A/N: Agh, sorry this took so long. I've been kind of distracted by real life things. This kind of just escaped my mind for a wee bit. Okay, longer than a wee bit, I apologize! I feel really bad. I will definitely try and not take so long on the next chapter. Okay?
This might be a little rushed more towards the end. I was kind of frustrated with how this turned out...
I hope that most of you who read will still review and share your thoughts with me. I'd really appreciate it! Thank you so much for reading!
Warning: Some more swearing. Points to Sano.
Sano: -indignant look- What?
"We're talking away
I don't know what I'm to say
I'll say it anyway
today's another day to find you
shying away
I'll be coming for your love okay?" —A-HA, Take on Me
Husband For Hire
Chapter Four: Take on Me
'Dearest Kenshin.' Sano scribbled on a rough draft piece of paper.
'My dearest Kenshin...' He rubbed his chin and glared at the paper.
"This is harder than I thought it would be... Damn." He crumpled up the ruined unacceptable draft paper and threw it carelessly over his shoulder. It bounced once on the floor and landed next to the other unfortunate disgraces, to be discarded and forgotten forever.
"I need inspiration!" He eyed a bottle of sake close by and chugged some down.
'Kenshin,
It is my cordial wish that you might consider joining me for an early dinner. I await your reply in earnest impatience and hope you will accept my invitation.
Sincerely,
Kaoru.'
He whistled in appreciation of his work.
"Hot damn! I'm good." He decided then and there that he'd go see the fox so that she could copy it onto parchment. She could write cursive much better than he could, plus she was a woman. So instead of his scribbly penmanship lacking a feminine grace to it he decided it was far wiser and cunning to employ a woman for the job. Another reason to go see the fox: he was beginning to feel restless and wanted to expend some of his energy in a productive manner. A.K.A. wooing said fox.
Sano wasted no time in getting to the doctor's office. He eneered without knocking, as was rooster custom, and slapped his final rough draft down on her desk. She wasn't startled or surprised. She calmly glanced at him before taking the paper and reading.
"This is humorous." She received a dull look.
"Will Kenshin buy it?" She read it again.
"I don't think so, Rooster head." She took a pen off her desk and made corrections.
"There." Sano snatched it from her and then grinned. Then he tossed it back on her desk.
"I need you to rewrite it in your scribbly stuff." He stared at her expectantly.
"You're not my boss. I'm a free woman, I do what I please." She crossed her arms in defiance and watched for his reaction. It came but not in the way she was privy to. He gave her his infamous puppy eyes. She began to crack under those dark intense eyes' assault.
"Oh, all right." She said, giving into his command. She got out a nice piece of paper and began to write Kenshin's letter in the best cursive he'd ever see. Sano smiled when she folded it and placed it in an envelope she had addressed to their new friend.
"All done."
"Not quite..." Sano whispered. He moved around the desk and trapped Megumi in her chair with his hands on either side of her body, gripping the arm rests. He swooped in so close that they breathed into each other's open mouths. He kept his stare trained on her eyes. She slipped and glanced down at his lips, which formed a grin. She looked back up at him before he stepped away and winked at her.
"Just checking." And then he left. Megumi frowned and in haled a big breath of air.
"Men." She huffed.
Her concentration had engulfed her completely. All she heard was the sound of splashing and the rubbing as she did their laundry. A bead of sweat made a path for others to follow down the side of her face as soon as it had become too great for her brow to hold up. She wiped at it absentmindedly with the upper part of her sleeve.
Wisps of her ebony hair were all around her head, trying to escape the tie that held most of her ponytail in place. All in all, she was a mess and one could surmise that either, one: she was working very hard, or two: she didn't know what showers and brushes were. Assuming by how white her teeth were, the latter need not remain in question.
Her thoughts were focused on the task at hand, rather than other menial concerns that imposed upon her mind and heart the other hours of her waking life.
A presence suddenly came near and cast a shadow over her. Her sword training kicked in, along with instinct, and she tensed up slightly, anticipating some form of obtrusiveness from behind.
"BOO!" Yahiko shouted, playfully smacking his sister upside the head. She retaliated with a noogie and then captured his head in a lock of her arm.
"Surrender!"
