Review Comments (I know you couldn't care less about what is written in here, but there's foreshadowing!): Ji-chan, uh yeah. Nice review. You were bored! Arigatou. The sleepover was fun, ne? Walkie Talkies!!!!! The Last Samurai was sooooo good! I loved it. Kung Pow was freaky. I had so much fun that day! You never played us the song by STP. I wanted to hear it, since I have the lyrics in your review. It seems…interesting. I think that I'm going to have two more chapters. I think the number sixteen is a good number to stop at. I don't know. Maybe one more chapter. Who knows? Dai-chan, you can't spell. Not we, it's WHEE. Henjin. And yes, Fumeiyo is alive. And Kenshin will tell Kaoru in his own time. (foreshadowing) Heh heh. You'll recognize that line later, readers! I'm glad you like the end of Keito-chan's Adventures. I thought it was lame, considering I pulled it out of my butt. Oh well. I had fun at the sleepover. I wonder what's up with my head hurting when I laugh really hard. I mean, I was laughing hysterically at my cousin's house on the Fourth of July. I think being with you two affects my brain and not in a good way. Oh well! Mamori, domo arigatou. You don't know how much it means to me when you said that you're in love with this fic. I can't believe that you read it in one night! How long did it take you?? I mean, chapter 10 is 30 typed pages! That had to have taken you so long. When I found out that I had new reviewers, I got so excited! I love it when I get new reviewers because my two best friends always review me and I didn't think that anyone else read my story. No one ever review me. I'm curious. How did you find my story? Just wondering. I hope you will come back to finish my story! Flaming-amber, domo arigatou for reading my chapter! Sorry about the whole Fumeiyo is dead…just kidding thing. I'm so glad that you liked the twist. I'm happy that you reviewed me too. I know I complain a lot about not getting reviewers. I'm a brat. giggles I like getting reviews. It's fun!
NOTE: I think that everyone will like this chapter. It's a kawaii chapter; thought there is some mood swings. Okay a lot of mood swings in the first few pages. But hey. What's a story without mood swings?!?! Have fun! Abane!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters and my attempts to failed miserably. Ahem. Watasuki-sensei was cruel. (Not really! I bet he's really cool in real life. He looks like he'd be fun to meet!)
Chapter 14- Lullaby
Kaoru stepped out of the bath, feeling clean and awake. She drained the water out of the tub, pulled on her yukata, and called Yahiko over.
"Yahiko, can you refill the bath, onegai?" she asked that dark haired boy.
"No problem," he said. "Will I need Kenshin to warm it back up?"
"No," she said. "The water is to clean," she swallowed hard. "The water is to clean Tsuyoi-kun and Mayonaka-chan's wounds." She put her hand on Yahiko's shoulder. "I can't thank you enough, Yahiko. Washing Tsuyoi-kun for me means a lot. Arigatou."
Yahiko blushed. "Don't worry about it. Be careful when you go into town, 'kay?"
"Hai, Yahiko," she said and walked to her room.
Kaoru bound her breasts and put on a light green under kimono that was in with Tomoko's things. She then, pulled out a forest green kimono with a patter of dragonflies on it. Along with the kimono, she grabbed a patterned obi. Ignoring and refusing to look at her cuts and bruises, she quickly got dressed and tied the obi neatly.
Kaoru heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in!" she called.
Kenshin opened the door and cleared his throat. "Ano, do you have the list of things you need at the market ready? Sano is impatient to leave for some odd reason," he said apologetically.
Kaoru giggled. "I was just about to write it."
She pulled out the low table that was next to a lantern and wet the ink brush when she had gotten a sheet of parchment. She quickly wrote out a short list of things. She paused for a second and then wrote one more thing down.
"There," Kaoru said, handing the list to Kenshin, who scanned it.
"Miso, eggplant, onions, rice, soy," he stopped. "Incense?"
"Hai," she said quietly. "For Tsuyoi-kun and Mayonaka-chan."
Kenshin only nodded. "Are you ready?" he asked. "You, Sano, and I can walk into town together."
"Sure," she said as she pushed the table back to its original spot.
