**Disclaimer: Kenshin...I need to own you!
Kenshin: Oro???
Me: Heh, that didn't sound right, huh? *sigh* I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, or Kenshin himself...but you know?? This is almost as good...**
The Dullness of A Blade
~*~
~What's wrong?
I don't really know.
All I know, is that you seem to be flying away...~
~*~
Kenshin sat on the bed, absentmindedly drying his hair.
"...Gomen," she said, in a terrified whisper. She looked like she could bolt away, but instead rose slowly and headed for the door. It seemed she was going to leave without a word, but then she paused, saying an excuse for trying to get away from him. "I...I'm going out for a bit."
Get away from him...
Kenshin stared at the shut door, feeling disoriented. Thoughts jumbled, replaying the last few moments over in his mind. His lips moved. "Kuso..." he whispered.
The word seemed appropriate...
His hand went to his hair tie, slowly gathering his hair into the high ponytail he always wore.
~*~
The kitchen smelled wonderful. Over on one side, there were various types of buns being steamed and soups, the other, vegetables being prepared to be put into their dishes.
Sachi covered her hair with a small cloth, handing Ami one also. Ami tied the corners together at the back of her neck, so that her hair would be kept back. They put on their aprons. Ami smiled shyly at Sachi and complimented her at the food.
"It smells really good," she said. Sachi smiled broadly. Ami washed her hands and quickly dried them, coming over to where Sachi waited.
"What can I do?"
"Can you chop and skin vegetables?"
Ami nodded. Sachi pointed over to the cutting board, where a knife waited and a small pile of vegetables.
"Please cut the cai thinly. And if you want, peel the potatoes?"
Ami smiled and walked quickly to the cutting board. She carefully picked up the knife and positioned the cai underneath.
"The cai will be put into soup," Sachi continued, bustling over the cooking pots. "Do you like sweet potato?"
"I've never tried it," Ami answered, chopping carefully. She heard Sachi give a small exclamation.
"Really? It's one of my favorites." Sachi turned to give Ami a warm smile. "I hope you'll like it."
"Me too," she answered, earnestly.
Sachi stood at the center of the kitchen, not sure what to do. She peered at Ami's slow chopping, and hesitantly came over. Ami paused and looked up at her.
"Shall I show you?" Sachi extended her hand and received the knife. Ami stepped sideways, letting Sachi gain access to the cutting board. Her eyes widened slightly as Sachi chopped quickly, going at least three times the pace Ami had.
"You see," Sachi said, still chopping quickly, "you don't want to lift up the knife too high. Just lift it high enough to slide the cai underneath. It's less dangerous and quicker."
Ami nodded, watching her admiringly. She was struck by a thought.
"It reminds me of Kenshin. He's very good at swords," she said, even though she had only seen him in action two times. She felt awkward, letting the moment resurface. Maybe Kenshin was mad at her, for walking out so rudely? Her gaze lowered, and Sachi noticed, halting her cutting and turning to her.
"I'm sure Himura-san is." Her tone was warm. Ami blinked and smiled, slowly taking the knife again and mimicking Sachi's demonstration. The pace was still slow, but as Sachi watched, it began to increase as Ami became more skilled.
"There you go!"
"Yes," said Ami. She felt immensely proud.
~*~
Kenshin slowly walked down the stairs, glancing left and right, searching for Ami. He suddenly heard laughter, coming from behind the door. The entry to the kitchens, apparently, as he heard the sounds of chopping and steaming coming from it.
He strode forward and slowly pushed open the door.
Ami was standing there, a proper little chef. She was chopping quickly, eyes kept to her work though chatting animatedly with Sachi, who apparently had just finished speaking.
"Really?" she laughed. "You must be strong, Sachi-san."
Sachi gave a small laugh that sounded remarkably like a giggle as she nodded.
"That's why it's rather frustrating to have him come home saying he's been robbed. He is a strong man, but not very quick, if you know what I mean."
Ami's face suddenly adopted and uncomfortable look. "Is it...all right to talk of Domon-san like this....?"
"It's fine, it's fine, the old goof doesn't mind a bit," she said, waving a hand unconcerningly.
Ami laughed again, then suddenly froze, catching sight of Kenshin. The knife came down off mark.
"Ah!"
"Ami-chan!"
"Ami!"
The two adults rushed towards her, Sachi getting to her first. Ami bit her lip as she rose her hand for the two to inspect.
