A/N WOW I can't believe the reaction I got from the last chapter! That's
what I like to see Mwhhahaha!! ..Ahen.. anyway I want to thank all my
reviewers.
Koishii Sweet- twas great chatting with you the other day. I hope I don't disappoint you with this story. Shadow_ girl- Wow ^_^ I didn't think you would have that reaction. I just hope the story doesn't start with cliff hangers at the end of every chapter like the last one did. Heh And I'm glad Kohan was there to interpret for you. ^_- Oh and don't worry, things will be alright in the end. Sophia- * winces* yeah I still can't believe I broke her heart. @_@ Junny-Jun- Why thank you! I know what you mean I got so tired of reading about Karou and another man. I thought it was about time for Kenshin and another girl. And I'm really glad you like it. Crimson Karou- LOL, ouch, Kenshin basher *_^x well of corse he lover Karou. Though don't worry thing's will twist up here soon. Satu-chan- love your name, ^_- and as I said before, things will twist soon. Kenshin's not going to know what to do.
Ok now that that is all finish, lets get on with the story.
Disclaimer, I threw a fit but I still don't own Kenshin. *sigh *
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Karou forced herself out of bed, the sun had long been up and she heard everyone up and about. Sighing, she crawled out of bed and into her training gi and hakama; she couldn't stay in the dojo today, she could walk on her ankle now and planed to stay away from everyone, especially Kenshin. She half heartedly ran a brush through her hair and tied it up, cursing to herself as she reached for her indigo ribbon. Come on Karou, perk up....things are never as bad as they seem, she recited to herself as she left her room. Forcing a smile on her face, she took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen. Karou was stunned for a moment when she saw that the kitchen was completely empty.
"Good morning Karou-dono." Kenshin said. Karou whirled around to see the red-head standing right behind her. One hand on the doorframe the other holding a flower from the garden out to her.
"Kenshin!" Karou jumped back a step. "You....you startled me." She reached out at took the offered flower; but she was already starting to feel uncomfortable, and began to fidget. To hide her nervousness she took a seat at the table and put the flower down.
Kenshin was not fooled at Karou's attempt to hide the fact she was nervous. He eyed her carefully but didn't ask. Perhaps she just didn't know how to act after what happened outside the dojo gates. He understood how she must be feeling and let her be; he too was already starting to blush at the memory.
"I apologize Karou-dono. I didn't mean to, that I did not." He flashed her a smile that he knew would bring a blush to her face; but strangely, Karou only weakly smiled back. The smile faded from Kenshin's face when he saw this. "Karou-dono, are you feeling alright?" Karou only nodded and looked around at the empty kitchen.
"Where is everyone?" she asked as Kenshin set her breakfast in front of her. Kenshin took a seat next to her and studied the girl. Something didn't seem right at all. The light was gone from her eyes and her voice lacked her usual happiness.
"Yahiko and Tanako have already finished breakfast, they are both outside. Tanako promised Yahiko that she would teach him some stealth tips if he finished his practice and chores early." He reached across the table and took Karou by the hand. Karou refused to look up at him. Instead she kept her eyes locked on the bowl in front of her. "It's just us today for breakfast." He added softly. Karou suddenly looked up at him and smiled a bright smile.
"Yes Kenshin, it is." She said, giving his hand a small squeeze. She was already moping; Kenshin was picking up on her mood and asking questions. Karou thought the best way to avoid the subject until she was ready to talk about it, was to act as if nothing was wrong. But that was much easier said than done. Kenshin relaxed slightly at Karou sudden return to herself. Karou turned to her breakfast as Kenshin retrieved his own breakfast.
They ate in silence, this only further confused Kenshin, she never stayed silent for loner than a few minutes unless something was bothering her. Karou tried to think of something to say but nothing would come to her mind, the only thing that she could think of was blurting out what she saw last night. Karou was trying so hard to think of something to say she didn't notice a lock of her hair fall lose from her haphazard ponytail. Kenshin reached to tuck wild lock of hair behind her ear. Upon seeing Kenshin's moment, Karou flinched away. She immediately cursed herself for the involuntary action. She wanted Kenshin's touch, very much so; but she couldn't take it, knowing that he had touched someone else. Kenshin jerked his hand back as if he has been burned; his eyes grew wide and took on a darker shade.
