Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine... yet. I just asked Watsuki-sama if I could own RK for just a day but he declined! (curses) Well... I'll just find a way! Hehe... (grins evilly)
Chapter 2: Truth
Amethyst eyes glowed eerily in the darkness.
"Mou! Kenshin! You scared me!"
"I'm sorry, Kaoru..."
"Ken...shin?" Kaoru asked, noticing the lack of honorific in her name, not that she's complaining. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Oh. So I'll be going now, seeing as you are fine. You're not... drunk, are you?"
"Aa. I am sorry for worrying you."
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Whoever said I was worried?"
"Hmph!" She put a finger on her temple, adopting a mock-thoughtful look. "If I remember correctly... I told you to go and fight Shishio, ne?" She glared at him. "So why are you still here?"
"Kaoru..." Kenshin said in a pained tone. "Please..."
"What? You want to say goodbye to me? I don't care if you don't, really." she fumed.
"You really want me to leave?" he asked quietly.
She glanced at him, then looked away. "It doesn't matter... I don't matter, so why bother to ask me?"
"Because I love you."
"What?"
"I love you." he said hoarsely. "You're the most important person in the world for me..."
Her eyes welled with tears. "K-kenshin..."
"I'm s-sorry for not saying it sooner... I'd understand it if you hate me but... I-I really do love you, Kaoru..."
"You're right! I HATE YOU!"
"Ka-"
She threw her arms around him, rendering the poor redhead speechless. "I hate you for making me wait! I hate you for being so dense! Oh, Kenshin, I hate you for making me love you so much!"
"Matte..." He stared at her. "Did I hear right? You-you love me? ME? SESSHA?"
She giggled slightly. "Yes I do, baka... I love Kenshin Himura..."
"Oro... Sano was right... Kaoru-dono doesn't like 'sessha'..." he muttered.
"Yes, she doesn't..." Kaoru pouted. "I thought you've decided to drop the dono..."
"Aa... I have..."
She smiled, cuddling herself in his arms. "Do you forgive me, Kenshin?"
"For what?"
"For shouting at you earlier... I thought you didn't care for me..."
"Iie. It was my fault, Kaoru... gomen nasai..."
"Mou... you do know that I will always forgive you, Kenshin..."
He didn't reply at that, but tightened his arms around her. I am unworthy of her... she is too good, too kind, too beautiful, too compassionate for me... I will just taint her with grief... my sins...
As if reading his thoughts, she bopped him in the head, frowning. "Stop that. I love you, Kenshin, and that's it. I will NEVER love anyone besides you... you know that..."
Kenshin smiled at her. "Perhaps..."
"You know... this is the first time you've ever held me this close... it feels nice..."
"Really?"
She nodded. "I feel so safe in your arms, Kenshin... so comforted... don't you?"
He kissed passionately in reply. It seemed like forever until he broke away. He grinned impishly. "It is much better when we're that close ne, Kaoru-koishii?"
"H-hai..." she said breathlessly. "Anou, Kenshin..." Without warning, she pressed his lips to hers. Almost melting at the tenderness of her kiss, he pulled her closer, tumbling down to his futon.
Sano looked around at the bustling nighttime activity in Tokyo, grinning. Yahiko glanced at him suspiciously, something akin to fear seeping into his mind as a DEVILish grin creeped into Sano's features. "What are you planning, tori-atama?" he blurted out.
"Hey... the night's still early, kid. You want to go to a pub or what?"
Yahiko's eyes widened. He had never gone to a tavern before, even in his pickpocket days. Yes, he saw some geishas at the yakuza's hideout, but a tavern? Hell no. He was about to say yes when an image of a towering Kaoru appeared in his mind, with her faithful bokken at her side. Ouch. That girl can be brutal when she wants to. Still, curiosity won over rational thought. Nevertheless... just to be on the safe side... "You're really bringing me there? Won't busu be angry at you?" I could really blame Sano if busu finds out... hehehe...
"Aww..." Sano cooed. "You're gonna tell on me, Yahiko-chan? Sheesh. Don't be such a kid. On the other hand, you ARE a kid."
"I AM NOT!"