"Never!" He struggled a bit before successfully tripping her from under her feet and then set a heavy foot on her stomach.
"I'm the victor!" His fists punctured the air above his head and a grin that boasted of a boost in his ego adorned his youthful face.
"Oh," he suddenly leaned down with a curious and serious expression on his face, "there's someone at the gates for you." She froze.
"Who?" Yahiko shrugged. She quickly got up and raced to the gates.
Was it an emergency? If so, Yahiko was in big trouble for kidding around before telling her about the person who waited at their door.
Upon opening the gate, Kaoru was horrified to discover that her visitor happened to be Kenshin. She froze, like a deer caught in headlights, her eyes were wide and her whole body taut. Her hair! Her clothing!
Oh... my ... GOD!
"Good afternoon Kaoru-dono," he greeted, and with a wonderful smile too. She forgot about her present state of being because of that smile.
"Hello... Kenshin."
"Sessha did not know Yahiko was your younger brother, de gozaru." She stepped aside to allow him to pass while nodding to him, and then closed the gate behind them.
"Well, he looks more like our father. I take after our mother. And...we don't really act alike... except when we are arguing," she explained in a nervous ramble, pink in the cheeks.
"Aaaa." They walked unhurriedly to nowhere in her yard. She was trying to think up reasons for him to be there while he was trying to just give her his answer to her letter invitation. He stopped and turned to her, a determined set to his face and body. She looked a little intimidated...
"Sessha would like to have lunch, dinner, or any kind of meal with you," he finally said. She almost fell over from shock.
"Wha!" He gulped then and became very shy all of a sudden.
"That is if you are not otherwise engaged..."
"MARRIAGE!"
"ORO?"
"Kenshin?"
"Maa, maa, no! Sessha wants to have dinner with you! Only that, de gozaru." He quickly amended, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"Oh," she glanced down at her uncompleted pile of clothing.
"I have to finish a few chores and then we can eat here or go somewhere..." She kneeled down in front of the basin again and continued where she left off. She paused when she noticed Kenshin tying back his sleeves; he joined her.
"Sessha will help." He smiled at her.
"Thank you."
It was harder to let the task take over her so completely again. Especially when she was noticing things about him that made her breathing more difficult and her actions more self-conscious. There was this nervous boil in the pit of her stomach and her mouth had sudden become so dry. She kept glancing at him in small quick takes and couldn't help but breathe in his wonderful musky scent...
She realized then that he was doing all the work when she noticed just how many more articles of clothing he'd gone through than she had. She suddenly felt guilty and decided she couldn't take advantage of him like that.
"Kenshin, you may stop now, I will finish the rest." He looked confused but nodded and finished the one he had in his hands. She watched out of the corners of her eyes as he stood and carried the hakama over to the drying rack, carefully positioning it on a pole with all of the others to dry.
That was when Yahiko reappeared and beckoned to Kenshin. Kaoru watched in interest and was glad that Yahiko had actually showed up at a good time. Yahiko gave her a weary glance however, which sparked her curiosity that Yahiko would talk quietly about something to Kenshin and not her...
It kind of hurt her feelings. But he was a boy, after all, and Kenshin was man. Her brother would feel more comfortable discussing things pertaining to manhood with a man of course. She let it go and continued with the last of the laundry.
Yahiko lead Kenshin into the kitchen.
"Sano informed me about the dinner. We know you aren't the richest person... and I like you so I thought I'd spare you from Kaoru's disaster cooking. Here's all you need..." he gestured to the food laying on the table. Kenshin thanked him and washed his hands before he set about preparing their meal. The boy remained where he stood, in contemplation of something important, Kenshin was sure.
"I don't want Kaoru to know..." his youthful eyes pleaded with him.
"Okay, sessha won't tell, de gozaru."
"I need to know what girls like, besides flowers." His eyes searched the older more experienced man's. Each second ticked by as he held his breath waiting for an answer.
"Girls... young women are mysterious and confusing in that there is no stereotypical gift that will satisfy every one of them. You must find out what she likes, that way she knows you sincerely care about her and you don't have to guess what to buy and run the risk of her not cherishing it. Although if she truly loves you, she'd cherish anything you give her." The boy's eyes grew stern for a bit as this information sunk in. Then they lit up, with this newfound realization.