"Karou-dono, something is wrong." It was a statement not a question. Karou knew he meant to ask her what was wrong and was not going to let her get away with just a smile. His eyes were dark with concern and he took her by the hand again. "Karou-dono?" Karou looked in his eyes and saw that he was truly concerned for her. After what she had just witnessed, she didn't think she could trust Kenshin again. She eased her hands out of his gentle grip and fixed her hair.
"I'll be going out to continue training." She said, standing from the table and leaving half her breakfast behind. Kenshin was suddenly at her side griping her arm just above the elbow. His grip burned Karou and she felt her heart jump, as if fighting for life, but she refused it.
"Karou-dono, what's the matter?....Why are you avoiding my questions?" Kenshin's eyes pleaded with her to confide in him. Karou looked away to escape the trap that was his eyes. They were once so guarded, but now they were so expressive when he looked at her.
"I'm not avoiding anything Kenshin; I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you please, let me go, I have to go out today and work." But Kenshin refused; instead he tipped her head to look her in the eyes. "Kenshin,.....nothing is wrong....let me go." This only seemed to confirm to Kenshin that something was certainly wrong.
"Karou?" He said in a warning tone. "Tell me what's wrong." Karou opened her mouth to tell him exactly what was wrong, but at the last moment she lost her nerve. Kenshin saw the struggle she was going through and wondered why it bothered him that she wouldn't tell her mind when he asked instead of giving her time. Why was she looking at him like he had died? Her eyes held such sadness in them; Kenshin could hardly see any life in them. "Karou..." He trailed off as he drew her to him in a hug, she tried in vain to fight the embrace but her heart wouldn't listen to her head. She allowed Kenshin to wrap her in his safe, warm, security but she knew that it wasn't right; but she didn't care, she wanted to feel as she had before last night.
Kenshin felt her start to struggle when he held her, but she relaxed and held him with such force, it was as if she was trying to keep him from ever letting her go. As if he wanted to let her go, if he had it his way, they could stay like this forever. However, as soon as he thought he could get Karou to talk to him, she tore away from his grasp.
"I-.....I have to go now. Perhaps we can talk later?" she asked quickly wiping the tear that had escaped her eyes. Seeing the tear, Kenshin grew stern again.
"Yes Karou-dono, the will have a talk, that we most certainly will." He watched as she fled from the house, taking her bokken with her. He sighed, things where going just right, what had happened? She was so happy theses last couple of months. He had not seen a tear or a frown from her. He thought back to the day before, wondering if something had happened to cause the mood she was in. But try as he might, he couldn't think past the kiss they shared outside the dojo. Could that have been the reason she was upset? Had he pushed to far...or to fast? Another thought flew into his head; could it have been the encounter with the gang members that had her all worked up? Was she afraid? He had told her himself that he was unsure if a fight between them would be such a good idea. Kenshin cursed himself; he had put doubt in her heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karou stood out in the yard of the dojo watching with curiosity as Tanako sat in the middle of the yard blindfolded. Yahiko was trying his very best to sneak up on the girl, he couldn't get ten feet from the girl before Tanako heard him, and told him exactly where he was standing. After a few more failed attempts, Yahiko finally turned around and saw Karou standing there with her bokken in her hand.
"Hey Karou!" the boy cried. Tanako took off the blindfold and stood up to greet her.
"Good morning Karou." She said, walking up to her. Her hair was once again in a braid and it swung back and forth when she walked. Karou caught sight of the shinny black satin ribbon weaved into the braid. Kenshin was right.....it did look lovely in her hair. At this thought Karou got so upset that she almost didn't say hi back.
