Alrighty. First of all, something happened to chapter 6 when I put it up, and I had to go back and re-type the chapter. For those of you following along, he should have bought both gi and hakama. If you didn't read that, then go back and read the end of chapter 6. Okay. Now that that's out of the way, let the torture recommence!
Chapter 7: Serious Conversations and Knowing Glances
Sometime later, Kenshin carefully snuck back into the dojo and concealed his purchases. Dropping the miso it the kitchen, he walked toward the dojo, where a series of whacks and thuds proclaimed Kaoru training Yahiko. Kenshin opened the door to find the two in the middle of a free battle.
Yahiko skidded across the floor, having tried to attack Kaoru and been knocked on his butt.
"Oww! That hurt, Busu!" To Kaoru's credit, she kept her temper well. On the outside, anyway.
Grr… I swear, if that kid calls me busu again, I will STRANGLE him.
"An enemy won't soften his or her blows for you just because you're a little kid, Yahiko- chan, so I won't either!" She yelled at him. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of Kenshin leaning against the door frame, watching them.
Eep, there's Kenshin! When did he get back? Goodness, I didn't even hear the gate open or anything.
"Don't call me CHAN!" Yahiko darted forward and whacked her hand. Kaoru's shinai clattered to the floor. Ouch. I was so distracted by Kenshin I gave him an opening.
I'm distracting? Kenshin thought. I don't know if that's good or bad…
Kaoru examined her hand for injuries as Yahiko braced himself for her fury. Finding herself intact, Kaoru picked up her shinai with a sigh.
"Training session over. Good job, Yahiko." He's getting better every day. Pretty soon I'm going to have to start teaching him the advanced techniques.
Yahiko walked over to Kenshin with a dazed expression on his face.
"Kenshin, did I hear right? Kaoru didn't just compliment me, did she?"
"It would appear so. You've learned your lessons well so far, that you certainly have." Yahiko looked down at the floor.
"Yeah, but…" Yahiko looked embarrassed.
"But what, Yahiko?" Kenshin sat, and motioned for Yahiko to do the same.
"What'll Kaoru do once I master Kamiya Kasshin Ryu? Won't that kind of force her to step down?" Kenshin thought hard.
"Sessha hadn't really thought about it. There have been adjutant masters before, though."
"Ad- juh- what?" Kenshin smiled.
"Adjutant masters. It used to be, before the Meiji Revolution, that in order to master the style you were training under, you had to kill your master." Yahiko looked shocked.
I didn't know that. Came Kaoru's mind voice from behind him. He resisted the urge to turn around to look at her.
"But used to be are the key words. When shinai fighting became more popular, the practice of sharing the 'master' slot did, too. It simply means that two people share the responsibilities and rewards of being a master. Or, if she chooses, Kaoru could step down and choose a new way of life, she could. It's up to her. Don't ever interfere with a woman's choice, Yahiko, it could be painful." He heard Kaoru smother a giggle behind him. Too true!
Yahiko frowned. "Hey, Kenshin?"
"Aa?"
"Did you… just say Kaoru?"
"Yes?" He replied, a little confused.
"With no dono?" Oops, Kenshin thought. I forgot that everyone else would notice the change. Diversionary tactics!
"What? Why would sessha do that?"
"But you- "
"You're obviously confused. But aren't you late for the Akabeko?" Yahiko yelped.
"Tsubame will fry me and serve me to the guests!" With that, he dashed off.
Kaoru came forward and sat down, laughing. Well, we know who's in charge of that relationship. She thought. "It was nice of you to talk to him, Kenshin."
"Sessha couldn't exactly ignore him; he was talking to me, wasn't he?"
Oh, man, what is it with you? It's like you lose your brain when she's next to you.
But she's so pretty today, that blue hakama really accents her eyes, not to mention her figure, and-
Rurouni, get a hold of yourself! She's talking! Kenshin snapped out of his reverie.
"Did you get the miso?"
"It was left in the kitchen." Kaoru got up and headed to the kitchen.
"I'll make lunch." Murder it's more likely. She thought darkly.
"Do you want help, Kaoru?" She smiled sweetly at him.
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll try it on my own." She walked determinedly toward the kitchen. Watch out kitchen, here comes Kaoru Mealslayer! Kenshin snorted, but Kaoru was too far away to hear.
"Oy, Kenshin." Kenshin turned and saw Sanosuke.
"Aa?"
"I heard that." Kenshin winced. Uh oh, He pulled up the rurouni smile.
"Heard what, Sano?" Sano made a simpering face.
"Do you want help, Kaoru?"
Dangit. Kenshin thought. "Sessha doesn't know what's unusual, sessha always offers to help Kaoru when she's cooking, out of consideration to our stomach-"
"There it is again!"
"There what is?"
"Kaoru!" He thumped his fist against the floor for emphasis.
"What?" A call came from the kitchen. Don't distract me or I might blow something up!
"Nothing, Kaoru, just keep cooking," Kenshin called back, "It's only Sano." Sano looked worried.
"Jou-chan's cooking? Isn't that kind of dan-"
BOOM!
"–gerous?" Sano finished.
"Ohhh, dangit!" Came a wail from the kitchen. Kenshin scrabbled to his feet and ran to the kitchen.
A little short, but I'll be updating soon. Any Ideas as to the gift Kenshin bought? Or the mysterious girl? You'll find out later! And speaking of later… Next time: The Consequences of letting Kaoru Cook and Kami-sama Returns! Until then, my friends….