"Also," Kenshin wanted to add, "women sometimes love being romanced... sometimes they love surprises, especially if they are good surprises, de gozaru. But there is a time and place for everything."
"Thanks Kenshin.." and there was an appreciative twinkle in the boy's eyes.
"Yahiko is most welcome. Sessha is glad to help, de gozaru."
"Kenshin!" Called Kaoru's voice.
"Busu's croaking for ya!" The kid yelled loud enough for her to hear before dashing off.
"Yes, Kaoru-dono?" She came up to him and then eyed the food.
"What's that?"
"This is going to be dinner, Kaoru-dono.":
"Yes, but where did it all come from?" Kenshin spotted something on her face and lifted his hand to wipe it off. She tensed up and he almost decided not to touch her so intimately but his hand went of its own accord and he realized it was an eyelash. Her eyes were staring at him now. He didn't know why it even mattered. He suddenly realized he just wanted to touch her. He turned his attention back to the food.
"It came from the market, of course," he chuckled to change the mood and made another rice ball. She watched his hands shape the rice in bewilderment and then vacated the room to clean herself up.
"Sessha enjoys it here." Kaoru smiled and took a bite of the food Kenshin had prepared. She was envious of his amazing ability to cook and make wonderful creations of food. She studied his hands, wondering if they were the cause of the delicious food. Then she studied his head. The secret probably lay hidden in his head; she mused that she'd never discover it then, if that were the case. He seemed to be a closed off person some of the time. Although, it was just recipes... maybe he would share.
"Kaoru-dono, is something wrong?" She shook her head and smiled bashfully.
"Soo...what made you want to go on a picnic so bad?" Kaoru questioned, her eyes expecting and asking something Kenshin couldn't ascertain, even if he hoped to.
"The weather. Sessha is quite fond of pleasant weather, de gozaru."
"You sound like my grandmother," she stated in a deadpan voice before clapping her hands over her mouth in embarrassment.
"Oro?" His eyes darted around, he was trying to think up something to say to that.
'Don't say anything. Prove to her by physical action that you shall not and cannot be compared to her grandmother,' Battousai commanded rather roughly.
"Sessha has noticed Sanosuke is in love," Kenshin blurted out
'...' Battousai popped his sword out of its sheath an inch to warn the Rurouni of his growing agitation.
"Really?" Kaoru's eyes became bright and sparkly. "Who?"
"Sanosuke."
"Mou, you said that. I mean, who is he in love with?"
"Someone very close to him, de gozaru." She froze and turned a bit white.
'She's very close to you...' Battousai pointed out. Kenshin noticed that the Battousai was right, she was sitting only inches away from him. He began to sweat.
"Sessha really does enjoy it here," he quickly said, partly to focus on something else and partly because he was trying not to be uncomfortable.
"Kenshin, you're not trying to casually imply that Sano has feelings for...me, are you?"
"ORO! Good heavens, no. Sessha apologizes. Sessha believes Sanosuke is in love with the lady doctor, de gozaru."
"Phew! That's great news, because I can't stand Sano. I mean, he's a good friend but I'd be inclined to tear him a new one everyday of our lives if we were to be married," she admitted. At her confession, the Rurouni went very still and gulped.
"Sessha pities a disagreeable husband for you, Kaoru-dono," he said softly. She blew up and clenched her fists.
"What's THAT suppose to mean?" She began to reach for his neck to strangle him.
"Maa, maa, sessha meant nothing offensive by it, Kaoru-dono. It's just that the perfect marriage or relationship doesn't exist. One must work for a good relationship, compromise, sacrifice, have patience and be accepting, which is what love is all about, de gozaru."
"Whatever Kenshin." Munch, munch.
"Oro."
Off in the distant bushes...
"Can you hear them?" Sano asked, somewhat in a whisper, somewhat in a gruff coarse voice.
"No. We're not even close enough to see them!" Yahiko cried in exasperation.
"Well, who's fault is that? Why'd they have to go and fucking sit by the river where there, happen to be no bushes, coincidentally?" Sano yelled this time, Yahiko was quick to act, covering the irate Rooster's blabbing mouth with his hand to silence him.
"Shh, dummy!"
