DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN RURUONI KENSHIN AND SUCH. ONLY THIS FIC…
OHAYO! GOMEN NASAI! I'M REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SORRY THAT IT TOOK SO LONG FOR ME TO UPDATE THIS FANFIC. THERE WAS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE! BUT NOW I'M OFFICIALLY FREE FROM FREAKING SCHOOLWORK AND SUCH! YIPEE! AND SO, WITH NO FURTHER ADO, I GIVE YOU…
WILL IT HURT TO LOVE AGAIN by Sutefani-chan
CHAPTER 11
WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?
She stared at her hands. Fragile. Exhausted from training Yahiko, she slouched back against the cold, dojo wall.
"(Sighs) I'm so tired!" she moaned. This was quite a therapy, she thought. It did make her feel better, however tiring it was. It was a day's worth. Humph, a day's worth.
She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. Peace, relaxation…at last. She began to dream of a perfect afternoon in a peaceful sidewalk under a promenade, all by herself, relaxed as the chirping of the birds cooed her. She walked and walked carefree, never minding how endless the road seemed to be. She continued to walk, her feet taking her to a certain place, following the endless road. She was searching for something. Someone. She knew deep inside that someone was waiting for her at the end of the road. End of the road? Believing in her heart that she would find the end of this road, she quickened her pace.
She knew; she had the feeling that someone was waiting for her. She was so eager to know who it was, to meet him/her, face to face. She continued walking straight ahead. She thought this would go on forever, but her faith kept her strong. She continued to walk and walk and walk…
Her heart beat faster. There, ahead of her, she saw a figure standing behind…the Kamiya dojo. The dojo? Then this road…it leads to our house after all!
This excited her more. Because of this, she ran, anxious to meet the figure waiting for her outside her home…welcoming her…
She stopped. Could this be…? She couldn't believe it. She thought it was some guy she had in mind but it wasn't. The figure smiled sweetly at her. "Welcome home," he said. It was…her father…
Otousan!
"AAARGH!"
Kaoru suddenly came back to reality when someone yelled.
Alarmed, she decided to check whom it was. She peeked through the dojo door and saw a usual scene: Yahiko was chasing Sanosuke, grasping his bokken in his arms, trying to hit Sano as the former gangster laughed his heart out.
"I'll get you for this, rooster-head!" Yahiko yelled.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, sighed and was relieved. She tried to remember that dream…what does it mean? It was quite odd, but it seemed so real.
She stared sadly at her hands.
Otousan…"Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru looked up as she heard a voice sweetly called her name. Her face brightened up.
"Oh, Kenshin. I didn't notice you enter."
"Err, gomen, I have light feet, I think. May I?" he asked as he motioned if he could sit beside her.
"Oh, sure. No problem."
"Arigato." Kenshin smiled and sat beside Kaoru.
There was silence between the two, then…
"May I ask you something, Kaoru-dono?"
"Sure."
"You see, err, Yahiko told us a while ago that he heard some shouting when you were meeting, um, a man? I forgot his name…"
"Koshikawa Taka."
"Yes, that's it. Um, Kaoru-dono, I was just wondering if you were alright because, he heard you shouting, and I was sure something must have been wring and he was worried he might do something to you and I swear I'll kill him if he does –," he stopped when he realized he was overreacting. "Gomen," then he blushed.
"It's alright, Kenshin. I-I didn't m-mean t-to w-worry you that m-much…" she muttered and buried her face in her hands.
Then, she felt a hand squeezed her shoulder.
"It's alright, Kaoru-dono."
She released her face, staring down.
"Kenshin, can you still remember what I told you when we first met?" she said, still looking down at her hands.
Kenshin paused for a moment then replied. "Of course, Kaoru-dono."
"Remember when I told you why I was so pissed off when you first saw me?"
"How could I not forget," he smiled teasingly at her. Kaoru smiled back.
"Kenshin, the man who went here a while ago, Koshikawa Taka, was the man who almost achieved in crushing my faith. He was my fiancé."
Kenshin was a bit surprised. But it was such a long time. He wondered why he had suddenly showed at their doorstep and come back.
"Yes, Kenshin," she continued, "It's him. He was the one I was pathetically crying over when we first met. Sigh, I thought he would forever be out of my life but I was wrong. Humph, I know. You must think what a drag it is to listen to some foolish girl's story. I-I don't want to ruin your day just because of me."
Kenshin shook his head. "Try me."
Upon hearing this, Kaoru smiled.
"Okay."
She heaved a sigh and told him that Taka wanted them to go back to the way they were before, as lovers.
