CHANCES ARE . . .

(X MARKS THE SPOT)

By: TREASURE

CHAPTER 9 The Treasure Box

Yahiko had heard Kenshin and Kaoru's conversation. He could not believe that after all the hurtful things he had done to the poor girl, she still shielded him from Kenshin's anger. She could have not known that this boy who had hurt her had came back and spying on her.

'Maybe I was wrong about her . . . . . ' He was saying to himself. 'Maybe I should not be too harsh on her. But I still won't put all my faith in her! No sir! Not just yet!' And Yahiko again went the other way. Out of the house, to report everything back to Sano.

'So, what do you wanted to show me?' Kaoru asked Kenshin.

'Here, take a look!' Kenshin held a medium sized box, gilded in gold and porcelain.

'Wow!' Kaoru exclaimed as she saw its contents. She gingerly touched the nicest hairpins she had ever seen, a gold locket, a pocket watch and precious stones.

'People sold them to you?' Kaoru asked innocently as she can not believe that such important things would be allowed by the owners to be parted from them.

'Yes, and some other things too!' Kenshin showed her some land title as well. 'People need money to survive. When they pawn or sell possessions in order for them to pay medical bills, to buy food, pay the rent and other necessary things, I give good value on that trade. But when I knew that the money they will get is to pay off gambling debts, I try to bone dry them a bit.'

'Isn't it unfair to do that to them? How will they ever rebuild their lives after that?' Kaoru asked him in a very concerned way.

'Gamblers seldom change their ways. I don't cheat them, I merely teach them a thing or two, in a way that they won't recognize that I'm adding insult to their injury. I believe that the only way they could rebuild their lives is for them to stop gambling once and for all.'

'I guess you are right!' Kaoru agreed 'But what about those women who are trying to augment their livelihood?'

'As I've said, I always give good value for their goods, I would even add a premium if that person looks too unfortunate. I'm a trader by profession, but a human by heart!'

Kaoru could not help but be awed by Kenshin's words, a mark of a true gentleman.

'I guess you're tired and hungry with all those trading. Would you like to have supper now?'

'Yes please, but not before you pick any one of these items I got today, Kaoru-dono!'

'Oh my! That's too generous of you. I'm fine with what I had, besides you will need them to get some profit for yourself!' Kaoru tried to hide her blushing by bowing her head while she spoke, both from the offered gift and the very formal title – "dono".

'Non-sense!' Kenshin could have said, but he had a feeling that Kaoru would not take anything from his trading box even if gives them all to her. He thought of something else.

'Why don't we have that supper now! Maybe Yahiko would come home sooner when he figured out that Sano could not get him food for the night.

'Why the gloomy face again Yahiko? Did Kenshin found out that you hit his adjutant master and had thrown you out of his property?' Sanuske Sagara was trying to taunt the youngster.

'I'm very confused Sanuske. That busu told Kenshin a lie to protect me from his anger. She told him that that injury she got from me had been from a falling chopping board.'

'Aren't you glad that she had not squealed the truth or you would be all bloodied right now! Have you forgotten that Kenshin always played the hero saving the damsel in distress?'

'But I still can't see why Kenshin had picked her over me?'

'Grow-up Yahiko! Kenshin has an excellent sense in character judgement. If he picked her over you, he must be right.' Yahiko's ears are turning red as Sano was speaking. 'The only thing you can do is to show him that you are matured enough to take that responsibility as well. Quarrelling with the appointed one will only show how childish you are. Take your time Yahiko! Not everything can be fulfilled in a rush!' Sanuske left Yahiko to look for his dinner while trying to fend off his hunger with a blade of grass in his mouth.

'I can't believe this guy had a sense or two!' Yahiko scratch his head in bewilderment.

'Are we there yet Nee-chan?' Megumi asked her sister.

'Maybe in about an hour or so, why don't you sleep some more?' Tomoe told Megumi, the younger one still have droopy eyes.

'Could we have some miso soup when we arrive in Edo? I really am hungry you know!'

'Shhss! I promise . . . . . . Now sleep some more.'

'The food is terrific! Where did you learn to cook all these Kaoru-dono?'

Kaoru blushed two shades of red again 'I guess slaving for my step mother had some benefits after all!'

'Your future partner will surely be pleased with your cooking!' Kenshin's not finished with his praises.

'I hope will!

'Would you like to come with me tomorrow?' Kenshin invited Kaoru.

'Where? Would you not be trading things again tomorrow?'

'Oh yes I will. And I'm thinking that you could learn this trick too. Besides, the students will be off the dojo tomorrow.'

'I would love too, but I still have some house work to do.'

'Let it wait for awhile. Learning new things can be fun, right?'

'Right!'

'Then that settles it!'

08292005