Author's Note: Hiya again! Thanks for all the new reviews guys! As promised, here is the next chapter. If anyone reads these 'notes' then you know that I promised to post 2 chapters this weekend, and here is the second since I got 4 new reviews! Thanks a bunch you guys! I hope this story is living up to your expectations of it and keeps you entertained. I know I have a strange sense of humor; you need not tell me that! Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
As always, review replies are at the bottom!
Disclaimer: I Do NoT own Rurouni Kenshin. I am simply borrowing its characters and bending their will to my own! (It's kinda empowering though! I have control over something!)
SIDE NOTE: Yes yes, I know. . .you're holding more reviews hostage until I posted again! LOL. Serves me right I guess. I promised to post twice last week, but that sibling of mine and the countless killer headaches b/c of the weather prevented it. I am really sorry about that! But here's chapter five for you all!
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By: LadySword04
March 11, 2004
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Previously On: Breaking That 'Sessha' Habit of His:
"I can't wait until dinner!" Kaoru said to Megumi while rubbing her palms together in a devious manner that showed she had a few tricks up the folds of her kimono. The others then walked back into the house to sit and talk while Kenshin finished up.
Kaoru went to help Kenshin as he finished up, using the Sessha line while asking if he needed anything. He responded that he needed the table to be set, which she set off to do.
When she finished, she asked if he needed anything else, while again using Sessha.
This time, her response was a small shake of the head indicating his response of a "no," though she noticed he was clenching his jaw.
'Kami-sama, they're driving me mad! Ah well, at least Dr. Genzai and his granddaughters aren't talking or acting strange. Thank Kami for that! But still, I hate being the odd man out. *screams ARGH mentally*'
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Chapter 5: Dinner, Plans, And CrAzY GuEsTs (Part One)
"Alright, so it's all set. Everyone here knows what they have to do at dinner right?" Asked Kaoru to make sure she didn't have to repeat herself. Surprisingly, she didn't; Sano and Yahiko had actually been paying attention throughout the duration of her speech.
"Yeah Jou-chan. Everyone knows what to do. Just leave everything to us. We'll get the job done. Don't you worry!" Sano said while giving a thumbs up sign and donning that doofy grin of his in an attempt to be convincing.
"Ok, so everything is set. Let's do this!" Kaoru exclaimed. She then gave Ayame and Suzume a wink before herding the two inside and then heading in herself to go sit at the table.
Everyone had settled in by now, and they began to serve themselves or ask for whatever else they wanted that was out of their reach.
Sano and Yahiko challenged each other in an eating competition to see who could down their meal the fastest, and pretty soon the sound of faces being stuffed and chopsticks clanging against the sides of the china could be heard as the two tried to finish before the other.
Megumi and Kaoru for once were chatting about everything from the weather to surprisingly both how Megumi's work and studies were going, and how Kaoru's swordsmanship skills were coming. Both occasionally included Kenshin in their conversation, but never once fought with each other over him. Megumi, believe it or not, was able to resist the temptation to flirt with Kenshin and occupied herself with scolding the two bottomless pits.
"You two, honestly!?! Didn't your mothers ever teach you table manners? I'm telling you, one of these days you're going to choke! You really should learn how to enjoy how food tastes instead of wolfing (think Saitou. . .random joke) it down like you do. To tell you the truth, it's down-right disgusting sitting here listening to you scarf everything you can get your hands on. I'm surprised with all the noise you make we can both keep eating our meals without getting sick, and hold a normal conversation without yelling. I swear, you could practically wake the dead with the noise you make!" She ended in a huff.
Both boys had heard her raise her voice, and stopped eating after hearing how angry she sounded. They stared at her with open jaws and wide eyes as both dropped their chopsticks.
Recovering, Sano said, "Jeez Megumi. You're worse than Kaoru when you step on your soapbox! I swear. How do women do that? You didn't breathe at all while you were talking to us!"
