Hey sorry for the long wait! But here's chapter 9! Hope you'll like it! rr pleasee
The One I Love Chapter 9 Ice, Perky, and Smile
So Kenshin loves Kaoru.. sigh.. I should have known.. It's so obvious.. The way the two act around each other..
Saori was walking, thinking to herself when she heard a soft sigh next to her. She had forgotten Sano was with her. "Sigh.. I should hvae realized earlier that you would like Kenshin Little Lady.."
Saori shook her head, though sadly. "It's alright Sano.. I can tell Kenshin and Kaoru really love each other.. But hey! Now I can help you and Megumi to try to get them together!"
Sano smiled at her positive attitude but sighed mentally. Poor girl.. But she reminds me of a certain weasel girl...
Together, they continued towards the dojo in silence. When they arrived, Saori questioned, "Hey Sano? Why did you walk here with me if you don't live here?" It wasn't offensive, she was just curious.
"And leave you to walk by yourself? Besides, I want to talk to Kenshin."
Saori grinned and hopped inside. When she walked in, she gasped in surprise. Sano followed her in and looked surprised as well.
Kenshin and Kaoru were on the porch and Kaoru was tending to his wound on his shoulder, despite his protests.
"Yo Jou-chan! Kenshin! What happened here?" Sano ran to them, and Saori quickly followed.
Kaoru sighed, while wrapping a bandage around Kenshin's shoulder. "Long story short.. Koji and Kenshin got in a fight.. I didn't want Kenshin to kill him and so he dropped his guard because I distracted him.. Koji slashed his shoulder and no, I don't know what they were fighting about.."
Saori was shocked, but Sano wasn't. It was as if he knew this would happen. Though they were both thinking along the same lines. They were fighting because of Kaoru.
But how come Jou-chan doesn't know?...
They really do love each other.. Saori thought sadly. Then, a question popped up. "If you guys are here.. What happened to Koji?" Sano nodded in agreement.
"I knocked him unconscious.. Kaoru-dono and I put him in his room."
Saori shook her head. "Okay.. I for one had enough for one night with all this shocking news and other..stuff.. Do you guys mind if I go to bed?" She asked.
All of them blinked, then nodded and bid their good nights'. "Night everyone." Then, she went inside to her room. Sano faced Kaoru. "Jou-chan you look tired. Why don't you go to bed too? I want to talk with Kenshin." She didn't aruge. She really was tired. "Okay.. Good night Sano. Good night..Kenshin.."
"Night Jou-chan."
"Good night Kaoru-dono."
When she was out of earshot, Sano immediately pounced Kenshin with questions and comments. But he started with, "Kenshin just admit it. You.Love.Her. and you and Koji were fighting about her. Now I'm just wondering why she doesn't know that. What did you tell her that she doesn't know?"
Kenshin sighed. He knew Sano would ask him this. "Yes Sano. I DO love her.. More than anything.. but she deserves someone better. That someone is also not Koji.. Yes, we were fighting about her.. I just..lost control when he spoke of her as a possession..even after I warned him not to earlier.. We were fighting and Battousai almost controlled me.. If it wasn't for Kaoru.. Sigh.. She brought me back.. I didn't want to fight him but he was persistent so he slashed my shoulder with my guard down. Normally, I would have sensed it coming even with my guard down like that.. But I wasn't paying attention at all because Kaoru had run off.. So I hit Koji with the hilt of my reverse-blade.. The force knocked him unconscious and I ran off to look for Kaoru."
Sano was taking in everything and noticed the lack of -dono's after Kaoru's name.
"When I found her.. I didn't get to explain anything because she saw the blood seeping through my gi. So we came back here, under her orders, and she began to tend to my wound.. She assumed it was Koji who slashed me since after all, we were in a fight.. I protested.. I told her I was fine but she didn't listen.. She just cleaned my shoulder and tended to it.. Then you and Saori-dono came.. I never got to tell her anything Sano."
The whole time, Kenshin's head was down in shame.
"So are you going to tell her now Kenshin?" Sano kept calm. He didn't show the anger he felt towards Koji for messing everything up and for Kenshin for being a wimp to not tell Kaoru he loves her.
"You mean that we were fighting about her?" Kenshin honestly looked confused.
Is this guy really that dense?
"No baka! That you love her! How many times have I told you to tell her? Look where it got both of you Kenshin! What are you so afraid of?" He knew he had hit the spot when Kenshin suddenly stiffed. When he faced up, Sano was shocked to find his eyes flickering from violet to amber and back. Fortunately, it landed on violet but it wasn't the same gentle ones'.. It was a deep, hard violet.
