=) Holy crikies- I just checked my reviews for the past chapter (I was really surprised I hadn't already typed out the responses… *nemo huggles reviewers* =) to all my readers, I love you too- but I just love my reviewers even more (can you honestly blame me?)
* On a "serious" note regarding this fic- I realize that my Battousai (the one I have created) is insanely OOC. I have a few arguments for this... (first the frivolous one) I think Battousai is so beyond awesome and it's just such a waste of… to leave him a cold hearted machine. Next- he's had 10 years to essential peace for introspection. I think he'd want a taste of the better side of what life offers. Additionally, I think he's very passionate about everything he does- and he loves Kaoru. Lastly, I still like my naïve view/idealism that the most terrible person still has good in them- no matter how deeply it's hidden- and Battousai wasn't even that terrible- people with other beliefs made him so. (I'm not saying what he did was good…)- But he was a means to an end… Anyway, I get disillusioned enough so please don't bring me down with real world things. Believe it or not, I have my own issues to deal with- more than what I say… I'll leave it at that. =) *nemo huggles her delusions*- it lets me write more happily anyway, neh?
Chapter Eight: And then there were Three
Yahiko saw them and froze. 'I'm gonna die…' "Uhm… Dr. Genzai is here with Ayame and Suzume now…"
Kaoru was still too surprised and embarrassed to move. 'What is he thinking?!' She panicked.
"Arigato Yahiko- we will be right there de gozaru."
Yahiko nodded then moved out of the room as quickly as was humanly possible, but the moment was lost. Kaoru's confusion and embarrassment turned into anger.
"Just what are you trying to pull here, Kenshin? Is this some sort of sick joke? Is Battousai bored and now he's come to play with my emotions some more?"
Kenshin reeled back as if she had slapped him. He almost wished she had. 'Is that what she thinks?'
Kaoru was still talking, hunched over on the ground, her face buried in her hands, slowly letting them trail down her face. "I really don't know… Kenshin- I can't deal with this. What are you saying? And I've finally tried to move on- I distinctly remember you telling me 'there can be no relationship between us, Kaoru-dono'" She hissed, then froze. 'Could it be that he's as confused as I was?... Am?... What if I completely misunderstood what Kenshin said? Oh I'm so stupid- I've wanted a relationship with Kenshin for so long that on some subconscious level I've convinced myself that it was true and what he wanted also… Kaoru you baka- you've managed to hurt someone deeply- and its worse because Kenshin already berates himself constantly for his so called 'unworthy self'…' Kaoru breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled. 'Well… I can't really…' She changed her mind. 'Well why not? I'll just ignore it- it's not as if that isn't how we treat everything else.'
Kaoru stood suddenly and Kenshin eyed her wearily.
"Kenshin…" She took a step forward and buried her face in his shoulder. "Gomen I didn't mean it. I'm just so worried about you guys leaving and… confused… I hope you'll forgive me. I shouldn't have said what I did- especially since-" She paused. "it isn't true."
He returned her embrace tentatively.
Well, this is certainly better than what was happening before…
[Anything is, you know.]
Kaoru let him hold her for a few more seconds. He was just beginning to relax and enjoy the feeling when she pulled back, her face holding its normal cheerful expression, her blue eyes bright and clear.
Damn.
"Kenshin, you've always had a place in my heart. Always- after all, you were the first person I met out of all of us. You changed my life for the better." 'And I guess that will have to be enough for me.' "Well anyway, we'd better go now- the others will be wondering what took us so long." She winked at him.
[Ororo! She winked!]
"Aa de gozaru…"
Too bad nothing they'd speculate is true…
What I want to know is how all that just happened.
[Oro- Kaoru-dono winked. Anyway, sessha is very glad that happened- it was a very potentially bad situation.]
Battousai glared at him half heartedly. I'll have to agree with you that it could have been worse… but tell me- how are you pulling all these Houdini's? I thought the last one would have held you.
The rurouni shrugged and blinked innocently. [Sessha has had the most control over our body for the past decade…] More's the pity Battousai interrupted. The rurouni frowned but continued. [Maybe that has something to do with it de gozaru.] He finished politely.
Battousai almost sneered at him. Look at you. What have they done to you… me… He groaned.
[At least sessha doesn't like doing laundry de gozaru.]
Oi-
I don't know if it's so much he likes it as… that's the highest level of intimacy we're going to get with any part of Kaoru-dono- I mean, her underwear and sheets do have to be washed… Kenshin offered speculatively.
