Author's Notes: Again, LadySword04 here to welcome you back to this second fic. of hers! I am soo sorry about not being able to post again. Each of my projects took longer than expected and I have had no free time to speak of. My mom also had surgery Thursday, and I was sick on Wednesday. Kinda' an adventure. . .so glad THIS week is OVER! Lol. Okay, explanations aside, here is the next chapter!
Disclaimer: For legal purposes, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, or any characters I use in this story. I guess we will forever have to tolerate sharing.
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By LadySword04
March 19, 2004
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Previously on Breaking That 'Sessha' Habit of His:
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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Chapter 6: Dinner, Plans, and CrAzY GuEsTs (Part Two)
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Unbeknownst to Kenshin, his friends had quite a bit more 'fun' in store for him. Unfortunately, after dinner that night, the rest of the plan would unfold and make itself known to him.
Kenshin continued to watch Saitou's retreating form as it walked through the gates, and down the street. He needed to make sure that Saitou was really 'gone' for the time being before he let his guard down.
Kaoru burst out with, "I swear. The nerve of that guy! He waltzed through the gates as if MY dojo belonged to him. He then proceeded to insult a guest in MY House, and he left without letting us come up with a rebuttal to his rude comments and behavior. AND, to make matters worse, he left the dojo gates WIDE OPEN!" At this time, she was angry to say the very least.
"Kaoru-dono, please, calm down. It is not good to get upset after just finishing a meal. You will most certainly upset your stomach! I will go lock up the gates, don't you worry." Kenshin said quickly as he tried to calm her flaming temper down enough for everyone in the dojo to be 'safe' from her wrath that most certainly always left a wake of destruction all its own behind.
An angry Kaoru was a definitely a force to be reckoned with; it was better to get out of her way and leave her alone until she calmed down, unless of course you could use words to accomplish that goal. Kenshin was good at doing that; no matter how angry she was, he could usually at least take the edge of her anger away.
Yahiko hadn't developed that 'skill' as of yet, and wasn't smart enough to learn that provoking her only added to his pain. That was one difference between Yahiko and Sano; Sano had learned when to be quiet most of the time to avoid bodily harm. Yahiko on the other hand usually had to be shut up, and depending on how rude he was, he sometimes even had to be dragged or carried back to his room as he was knocked senseless. Some kids just never learn.
"All locked up Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin said with a somewhat cheerful tone.
"Thanks Kenshin." Kaoru plainly said before she went inside to join Yahiko and Sano at the table again to talk. Kenshin came in shortly after.
Collecting most of the lunch dishes, he went to the sink to place them there before going to get the rest of the china.
Much to his surprise, Sano was behind him as he turned around, and with an armful of dishes no less!
"Here ya' go Kenshin. Jou-chan asked that I carry these in for her." Sano added with a grin. Donning a devilish grin now that included the fishbone in his teeth, Sano bravely but jokingly spoke. "Hey Kenshin, have you gone to help The Missy with her Kata yet? She said something at the table just now about not being pleased with how something just doesn't feel right when she performs it. She's in the dojo now if you want to help her."
"Oh, no Sano, I haven't helped her with her Kata. I knew that I was forgetting something! Thanks for reminding me. Just let me finish these dishes, then I will go out to watch her and comment on what I think she needs to do to fix the problem, that I will." With that last statement, he turned back to the dishes and set to work.
It's amazing how when you have some incentive, the work you are doing seems to go by so much faster.
Before he knew it, Kenshin had finished the dishes. He then headed out to the dojo to offer Kaoru some pointers if she needed any.
Walking through the doors that lead into the dojo, he greeted her. "Hello Kaoru-dono. Sano said you were having some trouble with a particular kata, and asked that I come and observe. Is this true?"
"Hi Kenshin! Yes, what Sano told you is true. I was going through my father's lesson book a few days ago, and decided to try and complete my training so that I would no longer be the Assistant Master, but could earn the title of Master of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu. It was my father's dream to have me complete the training, but one of the first final ten moves just does not feel right. I have been practicing it in my free time, though the movement seems foreign. Most of the Kasshin style has fluid motions, but this one seems to be too choppy and almost out of place, and I always end up off balance. Here, maybe you could read this before I practice it, and then tell me what I am doing incorrectly." She sheepishly handed him the well worn journal of her father that was opened to the correct page.