"Yeah right. You can't even change your diapers."
"Ha! You can't even find a job, stupid rooster!"
"Hey!" Sano cried indignantly. "I'm trying-"
"I heard Yahiko and he's right." a female voice piped in.
"Kitsune!"
"Megumi!"
The lady doctor smiled evilly. "You just HAVE to get a life, rooster. Even little kids notice your lack of it."
"I'm not a little kid!"
Megumi dismissed him with a hand. "And whatever are you doing here with Yahiko? It's almost midnight. Does Kaoru know?"
"Of course she does, fox. And we're here on business." Sano stuck out his chest. "Men's business."
She laughed- wickedly. "That could be almost acceptable- ALMOST- except for the fact that you are DEFINITELY not a man, ROOSTER. Besides, you have never been a good liar. OHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
"Jou-chan wouldn't know anyway. Besides, the little kid has no problem with it. You! What are you doing out her anyway, huh, fox? Looking for innocent people to pester?"
She raised a delicate eyebrow. "Innocent? YOU? Oh please. I'm here on REAL business. I have just finished tending to a patient, rooster." Her eyes narrowed. "And for your information, I'll tell Kaoru."
"WHAT! C'mon fox, the kid needs excitement in his dull life."
"Not YOUR definition of the word. Let's go, Yahiko." No response. She looked around. "Yahiko?"
"Damn, he's lost!"
"Watch your mouth, rooster!"
"Hey! It's your fault!"
She scoffed. "Ha! You are SO irresponsible. You're the one in charge of him, and you completely ignored him!"
"I wasn't! You distracted me!"
"So you're blaming it on me- again! Rooster," she said calmly. "Instead of verbally assaulting me, try finding Yahiko, alright? And being the good person that I am, I'll help you find him. You go that way. I'll go this way. We'll meet here in half an hour."
"Why're you giving me orders?" Sano grumbled.
"Because you're USELESS! Now GO, for crying out loud!"
"Ok, ok! Slavedriver..."
"WHAT!"
"I'm going!"
"ROOSTER! Not THAT way, THIS way! You're so stupid!"
"I'm not a little kid!" Yahiko protested with much conviction. Sheesh... I get tired of saying this things... Megumi dismissed him with a hand, continuing on arguing with Sanosuke. He frowned. What's up with these two? Flirting in the middle of the street? I guess I won't be missed...
Not even bothering to interrupt their 'flirting' session, Yahiko slipped past Sanosuke. His mouth gaped open in all the bustling activity in Kyoto. "Wow... I can't believe it's so busy every night..." He stopped in front of a huge tavern, which was the loudest of all the places he had passed. Uncertainly, he entered inside.
"Wow..." he remarked. There were so many people inside. Merchants, guards, gangsters (who have very remarkable resemblances to Sanosuke), and just common people were scattered around the room, with geishas flitting by.
A drop-dead gorgeous incredibly sexy woman bumped into him slightly. "Oh! I'm so sorry!"
Yahiko blushed. "Uh... i-it's a-alright..."
She smiled warmly at him. "Are you here alone?"
He blinked. "Not really... I came here with a friend of mine..."
"I see... can you spot him here?"
He shook his head. "I left him actually with Megumi but-"
The woman's eyes narrowed in hearing the lady doctor's name. "Takani Megumi? The local healer?"
"Yeah but-"
She grabbed both of his shoulders. "You mean, she's cheating on him?"
"Wha-what?"
"Who exactly is this friend you're talking about?"
Yahiko was wondering how on earth he's telling things about his friends to this girl. "Sagara Sanosuke."
The girl raised an eyebrow, obviously disappointed. "Oh. I thought I could... never mind... if you're with Sano..." Her chestnut eyes dawned in recognition. "Oh... you're Yahiko, right? Sanosuke's younger brother..."
"Huh?" What's this woman talking about? Brother?
She smiled at him again. "Sano has told me some things about you, but this is the first time I ever saw you in person... hmm..." She stared at him intently. "You do look sorta like Sano..."
"HEY!" Like the rooster? I'd take that as an insult.
"Isn't your brother the most handsome man? All the women here adore him..." she sighed dreamily. "Too bad he's taken..."
