Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! Aphsychicswordsman you're right, Kaoru is strong, even according to Watsuki-sensei himself!
I also have a question. In the manga, they seem to eat outside at the little fire-pit like thing with stone benches. Is there a name for this area? Or at least the little stove-fire-pit-thing?
Standard disclaimers apply.
Chapter Two – Of Plotting and Visiting
"Kenshin!" An urgent whisper woke Kenshin from his rather uncomfortable slumber. "Kenshin! Wake up!" Kenshin lifted his head against the protest of his stiff muscles and saw Yahiko leaning his head through the doorway.
"What is it?" Kenshin whispered back.
"A police officer is here," Yahiko answered as Kenshin rose from his place on the floor. He stole a glance at the still-sleeping Kaoru before padding over to the door.
"Remind this one to bring a futon in tonight," Kenshin said, following Yahiko outside. Yahiko laughed and handed him a shirt. Sitting on one of the stone benches was a uniformed police officer and Sano. Yahiko took a seat across from Sano, leaving a spot for Kenshin crosswise from the officer.
"Ah, Kenshin-san," the police officer greeted him. "I have heard the story up until Yahiko was sent out. You know the rest, I believe."
"No," Yahiko interrupted. "He didn't get here right away."
"Very well then. Kenshin-san, tell me what you know." The officer said. Kenshin began what he knew of the story.
"…And the attacker was gone. This one decided that attending to Kaoru-dono was more important that tracking the attacker." He finished. The officer finished jotting down notes.
"None of you know the man's name?"
"No," all three answered.
"Kaoru does, though," Yahiko offered.
"Does she? I'll have to see her then."
"She is asleep," Kenshin replied.
"I need his name. We can't perform a thorough investigation without it."
"Alright," Kenshin rose from the bench and motioned for the officer to follow. Kenshin ambled to Kaoru's futon and gently took her hand.
"Kaoru-dono," he gave a soft squeeze. "Wake up…a police officer needs to speak to you." Her eyes opened slowly and she saw Kenshin first.
"Who…?" She asked groggily.
"A police officer. He needs to ask you some questions."
"O…kay," she offered a weak smile.
"Hello there, Kaoru-san," the officer knelt next to Kenshin. "I am officer Hira. I'll make this quick." He took out his pad of paper. "What was the man's name?"
"Furu…Ichiro," Kaoru replied quietly.
"Okay," the officer wrote down the name. "Now, I need to know was happened between the time that you sent Yahiko for Sano and Kenshin-san's arrival." Kaoru explained what she could remember.
"Just one last thing," Officer Hira said. "I need to make a list of your injuries. Could you tell me again?" By now, Kaoru was getting tired and Kenshin could tell.
"It would be best if this one listed Kaoru-dono's injuries; she's exhausted." He stood up and looked expectantly at the officer. Officer Hira rose as well and the two men left Kaoru in peace.
"Okay," the officer said as they made their way back outside. "The injuries?"
"Kaoru-dono has a broken rib and a rather deep laceration on her upper leg. I'm sure you noticed the bruise on her cheek."
"You told me she was being smothered when you arrived?
"Correct. There are no visible marks from that, though."
"Okay," the officer noted this on his paper. "I will be in touch." He gave a short bow and exited the house to begin the investigation.
"So now what do we do?" Yahiko asked.
"This one would like to know exactly what happened while you were in the dojo and was happened to you when Kaoru-dono sent you out."
"Well, Kaoru came in…" Yahiko told his part of the story. "…and when I walked outside, these two big guys jumped out and grabbed me. They were so big and strong that I couldn't get away."
"Did they say anything to you?"
"Only that I would be fine. I wasn't the one their mistress wanted dead."
"Mistress?"
"Yeah," Yahiko nodded. "Weird, huh?"
"Very odd…This one thought that the attacker was in charge. Now it seems that this isn't so."
"Where were you, anyway?" Sano spoke for the first time.
"This one was meeting the person who left the note."
"What happened?"
"When this one got to the meeting spot, the man attacked. He was not very skilled. However, at the end, this one was told that his job was to lure this one away from the dojo."
"Sounds like he was in on it as well," Yahiko said.
"No, ya think?" Sano replied sarcastically.
"The only strange part is that his orders came from a master, not mistress." Kenshin ignored Sano's retort.
"How could you let this happen!" An angry woman screeched at the two large men standing before her. They cringed at the volume of her voice, looking at anything in the nearly empty room so as not to look her in the eyes. "You imbeciles! You were to make sure the plan worked!"
"We are sorry," the larger one said and they both bowed low, heads hung in shame. "It shall not happen again,"
"It better not. Now, I must find another assassin." She stood from her throne-like chair. "Stay here. I have work to do." With that, she left the two men standing in the dark room. She grumbled as she draped a cloak around her shoulders and pulled the hood up. Slamming the large door shut behind her, she left the rundown building in the direction of Tokyo.