Kenshin held out his hand to help her up and, she took it gingerly. The same warmth they had felt the night before, flooded their bodies again. They both blushed and looked away. Kenshin reluctantly let go of Kaoru's warm, slender hand.
"Well, ano. Shall we leave now? Sano must have sharpened his tongue on a stone today, because he's been calling me names this morning."
Kaoru snorted. "What have you done, you silly rurouni?"
Kenshin loved it when she called him a rurouni.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know. It might still be nerves from last night."
Kaoru stiffened. "Yeah. I guess so."
"Gomen nasai, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said softly. "I know that last night was painful. I didn't mean to remind you."
Kaoru laid her hand on his forearm. "It's okay, Kenshin. It can't be helped." She stopped. "I think it would be best if we left. I don't want the fighter for hire beating my rurouni to death!" She walked ahead of Kenshin.
Kenshin stood by her door, frozen for a few seconds. She had said 'my rurouni.' Was she implying that- No, she couldn't mean. Kenshin shook his red mane and walked after Kaoru.
Fifteen minutes later, Kaoru and the two men went their separate ways. Kaoru going one, and Sano and Kenshin going the other.
Kenshin looked down the road that Kaoru was walking on. He turned to Sano. "Do you think that it's safe for Kaoru-dono to go to the house alone?" he asked nervously.
Sano raised an eyebrow. "Kenshin, this is Jo-chan we're talking about. She survived Shishio's attack at the Aoiya and she survived being attacked by Kage and his syndicate. She'll be fine. She's a strong girl. C'mon. Jo-chan will show us how strong she really is by kicking our asses if we don't get this stuff!" Sano reminded Kenshin and dragged him to the market.
Kaoru stopped in front of Tsuyoi and Mayonaka's house reluctantly. She looked around the street nervously. Only a few passerbies were moving along it slowly. She took a shuddering breath and stepped inside the quiet entrance. She slipped off her sandals and knelt in front of the shrines. Her lips moved in a soft prayer. After a few minutes, she got up and went into the polished hallway.
Kaoru slid open the first door to her right and walked in. It had a shinai leaning against the wall, along with a sword rack that was missing the katana. Kaoru inhaled Tsuyoi's scent and went to the wardrobe closet. She found a dark green gi and a black hakama. She put them neatly outside his room and went into the room across from his.
The next room was a study. It had a low table, cushions, books, and calligraphy on the walls. On the table, there was an unrolled scroll. Kaoru glanced at it. It was the history of the battle for Edo castle. Piled in the corner were old newspaper sheets. Kaoru shuffled through them. Her hands shook when she found the one about Okubo-san's assassination. She gasped when she saw scribbling on a few of the papers. It was Tsuyoi's handwriting.
"Lies. Not true," Kaoru read then glanced at the articles. They were from when her dojo was being framed by Gohei. She smiled, knowing that at least someone didn't think Kamiya Kasshin Ryu was a killing technique.
She left the study and moved to the next room. It was bare, except for the large wardrobe closet. Kaoru opened it and realized that this room used to be Tsuyoi and Mayonaka's parent's bedroom. She quickly closed the wardrobe and hurried to the next room.
Kaoru slid the door open. She was greeted by a room with calligraphy and ink paintings adorning the walls. Her lips turned up in a smile. This was definitely Mayonaka's room. Kaoru spotted a few boughs of sakura in a porcelain vase and a neatly folded futon. A pretty cloth doll rested on top of the blanket, wearing a violet kimono with tiny blossoms painted on it. The obi was delicately crafted and tied into a perfect bow. The doll's silken hair was done in a purple ribbon. Kaoru hugged the doll to her chest. Still clutching it, she went to Mayonaka's wardrobe closet and selected a deep aquamarine colored kimono with cranes on it and a light aquamarine obi.
Kaoru tucked the doll into the folds of the kimono and exited the room. She stooped down and picked up the gi and hakama she had chosen for Tsuyoi to wear. She shuffled into the still hall and went to retrieve her sandals.
