Quick response time! ^^
CurlsofSerenity: Heh heh… yeah, you'll see what happens to Sano. He's always a sneaky one, isn't he? And, yes, the past was revealed and you'll see more of that in the coming chapters… so stay tuned! ^_~
Ari and Kat: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. It was a little slower, but necessarily so. I'm sorry to hear about your sore throat, I hope it gets better soon ^_^… And what was that? You will find me? *glances around room* My town's boring, you don't want to come here… ^^;
LadyHimura: Thank you ^^. I feel privileged getting your reviews… And you're right, usually Sano is the one who uncovers Kenshin's feelings toward Kaoru. I hope you like this chapter… it's chalk full of everyone's favorite spiky haired fist fighter ^-^. And about you putting me in the last section of Tell Her! (a Rurouni Kenshin fic that really rocks!), I would be honored beyond belief if you do so… thank you ^_^.
JDFielding: Sadistic me… yes, she does seem to come out quite often. You will see in just a moment what Sano's got up his sleeve … I hope you like it ^^. Saitou's visit to the dojo does have a connection to Kenshin, but you'll see to what extent later on. Heh heh… you are cool! You liked the scene with Yahiko teasing Kenshin (I enjoyed writing that one myself^^). And about reviewing your After the Fall (it's an awesome Yu Yu Hakusho fic), I had to… it was calling my name ^_~. You write beautifully…
Wolf^-^X: Thank you again for reading on, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I can't wait to hear what you think of this one!
Teal: Thanks for dropping a word! I am very excited that another person likes what I write…^-^
Midnyte: Even though you reviewed another chapter, you still are awesome in my book. I'm glad you like my twist on things ^^…
Satu-chan: Sorry for the cliffie… I had to do it, I promise! Thank you for all the compliments on my style of writing, and that it's not boring… that's always an encouragement ^^. Yeah, it was sad when both of Kaoru's parents were gone…I was going to cry too, and that's weird 'cus I wrote it! Heh heh… I'm glad you like what I'm doing with Kaoru and Kenshin's relationship. They make an ubber cute couple together! You'll have the answers to your questions come the next chapter… I don't want to spoil anything right now ^_^…It had to do with a little bit of both you said, Kaoru's dad and Kenshin… It'll come together soon enough ^_^. Sorry I can't tell you anymore than that.
Quick response to Chell: Down with Art History! Down with perverted photos, mumbling teachers, and masochistic artists! Just joking, to a degree…^^ Thank you for taking the time to read my story, that means a lot! Have fun this week.
Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody! ^_^ I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and eat a ton of food. Stuff yourselves silly! I know I will…! ^^
With all that done, let's move on with the story, shall we?
Disclaimer: Yada yada yada… blah blah blah… don't own Kenshin, and never will… truth hurts sometimes *sniff, sniff*
Chapter 9
Yahiko sat in front of a large plate filled with beef and rice, his two favorite things to eat. His stomach began to yearn to be introduced to the food that gave off such a heavenly intoxicating aroma. Just as his hand reached to pick up the chopsticks near the plate a delicate little hand covered his. His brown eyes rose from the food to meet the person that had brought it to him… Tsubame. There she was, in her waitress uniform, also wearing a large smile on her face. Yahiko nodded his thanks and his stomach agreed, grumbling and causing the young girl to laugh. He too began to laugh all the while digging in the delicious meal before him.
Sano's eyes lit up in laughter as he heard the little one mumble a name in his sleep and giggle like the little boy that he was.
*Oh boy, he's going to have a hard time living this down. Tsubame… isn't that the little girl working at the Akabeko?* Sano snickered under his breath, shaking his head at the boy. *I think I'll help a bit before he mumbles something really embarrassing… heh heh.* In his hand he held a bucket he got from the kitchen. In it was very cold water from the well, just what the street fighter needed for his little prank. Sitting down next to the boy, he bit his bottom lip to control the laughter that wanted to erupt. Gently, he lifted Yahiko's right hand and slowly placed it in the cold water, hoping the change in temperature wouldn't wake him up immediately. Sano sat back leaning on his arms, watching as Yahiko's face went through a series of expressions, the last one nearly enough to cause the older man to break his silence due to the increasing level of hilarity his joke seemed to be creating.
*Any second now…* Sano repeated to himself, a few snorts came loose and he covered his mouth and nose with one hand. He stood up, backing away into the shadows of the room and waited for Yahiko to wake up.
Yahiko stirred slightly, his hand falling out over the side of the bucket of frigid water. His brow creased and his eyes began to flutter open. Squinting in the dark the young boy rubbed his eyes with his dry left hand and sat up. Just as soon as he did so he frowned and lifted his covers from his body, muttering a couple choice words at what he hoped was only a dream.
