Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin and its Characters
A/N: Another chapter is up! Yay!!! And that's thank to all of you that have read and Reviewed this story! Ahem, Ahem. As usual I would like to give all the credit to my friend/editor (I'm aware that you like to be called editor! So hope you're happy with that!) Howard. Who even though he was going for a trip to Turkey in the morning managed to edit this chapter for me the night before he leaves So I thank you for that. Another dinner at you fav. Outlet would do I hope!! To Mayme: My little sister. You're really on my nerve lately but I still love you! And lastly the biggest thanks to all my Reviewer! Leave some more comments alright! You guys are the best!!! Right for now on with the story and let's take a little look at the story format shall we...
Story Format: -THOUGHS- & "SPEECH"
Couple Crisis
Chapter 12Kenshin and Sano sat together on the table in the middle of an empty room.
"Soo..how's things going with..." Sanosuke trailed off jerking his head in the direction in which the girls stood huddling together packing stuff into a box.
Kenshin acted as if he hadn't heard that but a patch of pink hues had appeared onto his cheek.
"You're coming to help Miss Kaoru pack aren't you." He said changing the subject.
"Yea..ofcourse. But that's not until next month. And gosh, Don't change the subject. So..?" the younger guy nudged lightly at his friend's elbow.
Kenshin acted nonchalant, "I didn't change any subject. I asked you if you're coming to help Miss Kaoru pack her stuff up, and that's it."
"Yea..but what's that got to do with my ques—oohh!" Sano said glimmering his eyes. "You sly thing!"
The redhead shrugged back at his friend. "But Kenshin, I'll make something clear to you. If you dare hurt Kaoru. I won't hesitate to fight you!"
His friend scoffed back. "Keep that Sano, you know won't stand a chance if you really fight me. But I will never be able to.." he gazed at the bright eyed girl, giggling at the other side of the room.
Shaking his head Sano eyed his friend contently. "You've got it bad, this time huh?"
"Bad, you say? It's nothing near bad. It's fabulous." He replied turning swiftly to meet his best friend's brown eyes.
"Oi! You two. Are you just gonna sit there doing nothing all day? We need to get these boxes down to the car!" Misao growled angrily at the two friends who were clearly not making any effort at helping.
Sano slipped off the table and stalked over to the young girl and stuck his tongue out playfully at her.
"So weasel girl. Give me the box-"Before he could finish that sentence two heavy boxes was pushed hardly at him by the young girl. "Not that heavy." He muttered loud enough to make himself heard to the entire population of the room. "Want some more?" Misao asked putting a hand on her hip.
"Um no thanks, this is enough." Sano quickly answered. He pushed out of the door and disappeared down the hallway.
Kenshin grinned. He had enjoyed being around this group of people for some unknown reasons. Maybe it was the fact that Kaoru was a member of this group or maybe it was the bickering of Sano and Misao that kept things jolly. Or maybe it was for God knows what reasons. All in all he loved to be around them all. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see Kaoru struggling with a very large box. Kenshin rushed in to help the petite girl. "Let me help you Miss Kaoru." He said tugging at the box. But the young girl yanked it back stubbornly. "It's ok. I could handle it. You go and help Misao and Megumi." She said as she walks on. But before she could even make it out the door, she tripped on yet another box that laid forgotten in the hallway. "Miss Kaoru!" Kenshin gasped and with his lightning speed he had her in his arms just before she landed face down onto the wooden floor. Unfortunately he wasn't quick enough to rescue the box she was holding, so the content of it went flying out landing on the floor.
Kenshin hold onto Kaoru as if for dear life. He could feel the young girl's heart beating wildly in her chest. Kaoru also seemed to be as stunned. One moment she was sure she was going to land face down onto the hard floor but the next moment she was being rescued by Kenshin. –Woh he was fast!-
She blushed involuntarily as she stare into his mesmerising eyes letting herself drown into its endless depths. Time seemed to stop for the two of them for neither wanted to get out of the position they were currently in.
Until..."Ahem! Ahem! Er would you two mind? You're kinda blocking everyone's way." Misao and Megumi giggled at the couple. Both Kaoru and Kenshin blinked before jumping away from each other, looking in different direction. Both unaware that they're blushing furiously.