Kenshin stiffened a bit. Wait, he can't be. He must be kidding. Kaoru-dono's all over him and he already left her. And besides, what will become of me? Wait. Where did that come from?
But most importantly, what did she say to him?
He tried to look cool and composed amidst all the worries. Obviously, where did that come from?
"Um, Kaoru-dono? Are…a-are you w-willing to…um, you know, well…get back with him?" he lowered his voice.
She let out yet another sigh, "No, Kenshin. The past is the past. I won't go wasting my life moping around, carrying yet another burden. I may be a little shallow, but I will never forgive him fro all the wrings he did to me and to my family. Never. Ever."
Kenshin sighed in relief and smiled. It means I still have a chance. Oro! Why am I acting like this? I should be at least, comforting her in her time of sorrow.
"Kaoru-dono, d-do you still love him?"
Kaoru silenced for a moment. Should I tell him? No, I don't love Taka anymore, yet…somehow I still did, but not anymore.
"Kenshin, what would you do if someone who had hurt you so suddenly tells you that she still loved you when suddenly you already fell for someone else now and yet you're not sure whether that someone likes you back? Who will you choose?"
"Well, for me, I would rather choose the one I fell for now. Though it may mean losing her forever, it's a greater loss when you don't give your heart a chance to tell her how you really feel about her. Someone once told me, if you really love a person, tell her. Show to her how much she means to you, even if it means losing her forever. It's now or never." He smiled at her.
Kaoru blushed. Could this be true? Are you giving me a sign, father? Should I tell him so? Straight from his own mouth, he gave me the answers to my questions, but…
"Kenshin, there is something I need to tell you," Kaoru said seriously. Kenshin looked at her.
"You see…K-Kenshin…w-well…"
But she quickly turned her gaze away from him. I can't do this, she thought.
"Are you alright, Kaoru-dono?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Arigato, Kenshin."
But Kenshin was a bit worried. He sensed Kaoru's sadness and thought of cheering her up.
Think. Think, Kenshin, think. What must I do…? Then something hit him. Of course! But will she? I mean, if she doesn't mind.
But I guess it wouldn't hurt to as to ask her so, would it?"Um, Kaoru-dono?"
"Hai, Kenshin?"
"Well, um…do you have any plans this evening?"
Kaoru was a bit surprised. Are you…?
"Well, no, Kenshin. I-I don't have any…well, plans."
Kenshin was blushing hard.
"Well, um, maybe, well…"
There was not turning back.
Their eyes met each other's gazes. I didn't know Kaoru-dono has such beautiful eyes, he thought as he stared into her blue orbs.
C'mon, snap back to reality, baka! You still have to ask her! Seriously, you're wasting precious time."Oro?"
"Hai, Kenshin?"
"Err, you see, well, maybe I could, err, take you to the festival tonight?"
Kaoru's face brightened up. Seriously? For a while, she thought this was a dream. She pinched her arm hard secretly to see if she was awake.
"Ouch!"
"Daijoubu deska, Kaoru-dono?"
"Oh, daijoubu des. Arigato," then she smiled.
This was a dream come true for Kaoru: Kenshin asking her out on Tanabata day, taking her to the festival, just the two of them.
She was speechless.
Patiently, he waited for her answer.
"Well, uh…um, you see…" she was having a hard time saying the right words.
"Oh, I see…" Kenshin lowered his head and stood up.
Iie! He must have taken it wrong! Alarmed Kaoru.
Kenshin sadly (in secret) walked his way out of the dojo.
No! Don't go! Uh, err…say it! Bakeru!"Uh, err, K-Kenshin!"
Kenshin turned to see Kaoru.
"Um, you see, well…of course! I would love to go to the festival with you!"
Kenshin's heart secretly leapt for joy. Nobody can measure the happiness he was feeling now, Kenshin thought, and it was darn true.
"Great! This is really great – uh, I mean, arigato de gozaryo, Kaoru-dono," smiled Kenshin. Kaoru blushed.
"Tonight then? After sunset, let's say 7:00?" grinned Kenshin.
"Hai," she was still blushing.
Kenshin smiled sweetly at her and started to leave when Kaoru called out, "Um, Kenshin?"
"Nani, Kaoru-dono?"
"Arigato."
Kenshin was a bit confused.
"For what, Kaoru-dono?"
"For always being there when I'm down, comforting me in my darkest hours. You know, this is the third time around."
Kenshin laughed a bit, "I told you before, I'm an all-around guy. I wander so much that you could almost see me everywhere so I guess that's why I always manage to stumble across your doorstep whenever you're down, de gozaryo."
