Disclaimer – Rurouni Kenshin is mine! I can vouch for it!
Aoshi – I fail to believe that
Hitoezakura – But it's true!
Kaoru – Then how come you only have the volumes 1-15 and are missing five DVDs?
Hitoezakura – Hehehe…you really need to pay less attention Kaoru…
Alucard – It's better than my situation. She has all the episodes and absolutely no manga of Hellsing…
Hitoezakura – GET OUT!
Alucard, Aoshi, and Kaoru – Which one of us are you asking to leave?
Hitoezakura – ALL OF YOU!
Hitoezakura – Yes, yes, I really don't own Rurouni Kenshin…
Soooo…I hope you all aren't going to murder me for not updating sooner…but I had a Calc II final and a World History midterm, so I'm sorry! And then high school started, and I ran out of time (technically, I'm supposed to be writing a paper, but as I am a loss for topics, I'm simply writing so that I can bounce ideas in my head...
Anyways, school has started (calc and history were during the summer), so my updating is going to be a lot slower…I'm sorry! However, I received a gift before school began! This story has hit 50 reviews! I am sooooooooo happy! Thank you, thank you, thank you all of my reviewers, and I'd love to see you keep reviewing.
On a more depressing note, people have been putting me on their alert and favorites lists, but they haven't been reviewing. Please, please, please review, because I would love to receive feedback from you! Also I haven't seen recent reviews from some of my previous reviewers, and I would love to hear from you guys too! I really don't want to mention names, so please either review or come back once again! PLEASE, I BEG YOU!
Anyways, reviewer responses!
Blooded wyngs – Well, the fortune was just so absurd that all Aoshi could've possibly done was laugh (I hope you entered a temporary euphoria though). The Yahiko incident actually came to my mind when I wrote about Kaoru opening her door, so it was completely unplanned, but I thought it was pretty funny. As for your hypothesis…well, you'll just have to read the story and find out (I'm sorry, but I do love to keep people in suspense)! Hiko doesn't prefer Miyana over Kenshin (though it does seem like that). In the anime, when Kenshin goes to hug Hiko, Hiko pushes him into a shelf, insisting he doesn't like men, so he usually doesn't tend to show that much affection towards men. However, he does truly care for Kenshin. And Miyana's not better than Kenshin, as you will read in this chapter. Romantic scenes with Enishi and jealousy scenes with Aoshi will eventually appear (hopefully), so keep holding on! Thanks for reviewing and please continue reviewing!
As for that Saitou Miyana line…well, that was just an error (I changed it once I saw your review in my inbox)
Crewel – I'm glad you love those SxM moments! The SxM romance might slow down in the next few chapters, but I'll be sure to keep writing more moments! Thanks for reviewing!
Bradybunch4529 – Aoshi and Kaoru have declared war, and therefore, there is going to be plenty of fighting and jealousy coming up! I'm thrilled that you like this story, and I hope you keep reviewing!
Ardenilia – Yay, you came back! Yes, the Aoshi Kaoru war will soon commence, and although it won't be incredibly hot and spicy, it will be humorous and jealousy filled! Please keep reviewing!
Kite06 – Yes, both opinions are true (I hope you read the entire story…). Anyways, thanks for reviewing, and I hope to see more reviews from you in the future.
NOTE! – As much as I love my current editor, she is quite busy, and doesn't exactly find the time to read my stories (let's overlook the fact that it took me three months to convince her to actually read this story). If anyone likes to edit my story, could you please say so in your review! I'd love an editor who will actually read my new chapters in less than a month!
On the the story!
HOW IS THIS LOVE?
Okina shuffled the papers in front of him as he waited patiently for his agents to come through the door.
I'm thankful that Misao finally found a boyfriend! Now, I can call people behind her back so that she'll never find out about the Agency! Moreover, it's especially wonderful that her boyfriend and she are spending as much time as they can together before college starts again!
He suddenly heard a knock at the door. He opened it to reveal Shiro and Kuro.
"You two finished your training?" asked Okina with a smile.
"We did, but Hanya and the others decided to train for a while longer. They got your message about the mission and decided that some extra training would be useful," said Shiro quietly.
"However, we came back so that we could train with Omasu and Okon," said Kuro. "After all, we do attack in a group, not in pairs!"
"Well come in now, come in!" said Okina jovially. "I'm just waiting for the others to arrive!"
"There are Okita, Kaya, Saitou-san, and Tokio-san!" said Shiro quickly, pointing to Okita's car coming up in the driveway.
"Why don't you two go down to the room where Aoshi, Omasu, and Okon are sitting in?" suggested Okina. "I'll explain the mission to you in depth when everyone comes."
Shiro and Kuro headed downstairs just as Enishi pulled in with Megumi, Sanosuke, and Kaoru in tow. Right behind Enishi was Kenshin in his car, with Tomoe, Hiko, Kenji, and Miyana.
"Well, everyone's arrived!" yelled out Okina as soon as each person had stepped out of the car. "Downstairs to the board room everyone!" he yelled, leading the way.