Kenshin made his was back to Kaoru's room to check on her. He had repaired the door to the dojo, and it was almost time for more paint medicine for Kaoru. He eased her door open and entered silently. He managed to step on the one tatami mat that squeaked. Kaoru's eyes opened and she turned her head quickly.
"Oh…it's just you, Kenshin," she turned her head and stared back at the ceiling. "You scared me…"
"This one is sorry, Kaoru-dono. Is there anything you need?"
"I am a little hungry…"
"Good. Are you in a lot of pain?"
"Not rea-" she shifted a little and pain shot through her. "Yes." Kenshin smiled at her attempt of humor, momentarily admiring how strong she was being.
"The doctor said you can have soup or rice, and it's almost time for more pain medication."
"Rice sounds good."
"Okay, this one will bring your rice and pain medicine."
"Thank you," she yawned and began looking drowsy again. She was asleep before Kenshin even reached the door. He quietly slid the door shot and walked back outside. Yahiko had made his own lunch and Sano seemed to have disappeared. He started the rice and found himself thinking about Kaoru. More specifically, how he let this happen to her. He was supposed to protect her, right? He snapped out of his mental assault when the smell of burning rice reached his nose. He scooped out the burnt portion and decided to keep a more careful watch on the rest.
It amused him at how his brain connected the burning rice with Kaoru. All it took was a few minutes of inattentiveness and half the rice was ruined. The other half was still good, though, he decided, and he could save it and add more. A groan of frustration passed his lips as the smell of burning rice again came in contact with his senses. Sighing, he threw the burnt rice into the compost pile. He didn't want to waste any of Kaoru-dono's rice, so he saved the tiny bit that was still good. He added more and continued.
This time, he made all of it without fail. His mind still wouldn't cooperate, however, as it wandered, again, comparing the rice to Kaoru; there was still a little left and he could save it by adding more…Just as Kenshin finished making the second pot of rice, there came a knock at the door. Yahiko answered it and followed Megumi back inside.
"Oh! Ken-san! I heard about the attack! Are you okay?"
"Oh, hello Megumi-dono. This one is just fine. It is Kaoru-dono who got the worst of it."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Did the doctor check you over? Would you like me to?"
"No, Megumi-dono. This on is fine. Kaoru-dono must be attended to." He turned and began walking towards Kaoru's room.
"Is it okay if I see her?"
"This one would rather you-"
"Oh come on, Ken-san. I am a doctor!" Megumi pleaded. Kenshin sighed and consented with a nod. Megumi grabbed his arm and they walked to Kaoru's room. As they passed into the house, Sano came back.
"What's she doing here?" Sano asked and the door shut.
"I dunno," Yahiko answered, "but Kaoru isn't going to like this."
"Heh-got that right!"
Kaoru turned her head as Kenshin entered with her food and started to try to sit up. She didn't see Megumi at first, but her smile faded when she did. Kenshin didn't seem to notice. Instead, he set the bowl on the floor and slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"Here, Kaoru-dodo," he lifted her off the pillow and stuffed an extra blanket under her back to that it propped her up. "You'll be able to eat easier this way." He picked up the bowl and handed it to her. "Oops-it seems that this one forgot chopsticks. Be right back." He smiled and left the room quickly.
"Humph," Megumi stood over Kaoru. "Just a bruise on your cheek and you're laid up in bed with Ken-san waiting on you. How weak" Kaoru did not reply-she merely turned her head away and pretended to ignore Megumi while setting the bowl back on the floor. In truth, the words stung-she hated to feel weak. "How desperate can you get?" The words just left her mouth when Kenshin came back.
"Ken-san!" Megumi whipped around and her face lit up. I was just telling Kaoru-san how lucky she was to have your help, right Kaoru-san?"
"Like hell you were," Kaoru grumbled.
"Oh my!" Megumi gasped, placing a hand over her mouth. "It seems like it's time for more medicine!"
"Megumi-dono…this one thinks it is time for you to leave."
"Oh…um…alright. If you need anything, Ken-san, I'll be willing to help!" She waved and left the room. As she exited the front gate, she yanked something out of the bushes before continuing down the road.
"Is the vixen gone?"
"Yes, Kaoru-dono, Megumi-dono is gone." Kenshin put the chopsticks in the bowl and gave Kaoru the medicine. He handed her the bowl of rice, saying, "Here, you need to eat."
"Thank you, Kenshin." Kaoru began eating. Soon, the medicine began to take effect. "Ugh…I don't feel good." She handed Kenshin the bowl of half-eaten rice and he helped her lie flat. Lying down helped and the nausea began to fade.
"Would a wet cloth to help?" Kenshin asked worriedly.
"Sure," Kaoru whispered, raising her arm up to put her forearm on her forehead.
"Warm or cold?"
"Cold," was her reply. He nodded and rose from his kneeling position to get her the cloth. He came back and placed it on forehead after she moved her arm away. "Thanks," she said again.