Kenshin turned his head to the side and shut his eyes. His bangs covered his face. "When I loved Tomoe.. She ended up dying.. By my hands..in my arms.. She was the one who gave me the second half of my scar.. I loved her.. but she loved another.. I was heartbroken.. but i had not meant to kill her. I was fighting with her love, Akira. When I was about to strike him, she ran in the way.. and I killed them both.. With my sword.. From then on, I promised to kill no more.. I was in love with Tomoe.. but that's a part of my past.. Then I fell in love with Kaoru.. She makes me feel something I've never felt before with Tomoe.. And when Koji and I were fighting.. Just what if.. I had striked and she was willing to sacrifice herself for him too.. What if I ended up killing them both?.."
Then Kenshin looked directly at Sano's eyes who was shocked beyond belief.
"I would never intentionally harm Kaoru.. but also.. if she was to be with me.. Old enemies would use it as their advantage and she would get hurt.. and I could never forgive myself if she were to be in any kind of danger.." Kenshin stopped, then looked down again.
I've never seen this side of him before.. So Tomoe was his first love..
"Sigh.. Kenshin.. Listen to me.. If Kaoru really loves you, it's her decision whether or not she wants to risk her life.. to risk being in danger if that's what it takes to be with you.. and don't be afraid of rejection.. I know she loves you Kenshin. She really does.. So you know.. You're hurting her even more by not telling her you love her.. it's like a one-sided love.. and did you look in her eyes when we first came here with Saori? She looked so hurt.. She must have thought you were going to announce you suddenly love Saori.. and did you know.. Saori fell in love with you too? But even she knows that you love Kaoru and that Kaoru loves you.. You're hurting two great women and you don't even know it Kenshin.."
Kenshin was shocked. He had no idea Saori loved him. His heart was filled with great guilt. Before he got a chance to say anything however, Sano beat him to it. "You have to tell Kaoru.. Before it's too late.. Honestly.. Megumi and I.. even Saori.. were going to force you two to admit your feelings.. but I'm going to leave you alone Kenshin.. This is the last time I'm telling you this.." Then, without looking back, he walked out of the dojo, leaving a frozen Kenshin.
I..Sano is right.. I..have to tell her.. before it IS too late..but..does she really love me? How can she?.. I am so.. unworthy.. With the last thought, he went to his room to think about everything that happened and then quickly fell asleep.
During the time, somebody else has been awake for quite a while and has heard pretty much everything. I..I didn't know.. I..I can't compete with that.. I really do love her.. but not as much as he does.. She DOES deserve someone better.. and it's him.. I..I'm going to let you go Kaoru.. where you will be happy.. I'm not sorry I fell in love with you.. If anything.. it taught me a lesson.. Then, he dragged himself back to his room and slept.
"Misao are you alright?" His voice had a tiny tint of worry.
She smiled. "I'm fine Aoshi-sama. Just tripped..." Stupid root.. She tried to stand up but fell again. Before she felt the hard ground, she felt a strong grip on her instead. She winced, her ankle was killing her. Then, she felt herself being lifted up onto somebody's firm back. She blushed when she realized who it was. "Aoshi-sama.." She whispered gently.
"You've sprained your ankle Misao.. Just take a rest we're almost at our destination.."
She smiled warmly. "Thank you Aoshi-sa.." She had fallen asleep. The ice man cracked a smile.
Some time later, he heard the girl talking in her sleep. "Sigh.. I love you Aoshi-sama.." He was shocked to say the least, but smiled unknowingly. It was a real genuine smile. His heart felt warm and he felt his mask falling apart. How could this girl make me feel this way? Do I?..
She snuggled closer and tightened her grip around his neck. He felt his heartbeat skip a beat. I..I do.. I..I love her.. Sh..Should I tell her?.. I'll wait until morning..
The sun was shining brightly and birds were chirping happily. Koji looked behind him one more time at the dojo and continued to walk. "Were you going to leave without saying good bye Koji?" A voice said sofly behind him. He knew who it was and didn't turn back around. "I was hoping not to disturb anyone.." Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. He came face to face with Kaoru, who looked sad. "Why are you leaving Koji?" He stared at her and looked into her eyes. "I love you Kaoru.. I always will.. and I won't ever forget you.. but.. you are also loved by another.. and you deserve the best.. so I'm letting you go.."
Tears rolled down Kaoru's cheek. "Koji.. I'm sorry.. I love you too.. just not the way you want me to.. I won't ever forget you either.."
Koji reached and wiped her tears. "Don't be sorry Kaoru.. I only hope I will find my true love someday.." Suddenly, she hugged him tightly. "You will Koji.. You're a great person.." She pulled away. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you Kaoru.. Good bye." Then, he walked out of the dojo. She looked down at the ground and whispered sofly, "Good bye Koji.. I hope you find love.." She then realized she still had his ring. She smiled.
