By: O. Juice
::~:: A million thoughts were racing through Kaoru's mind right now, and one question out shone them all: Was she just about to kiss Kenshin? ::~::
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Chapter 3
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Tokio would be getting married in a week, and she still hadn't picked the kind of flowers she wanted. In an act of desperation, Kaoru, Misao, Sayo (Tokio's sister), and Tokio's mother herself were going to convince her that roses were perfect. Even if it would be the last thing they did.
"Honey, don't you think it would look very nice? It would be much cheaper than getting those expensive tulips, and it's a lot more fancy." Her mother insisted.
"But Mother..." Tokio protested, "I really think that one of these two would be perfect." She raised the two bunches of daisies and tulips against the lush fabric the tablecloths would be.
Sayo heaved a heavy sigh as she took the bunch of red roses and placed it against the fabric. "Sis, this is your wedding! Mom's right about the tulips, and daisies are way too, I don't know, three year old."
"I agree." Misao nodded, "Roses are the way to go. I mean--it's a classic!" She emphasized her point by gesturing to a lone red rose.
Tokio's eyes pleaded Kaoru for help. "Kaoru, help."
"Sorry, Tokio." Kaoru gave the girl a small smile, "I would be on your side, but roses do make much more sense."
Tokio frowned, "All right. You win. Order a lot of roses. If I'm getting roses, I want it to be grand!" Tokio said as her eyes lit up with all the prospects. Kaoru smiled softly at Tokio. Once her mind was made up, she would go all out for it.
Everyone let out victorious squeals, celebrating the end to the six-month search for flowers and ran to the florist before Tokio changed her mind.
They ended up buying a hundred dozen roses.
::~::
The apartment was quiet when Kaoru came home from a long day of classes. It was about five o'clock, and Misao wouldn't be getting back until six. Feeling a little tired, Kaoru decided a nice long bubble bath was in order.
She gathered all her things and a change of clothes as she began a bath for herself. She hummed quietly to herself as her mind already began to wander. As she entered the tub, her eyes locked with an orange hand towel on the wall.
'Kenshin...' Kaoru thought, the color on the wall instantly reminding her of his rust colored hair.
The events of a few days ago haunted her like a dream, but at times it was a somewhat nice dream. She was sure she didn't like Kenshin that way, but when their lips touched she felt a spark go through her lighting up every possible emotion inside of her. She was scared, happy, sad, and angry all at the same time. Something she had never felt even when she kissed Enishi, a man she supposedly loved greatly at the time. Kaoru's face began to redden just thinking about it. She splashed some of the soapy water to her face, as if it would wash away all that has happened.
Hearing the door to the apartment open, she decided to shower all the bubbles off. Misao would need the bathroom soon and Kaoru felt her fingers already were beginning to prune up. The warm water splashed on her face and the noise created from that had drowned out Misao's voice on the other side of the door.
Kaoru turned the shower off, hearing faint yells. "What was that, Misao?"
"I said, I have to go straight to work! Someone called in sick. I'll see you later tonight!" Misao said, accompanying the door closing before Kaoru could even respond.
She loosely wrapped herself in a towel and began to dry her hair when the bathroom door opened.
"Kenshin!" She shrieked, her horror stricken face staring at Kenshin's confused one.
"Oro?" Kenshin's eyes boggled at the woman before her.
Kaoru's hair clung to the sides of her face, and her cheeks were pink from embarrassment. Her towel barely covered up her body as Kenshin took the sight in. A flustered Kenshin tried to get away, or even tear his gaze away from her face, but to no avail as excuses began to spill out of his lips.
Kenshin's ears began to burn with the blush that was creeping on his face. "I-I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono, that I am. I didn't know--Misao told me you were in your room! You should really lock your door when you shower--"
"Kenshin! Get OUT!" Kaoru yelled at Kenshin who was still sputtering out excuses. Kenshin stopped and nodded, turning around and closing the door behind him as he left.