"So what have you called us for Okina?" asked Kenshin curiously. "When you called me, you told me to bring Tomoe and Kenji along, which means it must be an extremely serious matter."
"Actually, there's a new mission, and it concerns many of you" said Okina quietly. "I explained the details to Hiko."
Hiko cleared his throat.
"Baka deshi, do you remember Katsura Kogoro?"
Kenshin's head snapped up in surprise. "Katsura-san? As in the government official who hired me as an assassin?"
"You were an assassin Ken-san?" asked Megumi in surprise, whirling around to glance at Kaoru's reaction. Kaoru seemed remarkably calm.
Then again, Ken-san probably already told her…they were extremely close, after all…
"Saitou was an assassin too" chimed in Okina. "However, Katsura was not the one to discover Saitou. Okubo was the one who discovered the talent in Saitou. In fact, even Okubo is involved in this case."
"When did these two stop being assassins?" asked Megumi confusedly. "I never knew about any of this, and frankly, I'm a bit confused…"
"Let's just say that a reporter and a policewoman changed their minds," said Okina with a sly grin, causing Tomoe and Tokio to glare at him angrily. Megumi laughed softly.
"Anyways, back to the case," said Hiko quietly. "Kaya, Shinomori, you two were sent on a mission to become celebrities so that we could infiltrate the parties held by the elite. Remember four years ago, when we received the threat to the government?"
"Yes," replied Aoshi shortly.
"We know who sent that threat" said Okina. "The same one who sent another threat just recently. The name of the perpetrator is Makoto Shishio."
Saitou's eyes narrowed.
Makoto Shishio…the assassin appointed by Saigo Takamori to assist Battousai and me…
"I thought he was disposed of when he murdered some of the non-corrupt officials just to gain power!" exclaimed Kenshin.
"So we thought," said Hiko with a shrug. "The Sekihotai and Hiten Agencies searched his building for any future plans, and when we failed to find any, we strategically placed bombs in his headquarters. After the bomb blast, we were unable to find any bodies and were therefore certain that he was dead. Apparently, he survived, and has rebuilt his army and supplies during these past four years."
"Hiko-san, we received his first threat four years ago," said Tokio thoughtfully. "If his plans weren't in the building, then wouldn't they have still been safe? Why did he have to rebuild everything in these past four years? What happened to his original plans?"
"He had actually drawn up plans, and for a few years, he actually seemed like he was going to come out into the open, but a year ago, he suddenly disappeared. It was as if the essential materials he needed had been destroyed…," murmured Hiko thoughtfully.
Unseen by anybody, Miyana's fists clenched.
"You were working for Shishio all along?" Miyana shrieked, waving the papers at him angrily. "I can't believe this!"
"Give those back!" he commanded harshly.
"I've been a fool for these past three years," she whispered, her voice trembling with anger and hatred. "It's time I do something right!"
She threw the papers into the fireplace. "Now let's see how Shishio can operate without his plans!" she yelled angrily.
"If I die because of Shishio's fury, my blood will be on your hands!" he growled.
"Then so be it" she whispered. "I don't care anymore…"
Miyana unclenched her fists and once again tuned into the conversation.
"Hiko-san, Okina, I think we need to explain the whole story to the younger agents" said Tomoe softly. "I don't think they understand the situation completely…"
Okina sighed and pulled out six photos from the folder.
"Here are the three most powerful government officials in Japan," said Okina quietly, passing out three photos. "Katsura Kogoro, Saigo Takamori, and Okubo Toshimichi. These three men believed in an uncorrupt government, and declared that their new mission was to rid their current government of corruption. Working in secrecy, each official chose a single man whose skills and talents would be utilized to eliminate the corruption. Katsura discovered Kenshin through Hiko, Okubo found Saitou in the police department, and Saigo uncovered Shishio from the villages deep in Japan. Kenshin, Saitou, and Shishio were used as tools, utilized to assassinate the corrupt officials. However, Kenshin left after three years, when a reporter named Yukishiro Tomoe questioned him about the families of the corrupt officials. Saitou left four years after that, when the officials informed him that they had eliminated all corruption. All three assassins were offered huge sums of money and were even offered jobs to repay them for the years of suffering they endured. Kenshin and Saitou refused, but Shishio accepted the offer."
"However, Shishio began his murdering once again, killing anyone in his path just to achieve the power he believed he deserved" muttered Hiko. "That was when the Sekihotai and Hiten Agencies began to take this matter into their own hands. Our mission lasted for four years, beginning a year before Sagara's assassination, when we planted the bombs in Shishio's headquarters."
"Apparently, it will take more than bombs to defeat Shishio" said Okina quietly. "That is why we are accepting this mission."
"And do you have any plans?" asked Enishi.
"Saigo, Katsura, and Okubo are most probably Shishio's targets," murmured Hiko. "By eliminating the three most powerful officials, he will send Japan into chaos, and during that chaos, he will take over Japan and declared the country as his own."
"Do we have any information about his team?" asked Kaoru.
"None whatsoever" said Okina.
