Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not my property!
I'm sorry for the slow update, but here it is! I haven't given up on this story… and it's just starting to get good!
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Misted Love
Chapter Four
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"You have to be joking right?" Kaoru's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Even if you do this, how in the world is Kenshin supposed to know that I'm stuck here?"
Jineh's gleaming eyes flashed, "Oh, don't worry. You are going to send a note to him, letting him know that you're going on a little trip to your friend's house… and be sure to tell him to keep up his training in the meantime. This is my way of showing him a little mercy. He has until… how about Friday?"
At his last comment, she frowned, "No, Friday is a bad day. How about Thursday? You don't have to show him that much mercy. Besides," Kaoru glared at him. "Kenshin is a lot stronger than you think. He's going to come here and wipe the floor with your bruised bottom."
Suddenly, Jineh let out a blood-curling laugh. Getting up, he walked towards the chair Kaoru was tied to, and with every step he took in her direction she shrank back little by little. "You've got spunk, you know that? I like you," his face was too near her own and she spat on him.
Laughing again, he wiped her saliva off his face and gripped her chin tightly. "You're a pretty little thing too… too good to be wasted on that silly battousai."
She looked at him sharply, "You know about Kenshin then. Another one of those village-escapees coming to look for revenge? Well, he didn't do it!"
"You seem quite devoted to him," Jineh's face inched closer to hers. "I don't care whether the battousai did it or not… he knows how to fight, and I want to defeat him. Little girl, you don't know everything that he's done, do you? That boy is famous in the fighting world. He didn't just burn down a village, you know that right?"
Kaoru said nothing but simply looked on. Kenshin was famous? Sure, he was frighteningly good at kenjutsu but…
"I take it from your silence that he's never confided in you then," his words hit a painful string in her heart, but she ignored it and simply continued glaring at her captor. "You're wrong you know," her voice was defiant. "Kenshin tell me everything. I'm his best friend."
Another howl of laughter emitted from Jineh's mouth and Kaoru cringed at it's cruel tone. "Best friend? Everything? Do you really believe that? Tell me," Jineh took her hand, and though she tried to pull away, his grip was too strong. "Has he ever told you about his past? I feel badly for you… my precious flower." His fingers curled as they ran through her hair. "He doesn't love you, does he?"
"…………….."
"What would you say to coming by my side then, my little flower? I'd treat you better," Jineh's hand brushed her cheeks gently. "You could be mine, and I would tell you everything."
"Go to hell Jineh," Kaoru head-butted him. Ignoring the searing pain on her forehead, she spat at him a second time. "Even if he doesn't love me, being his best friend is a hell of a lot better than being y our woman."
"I'll just leave you be then," Jineh shrugged and undid her bonds. "You will be staying in this room. There is paper and pens on the table there. Finish your note within a half an hour. I'll be back… and remember, you'll be staying here until Friday."
Kaoru rubbed her wrists tiredly. Now that Jineh was gone there was no one to show her "tough Kaoru" side to any longer. She got up and went over to the desk. Her fingers guided the pen across the paper as she quietly began her letter. "Kenshin… will you remember?" her voice was bittersweet. "Probably not, right? You'd probably rather forget about that…"
As she wrote tears began spilling from the corners of her eyes. Slowly at first, then in a steady stream, and soon she was sobbing silently to herself, curled up in a ball.
"It isn't like Jou-chan to be late," Sano frowned. "Weren't we supposed to meet together to finish the last few preparations for the surprise party? She's not even home!"
"Quiet, chicken-boy. You don't want Ken-san to hear us, do you?" Megumi put her hands on her hips. "But you are right… it isn't like Kaoru-chan to be late."
"Kaoru-dono? Didn't she tell you? She's staying over with her friends for a few days."
The entire group jumped and slowly turned around. "H-How long have you been there?" Yahiko's teeth chattered. Kenshin's stealth rivaled that of Aoshi's and that was scary.
Kenshin smiled and patted the boy on the head, "I only just got here. Did Kaoru say that she'd meet with you today?" His voice was suddenly concerned. "Odd… she wouldn't leave without letting you guys know about her change of plans… she didn't tell me anything either, I only just found this note in her room last night."
"Oi Kenshin, let me see that," Sano took the note from Kenshin's hand and studied it carefully.