"Well, we're just talented that's all, unlike some people I know!" Megumi laughed while holding up that characteristic fox paw of hers in front of her mouth.
Looking at Kaoru, Sano decided that any further comment out of him was going to land him in a world of hurt, so the fight ended right then and there. Megumi then glanced at Kaoru after following the path of Sano's eyes and fell silent as well.
Kaoru then perked up and with a smile she set her chopsticks down. She then winked at Megumi after the lady-doctor failed to pick up on her 'cue.' Megumi then looked over at Dr. Genzai and gave him a slight nod; the designated signal for him to say his lines whenever he and his granddaughters were done with their meals.
Luckily, Kenshin was deep in thought and failed to notice the obvious signals they were giving each other.
'Alright. They are each calling themselves 'sessha,' I know they are pulling something. I just wonder what is going to come next. Are they going to start adding my 'de gozaru' to everything soon as well? I really need to know what they plan to do. Maybe I can get Sano to tell me. He has a mouth on him if I ever heard one and it's practically impossible for the man to keep a secret. That might work. I will have to ask him later then.' Kenshin thought.
Noticing that Ayame and Suzume were full, and being full himself, Dr Genzai spoke his lines.
Standing up he said, "Thank-you for the wonderful meal everyone! We really enjoyed it!" Then acting frantic he asked in a frenzy, "Wait, Kaoru, can you tell Sessha what time it is? He has to meet with a patient at 7:00 tonight downtown, and it is important that Sessha is not late!" Dr. Genzai put on a pleading and worried looking face to be convincing.
"Yeah, Sess. . . Ses-sha can't be late!" Suzume cooed while once stumbling over how to pronounce the word.
"Oh, then you had better hurry! You only have a few minutes to get there!" Kaoru stated.
'Kami. Just when I thought I was safe! Even Suzume of all people on Kami's earth is saying that darned word! This is really getting out of hand.' Kenshin said to himself mentally.
With a bow, Dr. Genzai swept up his two granddaughters and left in a hurry.
Kenshin had finally had enough of this little plan and wanted to say something to everyone there. 'I know I said I would ask Sano, but now that even Suzume is in on it I have to ask!'
"Alright minna, I know that I may sometimes [pretend to] be dense about certain things, but not dense enough not to know that you are up to something, and I want to know now what that is, that I do." He said seriously while drawing his lips into a thin line and glaring at them in an attempt to intimidate them into saying something.
Everyone just sat and stared at him during the rare show of emotion before they all turned and looked at each other with dumbfounded looks. Kaoru then decided that the floor was very interesting and the others noticed and followed suit. No one dared to speak.
Kenshin could tell they were hiding something as they all were fidgeting under his gaze. But, being the polite person that he was, he did not press the issue further.
"Fine." He huffed. "I'm going to go clean the dishes now, then go to bed. If you need me, you know where to find me. Excuse me, and good night to you all." With that, he let out a small barely audible sigh, and turned to leave.
No one hindered his escape, and later all at once, they sheepishly brought their dishes in for him to wash. The group then retreated to the table and sat quietly dealing with the guilty feelings they each were having in their own special way. All hung their heads for a short time and were silent. Their guilt had an iron grip on them that held them all hostage for quite a time.
Kaoru, not being able to stand the silence any longer piped up. "You guys, that didn't go as well as planned. Let's give him a break until the others arrive, what do you think? I don't know about you all but I am dying to tell him. But I know that if we end now, he will never stop it with the phrase. Tomorrow let's just act as if nothing happened, and from now until everyone else arrives, lay off the 'sessha' okay?" She whispered in a crestfallen manner.
Her response was a simple "Alright" from everyone else in the room.
"I am going to go to bed now; you know who are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. We have a long day ahead of us, and I suggest you all get a good night's sleep as well. Well then goodnight to you all and pleasant dreams you guys!" Kaoru added hoping to lighten the mood.
"Goodnight." Came everyone at almost the same time.