"Good morning you two." She said in a forced cheerful voice. "I'm glad to see your getting some training done Yahiko." She said. "I hope you completed all your work first." At her comment, the boy made a face.
"Of course Ugly. I promised Tanako that I would do all of it first before I even started with this." Yahiko stomped away, leaving the two girls alone.
"So...trying to steal my first apprentice?" Karou said coolly. She slapped her hand over her mouth at the remark. She had no reason to be rude, "Oh forgive me for that, it was uncalled for." Tanako only laughed.
"It's alright, truth is, I could never teach the boy like you do." Tanako replied with a smile. Karou knew she shouldn't bring the ribbon up, but as she stood there with the glossy thing winking at her from the safety of Tanako's hair she couldn't stop herself.
"Oh my, that's such a lovely ribbon Tanako, and it goes so well with you hair." She said, watching carefully for the reaction she got. Karou was rather surprised when Tanako reached back to touch the ribbon as if she had forgotten it was in her hair.
"Oh do you like it? Kenshin gave it to me." Tanako grinned almost sheepishly. Karou was surprised that the girl admitted where she had gotten the ribbon. She acted as if it was no big deal at all. "I fear I may have gotten over emotional when he gave it to me." Tanako continued, a slight blush making it's way up her face. "I never received such a gift before; it was very thoughtful of him, as you were when you got me my own clothes." Tanako bowed low and locked eyes with Karou. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for your kindness."
Karou again found herself in a situation where she didn't know what to think. Tanako had just told Karou that she had received the ribbon from Kenshin, and that she had gotten very emotional because she was overwhelmed by their kindness. Karou remembered how she had hugged each of them after each article of clothing she had received. Could it be that Tanako would have acted the same way had she been present when Kenshin gave her the gift? She would have most likely hugged her as well. Tanako seemed very sincere, and Karou was a good judge of character; perhaps she had over reacted yet again. At least this time she didn't blow up in front of everyone and shouted like a banshee at both Kenshin and Tanako. Karou almost winced at the vision; that would have been rather embarrassing.
Yet with this new information, Karou still had her doubts. Her heart would need time to mend and that wouldn't happen until she talked with Kenshin. She was suddenly very glad that she didn't tell Kenshin anything when he had asked a few minutes ago. She had no idea how to tell him about her worries and if was all just a misunderstanding, then she would feel just awful. Not to mention how Kenshin would feel, Karou suddenly grew very angry with herself; she should have more trust in Kenshin. There was no way Kenshin would act that way, that was just not who he was. He wouldn't hide things from her or his "family". Karou sighed; the first sign of a headache pricking at her, the day was going to be a long one. Karou suddenly noticed that Tanako was looking at her with a slightly worried look, and she realized that she hadn't responded to Tanako at all.
"It's alright Tanako really. You are a part of the family now and you deserve a chance as much as the rest of us did." Karou hoped her words sounded sincere, she meant the words but she felt so horrible at the moment what she feared she would come off sounding sarcastic. At Tanako's nod she turned to leave, "I'll be gone today; it's up to you to keep everyone in line Tanako." Karou called over her shoulder, winking at the girl.
"Don't worry, I will." She called back waving at the girl. Karou continued to smile until she left the dojo gates behind. She had some thinking to do and there was already the teaching and the gang to worry about. The day was going to be long and draining, and she was already looking forward to a nice warm bath when she got home. **************************************************************** A/N Hmmm Karou calmed down a lot don't you think? Perhaps she took her own advice and tried to not freak out at everything huh. But you know, I would have freaked out, you better believe it...I would have been like "Mine! Mine !! Not yours!! * bash Tanako with a bokken and then slap Kenshin up side the head* and that's for being a baka!!" LOL jk I don't think I could do that at all.