Kaoru sighed heavily. This was such a burden. She would forever be haunted by her two student's last moments. Kaoru chewed her bottom lip as she slipped on her sandals. She couldn't put all her thoughts on Kenshin. It was unfair since he didn't do that to her. She flushed angrily for a minute.
How dare he! she thought furiously. He can't say that he'll listen to my problems, but won't tell me his.
"Kenshin's hiding something," she said aloud.
"It's his bloody, grief-stricken past, Kaoru," came a voice from the door.
Kaoru yelped and looked at the familiar person in the doorframe. "Fumeiyo! Don't do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Gomen ne," he grinned sheepishly at her.
"What are you doing here?" Kaoru demanded bossily.
"Just keeping an eye on you since the Battousai can't. Seeing you sent him away and all."
Kaoru's face paled, then her cheeks burned red with anger. "I can take care of myself!" she shouted. "I don't need to be coddled! I'm nineteen for God's sakes, not a child."
"Then don't act like one," Fumeiyo responded coolly.
"I am not!"
"You are," he replied evenly then walked into the small space. "As for your comment about the Battousai hiding something from you, it's probably for your own good. His past it one of many painful trials that he will tell you. But only in his own time."
"Get out!" Kaoru seethed. "Leave me alone!"
"Knock it off, Kaoru," Fumeiyo scolded. "Act your age."
"Don't you understand!?" she shrieked. "I want to be left alone right now! That's why I came here alone. If I wanted to talk to someone, I would have asked him or her to come with me! Jeez!" She stopped, breathing heavily.
"If you're finished, let's go."
Frustrated tears sprang in Kaoru's eyes. "Why don't you get it?! " she choked. "I-I don't want-"
Before she could finish, she slumped over from stress and exhaustion. Fumeiyo reached out and caught her. He easily hefted her up and walked out of the house, shutting the door with a loud 'snap.' He carried her gently to the main road, where he was met by Kenshin and Sanosuke, to his dismay. He was hoping to get her into her room without an incident.
Sano scowled at him. "What the hell did you do to Jo-chan?" he demanded.
"I didn't do anything," Fumeiyo returned disgustedly. "Why do you always accuse me?!"
"Because I don't trust you enough!"
"Enough!" came Kenshin's hoarse voice. "Kaoru-dono needs to be resting. Fighting isn't going to help." He looked worriedly at Kaoru's face and blinked. Kaoru's eyes started to flutter. She moaned quietly. "Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin cried. "Are you alright? What happened?"
Fumeiyo gently lowered her to the ground.
"I got angry at Fumeiyo," she rasped, throat dry. "I-I was nervous about being in the house."
Fumeiyo glanced at Kaoru, whose eyes flicked quickly to meet his for an instant. He looked down at the ground while Kaoru continued with her explanation. "I probably should have had someone else go or had someone go with me. It was completely my fault. Gomen ne, Kenshin, Sano, and Fumeiyo."
"Don't worry about it, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin crooned. "Let's just get you home."
Kaoru nodded and shifted the clothes that were bundled in her arms.
Fumeiyo opened his mouth to ask Kaoru for a word, but was cut off by Sanosuke's harsh whisper. "Whatever you have to say, save it." He turned away, following Kenshin.
Fumeiyo scowled at Sano's back. He brought up the rear in the group. His thoughts raced in his head. Why had Kaoru lied to the Battousai? She was always so honest. What was bothering her? Was it the deaths of her two students or late shock after last night? A pounding ache started to form behind his eyes. Just what he wanted, a headache. He would ask Kaoru about it later.
Kaoru shut herself in her room when she entered the dojo. The occupants looked curiously at the three men who followed her into the yard.
"Don't ask," Sano said, putting down the requested items and rotating his shoulders. "Crap. That stuff was heavy!"
"And it doesn't go there," Kenshin remarked and brought his load into the kitchen. He set in down with a grunt and jumped when he saw Aoshi blocking the way out, though he was carrying the packages that Sano had abandoned to go check on Megumi.
"Nani?" Kenshin asked defensively.
"Spill it."
Kaoru gently pulled the doll from the folds of the kimono. She smiled when she recalled Mayonaka first showing it to her.
