Kenji to the Rescue
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin does not belong to me… blah blah blah
Chapter 2: Tofu
After Kenji's first lesson in the way of the washings (which resulted in a wet Kenji and a disgruntled Kenshin covered with soap bubbles), Kenshin decided that it was time to make breakfast. He resolved to make miso soup, but there was no more tofu.
"It looks like I have to take a quick trip to the market. Do you want to come, Kenji?" Kenshin asked as he turned around to look at his little boy. Kenji yawned and curled himself to a little ball on the floor.
Kenshin smiled to himself and scooped Kenji up into his arms. He had forgotten that Kenji had been up at the same time as Kaoru. He decided to shop alone and leave Kenji sleeping. Kenshin opened the door to their bedroom and was surprised to see Kaoru had already got dressed in a kimono,
"What are you doing up?" he asked gently as he set Kenji onto the futon. The little boy sighed and moved closer to the pillow.
"I think it's time for me to wake up; it's getting really late," she replied while tying her hair with a ribbon.
"But you've only slept for an hour," Kenshin argued.
"That's okay, I… I don't feel-"she was interrupted by a huge yawn.
"-Tired." Kaoru finished lamely.
"See?" he smiled.
"But I just got dressed! I don't want to change back into my yukata," she protested.
"So? Sleep naked," her husband suggested.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru screeched as her face turned a deep red.
"What's there to be embarrassed about, koishi? It's not like we haven't seen each other naked before," he smirked.
"Mou…."
"If I help you change into your yukata, will you be willing to go back to sleep?"
"Fine, I suppose a little nap wouldn't hurt, but only if you help me change," Kaoru compromised.
"Gladly," Kenshin replied while untying the ribbon in her hair. A waterfall of silky black hair cascaded down her back. He ran his fingers through her hair for a moment, then untied her obi and gently slid her outer kimono off. He continued to remove her inner kimono, and then he reached for the yukata that was folded neatly beside the futon and clothed her. When Kenshin finished, he swept all of her hair to the side and kissed the back of her neck gently. Kaoru sighed in contentment and melted into his arms.
"Kenshin," she said softly.
"Hmm?" he mumbled as he kissed the top of her head.
"Why don't you take a nap with me? You've been up for as long as I have; you must be tired too," she offered.
"I'm fine; I don't need as much sleep as you do, besides, who would fix breakfast if both of us went to sleep?" he explained.
"Fine," she sighed as she turned around and headed for the futon. Kaoru was looking forward to snuggling with him and was disappointed, Kenshin could tell.
"Well, I've got a way to fix that," he thought to himself.
Kaoru did not take more than two steps when she was spun around. Her mind did not have time to register what happened before Kenshin's kiss melted her.
"Mmm," she purred. Kaoru felt Kenshin's lips quirk into a smile and she blushed.
"I love it when you do that," Kaoru informed him with a kiss on his cheek.
"I know," Kenshin grinned and settled her down on the futon.
"I'll be going now," he continued.
A furrow appeared between her eyebrows.
"Where?" she asked.
"To the market; we ran out of tofu."
"Oh, okay."
"Watch out for strangers when I'm gone," he warned.
Kaoru reached up and pulled his neck down in an embrace.
"You're such a worrywart," she scolded playfully.
Kenshin pulled away to stare into her eyes.
"Kaoru, you're my wife now, and being the wife of the Battousai is a dangerous occupation. If my enemies can't hurt me, they'll try to hurt you and Kenji just to see my life torn apart. I swear that I'll to the best I can to make sure nothing hurts you, but you have to protect Kenji and yourself; for your sake and my sake. " he spoke seriously.
Kaoru sat up and hugged him
"You've been having those dreams again, haven't you?" she whispered.
Kenshin nodded,
"Kenshin no baka," she scolded in endearment, "You don't have to worry about us, I can take care of Kenji, and I can most certainly take care of myself." She kissed his cheek and settled back down on the futon.
"Now go and get that tofu!" she barked at him.
He smiled and turned to leave. Just before he closed the door, Kaoru spoke.
"Leave the shoji open a little, Kenshin. I need some fresh air in here."
He left the door open, just enough so that a baby can crawl through.
Author's Notes: MAN, YOU GUYS DIDN'T REVIEW AT ALL! I GOT 19 HITS AND 0 REVIEWS! HOW SAD IS THAT! Is it because my writing sucks? Or is it just too short? Someone tell me, I'm kinda desperate here! Do you guys think that pace of the story is too slow? Nothing much happens in the first two chapters, I admit, but the real plot begins on Chapter 3, so stay tuned.
Can I have just 3 reviews?