MY LITTLE PRINCESS
A/N: Hiya folks! Aghhhhh!!! A very big SORRY to all of you for not updating after such a long, long time! It's like this, last July 22, there was this 190 km/h super typhoon. Because of this, a lot of power lines and telephone lines were destroyed. Our electricity wasn't back until three weeks later. And lately, the telephone line so that's why it took me so long to update. Gomen ne, minna? I couldn't take this outside cuz my brothers accidentally destroyed the floppy drive so I can't save it to a floppy and just bring it to a public internet, so again, sorry. Oh yeah, special hello to Yuhi, EK, Winterwind and Fuuko-san! Thanks for texting me guys! I took the UPCAT last August 2 and the ACET last September 13. I'm still waiting for other College Entrance Tests. Our periodical test's finished already, so I feel a little loosened up. How about you guys? Neweis, on with the story!
Rekka's Angel - ::hugs:: Yatta! You're back! I missed you! Special thanks to you! ^^
To the reviewers: At the bottom, please? ^.^
Warnings: None. You'll like this chappie, I promise! \m/
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine. I'm only borrowing 'em for a while...please don't sue... I'm just a poor little girl! (lol)
Ages: Kenshin - 27
Kaoru and others - 17
Yahiko - 8
Warning: Somewhat OOC...
Chapter 17. Natsu (Summer)
~Chapter 18~ (If we coincide it with FF.net)
Kaoru walked through the tree covered streets. The sun was behind the clouds, but still, its warmth signified its presence. The air was breezy. Kaoru felt relaxed. This was what she liked about summer.
Her hair was tied up in a blue ponytail matched by her blue tee-shirt which had white linings on the hems, sleeves and collar. She was on a white pedal shorts complemented by white sneakers. Her small sling bag swayed along with her.
Rounding a corner, a high stairway met her eyes.
This must be it! She announced to herself.
Taking lissome steps, she made her way up. The stairs seemed endless, but Kaoru was having fun. It has been ages since she could remember when she had last climbed up stairs this high, since almost every stair step except those on the historical areas was replaced with escalators or elevators.
There was a time she remembered when she climbed a stairway this high...
She was...she was with someone...
She was a small child back then...and...and...the one with her was...
Was...
She let out a sigh of exasperation. She felt like denying the truth to herself.
Kenshin was the one who had been with her.
How the memories gave her joy and pain at the same time.
She shrugged off the bothering thoughts. Before she knew it, she was in the clearing. She could almost see the old shrine that was on the top of the stairway.
She smiled to herself. Aoshi has been thoughtful enough to invite her to their house and she had been much willing to go.
Kaoru stopped at the top. It felt really...different. A lot of places in Tokyo had been renovated and only a few, like this place had remained to be like they used to be in the old days.
The bamboos seemed to have a contest in reaching the sky. The old shrine, aged as it was, still stood majestically.
Kaoru breathed in a handful of air. It soothed her senses. She decided to walk further following the rectangle shaped tiles on a path way. Kaoru watched her feet as they went from one tile to another. They were worn and chipped at the sides and some had cracks. But still, they were beautiful.
At the pathway's side were bonzais. Rocks were also placed artistically as if they really belonged to where they were.
Kaoru felt amused. She wondered how many men took to maintain the place. Yet, she has not seen a single one.
As she walked on, the pathway led to the back of the shrine. She found a rather big, western style house in bricks. Adjacent to it was a dojo. It wasn't as big as theirs, but still, from the looks of it, 10 or 15 people could have a spacious training area inside.
Kaoru decided to go to the house. But then, before she could take any more step, a familiar voice called her name out.
"Ms. Kamiya."
Kaoru looked at her back, and at the dojo's main door was Aoshi. He was wearing a black training gi and white hakama.
She smiled and walked towards him.
"Ohayou gozaimasu." He greeted with a small smile on his lips.
"E, ohayou!" she returned as she bowed down.
"Thank you very much for accepting my invitation." his tone was pleased.
"No, it's me who should thank you, really." Kaoru replied.
A moment of silence passed again. Kaoru wondered why "that" always happens when she was with Aoshi.
It felt right and weird at the same time.
"So, would you like to see the dojo? I heard you're practicing kendo..." Aoshi started a casual conversation.
Kaoru lowered her head a little. "Anou, not too much..."
Aoshi produced a rather amusing look and gestured Kaoru to follow him inside the dojo.