The other two sweat dropped, but the rurouni recovered first.
[And you think sessha is pathetic de gozaru?]
Che- at least I don't dress like a fairy and whine about pansy stuff.
[But you do wear this when you randomly take over, Battousai-dono.]
You know I hate being called that. He growled.
Maa maa boys- we should join the others for dinner now.
Why? It's not a\s if we don't have enough people or personalities here to have or own party…
[If you're going to sulk it's going to upset Kaoru dono.]
I'm not sulking -and it's your fault we're in this mess with Kaoru anyway, so why do you care? Besides- I was barely an adult before you took over- what can you expect from my behavior?!
That's true, Kenshin mused. Anyway- Battousai got control because he and I are in complete agreement in regards to Kaoru… he sighed. 'Now I know why I haven't done anything previously- playing mediator just isn't my calling. I'd much rather talk to Kaoru, but there is one similarity between all three of us- we don't know how to act or talk around a woman we're trying to impress…' He blinked. 'Oro- now I've started having internal monologues internally.'
You were arguing with me- and you say I'm immature?
Oro- guys- Kaoru? Remember?
[Sessha remembers. Kaoru was pleased with the flowers she got after that ring fiasco… why don't you just give her the flowers you got earlier?]
Halfway from his room to Kaoru's Kenshin froze, his eyes golden.
Why are you helping all of a sudden? He asked suspiciously.
The rurouni replied calmly. [Sessha doesn't want to deal with an irate Kaoru-dono anymore than you do. Even her cooking is better than no cooking de gozaru- especially as of late. Anyway, getting out of sessha's bonds in tiring de gozaru, and staying in them is quite uncomfortable.]
Kenshin suppressed his chuckle with some difficulty.
Don't insult my koishii's cooking
[Well, you oughtn't because yours is worse than hers de gozaru.}
Why are you being so… not polite all of a sudden de gozaru ka?
The rurouni fell silent, and Kenshin quickly headed towards the kitchen, grateful for the unexpected yet soothing quiet in his head.
"…don't know where he is- he was just be-" She started at the touch on her shoulder.
Kenshin smiled. "Gomen for startling you Kaoru-dono, shall we?"
She gave him a strange look before nodding and walking in.
~*~*~
Megumi was playing with Ayame and Suzume, letting them form shapes out of the leftover rice. Dr. Gensai was watching them good humouredly, occasionally intervening between the bickering of Sano and Yahiko. They were both making sure the other didn't sneak food while trying to sneak food for themselves.
"Ow- ya big dumb rooster head- what was that for?!"
"You were trying to take a dumpling."
"Was not- this is taking a dumpling." Yahiko grabbed one and stuffed it into his mouth, laughing at Sanosuke.
"Mou- Yahiko- try to remember your table matters- even if technically you aren't at the table." Kaoru reprimanded him.
He subsided because of the implied double chastisement, and also for his earlier interruption. Not to mention he noticed Kenshin hovering closely behind her- although, in situations like this, Kaoru was the one to be feared.
"All done!" cried Ayame, breaking the tension.
"Ah- you're here. Come on- let's eat!" Dr. Gensai exclaimed.
They all sat down at the low table.
"Itadakimasu!" the eight of them chorused, before picking up their chopsticks and bowls.
After a few minutes, Megumi spoke.
"Really rooster head- your table manners are atrocious." Megumi sighed, then smiled mischievously as she said, "I'll bet Rui-san doesn't eat like that, neh Kaoru?"
Sano paused to waggle his eyebrows suggestively. "Well then why don't you let me show you how good one of my other… manners is later?" While Kaoru pinked.
Megumi… growled Battousai, but he was distracted by the goings on at the table.
Megumi rolled her eyes. "No."
"What? Come on foxy- you know you want to… and you won't be seeing me for months after this!"
She stared at him, and then a slow smile formed on her lips. "Good."
"That's what I- Oi! What'd you just say?"
Yahiko snickered into his rice. "Baka tori-atama."
"Nani Yahiko-chan?"
"Chan ja ne!"
A scuffle ensued, and as Yahiko jostled Kaoru, she dropped the piece of tofu she was holding in between her chopsticks.
"Mou- Yahiko-" she sighed, but broke off her reprimanding when Kenshin picked up the fallen piece of food for her and deposited it in her bowl.
This is so going to get us in good with Kaoru! crowed Battousai.