Megumi kicked the box out of her way and scooped the tumble out stuff back into the box and carried it out of the apartment.
Sano came bustling back into the room brushing his hands on his trouser. "That's the last box. Looks like it's done."
Kaoru took that moment to dash out the door. Sano turned and cocked up an eyebrow at the girl's weird action. "What's up with her..." he asked his friend as he walked closer. Gently he place his and onto the redhead's shoulder. "Thanks for the help."
Kenshin smiled back. "It's no big problem. Just a little packing up. No worries."
"Noo! I meant the getting me an apartment in your building." He sighed exasperatedly.
"Ohh! That! It's nothing." Kenshin said shrugging back. "What about that table?" He asked gesturing to the large dinner table that was left in the middle of the room. "I'm not taking it. Too heavy!"
The younger man answered lightly.
"Let's go. I want to get all my stuff into my new home before dinner time."
Kenshin could only shake his head at that comment and muttered under his breath. "Food is everything, huh?"
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Soujirou stared down at the piece of paper in his hand. Heaving a sigh he placed it gently down onto his worktable and sat back. A knock was heard at his office's door causing him to straighten up abit. "Come in." He said loud enough for the person on the other side of the door.
The door wing open to reveal Tomoe in her full working gear. She flashes a light smile at the manager before stepping into the office.
Soujirou stood up and smile warmly back. "Ah! Yukishiro san. You're early." He said gesturing to a seat infront of his table.
Tomoe glided gracefully across the floor and sank primly onto the awaiting chair.
"I hope there will be a good new..." she said looking straight into the manager's eyes.
Soujirou sat back down onto this own chair and grin at the pretty lady before him. "I guess..." he said gingerly tapping the piece of paper on his table. Gently he handed it over to his guest.
Tomoe took it and graze briefly through it. When she had finished there was a very large smile on her pretty face. "I-I don't know know to thank you enough." She said flusterly.
Soujirou could only grin back. "It's nothing, I was just doing as I was told. It's Kenshin's decision, not mine."
Tomoe's smile widened. "Yes. He's a real saint." She whispered nodding to herself.
The young manager laughed amusingly at the comment. "But he's more on the devil side, most of the time." He replied wickedly.
The lady laughed mirthly. "Well..but he's definitely a saint for now."
"Whatever you say.." Soujirou rubbed his hands together and let himself take in the feature of the lady infront of him for the first time that day. – Very Pretty.- "Very different." He muttered still looking at her.
The young business woman looked up."Excuse me?"
"Please excuse my saying so, but you're very different from your brother."
A dawning expression flashed through Tomoe's face. "Oh..If Enishi did anything to made you uncomfortable..I must apologize.."
Soujirou held up a hand and grin goodnaturedly back. "It's okay..You don't have to."
"Thank you." She whispered back and stood up. "I think I should go..I'm taking up a lot of your time as it is. And thank you once again."
"You're welcome." He answered nodding lightly. "Oh and I'll tell Kenshin about the filming schedule."
Tomoe smiled again."Thank you so much." With that she glided out of the office leaving Soujirou to sit in the silence of the room smiling contently to himself.
"Really different." He concluded lightly to himself and stood up from his chair. He made his way to the window and stare out at the bustling street below. "Traffic's horrible as usual." He sighed darkly and shrugged. "Hope he's home." Slowly he trodded out of his office and headed down to the parking space for his car.
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The traffic was indeed very heavy. It took Soujirou almost an hour just to reach Kenshin's apartment.
Briskly he strode into the elevator and punch in the redhead's floor number. He tapped his foot impatiently. As soon as the elevator's door slid open he practically flounced out of it and with afew long stride came to stop at the apartment's door. Reaching into his side pocket, the manager withdrew a spare key of the apartment and unlock the door.
Soujirou threw the door open and stepped into the foyer only to see a raven-haired girl with sparkling blue eyes stopping still in her track staring bewilderedly at him.
He too gaped shockingly at her. For a second neither of them move. Soujirou was the first to get out of the trance-like state and he did what came first to his mind."Er..does Himura Kenshin lives here?"