Leaving her footwear on the doorway, Kaoru entered the building. Much to her expectation, the dojo floor was polished to it's shiniest shine and the sparring materials neatly placed over one corner. Kaoru noticed that there were no name plates on the wooden walls. She realized that dojo was just for personal use. A big sign which read as "Nitto Kodachi Ryuu" caught Kaoru's eyes.
"The technique has been passed on over the generation. It involves a little of Ninja skill and some boring stuff." Aoshi said as if reading her mind.
"Aa...sou...boring e?" Kaoru merely nodded twining her fingers with the sling of her bag.
Aoshi walked up front and seemed to go to the direction of the bokkens.
He neatly picked up a pair of shiny bokkens as Kaoru watched his every move.
"You don't say..." she blurted out quietly.
Aoshi chuckled. "Nothing personal, Miss Kamiya. I just wanted to know what the Shihondai of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu holds underneath her arsenal of techniques."
Kaoru queered her eyes and felt a rush of excitement run through her veins. "Well, if that's a challenge, then so be it."
Aoshi let out a very small smile and then turned back to get something from a cabinet which was hidden behind the walls. After a few moments, he was holding which seemed to Kaoru, some garment in his hands.
"Ah, but before we start, may I suggest that you first wear some proper clothes." Aoshi half asked, half commented.
Kaoru agreed to do so, since her shorts and shirt really don't suit their "battle". After changing her clothes, Kaoru emerged from the changing room in a white hakama and gi her hair still up in a high ponytail.
With bokkens in both of their hands, they assumed their proper stances.
Kaoru stood straight in a defense posture holding the bokken parallel to her and half pointed to her opponent.
Aoshi, on the other hand, stood holding the handle of the bokken in his right hand while his left hand supported the other end downward.
Without any warning, Aoshi launched his first attack his bokken thrust back at his left side with its edge steadily aimed for Kaoru's defense.
Kaoru, all knowing, countered the attack by bending down letting her bokken hit Aoshi's weapon perpendicularly from the bottom.
Aoshi smirked. Very impressive... He thought. He wondered how many years she has spent perfecting her reflexes.
Aoshi quickly jumped backward to avoid a possible attack and Kaoru swiftly stood still changing her stance into an offensive one. Her bokken was raised up horizontally near her face supported by both of her hands from each end.
Aoshi's eyes gleamed with hilarity. So, you're changing tactics, Miss Kamiya.
As if responding, he now switched to his own defensive standpoint copying what Kaoru had done earlier.
"Kiyaaaa!!!" with an echoing cry, Kaoru lunged at him aiming to also get through his defense, with once again, putting her bokken perpendicular to Aoshi's.
The taller man, quickly held his bokken tightly controlling the force that Kaoru applied.
Kaoru grinned inside. I have you where I want you to be...
"Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu, Ougi!" she exclaimed. Acting fast, she took advantage of the strength Aoshi placed on their weapons and started to use that against him.
Aoshi rapidly understood the Ougi and decided to counter it. He wasn't going to lose to a girl now! Bracing his feet on the ground, he twisted his bokken impairing Kaoru's attack.
Kaoru was astonished at his offset that her mind suddenly turned blank on what to do. Her bokken slipped out of her grip, and because of the great force, her body went out of balance sending her to crash to the floor.
She closed her eyes and waited for the big "thud". But there was none. The only sound she heard was her own voice giving out one loud scream.
Scants of seconds later, she realized her feet were still safely on the ground. Slowly opening her eyes, she found out that Aoshi's arms safely encircled her small frame keeping her from falling to the floor.
Kaoru couldn't believe it. He didn't even see him move! Kaoru gulped and her pulse suddenly raced with her breathing.
What was she going to say?
"Eh...d-doumo" she meekly blurted out.
At that, Aoshi, slowly but carefully released his hold. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Kaoru nodded. "Un. Thank you again...and sorry".
Aoshi shook his head. "No harm done. And besides, I should say sorry too. I mistook how much force I exerted. I guess I put on too much".
Kaoru smiled. "That's all right."
Aoshi turned his heel to pick up the bokkens that lay quietly on the floor and then returned them to their respective places. He then came back to Kaoru.
"Would you want to have some snacks over the house?" Aoshi asked.
Kaoru just stared at him nodding.
Aoshi let out a small smile. "I think you have to change again, then."