[What are you doing de gozaru?!] Panicked the rurouni.
Kenshin firmly ignored both of them.
"Would you like anything else Kaoru dono?" He asked with his usual smile.
"Uhm, no… thank you anyway, Kenshin." Kaoru said with another blush staining her cheeks.
She's so pretty when she blushes…
Yahiko and Sano had stopped wrestling and were staring. Megumi winked at Kaoru, and Dr. Gensai smiled on genially. Meanwhile, the two girls ate on happily oblivious, enjoying the chance to get their food without having to dodge Yahiko or Sano. After a few long frozen moments, Kaoru tore her eyes from Kenshin's intense stare, and her gaze fell on Ayame and Suzume, both of their cheeks filled like chipmunks. Kaoru's eyes widened fractionally and she began to giggle, her hand going in front of her mouth. As soon as Kaoru's laughter filled the room, the fighting dissipated, and Kenshin's actions were forgotten by everyone… or… almost everyone. Kaoru's cheeks remained a faint pink.
Well, she didn't protest anything about the food…
As the conversation picked up again, Kaoru found herself being distracted by Kenshin who was very attentive to her. He kept picking choice morsels of food and putting them into her bowl surreptitiously, but she noticed. At first she protested faintly, but he interrupted her with a low murmur as to not attract the attention of the others,
"Iya Kaoru-dono. Sessha will not be here for quite a while, as Sanosuke said, so just let me pay this attention and care to you to make up for my absence. I've already finished the laundry, so this will have to suffice, neh?" He finished with a real grin.
Hunh- you're doing pretty well on your own.
No thanks to you two…
[Oro- sessha could do quite well if he was trying to romance a woman.]
Well why don't you?!
"Mou." Kaoru murmured, but the word held no venom. She knew however, that she was blushing again. 'Kenshin… why do you keep sending me these mixed signals? What am I to believe? I don't think I can stand having my heart broken again….
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After dinner, Megumi told Sano and Yahiko to wash the dishes, saying that Kenshin had done enough, and that they needed to do something for Kaoru before they just abandoned her. She moved to make some tea, but was stopped by Megumi, so she accompanied Dr. Genzai in playing with his granddaughters outside, but Sano and Yahiko were there. She began walking out, but then she turned around.
"Er, Megumi- what will Kenshin and I do?"
She arched an eyebrow. "Figure it out Kaoru-chan."
"Mou- what's that supposed to-"
But Megumi continued. "And if you can't, or don't have any ideas, I'm sure Ken-san does."
Kenshin blushed. "Oro?"
I didn't mean for her to start teasing me rather than Kaoru…
Better us than her though…
[Right.]
Battousai and Kenshin stared at him.
[What?! You think I like getting conked on the head with a bokken? It hurts and it's not as if I'm some sort of closet masochist.]
Maybe we did lose too much blood earlier today. Battousai said conversationally to Kenshin.
Agreed, though I think its better this way…
Much better. Battousai said with a feral smile. However, he backed off when he processed Kaoru's words.
She had been waiting impatiently for some sort of response to him, and finally Megumi had turned back to the stove to fill the teapot with boiling water.
"Mou- Kenshin no baka- I have no idea what Megumi was talking about- ideas like standing there and…" she stopped and pouted. "Kenshin, you're not thinking about… you're not doing that introspection thing, are you?" She asked cautiously, leery of bringing up his past.
Battousai choked. If you had any idea what I was thinking koishii…
We're so much beyond introspection that we've become real.
[You know, you're going to slip up and call her that rather than her name sometime…]
"Actually, I was thinking about how nice the stars look, Kaoru-dono." He said while staring at her.
Kaoru blushed again. 'Mou- why can't I think? All I've been doing all night is blush…' She fidgeted uncomfortably, and again her internal discomfort manifested in her words. "I hope-" she stopped herself. "Yes, they are, aren't they?" she finished softly, looking up into the heavens.
[You know, this is very reminiscent of a previous event…]
Stop being so ominous!
"Did I tell you that you look very nice tonight, Kaoru-dono?"
She stiffened, then started to turn towards him slowly…
Reviwer Response(s): [note- I wrote these like after writing the second paragraph of the chapter, so… =)- also, I hoped you enjoyed me bringing back in the rurouni!- it was due to you guys! See? Reviews do matter! *You* matter!]