"Kaoru-sensei! Look what haha made for me!"
"Wow, Mayonaka-chan. She's so pretty!"
"I had haha make her look like you!"
Kaoru blushed.
"I know that you're really pretty and I think Tsuyoi-oniichan thinks so, too!"
The little girl giggled as her older brother turned red with embarrassment.
Kaoru was pulled from her daydream by her door being slammed open. She pulled the wakazashi, which was next to her, from its sheath and leveled it at the other person.
"Why did you lie to Battousai!?" demanded Fumeiyo harshly.
"Don't do that!" Kaoru cried in a soft voice. "You scared me again!"
Fumeiyo ignored her comment. "Why did you lie to Battousai?" he repeated.
Kaoru resheathed the wakazashi as she said, "Because Kenshin is worried enough about me without me putting all my problems on him."
"Isn't that what friends are for?" Fumeiyo asked.
"It's not fair to him," she replied.
"It's not fair to you!" Fumeiyo shot back.
Kaoru let out a short laugh. "How!?"
"He keeps secrets from you!" he exclaimed. "He doesn't see that it rips you apart!"
"You're a hypocrite!" Kaoru spat. "What happened to 'he'll tell you in his own time?' Huh?!"
Fumeiyo loomed in front of Kaoru. "If you wanted to be treated like you're nineteen, than act like it! Maybe that's why Battousai won't tell you his past. Maybe he thinks you're too young to hear it!"
Kaoru slapped him. "Shut up! Why are you doing this!?"
"To snap you out of your dream world, Kaoru. Self-pity and self-loathing won't get you anywhere. You have other responsibilities. One of them is in the form of a little boy named Yahiko. He looks up to you more than you know. You should have seen how he acted because he was so worried about you!"
Kaoru's face paled again then crumpled. "You're right," she said mournfully into her hands. "How could I have been so stupid and so blind? What's wrong with me!?"
Fumeiyo pulled Kaoru into a hug. "After you bury Tsuyoi and Mayonaka, this is put behind you immediately. You bury this ordeal with them. Understand?" Fumeiyo felt her nod into his chest.
Kaoru pulled away. "Arigatou. That pulled me out of whatever I was in."
"Good," Fumeiyo said. He then noticed the kimono clad doll next to the wakazashi. He picked it up, looked at it, and grinned. "Oi. This looks like someone I know," he said, winking at Kaoru.
"Shut up, baka. It's Mayonaka-chan's. I'm saving it to remind me of her. I want to take someone back with me, so I can get Tsuyoi-kun's shinai. I want part of them with me."
Fumeiyo clapped her on her shoulder. "That's good." He made his way into the hallway. "Now, I'm starved! Wonder if anyone's going to cook?"
"Bottomless pit," Kaoru muttered, following him into the hallway.
Fumeiyo gave her a low, sweeping bow like the people in Europe, and she giggled.
"I'm surprised you and Sanosuke don't get along better, since you both eat anything!"
Kaoru got a rude hand gesture as an answer.
"Spill what?" Kenshin asked.
"You're uptight," Aoshi said. "I can feel it. And frankly, it's making me uncomfortable to be around you."
"Boo hoo for you," Kenshin muttered under his breath. If Aoshi heard this, he chose to stay silent.
"It's Kamiya-san, am I right? You still haven't told her that you love her, have you?"
Kenshin glared at Aoshi. Aoshi didn't even blink. "So what if I haven't. What does it have to do with you?"
"It's not hard confessing love," Aoshi commented shamelessly. "I mean, I even did it."
"Don't put salt in the wounds," Kenshin gritted.
"Ah, but salt helps them heal faster," Aoshi cleverly said back.
Kenshin stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Soon. I'm not sure if she's ready to hear my past right now. Are you satisfied?"
Aoshi paused. "Partially. I won't be completely satisfied until it's done."
"I think Misao's done something to your head," Kenshin commented dryly. "You were never like this before. Actually, I prefer you the other way."
Aoshi only smiled and left the kitchen, leaving Kenshin with his thoughts.
