MY LITTLE PRINCESS

Chapter 10. Tomorrow, the Cherry Blossoms will Bloom

A/N: Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter. I'm sorry for not updating earlier. Well, you see, I had been very busy (as always) maintaining my sites and all...And yes, voting will start this May 26, so drop by my site to vote for your fave fics, ne? Neweis, on to the story...(Yah, me knows! I'm fond of Cherry Blossoms...I really have no idea why).

TO THE REVIEWERS: At the bottom, as usual.

WARNINGS: Some spoilers (you'll see...) and some OOCness...

(Kenshin-22; Kaoru-12; Yahiko-3)

Three years later...

Kaoru was on her room combing her hair in front of the mirror. She slid the hair brush from the top of her head down to the tip of her hair which reached her shoulders. It was a nice Saturday in spring.

Tomorrow, the Cherry blossoms will bloom...Tomorrow, Ken-nii will arrive...He promised...And he never fails in keeping them. Kaoru smiled at her musings. She looked at herself in the mirror. One month more, she would be a teenager. She will be thirteen! Time sure does fly by fast! She placed her palms on her chest. There was a slight swell. She blushed. She remembered telling Tae and Kamatari once. They said it was normal for girls her age. Hey! She was growing up, right? And then she remembered something.

You'll wait for me, ne Ken-nii? I'm the only girl in your life ne, Ken-nii??? Now, when did she say those words again? Another blush crept upon her face. Why was she acting like this? She looked in the mirror again. A shade of red caught her eyes. She turned back and saw a picture frame with her and Kenshin's picture in it. She sighed and then went closer to take a look. Stopping in front of the night table, she picked the picture frame up. She had been 5 or 6 years old and Kenshin 15 or 16 when the picture was taken. It was a picture of them when they were at in Hiko's parents place in Sapporo. She remembered how she insisted on going to visit the onion fields, how she ended up being bitten by ants in an ant hill, and how Kenshin had treated her ant bites with great care.

Another smile found it's way on her face her. Kaoru let her index finger trace Kenshin's temples. How long had it been since she'd last done it? Pinching his cheeks? His nose? Ruffling his hair? Laughing and telling stories together up in the tree house? Then another though hit her. When was the last time she saw him? She missed him terribly now! But, it didn't matter, he's coming home tomorrow, right? Yes! He would be back tomorrow and there were no words to discribe her happiness and eagerness to see him again!

Just then, she heard the doorbell ring, and then foot steps running towards her. Yahiko.

"Ka-owu nee!!!" his high pitched voice called out. How Kaoru loved it when she heard Yahiko talk. She met him in the corridor. The boy's hair, for some strange reason, was spiky. But Kaoru thought it suited him well.

"Ka-owu nee, thewe's (there's)" he caught his breath, "swamwan (someone) at the dwor (door) fwor you." he said slowly his finger pointing outwards.

Kaoru couldn't help but smile. "Okay, Yahiko-chan. I heard it too. Come, let us see who it is." she invitingly said, taking Yahiko's small hands in hers.

----

Arriving at the gate, she saw a FedEx van. Kaoru's forehead crumpled. She didn't remember Hiko telling him he was expecting a package or any mail. She told Yahiko to stay at the front door and wait for her. She hurriedly went to the gate.

"Ohayou gozaimasu!" the man greeted taking of his cap.

"Ohayou!" Kaoru answered back.

"Anou, is Miss Kamiya home?" the man queried politely.

"Yes, I am Miss Kamiya sir." Kaoru returned feeling awkward at the word, "miss".

"I have a package for you, miss."

She absently nodded and she watched the man get something from the back of the van. Kaoru was astonished. Now, who would send her a package?

"Would you like me to take this inside for you, miss?" the man asked while holding a big, rectangular box covered in layers and layers of packing paper.

"Y-yes, please." Kaoru muttered as she led the man to the house's porch. She wondered what might be inside, and who could've sent it? Was it another one of Hiko's presents? Hey! She was going to graduate from elementary within the next two days.

As they made it inside, Yahiko curiously stood in front of the package which was taller than him.