With that, Kaoru softly tip-toed her way to the kitchen to see if Kenshin was still there; he wasn't.
'Wow. I guess we were sitting there longer than we thought. Kenshin finished the dishes. He must be around here somewhere.' She thought as she continued her "search" for Kenshin.
Temptation overwhelmed her as she lightly tapped on his shoji and called his name. "Kenshin, are you in there?" When she got no response, she tried again. This time she heard a small but sharp intake of breath as he woke from his light slumber. He simply said "Hai, Nani?" in a forced but still polite voice, trying not to upset anyone.
Gathering her courage, Kaoru continued, "I just wanted to say goodnight to you, that's all. Well, I'm going to bed now. See you in the morning." Her smile was reflected in her voice as she spoke.
"Goodnight to you Kaoru-dono." He said politely to her.
The others went to bed as quietly as they could. Kaoru and Megumi shared a room, and Sano and Yahiko shared another.
Fortunately for all of them, sleep came easily and without any terrible dreams to awaken them. No intruders showed up either. That night was definitely peaceful, the only sound being that of the night and its creatures. The crescent moon gave some of its light to each of the rooms as if guarding each person from the terrible dreams that might try to invade their minds and steal their precious hours of sleep.
~*~*~*~* Meanwhile in another location in Japan The Previous Day *~*~*~*~*
"Hey GRAMPS!! WE just got a Letter from Kaoru! Come look!" Screamed an energetic Misao.
"Hmph." Was all Aoshi was willing to say while he sat and watched her with his arms crossed and a slight smirk on his face.
"Well young lady, what does it say?" asked Okina.
She read:
(The Letter)
Dear Misao,
I am writing to you to ask for your assistance. I need you to bring Aoshi along with yourself to the dojo. It is important for you to get here as soon as possible. We are all planning to get Kenshin to stop referring to himself as 'sessha' by calling ourselves it too. We need you to come and participate. I doubt that he will stop if we are the only ones to do it. With Aoshi using that term, we definitely will get him to stop! We need all the help we can get! By the time that this letter reaches you, we will have already begun with our plot. Please come, our operation depends on your visit, and I know we can count on you. Oh and one more thing. Could you please act like you just wanted to stop by for a visit and nothing else? That way Kenshin won't suspect anything until later. When you come, I will fill you in on the details. Can't wait to see you!
Signed, Kaoru.
(End Letter)
"Whoo-hooo! We're going to Tokyo!" Misao screamed as she jumped up and down. Okina sat there as she read, and agreed to let the both of them off for a while anyway. They did after all need a break from all the work, and it would be a nice change of pace for Aoshi. The change in scenery would certainly be good for him.
Misao's eyes conveyed her deepest desire. Okina answered her with, "Alright you! You can go. Aoshi, you too. She needs someone to look after her while she travels, and the others have things to do. I want you to go with Misao."
"Fine." Was the only response Okina got from Mr. Ice Cube sitting in his corner.
With that, Misao went to pack and buy train tickets for the trip. Aoshi went back to meditating for a few hours, and then went to pack as well. When she came back with the tickets, she grabbed her stuff and practically dragged poor Aoshi out of the door. With that, they began the trek to the train station, and the journey that would lead them to the Kamiya dojo.
******** The Next Morning In Tokyo ********
Kenshin woke up and began his daily routine of greeting the coming dawn by silently watching the sunrise before getting breakfast ready for everyone. The morning went well, everything was back to normal, including breakfast.
Kaoru and Yahiko were fighting as usual, Sano was stuffing his face, and Megumi was in the corner trying to eat while tuning out the noise that always made her stomach turn. Kenshin was just silently observing the group eat, feeling relieved that they were acting normally, that is as 'normal' as they got anyway.
The rest of the day was spent with some degree of normalcy. Kaoru and Yahiko had practiced for a few hours together, Sano just loafed around, and Megumi had returned to the clinic in the center of town for her shift. Kenshin just went about doing his daily chores after washing the breakfast dishes.