"Dear Kenshin,
There's been a small change in plans and I'm going to be visiting
her for a few days. I should be back by Friday though, so don't worry too much. Sorry for slipping out of the house on such short notice though. My friend can't
speak right now – she lost her voice and it actually seems to be quite serious and since
smart little me knows a good remedy for throat problems, I'll be
heading over to Osaka for a little bit. You won't be able to call me
since my friend doesn't actually own a telephone. Though you could write, but
I'm only going to be out for a few days. You know what, you shouldn't write at all. I'm
vvery sure that you'll be your usual self, all concerned about
me and whatnot, but I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. I've
bbeen plenty of places and I know my way around Osaka… I
went on a trip there once, remember? So don't worry about
me. I'm not going to contact you for the next few days. Okay? My overly protective knight. And be sure to keep the house clean. No parties while I'm gone. And no
scanning the world for me like you did that other time. Put a
can on it and just chill. Also, remember, if you make soup and accidentally
spill some on the floor to be sure and clean it up. Last time, when you
started making some clam chowder you spilled and remember what happened?
Such a mess! If I go home and find the house… you get the idea. Don't forget to
practice you're kenjutsu while I'm out. The district finals are coming up… and you
need to train, no matter how good you are. Tell Sano that if he has any
ideas for that then just go ahead and do it. Tell him sorry and he'll understand.
Love,
Kaoru"
"That's a weird letter," Sanosuke frowned.
Aoshi's eyes narrowed as he scanned the paper, "She spelled "been" and "very" with two b's and v's as well. It doesn't seem natural, even if she is in a hurry."
"You think so too, Aoshi-dono? I was getting a little worried… this letter does not seem like anything Kaoru-dono would write. Plus…" he trailed off and the others peered at him curiously.
"Plus what, Himura?" Misao prodded him with her finger.
He looked at them uneasily before sighing and holding the door open for them to go in, "She's been… how should I say this… depressed?"
They all (with the exception of Kenshin) shot each other knowing looks. "Do you guys know something about it?" Kenshin sounded almost hopeful, and the others felt guilty for not telling him straight out what was wrong with Kaoru.
"What happened? She's seemed chipper enough to me… on the outside at least," Yahiko said the last part quietly and to herself.
Sitting down on the sofa tiredly, Kenshin frowned and ran a hand through his long, red hair. "When I came home yesterday I found her collapsed on the ground crying."
"That's it! Himura! You better open your eyes right this instant or I'll-"
"Misao!"
"A… Aoshi-sama…" Misao turned towards the man she had always been in love with, surprised. "But… but Aoshi-sama…"
He gave her a stern look and she fell silent. Megumi glared at him but he ignored her, and instead sat next to Misao and rubbed her shoulders comfortingly. "Now's not the time," he whispered into her ears.
"Misao-dono? Aoshi-dono? Could you… please explain?" Kenshin looked at the two of them, confused. He looked to Megumi then to Yahiko and at last to Sanosuke. "Sano?" he pleaded. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Ah dang it Kenshin! Can't you tell? Don't give me that look Shinomori, I'm not in the mood," Sano growled.
Kenshin shook his head slowly, clueless to what was going on. Sanosuke slammed his fist on the table earning a "Stop destroying everything chicken head!" from Megumi. "Think about Kenshin. Why do you think Jou-chan acts the way she does around you? All blush-y and happy."
"Sessha does not understand where you are going with this Sano."
"Dang it! Kaoru loves you! She's head over heels for you! She's been like that for forever. Read my lips. Forever." Megumi promptly whacked him over the head with her fist.
"Damn it you crazy fox! What did you go do that for," he rubbed his head. "You're studying to be a doctor not a killer!"
Kenshin stood, causing all of them to fall silent. "I'm sorry to say that you're wrong this time, Sano." He turned around and they froze when they saw the yellow gleam in his eyes. "You're wrong. First of all, I am note worth Kaoru-dono's love and secondly," his voice had a deadly cold edge to it. "She would not do a thing like this. Kaoru-dono does not love me in the way that you think she does."
"Himura…" Misao started but instead of Aoshi stopping her, this time it was Kenshin who walked over and opened the door.
"I'm sure you all have things to do."
Quietly obeying his unspoken command, all of them shuffled out the door, amazed that Kenshin's polite demeanor had changed so quickly because of Kaoru.
"Kenshin…" Sano stopped at the doorway before leaving and turned around. "You know that Jou-chan loves you."