Kaoru's face was hot to the touch and would most likely fry an egg or two effortlessly. She frantically began to dress, wondering why Kenshin was even here in the first place.
'Oh, Kami-sama,' she thought, 'Kenshin just saw me practically naked! Why didn't Misao bother tell me he was here!?'
Fully dressed now, she left the bathroom gathering what was left of her dignity and saw Kenshin hunched over, examining her television.
"What are you doing?" Kaoru said as she noticed the stack of videotapes and a hot piping pizza.
"It's Friday today, Kaoru." Kenshin reminded as he continued to hook up the VCR.
Kaoru's mind clicked in realization, Kenshin and Kaoru usually rent movies on Fridays since they both had nothing else to do. It started one stormy night when Kaoru was home alone. Terrified of the lightning and the black out in their area, she called Kenshin who rushed over to keep her company.
She left to her room to grab some blankets and pillows and placed them on the sofa while Kenshin popped in the first movie of the night.
"I'm really sorry again, that I am." Kenshin could feel the sting of embarrassment return as he continued on, "I didn't realize you were in there."
"It's all right, Kenshin." Kaoru said as she wrapped herself in her blanket. "I should have known you were coming today. It just slipped my mind, I guess."
Kenshin nodded in understanding as the two watched the movie in silence. Kaoru fidgeted a little and slightly tugged at the corner of the pillow she was hugging, this was something Kenshin took note of.
'What if he brings the Incident up?' Kaoru's face paled just thinking about it. She didn't want things to change, especially with Kenshin. She cared deeply for him, of course. But right now, Kaoru didn't even know what she felt anymore.
"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin started, keeping his gaze affixed on the television.
Kaoru was slightly surprised that he had called her that. Kenshin got over the whole "dono" affixation a good ten years ago. He would just call her Kaoru unless, of course, he was nervous.
Kaoru swallowed the lump in her throat before shakily answering, "Y-yes?"
Giving the slightly terrified girl a quick glance Kenshin shook his head, "Never mind."
She gave out a relieved sigh, wondering how long she could keep this act up.
::~::
Tokio was having a melt down.
"What if he isn't the one? What if I was rushing all this? What if the one for me is still out there, you know? Waiting for me out there. He's going 'hey, where's Tokio?' And I can't answer because I'm here, about to get married!" Tokio emphasized her point with a stomp of her foot.
She was going hysterical, and needed at least two cans of hair spray to keep her prim and proper hair from falling into a tangled heap as she frantically paced the room.
Kaoru, being the maid of honor, felt that it was her mission in life to see this wedding though. And that was exactly what she was going to do.
"Tokio, if Saitou wasn't the one for you, none of us would even be here." She gave her good friend a hug, "You better hurry. He's waiting for you to come down the aisle."
Misao's head peeked in, "Guys, we're about to start."
"Misao!" Tokio grabbed the girl, "What about you? Do you think I'm rushing this? Am I doing the right thing?"
Misao nodded. "Of course you are."
With a firm but gentle shove, Tokio was headed to her wedding.
Tokio eventually took her place at the end of the procession with her father. Kaoru smiled softly to herself, her arms linking with Kenshin's. He was the best man, as cliché as it may sound. After all, it was through Kenshin that Tokio met Saitou. The little girls before them began their march forward, throwing around soft petals from various flowers. Just as the other people before them began to move, Kaoru suddenly felt so nervous.
Kaoru's eyes trailed over the flower petals, and eventually landed on the priest eagerly waiting to marry the two. A soft smile played Kaoru's lips as she secretly dreamed about being the blushing bride who was meeting her groom at the end of the red carpet. She glanced at Saitou who was quietly observing. She pictured her own wedding. She pictured her groom's red hair--tied low as it had always been, and his violet eyes gazing lovingly at her own.
Kaoru instantly snapped back from her dream, "Kenshin and I aren't like that!" She reminded herself for the hundredth time since the Incident.
