Fanfic by Blueroseulan

December 17, 2005

AN: Ok guys… chapter 5 up! I would really like to thank ya'll for supporting this fic! I really appreciate your reviews, comments and suggestions alike.

I wish you'd continue reviewing and telling me what you think… please tell me if you have any other ideas for this fic of mine coz I'm honestly experiencing writer's block for now… and I just don't want to leave my fic hanging… (it's not a nice thing to do I tell you 0o) so leave a review and tell me any plots you have in mind!

Aww… my new Sou/Kao fic flopped… flopped I tell yah! 2 reviews! Come'on that's sick! TT… still, I cant blame you totally for not reviewing if you're a total KnK lover…

Geez! I'm ranting on! On with the fic! o0

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It would come as no surprise to say that Himura Kaoru had been truly taken aback and astonished when she saw whom else but Chief Uramura sitting cross-legged in their receiving room and talking with Kenshin. Nearing the room in an almost dazed trance, she wondered if it was yet another assignment for him that involved going away from home again. Frowning at the thought, the woman can't help but overhear their conversation.

What's this? A growing heated argument? Suddenly interested, she wondered why. Chief Uramura hardly made things quite difficult, and neither did her husband. If proven, this would be their first argument. Slightly amused, her ears strained to hear their words.

It appealed to Kaoru that the chief was yet requesting Kenshin's presence in of their assignments again. This should come as no surprise for she had grown accustomed with the chief's constant visits in the Kamiya dojo. What surprised her was her husband's reply.

"Gomenasai Uramura-san… but this one I would have to refuse…." He said in a somewhat sheepish tone.

Eyes widening, the chief could not find the words to say. After all, this was indeed Himura's first time to deny an assignment.

"Wha-what do you mean to say Himura-san?" he asked, sputtering.

Before he had the chance to answer, the door suddenly burst open, revealing a fallen- over Kaoru who looked as if she had been eavesdropping, unconsciously sliding the door open, and falling flat in her tabi in front of the two of them.

Cheeks flushing scarlet red, she tried to recover the moment's loss of her dignity by finding a lame excuse. She had been so wrapped up in listening to them… so much surprised when she heard her husband's gentle refusal to accept the assignment that she did not notice that the door was slowly well er—opening.

"Kaoru?' he asked in faint mocked innocence. Of course he had known his Kaoru was outside, he knew well enough of ken-ki to feel her presence.

Watching as faint amusement flicker in his eyes, she huffed indignantly, trying to cover her embarrassment with faked anger.

"I was just checking on you two gentlemen." She rationalized, sitting beside her husband while saying so.

Chief Uramura didn't seem to be a bit interested with the slight distraction, mind occupied with Himura's refusal. Oh what would Fujita-san say?

After a several long minutes of discussion, Kenshin's patience was surely growing thin. How come they're all stubborn? I said it clearly… I don't want the job! It's no sense sacrificing my family... For a mere moment, his eyes had flashed amber, one fact that did not escape his wife's attention. She knew he was wearing out with the conversation. She had to stop this. Had to. Or would she like the chief's blood staining her newly polished floors?

No. She did not. And certainly certainly not in front of her kids.

"Uramura-san?"

Both heads whipped to her, with Kenshin feeling relief wash him over like a wave.

"I was listening to your talk… and I thought if maybe the both of you could compromise?" she asked her voice firm and unwavering.

"Whatever do you mean Kamiya-san?" Uramura asked, his courage failing him. He had felt Himura's irritation and while he was aware of his non-killing vow… he would really appreciate walking back to Saitou in one whole piece, thank you very much.

Well," she murmured, placing her chin on a thumb," Since, your both in the opposite sides, why don't you meet halfway? Give my husband a vacation. In that way, he'll get what he wants, and then after his break, he could continue working under you."

Amethyst eyes widened. My wife is such a genius! He thought inwardly. In that way, I could spend time with my family and return to work afterwards…

So, after a few more agreements, one which consisted that the police will never ever ask for his presence, nor bug him to join them, while he was still on his leave, a bargain was struck and the chief was truthfully glad to have walked out from their dojo in one complete piece.

They just sat there for a while, not knowing what to say or do with each other, as such, Kaoru was indeed having a hard time just concentrating with having a staring match with the hard clean tatami mat.

Finally he made a move to stand, startling her in the process. He was about to slide open the shoji when he barely heard her slightly indiscernible voice.

"Thank you…" she whispered, bowing her head to hide the tell tale blush that had started to cross her cheeks.

"For what?" he asked, seemingly wanting to extend their conversation, although this had gone unnoticed for she was a bit focused on trying hard not to stare at his deep amethyst eyes.

