Author's Note: Terribly sorry about the delay in posting this chapter. Between writer's block (A.K.A Peanut Butter Syndrome) and putting up fencing from sunrise to three hours past sunset for days at a time (i.e. not having any time to take care of my computer), I just haven't been able to finish it. Until now, anyway. Again, I would like to thank all of my (many) reviewers. *does a little dance* This is the most reviews I've ever received lol. Its quite exciting. I didn't realize this fic was that good! lol
Oh, and, Sobrina-chan? Thank you for your review :-D And yes, I figured they had probably met before but I wasn't sure so oh well.
A great many people (well, two, actually) have pointed out that Sano's reaction should have been, well, different. So, I modified the previous chapter slightly. Those of you who haven't read my revised third chapter, I recommend you go back and check it out. Hopefully Sano's reaction is better. (More realistic, however you want to put it.)
KenshinSoujiro's-girl: I'm so very glad you like this story. I hope you like the following chapters just as much. Nope, I'm not rich. Thankfully, one of the horses has sold to a young girl who is completely thrilled about her, which makes me very happy.
Jessie: Again, I'm glad you like the story. Gomen nasai for the delay in posting this chapter. It's that peanut butter syndrome again.
*~?*~?*~?
You Are My Sunshine
Chapter 3- Down By The River
"Do you have any lessons today, Miss Kaoru?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No, why?"
"Um...I...I kinda wanted to take you somewhere, if you would like to come."
She grinned. "Oh, yes, I would love to!"
He smiled shyly.
***
"Oh, it's lovely out here!" Kaoru exclaimed as they walked toward the creek. "How did you find this place?"
Soujiro shrugged. "I came across it while a was wandering."
He spread out the blanket under the large Weeping Willow on the bank of the gently gurgling creek. (A/N Do have they weeping willows in Japan?)
Kaoru settled herself on the blanket and took a deep breath of fresh, sweet smelling air.
"Domo arigato for bringing me here."
Soujiro grinned and leaned back on his elbows so he could look up at her. "You're very welcome."
She looked down at him and smiled. "So, um...when do you plan on going back to the ranch?"
He shrugged. "A few days, probably."
She sighed. "Um...you'll um...you'll have to come back and visit me once and a while."
He grinned. "I would love to." They both stared out to the creek for a while.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" Asked Kaoru.
"Go ahead."
"What made you change?"
He looked up at her, slightly confused. "Ara?"
"You were a merciless killer, you almost killed Kenshin...what made you change?"
He stared at her for a moment before sighing and looking out to the creek. Kaoru was beginning to get worried about how silent he was. Finally, he spoke:
"I don't really know. Mister Himura changed my way of thinking. Mister Shishio had always taught me that the strong survive and the weak die. But Mister Himura...he was different. He was the strongest man in Japan and he was using his skills to protect the innocent and the weak. He let Hoji (A/N or whatever the dude's name was. The one that Kenshin fought when they first met Shishio in the village with the hot springs. Does anybody know what I'm talking about?) live, he even let Shishio see one of his moves in the hopes that Hoji wouldn't be killed. He made me think about everything I had ever learned. I was so confused...I set out to find the answers."
(A/N doesn't everyone just have to write this little 'How Sou-chan found the light' speech? Thank u, Sobrina-chan for your help!)
Kaoru smiled. "So have you found the answers?"
He looked up at her and smiled. "I'm not sure yet, but I think I might have."
Kaoru inched closer. "Um...this is probably pretty bold of me to ask...but, um, w-would you consider...um, staying at the dojo? I mean, full time?"
He looked genuinely surprised.
Quickly, Kaoru continued. "Because...I...I really enjoy having you around. You...you brighten up my life."
"Uh...uh...Miss Kaoru...I...um..."
Kaoru looked down at her lap. "If you don't want to, I'll understand."
"No, uh...no I...I would love to, Miss Kaoru. You brighten up my life, too."
She looked down to him. "Really?"
He smiled and nodded.
Kaoru grinned. "No one has ever said anything like that to me before."
