spend an enchanted evening with two lovely women, you know."
Grr… now he's after two women!
Kaoru smiled. "You're such a tease… but yes, tomorrow would be fine then."
Damn.
Rui beamed. "Wonderful. I'll be here tomorrow then-" he broke off and pulled out his watch and glanced at it. "I have to go- I told father I'd meet him there… goodbye Kaoru-chan- until tomorrow."
Well, that was somewhat less painful than it could have been.
What are you talking about?
Well… at least Megumi dono can keep an eye on them…
Kenshin focused back on Kaoru to see Rui standing close to her. He glared when Rui bent his head down to whisper to Kaoru and he unconsciously made a fist. Kaoru blushed and Rui brushed a kiss across Kaoru's cheek. Kenshin suppressed a growl. His attention was torn away when he heard a throat clear and he almost jumped out of his skin.
How does Megumi dono do that?
"Ken-san?"
"Yes Megumi-dono?"
"What's going on here?"
Well isn't she to the point.
Kenshin feigned rurouni innocence. "Oro?"
Megumi continued to look at him intently.
I'm no good at this- you do it.
Thanks a lot… Kenshin said sarcastically. You wuss
Hey, I'm ok with that in this sense- I'll fight any guy on any given day- but women? No thank you. They're too crafty.
However, Kenshin was saved as the door slid fully open and a figure walked in.
"Kaoru dono!"
She walked over to them and knelt next to Kenshin. "Kenshin- are you ok? Megumi- is there something wrong with Kenshin? Kenshin- should you be traveling if you're ill?" 'Mou- why am I so nervous and jittery? I know Kenshin hates it when I fuss… I wonder if he saw Rui kiss me…' Unconsciously she put a hand to her cheek.
Growl
Megumi lifted an eyebrow. "There's nothing wrong with Kenshin, Kaoru-chan, so you can calm down. He's perfectly fit to travel." A crash was heard from the kitchen. "That must be the rooster head- I'll go and stop him from eating or destroying everything…" She began to walk away, then looked back in midstep. "Kaoru- you and I have a long overdue talk that I think should occur tomorrow." She exited, shutting the door carefully behind her.
Kaoru blinked and stared at the shut door, then she turned. "Kenshin? What just happened?"
"Oro- sessha has no idea Kaoru… dono." He added as an after thought.
"Kenshin?" Kaoru breathed and Kenshin stared at her intently.
She does look gorgeous… that stupid Rui just had to tell her first
What are we going to do? We're leaving… she's staying, he's here… Th- he broke off as he felt Kaoru's hand on his forehead again, and he had to prevent himself from leaning into her slender cool fingers.
"Kenshin- you feel so hot… you'd better be careful- I don't care what Megumi says- doctor or not- it'd be terrible if you got sick…" she moved her hand. "Mou- you're so hot!"
I wish she wouldn't say that groaned Kenshin miserably while Battousai sang out I'll show you why I'm hot!
[Get your mind out of the gutter]
Oi
"Kenshin- let me get you some tea."
"No no, Kaoru dono, you don't have to- sessha can get it."
"Kenshin- you're sick. You shouldn't be moving." 'What am I doing? He says he's fine…'
"Sessha doesn't need tea Kaoru-dono."
Battousai made quick work of tying up the rurouni and this time he mentally locked him into a room.
"Fine Kenshin, but at least lie down- rest until Dr. Gensai can get here with Ayame and Suzume."
Well, if she wants to coddle me… who am I to complain?
Who indeed? Added Battousai smugly.
He complied, and stiffened when he felt Kaoru pillow his head on her lap.
"Relax, Kenshin…" Kaoru murmured, her fingers massaging his head. "I have a feeling you won't be able to for a while, and you work so hard normally… just enjoy this before you go…"
"K-Kaoru-dono" He remained tense, for fear that if he relaxed, certain parts of him would stay tense…
"I know this is hardly proper, Kenshin, but you have to admit much of my everyday life isn't exactly proper- me taking in essentially three guys, besides the fact that I practice kenjetsu…" Her eyes took on a wistful expression but it disappeared as she continued to speak. "Anyway, I know you don't like… you're uncomfortable with this, but… just… let me take care of you- I want you feeling your best before you go…"
Kenshin picked up on the shift of her mood. She sounds like we're going to be leaving forever…
"Kaoru-dono?"
"I was never sure if my father was perfectly healthy before he left…" she said vaguely, staring at nothing in particular across the room.
Oh no, Kaoru-dono…
I'm not going to die on you Kaoru-koishii- not even if you want me to…
Kaoru-koishii?
What's wrong with it? Battousai asked defensively.
No… I rather like it…
"Kaoru-dono, I promise I'll stay healthy." A part of him wanted to burst with pride that she cared, and another wanted to distract her from her hurt.
"You promise?" She asked with a small smile, slightly distracted by his fingers that were now holding her hands.
"Aa." He drawled. This is it- time to make a move… He took her hand and placed it on his chest, holding it there when she tried to draw it back, blushing. "See? My heart beat is perfectly fine."
'Mou- but mine is starting to speed up…' thought Kaoru. 'Just what are you trying to do here, Kenshin?'
"I'm glad… just see to it you keep it that way, Kenshin." She whispered.
"Yes, but what about your heart?" He asked, looking up. The intensity of his gaze made Kaoru blush, making her forget that in looking up, he was staring at a certain one of her… features… something that Kenshin was acutely aware of.
"Nani?" she asked slightly breathlessly.
"I seem to remember breaking your heart… a countless number of times… I know you thought I never noticed but I did… and each time I just… was too foolish to say or do anything to make it right… gomen, Kaoru… I hope you can forgive me…"
"Ah, Kenshin… but, it's ok… I'm ok… I'm working on it…" Her eyes became a little distant while her lips curved into a smile.
She's not thinking of Rui, is she?
Well, if she is, we'll have to make sure she isn't anymore, and won't for a while.
That spurred Battousai into action. He rolled over swiftly and was suddenly kneeling closely to Kaoru, facing her.
"Regardless," he said gently, "Will you forgive me? Will you let me help you?"
"Kenshin?"
Your heart." he said simply, yet both urgently and earnestly. "Will you let me back into your heart?" He gently took her hand in his and placed them both over her heart.
"K-Kenshin…I…"
"Busu, Kenshin- time to eat!" Yahiko's voice gave them only a few second's warning before he burst into the room.
AN: ACK!!! Gomen gomen gomen gomen gomen! I hope that was enough WAFF for you… I know, I know, bad ending, bad nemo… but… as I was writing this, I was feeling all serious, and I don't really want that tone for the fic so… *mou* I know you all asked for waff so I hope that was good enough- was it? I need inspiration- there wasn't so much humor here… =( I'll… hmph. There is definitely some in the next next chapter, and I'm wracking my brain on how to put some into the next chapter…
WHEE!! If you have any ideas, feel free to contact me: infinite_nemo@hotmail.com –to everyone, if you want to talk or something, feel free to e-mail me (but remember to click for a review…) –oh, and if you wish to be notified when I update, that's cool too- just tell me in a review!
REVIEW PLEASE! As an extra kick (if you want)- tell me what your favorite dessert is- I'd love to know. (I know I'm weird, so while I'm at it, why not totally do something out of it? honestly. Make fun out of what you've got)
(5/9/03)-if you'd like to be notified when I update, please tell me.
INSPIRE ME!