Yeah I know this chapter is a lot shorter than the last one, but I thought I should post soon before y'all gang up and come after me @_@ OH and I'm wondering if I should have Kenshin and Karou talk it out, or should I have Karou sort of ease her way out of the conversation? You tell me! Thanks for your reviews!! * waves*
Koishii Sweet- twas great chatting with you the other day. I hope I don't disappoint you with this story. Shadow_ girl- Wow ^_^ I didn't think you would have that reaction. I just hope the story doesn't start with cliff hangers at the end of every chapter like the last one did. Heh And I'm glad Kohan was there to interpret for you. ^_- Oh and don't worry, things will be alright in the end. Sophia- * winces* yeah I still can't believe I broke her heart. @_@ Junny-Jun- Why thank you! I know what you mean I got so tired of reading about Karou and another man. I thought it was about time for Kenshin and another girl. And I'm really glad you like it. Crimson Karou- LOL, ouch, Kenshin basher *_^x well of corse he lover Karou. Though don't worry thing's will twist up here soon. Satu-chan- love your name, ^_- and as I said before, things will twist soon. Kenshin's not going to know what to do.
Ok now that that is all finish, lets get on with the story.
Disclaimer, I threw a fit but I still don't own Kenshin. *sigh *
Devotion
By
Melissa ^_^x
Karou forced herself out of bed, the sun had long been up and she heard everyone up and about. Sighing, she crawled out of bed and into her training gi and hakama; she couldn't stay in the dojo today, she could walk on her ankle now and planed to stay away from everyone, especially Kenshin. She half heartedly ran a brush through her hair and tied it up, cursing to herself as she reached for her indigo ribbon. Come on Karou, perk up....things are never as bad as they seem, she recited to herself as she left her room. Forcing a smile on her face, she took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen. Karou was stunned for a moment when she saw that the kitchen was completely empty.
"Good morning Karou-dono." Kenshin said. Karou whirled around to see the red-head standing right behind her. One hand on the doorframe the other holding a flower from the garden out to her.
"Kenshin!" Karou jumped back a step. "You....you startled me." She reached out at took the offered flower; but she was already starting to feel uncomfortable, and began to fidget. To hide her nervousness she took a seat at the table and put the flower down.
Kenshin was not fooled at Karou's attempt to hide the fact she was nervous. He eyed her carefully but didn't ask. Perhaps she just didn't know how to act after what happened outside the dojo gates. He understood how she must be feeling and let her be; he too was already starting to blush at the memory.
"I apologize Karou-dono. I didn't mean to, that I did not." He flashed her a smile that he knew would bring a blush to her face; but strangely, Karou only weakly smiled back. The smile faded from Kenshin's face when he saw this. "Karou-dono, are you feeling alright?" Karou only nodded and looked around at the empty kitchen.
"Where is everyone?" she asked as Kenshin set her breakfast in front of her. Kenshin took a seat next to her and studied the girl. Something didn't seem right at all. The light was gone from her eyes and her voice lacked her usual happiness.
"Yahiko and Tanako have already finished breakfast, they are both outside. Tanako promised Yahiko that she would teach him some stealth tips if he finished his practice and chores early." He reached across the table and took Karou by the hand. Karou refused to look up at him. Instead she kept her eyes locked on the bowl in front of her. "It's just us today for breakfast." He added softly. Karou suddenly looked up at him and smiled a bright smile.
"Yes Kenshin, it is." She said, giving his hand a small squeeze. She was already moping; Kenshin was picking up on her mood and asking questions. Karou thought the best way to avoid the subject until she was ready to talk about it, was to act as if nothing was wrong. But that was much easier said than done. Kenshin relaxed slightly at Karou sudden return to herself. Karou turned to her breakfast as Kenshin retrieved his own breakfast.
They ate in silence, this only further confused Kenshin, she never stayed silent for loner than a few minutes unless something was bothering her. Karou tried to think of something to say but nothing would come to her mind, the only thing that she could think of was blurting out what she saw last night. Karou was trying so hard to think of something to say she didn't notice a lock of her hair fall lose from her haphazard ponytail. Kenshin reached to tuck wild lock of hair behind her ear. Upon seeing Kenshin's moment, Karou flinched away. She immediately cursed herself for the involuntary action. She wanted Kenshin's touch, very much so; but she couldn't take it, knowing that he had touched someone else. Kenshin jerked his hand back as if he has been burned; his eyes grew wide and took on a darker shade.