He didn't have time to say anything else because Kenshin had already slammed the door on him. Paying no attention to Sanosuke's cries of indignation, Kenshin went up to his room and dropped down on to his bed, head reeling.
"Kaoru-dono… loves… me? Masaka," he sighed and buried his face in the pillow. "That would be… horrible."
"No! I don't want to!"
"Sanosuke! Don't be such a baby! It was your fault in the first place for spilling the beans. Poor Kaoru-chan. Did you see Ken-san's reaction?" Megumi frowned.
"We all saw his reaction… and Himura hasn't been to school since stupid chicken boy made that stupid comment," Misao pouted. "But Kaoru-chan is coming back today, and we promised each other that we'd make this a success. Come on, we have to hurry and go decorate the house. Aoshi-sama has probably already led Himura away."
"Will you guys come help me with this?" Yahiko complained. He had been assigned the job of carrying the decorations to Kaoru's house and hadn't stopped whining since they left the school. "It's heavier than it looks… who's that?"
The group looked turned fast enough to see a shadowy figure jump out of a window in Kaoru's house.
"The hell?" Misao sprinted forward. "Stop! Thief! Theif… thief…?"
"What's wrong weasel girl? Why'd you stop?" Sanosuke and the others ran up to their destination, where Misao stood.
She looked at them, confused. "H-He…. He disappeared!"
"Don't be stupid," Megumi looked at the empty street and gaped. "How is this… possible?"
"Never mind that! Let's go in to see what was stolen! Kaoru isn't rich enough that she can afford to have things stolen," Yahiko unlocked the door with the spare key Kaoru had given him and dropped the bundle he was carrying down. The other quickly followed him inside and ran throughout the building, looking for things that were missing or had been moved.
"It… it doesn't look like he took anything," Megumi sighed in relief. "Though we'll have to ask Ken-san and Kaoru to make sure later."
"After the party. Come on! Let's make this house beautiful!" Misao giggled.
"Yosh! Let's get to work!"
"Thank you for the tea, Aoshi-dono. It was very good. You don't have to worry about me, really," Kenshin smiled as he turned and unlocked the door. "I'll start going to school again, I just had a bit of a cold, that's all."
Aoshi said nothing, but from the raising of his eyebrows Kenshin could tell that he didn't believe him. "Really Aoshi-dono you don't have to…"
"SURPRISE!" the Kenshin-gumi jumped out from their hiding places. "Happy Birthday!"
"… oro…?" Kenshin looked at the happy group of people blowing streamers and spraying silly string all over the room and then to Aoshi who was… had the world ended… smiling?
Megumi immediately latched onto his arm and dragged him inside, "Ken-san. Come on. Come taste this cake that I baked especially for you!"
"No! Presents! Presents first!" Misao yelled.
"No! Games first! Games first!"
"Let's eat dinner first. Man, my stomach has been growling for the past-"
"Himura-san, why don't we first celebrate your birthday with some tea?"
"Maa… maa, we'll do all of these things just… one at a time!"
"NO!" they all yelled in unison (with the exception of Aoshi, of course, but even he was looking a bit upset that his idea wasn't being carried out) "We're doing MY idea FIRST!"
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The doorbell rang just as they finished the umpteenth time of playing Monopoly and Kenshin rushed away from all the excitement to go answer it. "Thank you so much. My friends are suffocating… me…" Kenshin became silent as his violet eyes stared openly at his guest. "T-Tomoe…"
She blushed for a moment before holding out a small, white package, "Um… Happy Birthday, Kenshin."
"Tomoe…"
"Eh? What are you doing here?" Sano frowned. "You didn't get an invitation, did you? … the one from Jou-chan didn't count." He said the last few words in a whisper, but Kenshin wouldn't have noticed anyway. He was too busy staring at the picture of perfect standing on his doorstep.
"Why… why are you…"
"Can I… come in?" Tomoe looked around at the faces in the room, noticing that Kaoru was missing. Inwardly, she thanked Kenshin's best friend from the bottom of her heart. This was her chance.
Kenshin blinked a few times before wordlessly opening the door and inviting her in. She stepped into the living room gracefully and waited for Kenshin to tell her to before sitting down.
"This is…" he spoke in a quiet voice. "Quite a surprise."
"Actually… I have something I need to talk to you about too," Tomoe eyed the Kenshin-gumi warily, as if asking them to leave the two of them alone. Sano stood there defiantly, as did everyone else.