Kaoru and Kenshin parted, Kaoru to the left and Kenshin to the right. Kaoru's small smile remained for the rest of the ceremony as she stole glances at Kenshin who was intent at being the best, Best Man there is.
::~::
Sayo, Misao, and Kaoru sat outside, eyes and hearts alight with laughter. To avoid the crowd currently dancing, they decided to play a little game of black jack and wait for the bouquet to be thrown. The night twinkled with stars, and the moon hung like a marble in the sky. Even from a distance you could hear the loud music and feel your entire being shake with every boom of the bass.
"Hit me!" Misao spastically yelled.
Kaoru snuck a concerned glance at her friend. Misao was never one to drink for a very good reason. She eyed her cup suspiciously and put down another card for Misao to pick up.
"Hit me!" Misao yelled again.
"Misao, are you all right?" Sayo asked, instantly feeling for a fever.
Kaoru frowned as she picked up her glass and took a sip. "Misao! You had too much to drink again!" She scolded as she tossed the remaining contents into the grass.
Misao giggled in response as she began to tilt and land on Sayo's shoulder. "Nonsense! Wow! Look, the hotel's moving! How did Tokio get them to do that?"
Kaoru only got up with a grunt, also pulling Misao to her feet.
"Come on, Sayo. We'd better sober this girl up before she starts barfing."
::~::
Misao was better by the time Kaoru brought her the twentieth cup of coffee. The place still jumped with the music and laughter. With a look of slight envy, she turned away from the dance floor and began to mix Misao's coffee.
"Why don't you go and dance?" Sayo said, obviously noting Kaoru's longing look at the dance floor.
"Will you be all right if I did?" Kaoru smiled, slightly happy for not having to sit her night away.
Sayo nodded, "I'll be fine. Misao will be fine too in a little bit. So go and have fun."
With another smile and a heart-felt thank you, Kaoru was on her way to the dance floor only to be intercepted by a certain man's outstretched hand offering her a drink.
"Hello." The man said with the most beautiful smile Kaoru had ever seen.
She felt her knees grow weak as she gratefully took the glass of champagne from the familiar man before her. Her insides bubbled with delight noticing the man was quite handsome and seemed to have the most beautiful smile. A smile so captivating that it rivaled Kenshin's own.
"Thank you." She took a sip, blushing feverishly under the rim of her glass. "Do I know you? You look familiar."
The man smiled, "I don't think you'd remember but I bumped into you in the street quite a while ago. My name is Soujiro Seta."
"Kaoru Kamiya." Kaoru smiled, but before she could utter another single word, she caught sight of Misao flailing her arms about in the air and Sayo to the corner frantically looking for their drunken friend. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go. But I'll see you again, wont I?"
Soujiro nodded, "Of course. I'll find you later, then." He smiled.
Kaoru had to bite back a growing grin as she walked away from Soujiro. 'This day is just too perfect!' She thought blissfully to herself.
Just before the tips of her shoes touched the dance floor, Kaoru found herself being dragged away by none other than Tokio herself.
"Kaoru! Are you having a good time?" Tokio giggled, she too obviously had a drink or two.
Kaoru smiled, "Yes. Have you seen Misao?"
Tokio shook her head as she took a whiff of her bouquet. "No. Have you seen my husband?" She giggled again, "I like the sound of that."
"Congratulations, Tokio." Came a familiar voice behind Kaoru.
"Thank you, Kenshin!" Tokio grinned, "Well, I think I'll go find Saitou now. He's probably smoking outside again." And with that, Kaoru and Kenshin were left to keep each other company.
Kaoru fidgeted nervously, something she suddenly picked up ever since The Incident. Kaoru was still dwelling on the fact that Kenshin could make her so confused about how she felt towards him. She cared deeply for him, that was for sure, but what kind of love was she feeling, really? After all this years, was Kenshin the one she was secretly and subconsciously pining for?