"Karou-dono, something is wrong." It was a statement not a question. Karou knew he meant to ask her what was wrong and was not going to let her get away with just a smile. His eyes were dark with concern and he took her by the hand again. "Karou-dono?" Karou looked in his eyes and saw that he was truly concerned for her. After what she had just witnessed, she didn't think she could trust Kenshin again. She eased her hands out of his gentle grip and fixed her hair.
"I'll be going out to continue training." She said, standing from the table and leaving half her breakfast behind. Kenshin was suddenly at her side griping her arm just above the elbow. His grip burned Karou and she felt her heart jump, as if fighting for life, but she refused it.
"Karou-dono, what's the matter?....Why are you avoiding my questions?" Kenshin's eyes pleaded with her to confide in him. Karou looked away to escape the trap that was his eyes. They were once so guarded, but now they were so expressive when he looked at her.
"I'm not avoiding anything Kenshin; I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you please, let me go, I have to go out today and work." But Kenshin refused; instead he tipped her head to look her in the eyes. "Kenshin,.....nothing is wrong....let me go." This only seemed to confirm to Kenshin that something was certainly wrong.
"Karou?" He said in a warning tone. "Tell me what's wrong." Karou opened her mouth to tell him exactly what was wrong, but at the last moment she lost her nerve. Kenshin saw the struggle she was going through and wondered why it bothered him that she wouldn't tell her mind when he asked instead of giving her time. Why was she looking at him like he had died? Her eyes held such sadness in them; Kenshin could hardly see any life in them. "Karou..." He trailed off as he drew her to him in a hug, she tried in vain to fight the embrace but her heart wouldn't listen to her head. She allowed Kenshin to wrap her in his safe, warm, security but she knew that it wasn't right; but she didn't care, she wanted to feel as she had before last night.
Kenshin felt her start to struggle when he held her, but she relaxed and held him with such force, it was as if she was trying to keep him from ever letting her go. As if he wanted to let her go, if he had it his way, they could stay like this forever. However, as soon as he thought he could get Karou to talk to him, she tore away from his grasp.
"I-.....I have to go now. Perhaps we can talk later?" she asked quickly wiping the tear that had escaped her eyes. Seeing the tear, Kenshin grew stern again.
"Yes Karou-dono, the will have a talk, that we most certainly will." He watched as she fled from the house, taking her bokken with her. He sighed, things where going just right, what had happened? She was so happy theses last couple of months. He had not seen a tear or a frown from her. He thought back to the day before, wondering if something had happened to cause the mood she was in. But try as he might, he couldn't think past the kiss they shared outside the dojo. Could that have been the reason she was upset? Had he pushed to far...or to fast? Another thought flew into his head; could it have been the encounter with the gang members that had her all worked up? Was she afraid? He had told her himself that he was unsure if a fight between them would be such a good idea. Kenshin cursed himself; he had put doubt in her heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karou stood out in the yard of the dojo watching with curiosity as Tanako sat in the middle of the yard blindfolded. Yahiko was trying his very best to sneak up on the girl, he couldn't get ten feet from the girl before Tanako heard him, and told him exactly where he was standing. After a few more failed attempts, Yahiko finally turned around and saw Karou standing there with her bokken in her hand.
"Hey Karou!" the boy cried. Tanako took off the blindfold and stood up to greet her.
"Good morning Karou." She said, walking up to her. Her hair was once again in a braid and it swung back and forth when she walked. Karou caught sight of the shinny black satin ribbon weaved into the braid. Kenshin was right.....it did look lovely in her hair. At this thought Karou got so upset that she almost didn't say hi back.
"Good morning you two." She said in a forced cheerful voice. "I'm glad to see your getting some training done Yahiko." She said. "I hope you completed all your work first." At her comment, the boy made a face.