Kaoru smiled. You don't know how happy you make me, Kenshin. And if you ever did, you don't know how much. Arigato.
"Still moping around, Yahiko-chan?" smirked Sano as he passed by a grumpy Yahiko. Yahiko was sitting on the floor, glaring at Sanosuke.
"First of all, says who, rooster-head? Second, DON'T CALL ME A 'CHAN'!"
Sano smirked, "Says me, Yoshi-boy."
Yahiko glared harder at him.
Boy, how I love to torture you! Sano grinned to himself with a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction in his self.
"Oh, of course! It's Tanabata today, Yahiko. You know, somebody's waiting to hear from you! What was her name again? Tsu…Tsubame?" grinned Sano at him.
"It'snoneofyourbusiness," mumbled Yahiko, blushing madly.
Sano threw a victorious look at him, "Aha! I knew it! I knew it! You like her, don't you, Yahiko-boy! I knew it! Wait 'til I tell everyone!"
Sano expected Yahiko to react but much to his surprise, he just sat there.
"Go on! Do what you want for all I care!" muttered Yahiko without looking at him in the eye.
Sano felt a little shame and sat beside Yahiko.
"You alright?"
"Yeah. Whatever."
"C'mon, buddy. You can tell me anything and everything under the sun."
Yahiko grinned mischievously at him.
"Really? Well, for starters, I think you're an obnoxious, rooster-headed baka! You don't have any brains to boot, you act and look stupid and being as stupid as a pig, you never take a bath."
Sano glared at him.
"I don't mean an insult, Yahiko-chan," he said through gritted teeth. Yahiko just snickered. But the grin quickly faded away. Sano quickly noticed it.
"Uh, does it have something to do with Tsubame?"
Yahiko sadly nodded without looking at him.
"Shoot."
"I just want to ask her out, you know. I just don't know if she likes me too."
Man, are you that desperate! Marveled Sano.
"Ask her!"
"I told you already! What if she doesn't like me? I might have looked like a freak."
"But you'll never know until you ask her. You haven't actually tried. And to think that you're the number one student of this dojo? Wow! Man, did it take you a lot of guts to challenge me than on asking her out! Seriously."
Wha –? Did Sano actually say something smart? Shocked Yahiko.
Sano smirked. Oh yeah!
"I know something that you don't know that I assure will cheer you up." Sano grinned.
Yahiko threw him a questioning yet interesting look.
"Hehehe, I knew you would listen."
"Just get on with it," muttered Yahiko.
"Alright, brace yourself."
…
"Kenshin had just asked Jou-chan out."
"WHOA! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"
"I'm not deaf so you don't have to shout at my ear! You heard me. He's taking her to the festival tonight."
Yahiko couldn't believe what he was hearing, then, "Matte. How would I tell if you're fooling me or if you're saying the truth?"
"Bakeru! Of course I'm saying the truth! I heard and saw them. I was passing by the dojo when I heard Kenshin mumbling if he could take her to the festival tonight. He was blushing hard." Sano chuckled.
"Ha! Why would Kenshin want to take busu out? Hehehe, he must have done something wrong."
"I don't think so, Yahiko-boy. That's not like Kenshin."
"I guess so…"
Sano threw him a mischievous look, "Wanna sneak on them?"
"Are you serious?"
"Does this face look like I'm bluffing?" he said as he foolishly tried to look serious.
Yahiko laughed, "Ha! You're on!"
Just then, Kenshin came out and approached them, "Having a nice time, guys?"
Sano and Yahiko turned to look at him, grinning widely. Kenshin was a bit bewildered.
"Uh, are you two alright?"
Both of them nodded, still grinning.
"Okay. Uh, Sano, I'll go town to buy something. I'll be back by 6:00 or so. Make sure everything's fine while I'm gone, onegai?"
Sano nodded, still not taking the grin off.
"All right…sayonara," waved Kenshin confusingly and trotted off.
Just as Kenshin was out if sight, the two burst out laughing, not aware of the danger that lies ahead of them, and of the couple.
(Somewhere, the evil trio sneezed twice)
A/N: OHAYO! SO HOW DID YOU LIKE THE CHAPPIE SO FAR? LET ME KNOW BY CLICKING THAT BUTTON THERE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR SCREEN AND GIVING IT A GO. WEHEHEHE…
I'M SORRY IF IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE THIS STORY…GOMEN NASAI…(puppy dog eyes)
Guys, please review.
I promise I won't bite…because I really don't.
Sutefani-chan
p.s. a big thanks to those who read and reviewed this fanfic. arigato! ;p