Megumi tied the bow on Mayonaka's obi and turned to Kaoru. "They're both stitched, bandaged, and dressed," she said solemnly. "Are Katsu and that Fujitaka finished digging the holes yet?"
Kaoru nodded. "They finished a few minutes ago."
Megumi sighed. She noted how pale and shaky Kaoru was, but didn't say anything. She didn't want to upset her or Kenshin. Especially not Kenshin. He would freak out and have a heart attack.
"Can you please call them in here? I need them to lift the litters."
"Oh, sure," Kaoru said and stuck her head out of the practice room and called, "Sanosuke! Fumeiyo! Katsu! Fujitaka!" They looked up. "Can you please come here to help lift the litters?"
The four men rushed over and gently lifted the two litters. The children lying on them looked at peace. They were free of blood and grime after the bathing Misao and Yahiko gave them. Kaoru had put on Tsuyoi's clothing, tying and wrapping everything lovingly. Mayonaka's hair had been washed clumsily and loosely braid, which was hard to do, due to the nature of her wound. The aquamarine kimono looked pretty on her.
Kaoru's breath caught in her throat as she followed the men out of the practice room. Everyone who was staying at the dojo gathered around the two large holes at the side of the practice room. Kenshin stood close to Kaoru for emotional support. Tsuyoi and Mayonaka were carefully and gently lowered into the pits. As dirt was shoveled onto the bodies, Kaoru began to sing a mournful song. Her voice was beautifully haunting and tinged with sadness. Kenshin's low, husky voice joined her, and the song, now a heartbreaking duet, entwined the listeners. They were enraptured by the eloquently sorrowful lyrics and solemn melody.
Kenshin and Kaoru's last note reverberated in the golden sky. Tears were in everyone's eyes. They had no idea that the two had such amazing voices. The song pricked at their hearts and opened their minds. Anyone who heard the song was able to feel, hear, and see the sadness that surrounded the two singers.
"Wow," Misao whispered, tears visible on her cheeks. "That was incredible. Who knew they had voices like that?"
"Can you see their sadness, Misao-chan? Can you hear it? Can you feel it?" Aoshi asked her quietly.
"Hai," she returned shakily. "I-I can. It hurts to see it. Kaoru-san and Himura's sadness is evident and it reaches to my core and affects me. Why?"
Aoshi looked down at the young women standing next to him. "You are affected because of your attachment to Kamiya-san and the Battousai. When you traveled with the Battousai, you saw his moods and he protected you more than once. You have a bond with him. As you do with Kamiya-san. Battousai told you about her, but when you ran into her in Kyoto when they were following me, a connection was created. When you two fought together at the Aoiya, you became friends, which heightened the bond. Since you care for them, you share their pain by seeing it."
Misao looked wide-eyed at Aoshi. "You're starting to scare me with this divine intervention sort of talk. You need sleep."
Aoshi smiled at her and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
Kenshin put his arms Kaoru and hugged her. "Gomen nasai, Kaoru-dono. I know this has to hurt."
"It does," she said quietly, a tear escaping from her closed lids. "It really hurts. But, I need to put it behind me."
Kaoru pulled away from Kenshin's warm and went into her room. Kenshin watched her retreating back longingly. Yahiko and Soujiro offered to help Misao and Aoshi make dinner. The Oniwabanshu members helped Megumi clean up the mess in the practice room.
"See if she's okay," Sano whispered in Kenshin's ear. "Before he does," indicating Fumeiyo, "because he might try to take Jo-chan from you. Katsu and I want to check out the kids' house."
"Why?" Kenshin asked, voice tight with worry.
"Curiosity," Sano replied.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Kenshin retorted.
"Shut up. We're off." He waved and followed Katsu out of the yard.
"Excuse me, Himura-san," Fujitaka said approaching him. "Fumeiyo and I want to go back to the complex to get the rest of out things. We'll be back in about an hour. Onegai, tell Kaoru-san. Arigatou."
"Ano, sure," Kenshin said with a raise brow, and then turned into the hallway that lead to Kaoru's room. He knocked.