Kaoru bit her lip smiling. "Yeah, I think so too."
Aoshi bowed down. "I'll wait for you outside the dojo."
Kaoru bowed back and then went to the changing room to put on her clothes.
-*-*-*-
Kaoru inhaled deeply. The house had an intoxicating smell of roses and a tinge of vanilla. It soothed Kaoru's senses. Inside the lobby, Kaoru was seated on a red sofa surrounded by wooden pieces and some paintings of ships. Up front was a fireplace which obviously wasn't used for a while since it was summer! True, the house was rather modern not only on the outside but also inside. But somehow, it's oriental atmosphere was retained.
Just suddenly, Aoshi came in with a tray of steaming green tea and some sweet cakes.
Cha?... Kaoru asked herself.
He carefully laid them down on the wooden table and sat himself on the sofa parallel to Kaoru.
"I do hope you still have a taste for some green tea?" Aoshi gave her an amusing look.
Kaoru gave out a small laugh. "Of course I do! Umm...you did this by yourself, or...?"
He bowed his head. "I did Ms. Kamiya. Please, do have some."
Kaoru smiled and carefully picked up the traditional clay container encircling it with both hands and turned it three times and then slowly took a sip. (A/N: There's actually a proper way of drinking green tea especially in proper ceremonies. Please do correct me if I'm mistaken about the details, but this is what I remember) She was pleased.
"Um. Very well done!" Kaoru praised him. "I think I can never make something this good."
Aoshi smiled. "That's impossible. Maybe sometime, I can share a proper tea ceremony with you Ms.Kamiya? That is, if you want to."
"That would be very nice." Kaoru said to him smiling and then took another sip out of the well prepared tea.
It was then Aoshi's turn to get the other cup of tea doing what Kaoru had done earlier.
"Are you the only one living in here? I mean I haven't seen anyone else." Kaoru dared to start a conversation. She hoped that Aoshi would be responsive enough.
Aoshi held his cup on his palms. He was still on his training gi. "Iya. Actually, we have some helpers, but they are out doing their chores and they rarely mingle with our visitors for I prefer to entertain myself. My father and mother are both out of the country though."
Kaoru nodded. So, he was indeed alone. Even though he did say they had servants, he still was alone. "Ummm, sisters or brothers?"
Aoshi shook his head. "I don't have any. You?"
"Not actually a brother, but my Uncle adopted a boy. His name is Myojin Yahiko. Oddly, we found him in a basket one Christmas eve when he was still a baby." Kaoru remembered how happy she was when she found him.
"Parents?" Aoshi supplied.
Kaoru gave out a wry smile. She pursed her lips. "Uh, my mother passed away when I was just two...she had leukemia and my father died when I was five...He, he had tuberculosis."
Aoshi remained silent for sometime. "I, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay...really. I-I'm able to accept that now. And besides, that has been a long time, and since then, my Uncle had been very good to me." Kaoru smiled at him assuring.
"Uncle? Your father's brother?" Aoshi eyed her while he offered some sweet cakes.
Kaoru gingerly took one thanking him as she did so. "Iie. He's a very good friend of my father. They had been teaching kendo when my father was alive and..." Kaoru wasn't able to continue her sentence.
"And?" Aoshi asked.
Kaoru smiled. "Nothing never mind. Really, nothing important."
"If you say so." Aoshi returned.
And his nephew, Kenshin also took care of me when I was small...He was always so caring and treated me like his own sister...Datte... Datte...he left me.
Kaoru tried to keep her composure.
"Miss Kamiya?" Aoshi woke her up from her stupor.
"A...e?" she mumbled.
"Listen, if you don't mind, would you want to go out with me today?" he said without even flinching.
"Sure of course! I'm your guest today, so, I'd be more than willing and happy to." Kaoru replied and then took the last sip from her cup and placed it down carefully on the table thanking Aoshi as she did so.
-*-*-*-
Much to her surprise, Aoshi didn't bother taking any of their vehicles, which Kaoru was sure to be behind the closed garage door that could accommodate two or three cars at the same time. Nope. Not even a taxi. Instead, he asked her if it was okay for them to just walk since the commercial area was just a few blocks from the shrine.