Getting the hint, Kenshin turned to his friends and forced a smile, "Megumi-dono, why don't you go check on the food? The rest of you should go and help her."
The group grudgingly trudged into the kitchen, with the exception of Aoshi who, as if he sensed something, looked around the room searching for something before joining the others in the kitchen.
"What was it you needed to talk to me about?" Kenshin sounded a little hopeful…. And a little scared.
Tomoe looked down at her hands which were gripping the fabric of her white dress in her lap. "I… I…"
Concerned for her well being even though she had broken his heart many times before, Kenshin put a comforting hand on her own and smiled, "Are you okay?"
"That what I love about you," Tomoe finally spoke and smiled at the wide-eyed expression on his face. "The truth is… when I broke up with you I… I still loved you then… and I still love you now… can you ever forgive me?"
She was immediately enveloped in a hug. A warm, happy, yet uncertain hug. "You… you aren't lying to me, are you?" his voice seemed shaky and Tomoe shyly returned the hug. "Of course not."
"And so you two are officially an item again, aren't you?" Misao snarled as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Everyone else had returned and all bore the same frown on their faces. "Care to tell us the reason you broke up with poor Himura in the first place?"
"I was planning on explaining…" Kenshin looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "The world… society expects nothing but perfection from me. I feel a constant pressure… a constant need to meet their expectations. Kenshin you…" she grabbed his hands in her own and her eyes begged him to understand. "Society didn't approve of you Kenshin… and so I let you go… but now I've learned! I love you!"
"A woman constantly catering to the expectations of other. A perfect porcelain doll… disgusting," Sanosuke spat.
Tomoe turned to him, "How could you understand? You don't know what it's like to have to be me!"
"Even still. Someone, regardless of who it is, that allows his or herself to become a puppet for the purpose of maintaining a mere image is not worth very much," Aoshi's voice was cold.
Tomoe looked down once again at her lap and tears sprung up in her eyes.
"I forgive you."
She looked up at Kenshin, not quite believing what she was hearing… she knew she didn't deserve to be forgiven.
"I forgive you." Kenshin smiled and leaned forward, pressing his lips to her cheek. "I love you too."
"That's it. I'm out of here," Yahiko growled and left the house with everyone else in tow. "Such an ugly couple… I can't stand to be around you two."
Kenshin looked at them sadly as they all left, realizing that his friends didn't approve, but even still… "Don't worry. I love you."
Tomoe smiled back at him. "Thank you… I wish I could say that I can stay with you for your birthday… but I'm afraid I must be leaving. My father wants me home by eight… and it's already eight fifty. Be sure to open my present too."
"I'll walk you home," he offered, but she merely thanked him and rose. "I already have a car waiting for me outside."
"I see… I'll see you on… Monday, then?" Kenshin wasn't sure whether this was a dream or not, and he had to be sure.
Tomoe gave him a reassuring nod, "Monday… if not sooner." With one last smile, she left the house, and Kenshin stood there amidst the silence as he contemplated everything that had happened that day.
"Her present…" He took the small, white package out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a necklace with the letters "T and K" on it. Smiling happily, he put it on and sat on the sofa, completely contented.
"I was wondering what was taking you so long. But now I see what it was. With such a pretty woman taking all your attention no wonder you haven't found her… or the note revealing where I was."
Kenshin flipped around at the sound of a voice behind him. His eyes widened as he recognized the person standing in his doorway. "Udo… Jineh."
"Battousai," Jineh nodded at him. "I never thought you were the type to engage in two-timing though."
"Two timing? What are you talking about?" Kenshin's mind raced.
Jineh have him a sardonic smile. "Haven't you noticed yet? I'm sure that note the Kamiya girl sent you said that she'd be back… let's see… today?"
Kenshin's heart stopped. "What have you done with her," his eyes took on a golden shade and his ki was rising angrily with every second that passed by. He cursed himself for having forgotten about Kaoru. His Kaoru-dono.
"What have I done with her?" Jineh's voice was incredulous. "I can't believe you haven't noticed. Has this 'love' thing dulled your senses? She's been by your side for the past two days. I released my hold on her ki before you came home. Though she still can't move, could you not sense her presence?"
"Enough with the small talk!" Kenshin yelled. "Where is she?"