"Please sign here miss." the man said as he took out a light pen and let Kaoru punch in some information on the screen of an electronic checker. "Thank you very much miss!" the man bowed politely and replaced his cap, then left after Kaoru thanked him. Kaoru turned to see the package, placing her hands over her hips.

"Lewt's (let's) owpen it Ka-owu nee!" Yahiko excitedly chirped.

----

With a little help from Kamatari, they managed to put the package inside the house and lay it down on the floor. Yahiko was hovering over them his eyes curiously observing.

"Who sent it Kaoru-chan?" Kamatari asked.

"I don't know. I guess I forgot to ask!" Kaoru sweat dropped.

"Open it then. Maybe there's a note inside telling who it might be from."

Kaoru nodded and started to rip the packing paper carefully. It took her about three minutes to remove all the paper. Once she removed what she thought was the last layer, it was covered by a thin cloth fastened by a silver string. At the center was a small blue card. Kaoru plucked it off the string and opened it.

For you my little princess...I hope you like it...

Missing you so much,
Ken-nii

So it was from Kenshin! Eagerly, Kaoru untied the string and removed the cloth. It revealed a very big and elegantly decorated picture frame with their picture in it.

"Oh, how beautiful!" Kamatari observed.

Kaoru placed her hands on the glass that covered the huge picture. This was our picture at the tower! The very same picture in the locket!

"Who awre (are) dwey (they) Ka-owu nee???" Yahiko asked pointing at the picture.

Kaoru smiled at the little boy. She placed her hands around his shoulders and moved closer to him.

"The little girl, is Kao-nee Yahiko-chan." Kaoru said gently.

Yahiko nodded his lips twitched. He looked at the picture carefully and then to Kaoru.

"Why are you smawl (small)?" he asked his eyebrows furrowing.

Kaoru gave out a watery laugh and ruffled Yahiko's spiky hair. "Because, Kao-nee was like you then. But now, Kao-nee has grown up, so I look bigger."

"Wiw (will) I gwow (grow) up too?" Yahiko asked again.

"Yes, of course Yahiko-chan! Everyone grows up!" Yahiko nodded. "How abawt (about) him? Who is he?"

How could Kaoru be so forgetful! From what she remembered, she had never told Yahiko about Kenshin!

"Yahiko-chan, I want you to meet Ken-nii! When I was small like you, he took care of me and was very good to me." Kaoru proudly said.

"Wehw (where) is he now?" Yahiko queried again.

"He's in America Yahiko-chan. That's because he is studying. Datte, don't worry, you will soon meet him!" Kaoru assured him.

----

Kaoru sat cross legged in the middle of her bed staring at nothing but the huge picture frame Kenshin gave her. It was now hanging on the wall right above her bed's counter. Kamatari had been so nice to help her out with it a while ago, after they put Yahiko to sleep. She studied Kenshin's features carefully. From this picture, she had a wide view of his face. His violet eyes seemed to stare back at her happily and his shiny fiery red hair seemed real. Then Kaoru wondered. Was her Ken-nii still the same? How did he look now?

"Mou! I can't wait for him to come back home and thank him for this!" Kaoru paused for a second. "But why did he have to send it? He could've just brought it home..."

"Kaoru-chan!" Kaoru heard Kamatari's voice from the lobby.

"Hai, hai! I'll be right there Kamatari-san!" Kaoru called back.

Kaoru left her room and her eyes caught sight of the tree house. When was the last time she and Kenshin were up there? Well, it doesn't matter, he'll be home soon anyway, right? Kaoru smiled and then entered the living room.

----

"Misao is on the line Kaoru-chan." Kamatari stated, giving the head set to Kaoru.

"Doumo." Kamatari bowed and left the room.

"Hello? Misao-chan?"

"Finally!"

"Sorry to keep you waiting Misao-chan. I was in my room. What is it?" Kaoru said apologetically.

"Oh, it's okay. I just wanted to ask if you want to come over to the park. Sou-chan and Okita-kun are already there."

Kaoru looked at the clock. It was 16:00 o'clock.

"Sure, wait for me at your house, okay?"

"Yatta! Okay, I'll wait for you then."