Kaoru agreed. She then realized why they did so. The summer sky was perfect for strolling. It wasn't too hot, nor too cold. It was...just...right. As if Aoshi had the weather under his very control. Dictating the sun to shine just perfectly and the wind to blow coolly. Kaoru rarely passed that area. It was actually a very coming and serene place. Some of the old antique shops and houses were situated and preserved in that area of Tokyo.
"Ne, Shinomori-san." Kaoru eyed the tall person with her. He was wearing a white v-neck shirt over khaki pants. From Kaoru's view, he seemed to be a different person compared to when he was wearing that intimidating black gi... Somehow...
"Yes?" He asked looking down at her.
"Well, I just wanted to ask..." her sentence trailed off.
Aoshi gave her a look urging her to continue.
"Err...well..." Kaoru tried to find for the words. Heck! She didn't even know why she was going to ask him such a personal question. He wasn't even a close friend of hers. Come to think of it, they only had been together for a few times...but it seemed...
He gave her another coaxing stare.
Kaoru removed her sight from him and looked at the road. She saw a little girl pulling the hand of another older boy, maybe his brother to buy her some juice. She closed her eyes.
"What would you feel if someone promised you to be there but then that person ends up breaking the promise?" Kaoru uttered straight.
Aoshi remained silent for a moment. He seemed to show no emotion at all.
He shoved his hands to his pockets and then a gust of wind ruffled his bangs reflecting his sudden change of stature.
"I'd feel bad, of course. But then, I guess I'll be able to still go through." He simply said.
Kaoru nodded slowly. "I see..." and then they continued to walk just enjoying the silent companionship.
It has always been like that... He whispered to himself feeling a small pang of pain hit his insides. A very small and even unnoticeable smile crept upon his lips.
This is crazy... He told himself again. It was rare, more than never when his feelings tried to sift through his barriers. He always had control over them. But why this girl?... His eyes focused on Kaoru's raven black hair.
-*-*-*-
(Flashback)
"Tou-chan!" A young, soft voiced Aoshi greeted the man who was standing in front of the window.
"Yes, Aoshi?" his father returned with his caring voice.
"Will we go the festival tonight?" he asked with eagerness biting his teeth.
Just then, his father's cellphone rang.
"Chotto, ne?" he asked patting his son's head.
Aoshi nodded vigorously his youthful blue eyes sparkled with eagerness..
"Aa. Sou. Wakkarimasu." his father said in between conversations. After a last reply, the old man ended the call and bent down to see his son's face.
"Aoshi, tou-chan is very sorry. I have something very important to attend to tonight. I guess I won't be able to be with you tonight at the festival." his face was sober.
Aoshi's forehead crumpled. "Demo, you promised! You promised that me, Kaa-chan and you will go to the festival!"
His father sighed placing his hands over Aoshi's shoulders. "I know. That's why I'm very sorry. I'll make it up to you next time all right?"
The young boy's heart sank. He knew, he won't be seeing his parents for another week or two. He'll have to go the festival with one of their maids--again...
"Do you forgive tou-chan?" His father asked with much worry.
Slowly, Aoshi nodded his head. His blue eyes were eternally sad.
At that, his father embraced him tightly and kissed the top of his forehead. "Be a good boy while we're away, okay?"
And then, he went out of the door...Like he always did many times.
(End of Flashback)
-*-*-*-
"Always..." Aoshi whispered unconsciously.
"Shinomori-san?" Kaoru asked looking at him at the eyes. Yes, she has seen him smile for some times, but, did she ever see his eyes smile? As in real?
"Ah... Nothing." He assured her. "Look, we're here already." he said changing the topic as they reached the crossing.
"A, hai." Kaoru returned as they rode the escalator leading up the overpass since there was a great traffic on the road.
There were a lot of commercial complex that has been built and added up during the past years, but, the MALL, was Kaoru's favorite since she was a child. There were many renovations, new stalls and extensions, but still, the "feeling" that Kaoru had when she was small was still there.
The overpass led them to the third floor of the building. It was where rtw's and the clothing section was found. Aoshi led her to one particular shop--Satomi.(A/N: I really have no idea if this makes sense. But I do remember seeing a Satomi shop in Sapporo when I went there last 2001, so I guess there could be shops over the whole country...)
They entered the shop with a little bowled over Kaoru who was looking at Aoshi with astounded eyes. She didn't realize why Aoshi took her to this particular section. The guard on the door greeted them pleasingly.
They shove through different clothes. Shirts, long sleeves, pants and skirts. Formal to casual and even the alternative.
