Blame it all on the moon
Chapter 1: Amidst the Bubbles
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Kaoru sighed, leaning over the rail for a better view.
"Ugh." Yahiko sighed, leaning over the rail for a different reason. Kenshin laughed, finally relaxing.
Maybe this trip is what I need after all, he thought.
The Kenshin group was on a boat, with Izu in sight. Literally.
"It's so green! I didn't remember it being so green, did you, Kenshin?"
Kenshin snapped out of his reverie.
"Oro?" Kaoru laughed.
"Goodness, you must have a lot on your mind, Kenshin. You looked like Aoshi for a while there."
"Oh, uh, sorry, Kaoru-dono, sessha, sessha agrees. It's very green." Augh! Rurouni Baka strikes again! Behind him, he heard Sano snicker. Placing a well-aimed kick at Sano's shin, he continued.
"It'll be nice to relax in the hot springs, that it will.
A short while later, Kaoru slipped into the warm, soothing water of one of Izu's famous hot spring resorts. Kenshin wasn't the only one with a lot to think about.
Kenshin, you idiot. What is wrong with you? Or is it me? Maybe he doesn't think of me as anything other than a little sister, like Ayame and Suzume. Sigh. That's probably it. After all, he is ten years older than me. He was sword training before I was born. But, I don't care! I'll just have to pound that into his overly hard head, that's all. He's so clueless…
"Kaoru, hey, fancy meeting you here!" She turned as Misao plunged into the water like usual, with more fuss and noise than necessary.
"Hi, Misao, how are you?" Misao's face lit up.
"I'm great, of course. I'm here with my Aoshi-sama! But, Kaoru, if ya don't mind me saying so, you look awful…" Misao frowned. "Do ya want to tell me?"
"Do I ever!"
Kenshin stepped into the water on the men's side, leaving his trusty sakabatou at the door. Dodging Sano's attempt to dunk him, he headed for the deep end, the side nearest to the women's bath. He could hear Kaoru talking to someone awfully familiar…
"Hello, Battousai." Kenshin inhaled part of the pool as Aoshi waded over.
"H- Hello, Aoshi, demo, it's Kenshin, remember?" Kenshin spluttered, but was ignored.
"You are disturbed. You are not usually this jumpy, nor so tense. Misao and I are taking a meditation trip, in hopes to help her find her inner quiet. If you are not careful, Battousai, I will never get Misao to be quiet at all. Perhaps you should meditate with me." Sano waded over to the two other men.
"Wow, Aoshi, I think that's the most I've ever heard you say!"
"Uh, no thanks, Aoshi, sessha doesn't-"
"It might help you sort out your confusion, and your negative emotions are disturbing my meditation anyway."
"Uh…" Yeesh, who died and made him Buddha? Kenshin thought privately.
"Good. We will meditate tomorrow after lunch." Then Aoshi left. Sanosuke waited until the older man was completely gone before turning to Kenshin.
"Yeesh, who died and made him Buddha?"
"And that about sums it up. I don't know if he's just dense, or if he's ignoring me."
"Wow, Himura sure is making a mess of things, isn't he?" They sat in pensive silence for a moment, and laughter could be heard on the men's side. Misao tilted her head thoughtfully.
"You know, I've always wondered what they were doing over there…" The two girls swam over. Kenshin's voice was the first they heard.
"Now, now, Sano, you should be a man and admit defeat, that you should."
"Defeat! What are ya talking about? I'm the clear winner here, Kenshin!"
"As far as size goes, mine is most definitely bigger. Yours is a good deal smaller, and it appears to be leaning…"
"Ah, no way, Kenshin, buddy, you just don't have the right angle on them. Jou-chan would definitely like mine better."
"Sorry to disagree, but Kaoru-dono must have the best, that she must." Suddenly Yahiko's voice broke in.
"Why don't you just ask Kaoru?"
"Now, now, Yahiko, it's not really that simple…"
"It was with me and Tsubame! Some jerk offered at the same time I did, but she liked mine better, so that's what she got!"
"Hey, I think Yahiko-chan's got a point."
"Oh, alright… If you're really sure, Sano…" There was a splash.
"GHAHAHAHA! Kenshin got dunked! How's that for an answer?" A spluttering noise was heard.
"Clear as crystal. Fine, then…" He raised his voice. "Kaoru-dono? Could Sano and sessha talk to you for a moment?" Kaoru blushed.
"Sure, Kenshin, can I have a moment to get into some clothes?"
"O- Of course, Kaoru-dono, there's not a real hurry, that there isn't." Kaoru waded to the shallow end with Misao following, shaking with silent giggles.
"Whooe, you may get Kenshin's answer sooner than you hoped!" Misao eyed her thoughtfully. "You know, I think you match. Your face and his hair!" Kaoru shoved Misao back into the water and donned a yukata. Kenshin and Sanosuke met her at the door, both very red-faced and holding their hands behind their backs. Kenshin stepped forward.
"K-Kaoru-dono, Sano and I have a minor discrepancy concerning you, that we do."
"What is it?" Kenshin's blush deepened a shade or two.
"W- Well, we knew you hadn't had lunch yet, so sessha bought you a lunch, that I did. Sano shuffled forward.
"And so did I." They held out two hot dogs.
(Glares around) Hentai. The world's gone hentai. They bought her LUNCH, people.
This chappie was the by product of my own wonderings… What do men do over there?
Ah, well. I digress. This is part two, so only one chapter left! Ja mata!