Well, this chapter is just another chapter. I guess my spirit of inspiration is not visiting right now. (is it ever?)
Please read and review. I desperately need some encouragement! Help please! Weeping, slobbering, and groveling Please-help racking sobs me!
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. If I did, I can tell ya Johnny, I would be living in this two-bit, rinky-dink town. We be livin it big, I tell ya; real big.
Chapter 3: A Meeting to music (Am I getting korny or what?)
That song, Kenshin fought down the lump in his throat, how could she know that song? He unsuccessfully tried to dam the flow of tears tracing down his cheeks. That was mother's song, only she played it. Old wounds reopened, the trickle of tears became a torrent. His teeth clenched together.
"Kenshin?" Sano's voice was edged with worry "What's wrong?" Kenshin's lungs begun to burn, his throat to close. He could say nothing. There was nothing to say, only things to feel. Things to miss. Things… to regret. Damn this girl. Kenshin's eyes were over flowing. His stomach was in knots. All these memories. He felt a quite rage take over him, making his body shudder. Damn her.
The streets were empty. Good thing, better to cry with only few around. Sanosuke thought. Sano released a sigh. There was nothing he could at this point, only stay and comfort his friend. Sano stood there, quietly putting a hand on Kenshin's shoulder.
Kaoru was lost in the music. Oh, the beautiful music: light and lilting. Playing simply felt good to her soul. It seemed that after her parents died this was the only thing that made her happy, until she found a new father that is. She loved to play, especially for him: he truly enjoyed it. While she would play he would sit quietly in the window seat, looking out into the street, just remembering it seemed. The sun glinting off his bright red hair, remembering his late wife who used to play also. But now he was gone as well. She played not only to please him, but also to remember him. He had taught her this certain piece after he learned she could play, … loved to play. She never understood why he taught it to her though. He only allowed her to play it rarely; whenever she did, he cried. Cried, remembering his dead wife and his son who had left him. That was another thing: why had the son left? He had never told her, even when she finally asked out right he refused to say anything. Such a sad man. I'm glad I was able to bring him some happiness; the daughter he never had.
Kaoru finished the piece skillfully, bringing its emotional climax to an end. A small applause broke her from her reverie. She blushed slightly, pleased with the attention. That was for your memory, father. She rose slowly from the bench, nodding to her small audience to show her appreciation of their mix of clapping, snapping, and even a few whistles. The small performance done she turned to leave.
Her heart started beating franticly when she looked at the window. The red hair of the man is what caught her attention, but his expression is what held it so determinedly. His eyes were fierce, but…sorrowful. He was trembling with tears trailing down his cheek. He's crying. He looks so sad. A memory stuck in Kaoru's mind; another man, like this one, crying. Yes, this is the son. We're finally face to face. She remembered putting the blanket over him early this morning. Early- so she could escape without having to speak to him so soon. She wasn't ready then, and she wasn't ready now. Kaoru's heart clenched at the sight of him. She took a deep breath. Her stomach knotted in apprehension. Well, it's now or never.
Suddenly Kenshin stood straighter. The music, it's stopped. The girl inside rose from her seat, nodding and bowing to the café's occupants. She turned toward the window suddenly setting her ebony hair swaying in its high ponytail. One step, one step is all she took, and then she stopped. She's seen me. She was looking at me. It was true she was looking right at him, staring more like it. Correction: she is looking at me. Her eyes grew sad, and then concerned. Concerned? Kenshin let out a huff. She saw me crying. He thought disgustedly. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Calm down, get yourself back together. The tinkling of the café door snapped his eyes open.
"Good morning Sanosuke." She spoke quietly. Her eyes were deep blue, dark with light flecks, and when she looked at him they held recognition. "Hello." Her voice seemed tight. Kenshin's heart was pounding, his throat ached from crying.
"Hello." He replied hoarsely. Sano shifted beside him.
"Kenshin, I would like you to meet Kaoru Kamiya. She started boarding in your house a couple years after you left." Sanosuke paused a moment, thinking. "In fact, she's probably the one you found in your old room." Kenshin nodded confirming his friend's thoughts. Something Sano had said struck him oddly… '...in your old room'. He sighed heavily. That's right isn't it? It's not my room anymore, it's her's. Filled with her memories now instead of mine. Kenshin had to shake himself from his thoughts. Now is not the time to be contemplating. He turned his attention back to the girl, Kaoru. Nobody had said anything since Sano had last spoken. Now Kaoru spoke hesitantly.