"A small cut," Sachi sighed, relieved. Ami didn't say anything, lips tight as she squeezed her injured finger. Kenshin gently turned her towards him, putting his hands over hers.
"It'll keep bleeding, if you squeeze so hard," he said gently. She looked up at him with shaky eyes, not paying attention as Sachi bound her finger.
"Y-You aren't..." Her voice trailed off. She gazed at him, letting all the emotions show on her face. She let out a shaky sigh.
"Gomen..." she said.
"For what? It has already been forgotten," said Kenshin, tucking a stray hair behind her ear as she winced; Sachi had tied the knot of the make shift-bandage.
Oh Kenshin...
It feels...it seems like you'll never get angry with me...
Ami broke into a happy smile, Kenshin returning it.
"Sachi-san says dinner will be ready soon," she said in an almost confiding tone.
Sachi rose and nodded at them, confirming her words. She glanced around, then helped usher Ami to her feet; they had all been kneeling, fussing over her.
"Everything is fine. You don't have to help anymore, Ami-chan. Why don't you and Himura-san go up to your room and wait?"
Ami looked quickly at Kenshin before nodding. Ami removed her cooking atire, bowing her thanks to Sachi. They exited the kitchens, slowly walking up the stairs silently. As they entered their room, Ami was suddenly reminded of something.
"Kenshin?"
"Yes?"
"M...May I see your sword?"
Kenshin blinked, a little startled. He gave a short nod, however, looking over to the direction of the wall where the sword was propped on. Ami walked over to it and gingerly picked it up as if it were a priceless artifact. Continually glancing up at Kenshin to see whether or not he minded, she grasped the hilt firmly and slowly pulled. The lamp light flickered off of the blade, the shiny metal reflecting.
The blade was dull...
Ami shifted the sword to her left hand, her injured hand, and gently felt the edge with her right pointer finger. It was sharp.
"Ah?"
Kenshin came over, hearing her small confused cry. As he stood up over her, she looked up, eyes troubled.
"Demo...I thought it was dull."
"Oro? Ah, wrong side, Ami-chan," he smiled, the endearment slipping in again. As he reached down to flip the sword around, dull side facing her, she turned pink, partly from embaressment, partly from the endearment, which she felt rather comforted by.
She ran her finger once more against the new side, smiling as she felt it's dullness.
"And you'll only attack with this side, won't you?"
"Yes."
The small cut on her left finger throbbed, reminding her how sharp the kitchen knife had been. Ami smiled slightly as she ran her fingers against the side, fully appreciating it's dullness.
"You didn't make this yourself...?" she inquired, feeling a little dumb about her knowledge of swords.
"No...it was forged for me....," Kenshin said slowly, seeming to be inveloped by memories. He paused, trying to find a way to end it. ".....By a friend," he said finally. It wasn't exactly true, but that didn't matter.
"Souka," said Ami, though she really didn't.
"He was very skilled at forgery...there are not many of these swords lying around, these Sakabatou."
"Sakabatou," Ami repeated, a bit mystified. "Reverse blade swords?"
Kenshin nodded firmly. "They are not able to cut anything with the opposing side. They cannot kill."
Ami lowered her head, hair falling to cover her face as she smiled.
"I think I like this sword very much."
Kenshin laughed, and they smiled at each other.
~*~
A servant let them know dinner was ready a few minutes later. Kenshin nodded and looked back at Ami, who was still sitting against the wall, holding his sword. She got up and laid it carefully against the wall, then sighed, staring at her hair tie.
Kenshin smiled softly. "It's fine."
"Hmm," said Ami, trailing off. She set the hair tie onto a drawer and hurried up to him, and then they made their way back down the stairs. At the bottom, they could see Domon waiting for them.
"Hello there, friends!" he cried happily. "I hope you're up to a big dinner. Sachi made quite a lot."
At the sight of Domon, Ami started to giggle, stiffling it quickly. Kenshin glanced at her.
"Oro?"
"Ah," said Ami, still smiling. "I was just remembering what Sachi told me."
Kenshin looked at her curiously as they walked down, then prodded her gently in the shoulder, playfully.
"Is that so?"
"Hai. Sachi-san told me that she and Domon-san first met because Sachi-san had helped him stop a thief, who had just robbed him," she said, dropping her voice slightly so Domon would not hear. She smiled fondly. "Just like how we met him! That's why Sachi-san gets annoyed so much."