----

"Hi guys!" Misao greeted as they saw Soujiro and Okita sitting on a bench.

"Oh, it's you girls!" Soujiro acknowledged their arrival. "Please do sit." he invited making some space on the bench.

"Thank you!" Misao returned as they seated themselves on the bench. "Oh, what a nice surprise Okita-kun! No food today, huh?"

"Ha.ha. Funny. I actually finished a bar of hersheys chocolate before you came madaam." Okita said in a teasing tone. Misao raised a brow.

"Don't you think it's wonderful?" Soujiro said somberly staring at the blue sky.

"What are you talking about?" Kaoru asked.

"Well, what I meant was, I'm quite amazed at how time flies by. I can rememeber when we were little and used to fly kites here, remember? And now, in just a few weeks from we'll graduate from elementary school..."

"Yeah. I know what you mean. It feels like it was just yesterday we were flying those kites." Misao said softly.

"Mou, you sound like you're graduating from college already!" Okita broke through. The four laughed.

"So, Kaoru-chan, will Hiko-sensei be treating us? Well, you are the valedictorian for this year! So, I guess we need some, you know?" Misao winked.

Kaoru giggled. "Oh, well I... I don't know...I'm kinda afraid to ask him."

"Well, I'm sure he would do something for us! I just can already taste those delicious delicacies at the Akabeko right now!" Okita broke through, his eyes closed while he rubbed his stomach.

"You know what's weird Okita? You eat almost 24/7 but you're still a skinny brat!" Misao commented snidely.

"Well, you know what's weird about you Misao-chan? You are twelve years old but you still act like a 5-year old brat!" Okita returned with the same tone.

"Maa, maa! Calm down you two!" Kaoru said raising her hands in a placating gesture.

"Ne, Kao-chan, will Kenshin-san be at our graduation?" Soujiro asked changing the topic. Kaoru stared at her lap as a small smile curved on her lips. Her cheeks became painted a light pink.

"Earth to Kaoru, earth to Kaoru!" Misao waived her hands in front of Kaoru's face.

"Oh, sorry. Y-yes, Ken-nii will be there. He said so. He called yesterday, and he said he'd come home since his exams would be over by then. He promised me..."

"That would be so great! I want to see Himura-san too! And what's more, I want to face him in a kendo match!" Soujiro.

"Ne, Kaoru, may I ask you a question..." Misao asked with her eyes shining. Kaoru's eyes widened, gesturing Misao to continue.

"Well...I just wanted to know...DO YOU LIKE KENSHIN-KUN???" Misao finished in a hurry. Kaoru's cheeks became a darker pink.

"Well???" Misao shot her a look.

"You're blushing!" Soujiro and Okita pointed at her face.

"Mou! Stop it you guys! You're talking nonsense! Of course I do! I mean, I like him and love him because he... he was like a big brother to me me since my birth." The three just stared at her disbelievingly.

"W-why? Y-you don't believe me?" Kaoru blinked.

Then the three spoke oat once. "Kaoru likes Kenshin-kun! Kaoru likes Kenshin-kun!"

"Guys! Give me a break! Mou! Stop it already!" Kaoru was blushing bright red, and the three were really amused at her reaction.

Then, Misao stood up. "If you catch us, we'll stop Kaoru-chan, but if you don't, KAORU LIKES KENSHIN-KUN, KAORU-LIKES KENSHIN-KUN!"

At that, the three started to run in separate directions with Kaoru running after the one nearest to her. Laughs and giggles filled the air. They ran carelessly around the park but made sure they didn't bump into anyone. They weren't "children" now, but they weren't grown-ups either. But, they didn't care, they ran and ran enjoying the spring air.

After a few minutes of running and chasing, the four finally settled on the grass, panting and still laughing.

"That was fun!" Soujiro exclaimed lying back in the grass.

"All I know, is it made me hungry. Wait here guys, I'll get us some drinks." Okita offered while he getting up and going to the nearest vending machine.

"So, Kaoru-chan, I guess we won!" Misao giggled sitting down on the grass. Kaoru sighed inwardly.