"Hmm. This seems like quite a complicated move!" Closing his eyes, he began to visualize what the attack should look like before he was to watch Kaoru perform it.
Getting a clear picture in his 'mind's eye,' he spoke, "Alright Kaoru-dono. I think I have a good idea as to what this move is supposed to look like. Why don't you give it a try? If I see anything that seems 'out of place,' I will let you know."
"Thanks Kenshin! Well, here goes!" With that comment, she went through the motions that she had been practicing. The ending, though graceful, left her somewhat unbalanced as always.
"Do you see what I mean Kenshin? I always end up off balance!" Kaoru spat in disappointment at herself to him.
"I do see 'what you mean,' that I most certainly do. It appears to Sessha that you are breathing more in your chest that letting your stomach move. (Anyone who rides horses knows what I am talking about) That in and of itself can sometimes cause you to be off balance to begin with. Your footwork was excellent, as was your form, though I do think at the latter part of the movement that your bokken was not held at the right level. From what I can tell, you should finish with the bokken just below your waist instead of off to your side. Here, let me show you." He added with a grin.
Kaoru handed him the bokken, and watched as he got used to how it felt before proceeding. With that said and done, he went about performing the movement flawlessly. He then broke the attack into its major parts, where he slowed down his movements to let her see just what he was doing.
Grabbing another bokken off of the wall, Kaoru practiced along with him. After a few tries, Kaoru had mastered the move, much to her elation.
"Thank-you so much Kenshin!" She beamed before returning the bokkens to their respective holders on the wall.
"You're welcome Kaoru-dono." He added with a grin before turning around to see Sano and Yahiko smirking at him in the doorway.
"Soooo Kenshin, how did the training session with busu go?" asked Yahiko while giving the poor rurouni a jab with his elbow in Kenshin's side.
"You didn't have too much fun did you?" Inquired a curious Sano.
"I have no idea what you two are hinting at, and talking about Kaoru-dono in such a manner is disrespectful, that it is. I just went in there to help her with the particular move you asked me to help her with. Nothing more than that I assure you." He said seriously.
"Okay okay, no need to get hostile!" Sano remarked. "We were just teasing you that's all! I mean it is kinda' obvious that you like her, and her feelings are mutual for you, though why you can't admit it, or see it, is beyond me."
"Sano, this doesn't concern you, that it does not.. . .Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get to the market to buy the food for tonight's dinner." Kenshin ground out in a warning tone.
With that last statement, he left for the market leaving a frustrated Sano and Yahiko behind.
Hearing a knock on the gates, Sano went over to unlock them and greet whoever was on the other side. He was surprised to say the least when Misao yelled "HIMURA! KAMIYA! SESSHA'S HERE, AND SHE BROUGHT SESSHA'S BOYFRIEND WITH HER TOO!" (A BIG thanks to Hitokiri Elf slayer of evil for that line!)
Luckily, Kenshin wasn't around to hear that comment. I mean, it's a wonder that he didn't hear her in town as well as she was so LOUD!
Coming through the now open gates, she practically jumped on Sano while giving him that bear hug of hers that all of her friends knew all but to well. Yahiko was in the process of trying to make a quiet escape while Aoshi came through the gates just a moment later.
"Misao," Sano choked, "It is very good to see you too, but I seriously need to breathe!"
"Oh, Sorry Sano!" She said while letting him go quickly. "I guess I was just excited to see all you guys again!
With that, she went over to Yahiko, and exclaimed, "And you thought you were going to be left out didn't you? Well, you can't get away from me without at least saying hello!" With that, she grabbed Yahiko and proceeded to hug the life out him.
"Yeah, Misao, I'm glad to see you too! But if you want to see me again, you're gonna' have to let go before you kill me!" Yahiko squeaked out.
"Oh, sorry, I have to work on that now don't I?" She giggled. "Hey, where are Kaoru and Himura?"