"Are you alright Kaoru-dono?" Kaoru didn't yelp back in surprise. "Yes Kenshin.. I'm fine.. Koji is wonderful.. I just.. couldn't love him the way he did me.." Kenshin walked past her and stopped at the door. "Will you go on a walk with me Kaoru-dono?" She blushed and nodded.
They walked side by side. On the way, Kenshin reached up to a tree branch and picked off a Sakura flower. Kaoru didn't notice. "Kaoru-dono?" She turned toward the rurouni. "What is it Kenshin?"
"Here.." and without warning, Kenshin came closer and put the Sakura flower by her ear. She gasped, remembering the familiar incident just weeks ago. Kenshin suddenly stopped walking and faced Kaoru. "Kaoru-dono.. I..I have to tell you something.." Kaoru's heart thumped louder and louder. Her heartbeat was beating a mile a minute. She looked at him expectantly. "Yes Kenshin?"
Suddenly, she felt Kenshin's face come closer and felt his lips on her's. She widened her eyes in surprise, then closed them. It was soft and gentle and she felt her blood rise to her face.
Gently, he pulled away and whispered in her ear, "I love you Kaoru.. I always have.. I'm sorry for hurting you.. I..I didn't mean to.. You make my life complete..." He looked her in the eyes and she saw true love. She felt tears forming and whispered, "I love you too Kenshin.. I love you so much.. I've wanted to hear you say it for the longest time.."
Kenshin pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair. "I love you so much.." She pulled back and gave a smirk. "Does this mean we're together now?" She asked playfully. He kissed her in response. It was short and sweet. "Come on Kenshin! Let's go back to do the dojo!" She yelped when he lifted her up, holding her bridal style and used his god-like speed and went back to the dojo.
Meanwhlie..
"Misao.. I..I want to tell you something.." She faced the tall man, confused. "What is it Aoshi-sama?"
"Do you love me?" He blurted instead. His face was emtionless. "Gasp.. How did you.."
"I heard you in your sleep.." Misao stopped walking and looked down at her feet. "I..I.." Then, she felt a hand gently lift her chin up and met the gaze of icy blue orbs. For the first time in his life, he looked somewhat nervous. "I..I love you Misao.. I think I always have.. I just didn't realize it until last night.." Misao beamed and jumped into his arms. "I love you too Aoshi!" She cried.
Back at the dojo..
Hmm.. Where's everyone?
"Excuse me.. Sir?"
Sano turned around and came face to face with a boy about Kaoru's age. "What is it kid?"
"Isn't this where Kaoru Kamiya resides?"
Shit.. Who the hell is this kid? Some unknown boyfriend of her's? And what's with his smile.. It's creeping me out..
Suddenly, the two heard yelling behind them. "SANO!"
Oh gosh.. Please don't tell me that's who I think it is.. "WEASEL GIRL?!!" Misao appeared out of nowhere and hit him on the head. "Don't call me that Roosterhead!" Sano rubbed his head. "Oww.. Don't tell me ice man's with you too.."
"As a matter of fact.." She started. "Right here Misao." A cold voice said behind her. "Aoshi!"
"Looks like your ankle is feeling better?.." She chuckled. "Hehe.. Yeah.. I guess so.."
What's going on here? Sano wondered.
"Hi there! I've never seen you before. Who are you?" Misao blurted with perkiness.
The teenage boy still had a smile and sweatdropped. "Hello. My name is S.."
"SOU-CHAN!" Another voice screamed.. Again.
They all turned to see Kaoru running excitedly towards them. Kenshin was right behind her. She practically jumped on the poor kid and they both fell over. "Kao-chan!"
"Haha.. Sorry Sou-chan.. Here.." Kaoru stood up and extended her hand to him. He gladly took it and they dusted off the dirt on their clothes.
"uhhh.." was all Sano could let out.
Kaoru turned and saw the shock on their faces. Kenshin looked hurt and sad. She smiled. Aww he's looks so cute when he's sad.. She giggled. "Guys.. This is Seta Soujiro.. He's my cousin.." She emphasized 'cousin'. The shock was still there but Kenshin looked relieved. Then, Kaoru noticed something different about the group. "Gasp! Misao-chan!" She ran to the girl and hugged her. "Kaoru-chan!!"
"Umm.. Why don't we all go inside and talk?" Kenshin suggested. Kaoru blushed. "Oh..hehe..right.. Let's go!" They all went inside the dojo but Kenshin and Kaoru stayed behind. "Aw.. Did I scare you Kenshin?" He chuckled and hugged her. "Yes.. But it's alright now.."
"Kenshin. I love you and only you. I could never love another like I love you. Okay?" Then she pecked his cheek and ran inside. Kenshin stood there dazed. Then followed after her. I will always love you too Kaoru.. My one and only..
There! I'm done! Now please rr and I'll update!