"Well, if you can't hear them, chances are they can't hear me, Einstein!"
"They can if you're yelling, stupid!" Yahiko pointed out, glaring all the while. "What part of this was meant to benefit me, Rooster head?" Sano eyed him with a look that said he should know already.
"This is boring..." Yahiko moaned, just to accentuate his words.
"Fine! Go away, you cretin! I don't need you anyway. Don't know why I even bothered..."
"Because I knew where they went..." Yahiko supplied. Sano growled and lunged after the boy. But Yahiko was small and slipped away, running as fast as he could while cackling.
Sano then turned his attention back to the "near couple" couple.
"He's right, this IS boring. This requires a more direct approach," Sano said to himself, mainly because all great schemers talk to themselves, but also because he really didn't want to own that he was psychotic by talking to a tree or a rock.
"Kenshin, I am not convinced that you understand the severity of the situation. You need to "make a move" on Jou-chan! Or else something bad is going to happen to me..." Sano said. Kenshin put a reassuring hand on his hsoulder.
"Sessha does not believe anythign bad is going to happend to you if seesha doesn't initiate intimacy with Kaoru-dono."
"Argh! I had a fucking nightmare, man! Some people say dreams are premonintions! Do you want me to to be unable to continue the Sagara line?" Kenshin began the laugh and then quieted himself when he noticed his friends' unenthused expression.
"Sanosuke, seesha does not want to do anything improper to Kaoru-dono especially if she doesn't want it or isn't ready for it, de gozaru." Sano hit his head on the wall next to him a few times.
'Damn... we have the power to drive people mad with words!' The Battousai said, excitedly. Rurouni's eyes grew monumentally wide and he tried to force the Battousai far down in his mind.
"At least do this one thing for me," Sano pleaded. "I'll get on my knees and beg, I will!"
'Oh please, let me kill him. He's a disgrace to all mankind,' The Battousai said.
"Sanosuke, there's no need to behave this way. Sessha can't promise anything but sessha will consider it, de gozaru."
"You kiss Kaoru. Then you'l' know if she has feelings for you. THEN, ask her to marry you!" Kenshin scracthed the back of his head nervously and began to inch away.
"Sessha is glad you are not too imaginitivie in your attempts to marry Kaoru off."
"Hey! I take offense to that!"
"Maa, maa!"
Knock, knock.
"Who is it!"
Yahiko ran to the door and threw it open. It slammed into the wall with a bang.
"What do you want?" Amethyst eyes blinked innocently back at him.
"Oro, umm..." The older man began unintelligently. Yahiko moaned and shook his head.
"Bah, adults." He frowned at Kenshin. "This way." Kenshin nodded as he followed the young boy through the yard. "She's looking particularly ugly today, Kenshin, I don't know why you want to see her." They stopped in the dojo and Yahiko pushed Kenshin onward.
There she was, with her back to him, dressed in a simple kimono, with her hair up modestly. She turned around and blue eyes caught his breath and stole it away.
"Kenshin." She smiled. He licked his dry lips and then smiled back.
"Hello, Kaoru-dono."
"Kenshin, you know you can just call me Kaoru. Nevermind the -dono," She took his offered arm.
"Yes Kaoru-dono. You have mentioned it before." She shook her head but didn't press it. She was gentle and kind when she wanted to be.
He guided her out of the yard and through the countryside. They talked on and off but never once was it awkward or boring. Kaoru would point out places she'd been and how they related to her with vivid clarity and such enthusiasm. He realized he could listen to her voice all day long and never tire of it.
"Kenshin..."
"Yes Kaoru-dono?" She looked at him meekly but then quickly glanced away.
"I ummm..." She began to play with her hair. He became a little confused. Why was she acting so nervous all of a sudden?
'I'm ashamed of you for even thinking that question...' the Battousai muttered, a bored tone underlying his low voice.
"Kaoru-dono, you can tell me anything. Sessha is a very good listener." She stopped walking then and searched his eyes.
"Nothing..." Fireflies were all around them. The night sky had somehow sneaked its way in the sky and was hidden beneath the canopy of trees they were walking under side by side. Karou shivered and wrapped her arms around herself while trying to be discreet about it but it didn't go unnoticed.
'Now is the time to strike,' the Battousai advised.