Then, Aoshi spoke. "I think you'll be looking very nice in pink." as he pointed to a knitted baby doll cut shirt.
Kaoru came closer. The shirt was really cute. She looked at the tag price. 4000 yen.
She would love to take it. But then, she remembered she didn't place a large amount of money in her wallet today, and well, for her credit card, she was saving something for Hiko.
"It's nice, but I think I'll just return here when I stuff up my pocket." she humored Aoshi.
He smiled. "You're my guest today, yes?..."
"Y-yeah..." Kaoru bit her lower lip.
"So it's on me." His blue eyes insisted.
Kaoru looked amused as she shook her head. "N-no. Really. That wouldn't be necessary. I mean--"
"Miss, can you please take out a size for her for this shirt?" Aoshi cut her off calling a sales lady as if she wasn't hearing anything she was saying.
"Certainly sir." The woman said as she took the code of the shirt and then went off leaving a half open mouthed Kaoru.
"What did you that for Mr. Shinomori?" she cocked a brow.
"Well, I was just being a gentleman. That's all." he told her coolly.
"Ow. I see." She retorted rather annoyed giving up and accepted defeat.
When the saleslady came, she let Kaoru fit the shirt. It did look good on her just as what Aoshi has said.
She came out of the dressing room. The knitted shirt showed a bit of her flesh, but in a finesse way. The baby doll cut of the sleeves exposed her slender, toned muscle arms. A few of the customers had their eyes on her nodding and saying impressed comments.
Kaoru blushed. "Well, what do you think?" she asked Aoshi shyly.
"I think you look very nice." He complemented. "We'll take it." he then said to the saleslady.
After checking out the shirt, the two went out of the shop.
They walked on through the mall passing different shops and encountered a lot of people. A crowd from the floor below caught Kaoru's eyes so she moved towards the barricade of the third floor which gave out a bird's eye view beneath.
There was a book exhibit. She has always been fond of reading books. Kaoru smiled. "Look Shinomori-san, a book fair!"
Aoshi came near to see it too. "Would you want to go there? I think it's open for the public."
"I think so too. Let's go!" she chimed happily leading the way to the escalator.
Just before they could reach the escalator, Kaoru stopped.
It has been a long time since she passed this way...The mall had added floors and the floor plan was extended.
Up front, she saw the antique shop where she and Kenshin bought the locket just before he left for college.
It didn't seem to have changed. Except for the manikins and the kimono displays, everything looked the same years and years ago. She wondered if the old woman was still there.
"Kamiya-san?" Aoshi asked pretending not to see where her eyes were looking.
"Uh, hai? Let's go then." she simply said collecting her poise. Sometime, I'm going to visit the shop to see if the old woman is still there... And ask her if the kagayaki yorokobi still promises faith and fidelity...
Arriving at the place, book lovers, like her obviously feasted over the place. They then discovered that the book fair reminisced old books and paperbacks dating back to the 1990's.
Kaoru's eyes widened at the books that lined the place. They seemed endless and felt a sudden urge, if possible, to read them all. There were also some books which were on sale.
She was able to pick out "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson for she has been doting of English fictions. And then, without any doubts, when she saw the Japanese translation of the Iliad, she readily took the thick book for she longed to finish the story.
"Iliad?" Aoshi said with a surprisingly beautiful pronunciation.
"Yes. It's a Greek epic. It's actually very tragic, but it's so beautiful. I encountered a part of it once--the farewell between Andromache and Hector, and since then, I had been wanting to read it." She told Aoshi.
"From the looks of it, I think you'll reach forty." he teased with a small smirk.
"Mou! I'll just tell you how the story goes through, okay?" Kaoru told him with a proud tone.
After paying for the books, which Aoshi again insisted to be on him, they decided to go for some snacks.
There was a small coffee shop just near the fair. They ordered for some blueberry cake and frothe.
The two chatted with Kaoru stating the mythological background of the Iliad which seemed to intrigue Aoshi.
"I think it was Zeus' fault. Why did he have to ask for Alexandros of Troy to decide? He could've asked for some Greek prince, right?" he asked in one of their discussions.
"Well, if he didn't, then there wouldn't be any story!" Kaoru smiled and then took a sip from her drink.
The two chatted on getting pleasure from the simple conversation.
-*-*-*-
Aoshi told Kaoru that he'll walk her back to their house. It was about 18:00 o'clock when they both reached the dojo premises.