"Kaoru-dono? May I come in?" he asked and put his ear to the door. He didn't hear anything. "Kaoru-dono? Are you okay?" Still no answer.
Kenshin's heart pounded loudly in his chest as he fearfully opened the thin, rice paper door. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Kaoru sleeping lightly on her futon. He thought that something had happened to her. He noticed that he kimono was folded messily in the corner. Kenshin picked up a blanket and covered her with it. He went and refolded the kimono. Kaoru stirred slightly.
"Kenshin?" she asked groggily. "Is that you?"
"Hai, Kaoru-dono. It's me. I just wanted to see if you were okay. I didn't mean to intrude." He headed towards the door. "I'll leave now."
"No!" came her soft cry. "Don't leave me! Onegai!"
Kenshin moved slowly to her side and sat next to her futon. "Is something that matter, Kaoru-dono? If there is, I would like for you to tell me. I want to help you."
"There is, demo," she faded off. "Demo, I'm so tired." Her eyes closed and Kenshin could barely hear her next words. "Demo, later."
Kenshin watched as Kaoru fell into a peaceful sleep. He pushed a few stray hairs from her face, relishing the feel of the silken strands. He started slightly when he heard a knock on the door about forty minutes later.
"Hai, come in," he said.
"Oh, Kenshin," Yahiko said. "I didn't know that you were in here."
"Kaoru-dono didn't want me to leave. Is dinner ready?"
"Hai. Do want to stay here with Kaoru?"
"No. I'm sure that'll she'll be okay. I'll bring her some food when we're done."
"Okay," Yahiko said, and then hesitated. "Do you think that'll Kaoru will ever be the same?"
"I'm sure that Kaoru-dono will be the same," Kenshin told him.
"I don't mean like that. Do you think that she'll be able to smile the same or even at all? I mean, after everything that's happened. I don't see how she can."
Kenshin looked at Yahiko kindly and laid a gentle hand on his head. "Everyone smiles again. Didn't Kaoru-dono smile again after Kyoto? Her smile might be a little different, but as long as it's there, it doesn't matter. Am I right?"
"That's true. I remember when you left for Kyoto. She was so depressed. Megumi and I had to force her out of bed to chase after you. It took her a long time to smile because she was so worried. But, yeah. She did smile. And I guess that as long as she's smiling, that shows that she's okay."
Kenshin smiled. "Hai. It does. You are very wise for a boy of twelve, did you know that?"
Yahiko blushed and called Kenshin an idiot. He left the room and started down the hallway. Kenshin reached down and touched Kaoru's facing lovingly before going into the hallway and making his way to where everyone was waiting.
Kenshin knocked on Kaoru's door a half hour later. When he didn't get an answer, he opened the door to reveal her still sleeping form. He carefully walked into the room, balancing a tray of food. He placed it quietly on the low table and exited. He didn't want to disturb her sleep.
Kenshin went out onto the porch and sat looking at the stars. Fumeiyo and Fujitaka had come back about twenty minutes ago, carrying two bags full of things. Sano and Katsu had returned about ten minutes before the other two. When Kenshin had come to eat, they reported everything that was in the house. While they were eating, Fumeiyo mentioned that Kaoru had wanted to go back. Kenshin sat up rigidly afraid that she would faint like she had done earlier.
"Don't worry," Fumeiyo had reassured him. "She said that she would take someone with her this time."
Kenshin had exhaled gratefully after hearing this. He was so nervous about Kaoru getting hurt or getting taken from him again, that he would do anything to stop her from going somewhere alone. He knew that he was being paranoid, but he figured that he was better safe than sorry.
Now, he sat on the porch, thinking. So many things were going on. Aoshi had announced at dinner that he, Misao, and the Oniwabanshu would be returning to Kyoto in two days. Okina had sent them a telegram saying that the Aoiya was getting really busy and that he needed help running it. Soujiro also had said that he would be leaving soon. He didn't want to overstay his welcome and he wanted to go to Yokohama next. He decided to leave in the morning. Kenshin rubbed his temples. He was way too tired to think. He walked Megumi, Sano, and Katsu to the dojo gates and waved to them as the walked down the road.