He almost want to bang his head to the wall at the absurdity of his question.
The girl looked suspiciously at him. "And who are you?" She asked back her beautiful eyes narrowing at the intruder.
Before Soujirou could even answer he could hear Kenshin's voice drifting to him.
"Miss Kaoru why are you standing there----oh..." Kenshin had walked out to join the young girl and had spotted the manager. And from the look on his face he was not very pleased to find Soujirou standing there.
"What-are-you-doing-here?!!" He asked advancing on his manager.
"To see if you're okay with your work and to give you this." He said pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket, all the while his eyes never leave the strange girl.
"What's that?" Kenshin asked shortly taking it from Soujirou.
"Filming schedule."
The idol skimmed through the paper and stuffed it into his pocket, still eyeing his manager.
"There's other stuff as well isn't it. You won't drive across the city just to give me a schedule."
Soujirou fervently shook his head. "No..Just that..and since I haven't seen you at the office yesterday..I thought it would be good to pay you a visit.. And who's that?" He asked his voice dropping as he shifts his gaze to the mysterious young girl who still stood there.
Kenshin walked back to the girl's side and said. "Miss Kaoru..meet my manager. Seta Soujirou."
The suspicious glint in her eyes vanished at Kenshin's word. She smiled warmly in return. "Hi..I'm Kamiya Kaoru...Sorry I didn't know you're his manager..Thought you're some crazy stalker." She said looking sheepish.
Soujirou's eyes widened but then he grinned at her honesty. "Very nice to meet you, Miss Kaoru.
Kenshin talk awfully a lot about you." He said reaching out to shake her hand.
Kaoru looked flustered at that and smile brightly.
"We're having dinner soon. Stay if you want." Kenshin state bluntly and walk off. "And close that door." He called over his shoulder.
Soujirou meekly closed the door and grin lightly at Kaoru who grin back. "Dinner's almost ready."
She said walking with the manager into the living room.
"You must be a very good cook, Miss Kaoru." Soujirou said seriously.
Kaoru could only shook her head and sigh. "No..my cooking is...disastrous." She said looking heavenward.
"Oh?" Soujirou couldn't help but look surprise. "So..who's..?"
Kaoru smiled back. "Kenshin is." She said nodding.
"He cooks?" The manager gasp unable to believe his ear but was confirmed by a confident nod from the girl beside him.
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Enishi lounge leisurely on the day bed in his living room. He studied the girl in the picture for what seemed like the tenth time. He let himself smile at the plan that was brewing up in his mind. A loud bang of the front door took him out of his reveries.
"Enishi! Enishi!" he heard his sister's voice floating to him. Quickly he stuffed the picture he had been looking at under the cushion and sat up straight waiting for his sister.
Tomoe flew through the door and Enishi could actually she her smile. Not a faint one like he had seen for some time now, but a very bright one that lit up his heart whenever he saw it. He couldn't help but smile back. Instantly he knew something is making his sister very happy.
"Guess what happened, Enishi?!" Tomoe exclaimed excitedly as she flounced towards her brother.
He smiled lightly back looking excitedly as well. "What is it that made you so happy."
He watched as his sister practically dances across the floor. "You won't believe this." She said all the while grinning.
Enishi raised an eyebrow. Now he was really curious what could happen to make his sister all that happy. She flopped down next to him and took his hand into her's. "We're safe. Our company is safe." She said as she looked deep into his eyes. But to her surprise instead of the joy she expected to see in his eyes, she saw something else. Curiosity, anxiousness and..something she couldn't quite explain.
"How? He asked curiously his eyes narrowing. Tomoe continued to smile. "Well I went to see Seta san today and he said that...Kenshin decided to help us. Isn't it wonderful? And he won't take any money from us either. Oh Enishi...I'm so happy. I couldn't believe how nice he is..." Tomoe stopped abruptly at the expression on her brother's face. "Aren't you happy, Enishi?"
He heaved a sigh and tried to look as happy as he could in order to make her feel good.
"Ofcourse I am." He said slowly and he forced a large smile onto his face. That made Tomoe brightened up. "Great! Oh now I can finally sleep well at night. After sooo long!" She said and jumped up from the day bed and made for the door.
