Author's Note: Kinda short I know. This is where it really takes on a life of its own. I hope you all like it.
Chapter 7
Later that afternoon
Kenshin looks through Kaoru's DVD collection while she makes tea. He says, "You have a lot of cartoons, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru yells from the kitchen, "Those aren't cartoons, they're anime. You should know, they're from Japan."
Kenshin explains, "I didn't have a television in Japan."
Kaoru mutters to herself, "That explains a lot."
Kenshin asks, "Did you say something, Kaoru-dono?"
Kaoru answers, "I said, let's take our tea out back."
They walk outside, into a perfectly maintained Japanese garden.
Kaoru explains, "My father had it made for my mother when she came from Japan to ease her homesickness.
Kenshin comments, "It's beautiful."
Kaoru sighs and says, "I'd like to tend it myself, like my mother did, but I lack the talent. The gardener who created it comes by to make sure I haven't messed it up."
Kenshin observes, "You feel closer to them here, don't you?"
Kaoru considers him a moment then says, "Yes, I do now. I never appreciated this place when I was younger. I suppose it's my turn to tell you a story."
They sit on a bench by the koi pond as she starts her story.
Kaoru relates, "My father taught kendo in Japan and when he found out there was a market for it in the states he moved here and opened a dojo. A couple years later, he went back to Japan, married my mother and brought her back with him. That's when he had this garden made. Father said it was her favorite place, that she could forget she was in America and make herself believe she was home.
A few years later, I came along but the delivery took most of mother's strength. Her health was never good afterwards. After she died, Father would take me to the dojo and I would train with him before his students arrived. He taught me his family's style, the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, created by his grandfather. He would also tell me stories about my mother so I would remember her.
When I was about 15, I decided I didn't like being Japanese. All my friends were American and I wanted to be like them. I refused to speak or respond to Japanese, I stopped practicing and I refused to come out here. I couldn't understand why father insisted we keep this garden. Mother was dead and I couldn't have my friends over because we didn't have a pool or a barbeque. I knew I hurt my father but I wanted things my way and I didn't care who I hurt to get it.
I met Misao junior year when she transferred to my high school. She was from Kyoto, spoke fluent Japanese and had studied the onmitsu arts. She used to make me come to her house, stuff me with riceballs, and make me watch anime marathons. Because of her I began to appreciate my heritage."
Her story is interrupted by the doorbell.
Kaoru glad for the interruption, jumps up, "Let me get that."
She opens the door to find a petite young woman with a long braid and a handsome, severe looking man on her doorstep.
Kaoru says, "Hey Misao."
Misaoanswers, "I came to see if you wrecked my car yet. Oh and this is Aoshi Shinomori, the new VP. Aoshi-sama, this is Kaoru Kamiya."
Aoshi bows and says quietly, "Kamiya-san."
Kaoru returns the gesture and invites them in, "Welcome Shinomori-san. Please come in."
Misao explains, "I was showing Aoshi-sama around and thought I'd bring him here. You're not busy are ya?"
Kaoru offers, "Not really. Kenshin and I finished in here and are having some tea out back. Would you like some?"
Misao accepts, "Sure. How 'bout you Aoshi-sama?"
Aoshi responds, looking at his surroundings, "Tea would be fine."
Kaoru says, "Misao, why don't you show Shinomori-san the garden while I make the tea?"
Kaoru walked into the garden with a tray of tea and Kenshin's riceballs. She had obviously come in mid-way through one of Misao's stories. Kenshin's eyes were bugging out, his mouth agape as she chattered on obliviously. As Kaoru got closer, she could hear the end of the story.
Misao chatters excitedly, "…so the game ends and Kaoru trips coming down the bleachers. She slides the rest of the way down on her stomach. The whole auditorium just lost it."
Kenshin asks, "I hope you were not hurt, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru answers, "Just my pride. Hey, how's you know I was here?"
Kenshin stands and takes the tray from her. He jokes, "I sensed your ki."
Kaoru's eyes widen a bit. She asks, "Really?"
Kenshin grins at his joke and admits, "No, I heard you stop when you came within hearing distance."
Kaoru laughs a little, "Oh. Maybe that's because Misao only enjoys telling embarrassing stories about me."
Misao sips her tea. She answers, "That's not true."
Kaoru stands with her hands on her hips and challenges her friend, "Then tell the one about me saving you from that gang cuz you wouldn't stop mouthing off."
Misao defends herself, "I could've taken them."
Kaoru mutters, disbelievingly, "Um-hum. Sure."
Aoshi, having finished his tea, suddenly rises from his position by the pond. He says to Misao, "I wish to go."
Misao drops everything to cater to Aoshi, "Sure Aoshi-sama. I'll go start the car."
Giving Kaoru a quick hug goodbye, she skips out the door.
Aoshi turns to Kaoru and Kenshin as he's leaving, "Arigato, Kamiya-san, Himura-san."
Kaoru waves to Misao as they pull onto the street and drive away.
To Be Continued…