"So what's our plan of action?" asked Sanosuke with a grin. "I'd like to kill that bastard!"
Megumi placed her hand on Sanosuke's and squeezed it softly.
You have every right to be angry…he's the destroyer of your life...he separated you from your family...
"There's a fancy party in the course of two weeks," said Okina. "We are going to send all of you down there, either as guests or guards, and you are to protect the three officials. Meanwhile, for the next two weeks, we'll be undergoing extensive training. Since we need to cooperate on this mission, I am going to make you train in pairs, either with a partner who will enhance your skills, or a partner with whom you are unable to get along. Cooperation is essential, and I cannot have bickering ruining this mission."
"Wait, so you're going to team us up with people we can't stand?" asked Sanosuke bluntly.
"Yes" said Hiko simply. "Any problems Sagara?"
"I'm going to be stuck with that bastard Saitou…," muttered Sanosuke darkly.
"Ahou" muttered Saitou, pulling out a cigarette.
"Actually…we've determined the training partners already!" exclaimed Okina with a grin. "I'm excluded, because I'll be working with Kuro, Shiro, Omasu, and Okon. Hanya, Beshimi, Hyottoko, and Shikijou are still training in the forests, so we won't expect them for a little while. Anyways, they aren't right for this mission because their strange features will give them away almost immediately and will arouse unnecessary curiosity."
"So, what are the pairs?" asked Kaoru curiously, getting down to business.
"Hiko and Okita."
Okita groaned and banged his head against the table.
Why am I stuck with an arrogant egoist?
"Sanosuke and Aoshi."
"You're sticking me with an ice-block?" asked Sanosuke incredulously.
A book hit Sanosuke squarely on the head.
"Kenshin and Enishi."
"WHAT?" growled Enishi, but his rage simmered as Tomoe shot him a glare.
"Tomoe and Kaoru."
Megumi's eyes widened as Kaoru and Tomoe glanced at each other warily.
Tomoe's very insecure about Kaoru and Kenshin's friendship at times, and Kaoru loves Kenshin with all her heart, but can't tell him because of his marriage with Tomoe. How is that ever going to work out?
"Tokio, you're working with both Megumi and Kaya."
Megumi sighed with relief, thrilled that she was paired with two women who seemed quite nice and tolerable.
Miyana's eyes suddenly widened in fright as she stared at the last person who had not been paired off.
Please…please don't stick me with him…please don't stick me with him…
"Miyana and Saitou."
"I swear, training is going to be a sordid affair, isn't it?" muttered Okita to himself. "I'm stuck with 'my ego is bigger than yours' Hiko!"
"Hiko-san isn't really that horrible!" said Kaya with a laugh.
"Easy for you to say, he's actually nice to you!" snapped Okita, a grin still on his face. Kaya laughed once again.
"Soushi, this is only for the sake of cooperation," said Kaya cheerfully. "This is for our mission, so why shouldn't we take extra efforts to succeed?"
"How can I possibly argue with my fiancé?" asked Okita mischievously, raising her hand to his lips, causing her to blush.
"Okita, I haven't even told the gang yet," whispered Kaya. "If you keep making me blush, they're all going to find out sooner or later…"
"Don't tell them yet" murmured Okita. "For some reason, it just seems special that only we know…well, us and your family…"
"Soushi?" asked Kaya softly.
"Yeah?"
"Why don't you tell Saitou-san and Tokio-san about the engagement?" asked Kaya. "They're your family…don't you want to tell them?"
"We should tell them, shouldn't we?" said Okita quietly, his eyes suddenly downcast. "They're…family..."
"Soushi…you're hiding something from me…" whispered Kaya sadly. " What's wrong?"
"Hey, where did Miyana disappear to?" muttered Enishi curiously, driving towards the Akabeko so that he could drop off Kaoru.
"I have no clue, but if you ever want to be friends with Miyana, then you'll have to get used to her disappearing acts!" said Sanosuke with a grin. "She's great at disappearing when you want to talk to her the most!"
"Come to think of it, Aoshi's disappeared too" said Megumi. "Miyana and Aoshi…they're really similar that way!"
"Yeah, and they're both really quiet, they both barely speak unless you engage them in some sort of argument or discussion…you're right Megumi, they are really similar!" said Kaoru with a laugh. "Maybe we should play matchmaker and set them up!"
"Miyana? Aoshi?" exclaimed Sanosuke in awe. "Are you trying to prove that the world shall end tomorrow? They don't make a good couple at all!"
Enishi laughed aloud, but within his head, one question seemed to reign.
"Sometimes Enishi-san…only sometimes…"
Could Aoshi possibly be someone that falls in the 'sometimes' category?
"Hey, Enishi!"
Enishi shook his head slightly to remove himself from the world of his thoughts and turned to Sanosuke. "What is it rooster?" he asked calmly.
"Can you manage the bar at night?" asked Sanosuke with a sheepish grin. "I have a date at eight with my foxy mate!"
"Sanosuke that is the cheesiest rhyme you have come up with in the history of your life!" exclaimed Kaoru with a roll of her eyes. "Honestly, you'd think that big head of yours would have some brains!"
"You'd think a girl like you could cook!"
"I can cook you stupid rooster!"
"Sure, burnt rice really proves that you can cook!"
"At least my rice is better than your brains! My rice is only partially burnt, but your brains are completely fried!"
Megumi laughed, watching Sanosuke and Kaoru commence another shouting match.
"Hey Kaoru!" interrupted Enishi. "If you're not doing anything tonight, how about joining me at the bar to keep me company?"
"Sure!" replied Kaoru with a grin. "Oh, there's the Akabeko! Sanosuke, Megumi see you tomorrow! Enishi, see you at eight!" she called out, hopping out of Enishi's car.
"Don't be late!" called out Sanosuke with a laugh. He was suddenly knocked back in his seat by a rock thrown by Kaoru.
"Come on Enishi!" muttered Megumi. "I really don't want to be late! And rooster-head, if you make one more rhyme-"
"I know, I know, I'll be crossing the line," said Sanosuke with the roll of his eyes. Suddenly, he realized exactly what he had done, and his eyes widened with horror.
"Kitsune, I swear, I really didn't mean to-"
BANG! CRASH! THUD!
Ten minutes later, Enishi and Megumi had to carry Sanosuke up to a hospital bed in Megumi's hospital due to the sever injuries they had both inflicted upon poor Sanosuke.
Aoshi stepped inside the bookstore warily, desperately hoping that there would be some enjoyable book on the shelves. He had no desire to find petty, repeated romances that always seemed to surface in every story in any novel he purchased. He climbed the stairs towards the musty corners of the bookstore, a place where he always seemed relaxed for some reason.
To his surprise, there was someone already there. Someone astonishingly familiar…
"Miyana?" he asked, his eyes wide with surprise. Miyana whirled around in shock.
"Shinomori-san! What are you doing here?" she asked softly, shelving the armload of book nestled in her arms.
"I could ask you the same question myself," replied Aoshi.
"I work here," said Miyana simply. "It's my second source of income. I'm not exactly well off in terms of money."
"I thought you were a secret agent long before this", murmured Aoshi.
"Before the Agency closed, I paid reparations to many of the agents out of my own pocket," whispered Miyana. "It was the least I could do for them…Anyways, what are you doing here?" she repeated.
"Looking for a book to read" said Aoshi.
"You're in the wrong section Shinomori-san," said Miyana with the raise of an eyebrow. "Unless your aversion to romance has suddenly dissipated."
Aoshi glanced at the labels on the shelf and to his annoyance; the shelf was labeled 'Romance'.
"Any books on how romance is a bunch of trash?" asked Aoshi with a shrug. Miyana rolled her eyes slightly.
"Someday Shinomori-san, you might fall in love, and you'll eat those words of yours" said Miyana with a shake of her head. "But here are some books about the dangers of romance if you're that interested."
"Excellent. I should buy one for Kamiya," muttered Aoshi. "Maybe I should buy one for you too, while I'm at it. Are you one of those people who believe in love?"
"What's wrong with believing in love?" asked Miyana softly.
"The fact that no matter what, the heart is always broken in the end…" murmured Aoshi, picking up the book and making his way to the counter, not noticing that Miyana's eyes had widened and were now glittering with tears.
The heart is always broken in the end…
She quickly blinked back her tears and shelved the remainder of her books before making a beeline for the storage room.
"Shishou?"
Hiko turned to Kenshin, who had offered to drive Hiko home after Tomoe and Kenji had been dropped off at the supermarket to pick up some groceries.
"Yes Baka deshi?" asked Hiko.
"You know, you really should stop calling me that!" insisted Kenshin. "After all, it's been quite a few years since I was your student!"
"But it's just natural instinct!" replied Hiko with a smug grin. Kenshin rolled his eyes in frustration and exasperation.
Sometimes it seems that Shishou just doesn't care…
"Baka deshi, I hope you aren't thinking that I don't care about what you have to say," boomed Hiko from his side. "Who do you think it was who taught you the last succession techniques? Who do you think listened to you talk about Shishio and tipped you off numerous times so that you could capture the man?"
Kenshin smiled, and now it was Hiko's turn to roll his eyes.
"You're a little too affectionate for a man," Hiko muttered. "I can't believe that after so many years, the first thing you tried to do was hug me. Of course I was going to kick you away! I like women, not men!"
Kenshin laughed, and Hiko grinned.
Don't forget Baka deshi…I'm not heartless…I'm just not verbal with affection…
"Alright, so what were you going to ask me?" asked Hiko.
"There are numerous questions, and all of them are about your second pupil," said Kenshin quietly. Hiko sighed and began to speak.
"I found Miyana on the streets when she was only five. She smiled at me just once, and suddenly, I felt extremely protective. When she smiles, believe me, it's extremely captivating. I took her in and trained her in the arts of Hiten Mitsurugi," murmured Hiko.
"So she's at my level now?" asked Kenshin curiously.
"No" replied Hiko firmly. "Miyana was terrified of mastering the Amakakeru Ryuu No Hirameki. She had studied the history of the Hiten Mitsurugi, and she discovered that mastering that technique would mean killing her own master. She stopped at the Kuzuryuusen and insisted that she wasn't going to learn the ultimate technique at the risk of my life. Unlike you baka deshi, she owned no reverse-blade sword like the one you bore when you arrived to learn the ultimate technique, but a deadly katana. She's trained herself well with the katana, well enough to keep herself from killing her opponent, but she didn't want to risk my life, and therefore refused to master the ultimate technique."
"Was that the time when you sent her to Sagara-san?" asked Kenshin.
"It was at that time I realized how attached she had become to me, and I was scared that I would ruin her life. So I sent her to Sagara-san, and by doing that, I have created the quiet, non-smiling Miyana you see before you today," muttered Hiko, clenching his fists.
"Do you even know the extent of what happened to her Shishou?" whispered Kenshin.
"No one knows," said Hiko with a tired voice. "The girl is the most stubborn human being you will see on this Earth, and I have no doubt that she will never tell us everything."
"We're at your house Shishou" said Kenshin abruptly, stopping the car smoothly and unlocking the doors with a flick of the switch on his armrest. Hiko stepped out of the car.
"By the way baka deshi" said Hiko, holding the car door open. "Send your kid to me for swordsmanship training. Who knows how you'll teach the poor kid!"
"You're so mean Shishou!" muttered Kenshin, but smiles surfaced both the teacher and student's faces as Hiko shut the door and began to walk away.
"The flames…it's almost as if they're dancing…"
She grinned as she swept up her dark brown hair into a neat bun with a single strand of beads. She smoothed out her kimono, her palms running along the fine, soft silk, before glancing at her dancing flames.
"But I suppose that means that he's happy" she whispered softly. "And if he is happy, then I am happy, for he is the reason why I live this life."
"Miss Yumi?"
Komigata Yumi turned around with a smile, recognizing the voice. "Hey kiddo" she greeted softly. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," replied the bearer of the voice. "However, I have important news for Shishio-sama. Where is he at the moment?"
"I don't know," said Yumi with a shrug.
"The flames…" replied the bearer of the voice. " They're dancing…Shishio-sama must be happy…"
"You noticed it too, huh?" asked Yumi with a grin. "It means everything is going according to our plans…and this time, no one shall stand in the way of Shishio!"
"Okita Soushi, what are you hiding from me?" asked Kaya softly. "I know I might be asking for you to reveal a deep secret, but if it's painful, don't you think it's my right as your fiancé to share the pain you bear?"
"Kaya, you don't need this burden!" muttered Okita. "I know it'll just eat away at you."
"Why don't you want to tell Tokio-san and Saitou-san about our engagement?" asked Kaya softly. "Soushi, they've supported our relationship for so long, I'm sure they'd approve! They would never try to separate us! Why don't you want to tell your parents about our engagement?"
"They're not the ones I'm worried about! I'm worried about telling my real parents!" yelled out Okita. Kaya's eyes widened in shock.
"Your real parents?" she whispered faintly. "Soushi…what are you talking about?"
"Saitou-san and Tokio-san are not my real parents," muttered Okita. "I ran away from home when I was eighteen without a single yen in my pockets. Saitou-san knew me since I was a kid in high school, and we developed a kind of father-son bond. During my high school years, I would always hang out at their home until midnight and would return to my home only to leave at five in the morning. When they discovered I had run away from home, Saitou-san and Tokio-san tracked me down and immediately took me in…"
"You were afraid to tell me this Soushi?" asked Kaya softly. "Soushi, I will never leave your side unless you ask me to, and-"
Kaya gasped as Okita's hand shot out and grasped her wrist in a tight hold.
"I will never ask you to leave," whispered Okita, his voice trembling with his emotions. "Never...so don't ever say that again!"
"Soushi…" Kaya wrapped her arms around Okita and embraced him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she tried to comfort him. He pulled away slightly, but only to wipe the tears from Kaya's eyes. She smiled softly, and Okita's face broke out into a grin upon seeing the happiness in her eyes. He then pulled away completely, but took a hold of her hand.
"Come on" said Okita quietly. "We need to go."
"Where?" asked Kaya curiously.
"To Saitou-san and Tokio-san's" said Okita with a grin. "We need to tell them we're married." He immediately attempted to pull her forward, but her immobility prevented him from doing so.
"Kaya?" murmured Okita questioningly. "Why are you pulling me back?"
"Soushi…we need to see your parents…," whispered Kaya gently.
"That's where we're going!" insisted Okita. "To Saitou-san's!"
"Soushi, your real parents!" cried out Kaya. "I know that they must have hurt you in the past since you never want to return to them, but they're your parents! If you don't tell them about our engagement, then you'll regret it for your whole life! We need to tell them Soushi!"
"I don't care about regrets!" yelled Okita. "Kaya, the reason I ran away from them was because they were deciding my life for me! They were trying to choose my occupation, my home, my wife, the number of children I should have, and even the number of grandchildren they wanted! If I show them the woman that I chose for myself, they'll scorn you and disrespect you, and I'd rather live a life of regret than see you in that position!"
"Soushi, if I ever became the cause for your life of regret, do you think I'll be happy?" asked Kaya softly. "Please Soushi, just tell them about us. Just this once, so that you'll never feel regret…"
Okita sighed heavily.
"Alright Kaya…" he finally agreed. "We shall meet them this one time."
Aoshi walked away from the bookstore and tossed his purchase in the back seat of the car.
Whenever I see Kamiya again, I can just give her the book…
First, I should find something to eat.
Aoshi quickly drove by restaurant after restaurant until coming upon his favorite restaurant, one he had enjoyed eating at ever since he was a child.
The Akabeko…even after four years, this place hasn't changed…
Aoshi immediately parked in a nearby spot and made his away towards the restaurant.
"Miss Tae, you said that I had to hurry to work today!" muttered Kaoru.
"I'm sorry Kaoru, I didn't anticipate this!" apologized Tae.
"The restaurant's empty!" wailed Kaoru. "I'm bored!"
Perhaps I should've just gone with Enishi…but Miss Tae had insisted that at least one waitress needed to be at the restaurant, and I thought having no waitresses would be too much for her to handle, especially without Tsubame…
"Why don't you help wash the dishes or something?" suggested Tae. "I'll inform you the moment a customer walks through the door!"
Suddenly, they heard the front door open.
"Finally!" exclaimed Kaoru, grabbing a small notepad and a handful of menus before skating off to the front door.
"Kaoru, you really shouldn't go that fast! You haven't exactly learned how to keep your balance on the skates!" cried out Tae in panic.
"Don't worry Tae!" assured Kaoru. "I think I've learned how to - ouch!"
Kaoru collided with the person at the front door and knocked the person down, falling on top of the person.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" cried out Kaoru, shutting her eyes, waiting for the rebuke. "I'm so sorry, I really-"
"I never knew you were such a klutz Kamiya," replied the person in an icy tone that Kaoru recognized too well.
"If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have apologized," muttered Kaoru under her breath, immediately halting the apologies she had been repeating a few seconds ago. "What are you doing here Shinomori-san?"
"I have arrived to eat lunch", answered Aoshi evenly. "Had I known that the price of my lunch would cost one trip to the hospital, I wouldn't have bothered coming here."
"It'll cost you a lot more than one trip to the hospital if you keep making remarks like that!" growled Kaoru angrily, brandishing her fist at him.
"Aoshi-san!" cried out Tae all of a sudden. "Oh my, I haven't seen you for four years! How are you?"
"I'm fine" replied Aoshi. "How's the restaurant?"
"Oh, business is wonderful! Everyday, this restaurant is packed with people!"
Aoshi and Kaoru glanced at the empty surroundings before turning to meet Tae's eyes once again. Tae gave a weak chuckle.
"Well, everyday except for today that is…" replied Tae sheepishly. "But don't worry! I'm just thrilled that my first customer ever has come back to eat here again!"
"Shinomori-san was your first customer?" asked Kaoru in surprise. Tae nodded happily.
"Aoshi-san was the first person to enter this restaurant, and he immediately recommended it to everybody he knew, and soon, as word traveled, business started to grow, and I had to hire so many waitresses! But Aoshi-san always came, and he's our valued customer!" exclaimed Tae, already making her way to the kitchen. "Aoshi-san, would you like an appetizer of sushi and a sukiyaki?"
"You remembered my order even after four years?" asked Aoshi.
"How could I ever forget Aoshi-san?" asked Tae with a laugh. She disappeared into the kitchens, leaving a slightly infuriated Kaoru (for she had not been able to get over his biting remarks) with Aoshi.
"Anything to drink Shinomori-san?" asked Kaoru. "Sake, water, soda, tea?"
"Tea" replied Aoshi.
"And would you like a shot of sake in the tea or no?" asked Kaoru.
"Does Hiko come here that often?"
"Other people aside from Hiko-san seem to enjoy a shot of sake in their tea" replied Kaoru with a shrug. "Do you want a shot of sake in your tea?
"No sake, I have no tolerance" answered Aoshi.
Really? Shinomori-san, thank you for that interesting tidbit…Kaoru, you better keep that stowed away in your mind somewhere, it'll come out useful someday…
"Coming right up!" exclaimed Kaoru with a huge smile, disappearing into the kitchen, missing Aoshi's slightly surprised expression.
Kamiya has a pretty smile…
Wait, why am I suddenly thinking of her as pretty?
Aoshi shook his head violently and stepped out of the restaurant to fetch the book he had bought for Kaoru from the car.
"Tomoe-koishii?"
Tomoe glanced up from the angelic sleeping face of Kenji to see her husband sit down next to her on their vast bed. She smiled softly and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"You dropped off Hiko-san?" asked Tomoe softly, gracefully rising from the bed to set Kenji in his crib before collapsing onto the bed again. Kenshin wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly in place as he lowered them onto the bed until they were lying down, facing each other.
"Hai koishii" replied Kenshin softly. "Koishii? Can I ask you something?"
"What?" asked Tomoe.
"Are you comfortable training with Kaoru-dono?"
Tomoe sighed and closed her eyes slowly. "Anata" she whispered. "We were made training partners so that we could learn to be comfortable around each other. It doesn't matter whether I am comfortable or not, I just need to learn to get along with Kaoru-chan."
"There really is nothing to worry about with Kaoru-dono" assured Kenshin. "I don't really understand why you two have differences. I would've figured that you two would've gotten along quite well."
"It's not that simple anata" whispered Tomoe.
How can I tell him…tell him that the young girl he considered his closest friend was in love with him…that I was the one who ruined her dreams…
I still remember her pain that day…
Tomoe stepped into the Aoiya, a wide smile on her face at the thought of surprising her fiancé and her little brother. However, her smile grew wider as she thought of the letter Kenshin had sent her – he was announcing that they were to be married the moment she came, although he had no clue that she was to arrive today. Her happiness knew no bounds, and it was all she could do to not kick open that door in excitement.
She slowly opened the door to see Kenshin and aprettygirl with long black hairin a ponytail drinking tea and laughing. She quietly crept behind Kenshin, and as thegirl glanced up to meet her face, Tomoe placed a finger to her lips. Tomoe quickly covered Kenshin's eyes with her hands.
"Guess who anata?" she whispered softly. Almost at the speed of light, Kenshin jumped up and turned, his eyes wide and sparkling with happiness, a huge smile on his face.
"Koishii!" he yelled before embracing her tightly. She glanced up at him, her eyes shining with tears of happiness.
"Who is this Kenshin?" asked the brunette curiously. Tomoe peered at thegirl and saw pure shock and surprise in her eyes.
"This is Yukishiro Tomoe, Enishi's older sister" said Kenshin with a smile. "Tomoe, this is Kamiya Kaoru, a student of mine, and a very good friend too."
"Nice to meet you" said Tomoe with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too" replied Kaoru, a smile surfacing her face as well, although the shock had not fully disappeared from her eyes.
"Anata, perhaps I should leave you and Kaoru to-", suddenly, a group of people burst into the room, and she was met with Enishi, Sanosuke, Okita, Tokio, Saitou, Hiko, Okina, and anothergirl with long black hair (which she would later find out was Megumi).
"Oneesan!" yelled out Enishi, running to Tomoe and embracing her tightly.
"Enishi, how have you been?" asked Tomoe excitedly, hugging her little brother. "Oh, I've missed you so much!"
After everyone had either greeted or introduced themselves to Tomoe, Kenshin cleared his throat and stood up.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make, de gozaru…" he glanced at Tomoe with a meaningful look, and she nodded gently.
"For six years, Tomoe and I have been engaged, and for six years, we have been separated…Now that she has returned, I wish to announce that we are going to be married within two months!"
Tokio shrieked with joy before jumping up to hug Tomoe tightly. Saitou simply congratulated Kenshin while trying to find a cigarette, while Hiko and Okina beat the life out of Kenshin by clapping him on the back for congratulations. Sanosuke and Okita were cheering in the background. As Tokio hugged Tomoe, Tomoe glanced at Kaoru, Megumi, and Enishi, and was suddenly shocked by what she saw.
Enishi's face was etched into intense dislike (although Tomoe had anticipated this, her brother never really liked Kenshin). However, Tomoe suddenly saw Megumi's sympathetic face and glanced over to see Kaoru's eyes full of pain, of hurt, and of broken dreams.
And for the first time that day, she realized that Kaoru had truly loved Kenshin…
"Koishii? Daijoubu?"
Tomoe nodded hurriedly, trying to assure Kenshin that she was indeed okay. "Hai anata" she said quickly. "I was just thinking about Kaoru's and my situation, but I think we'll be able to handle it anata."
Kenji suddenly began to wail, and Tomoe was about to rise when Kenshin pushed her down again.
"Rest koishii, I'll take care of him" said Kenshin with a smile. Tomoe smiled at him gratefully as he rose from the bed and walked towards the crib.
Anata…I'll smile in front of Kaoru for you…and I know Kaoru will smile in front of me for you, but whether we will ever overcome our differences…of that I shall never be certain…
"Ummm…koishii?" whispered Kenshin.
"Hai anata?" asked Tomoe confusedly.
"Well…you see…Kenji is hungry, that he is…and I can't really feed him, that…I…can't…" Kenshin trailed off, his face turning red. Tomoe simply laughed, staring at her blushing husband before rising to care for Kenji.
Enishi stared at the traffic ahead of him, wondering why he was always stuck in traffic on the days that his car was actually peaceful. Although that was only due to the fact that Megumi and Enishi had lifted a moaning Sanosuke into a hospital bed in Megumi's wing of the hospital. Megumi offered to take care of Sanosuke, so Enishi immediately washed his hands from this matter and immediately drove off.
Now, he couldn't fathom why he had been in such a rush to enter congested roads. However, the turn lane next to his road was empty.