"Anou, Shinomori-san, I am very grateful that you invited me out today. I had so much fun. Doumo!" She said as she bowed down.
"I'm equally pleased as well. Thank you too." he returned bowing back.
"Iie. I should be the one thanking you. Um, thanks for the shirt and the books, and of course for your time. I know I'll never pay you back wholly." She smiled.
"Never mind about the expenses. It's on me, remember? But then..." he stopped.
"But what?" Kaoru asked eagerly.
"Well, if it's not that rude, will you please just call me Aoshi, for I feel like your elder when you're calling me Shinomori-san." he gently put on.
Kaoru gave out a watery laugh. "Sure. Okay, Aoshi-san."
"Much better." he said smiling.
"Then, to be fair, just call me Kaoru, okay? I feel like a little girl with you calling me Ms. Kamiya." She uttered.
He bowed again. "As you please Kaoru-san."
"Much better." Kaoru said saying what he has said earlier.
They then said their goodbyes as the golden sun made its journey down the horizon...
Tsuzuku
-*-*-*-
A/N: How's that everyone??? Too much OOC!? Yeah, think so. Well, I'm very sorry if that's what happened here. Next update will be much faster since our line is back, so don't worry too much, k? And as for the Iliad, was it too "ridiculous" for me to insert in here? I dunno, I guess I'm also intimidated by its story. I mean, I haven't read the whole story myself and I only encountered some parts. Does anyone in here also know the story? It's actually quite good. Well, if you're interested, you can just ask me to give you a background. (Something like that) Miss you all! Mwwwwaaaahhh!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, to the reviewers:
Midnight Dreamz - Well, here's the chapter! I hope I haven't lost my touch after that almost one month break! And Aoshi, yeah! He's a hottie!
:.asc.: - So, how'd you like it? Did your wait pay off?
Yuhi - Yeah, there is. But it's good hindi ulit sa amin. Did you know that Onyok had more than 200 km/h winds in Batanes? Gosh! E si Harurot 190 km/h! Imagine that!
Jen - Belated happy birthday sweetie! ::throws confetti:: I'm sorry if I missed it. Well, how's this as a late present? Best wishes!
Mika - Ooopssiee... lol... I'm sorry if it made you cry. But, hey, how's this chapter for a change?! It's kinda happy, ne?
Baka-ryu - Yep. Right you are! It really feels nice to be back and going again! I hope you enjoyed this chappie!
wolfpack - ::smiles evily:: Oh, yeah, Kenshin is going to find out real soon! ::nods:: Awww, I'm flattered. I wouldn't say that. I mean, lol, really, there are a lot of better k&k stories out there and I guess I'm not that "qualified" to be in the term "best". Well, something like that...
Angel338 - hai! He's going to suffer alright! just wait and see... ^^
jane - Really? Thanks for reading it. And, I'm glad I finally had the chance to update. And yeah, here's a little more of A/K
Azura1 - And another chapter indeed! A lot of people tell me some parts of this fic made 'em cry. I dunno if it's a good thing or a bad thing. ::smiles:: Likewise, thanks!
pensguared - Here's your "Cure for the Itch"! (lol... I remember LP's Hybrid Theory) Did I cure it? Hope so! Yeah, it was darn annoying, but, luckily, I'm still alive!
Black Twilight - And nobody else! Aoshi! I just though he'd be the perfect alternate pair for Kaoru. I dunno, but, something from the way he proved that Kaoru was alive in the manga gave me a tinge of...well...of...arggghhh!!! Well, whatever it is, that's that! And, thanks for adding me to your faves. It's very gratifying to know for an author that his/her story is on the faves list of another author/reader.
Kakarlena - Hehe...sorry to confuse. "Tsuzuku" is the Japanese term for "To be Continued". If you watch Gundam wing, Yamamoto Yoko, etc... it is those three hiragana characters you see at the end of each episode.
bitchy brunette - hehe... Overdue... That makes me think about our stupid three week black out. What's worse, yeah, the electricity is back, but then, now and then some electric transformers keep on malfunctioning (would you imagine? They tapped almost three streets to our street's transformer!) and overloading, so, now and then, brown outs occur. Darn...
randomasdf - Awww, I'm absolutely thrilled. Like what I said to Azura1, I really don't know if it's a good or bad thing when you make your readers cry, but I guess it's a part of the story. ::smiles:: Thanks very much!
silver-wolf69 - Hiya! Here's my answers to your questions
Q:will kenshin be sad when he finds out that kaoru has a lover boy behind
her?