He locked the gate and shuffled into the house. He peered in on Kaoru and noticed that the food was untouched. He took the tray and brought it into the kitchen. He took the plate and put it outside. A cat waited there expectantly and jumped on the food when he put the plate down. Kenshin went into his room, undressed, put on his yukata, and sank gratefully into his futon, falling asleep immediately.
Kaoru and Kenshin were jolted awake by a cry.
"Kaoru!! KAORU!"
Kaoru scrambled up, threw open her door, and ran into the hallway. Kenshin heard her hurried footsteps past his door and relaxed. Yahiko was calling for Kaoru. She could handle it. There was no reason for him to interfere.
Kaoru flew into Yahiko's room. She briefly noted that Soujiro was nowhere in sight. She saw Yahiko, curled on his futon, crying.
"Kaoru," he whimpered.
"I'm here, Yahiko!" she said, falling to her knees beside him. "Doushita?"
"I had a nightmare that you were hurt really badly and I couldn't do anything!" he sobbed.
Kaoru gathered the boy into her lap and rocked him back and forth gently. "Shhh. It's okay, Yahiko. I'm here now and I'm safe. Nothing will happen."
The boy still sobbed into her shoulder, his arms around her neck. "But I was so scared! You were lying there, and I-I couldn't do anything!"
Kaoru stroked his hair. "Shh. It's over now. It's okay. Everything will be fine. I promise."
Kaoru began to sing a lullaby softly as she rocked him. "Saita saita o tulip no hanaga narada narada. Aka shiro kiiro. Dono nanamitemo kireidana."
The boy was limp in her arms, asleep. She continued rocking him, feeling comfortable and protective. Kenshin had come out of his room to check on Yahiko. He smiled when he saw Kaoru cradling Yahiko. She kissed his head and laid him back down on his futon. She tucked the blanket tenderly around him and turned to the door. She blinked in surprise when she saw Kenshin leaning on the doorframe. She walked into the hallway.
"Is he okay?" Kenshin asked.
"Hai," Kaoru said. "He had a nightmare."
"You'd make a very good mother," Kenshin commented.
Kaoru blushed and said, "Do you really think so?"
"Hai."
She sighed. "I would love to be a mother. I would actually like a boy. Just like Yahiko." Her eyes misted over proudly. She blushed again when she saw Kenshin smiling at her. "Gomen ne. I know that sounds silly."
"Don't apologize," Kenshin said huskily, moving a little closer to her. "That would be wonderful."
Kaoru blushed again and said, "Well, Oyasumi nasai, Kenshin."
Kenshin reached out and touched Kaoru's cheek. She moved unconsciously closer to him. Kenshin pulled her into a hug and did something he had never done before. He kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Oyasumi nasai, Kaoru-dono."
He released her and disappeared into his room. Kaoru touched her hand to her forehead, where she still felt the pressure of his soft lips. She felt her face get hot and she hurried into her rooms, closing the door as quietly as she could. She smiled happily and fell back asleep, pleasant dreams awaiting her.
That's the end of chapter 14. I had fun with the Yahiko/Kaoru part. I do have a confession though. That "lullaby" is actually a song that kindergarteners learn in Japan. I tried to find the Japanese lyrics to the Japanese folk song, Sakura, Sakura. I looked everywhere but couldn't find them. I had to settle for this. I got it from the Prétear manga. It sounds like a lullaby and I thought that it was kawaii. Oh, well. Gomen ne that it's not a time period song, but it's all I had. So, how did you like the mother/son like part with Kaoru and Yahiko? I mean, he's twelve and he's not a tough boy all the time. He needs a soft side! It's amazing. I didn't think that this chapter would be done this fast. It's probably because I was typing it as I was finishing the chapter. Actually, from when Aoshi is talking to Misao about her connection to the end, isn't written in my notebook, which is where I usually write. I have to copy it when I print this chapter out! giggles I was on a roll, so why stop? Well, I'll see you in the next chapter. The last chapter!!! Don't worry though. I think I'm going to put in an epilogue and that'll be chapter 16!
Abane! Keito-chan!