"You can have your room back if you would like it." She didn't know exactly what to say to him, he didn't either.
No, he didn't want to take that room from her.
"No, you can stay there. I'll move into another room."
A thought swept across Kaoru's mind, she spoke without comprehending "Not Father's room!" Kenshin felt like he was going to cry again. 'Father.'- She called him father. Kenshin swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed his head, his scarlet bangs hiding his lavender eyes.
"No. Not Father's room, but maybe his study perhaps."
Sanosuke spoke up then. "Well, we came here for breakfast and now it's almost lunch. I better be getting home, watch Tasuke so the Fox can go to work." Kenshin had forgotten all about Megumi.
"How is Megumi doing?"
Sano smiled "She's fine, as pregnant as can be but still insisting on working."
"Pregnant?"
Sanosuke chuckled "That's right you weren't here. Megumi and me were married a couple years after you left. Our son Tasuke just turned seven in May."
Kenshin sighed, "Wow, I've missed so much."
"Yeah. Ya know you two should come over to dinner tonight. Talk to Megumi. I still don't think she has forgiven you yet." Sano had saved him. Kenshin didn't know what to say to this woman now, he doubted he was going to last the day.
"Thank you Sano, I believe I will."
"What about you Jouchan?" He smiled charmingly at Kaoru.
She giggled "All right. But promise me you'll bring Tasuke for his lessons tomorrow and not make Megumi walk that distance."
"I promise." Sano announced placing his left hand on his heart and his right in the air beside him. Kaoru laughed again. Oh, what a beautiful laugh. Kenshin thought.
Kaoru teased willfully "All right then, we'll see you tonight. Now get home before Kitsuni beats you black 'n' blue. Not a good first picture for a child to see of their father is it?"
Sanosuke said goodbye to his two friends promising to see them both that evening. It was a sort walk home but his mind concentrated on Kenshin. He had lost his father before he was old enough to remember, but he had never lost both of his parents. His mother was still around, taking care of his brothers and sisters. And…he had his own family now. He half smiled with pride of thinking of them: his wife Megumi, his son Tasuke, and yet another one on the way. He stopped in thought a moment. Kenshin had been alone for such a long time, and now with no family left to him maybe that's what he needed. Yep! Oooh, an evil plan! Sano thought wickedly. Now who to set him up with? The thought seemed to pop up with a light bulb! An easy answer of course. Jouchan. A fairly simple use of his charm, in alliance with his wife's intelligence of course, and the marriage date was as sure as set! Megumi was definitely going to help simmer the evil plot, her also being one of Kenshin's childhood friends and equally distraught when he left. Yep, this was a time to get revenge! Not very good revenge I'll grant you, but revenge all the same! And don't you know Kenshin, paybacks a bitch!
************************
That's it for this chapter! Oh, and that whole 'Damn her' thing: I don't know where that came from. I guess I just want to show how upset Kenshin was at hearing that song played by anyone other than his now deceased mother. He blames Kaoru for bringing up those bad memories/feelings.
mindmelda: Thanks for reading! And yes I've still been reading your fanfic! In fact I've just finished it. New memories in the kitchen huh? wink, wink Actually, I've never seen nor read 'Soul Taker' but I'm on the look out for it so I can do one or the other, maybe even both.
Iram: rubs chin grinning wickedly You're intrigued, huh? Good, good. giggle Well, thanks for reading my fic, or at least what is up for it so far! I'll try to keep an eye out for the spelling and grammar errors. What can I say? I think the creativity center of my brain over-powered my clerical abilities (not that I have any). As I have a faithful reviewer in you, you have a faithful and utmost humble reviewer in me. Up-date soon! I can't wait to see what naughty plan you've concocted!
Kana173: Thanks for reviewing! I noticed that yours (like the other two) was a signed review, and I didn't remember reading any of your fics so I checked out your stats. I would love to read one of your stories, but I can't read French (or speak it if that matters), my school made me take Spanish. Sorry, but maybe you can tell me about your story and I'll try to give any suggestions I can. We fanfic writers love tips and suggestions, but we love reviews even more! Good luck with your story!
Thank you for reviewing! I'll try to update soon, but it probably won't be till next weekend. Sorry! Please Review. Like I said before 'I need some moral support.' Toodles!