"For…for wanting to spend time with us…your family…" she sighed, inwardly berating herself for allowing the tears that threatened to fall. Why is it so hard to speak now? She questioned herself, forcing the lump that had formed in her throat out. I will not cry… will…not…cry…breathe Kaoru breathe…

But of course some had managed to escape her glassy orbs.

He saw this…and he had wanted to kick himself inwardly, for hurting her, for making her cry again…He had wanted to kiss her right there and then, wanted to tell her that she need not feel gratitude for whatever thing he has done. After all, it was still his duty as a father to dedicate himself to his family right? It was he who needed to feel gratitude. Seeing her try so hard not to cry was enough to send a hurl of pain jamming in his chest. He wanted to kiss her right there and then, but he was afraid… I have yet to set things in the right order for the two of us…

So he did the first thing that came up into his mind. He knelt beside her, a tentative hand stroking the small of her back and he murmured in his soft gentle and understanding voice,

"Daijobou de gozaru yo…"

And he was gone.

"MAN KENSHIN! YAH IDIOT! 'COURSE SHE DOES!"

WHAM!

The poor red head couldn't help but wince loudly as the drunk ex fighter slammed yet another sake bottle in his head. The unfortunate oroing swirly-eyed samurai couldn't help but thank the gods for giving him a harder head. If they hadn't, he'd be dead by now, considering the number of times Sanosuke had practically rammed the sake jug into his skull.

After the incident with Chief Uramura, the ex assassin couldn't help but become confused with his Kaoru. Thoughts like Does she appreciate the things I do? Or Am I doing the right thing? Kept whirring up in his head and soon, he found himself chagrined with several sake bottles, not to mention the ones Sanosuke had broken in his drunken stupor, trying hard to weasel any explanation or useful advice from the man.

He inwardly groaned Oro! Think about sensible…Sanosuke had not mouthed any coherent sentences…not even phrases since he had gotten drunk…. ORO!

Finally, when Kenshin had asked him how to regain the trust of his wife, Sanosuke answered him with a reply that sent him thinking even on his way home and as he lay wide awake on his futon.

"Well Kenshin bud, yah gotta court Jou-Chan again."

Violet eyes widening, the clueless swordsman didn't have well – er- a clue- with what the other was implying.

"Remember the times when you still weren't married, yah take her out on walks, bring her gifts and all that peachy stuff yah lovey dovey couple do before." He slurred. Head almost falling on the hard table had it not for Kenshin's arm.

"You think it would work? He asked eyes a bit hopeful. Man… Can't believe I'm actually believing him…

"Course it will! I'm the genius in this work buddy… trust me."

"Oro!"

"Think Kenshin, you could do all the things you've wanted to do again for so long!" hr exclaimed triumphantly, raising the sake bottle dramatically high over his head, and pushing it into his mouth in one powerful swoop, laughing and snorting as he did so.

"Like what?" the red head questioned, curiosity and interest suddenly getting spiked.

The younger man grinned evilly. "Why have a second honeymoon o' course! What the hell would yah wanna do again other than have Jou-chan doin' this an' that…" he muttered, demonstrating maneuvers with his hands, making Kenshin blush as deep as the color and roots of his hair.

"SANO!" he almost bellowed, this was way too embarrassing! "Kaoru and I don't do that!" he defended, raising his hands and crossing it over his chest.

But the drunken man paid no heed, merely laughed and gave him a hard noggie on his head. Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, he groaned inwardly. I guess I'd have to take him home… ORO!

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He found her sitting on the dojo porch, head resting against the wooden beam. Beside her lay some of Kenji's play clothes she was dutifully trying to restitch again. Upon closer look though, the man realized that his wife had fallen asleep and he couldn't help but feel a bit hopeful: Has she been waiting for me? Was she worried?

Shaking his head, Kenshin was careful not to let his hopes go too far up. Watching her resting form ever so silently, inwardly he debated with himself on what was the proper thing to do: Do I wake her up? Or do I carry her back to our room? Judging with the way her breaths came in deep heavy patterns, the red head rationalized that his wife had fallen into a deep sleep and waking her up was probably—truthfully not the perfect thing to do.

So, in the gentlest manner he can, he scooped her lithe form in his arms and carefully trudged back to their room, precious bundle still held close to his heart. Managing to open the door and rolling the futon with a foot, he was just about tucking her inside a blanket when he felt her shift slightly, a short syllabus forming in her lips to escape in a puff of breath:

"Kenshin…"

He froze, heart seemingly stopping with what he heard. Surprise finally melted down to relief and a smile found its way on his lips. Sparing the sleeping woman one last glance, silently, he moved to exit the room and proceed to where his children slept.