A: Not actually sad, but you'll see cuz I really don't want to spoil the
"fun" for everybody right now. Just wait for the succeeding chappies,
okay?
Q:what will HIKO do?
A: If you're point is on Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship, yeah, he'll be
doing something, but it's a secret for now. As for Aoshi and Kaoru, I guess
he'll be a little involved, but I'll see what comes up to my mind, k?
Q:dosent misao like aoshi??
A: Apparently, in this fic, nope cuz she and Soujiro are already paired up.
Q: does hiko ever find his love again?
A: Very interesting question. You can ask for digital girl if she still wants
to be Hiko's lover... lol... Honestly, I'm still thinking about Hiko's love life
Angie - That's fine. At least everything is kinda back to normal again. Since almost all of the major necessities are "back to life"...lol
koishii-glory - Arigatou! Yes, and thank you very much for your great patience for this update.
xx-silver-thorn-xx - ::helps you up:: Never that my dear! I'd never abandon you guys no matter what! It's just that mother nature seemed to have played a game on me or us, rather. But, it's all okay now!
AsIaNbAkA - It is?! lol... Well, I hope this chappie isn't that sad! ^^
PEACH - Lol...I can't blame you if you don't like Kenshin at this point of the story. No need to worry! It's K&K! I repeat for everyone's sake it is a Kenshin and Kaoru ficcie!
Shattered Sword - Yeah, seems like it. But, thanks for r&r'ing. I'm sorry for the long update, well, you must have read or known what happened. Cool name!
fish - hehehe...Gomen nasai! I do hope you read what happened and of course, I hope you read this latest addition. TY!
star-crystals - And soon is never so soon, ne? Well, it hasn't been real busy...the thing is we got hit by a typhoon. So, basically, that's that...lol... thanks!
ixchen - Yes, don't worry. It'll be finished. ^^ It's just that the stupid typhoon caused all the "commotion". Good thing I was able to update.
Angela - No harm done! ^^ I hope you read my explanation for not updating soon. Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter. Laterz!
=Anti[.]Poptarts= - ::gives you rope:: Now, you can strangle Kenshin for good! hehehe...Errr... just your average writer my dear friend!
Ame Kurayami - Here's your update! Enjoy!
Akiko - Nope. No quitting for me. It's just that baka typhoon. Anyways, yes, it's K&K, but please put up with the A/K for a while, ne?
Innocence8 - Misao goes with Soujiro this time. ^^ Tomoe? Well, I guess she wouldn't be appearing in this fic. Will that be okay?
Himura Kamiya Kaoru - You know what? It really makes an author very happy when he/she knows somebody placed his/her story on an individual's fave list. Doumo!
[[Freak.Scene]] - Hehehe... I guess I should've placed sometime in September! Well, I hope school's not that tough for you right now! ^^
CharlieTheOtakuNymph - lol...don;t worry, that won't happen here. You can enjoy M/S pairing in this story. I kinda beg to differ ::winks::
Dark-Trinity - He'll be back very soon. Just wait for a while, ne?
EK - Halu! Long time no text! Finally! We got our phone line back! Ei! I was there in Manila last Saturday (Sept 13). I took the Ateneo College Entrance test. Sorry if I didn't have the chance to meet youz guys! Next time, bawi ako! ^^
Pescado01 - Sorry if the "soon" wasn't sooner. Well, I think you know what 'appened!
donna8157 - Awww, thanks. It's k/k like what I have placed in the category, but Aoshi will be hanging out with us for some time, k? About your other question, I cannot answer that for now cuz of "story" matters. Just wait and see, ne?
kenshin fan - Here's the much waited update! (Something like that...) L8terz!
Naoko - You forgot somethin'...Not even a three week blackout and almost a month without a phone can't hold me down! How'd you say? IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK!
thelegendjen - I'm sooooooo flattered! Really, you all make me smile and wanting to finsish this story.
dewey - Here's it darling dear! I missed you! I was in Manila yesterday...I took the Ateneo college entrance test. It was mind boggling!