"Whatever!" Kaoru glared at Misao for a while trying to look mad, but moments later they both ended up laughing.

"Here you go people. Soda for Soujiro, orange juice for Misao, apple juice for Kaoru and a nice chocolate drink for me!"

"Hey, thanks!" Kaoru said as she took the can.

"Doumo." was the word that came from Misao.

"Lemme give you a kiss, cousin!" Soujiro teased as he neared Okita's face.

"Eeeewww, you're gross Soujiro!"

"Hey, Kaoru, how is Yahiko-chan?" Misao asked after sipping from her canned juice.

"Oh, he's doing fine. He was sleeping when I left the house."

After finishing their drinks, the four decided to go back home. The three offered to walk Kaoru home since their houses were on the same block and hers wasn't , but she told them she'd be alright.

Walking on the pavement, she remembered the night when Kenshin said goodbye to her. She looked to her left. The creek was flowing noiselessly while the Sakura trees had their first buds blossoming. Kaoru sighed and stopped her walking. By the time Ken-nii arrived, the Sakura trees would be in full bloom...Me, Ken-nii, Uncle Hiko and Yahiko will go out for a picnic on the river bank. A smile crept upon her lips again, and she resumed her walk with playful and happy thoughts in her mind.

----

Kaoru opened her weary eyes, the sunlight making its way through the window covered by white blinds. She blinked twice and then she remembered! Her Ken-nii would be arriving today! She had to make some preparations! Quickly getting up, she raised the blinds and as expected, the Sakura blossoms had their first bloom.

After changing her clothes and fixing her bed, she hurriedly went out the door. But before she left her room she looked at the big picture frame that hung on the wall.

I'll be waiting for you today Ken-nii...She giggled and then continued on her way out.

----

Kaoru was about to go out the main door to get some flowers from the garden when the phone suddenly rang. She shifted her foot steps and reached for the phone.

"Hello?" Kaoru asked.

"Kaoru-hime? Is that you?"

Kaoru knew right away who was on the other line. "Ken-nii!!! How are you? Where are you now? What time will you be here?" Kaoru asked franticly but happily.

"Y-yes, I'm fine. Did you receive the package little princess? Do you like it?"

Haiiiiii!!! Thank you veryyyy much Ken-nii! Kamatari-san helped me hang it in my room. I also told Misao-chan, Sou-chan and Okita-kun you're coming home today! And oh, yes! Yahiko-chan is expecting you home too!" Kaoru was as happy as a blue bird.

Kenshin sighed on the line. "Ano, Kaoru-hime, I have something to tell you, but, please do not be angry with Ken-nii, ne?"

"Sure, why? I promise not to be angry!" Kaoru answered.

"Well, it's like this, Ken-nii might not be able to come home for your graduation princess. You see, my Engineering finals were postponed for next week since there was an emergency conference at the school, so I'm afraid I might not be able to...Well..."

Kaoru was flabbergasted. She felt like all her energy was sucked out of her, and her throat constricted. When was the last time she felt like this again? Oh yeah, the time when Kenshin said goodbye to her.

"Kaoru-hime, are you still there?" Kenshin's worried voice broke in.

Kaoru gulped. "Y-yes, uh, I, I understand Ken-nii...Ummm...I, I wish you good luck on your test!" Kaoru faked a giggle.

"Kaoru-hime, are you still there?" Kenshin's worried voice broke in. Kaoru gulped. "Y-yes, uh, I, I understand Ken-nii...Ummm...I, I wish you good luck on your test!" Kaoru faked a giggle.

"Yeah...T-thanks Ken-nii...Take care, and good luck again..." Kaoru tried to hide her upset voice.

"Okay. You too my dear. Goodbye for now, promise to come back home as soon as I can, okay?"

"Sure...Bye." Kaoru replaced the head set on the counter and sighed heavily. He promised didn't he? He promised to come home? Kaoru closed her eyes. Snap out of it Kaoru! He said it was unexpected! I'm sure what happened was out of his control. He didn't mean it, okay? Another sigh escaped her lips. She let her eyes travel to the nearest window. Outside, the cherry blossoms bloomed...

Tsuzuko

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