"Taken?" Yahiko was slowly understanding what this girl was talking about. If this woman happened to be-
"Of course. Takani Megumi."
Suddenly, everything clicked. He smiled, this one eerily familiar to Sano's trademark grin. "Yes. Yes, of course."
The woman's eyes lit up. "Hai. You don't approve of her, don't you?" He decided it was better not to reply. "I mean... sure, she's pretty and all but I don't know what Sano sees in her... I'm more beautiful, ne?"
He smiled at her. "Definitely."
She giggled, flashing him a smile. "Thanks."
Yahiko tilted his head at her. "Did, um, ONIISAN tell you that he and... Megumi-san were engaged?" he asked ever-so-innocently, smirking inwardly.
"NANI!"
"Oops." He feigned surprise, scratching his head. Wow... I'm so good! I should do this more often! "I thought he had already told you..."
"I can't believe him... he... he-"
He patted her back comfortingly. "Oh, you'll be better off without him. I'll tell you a secret." He beckoned her to lean closer. "I don't usually backstab my brother but... since you're special-" She gave a grin. "-and I pity Megumi-san..." He gave a long suffering sigh. "Oniisan doesn't really love her... he just wants to get her money because she's from a famous family and a great doctor..."
Her eyes widened impossibly that Yahiko thought they were gonna pop out of their sockets. "Really!"
"And there's more..." He lowered his voice even more. "He's BEATING her."
She gasped. "OMG! I can't believe it!"
"Well you better. Take it from me. He's insane... you're better off without him..."
She took his hands. "Thank you SO much!" Before she left, she had planted a kiss on his cheek. "You're an angel. And oh, it's Ayuri."
Yahiko smirked. "Mission Accomplished. Now who's the little kid, Sano?" Laughing, he went out to go to the aforementioned gangster's place.
"ROOSTER! Did you find him?"
"Fox, if I did find him, I won't be here empty-handed..."
Megumi ignored him. "We've got to find him, or Kaoru's going to kill us..." She glanced at him. "Or I could just blame you..."
"FOX!"
"Now that's an idea..."
Sano winced at her wickedness. "Fine, you're right... but... wait a second..." He looked her up and down. "You're a woman."
"What?"
"You're a woman." he repeated.
"I KNOW I am, rooster. SO? What's your point?" She snorted. "Don't tell me you've just noticed?"
He ignored her. "You've got to go home."
"WHAT!"
"You've got to-"
"I HEARD YOU, ROOSTER!" Her eyes narrowed dangerously to slits. "Excuse me? Are you, Mr. Good-for-nothing pigheaded rooster, telling me to leave?"
He shrugged. "Pretty much."
"NO- WAY. I am NOT trusting you to do it. For all we know, Yahiko's hurt, or kidnapped!"
"Fox, it's way past midnight! It's MORNING! The streets are dangerous. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HELP, GOT IT?"
"No. I can perfectly handle myself."
"Your place is just a block away." he continued, paying no attention to her. "I'll bring you there, then find the kid myself."
"NO! I am older than you! You can't-"
He snapped. "Megumi," he hissed with gritted teeth. "You're a damn beautiful incredibly appealing woman and you WILL get assaulted once I leave you, or you leave me. Now will you come with me so I can sleep peacefully and NOT worry myself sick?"
"I..." she sputtered, blushing.
"I'm glad you agree with me for once." he muttered, practically dragging her all the way to her place. When they arrived, he shuffled his feet almost shyly. "Sorry for involving you here, Meg, and thanks... have a, um, good night."
"It's morning."
"Oh." He turned to leave. "Well, bye..."
"Sanosuke?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." she murmured almost inaudibly. The door banged shut.
He smiled softly. "No problem, fox."
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a/n: ha! and that's sanoxmeg mush for you! did you like it? i think i'm going too fast in kk's case but heck, i dunno what to do anymore... anyway, plz review for this... i dunno if i'm going to have yxt pairings coz i'm not much into kids sappy-ness... if u lyk this, plz review! i'm gonna post my next chappie soon! arigato gozaimasu!
READ & REVIEW! c: