Chapter 4

(Kaoru)

I woke up in the middle of the night, the feeling that something was wrong coursing through me. I sat up, looking around my dark room and finding the numbers of my digital alarm clock. 'Only 2:36… What's going on?'

I looked around again, and then settled back down into my covers, closing my eyes. Just as I started to go back to sleep I heard something that startled me back into full consciousness. A yelp, sharp and piercing, full of fear and helplessness.

I pushed the blankets away from my body, nearly flying to my feet and pulling on my bathrobe. I threw open my door, running towards Kenshin's bedroom where I had heard the sound from. I put my hand on the knob, wrenching at it. 'Kuso! Of all the rotten times to lock your door Kenshin!'

I stretched up, reaching above the doorframe and searching along the wood. "Come on…" My fingers met metal and I triumphantly pulled back a small long pin, inserting it into the hole on the knob. I heard the lock click open in time with another cry from Kenshin's room. I pushed open the door to see a shivering lump on the bed.

I ran forward to see Kenshin tangled in the blankets, sweat covering his fine features and a look of fear traced along his face. His hands were clenched in his blankets, his legs tangled in the sheets and blankets.

I shook his shoulder frantically. "Kenshin! Kenshin, wake up!"

His violet eyes snapped open with a cry, and he focused on me. "K-Kaoru!" I suddenly found my arms full of a sobbing Kenshin, his fingers clinging to my waist as he cried into my shoulder.

"Shh, it's okay Kenshin, don't cry…" I petted his red hair gently, trying to sooth his fear. "It's alright now, tell me what's wrong."

"Kaoru! Afraid, car, hurt…" he murmured into my shoulder, using his simple language to get his message across clearly. He had been dreaming about the car crash, and that's what had him so worked up.

I continued to pet his hair gently, whispering to him softly. "It's alright, I promise, you'll be alright. It was only a dream, I'm here now."

This was the second time this week that he had dreamt about that crash, and usually he woke me up with nightmares at least 3 times every week. In the month since he had left the hospital he had been having increasing dreams, and I still wasn't quite sure how to fix it.

He began to calm, his panting breathing slowing and growing more normal. I smiled at him. "Better now?"

He nodded. "Hai. Arigatou Kaoru."

It was easy at times to believe that nothing had happened to Kenshin, he seemed to be able to speak fairly well at times. But he still had a very simple vocabulary, like a learning toddler. I had not yet begun to teach him to read and right, I had decided that it was better to wait until he had a better grasp of speaking first.

"Are you ready to go back to sleep now?" I asked softly.

He hesitated, and then shook his head. "Afraid Kaoru…"

I sighed, standing. "Why don't we go have some hot chocolate, that will help you calm down."

He followed me from his bedroom, pulling at the hem of his white t-shirt and tightening the tie of his flannel pajama pants. Winter was just setting in, and things were beginning to get colder. I myself was wearing flannel pants like him, and a three-quarter-sleeve shirt, along with my bathrobe over top.

I put some water into the kettle, putting it on our small stop to heat up. I went back into the living room to see Kenshin huddling on the couch under his crimson colored blanket, his loose hair blending with the fabric's color. He was completely covered, only his violet eyes shining from the top of the blanket.

I giggled slightly, sitting on the chair across the coffee table from him and wrapping up in my own navy blue blanket for warmth. "Are you feeling better now Kenshin?"

He nodded nearly imperceptibly, his eyes sparkling slightly. "You big help."

I smiled. "I try to be. I don't want anything to scare you, you mean too much to me." I tilted my head. "Do you want to talk about it?"
He hesitated slightly, and then shook his head. "Not words."

I nodded. "I understand. We'll keep working on your speech, and then you can talk about it when you're ready."

I was interrupted by the whistling of the kettle, and I stood while keeping my blanket wrapped around my shoulders. I poured the warm water into two mugs, mixing in the chocolate and putting a few marshmallows in them. I carried them back out, handing one to Kenshin as he extended his hands for it. He wrapped his fingers around the warmth, blowing on the cocoa gently.

I sipped at the warm liquid, the heat filling my body and calming me. Kenshin did the same, smiling a little. "Good Kaoru. Arigatou."

I smiled. "You're welcome Kenshin."

We drank our cocoa in silence, and then Kenshin yawned widely, sinking farther into the couch and his blanket. I stood, taking his empty mug from him. "Go back to bed Kenshin, before you fall asleep right here."

He nodded. "Okay Kaoru. Oyasumi."

I smiled. "Oyasumi Kenshin."

I took the mugs into the kitchen, setting them in the sink for the moment. I would deal with them in the morning. This was becoming a regular ritual for the two of us, and I was getting to like it. Even though nothing happened while we were doing that, I still enjoyed spending the time with Kenshin.

I entered my bedroom, snuggling up in my blankets again. I felt sleep steal over me, and then I knew no more.


"So how are things going Jou-chan?" Sano asked me, sitting down on the couch.

I grinned. "Good. Kenshin's learning quickly, so I'm really happy."

"Well that's nice to hear. Where is Kenshin anyway?"

"He's still sleeping. He was up last night with another nightmare, and this is a little early still." I walked towards the kitchen. "Would you like some cocoa Sano?"

He grinned. "That would be great Kaoru, arigatou."

I poured two mugs, giving the one to Sano and sipping from the other one. He nodded thankfully, taking a drink from it. "When do you think you'll be able to start teaching him to read and write?"

I thought a moment. "At the rate he's learning? In about 5 months, maybe. It depends if he keeps up this pace."

"I'm sure he will, he's catching on very quickly." Sano said confidently, taking another sip of his cocoa. "He's still smart, just like the doctor said. He's doing just fine with this."

I nodded. "Hai, he is."

Kenshin came out at that moment, yawning and rubbing at his eyes. "Ohayou Kaoru." He looked over to Sano and smiled. "Sano! Ohayou."

Sano grinned. "Hey there Kenshin. How are you doing?"

Kenshin sat on the couch next to Sano, still cuddling up in his crimson blanket, just like he had done early that morning. "Good Sano."

Sano glanced at his watch. "Oh, sorry guys, but I need to get to work. I just stopped by to see how things were going before I headed out."

I nodded. "Nice to see you Sano, thanks. Drive safely; the forecast said that the roads could be a little icy."

"Yea, I will, with that new snow. Wouldn't want anything to happen. See you guys later." He left the apartment, waving as he did so.

Kenshin looked to me. "Learn time Kaoru?"

I grinned. "Hai Kenshin, let's go ahead and get started."


Kind of a boring chapter, but I wanted an update on what was going on. Please review!