"Ah, crap…" Yahiko threw his blanket off and Sano really had to bite down hard on his lip at what he saw. Yahiko's pants were wet as was a spot on his futon. Sano wasn't as discreet as he had hoped he was, letting out an laugh induced snort he tried with all his might to keep in. Yahiko looked off to his right and the first thing to come within his vision was the bucket of water next to him. Feeling that his right hand was cold and wet he growled, infuriated with the only man he knew capable of such a mean prank.
"SANO!!!"
At the sound of his name Sano ran out the door, finally letting go and laughing as he went. Yahiko stood up and looked at his pants again, another irritated sigh seething through his teeth. After quickly changing his pants Yahiko ran to the door, only to stop and glance back at the offending bucket still full of it's icy liquid.
An evil grin spread onto his lips as he whispered, "You'll be sorry Sano, you just wait." Grabbing the bucket he stepped out the door ready to give the rooster head of a man what he had coming.
Kenshin wasn't really in the mood to sleep, his thoughts once again being the culprit. His eyes, heavy with the desire to close and rest, were staring straight up at the ceiling of his room. The night was quiet for the most part, the only noise that of a lousy cricket that didn't seem to understand that people were trying to get some shut eye. Kenshin didn't really blame the little creature though, having decided that sleep was nowhere near visiting him that night. With a sigh, he rolled over, facing the window to watch as the stars and the moon shed their soft light. They Illuminated the trees deep in the yard, the room's window curtains, and the running form of a hysterical Sano.
*Sano?* Kenshin sat up quickly, wondering what on earth could be going on. He got up, and grabbed his robe and draped it over his bare shoulders. Sliding the door open he took a look outside only to be greeted with nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly there was a loud thump followed by some curses coming from behind him. He watched with wide eyes as Sano flat on his back pulling his legs through the window frame where they got stuck. Sano looked up at Kenshin and raised an index finger to his lips, signaling for silence as he grinned like a madman. Kenshin crouched down and crawled over to where the other man was hiding just below the window.
"What are you doing?" Kenshin asked quietly, looking at Sano as if he'd gone crazy.
"You'll see, just wait…" Sano snickered, peering over the edge of the window. Just then Yahiko came along, bucket in hand, ready to drench the man.
"If he thinks he's funny, he's gone something else coming…" The boy mumbled to himself. Unfortunately, his back was turned to the window and he didn't see the long arms that came out and yanked him in the room by the shoulders. Yahiko let out a scream and threw his water on his attacker. Looking up from his position on the ground he saw a sputtering Sano just above him, and a surprised Kenshin sitting next to him. Smiling, Yahiko got up and rubbed his hands together, dusting off a job well done.
"Yahiko, that wasn't very nice." Kenshin admitted, casting a glance of suppressed amusement at a soggy Sano.
"But he started it! He made me…" Yahiko looked away, embarrassed at what happened earlier.
"Wet your pants?" Sano finished for him with a grin. Yahiko fumed, clenching his fists at his sides. The tall man rose from where he was sitting, wiping at the water soaked hair that clung to his face. "You are rotten, you know that Yahiko?" The glint in his eyes didn't go unnoticed by the young boy who began to back away, his eyes darting around for a way of escape. Sano jumped after the boy, barely missing him by a mere couple inches as the boy ran out the door and down the hallway. Sano chased after him, hot on the boy's tail.
Kenshin got up and noticed the direction in which they were going and grimaced. "If they knew better they would try and avoid waking Miss Kaoru up." He stepped outside, the chill of the night enough to make him shiver and pull his robe tighter around his body. Deciding that it was too cold to go after the "children" Kenshin walked back into his room and sat on his futon, staring across the room at nothing in particular. He sighed a heavy sigh, too tired to do much but too awake to stay still. He got up again and picked up the bucket Yahiko left in his room. *Guess I should go put this back where it belongs.*
It was too much for her. It had to stop and she was going to make sure of it. Kaoru stepped foot out her bedroom door not caring much of her appearance at the moment, her hair in disarray and her body wrapped in her night time robe. She walked over to the railing to peer out into the yard. Frowning in disbelief at the immaturity displayed she continued to watch Sano and Yahiko. At the moment the fist fighter had managed to catch Yahiko and pick him up by the ankles and dangle his head just inside the mouth of the well.
"You like that Yahiko? Want some more?" Sano's teasing voice reached Kaoru's ears causing her to shake her head.
"Those kids…" She muttered under her breath, covering her mouth with a hand as she yawned. "I bet Kenshin slept through the whole thing." Thinking about the redhead made her stomach feel weird, somehow twisted up with unease at the thought of being mad at him. *I've never really been mad at him before… maybe I'm overreacting…* Knocking on the side of her head lightly with a fist, she pushed those thoughts out her mind for the moment. She caught sight of Sano dragging Yahiko by his ankles towards the water basin where the laundry was washed, most likely to dump the little one in head first.