"Right here Misao! Sorry, I was just cleaning up after practice. So good to see you both, and thank-you soo much for coming on such short notice!" With that last comment, Misao and Kaoru both gave and received bear hugs from one another. Aoshi just stood a distance away and rolled his eyes at Misao's interesting greeting.
"Oh, Misao, we all have to talk! Kenshin is at the market buying food for tonight's dinner. While he's out, all of us are going to fill you in the details. Let's go to the kitchen and talk alright?"
Misao and Kaoru then went onto the porch where they beckoned the three boys to come inside too. Once inside, they all sat down and began to pour over the details of the plan Kaoru had told them about.
Sano and Kaoru sat on one side of the table while Misao and Aoshi sat on the other. Aoshi would have been out doing other things had it not been for Misao's death grip on his neck that forced him to come inside and talk. There was no way she was letting him get away. Yahiko was keeping an eye out for Kenshin at the front gate.
"Ok, I know that I told you a bit about the plan already. All of us are referring to ourselves in the third person, and instead of using I or me, we use 'Sessha.' Like, I dunno, for example, Sano ask me a question!" Kaoru said in a hurry.
"Umm. . .okay. So Jou-chan, how did the practice session with Kenshin go this afternoon while you two were ALL ALONE?" Sano had quite a smug smirk on his face and even snickered.
At this, Kaoru fumed. "YOU TOTAL BAKA! What on Kami's earth is wrong with you?!? Gah! Ask me a REAL question. You have no business asking those sort of questions." She crossed her arms and gave him a death glare.
"Ok, alright! I'm sorry. You know me, couldn't resist. . .
"Well YOU had BETTER Find A Way to control your TONGUE or you might find that you no longer have one!" She huffed before he continued.
Sweat dropping and gasping he continued cautiously. "Anyways, isn't the Kasshin style one about protecting people?" that remark only added fuel to the fire. He sweat dropped while rubbing the back of his head. "Um. . .what is your favorite color Kaoru?"
"That's much better! Thank-you Sano for behaving! Let's see, Sessha's favorite would have to be blue. She also likes Green." Kaoru said while looking at Aoshi who was disgusted at the stupidity of the group.
He sat in his corner not saying a word; he didn't have to, his posture spoke volumes. He didn't want to be there or have ANY part of this stupid game the group was trying to play.
"So, Misao, Aoshi, do you understand what we are doing? I know that you do. Everyone here is going to continue to use it, but don't overdo it alright? A few times a night is fine. We certainly do not want to drive him insane, Kami knows he's almost there as we speak!" Kaoru said emphatically, and with enough excitement to even somewhat scare Misao.
"Alrighty then, that all said and done, Misao come with me! We have some serious planning to do! We'll see you boys at dinner. In the mean time, why don't you all come up with what you want to do at dinner. Afterwards, the Sakura Matsuri is in town tonight, and I think we should all go. Have fun, Kenshin will be back shortly. While you wait, do everyone a favor and try to get along, and Definitely don't hurt one another. If you do, you all will be in for a world of HURT! Got it Sano and Yahiko?"
Both gulped as they looked at each other. Both nodded their heads and agreed. Aoshi on the other hand merely said a "humf" while crossing his arms and while trying to think of worse things than spending the week with a bunch of lunatics. Oh yeah, this was definitely going to be a great vacation.
"Is there a shrine here?" Aoshi asked curtly in a monotone voice. You had to give the man credit; at least he was succinct.
"Uh, yeah there is. Let me show you the way there!" Yahiko piped up, though apparently intimidated by the more experienced fighter. Heck, anything that would keep him away from Yahiko and Sano was a good thing. I mean, the guy was creepy, and being around him was somewhat unsettling to say the very least. (A/N: But it's his mysterious nature that makes him so dreamy! *drools.* Misao: Back off LS, Aoshi's MINE!).
"Sano, stay here, we don't want you getting lost!" Yahiko teased.
"What was that you BRAT Yahiko-CHAN? You're dead meat kid, I know where you live! Heck, if it wasn't for your directionally challengedness, then we would never have problems finding our way from place to place. Sorry Aoshi, the kid has issues with directions and constantly gets us lost." Sano retorted.