Kenshin laughed, both quieting down as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Domon smiled cheerfully and quickly ushered them to the table, where Sachi and a few other servants were setting out the dishes. Their guests stared wide eyed at all of the food.
"My...we'll have to eat a lot to finish this, Ami-chan," Kenshin whispered softly into her ear. Ami nodded, then reached up to take Kenshin's hand, leading him to the table. She felt more at peace then ever, holding his hand. As her gaze flickered around the different dishes, she reluctantly let go of Kenshin's hand and said to Sachi, in an apologetic tone, "Gomen, I didn't stay to help very long, did I?"
Sachi waved it off, cheerful as ever. "Oh, you did help very much! Besides, you got hurt."
"It's small!" Ami protested, waggling her bandaged finger in the air. Sachi laughed.
Kenshin smiled inwardly. Sachi wasn't showing any sign of the deep talk they had had earlier. She's very good at hiding things...
So are you, he replied to himself. Kenshin sighed a bit, taking the time to think as the Kamashi's fussed over Ami; Domon was a bit alarmed that she had cut herself.
"Really? Sachi-"
"I had asked her to help in the kitchens," Sachi said, some guilt pouring onto her face. "I hadn't really-..I didn't-"
"It's all right, it wasn't your fault-" Ami butted in, anxious. "I was just startled-"
Because she saw me. It was my fault.
Ami didn't finish the sentence, as if sensing Kenshin's part in the accident might make him guilty. She glanced at him. Kenshin's gaze was averted to another direction, staring almost...innocently. Kenshin blinked, and turned back to Ami, as if just noticing her stare.
Ami blinked, sweatdropping a little.
"Pah," she mouthed at him. That doesn't fool me, her expression plainly said, smiling, playfully. Kenshin let out a small chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck in surrender.
Ami smiled at him, then turned back to the still argueing couple. Sachi finally let out a huge exasperated sigh, waving off Domon's words impatiently.
"It's worked out, anata. Please, our guests must be starving, and the food's-"
"Getting cold!" Domon cried, clapping his hands again. "Eat everyone, come- ITAI!"
Sachi withdrew her hand, looking slightly peeved. "Please stop-"
"Interrupting you?" Domon asked, and was thus rewarded with another whack.
"Yes. Now, come on, let's eat please..."
Domon took his seat, Sachi sitting down at his left. Kenshin was about to make his way to the opposite side of the table with Ami when he noticed the quick wistful look Sachi flashed towards her.
"Let's set next to Sachi-dono," Kenshin muttered quietly. Ami looked up at him curiously, but did as he said, plopping down at Sachi's left. Sachi brightened and immidietly pointed out the various foods ("See there! Those are the sweet potato!") and piled various dishes onto Ami's plate. Kenshin smiled as Ami tried vainly to protest, a bit thankfull Sachi's attention was full. He didn't think he'd be able to eat so much.
But after stocking up Ami's plate quite fully and noticing the small amounts of food Kenshin took, Sachi loaded his as well. Both stared at their plates, then slowly took up their chopsticks, hoping they'd be able to finish. The food was delicious, however, so the task didn't seem as menacing as before.
"Could....mmf," Ami paused, trying to swallow. "C-could I have some more potato...?"
Sachi let out a sort of delighted yell.
"You like it? I'm so glad; Domon hates it, so I don't make it as much anymore-"
Domon choked a bit on his beef, swiveling around to look at Sachi with an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, love, but I never said I hated it-"
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine," Sachi said lightly, loading more sweet potato onto Ami's plate. Both Ami and Kenshin exchanged glances; Sachi was so hard to predict! Domon disliked her favorite dish and interrupted her, but she hadn't done a thing.
"So is it good?" Sachi asked, after a while.
"Delicious," Kenshin managed to say, swallowing. Ami didn't bother to speak, nodding happily instead.
Sachi smiled widely as her guests ate.
~*~
"Sake!"
"SAKE!"
"Oro."
"Um...."
Ami watched gingerly as Domon poured the sake into rather large cups, passing it around the grown ups. Kenshin stared at the cup dubiously, thanking Domon absentmindedly.
He's not really going to drink all of that, Ami thought, alarmed. Somehow...it just unnerved her, the thought of Kenshin drinking. She was sure her eyes popped out as Kenshin took a well sized sip.
"Ergh," she whimpered, looking around.