Her stomach grumbled and she covered it with her hand. She hadn't eaten since lunch due to all the things popping up unexpectedly, the things being the visit from the officer Saitou, and Kenshin's past identity being revealed. Her feet began to move on their own accord, leading her toward the kitchen. While her mind was dwelling on the reasons for her stomach acting up it decided for itself to get some green tea. *Might as well get a snack for the show…* A tired grin settled on her lips as she ambled toward her goal, grumbling stomach and all.
Kenshin reached the kitchen with a sluggish pace. He moved around the dark room quite easily and placed the bucket in it's spot. When about to leave his stomach let out an angry growl, obviously upset at being ignored all evening. Sighing again, this time in defeat, Kenshin took a glance in the cupboard with the herbs, at last his eyes falling on a certain powder he wanted.
"Green tea sounds good… it might even calm my nerves about tomorrow." Finally getting the water on the wood burning stove he thought it a good idea to light a candle. After settling down on a stool across the room he watched the shadows come out hiding and dance to the silent song the simple flame of the candle played for them. The dance of the flame had a hypnotizing effect, so gentle in its movements, that it started to lull Kenshin to sleep. Whenever his head would nod forward he would pull it back up only to have it fall again. After a few more times of that he adjusted himself on the stool finding the corner near the door a good spot to lean his back against. Soon the water was left unattended when Kenshin finally gave in to the sleep that had deserted him earlier that night.
Kaoru walked upon a dimly lit kitchen, wondering if one of the boys had been there before her to light the candle. Whatever the case was, she was happy at seeing some water boiling on the stove. Nearby on a table sat the green tea powder and she realized only one other person in the house shared her fondness for the brew. The candle's flame continued to flicker in the breeze wafting through the open door. When she saw the stirring air almost extinguish the candle she walked over to close the door, retaining her warmth along with the light. Until then Kenshin had remained well hidden in the shadows near the door. Once Kaoru came within a couple feet of the door she almost jumped out of her skin. Why was she so jumpy? She wondered if it had to do with her conversation with that eerie looking officer. Her eyes refocused on Kenshin's sleeping form and stayed there for a couple minutes… She would have to tell him what she'd learned from Saitou and offer an apology of her behavior.
Kaoru sighed softly as she continued to gaze at him with nothing but tenderness. When it came down to it, she couldn't find it in her heart to stay upset with him. And it was her in her heart she had made the decision to trust him, knowing full well that he had his reason for not telling her of his former identity as the Hitokiri Battousai. *He is no longer that man… He is merely a wanderer.* Her mouth took on a smile as soft as her gaze, taking a couple steps closer to the man before her. Never had she met a man as puzzling as the one sleeping in her kitchen. He looked so peaceful, sitting as he was, sleeping away while the candle did wonders to accentuate his already handsome features.
*Handsome is an understatement,*she stated to herself with a firm nod of her head. She turned her head to the side, embarrassed at the thoughts running through her mind. *Good thing he's asleep… It would be awkward if he found me staring at him like this. What would I tell him? 'Oh, I'm just admiring how incredibly gorgeous you are.' Yeah, right…* Her mind told her that she had seen enough, reluctantly tearing her eyes away from Kenshin's serene face to the door that remained open. All she wanted now was to get back to her room discretely and sort through her jumble of thoughts.
"EEEEEYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
Unfortunately, it wasn't as she had hoped. The scream tore through the air from the direction of the well, piercing straight to Kaoru who was still in an edgy state of mind. Her leg bumped against Kenshin's knee startling him awake. He pushed his back off the wall suddenly alarmed at the contact, which resulted in him losing his balance on the stool and falling forward. As luck would have it, Kaoru was there to break his fall.
Kaoru opened her eyes, squinting at the source of the warm breath tickling her nose. Kenshin's violet eyes were wide and staring directly into her equally shocked orbs of blue. His arms had prevented his face and head from contact but the rest of him couldn't be saved. There he was, hands on either side of the assistant master's head in what looked to be a somewhat compromising position. If anyone were to see them they no doubt would come to horribly wrong conclusions.
Apparently, luck was there again, and not necessarily the good kind. Sano carried Yahiko by one foot this time, both muddied and wet from their battle with each other. Both pranksters held the same jaw dropped disbelief painted on their faces at what they stumbled upon. Sano was the first to recover.
"Man, Kaoru… I thought Christians waited until marriage for that sort of stuff." Sano's mud crusted face cracked a grin as the two on the floor of the kitchen scooted away from each other in an instant after he spoke.