"Where is she?" he let out a laugh and unsheathed his katana. Walking over to the sofa Kenshin had just been sitting on a moment ago, he pierced it with his sword and it broke into two pieces and fell apart. At the bottom was Kaoru, still frozen from Jineh's one-sided heart technique, eyes red from crying. In her hands was a slip of paper.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin rushed to her side and lifted her up gently. "What have you done with her? Release her immediately!"
Jineh looked at him for a moment before sighing, "Right now you are weak. I don't want to fight you as you are now. I'll give you another day. Bring back your bloodthirsty ways and come and fight me. I'll be waiting for you." He released his ki hold on her and she collapsed in Kenshin's arms.
"Until tomorrow night battousai! The location of our meeting place, your woman has in her hands!" Jineh left, cackling loudly, and Kenshin rose to run after him, but Kaoru's hand holding onto his shirt stopped him.
"Kaoru-dono! Are you okay?"
"I… I've been there… for a day and a half now." She turned to look at him, tears leaking from her eyes once again.
Kenshin hugged her tightly, but she pushed him away. "I kept thinking… Kenshin. I'm right here."
"I'm so sorry…"
"I kept thinking. I'm right here Kenshin. Come and save me! But… you didn't even notice that I was gone… because of…"
"Kaoru-dono… I…"
"I was sure," she let out a bitter laugh. "That after Jineh let my ki go that you would find me… and rescue me! And you probably would have… the others were going to leave soon… but she… ha…"
Kenshin was unable to say anything and he merely looked on as Kaoru's heart continued to break.
"I'm afraid… that the chain around my neck isn't quite as pretty as yours," Kaoru touched the black band secured around her throat. "Jineh put this on me. It will explode… he has the switch to make it explode. He really wants to fight you… I'm so sorry Kenshin… I got myself captured."
"Kaoru-dono… why didn't try and tell me in your letter?" Kenshin wrapped his arms around her and let her sob into his chest.
"I… I did… but you probably don't remember."
"Remember?"
"… you've forgotten, haven't you? I've never forgotten though…"
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"Kenshin! I love you!" A miniature Kaoru hugged a miniature Kenshin happily. "Do you love me too?"
"I love you! Kaoru-dono," Kenshin giggled and planted a kiss on her small lips. "Let's get married when we're older, okay?"
"Okay!" Kaoru laughed. "But until then, we're boyfriend and girlfriend… okay?"
"Okay!"
"I'm going to send you love letters, but I don't want anyone else reading it… so I'm going to make a code."
"A code?" Kenshin hugged Kaoru as she leaned onto his shoulder.
"Yep! It goes like this. Every second letter of every new line is part of my letter!"
"Okay! You're so smart Kaoru-dono!"
"I love you Kenshin!"
"I love you Kaoru-dono!"
"Call me Kaoru!"
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"We were small and naïve back then, weren't we?" Kenshin murmured quietly.
Kaoru continued crying.
"You're note… you were telling me…
There's been a small change in plans and I'm going to be visiting
her for a few days. I should be back by Friday though, so don't worry too much. Sorry for slipping out of the house on such short notice though. My friend can't
speak right now – she lost her voice and it actually seems to be quite serious and since
smart little me knows a good remedy for throat problems, I'll be
heading over to Osaka for a little bit. You won't be able to call me
since my friend doesn't actually own a telephone. Though you could write, but
I'm only going to be out for a few days. You know what, you shouldn't write at all. I'm
vvery sure that you'll be your usual self, all concerned about
me and whatnot, but I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. I've
bbeen plenty of places and I know my way around Osaka… I
went on a trip there once, remember? So don't worry about
me. I'm not going to contact you for the next few days. Okay? My overly protective knight. And be sure to keep the house clean. No parties while I'm gone. And no
scanning the world for me like you did that other time. Put a
can on it and just chill. Also, remember, if you make soup and accidentally
spill some on the floor to be sure and clean it up. Last time, when you
started making some clam chowder you spilled and remember what happened?
Such a mess! If I go home and find the house… you get the idea. Don't forget to
practice you're kenjutsu while I'm out. The district finals are coming up… and you
need to train, no matter how good you are. Tell Sano that if he has any
ideas for that then just go ahead and do it. Tell him sorry and he'll understand.
Help me… I've been captured… Jineh… that bastard…"
"Kenshin!" Kaoru looked up at him. "I love you!"
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To be Continued…
How was it? REVIEW! I like the contents of this chapter… but my writing isn't very good right now… I've been a little distracted.