"It looks like a nice night outside, that it does." Kenshin started pleasantly.
Kaoru nodded in agreement. "Yes, it does. Oh!" Kaoru's eyes lit up making all thoughts of her feelings towards Kenshin wash away. "There's a small bar opening up near the Akabeko. I think we should all go, it would be fun."
Kenshin smiled, "All right. I'll tell Tokio and she could fix it up for us." There was a pause.
Kenshin was hesitant about this, but he really needed to tell Kaoru this instant or else he would explode and die a horrible death. It was unfair, Kenshin concluded, that Kaoru walk around not knowing what he has to say.
"Do you mind if we go outside, Kaoru-dono?" He said, instantly regretting calling her Kaoru-dono.
Kaoru smiled, nonetheless, and followed Kenshin outside.
::~::
Sanosuke was having a ball. He's danced with every single woman in the room. That is, except for a particularly foxy-looking lady in the corner who still refuses to dance with him because of one thing: His hair. She called him a rooster for it, and a fountain of other names. But Sano didn't mind. She was just his type of woman.
"So, whaddya say? You want to dance now?" Sano said, a smile spreading across his face.
The woman shook her head, her dark hair whipping around as she did so. "No, thank you, Rooster Head."
"Aw, come on! I've danced with everybody here just so I could dance with you! I danced with that ugly one for you, too!"
"I said no, Rooster Head." The woman frowned as she got up from her seat and began to leave.
Sano grumbled as he followed after her, "Could I at least get a name?"
The woman sighed, "If you leave me alone."
Sano eagerly nodded. "All right, but don't get that in writing."
"Then all you get is Megumi." She simply said before leaving Sano and heading out the door.
Sano sighed, a broad grin overtaking his features. "Megumi, eh?"
::~::
The moon was bright, even though it wasn't full and round that night. It was getting cold, but Kaoru and Kenshin didn't seem to care. Although they were in a secluded area, they could still hear every word being sung inside.
Kenshin was pensive, but he started up once again. "Ah, Kaoru, I need to talk to you about the other night."
Kaoru could feel her head become light, and her mind began to swirl with nervousness. A part of her was hopelessly worried that he was going to take it back, another part was slightly relived he might. Although she was terribly curious to what Kenshin had to say, she desperately needed and wanted to get away.
'Kami-sama, please, please, get me out of here!' Kaoru silently pleaded.
"Oh," Kaoru feigned innocence, "all right."
Just before Kenshin could open his mouth, Sayo came bursting in.
"Ah! Kaoru, Kenshin! I'm really sorry, but will you help me find Misao? I seem to have lost her."
Kaoru couldn't help but heave a relieved sigh as she eagerly agreed.
::~::
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin!
Author's Notes: Sorry if the end parts seem a little... thinly spread. I was in a great rush to finish this chapter as soon as I can. But, hopefully, it turned out all right. There'll be more Soujiro in the next chapter, don't you worry! I'll try my very best to crank out the next chapter soon!
Many, many, many thanks to:
tenshineko (I put little peek at Kenshin's POV for ya! Hope you liked it!)
ModernMiko (I'm glad you like my story even though you're not a huge A/U fan!)
furygrrl (Many thanks for the confidence boost! ^^ Hope you liked this chapter!)
Ducki(Thank you for putting my story in your favorites! I feel so loved! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!)
vinmy00
x_soukaoken_x (I hope you enjoyed that taste of Soujiro! There'll surely be much more of him later!)
kawaii sakura-chan
Big Rikku fan
lightening
Mimi
D.J. (Don't you worry! It'll be a K/K all the way, even if it may not seem like it at times. That couple is just too cute, in my opinion!)
Papaya! (Ah! I feel for you, I really do! My sister is like that too. I wonder sometimes how she can have such good hearing but be bordering on deaf sometimes. Glad to have made you feel better! Thank you so much for your review!)
Review!