Jason M. Lee- *gives cake* -and you can eat it too! (in a way…-or whatever you prefer, I guess) I have seen that you've managed to review like every fic- it's amazing (and usually first too)- LOL so jealous. Pft- rather than taking Japanese in school I took Latin- *snickers* b/c they're so similar you know. Hm… we'll have to see. =)
Mizusato Houki- *huge grin* hi! (I think you're a new reviewer?!) gomen gomen… =) I hope you like this chapter more (I can't promise how it'll end b/c I haven't finished it yet…- as of this minute, I will when I post, LOL) *smiles sheepishly*
LittleDragon5- yeah, sorry, Kenshin and the guys are gonna go (I've had this one ship scene written out for *months*- and Kaoru met Rui @ the Akabeko where she ran to after Kenshin "broke her heart" – chapter 2 maybe? =) sorry I'm not more clear, I'm starting to jumble my everything together.
K-chan - =) thanks for your review! *laughs* yeah, Kenshin's definitely gonna need some encouragement… and mmm… chocolate…
Princess angel Kaoru- =) I like your name (seriously) ^_^ I too hope you can read each chapter/ this story to the end… thanks for the encouragement!
koneko_dono- LOL I'm really trying w/ the romance O_o ("I do" just came on the radio)- yeah- I should be writing right now!! =) I like WAFF too, but sometimes my mood just doesn't fit it and I drag it down. *wince* I know I didn't update very quickly, sorry! =) Yeah, I really liked how Battousai interacted with Megumi…
tsuki-sama- LOL 7 chapters in 30 min?!? WOW can you speed read. *grin* but I guess if you don't read my babble it cuts down the chapters like in half… =) ::hopefully:: reviews=inspiration. (thanks for reviewing!)
Ayumi- *claps hands* thanks so much for your review! It made me very happy ^__^ sorry this chapter didn't come out sooner!
Vesca- *cowers* meep! Nemo= very sorry! =) I have a bad habit of leaving things up in the air. *snickers* "young and sexy" is now playing O_o… oh! And there was a mad huge thunderstorm here this morning- it made my house shake! It was especially unnerving b/c I'm now on the 2nd floor of my house and I lived in a ranch style house all my life… =) so use this storm to post the next chapter of your fic! (although- no quiet thunderstorms here…)
Sabrina-star- =) yeah… guys do= baka's. =) I was talking to baka-chan once, and he was like "for god's sake my name is idiot" *snicker* sorry I didn't update sooner! I hoped you liked it!!
mae- I'm so glad you like what the characters think! I do try to make it humorous and slightly realistic =) I'm trying to capture all those great things people think but don't always say…=)
Cecelia- thanks for reviewing! So glad you like it!! ^_^
someone- =) I'm a *huge* K/K fan too! And I keep thinking how I'm going to bring those two together, and I get ahead of myself and… oro! Slowly but surely I will bring our favorite couple together…
LSR-7- *nemo's bottom lip trembles* sorry sorry… *brightens* well I hope you liked this chapter!!
Isis- O_o was that a threat!? *grin* ororo! *holds up hands Kenshin style* no hurt nemo!! =) we're plodding towards the end… really! *laughs* I loved your review!!
Nim- hm… O_O… Yahiko being punted out of a room… ororo! Two threats in a row!! GAH!! =) it'll be k/k – just like all my other fics. Promise. *holds up right hand* ^_^
tenshineko- *grin* not up to 127 yet, but close! WOW and thanks so much for reviewing! I was so amazed and grateful for all the reviews I got the last chapter… =) thank you- I saw I got up to 100 and I was like "WHHEEEE" hm, yeah, I wonder what Megumi's talk will result in… it can only go one of two ways… =) well, I updated "SG" – I want to update my other ones and possibly "Complicated Love" too- for some reason I really like that fic.
ali-chan-=) I love chocolate too! *give ali-chan a chocolate for reviewing* hm… well, *ponders* Kenshin could have fed Kaoru something- still could b/c I haven't finished this chapter yet as of this minute- but the place where I ended it…- well, you read it. *grin* well- in "Summer Guest" Kenshin feeds Kaoru… (in the newest chapter)
DiaBlo- *hugs* =) I loved your review! Thanks so much!!
marstanuki- yeah, I can't ever really decide if I like Megumi or not- and whether to try to make her likable or not… pft- it's quite the dilemma. Wow- I don't think I've noticed too many mistakes w/ what you write… LOL- yeah, English is actually technically my third language, but it is by far my strongest. *grin* pathetic, neh? I'm Asian American. =) Lived in the good ol' US of A all my life. (when I was 2 it was hilarious- baby talking while mixing 3 languages… *shakes head* poor parents- well, serves them right for teaching them to me… hehe) =) thanks for reviewing!