"You're welcome, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin smiled gently as Kaoru drifted off to sleep, where nausea and pain didn't exist.
Seeing that the rice in the bowl was cold, Kenshin took it back outside and threw it away. Yahiko was putting away his own dishes when he noticed the rest of the rice Kenshin had made.
"You should eat something, Kenshin," Yahiko said.
"Ah, this one hasn't eaten yet. You're right." The rest of the rice had been kept warm by the small fire in the stove and Kenshin ate it. He cleaned the pot and put it away, along with his washed chopsticks.
"This one is going in to town for a little while," Kenshin said to Yahiko. "Check on Kaoru-dono in a bit." Yahiko nodded. Kenshin left the house to go to the police station. He wanted to clean the dojo, but he wasn't sure if the investigators would need to see it anymore.
"Please excuse this one," Kenshin found Officer Hira outside the police station. "This one would like to know when the dojo may be cleaned."
"Go ahead whenever you want to," Officer Hira replied. "I've made sketches already.
"Thank you," Kenshin answered.
"How is Kaoru-san doing?"
"She's doing well."
"Good," Officer bowed slightly and went into the police station. Kenshin was about to return and check on Kaoru when he decided to go to the Akabeka.
'Perhaps Kaoru-dono would like some company,' he thought as he walked merrily to the restraint. When he got there, Kaoru's friend Tae greeted him.
"Oh, Kenshin-san! I heard about the attack. Is Kaoru-chan okay?"
"Kaoru-dono is doing okay. She has a broken rib and a laceration on her leg."
"Oh my! Has a doctor seen her?"
"Yes, this one sent for a doctor last night."
"That's good. I should have known, since you're taking care of her." Kenshin's cheek bodes became tinted with red at her words. "What did he say?"
"He said that she must remain in bed for a couple of days. Would you like to see her?"
"Oh yes!" Tae exclaimed. "I must finish this shift firth, though. Would you like anything to eat?"
"That would be great." There was only a little rice left before, and he was stiff rather hungry. Kenshin was seated at a low table. He ordered a small amount of food and waited patiently for it to arrive. While he was waiting, he heard low voices from the table behind him.
"So, you will help me?" A feminine whisper asked.
"Yes. The job should be an easy one." The response was in a gruff masculine whisper.
"Good. You will be pain upon its completion."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You may leave now. Meet me here," a rustling of paper could be heard. "Tonight and we will discuss a plan." The man did not verbally respond. He rose from the table and passed Kenshin without glancing in the rurouni's direction. Kenshin's food came as the woman passed his table. An elegant cloak covered her tall frame and the hood blocked her face from view.
As Kenshin finished eating, Tae came to his table and sat down. She informed him that her shift ended and he pulled out money to pay for his food.
"Don't worry about it," Tae smiled. "It's on me."
"Thank you," Kenshin replied. He stood up and she followed-suit. They made their way back to the Kamiya dojo in silence. Neither Yahiko nor Sano was in sight when they entered the house.
"Is she in her room?" Tae inquired. Kenshin nodded and the two walked down the hallway. Tae opened the door and Kaoru awoke at the clattering of the door sliding along its track. She turned her head to see who it was.
"How do you feel, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked. Tae waited at the door until he was finished checking on her.
"I feel tired," Kaoru replied, adding, 'and weak,' in her head bitterly.
Kenshin noticed the frustrated look cross her eyes before he asked, "Do you feel up for a visitor?"
"Who?"
"Tae-san is here to see you."
"Oh! Where is she?" Kaoru brightened. A smile tugged at his lips as the frustration disappeared from her eyes.
"Right here, Kaoru-chan," Tae answered.
"Oh, Tae-san, I didn't see you. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Tae replied. "I'm just glad you're okay. Are you in any pain?"
"Very little," Kaoru replied. "The medicine helps, but it makes me dizzy if I sit up."
"I'm glad you'd not in much pain…" Tae smiled. Kenshin smiled as well, because Kaoru was happy and moved towards the door.
"This one will be cleaning the dojo if you two need anything." Kaoru smiled at him as he turned and left. Kenshin gathered cleaning supplies and went into the dojo. He found Yahiko practicing along the wall, avoiding the blood that was still on the tatami. Kenshin went to the spot that contained the most blood and started there.
'What was the frustration about?' He wondered to himself. 'Something to do with Megumi-san, perhaps?' He finished with the large spot and moved on to a smaller spot. As he moved across the dojo, his thoughts shifted to another subject-the woman from the restaurant. He knew she seemed to be familiar. Sighing, he contemplated if they were going to attack again. Nodding to himself, he affirmed his thoughts, repeating the action at the idea of protect-
"KENSHIN!"
Yes, yes, cliffhanger, I know. Don't worry; the next update will be quick, like this one. If I made any spelling errors in names and such, please let me know so I can correct them. Please review! I got over 70 hits and 7 reviews, so thank you so much to those who took the time to review! I really appreciate it!