"Hm? You want some too?" asked Domon, face slightly red and his expression cheerier then normal. Now she was absoloutely sure her eyes were popping out. She was spared answering by the fierce looks Kenshin and Sachi gave him.
"She's a child, Domon!"
"I do not think she should drink sake, de gozaru."
"Ah, I know, I know, joking!" Domon laughed, waving his cup in the air, spilling a bit onto the table, almost hitting Ami's sleeve. Seriously, her eyes must have been the size of saucers now.
She stood up from the table, bowing and smiling, concealing her increasing nervousness.
"I'm done. I will let you all talk, ne?"
"Oh, don't go," said Sachi worriedly, quite sober. "It's all right."
Ami shook her head, almost wildly as she watched Kenshin take another sip.
"It's fine, I'm full, and sort of sleepy too-" she babbled. Sachi's expression looked agitated, but she gave a small nod, and Ami walked quickly to the stairs.
Once Ami was out of earshot, Sachi hit Domon on the head once more. "You scared her away!"
~*~
After changing into the sleeping yukata that had been supplied in the closets, Ami proceeded to half heartedly bonk her head against the wall. After a while, she decided bonking her head against the bed was much better.
"Mmmmmm....." the soft muffled moan had a sort of desperate tone to it. Bonking her head a last time, she flopped onto the bed. She wondered what the adults were doing. Or, more likely, what Kenshin was doing.
An image filled into her mind: Kenshin drunk, stumbling into the room.
At this, Ami gave a little shriek, punching herself. Kenshin? Kenshin couldn't possibly... After half an hour of these kinds of images, the door finally did open. She stayed still, listening to his breathing, when Kenshin finally whispered softly, "Ami-chan?"
At this, she slowly got up, turning to face him. He looked exactly the same. His face wasn't even red; more of a light pink, thought it was sort of hard to tell in the dark room. Ami let out a small yelp and jumped off the bed, crossing over quickly to stand in front of him. He wasn't even wobbling. She resisted the urge to hug him, instead, putting on a soft smile.
"You're all done?"
"Hai."
He stood there, almost nervously. What was this? Her ki had a strange feeling to it.
Relief, he realized later, as he changed into his yukata, Ami already in bed. From what?
He shook his head lightly, climbing into the Western style bed, trying to adjust to the strange feeling.
"Good night."
Kenshin turned to look at her. Ami was looking at him now, smiling a bit.
"Sleep well," he replied, still a bit confused about her strange behavior earlier. But he smiled, watching her turn to face ceiling, slowly closing her eyes.
Perhaps Ami would've been pleased to know; Kenshin's last thoughts before he drifted off to sleep were about her...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Author's Notes:
Phew. -_-' Finally this is done. I had a bit of trouble with this one; how Ami should react seeing Kenshin after she had walked out, how Sachi should act... __ Indeed, Sachi is giving me the most trouble. She is a very cheery person, but I gave her more depth and reason to be around Ami because of her "problem" mentioned in the last chapter. But now I'm not sure whether to keep her cheery around Ami, or nervous! I guess it'll alternate....
Oh yeah, after I was finished doublechecking the chapter, I noticed the last line might be considered hentai. 0_o' Noooo... It's just, Ami loves Kenshin, and that Kenshin would spend time thinking about her would make her feel special, you know? And since she doesn't feel highly about herself and thinks Kenshin deserves better (like shown in last chapter), the fact that someone like him would take his free time wondering about little ol' her would make her feel especially loved. Okeydokey??
Lots of new people have reviewed. ^_^ That was a nice surprise. *looks around* Haruko hasn't shown up tho... 0_o'
Replies (I decided to make this shorter; I'm feeling tired today. ^^):
AnimeAmba: Oosh! You're psychic! That will be one of the debates in Kenshin's head, later on. ^^ But don't worry... And really, all this praise is making me blush. Really, you're too kind. ^^'
EEevee: Yeah. You should've seen me when I first moved and went to this new school; all the kids were talking about stuff I had no idea about, and we were the same age. For instance, my friend's cousin was a model (not famous, just a little one) and she showed me her webpage where they had all the..."stats". And there was one stat that said "Bust" and I was thoroughly confused.
Me: Bust?
Friend: Yeah, it's gross. But they put it up anyway.
Me: ?????
To All of the New Reviewers: Thanks so much for checking this fic out and reviewing. I'm glad most people seem to like, or at least be okay with, Ami. She is pretty much the second main charac. in this fic, anyway. ^^ Hope you stick around.