Kaoru didn't meet anyone's gaze as she spoke, clearing her throat just before beginning. "So, who was it that screamed earlier?" Sano's smile dropped as did Yahiko from his slack grip, the young one meeting the ground with a rude introduction.
Yahiko sat up and rubbed his head, his face now sporting a similar grin to the one Sano had moments ago. "It was Sano." He pointed with one hand, the other resting against his head as he explained. "I found a caterpillar near the well and put it down his pants." Yahiko began to laugh along with Kaoru and Kenshin, leaving a red-faced Sano out of the merriment.
"Laugh all you want, you little hyena." He threw Yahiko a glare and in return got a tongue stuck out at him. Rolling his eyes, Sano turned to address the two still flustered young adults in the kitchen. "I take it you two have stuff to talk about… we'll leave ya be." Grabbing Yahiko by the collar and dragged him away behind him. Soon Kaoru and Kenshin were left alone once again, not one eye lifting to regard the other after their embarrassment. Kenshin broke the silence, his voice soft yet full of sincerity.
"I am sorry for earlier, Miss Kaoru, that I am. I didn't intend to keep you in the dark about my past."
Kaoru lifted her eyes and met with ones of shimmering violet. Were those tears in his eyes? Her heart pulled her forward and she humbly obeyed, pulling her to sit in front of him. With her own eyes brimming with fresh tears, she spoke in equal faintness, her words heavy with emotion.
"I, too, am sorry… I should have trusted you to tell me things on your own time, yet I was foolish, childish and-"
"Shh…" He whispered, silencing her with the faint touch of his forefinger against her lips. "We both were at fault… that we were." His touch slipped slowly from her lips, warm now from her breath. The way she had followed his hand made him wonder at she was thinking of at that very moment. She leaned over, now kneeling on her knees closing the foot distance they had between them. His finger tingled from the warmth her lips had offered just a second ago, and a thought occurred to him. *She moved closer… for a kiss, perhaps.* He swallowed at the sudden thought. Kaoru closed the gap and her head moved to the side and over his shoulder, her arms wrapping around his neck for a hug.
"I've been blessed, Kenshin… to have a friend like you."
Kenshin couldn't help but register the slight disappointment that came but quickly pushed it aside while he wrapped his arms around her little frame. He hugged her close to him and rested his head against hers.
He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent, one of jasmine mixed with another flower, probably lilac but he couldn't remember. All he did know was that she said 'friend' and it seemed like nothing more. He sighed inwardly, storing the memory of this moment in his mind, and opened his eyes, breaking the hug. He watched as Kaoru's eyes, which had been closed during the embrace, blinked slowly and opened. She smiled as he gently held her at arm's length, a gracious inquisitive lining behind the dark blue of her eyes.
"I have been wanting to talk to you, Miss Kaoru, concerning Saitou's visit…" Both of them stood up, Kaoru nodding in understanding. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the pot of water still on the fire. Walking over to the stove, she peeked into it and noticed that most of the water had boiled and evaporated, leaving it mostly empty. She picked up the bucket Kenshin had put into place earlier that night.
"First let's get some tea, and then we could talk." Kaoru was heading toward the door when Kenshin blocked her way and gently lifted the bucket from her hands.
"I think it would be wise if we used another bucket, that I do."
Kaoru gave him an odd look and shrugged, walking to the back of the kitchen to retrieve another bucket from their shelf. Kenshin watched as she busied herself with preparing to boil more water, a meditative look set in his face as he turned over what he knew of his former rival and the possible reasons for the man's visit to the dojo. *Could it have to do with my presence here? Or could it be something concerning Miss Kaoru.* He glanced over at the woman looking for her tea cups and couldn't help but dread whatever the news could be. *I hope she has enough strength to face whatever this new development may be…I pray for the same strength myself.*
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A/N: So, things are resolved… at least some things, that is. ^^ The next chapter is going to get things moving a bit more. The information Saitou relayed to Kaoru will be uncovered and more things are going to be tied together. Okie dok, so what do ya think? Likie? No likie? Tell me what you thought! I know for a fact some of you are going to get the urge to pick up on hunting me down again, but I can explain my reasoning for yet another (semi)cliffhanger. I am pooped… school is hard… Getting my classes for Winter quarter was a pain but I did it… thus the reason for the uploading of this chapter. I got the classes I kinda wanted, but being a Freshman means I get all the leftover classes… UGH! But I am happy amidst my frustrations… and have gotten motivation in the form of… my mommy coming home on Wednesday! ^^ Those of you who know me well know that I am a wreck without my family, my mom especially. Anyhoo, it'll be all good and gravy once I get my papers done for my Art History and Archaeology classes. With that said, I think this has been a long author's note ^-^… Questions? Comments? Be sure to leave your mark and review, please ^^. Thanks and God bless. Ciao ~ The Honorable Gucci