"May Sessha..." Kaoru turned her innocent eyes to him. "May sessha hold you?" Her face turned a few shades pinker and she looked down at the ground as she stepped closer to him slowly.
Kenshin could feel his heart beating in his throat. She snuggled into his arms when they opened up to her and wrapped around her small frame. Kaoru then buried her nose into his neck and he chuckled. She looked up at him quizzically and he smiled down at her.
"Your nose is cold, Karou-dono." She smiled and returned her nose to his neck.
"Call me Kaoru, Kenshin." He stilled and stared at her head.
"Kaoru." She looked back up at him then and he watched her as she observed his face.
"Anything else, Kaoru?" His voice had become husky and it made her shiver despite the warmth she now felt.
"Y-yes..." He raised an eyebrow and waited patiently for her to continue.
"May I... touch you?" He chuckled again.
"You are as we speak, Kaoru." She looked down timidly with a smile and then lifted a hand from hugging him to gently touch his cheek. He turned serious and leaned into her hand, closing his eyes.
"I feel like something is wrong with me... I've never felt anything similar to love for anyone. I mean, the kind of love a man and a woman shares. Every girl my age, they're already on their second or third child and I'm not even married..." She buried her head in his shoulder.
"I don't know why I said that." IT was a whisper.
"There is nothing wrong with you, Kaoru. Sometimes it takes longer for some people to discover the wonderful things in life. Sometimes it won't happen until you stop expecting it to. You were not meant to be alone forever, de gozaru," he said, his words flowing over her and washing away the stress and worries of her life for the moment.
"Thank you." He gently began to rub her back up and down and that action elicited a sigh from her.
"So... how is the scheming coming along, rooster-head?" The fox mocked as she sat down across from him at the Akabeko. He looked more than a little stressed.
"Okay, I guess. I'm not really sure." He put a hand through his hair and then rubbed some feeling into his face. "Hell, I'd say since they haven't kissed or gotten hitched that it's not going well at all!" He suddenly downed a glass full of something she assumed to be alcoholic. It was set none too gently back on the table in between them.
"I believe you're becoming bipolar... these mood swings are worse than a pregnant ladies'" He glared at her and downed another cup. She returned his glare with one of her own.
"You're not helping you know. You're suppose to be this smart doctor but do I see you helping me? No! I mean, a squirrel would probably give me more help than you."
"I fail to see the correlation in that..."
"See? No help whatsoever!" He yelled as he made huge gestures with his hands. "You make me think that none of this is important to you," he spat out, literally. She wiped her face off and glared at him back.
"You brought this upon yourself. I told you my limitations and expectations for a relationshi so don't blame me for being honest with you when you chose to be selective in your ability to hear!" She stood up and stormed out of the restaurant. Wide eyes all around stared at the fuming rooster. A few sympathetic eyes were turned his way too.
He finished the rest of his drinks and then moped about as he left and walked home.
A big goofy smile was stuck to her face. Her cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling too much. She'd tried to stop without any success. The closest she'd gotten to anything other than a smile was a weird facial expression that looked like she had smelled something very unpleasant.
Kaoru was returning from teaching at one of the other dojos across town. She opened the gate and her foot hit a small pile of mail. She sifted though it absentmindedly to see if there was anything for Yahiko and came across a blank envelope.
Curiosity sprang forth and her fingers sought the flap, ripping it open. Her eyes widened as she read the paper within.
"What's this?" She shoved the flyer in Sano's face. Sano had just come from using her bathroom. She took in his appearance then, but didn't say anything.
"An.. Ad?" He said, somewhat out of it.
"I thought you were over this, Sano! What's going on? Why do you have an ad out to hire me a husband? 'Must be flexible and open to new ideas'!"
"Now hold up jou-chan, no one else has answered the ad since Kenshin and you'll be glad to know-" he finally noticed how still she had suddenly become and the deathly silence that had fallen around them made his skin crawl.
"Ken...shin...?"
"Wait a minute before you jump to conclusions, Kaoru-" He began.
"You JERK! How dare you? Who do you think you are, messing with my feelings? Paying... some STRANGER off the street to seduce and wed me and for what reason? What's got you in this... mode?" Her face was red and eyes were angry and stormy. It looked like she might start crying too.