I suppose I could turn and wait till the traffic dies down before going to the Shirobeko…anyways, it doesn't open for another two hours, so I'm good. I can just walk around in this area…
Enishi quickly entered the turning lane (receiving many offensive and profane comments from nearby drivers) and was relieved of the congested roads. His eyes fell on the Akabeko, and he suddenly realized that a delicious meal would be heaven.
And Kaoru works here…I could see her again!
With a grin, Enishi pulled into the Akabeko parking lot.
"Shinomori-san!"
Aoshi was tempted to grin smugly as he heard Kaoru growl from behind him, but his face was passive as he turned to meet Kaoru's gaze.
"Yes Kamiya, what is it?" he asked, calmly eating his sukiyaki as he watched her fume.
"Why on earth would I want a book titled The Dangers Of Romance: Why You Should Never Fall In Love?" asked Kaoru angrily.
"If it makes you feel any better, that Sagara girl was the one who gave it to me" said Aoshi with a shrug, completely ignoring Kaoru's question.
"Miyana's not an ice-block like you!" shrieked Kaoru. "She's probably a wonderful person, and I'm sure she doesn't believe that romance is nothing but lies and treachery!"
"Wow, the restaurant is loud today."
Kaoru and Aoshi turned to see Enishi leaning in the doorway with a grin. A huge grin illuminated her face as she ran to Enishi, embracing him tightly for rescuing her from the ice-block that was Aoshi. Enishi looked down in surprise, but a smile surfaced on his face.
I have no clue why she's hugging me, but hey, I'm not going to resist!
"Enishi! I thought you were going to the bar!" exclaimed Kaoru, pulling away from the secretly pleased man. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, the streets are too crowded, so I decided to hang out at the Akabeko with you until the traffic dies out. Anyways, I don't have to open the Shirobeko for another two hours, so why not have a good lunch in that much time?" said Enishi with a smile. "You seem awfully glad to see me though."
"Shinomori-san is insufferable" muttered Kaoru angrily. Enishi laughed, eliciting a glare from Aoshi.
"Sorry Aoshi, but I have to admit, you can be a bit cold sometimes" said Enishi with a shrug. "Anyways, how have you two managed to torture each other?"
"Miyana gave him some book on the dangers of romance or something like that!" muttered Kaoru. "And he thought it would be fun to give it to me so that he could prove that he's right and I'm wrong about love!"
"Why on Earth would Miyana know about a book like that?" asked Enishi incredulously. "She's a bit of a romantic herself; I wouldn't think that she would actually know about a book like that."
"She works in a bookstore" replied Aoshi evenly. "And Kamiya, you must be an awful waitress. Yukishiro's been here for five minutes, and you still haven't asked him what he would like to eat."
Kaoru shot a deathly glare towards Aoshi before turning to Enishi. "Enishi, I'm sorry, what would you like?"
"I'm in the mood for some fried fish" said Enishi with a smile. Kaoru grinned at him, unknowingly catching Aoshi's eyes as she smiled.
"One order of fish, right up!" exclaimed Kaoru, turning rapidly on her skates. However, the sudden turn caused her to lose her balance, and she promptly began to fall over…
Straight into Enishi's arms.
"Whoa, you still haven't gotten a hang of those skates?" asked Enishi with a chuckle. "And I spent three hours trying to teach you! Did I waste those perilous, deathly hours?"
"They weren't perilous!" said Kaoru in mock anger.
"Kaoru, you were holding on to me so tight, I'm surprised you didn't strangle me!"
"I'm sorry then!" said Kaoru, laughing as she tried to skate forward only to lose her balance once again and topple into Enishi.
"I'm sorry again!" she cried out. Enishi grinned.
"Alright, I'm going to help you to the kitchen" he said with a laugh. "Hold on tight!"
Kaoru clutched his arm as he dragged her towards the kitchen.
"You're strangling me! Oh, the pain!" cried out Enishi's voice, a hint of teasing hidden under the feigned pained yells.
"Mou! Enishi, stop teasing me! I'm really scared I might fall!" shrieked Kaoru, her voice cracking as laughter bubbled up within her.
Unknown to both of them, Aoshi had been watching them for the past few minutes, and his cold blue eyes were suddenly on fire.
That idiot Yukishiro…Kamiya's hanging all over him…the bastard…
Wait, why am I suddenly harboring an animosity towards Yukishiro because of Kamiya?
This has got to be Kamiya's fault…but…she has a pretty smile, and a cute laugh…both of which are never directed towards me…why do I suddenly feel sad?
What's wrong with me today? Perhaps there really was a shot of sake in that tea of mine…
Was there a shot of sake in Aoshi's tea? No...unfortunately...
Anyways, I never really told you readers about anybody's ages...I'll post that next time.
Alright, so in the next chapter, Okita and Kaya visit two sets of parents, another glimpse at a Soujirou Misao date, a Megumi and Sano moment in the hospital,and find out what happens when Aoshi decides to visit Enishi at the Shirobeko!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! And also, I'm still looking for an editor!
Ja ne for today, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and thank you so much for 50 reviews!