"Well, maybe if you were smart enough not to listen to him, then you wouldn't get lost now would you?" Aoshi smirked at his victory; Sano had no reply to that.
"Yahiko, you're a DEAD pint sized wanna-be Samurai!" With that the two went at each other with a vengeance.
Little did they know, Kaoru and Misao were on the other side of the shoji and were listening in to the whole tiff between the boys.
Stealthily, the two walked on their toes silently. Avoiding all the boards that would squeak to disclose their location and presence, the girls snuck up on the two unsuspecting "juvenile problems" with such skill that even a shinobi would be proud. Heck, Aoshi didn't even notice them!
'I am getting good at this stealth thing!' Misao told herself with pride. 'Aoshi-sama didn't even notice my presence!'
Expertly, Kaoru raised both her bokkens to perform her "Double Bokken of Doom" attack on her helpless victims. Misao and Aoshi merely looked on as Kaoru pummeled each into the ground. If such a thing were possible, they were way past the swirly-eyed oroing stage that Kenshin usually found himself in after one of her attacks.
Needless to say, the two wouldn't be fighting one another until well after dinner. Aoshi was still wearing a smirk when Misao burst out laughing. Kaoru was fuming, and to her surprise, Aoshi let out something that sounded a lot like a small but stifled laugh! Misao face vaulted; she was at a loss for words. Her stoic ice cube actually Laughed!?! Maybe there was still a person sealed away beneath the icy exterior he always was, and maybe there was hope for him yet!
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Author's End Note: Hiya again! I know, short chapter, only seven pages, but the next one should be longer. I haven't had a lot of time lately as you all can tell, and that keeps me from writing too much. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This is the second of three parts to this chapter. Next time, the fun with Aoshi and Misao really gets started, and by the way. . .who was that second letter sent to anyway? Find out in the next chapter!
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Personal Replies:
Hitokiri Elf slayer of evil: hehehe. You really thought the last chapter was funny? Wow, that makes me happy! I really wasn't trying to be, but the fact that it turned out that way makes it even better! Thanks for the idea about Sessha's here and she brought Sessha's boyfriend too line. I didn't think of that one! Thanks for referring your readers to my work. That means the world to me! *big smile*
Invader Zim: I am excited to hear that you still love this fic! I honestly don't know if it is living up to everyone's expectations of it though. I wonder, does it seem to long and drawn out with not enough action? Oh well, I will have to work on that now won't I? LOL. See you next chapter! I will try to keep up the good work, I promise!
Leah Durose: Last chapter was cute? Awesome! That made my day! We do have an awfully sense of humor? Wow, glad someone understands my wacked out spastic stuff! Thanks for the compliment! No one has ever told me that! *big huge smile* I am also curious as to what Aoshi will say when he sees Kenshin! Kaoru is going to 'make' him cooperate, so that should be interesting. Misao is going to help too. Did you like how Aoshi actually commented in this chapter? Well, I hope to see you next chapter!
theWolf24: Honestly, I am asking myself the same question! Well, Kenshin is an extraordinary guy. I am glad to know that you like Saitou's lines. No worries about the computer thing. . .technology is great. . .but only when it works. Our old computer was like that. . .it's not your fault! No worries! Thanks a bunch! I will keep up the good work, and I hope that your internet stops acting up *shakes fist at evil internet service provider*
YukiAngel28: Thank-you so much! Hope the update was fast enough. If you thought this chapter was interesting, just wait 'til the next one when Aoshi, Misao, and another guest arrive!
Lily of the Shadow: Well, you definitely will read it next chapter, so I hope the seeing if not reading is believing thing convinces you! Hope you still like my random fic.! See you next chapter!
RoseoftheDesert: I'm ecstatic to know that you like my story! Well, now that I have all my reviewers referring to themselves as 'sessha' I really have no choice but to continue with this story until I can get you all broken of the habit too! Don't worry, even if none of you got this 'sessha' complex problem in the first place, I would continue. I never give up on something that I start; I may take a while, but I always finish! Hope to see you next chapter too!
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Please review! If you have any ideas for what you want Aoshi and Misao to do next chapter, let me know! I would LOVE to know what you have to say and want to read!
Until next chapter, Ja ne!