"I can explain-"
"NO." She ripped up the ad. "Stay out of my business, stay out of my life." And she ran off towards her home. Sano slapped his head and soberly rubbed his face. He wasn't going to be eating dinner here tonight...
"Kaoru-dono hasn't been in the market..." Kenshin stated softly. Sano paused his hand before it reached his mouth to take another bite of his food when Kenshin spoke.
"I know, She found the ad and thinks I'm paying you." His hand continued on the rest of the way towards his mouth.
"Aaa." Kenshin looked down at the table where all their food and their money sat. It was quiet for a couple minutes in their small area of the Akabeko.
"I have an idea, if you're willing to endure things worse than hell..." Sano said, as sort of question-statement.
"Sessha has been through worse than anything you can possibly imagine, Sanosuke." His expression added support to that statement.
"All right, It may seem... ridiculous, but it may... help better things." He began to whisper in the Rurouni's ear.
Sanosuke had helped Kenshin learn a song real quick on a koto they had borrowed from Tae before leaving the Akabeko. And now it was time for Kenshin to perform. He began to play the koto but since he'd only just learned how, it didn't sound all that good.
He stayed where he was, though, and kept playing, even as he heard movement through the Kamiya household.
"What in the world are you doing, Kenshin?" She shouted.
"Apparently, it's called 'Serenading.' It is quite common and popular these days, I'm told, de gozaru," he explained while still trying to play the song.
"Well, stop and leave me alone, Kenshin." Kaoru was about to return inside when Kenshin stopped playing and set down the koto and walked up to her.
"Sessha is afraid sessha can't do that. Sessha wants to apologize for his deception. There never was the intention of accepting payment, nor did sessha receive any. Sessha wanted to be in your company, de gozaru" She stared into his honest eyes and then clenched her own shut.
"Mou! Can't I even be mad for once! Why must you come here all handsome and persuading...?" She opened her eyes and looked up at him, biting her lower lip in contemplation.
"Kaoru-dono, Sessha doesn't know what is going to happen, nor can sessha make promises but sessha would like to continue seeing you... if you want to..?"
"Kenshin..."
"You don't have to answer right away. Sessha is a very patient man, de gozaru." Suddenly, she was hugging him. His arms went around her and they held each other for countless minutes in silence.
"Kenshin?"
"Yes, Kaoru-dono?"
"I believe we have an important score to settle..." a mischievous grin plastered itself on her lips.
"Oro..."
Thanks to the readers!
Sims are awesome: Thank you!
Phi-dono: Great! I won't change the title of the chapter then. You made me feel much better about it, all in all. I'm glad that you enjoyed the whole chapter. I hope you will forgive me for taking so long to update. Gah, I didn't mean for it to take this long.
Neko-Yuff16: I'm sorry it took me this long to post. I will definitely check out your story when I get the time. Thank you for reading!
Bradybunch4529: I'm glad that you enjoyed that last chapter. It's hard to write Megumi and Sano moments, which is why they are shorter than everything else. I have something special planned for them... I really do.
evilteddybear: I hope this answers your question, if you still remember what it was, lol. And I hope this didn't disappoint you. Thank you for reveiwing.
Crewel: I'm glad you liked the interaction between Sano and Megumi. I hope you like this chapter then!
meant2be: I tried to update as soon as I could, although I know it wasn't nearly as soon enough. Please forgive me! If you liked the last chapter and hopefully you like this one, you'll like what I have planned for Sano and Megumi next chapter.
Nyako: Thank you! I wanted his dream to be scary and I'm glad you liked it!
Lara: Well... I didn't really have Megumi give you a big indication of her feelings for Sano.Maybe next chapter? Lol.
Reignashii: Thank you!
royal blueKitsune: I know! But we all love him anyway. Lol.
Bunny Sailor Moon: I'm honored that you think my story is really good. Although, I'm not so certain that is has continued to be good. I feel like I rushed the later half of this chapter. But I really wanted to get it out so I wouldn't make you wait any longer... although that is sacrificing quality just to get something out... It's frustrating, I have all these other things to do and all I really want to do is write and read... lol. Life is poopy sometimes!
AquafinaSEK: thank you, I will most certainly try!