Nighttime
Kaoru walked though the front gate as always, her body worn out from the training at the hall. She had really pushed herself this day, letting out some limited up emotions still lingering. Smells of a well-cooked meal made the Master of the Dojo feel right at home. Smiling, the young woman walked to the kitchen, finding her red-hair humming over a bowl of rice.
Never once had she heard Kenshin him, the sound was soothing, a deep one. She smiled, seeing the content on his face. He was at home in this place. Kaoru let her smile grow even more. Taking in the moment of seeing the true man behind the Rurouni mask he put own for the others. Youth was in his face and body. Seeming not to age at all in the past years. Hands that could take down a gang of men, chopped up the vegs in a gentled manner. Which is one of things she loved about him, his hands. Long and nimble, soft to the hardness of the blade. His hands could hold so much power, and then let it go. Light played on his face, the sun setting behind the clouds once again.
Kenshin sensed the presence of someone, seeing out of the corner of his eyes, a wisp of black hair. He smiled, knowing who was watching him.
'Miss. Kaoru, how was the training?'' hearing her jump little at the sound of his\is voice.
She walked into the KITCHEN, letting the blush cover her nose at being found out. The man did not need to turn to picture the young woman in his mind.
'Good, I made some money' her voice answer, sounds the usually happiness. ' So we can go shopping tomrrow but I need to clean up before dinner Kenshin'
The sound of her walking away reached his ears soon after. He let loose a bent in breathe. Tomorrow, part of the Rurouni hated that word more then ever. May 14th was tomorrow, still what would the man do? His own mind was being pulled apart at such a thought, the rice sizzling with the vegs at hand. Kenshin closed his eyes for the moment, the scent of jasmine hanging in the air. How could he leave them? Why should he? Still, what would happen if he did not leave? Would all of Japan have to pay for one man's happiness? Also, sooner or later, the battle would come here. Amber swirled in the young man's eyes. Thoughts of battle coming to this place set his swordsman soul a blaze. His left hand twitch at such a thought, memories of an earlier battle racking his mind, white plum, soulful ebony eyes, a sad smile crossing her creamy skin.
Kenshin shook his head, getting it from the past back to dinner. Still in all places of Japan, why Kyoto! Dinner was soon done, he walked out, and the Rurouni smile placed his youthful face, light lilac eyes falling to his fiends. Sano and Yahiko fighting over whatever, Miss Kaoru trying to pull the men apart, eyes flaming. He let a sweat drop appear on the back of his head. One wonders how so many battles the group was still alive?
Scents of a good meal made the Kenshin-gumi stop the fighting. He smiled, walking in and setting up the mean. The whole time 3 pairs of eyes were forced on the food. Chop sticks ready for the final plow. The roaster licked his lips, one eye on the woman. Glaring for the right to feed on such a meal before them. Yahoko slowly inched his way closer to the food, yet being pulled back by Sano with an animal like growl to the pup of the group. Kenshin sat down, making sure to keep his hands from the food; one might loose them in a feeding frenzy of the pack.
Soon the sounds of food being consumed filled the room. Each one was happy with the meal. Peace once again fell onto the Kenshin-gumi. Kaoru watched how the red headed samurai ate little, he seemed to be watching them, taking in every detail with soulful eyes. Dazed, which was something Kenshin never was. Then Kaoru remembered the date, a dread filling her heart again. The others seem unaware of the time that had passed this week. She herself had let it go for a few days. Kenshin had not, the choice and out come lingering on the mind of the Rurouni. Then the two locked eyes, something more passing between the two people.
'Hey Kenshin, how about we go get some sake for tonight?' Sano asked, crumbs clinging to his cocky smile.
' No thank you Sano. I have much to do tonight, that I do!'' Kenshin said, smiling all the while to his friend.
Yahiko could tell the smile was pushed. Wariness came to the younger man. Looking at the calendar. Tomorrow was the 14th, when Kenshin would make his choice. His food felt almost sick, the pile rising up his throat. Flashes of amber eyes placed them self's in the young man's mind, a pair of lavender ones over laying the amber. Which path would his friend and brother take?
Sano stood up, yawning. 'I'll see you guys tomorrow.'' He walked away, hands in his pockets, his white shirt flapping in the wind.
Kenshin started to get the dishes, Yahiko picking them up with the wonderer. He looked up to the younger man; eyes holding a questioned look to the dishes. 'I'll do them tonight Kenshin.' He said softly, taking the dishes from his ands, walking back to the kitchen. Leavening the Rurouni alone with the Raccoon girl.
Kaoru sat, her back leaning on the wall. Kenshin stood in the doorway. Wondering what would make Yahiko do the dishes for once?
'Kenshin, sit down. Yahiko can do dishes on his own.' The tone holding a laugh. Kaoru ' And its nice for once with some peace and quite here.''
He looked to Kaoru, seeing how the low light played on her face. Taking in every moment he could with the Kendo Queen of Tokyo. She was so unlike other woman he had meet in his years of wondering. Most where quite and soft, delicate to all points, graceful in the step. She could not cook, face a graceful step, or be soft in anyway. Yet her hair was a black shower, reflecting light back. The couge she put out was never ending or the kindess to the others. Such hands had healed a scared heart, re opening back to the world. Kaoru smile could make any man stop and stare. Even now, as she leaned, eyes closed. Kenshin would do anything to protect her, his choice made being in this moment.
A soft breathing filled the room, she had gone to sleep. A few hairs falling on her face. He quietly got up, pushing them ever so gentle, taking in the silken texture of her hair. Jasmine filled his being; this was her scent, and hers alone. Part of the samurai wanted to set a kiss on her tender lips. Other just was content of watching her breath, caught up the in moment of her. Did such a man like him deserve a joyful and wonderment soul such her. Kaoru, even the sound of her name was enough to be said for the former manslayer.
Kenshin touched her hands; she had not the hands of a soft woman. Tough from years of handling the wooden blade. Still the fingers where long and nimble. Her touch the kindness he had known, save for the times she drank too much. Deep thouted laughter escapes the man's lips. Picking her up his arms was nothing. Lightness was of a feather was part Kauro. Walking with an slteath of years in the shadows, he made his way to her bedroom. Placing her on the futon as if she was about to brake.
'Kenshin' softly fell from the woman's lips, chasseing lilac eyes to slightly widen. She was dreaming of him. Her one free hand grasping his. Kenshin let a tear fall from his eyes. Knowing what he had to do to save her and the others. To keep the battle from his home. Tomorrow was to the hardness day for all. Outside, a single firefly light glowed, flaming, and then falling to the earth. Burning one last good-bye to the world.