Kamimura Kaoru- well, =) I did a slight cop out- I guess Kaoru didn't really give a "yea" or "nay" but I hope you're satisfied with how it turned out… LOL- hope you enjoyed this chapter and thanks for reviewing!
Gochan- thanks so much for the reassurance! *hugs* LOL! I totally envy your talent w/ humor!! Argh!! Oh =) don't worry- the rurouni gets his… and some time in the spotlight! Promise!
~oLd NaVy~ *nemo shivers and hides* eep! Gomen gomen! Ororo! Cruel?! =) *huge grin* I dunno if I deserve all the reviews but I am insanely grateful, and I'll take whatever I can get!!
Koneko-chan- =) I'm so glad you liked the internal monologues!! I'm trying to make it a big part of my fic- and trying to keep it unique from my other once by doing that… thanks so much for reviewing and the encouragement!!
Gakkuri Naishinnou- *hugs* Thanks! LOL! I love your reviews! *huggles review* =) I dunno how successful I'd be in the real world- I abhor grammar and have made it almost a… personal vendetta… to not learn it (against the freaky people who love it? *shrug* dunno) =) hehe- well, Yahiko is still ok and here, even though I didn't update as quickly as I would have liked… *wince*
Kagero- thanks so much for pointing out my mistake to me! Nemo no baka! *sigh* ^_^ I'm thankful there are people like you who are nice enough to correct me! (I fixed it! didja see?!) =)!!
Aki-chan- thanks so much for your review! I'm glad you like how I've portrayed Battousai!
EK- *sh* ::looks around apprehensively:: I haven't even really finished the anime really- but I have seen some eposides a few times- LOL esp when I borrowed a tape from a friend w/ the 1st 14 episodes a few years ago… my mom was like "how long is that tape?!" b/c I kept re-watching it… *snickers* =Þ just call me imaginative, and know that I'm pushing the limits of artistic license to the extreme.
Hatokirei^3- I know!!! I totally love Battousai!! *swoons* =D I totally loved your review! Thanks! O_o ororo!! Uhm… *gives hatokirei eye drops* (I really don't know what you can do about popped blood vessels…) *wince* I am definitely not a bio major. =) your reviews definitely made me chuckle- and three of them! Thanks so much! *hands over cookie*
Thunk- =) I don't think you're reading this but… thanks so much for reviewing! LOL yeah… *sigh* I know my fics aren't very PC… pft- especially ironic since I do polysci… *snickers* LOL!! What a terrible fic for you to start off RK on!! Sorry sorry! Hehe- an inu yasha fanfic?! ORO! *passes out from exertion* =) we'll have to see…
Midori Natari Himura^4- my grief! =) thanks so much for reviewing so many chapters! *give cookie and ice cream* wait… *hands over vanilla crème frap* ^_^ *giggles* NAR!! =) isn't Kenshin perfect?! *swoon* yay for Battousai! *hugs* thanks so much for the reviews!
Hitokiri Hatokou^2- =) thanks so much for your reviews! They were hilarious! And- I'll keep your suggestions in mind! Hope you liked this chapter!
orange_sherbet- =) thanks for the review! LOL! Your review made me laugh!! ^_^ hope you're ok!! *gives Band-Aid*
AUTHORS NOTES: I've noticed I have this fixation with making people sick, neh? La- I guess it's an indication of emotional vulnerability on a different plane- and when people don't feel well emotionally it affects their health… (yeah, yeah, believe it or not, I amn't a blithering drooling idiot…)
O_o who would have thought keeping something simple and lighthearted would be hard? Or just staying happy? *nemo shakes head* grief. Only me.
REVIEW PLEASE! =) Inspire me! Make me laugh!
Thanks for reading! *offers mud pie with hot fudge and whipped cream to reviewers*
Daja, Vesca, Hinami-chan, Tan Kimiko, Joey, Midori Natari Himura, Istoria, Battousai angel, Gypsy-chan, Spellcaster Inverse Gabriev, ewunia, Isis 13, CheriMarmalade, Eve, & Jason M. Lee I LOVE you! *mega glomps* Thank you *so* much for putting me on your favorite author list!!
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