Chapter Eleven

Disclaimer: I don't own RK.

Authors Note: This chapter is not too long. But I hope that you guys will still like it. Thanks again for all your support! (-o-)

--------------------------

Kaoru waited. The waitress took away the champagne. People came and went. She ordered a drink and sipped it slowly to make it last.

She felt exposed sitting at a table so close to the doorway, but the other tables were all filled up. She felt as if everyone in the bar were staring at her, noticing that she was sitting all alone and out of place.

She opened her purse and took out her date book, trying to look as if she was checking on important appointments and had plenty of things to keep her busy. She even resorted to her old watch-checking trick, to let everyone know that she was waiting for somebody. Kaoru wished she knew what was going on. Had Kenshin taken Tomoe home? Were they still fighting? Had they made up? It was clear to Kaoru, even through their fighting words that they still cared for each other. At last it dawned on her that he wasn't going to come back. She had taken a gamble and she had lost. Kenshin and Tomoe were together again, working at patching up a relationship that had gone on for years.

Kaoru stared sadly around the room. In one corner a couple stood very close together, their faces only inches apart as the man gazed into the girl's eyes. They were not talking, just gazing as if they could read each other's thoughts. As Kaoru watched, the girl took the cherry from her drink and popped it into the guy's mouth with a little smile.

Kaoru felt her heart wrench with pain. She had always envied couples in love, but until now she had never experienced the feeling for herself. Now she knew that she had lost and it hurt even more. Was she destined never to have someone stand beside her and look at her like that? Was Kenshin right now gazing into Tomoe's eyes and telling her that he loved her?

Kaoru tore her paper napkin methodically into shreds.

It's my own fault, she told herself. I brought all this trouble on myself. I should never have fallen for Kenshin's voice in the first place. I should have known from the first ad that he wanted somebody else and could never be interested in me. I was just fooling myself.

"Hey there, bright eyes," said a voice close to her. Kaoru started and looked up to see Yahiko, clearing tables. "Is Cinderella sitting all alone? Prince Charming didn't turn up?"

Kaoru flushed. It wasn't easy to admit that she'd been dumped. "He turned up, but he went home with one of the ugly sisters," she said.

Yahiko gave her a sympathizing smile. "Happens all the time in places like this," he said. He put a protective hand on her shoulder. "Listen, I don't like the thought of you going home alone this late. I get off work in half an hour. If you want to stick around, I'll bring you home."

"Oh, thanks," Kaoru mumbled. Kindness was bringing tears to the back of her eyes. She really didn't want to cry here.

He picked up her glass. "I'll bring you something on the house. Only, don't let the boss see."

He went away and came back a few minutes later with a steaming glass of amber liquid. "It's Frangelico," he said.

"It's what?" The sweet herby smell had reached Kaoru's nostrils.

"A liqueur, made by monks, who know a lot about booze," he said. "We serve it hot in winter. Okay, it's not so trendy, but get that down you and you'll feel a whole lot better. Then I'll walk you home and you can get some sleep."

Kaoru smiled. "Thanks, Yahiko," she said.

Yahiko shrugged. "No problem. I'll come get you in about half an hour."

Kaoru sipped her drink slowly. It was hot and sweet and she felt its power warming up her entire body as it relaxed the tension in her neck and back. She watched the doorway, however, half hoping at the last moment that Kenshin would appear again, breathless and apologetic. But a half hour later Yahiko showed up wearing his black leather jacket.

"Ready to split?" he asked.

Kaoru nodded and got to her feet. "Yeah, let's go," she said. She prayed that Kenshin would arrive just as she was leaving with another guy. If he did, she'd be strong and pretend she didn't see him. She wanted him to feel hurt and confused, the way she was feeling right now. She wanted him to suffer and to realize what he had lost.

"So what to you think of Razzles?" Yahiko asked as they walked together.

"It's very cool," Kaoru said, but I feel like a total hick when I'm there."

Yahiko nodded. "It's pretty trendy all right. People come to be seen, you know?"

Yahiko commented, "You know, you don't come here much. I've never seen you around without Megumi or Misao. What are you doing? Spreading your wings a little?"

"Yes, but it's tough. It's like everyone else is playing a game, but they know the rules and I don't."

"Well, maybe you should never learn. You're fine just the way you are."

"Oh, please," she said. "I'm dying to shake the country dirt off my shoes. Nobody even notices me the way I am. I can be in a crowd and totally invisible."

"Well, I notice you," he said. "And I like you the way you are."

They walked side by side through the dark, empty streets until they got to their building. There was no sign of life as they stood in the cold lobby, waiting for the elevator.

"Don't tell me," Yahiko said. "Out of order---again. And no sign."

"I don't even bother trying anymore. I just take it for granted it's broken and I climb the stairs. It's good for you to do the walking. Come on." The hot liqueur was still working inside her and she felt warm and comfortable. She was going to hate herself in the morning, though.

"Okay, let's get healthy hearts. We don't have any choice," Yahiko said with a friendly slap on her back.

"Last one up the stairs is a rotten egg," Kaoru said playfully and began to hurry. Yahiko scrambled beside her and they were elbowing and giggling like kids. They reached their floor, both breathing heavily.

Kaoru edged past him as he put his key in his lock. "Well, thanks for everything, Yahiko."

Yahiko touched her arm. "Cheer up," he said. "I saw what happened with that guy leaving and all. There are plenty of men in Chicago, and I'm sure you'll find the right one soon."

"Oh, you think so?" Kaoru sighed. "Sometimes I wonder." And with that she went inside and fell into bed.

TBC