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The room was dark—this fact earned itself a frown on the man's face as he wondered why he hadn't thought of even putting a small lamp on. Carefully watching his step, lest he unwillingly stepped on someone else's braids, gently, he knelt beside Kenji's sleeping form and planted a firm kiss on the child's forehead. The boy murmured something unintelligible but remained asleep.

He was just about to do the same with Kiriko when he felt her move under his touch, surprising him in the process.

"Kiriko?

"Tou-san." he heard his daughter's small voice in the dark.

Inwardly he frowned. "It's late koneko, why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked, voice soft and soothing.

At once, he felt her settled herself against his chest, burying her face under his gi. "Tou-san, Kirko's afraid." she whispered almost inaudibly that he had to strain his ears to hear her.

Afraid? Of what?... "Of what are you afraid of Kiriko?" he admonished gently, a hand finding its way to stroke the crown of her head.

He then heard a muffled sob, "Dark. Kirko's afraid of dark." she blabbered from somewhere under his gi. "Kirko didn't tell kaa-san and Kenji because Kirko's afraid they would tease her." she continued, earning herself a smile from her dad.

Understanding was quick to light up his face. "There, there little koneko, there's nothing to be afraid of in the dark." he explained, though he knew someone such as stubborn as Kiriko would not be so easy as to easily believe him. "Hmm… let's see… come with me Kiriko-chan." he coaxed as he carried her outside the room and put on the porch.

"You see those twinkling stars above us?" he asked, pointing a finger skywards, her head mimicking his finger. "You see how beautiful they are?" Enthusiastically, the little girl nodded, a grin of childish delight spreading all over her face. "Wai! Wai! Kirei!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

He laughed slightly himself. "Well Kiriko-musume, they only come out during nighttime that means you only see them when it's dark." he explained.

She nodded solemnly before directing her gaze to where her father pointed. "And do you see those pins of lights in your mother's garden?" he inquired gently, making the little one strain her neck to know what he was pointing at.

"Those are fireflies Kiriko.We only see them during nighttime and they are most beautiful in the dark." he smiled as Kiriko squirmed and clapped in his grasps, innocently oblivious with the string of memories that had gone loose on her father's mind.

"Now, are you still afraid of the dark hime-chan?" he admonished gently, amethyst eyes twinkling.

She shook her head fervently, "Iie… Kirko loves dark!" she cheered before turning a curious face towards him. "How about you Tou-san? Are you afraid of dark?"

Inwardly, he frowned at his child's query. I used to be... back during the revolution where darkness is your most deadliest enemy… demo… I wonder if I'm still afraid of it now… "Hmmm… No I'm not Kiriko." he quietly replied, sparing her a glance only to realize that the little girl had finally fallen asleep. Smiling while gently shaking his head, he was just about turning upon his heels to proceed back to her and Kenji's room when he stopped on his tracks.

There was Kaoru, slightly leaning on the wooden beam, thoughtfully watching the two of them.

"Ano… I heard you talking with someone…I'm sorry if I intruded your talk with Kiriko." she apologized, looking away to hide the fierce blush spreading on her cheeks.

"Iie…I was just trying to put her to sleep anyway." he smiled slightly, amethyst eyes still trying to capture her own gaze.

"Ano…Kenshin…?"

"K-Kaoru…?"

Both stopped, seemingly realizing that both had wanted to talk at the same time. The red head slightly inclined his head—an indication for her to go first. Bowing her head and hiding her face behind her bangs, she found herself whispering in a hushed tone.

"Oyasuminasai…" she offered him a small smile—which was mirrored on his own.

"Hai, oyasuminasai. Go back to sleep Koi—Kaoru. I'll follow just after I've tucked Kiriko back to bed."

She nodded, uttering a soft 'hai'. Turning back to his steps, socked feet suddenly stopped short when he heard her words echo silently in the corridor to be followed by the faint closing of their shouji door.

"And thank you Kenshin… thank you for everything you have done."

TBC…

Whaddya say? A bit of A mush there ayt? Oh well, here's a preview for the next chapter:

"TOU-SANNN!"

Kenji had fallen in the river. The current slowly dragging him further away.

In a flash, both parents were up. Kaoru was about to jump into the waters herself, when he caught her arm and sharply pulled her back. With god-like speed he dived into the river in a flash, swimming against the strong current and towards the young boy.

For a moment, both identical red heads disappeared under the current and Kaoru held her breath with fear and shock, with Kiriko held firmly in her shaking hands. Inwardly, she was praying and praying and fervently praying to whomever gods were listening to her at the moment to save the two most important men in her life.

"Kami-sama! Please save them!"

Hmmm… What's gonna happen to our chibi-Kenji? You have to leave a review for me to post the next chapter :Winks and grins evilly:

Don't forget to review!

JA!

Bluerose