"Nor to me."
Soujiro's gaze began to wander back toward the creek. Kaoru slowly reached out her hand and grasped his. He turned and gave her a sweet smile.
All was silent for a moment as Kaoru and Soujiro enjoyed the peace.
"Miss Kaoru...forgive me for asking this, I know it is none of my business, but I heard Mister Sagara and Yahiko talking...are you really in love with Mister Himura?"
Kaoru wasn't sure what to say. She had always thought she was, but now she wasn't so sure. She looked at Soujiro; he looked quite apprehensive, probably worried about what her answer would be. She took a deep breath.
"No. I value him as a good friend and mentor." She giggled and squeezed his hand when his look of apprehension became one of relief. "Why did you want to know?"
Soujiro looked around shyly. "Uh...well, um..." He laughed nervously. "Well, uh...I uh...I just...uh..."
His eyes widened as Kaoru leaned closer to him. "Hai? You just what?"
He licked his lips nervously. "I...I was hoping...I um..." He cleared his throat and began to study the ground. "Well, I...I like you a lot..."
"Really?"
He looked up at Kaoru. The breeze was blowing her hair, and she had a sparkle in her eyes that he had never seen before. He smiled. She was very beautiful, indeed. "Hai, Miss Kaoru."
She smiled as he leaned a bit closer to her.
"Oi, Jou-chan! I've been looking all over for you!"
Both Kaoru and Soujiro jumped as Sano's voice disrupted the atmosphere. Soujiro couldn't help but turn around and glare at the fighter as he approached. Wonderful. Now he would probably never get another chance with Kaoru...
Kaoru sighed. "What do you want, Sano?"
"There's trouble back at the dojo. You better go and check it out."
Kaoru gave him a strange look. "What kind of trouble?"
"It's Yahiko...just go and check it out."
She glared at Sano. She didn't like that he was being so evasive. But, maybe she should go and check it out, just in case...She sighed and stood, brushing past Sano as she walked off.
Sano watched as she walked out of earshot, then turned back to Soujiro, who was gathering up the blanket.
"What exactly are your intentions, Seta?"
Soujiro looked up. "I beg your pardon?"
"You know what I mean."
"No, I'm afraid I don't."
"Che. Seta, stop playing games. I'm talking about Kaoru and you know it." The fact that he had used Kaoru's name and not his favorite diminutive for her spoke volumes.
Soujiro looked up for a moment, then back down to the blanket, finished folding it, and stood, tucking it under his arm. "My intentions for Miss Kaoru are between her and I."
Soujiro began to leave, but Sano stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest. Soujiro slowly looked up at him.
"If you hurt Kaoru, I will hunt you down, no matter where you go...I will make your life miserable..."
"I can guarantee you, Sagara-san, that I would never hurt Miss Kaoru. So you can stop fantasizing about killing me, now."
Sano stared at him for a moment; Soujiro stared back. Finally Sano spun around and stalked off. Soujiro took a deep breath and stood there for a moment. He turned back to the creek and sighed. He didn't feel like returning to the dojo at the moment. He threw the blanket back down and stretched back out on the ground beside it. Maybe now would be a good time to leave...but he remembered what Kaoru had said. He wasn't sure he could leave her just yet. No matter what Sano said or did.
**********************************************
Sorry it's so short folks, but it's better than nothing, I suppose.
Again, apologies for the delay, but I've had writer's block (which my cousin has tried her best to help me through. Everyone, say thank you!). Of course, it doesn't help that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever where I'm going with it. My original idea for the plot? I didn't have one. I just decided that I was going to torture my cousin by thinking up yet *another* strange pairing (Soujiro/Kaoru).
Anyways, my point? Again, I don't have one. I just enjoy rambling on about nothing in particular. Actually, I do have one, believe it or not: Don't expect the next chapter anytime soon.
Now, on to my reviewers: Y'all are my gobs of whipping cream and hot fudge on my extra large slices of carrot cake and brownies!