When he heard Kaoru speaking in that specific tone of hers, he knew that practice was almost over, and went to heat a bath for her.
As he prepared, he couldn't help but think, 'I wonder what's going on? Yesterday, they were all acting strange, and today it's as if nothing ever happened? Are they trying to get me to believe that their little act has ended, only to resume it later, or could it be that I was merely hearing things yesterday? I wonder about that, that I do. I do however hope that this whole charade ends soon, that I do.'
It was with a big smile that Kaoru thanked Kenshin for heating her bath for her before she headed in to soak and relax in the warm water.
While in there, she couldn't keep her mind off of what was to happen that evening, and what possibly could happen.
'This is GREAT! Misao and Aoshi are due here by dinner tonight, and even that creepy police officer has agreed to help out! I can't wait to fill Misao and Aoshi in on this, and see Kenshin's reaction to their arrival and cooperation! I wonder what Saitou will say though, whenever he's around both he and Kenshin are on edge. I just pray to Kami that nothing will start between the two. If it does, I guess I will have to stop it myself, though I pray that I will not have to. However, if we can get Aoshi to cooperate on this, Kenshin will be cured for sure! Heck that guy only talks in monosyllables; if he manages to speak in a sentence it would be a miracle and probably snap Kenshin right out of it!'
That's when Kenshin's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Kaoru-dono, I am going to start making lunch now, that I am if it is alright with you. Enjoy the rest of your bath."
"Thanks Kenshin, I will!"
With that he turned and left for the kitchen. Smelling food cooking from practically a mile away, Sano and Yahiko came running from their location down by the river off of the road with the sakura trees. The two had gone down after Yahiko's practice or lesson to relax and talk about their 'plan.' But after ten minutes of planning that turned into nothing but arguing, the two had landed themselves in the river. Both went back home to change out of their now sopping wet clothes.
"Hey Kenshin, when's lunch going to be ready?" asked a curious Yahiko as he stepped into the kitchen while he was still knotting the strings of his hakama. Obviously he wanted to be there before Sano, and tying the knot would only hold him up longer, even seconds counted here; Heaven forbid he be there after Sano!
Yahiko liked to be there as soon as a meal was prepared; apparently one of Sano's characteristics was rubbing off on him.
It was another fifteen minutes before lunch was ready, and surprisingly Yahiko offered to help by setting the table. Hey, they were, in their opinions at least, mean to him yesterday and by helping out they hoped they could offer their own silent apology.
Kaoru got out of the furo, and went to her room to get fully dressed. She found the new kimono that Megumi bought for her after the lady-doctor had saved some of her 'extra' earnings from a few of her patient's payments. The outfit was a navy blue with a white obi. The pattern was one of butterflies embroidered in a diagonal line from the hem on the right to her hip at her left side, as well as adorning the sleeves. The thread was iridescent, giving each butterfly its own beautiful array of colors along with a life of its own as she moved.
Deciding on doing something different with her somewhat wet hair, she put half of it up in a ribbon, and let the rest of it lay on her back. The part on her back was dry now, so leaving it on her back wouldn't soak her kimono. (funny how the underside of your hair dries first when it's wet)
"Kaoru-dono, lunch is ready, that it is!" Kenshin called from the kitchen, all the while keeping an eye on the two freeloaders. (Someone had to make sure the two boys didn't eat everything before Kaoru got there!)
Deciding that he had better serve both her and himself before it was all gone, Kenshin did just that while he waited for her.
Looking at herself in the mirror, and happy with her look, she walked confidently out of her room to take her seat at the table. Upon arriving, the usual scene greeted her; Yahiko and Sano were stuffing their faces, Kenshin was sitting down quietly eating, and when she sat down, he handed her the bowl of miso soup and another of rice that he had been saving for her.
She eagerly took her meal from him while smiling and adding a thank-you as well before she got settled and began to eat quietly as well.
