Disclaimer: I don't own RK.
Aiya! I'm so sorry for the late update...I'm moping around because my copy of 'Claudine' got wrecked...I'm also writing a book...more like a teen book...the main character is based on the person typing right now. I dunno...my bez' said it was funny (I meant for it to be a drama...but what the heck!)and well...whatever... Just read on and enjoy! We're halfway towards the end and just a small step away to revelations!
In the morning she appeared to have had a good night's sleep although Kenshin knew she did not, he let her go on with this game of pretend. Going about with his usual goofy smile plastered on his face to hide away the concern. However, he still felt that he had to cheer her up in some way. He tried making the best breakfast he could ever conjure but only Yahiko and Sano noticed his effort.
Kaoru only stared listlessly at nowhere, absent-mindedly chewing on her food. "What is the matter, Miss Kaoru? Is the food not good? If you want, this unworthy one can prepare a different meal for you" he asked. She quickly flinched back to reality and smiled at him.
"I'm sorry. I'm just out of myself this morning. But, yes, it does taste good." she nodded and looked at the food and smiled to see how gorgeous it looked. But it didn't help her appetite one bit. She just wanted to lay down and rest all day.
"Listen, missy, if you don't want your food, I'll gladly eat it for you." Sano told in her in probably his most concerned tone.
Much to everyone's surprise, she gave her bowl to Sano. The ex-gangster just stared disbelievingly as he took the bowl of rice from her. But he shrugged it off and decided to devour Kaoru's breakfast.
"Sano, Miss Kaoru must eat. She would need her energy for the rest of the day!" Kenshin wanted to grab the bowl from the man. He prepared that breakfast to cheer her up and she didn't even want it.
"No, Kenshin. I'm really not hungry." She said standing up. "Thanks anyway..."
"See, Kenshin? The missy's probably trying to lose some pounds. She's been gaining weight like crazy lately."
Even that tease didn't earn any attention.
"I won't be teaching today so maybe I'll just stay around the house the whole day." she said with her back turned. Her mind seemed to be set somewhere else. After saying that, she just walked away.
"What's up with ugly?"
"Hey, Kenshin! Did you and the missy got into a fight or something?" Kenshin shook head, no. He thought that maybe she wasn't feeling well after her little rain escapade.
"Maybe it's that time of the month!" both of the boys snickered. But, Kenshin knew it wasn't because of all the reasons they said. He casted one final concerned glance at where Kaoreu had went and looked down at the meal he had prepared and a soft sigh came out of his lips. 'How can I help you, Ms. Kaoru?'
That day, Kaoru neither trained Yahiko nor went out of her room. None of them heard a single noise coming from her room indicating movement. They just jumped to concluding that maybe she was just resting. Yahiko himself was wondering what could've happened to his teacher.
"I'm so bored it even makes me want to train with ugly!"
"Maybe you could help around the Akabeko, Yahiko. They might need you today, they seemed busy this season." With no other alternative, the little boy went to town to do what he said.
Kenshin stood in front of Kaoru's door and he knocked. "Miss Kaoru, I'm going to the market now. Is there anything you want me to buy?"
The door slid open and she emerged looking so haggard. "Nothing Kenshin, except maybe something for my cold..." Kenshin knew why. One hadn flew to her forehead to check her temperature. Her blue pools almost immediately widened at the sudden contact and Kenshin sighed again. She had a slight fever...
"Have you been out in the rain?" No answer. Well, it was worth a try. Looking back at her sad figure, he just wanted to comfort her. But she wouldn't open up to him and breath out to him her troubles. He just sighed and said that he'll pass by Dr. Gensai's clinic before coming back. She slid the door shut again.
Outside, he met the man who gave him the tulips again. He was merely standing along the pathway to the dojo. This time, he was able to study his features. He had dark hair that was tied on the base of his neck. His eyes were dark too and had a hint of gaiety in them. He was taller than Kenshin by a few inches and he had that constant look of serenity that almost seemed ethereal.
Upon passing him by, the man asked him if Kaoru was happy to see the flowers. "Yes, she was." the rurouni smiled his usual smile. But the stranger was able to see through his litte facade.
"What's the matter? Is she still sad?" Kenshin could only nod. He didn't know why but he felt like the man understood him. "It's all this bad weather, I guess." He said looking up at the sky which was now perfectly sky blue and sunny. Funny how the weather and their emotions contradict each other. How the outside is so cheerful and how sad the people is despite the fact that it was a wonderful day.
"It did rain last night." Kenshin replied and the other man seemed to have sighed in a sad way like Kaoru did. "Everything seems so sad when it rains, don't you agree?"
"Yes..."
"It upsets people sometimes. It brings back sad memories. Maybe that's why your lady was sad?" Kenshin couldn't find a reply. "After the rain, the flowers bloom in their finest. Maybe she needs a breath of fresh air. It's especially windy in the meadows during the afternoons."
"Are you suggesting that I take her there?"
"I didn't say anything. You're the one who came up with that idea."
Kenshin was so pleased with himself with that idea that he didn't notice the man saying goodbye. When he looked again, the man was gone. There was a cold breeze. "I hope it doesn't rain again later."
I know, I know, it is short... and I even made you guys wait this long... I really wanted to update both stories at the same time but I'm having ending jitters with WAVES... Don't you get that feeling that you're afraid to finish something?
I also fixed my indention problems. See? The paragraphs are all indented now, See?
About the book I'm writing...this doesn't make sense...It's not like it's gonna get published or anything. I don't even know how to describe it...ummmm... Imagine Darth Vader walking alongside Barbie, Kim Possible and Christina Aguilera... That's how it is!
REVIEWS!
Angel of lonelyness - thanks for reviewing!
meant2be - yeah...all the other chapters are written and I'm so glad that I haven't published all of them yet because I changed something in the end to make it better...
Nixy-chan - sorry about that sentence I guess I just wasn't checking enough...
day46 - yeah... he's kinda ooc here because I dunno he's put in a position that's Kaoru's been stuck in eversince they knew each and other and it's just that Kaoru's the one with problems now...
Aya45 - No prob at all with the man being good looking...he's actually based on a person I know...at least his looks are...
Kenshinlover2002 - It's someone dear to her... there! That's all I can say for now... she's opening up pretty soon... they're going to the meadows...
misenagi - Really! You're 16! That is so cool because I'm also sixteen buut I'm turning 17 on November and I'm entering college pretty soon... I could probably be seen walking to the station every day...
Chibi Binasu-chan - yes, I'll be as 'cool as a cucember' and keep on writing this fic! I'm halfway there!