*clears throat* Sorry. Don't speak Coconut? Not to worry. Here is the translation:
Nothing makes a writer's day better than a good review. Y'all, each individually, have made my day(s)! And I thank you very much.
And the next chapter *will eventually* be posted.
Oh, and, Sobrina-chan? Thank you for your review :-D And yes, I figured they had probably met before but I wasn't sure so oh well.
A great many people (well, two, actually) have pointed out that Sano's reaction should have been, well, different. So, I modified the previous chapter slightly. Those of you who haven't read my revised third chapter, I recommend you go back and check it out. Hopefully Sano's reaction is better. (More realistic, however you want to put it.)
KenshinSoujiro's-girl: I'm so very glad you like this story. I hope you like the following chapters just as much. Nope, I'm not rich. Thankfully, one of the horses has sold to a young girl who is completely thrilled about her, which makes me very happy.
Jessie: Again, I'm glad you like the story. Gomen nasai for the delay in posting this chapter. It's that peanut butter syndrome again.
*~?*~?*~?
You Are My Sunshine
Chapter 3- Down By The River
"Do you have any lessons today, Miss Kaoru?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No, why?"
"Um...I...I kinda wanted to take you somewhere, if you would like to come."
She grinned. "Oh, yes, I would love to!"
He smiled shyly.
***
"Oh, it's lovely out here!" Kaoru exclaimed as they walked toward the creek. "How did you find this place?"
Soujiro shrugged. "I came across it while a was wandering."
He spread out the blanket under the large Weeping Willow on the bank of the gently gurgling creek. (A/N Do have they weeping willows in Japan?)
Kaoru settled herself on the blanket and took a deep breath of fresh, sweet smelling air.
"Domo arigato for bringing me here."
Soujiro grinned and leaned back on his elbows so he could look up at her. "You're very welcome."
She looked down at him and smiled. "So, um...when do you plan on going back to the ranch?"
He shrugged. "A few days, probably."
She sighed. "Um...you'll um...you'll have to come back and visit me once and a while."
He grinned. "I would love to." They both stared out to the creek for a while.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" Asked Kaoru.
"Go ahead."
"What made you change?"
He looked up at her, slightly confused. "Ara?"
"You were a merciless killer, you almost killed Kenshin...what made you change?"
He stared at her for a moment before sighing and looking out to the creek. Kaoru was beginning to get worried about how silent he was. Finally, he spoke:
"I don't really know. Mister Himura changed my way of thinking. Mister Shishio had always taught me that the strong survive and the weak die. But Mister Himura...he was different. He was the strongest man in Japan and he was using his skills to protect the innocent and the weak. He let Hoji (A/N or whatever the dude's name was. The one that Kenshin fought when they first met Shishio in the village with the hot springs. Does anybody know what I'm talking about?) live, he even let Shishio see one of his moves in the hopes that Hoji wouldn't be killed. He made me think about everything I had ever learned. I was so confused...I set out to find the answers."
(A/N doesn't everyone just have to write this little 'How Sou-chan found the light' speech? Thank u, Sobrina-chan for your help!)
Kaoru smiled. "So have you found the answers?"
He looked up at her and smiled. "I'm not sure yet, but I think I might have."
Kaoru inched closer. "Um...this is probably pretty bold of me to ask...but, um, w-would you consider...um, staying at the dojo? I mean, full time?"
He looked genuinely surprised.
Quickly, Kaoru continued. "Because...I...I really enjoy having you around. You...you brighten up my life."
"Uh...uh...Miss Kaoru...I...um..."
Kaoru looked down at her lap. "If you don't want to, I'll understand."
"No, uh...no I...I would love to, Miss Kaoru. You brighten up my life, too."
She looked down to him. "Really?"
He smiled and nodded.
Kaoru grinned. "No one has ever said anything like that to me before."
"Nor to me."
Soujiro's gaze began to wander back toward the creek. Kaoru slowly reached out her hand and grasped his. He turned and gave her a sweet smile.
All was silent for a moment as Kaoru and Soujiro enjoyed the peace.