Just as everyone was finishing, and as if on cue, Guess who came waltzing through the dojo gates as if he owned the place.
With the skills he acquired as the leader of the third squad of the shinsengumi (spelling?), he picked up on their ki, and headed for the dining area to say his lines.
Kenshin, upon sensing and then hearing the wolf enter tensed up slightly before going out to 'welcome' him in. It was more out of common courtesy that he went out to greet the wolf, his arch enemy.
"Saitou, what are you doing here?" Kenshin ground out through his teeth. After that question, the Kenshin Gumi was behind Kenshin, scowling at the poor officer as if he were some form of demon out to kill everyone, or an uninvited and unwelcome guest who interrupted something important.
"I am just here because that Kitsune asked me to come." Curling his upper lip he glanced at Kaoru to let her know that he was not going to give the 'plan' away before he continued.
"She simply said that there had been a disturbance in the clinic with one of her patients. He was rather violent according to her, and I was here to ensure that everyone here was safe. She asked me to come. If not, I wouldn't be here now. Oh, and by the way, (barely an audible whisper) sessha (back to normal) I have something to say to you."
"Oh yeah, like what?" mouthed Yahiko while sneering.
Curling his lips the way a wolf would to bare its teeth and reveal its 'wolfish grin,' he curtly replied, Sessha HATES YOU!" while glaring at Kenshin. (A BIG THANKS TO LUNA who asked me to put that line in. *smiles*)
At this, the rurouni looked confused before tensing up in anticipation of a fight with the officer.
Nodding at Kaoru and the others, he swiftly said a good-bye before turning on his heels to exit.
"What was all that about?" asked Sano in a confused tone to try and convince Kenshin that they knew nothing at all about their strange visitor and his even weirder words.
"I don't know, but I really don't like it." Kenshin growled.
'Either I am going crazy, or this whole town has gone insane.' He thought with a frown on his face. 'What other crazy plans do my friends have in store for me?'
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Author's End Rant: Hey again! Sorry about the not updating thing. I will try, but no promises though, to get out another sometime in the next five days, though I have 6 projects due next week so I am NOT updating again this weekend. Darn teachers! I will try by Thursday to have Part 2 of this chapter done though. Geez, this one was 9 pages!
Until Next Chapter, See ya' and Please Review! I need some ideas for Misao and Aoshi in the next chapter! Thanks you guys are the best!
New Fic Alert: I just wanted to let you know that I have started another story called, Hiko's Sake Drinking Obsession Solved! Just thought I would let you all know! Be prepared to laugh on this one!
Personal Replies:
Invader Zim: Yepper, another chapter to make you grin! Happy to know you still love my little story! I definitely will keep it up. I am not one to start something and not finish! LOL. Hope to see you next chapter too!
Leah Durose: Well Hi Luna! Thanks for the Saitou line, and for not being lazy by signing in and reviewing! *smiles* Wow! That's a compliment if I ever heard one! Thanks so much! That really made me smile! *big bear hug!* Yes, Saitou, beautiful wonderful and perfect Saitou made a guest appearance this chapter. Good guess. You bet those two are going to be in the next chapter! I hope this story is living up to your expectations of it! Hope to see you next chapter, and that you enjoyed this one as well.
YukiAngel28: Thanks for the correction in how to spell the Akabeko, I wasn't sure if it was an 'a' or an 'e' thanks again for clearing that one up! Glad to know that you are enjoying my fic.! It makes me happy to hear that!
Hitokiri Elf slayer of evil: *smiles* That makes me feel great to hear that my story is going on someone's favorites list! Thanks. Good jobs on your RK fics by the way as well. I really liked them!
Kawaii-Baka14: You love my story? *gets warm fuzzy feeling* Thanks a bunch! Hope to see you next chapter too!
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Thanks for putting up with me guys and my endless rants! Please review if you haven't already, I need ideas! Til next time, see ya'!