Enisihi sat thinking for a brief second before he made his decision. "Tomoe.."
She spun swiftly around still smiling. "Hmm.."
"I was wondering if Himura has any girlfriend." He asked smoothly.
His sister blinked before walking back to him. "Oh yes...I meant to tell you about her but I keep forgetting. Yes Kenshin has a girlfriend."
"What's her name?" he asked looking interested.
Tomoe eyed her brother curiously. But Enishi was quick enough to add. "Just to make sure your name is nicer."
Tomoe rolled her eyes at her cheesy brother before chuckling. "Her name's Kaoru...she's really nice you know. Like an angel. Sweet, kind and loving. Oh you should meet her sometimes. Alright, I think I'll go have some nap now." With that she placed a kiss on his forehead and walked off.
Enishi waited until he was sure that his sister was not around the area anymore before pulling the picture of a girl out from under the cushion. He smirked at the portrait and muttered. "I'm sure I'll meet her really soon." He laid down once again his eyes stare fixedly at the blue eyed girl in the picture.."Kamiya Kaoru.."
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The night had fallen on the city and the breeze was quite strong. But the man standing infront of a closed front door had no intention to moved from where he was. He paced up and down the front step. Once in awhile he would glance up at the sky, hoping that it wouldn't rain. He knocked on the door for what seemed like the twentieth time that day and stood back to wait. The elderly butler answered the door and sighed despairingly at the sight of the young man. "Saggara san. It's about to rain. Why don't you come back tomorrow?"
Sano returned another sigh. "It's okay. I'll stay until she'll let me talk to her."
The butler stared back in alarm. "But it's about to rain, sir."
Sano smiled sadly back at the elderly man. "I don't care about the rain...thanks anyway.."
With that he sat down on the front step and stare off into the darkened street.
The butler eyed the young man before him sympathetically and shook his head. "I'm terribly sorry, sir. There's really nothing I can do to help.."
Sano turned and smiled back. "Don't worry. It's not your fault that I'm here."
Sighing the butler closed the door quietly leaving the young man to sit alone on the front step.
Sano sighed once more."This is worst than I thought." A second later he felt tiny droplets of water started to descend onto his head. He turned to look up at the sky and frowned. "What could be worse than this?" he asked himself quietly.
The rain was pouring heavily outside. Megumi walked down from her bedroom slowly. She hadn't sleep well in days. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. As she walked pass the living room she was surprised to see the maids and the family's butler peering interestingly outside the window.
"What are you all staring at?" She asked curiously as she approached them. The maids and the butler jumped at her voice and turned to look at her nervously. "Er..Miss Megumi..."
Megumi's mother took that moment to walk in, "Ahh there you are I was wondering where you all had gone." At the sight of her daughter, Mikuni smiled lightly. "Honey..I'm hungry let's go for dinner." She then turns to one of the maid. "Set the table, will you."
One of the maids rushed off to the kitchen.
Mikuni ushered her daughter away with her. But then something caught her attention. Everyone in the house seemed to be huddled by that window looking at something. Turning swiftly back at the group that was still huddling around, she asked loudly making everyone jumped. "What is it that's so interesting?" She let go of her daughter's arm and joined the group wanting to know what they were looking at. The group parted nervously for her. Mikuni squinted outside to the pouring rain. For afew second she couldn't see anything.."I don't see what is soo..." But then she had to gasp.
"S-sanosuke...Oh my God." She screeched unable to believe her eyes.
Megumi stopped in her track at her mother's screech. Did she just hear Sano's name? Quickly she ran to join her mother at the window. She too had to gasp at what she saw. Sano sat unmoving in the pouring rain. "What is all this Megumi?!" Her mother asked harshly her eyes bulging.
"I-Oooh That idiot rooster head." With that Megumi rushed out of the room leaving her mother with the butler. Having no other choice Mikuni advanced on the elderly man. "Tell me exactly is this about, Genta." The butler look fearfully at his mistress and told her everything he knew.
Megumi ran up the stair to her room and grabbing a towel from her closet she flew back down the stair. –That Rooster head. Why is he so stupid? What if he died getting a fever? What if a lightning struck him..what if.. .and what if..- She thought angrily, half at herself and half at her boyfriend.