"Miss Kaoru...forgive me for asking this, I know it is none of my business, but I heard Mister Sagara and Yahiko talking...are you really in love with Mister Himura?"
Kaoru wasn't sure what to say. She had always thought she was, but now she wasn't so sure. She looked at Soujiro; he looked quite apprehensive, probably worried about what her answer would be. She took a deep breath.
"No. I value him as a good friend and mentor." She giggled and squeezed his hand when his look of apprehension became one of relief. "Why did you want to know?"
Soujiro looked around shyly. "Uh...well, um..." He laughed nervously. "Well, uh...I uh...I just...uh..."
His eyes widened as Kaoru leaned closer to him. "Hai? You just what?"
He licked his lips nervously. "I...I was hoping...I um..." He cleared his throat and began to study the ground. "Well, I...I like you a lot..."
"Really?"
He looked up at Kaoru. The breeze was blowing her hair, and she had a sparkle in her eyes that he had never seen before. He smiled. She was very beautiful, indeed. "Hai, Miss Kaoru."
She smiled as he leaned a bit closer to her.
"Oi, Jou-chan! I've been looking all over for you!"
Both Kaoru and Soujiro jumped as Sano's voice disrupted the atmosphere. Soujiro couldn't help but turn around and glare at the fighter as he approached. Wonderful. Now he would probably never get another chance with Kaoru...
Kaoru sighed. "What do you want, Sano?"
"There's trouble back at the dojo. You better go and check it out."
Kaoru gave him a strange look. "What kind of trouble?"
"It's Yahiko...just go and check it out."
She glared at Sano. She didn't like that he was being so evasive. But, maybe she should go and check it out, just in case...She sighed and stood, brushing past Sano as she walked off.
Sano watched as she walked out of earshot, then turned back to Soujiro, who was gathering up the blanket.
"What exactly are your intentions, Seta?"
Soujiro looked up. "I beg your pardon?"
"You know what I mean."
"No, I'm afraid I don't."
"Che. Seta, stop playing games. I'm talking about Kaoru and you know it." The fact that he had used Kaoru's name and not his favorite diminutive for her spoke volumes.
Soujiro looked up for a moment, then back down to the blanket, finished folding it, and stood, tucking it under his arm. "My intentions for Miss Kaoru are between her and I."
Soujiro began to leave, but Sano stepped in front of him and placed a hand on his chest. Soujiro slowly looked up at him.
"If you hurt Kaoru, I will hunt you down, no matter where you go...I will make your life miserable..."
"I can guarantee you, Sagara-san, that I would never hurt Miss Kaoru. So you can stop fantasizing about killing me, now."
Sano stared at him for a moment; Soujiro stared back. Finally Sano spun around and stalked off. Soujiro took a deep breath and stood there for a moment. He turned back to the creek and sighed. He didn't feel like returning to the dojo at the moment. He threw the blanket back down and stretched back out on the ground beside it. Maybe now would be a good time to leave...but he remembered what Kaoru had said. He wasn't sure he could leave her just yet. No matter what Sano said or did.
**********************************************
Sorry it's so short folks, but it's better than nothing, I suppose.
Again, apologies for the delay, but I've had writer's block (which my cousin has tried her best to help me through. Everyone, say thank you!). Of course, it doesn't help that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever where I'm going with it. My original idea for the plot? I didn't have one. I just decided that I was going to torture my cousin by thinking up yet *another* strange pairing (Soujiro/Kaoru).
Anyways, my point? Again, I don't have one. I just enjoy rambling on about nothing in particular. Actually, I do have one, believe it or not: Don't expect the next chapter anytime soon.
Now, on to my reviewers: Y'all are my gobs of whipping cream and hot fudge on my extra large slices of carrot cake and brownies!
*clears throat* Sorry. Don't speak Coconut? Not to worry. Here is the translation:
Nothing makes a writer's day better than a good review. Y'all, each individually, have made my day(s)! And I thank you very much.
And the next chapter *will eventually* be posted.