^_^ - Awwwww, you'll live! Everybody deserves to! Kenshin is really being stupid at this point of time (thanks to me) and it'll be k/k, don't worry!
shel - Thanks for your care! Drop me a line sometimes, k? My phone is open. Same number: 09164335741 Haven't eaten the talbos naman. But I'ms fed...errr take iron supplements
Cherrymecha - I guess your week break was extended to over a month! Heck! I'm glad that almost everything is back to normal now. How's this chap for a comeback?
ran-chan - Hello! School is really tough and I'm quite disappointed with my physics right now. Blame it on my teacher! She's like this complete "ugh". We really are having a hard time "processing" the things she teaches. Would you imagine? Taking a periodical test (mid term) without any test paper! I mean she dictated the whole tests with ten problem sets! And guess what? A lot of us failed the first mid term (good thing I didn't). But still, I had a disappointing rating of 84 something. ::sigh:: that subject is two units!
ray+kai=mine - It's the typhoon friend. I hope I didn't make you wait so much! ^^
SansCorpus - Awww, another pleasing review. You made me smile this wide- ^_____________^ lol...
Ara - Hi there! I'm quite okay now. I think I'm much more stronger and fit this time than last last month. I experience head aches sometimes, but, I'm definitely fine now!
omochi - ::hugs omochi:: darn I missed you! Kenshin is reallllllyyyyy blowing his chance away!... hehehe...
Fuuko-san - Hey! I missed you too! Sorry if I haven't texted for a while! It has been real busy, and well, you know what the hell happened to me for almost a month now! Keep in touch!
Marstanuki - hiya! Now I'm really flattered! Actually I read your stories and they're GREAT! As in! I'm happy that you found time to read my petty work...lol...when are you gonna update ur fic? Tell me, ne?
judut - Konnichiwa! Thanks for the care too! Sorry for the delay!
Samurai Chic - Good for you! ::claps:: Well, how's this chapter? Good? Bad? ?.?
meant2Bmatched - I'm okay now. Thank you very much! ^^ And, again, gomen for not updating for so long.
nika - Here ya go! Enjoy!
Shizuka - Oooppssss... I'm sorry to confuse you! It's actually k/k! I guess the a/k pairing got you all baffled...sowiiiii!!!
elizabeth - and more is here! Sorry for not being around for almost a month!
ChildlikeMoonTenshi - ::laughs evily:: yep, had to end there... Misao and Soujiro, as we all know, is an alternate pair, but I guess for a change, I put them together, and so is with Kaoru and Aoshi. But don't worry if you're a solid k/k, it is STILL k/k
RK-128 - ::blushes:: you are all soooooooo good to me! Did you like this update?
Anna - ::blush deepens:: You people are really amazing! You're support is what keeps me going! Like hey, if you never liked my stowi, then, what's the point of posting it? Again, a BIG THANK YOU!
Boomerang-chan - Ah! So you like B/K fics, ne? Well, good news! After I finish this, I'm gonna have my first B/K fic. It won't be A/U, so just stay tuned!
april - Kenshin needs it...as in badly! Well, come to think of it, it's me whose making him like this...hehehe...stupid me...
flyingangel777 - Never have felt better! Being back in the net is sooooo refreshingly awesome!
Viola - hehehehe...I'm glad you liked it! Tell me what you think on this update...
babyg2988 - Whoa! You're Filipino too?! Then text me! (09164335741) It's the easiest way to contact me! ^^
DespitefulSaint - I just hope you didn't get bored waiting for this update...
swtrkgurlz - Saitou...hehehe...He hasn't been appearing lately, ne? Well, here's the update!
TenkunoMeiou - o.0 I guess Kenshin got what he deserves! ^^
Yuki - BANSAI too! ^^ Just a simple but grateful thank you!
Anonymous - Here's what you have been waiting for! I just wish you tell your name or something...
Leigh4 - well, I guess that would hurt, ne? Was this chappie too much of A/K or just right?
regina-terrae - ::bows:: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
CurlsofSerenity - hehehe... Kenshin must have a long time having his eyes swirling around with what you did... ^^
Aino Saori - Finally, to you! Really, you don't know how much you made me feel as if I'm on top of the world...lol... Gosh...I don't know what to say... I don't know if "thank you" is enough, but, I can't think of anything but to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOO VERY, VERY, VERY, MUCHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
A/N: Whew!!! That was long! But, hey! You deserve it! Without you guys reading my fic, it wouldn't make a damn sense... Till next time!
~diary15~