"Of course Ugly. I promised Tanako that I would do all of it first before I even started with this." Yahiko stomped away, leaving the two girls alone.
"So...trying to steal my first apprentice?" Karou said coolly. She slapped her hand over her mouth at the remark. She had no reason to be rude, "Oh forgive me for that, it was uncalled for." Tanako only laughed.
"It's alright, truth is, I could never teach the boy like you do." Tanako replied with a smile. Karou knew she shouldn't bring the ribbon up, but as she stood there with the glossy thing winking at her from the safety of Tanako's hair she couldn't stop herself.
"Oh my, that's such a lovely ribbon Tanako, and it goes so well with you hair." She said, watching carefully for the reaction she got. Karou was rather surprised when Tanako reached back to touch the ribbon as if she had forgotten it was in her hair.
"Oh do you like it? Kenshin gave it to me." Tanako grinned almost sheepishly. Karou was surprised that the girl admitted where she had gotten the ribbon. She acted as if it was no big deal at all. "I fear I may have gotten over emotional when he gave it to me." Tanako continued, a slight blush making it's way up her face. "I never received such a gift before; it was very thoughtful of him, as you were when you got me my own clothes." Tanako bowed low and locked eyes with Karou. "I don't know how I can ever repay you for your kindness."
Karou again found herself in a situation where she didn't know what to think. Tanako had just told Karou that she had received the ribbon from Kenshin, and that she had gotten very emotional because she was overwhelmed by their kindness. Karou remembered how she had hugged each of them after each article of clothing she had received. Could it be that Tanako would have acted the same way had she been present when Kenshin gave her the gift? She would have most likely hugged her as well. Tanako seemed very sincere, and Karou was a good judge of character; perhaps she had over reacted yet again. At least this time she didn't blow up in front of everyone and shouted like a banshee at both Kenshin and Tanako. Karou almost winced at the vision; that would have been rather embarrassing.
Yet with this new information, Karou still had her doubts. Her heart would need time to mend and that wouldn't happen until she talked with Kenshin. She was suddenly very glad that she didn't tell Kenshin anything when he had asked a few minutes ago. She had no idea how to tell him about her worries and if was all just a misunderstanding, then she would feel just awful. Not to mention how Kenshin would feel, Karou suddenly grew very angry with herself; she should have more trust in Kenshin. There was no way Kenshin would act that way, that was just not who he was. He wouldn't hide things from her or his "family". Karou sighed; the first sign of a headache pricking at her, the day was going to be a long one. Karou suddenly noticed that Tanako was looking at her with a slightly worried look, and she realized that she hadn't responded to Tanako at all.
"It's alright Tanako really. You are a part of the family now and you deserve a chance as much as the rest of us did." Karou hoped her words sounded sincere, she meant the words but she felt so horrible at the moment what she feared she would come off sounding sarcastic. At Tanako's nod she turned to leave, "I'll be gone today; it's up to you to keep everyone in line Tanako." Karou called over her shoulder, winking at the girl.
"Don't worry, I will." She called back waving at the girl. Karou continued to smile until she left the dojo gates behind. She had some thinking to do and there was already the teaching and the gang to worry about. The day was going to be long and draining, and she was already looking forward to a nice warm bath when she got home. **************************************************************** A/N Hmmm Karou calmed down a lot don't you think? Perhaps she took her own advice and tried to not freak out at everything huh. But you know, I would have freaked out, you better believe it...I would have been like "Mine! Mine !! Not yours!! * bash Tanako with a bokken and then slap Kenshin up side the head* and that's for being a baka!!" LOL jk I don't think I could do that at all.
Yeah I know this chapter is a lot shorter than the last one, but I thought I should post soon before y'all gang up and come after me @_@ OH and I'm wondering if I should have Kenshin and Karou talk it out, or should I have Karou sort of ease her way out of the conversation? You tell me! Thanks for your reviews!! * waves*