CHANCES ARE . . .
(X MARKS THE SPOT)
By: TREASURE
CHAPTER 6'When would you be coming back Henya?'
'I'm not so sure, but they've sent words that I need to go back to Kobe as soon as I can. Youngsters could sometimes be pain in the &$$!'
'I trust that you, young lady would be able to take care of Kenshin, um, I mean help him here!' Henya continued between bites of maki.
'But Henya-san I must be on my . . . . . . ' Kenshin interrupted Kaoru.
'I wish to speak to you later!' Kenshin bowed towards Kaoru.
'So, everything is settled then. I'll see you again, my friend after six months!'
M&&&&&&m
After Henya left, Kenshin spoke with Kaoru again.
'About with what Henya said earlier, I was thinking that since you have no relative to go to, I would like to offer you a job. I can't pay you much but at least you don't need to rent a place to sleep'
'A job? What sort? I can clean the house and wash clothes, but a really really bad cook!'
'Ahh, not that kind! From what I've heard from you, you are able to land bokken swings on right spots!'
'Those were lucky hits! I was so angry at them a that time that I've just swing my bokken from left to right, from right to left not minding where it will land.' Kaoru now felt ashamed with what she had done to her stepmother and stepsister.
'Where did you learn to strike with a bokken?' Kenshin eyed her.
'I was tutored privately in our house by Hiko-sensei, just basic kenjutsu. My father was against it because he said that it was very un-lady like, but my mother persisted. She said it was better for girls to know how to defend themselves. Self-defense does not diminish femininity!'
Kaoru paused for a while and shift her gaze at Kenshin 'Do you think my father was right? Or was it my mother?'
Kenshin smiled and look at her eyes 'I only knew one or two women who can swing a katana effectively and they don't lack grace at all. With due respect to your father, I think your mother is right with her decision for you to learn how to handle a bokken.'
'Thank you! I thought so too.' Kaoru's beaming with pride for her mother. 'So, whom do you want me to pulverize his head? I don't suppose you want me to hit Dr. Gensai? I won't do it even if you pay gold and silver.'
'Ha ha ha! You are very funny Kaoru! Dr. Gensai could be a silly goat sometimes, but I love him like a father, so I wouldn't ever think of sending you to hit him in the head. I'll just kick his backside on the top of the bridge. He doesn't know how to swim!'
'Ha ha ha! You are funny too Kenshin!
'My students will be on vacation for two weeks starting tomorrow, that time I will teach you some advance techniques, the simpler ones which you can master at a short period, as days pass, I'll try to teach you some more.'
'Let me get this straight, you will pay me to teach me how to use katanas?'
'Partly yes, but its not the whole idea! I will teach you what to teach the students, got it?'
'Oh! So you want me to look after your students, why?'
'I can't tell you the details, but there will be times that I'll be away.'
Kaoru is almost enticed with the thought of hitting two birds in one stone, learning new techniques and getting paid for it. Plus the room where she is staying now is very comfortable much like her own room in their old house. How can it be hard watching small kids to swish and sway their bokken a couple of times in a day?'
She was about to accept the proposal when she remembered something. 'But why me? Can't Henya-san do it? And me, I can't stay too long, I need to look for my father!'
'Henya has his own dojo in Kobe. As for you, I know you have other plans, but wouldn't it be nice to have some pocket money before you go about and look for your father. I don't think that the loan shark would let him go just like that! Money feeds them!'
Realizing that what Kenshin had said was true, Kaoru bowed her head and forced the tears not to come out.
'Kenshin . . . ' Kaoru called his name softly.
'Yes?'
'Could I . . . . could I just think it over? Can I give you my answer in the morning?'
M&&&&&&&&&m
Kenshin could feel the activity from Kaoru's room. Though very sublime, there was tossing and turning, pacing back and forth, sitting down, standing up, covering and uncovering of blanket, but at least no muffled cries.
Modesty aside, Kenshin knew he could afford to bail out Kaoru's father, but he could also sense that Kaoru is not a kind of person who would oblige or put others in inconvenient situation just to satisfy her own needs. She would rather suffer alone.
Kenshin thought that by offering her a job, she would be able to earn her own money and keep her pride at the same time. Maybe over a period of time, Kaoru would be more than willing to accept his bigger help without losing her face.
M&&&&&&&&m
'Ohayo!'
'Ohayo Kenshin!'
'Would you care for some tea? This at least I can do perfect, not doing the whole ceremony thing though.'
'Yes please!'
Kenshin did not say anything while drinking his tea. He just waited for Kaoru to say anything at least. But he's feeling confident the whole time.
Kaoru on the other hand was waiting for Kenshin to say anything, about the tea, about the sunshine or anything just to break the dead silence.
After the tea gone cold without a word between them, Kenshin decided that its up to him ask about Kaoru's decision.
'Kaoru!'
'I accept your proposal! I think what you say is best. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity and the kindness you've shown me this past few days. I can also do the laundry in my spare time!'
'If you wish! Now let's see, I think you need some change of clothes. I have given away my old hakama and gi, and I've given what was left to you. Maybe we can go and buy you some kimono and yukata.'
'Oh, that won't be necessary!'
'I think it is! You can't be in those work clothes all the time!'
'Kenshin?'
'Don't worry, I'll deduct them from your fees!
'Arigatou!' Kaoru said gratefully knowing that at least would still be hers even in the event she would be thrown away for any reason at all.
M&&&&&&&&&&m
04182005
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