Sano came that afternoon to apologize for neglecting her at Kenshin's last week. Eventhough she had helped him pack his stuff and moved it to his new apartment but she hadn't talked to him at all. She had completely ignored him. Still half angry with him she had refused to let him enter the house to talk to her that afternoon. She thought he had left right after her rejection. So the idea that he had sat on the front step all afternoon and then in the middle of the rain had never once entered her mind. Megumi ran to the door and threw it open. And sure enough Sano turned around his whole body sopping wet. Yet he smiled at the sight of her. Quickly she threw the towel onto his shivering form. "About time to Foxy Lady." He said quietly through clattering teeth. But he managed to shot her one of his cocky grin. Megumi dragged him into the warmth of the house. Mikuni rushed forward to meet the two youngsters in the foyer. "Sanosuke..are you alright?" She asked urgently concern sparkled in her eyes. "I'm fine, Mrs. Takani." He answered.
But Mikuni turned swiftly to her daughter and said harshly. "That's very mean of you Megumi. I never thought you'd do that. And to Sanosuke of all people."
"I didn't know..mom!" Megumi quickly shot back.
"Genta...tell the maids to prepare something hot. A soup or anything." Turning back to the soaking guy she carries on. "And you better have a hot bath. I'll be very surprise if you didn't catch a cold after what you've done, young man."Genta..Please lead the way. And don't forget the soup." Mikuni commanded.
The butler led the Sano up the stair and disappeared from sight. Mikuni turned to eye her daughter dangerously and shook her head in utter disapprovement.
Megumi let her gaze follow her boyfriend worriedly. She had to admit it would be entirely her fault if he catches a fever. When she spun around she met her mother's accusing gaze. Not wanting a verbal battle right now she quickly said. "I'll take care of the soup." and rushed off into the kitchen.
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Kenshin laughed into his cellphone. From what he heard Sano had finally made it into Megumi's house. Although Sano seemed to be in quite a risky state of catching a fever. "Great! Well..Goodluck to you then. Oh yea..Miss Kaoru's here with me. I think she just walked off get something in the kitchen." Kenshin smiled as he heard his friend's story. "Alright..bye!"
Kenshin chuckle amusedly and threw himself down onto the sofa at the same time that Kaoru sauntered back into the room. He grinned up at her. "Sano's with Megumi."
Kaoru clapped her hand together and gazed heavenward. "Finally!" she said in relieve.
"How did he get in. I thought he said Megumi wouldn't let him in for days now." Kaoru asked sitting down on an armchair opposite the redheaded idol.
"He sat infront of her house until five minutes ago." He said airily.
That caused Kaoru's eyes to widen. "He sat in the middle of this storm?" she gasps turning to look out at the storm that was hurling outside the window. "He's one mad person." She sighed shaking her head.
Kenshin just smile. Trust Sano to come up with the most lurid idea, but he always knew his own limit, or does he?
"Miss Kaoru, I think you should---"BRI---INGGG! BR-IIINGG! BR-I-IING! The phone cutted him short abruptly.
Kaoru snatched up the receiver."Hello?"
Kenshin watched as her smile turned into a nervous expression. Then to his surprise, Kaoru took the receiver away from her ear and stare at it as if it was a dangerous item.
"Miss Kaoru?" He asked eyeing her curiously.
Kaoru held the receiver to Kenshin and said in a nervous tone. "It's for you."
Kenshin stared at her weird expression but took the receiver from the young girl.
He pressed the receiver to his ear, "Hello?" he said and then instantly he had to hold the receiver away from himself at a safe arm's length. He stared at the receiver his eyes bulging and color draining from his face. –No! This cannot be happening!- He thought as he continued to stare at the receiver as if it was a bomb that might blast any minute.
Now it's kaoru's turn to look nervously at him. "Kenshin...???"
A/N: Alright! That's it for Chapter 12. Wondering who's at the other end of the line??? Well just for fun.. you guys can make a guess who it is! See you all in the next chapter then! Oh and please Review! Don't forget, the more Reviews the faster the new chapter will be up!! Goodluck to you all!!
..Mystique
