Disclaimer: Still don't own Rurouni Kenshin characters. Sad I know.
AN: I am soooo sorry it's taken my forever to update! Crazy stuff has been going on, but I know that's no excuse. I hope the wait was worth it though - I finally figured out where I wanted to go with the story. So without further ado, on to...
Ch. 6
Stepping into the restaurant, the couple was greeted with a burst of smells.
"Mmmm," Kaoru closed her eyes, fully enjoying the smells. "It smells great in here!"
"That it does Kaoru-dono." Kenshin agreed as a waitress with came to greet them.
"Welcome to the Akabeko. My name is Souki and I'll be serving you today. Please follow me to your table."
After sitting down in a booth, Souki handed them menus to look over.
"Thank you Souki," Kaoru smiled sweetly towards her.
Returning with a smile and a quick nod, Souki asked the pair if they would like to start off with any tea.
"Yes, that would be nice Ms. Souki," Kenshin said in his ever-present polite manner.
Giving another nod, she disappeared into the kitchen area to give them more time to look at the menus.
"What are you going to get Kaoru-dono?"
"Hmmm. I can't decide. Everything looks so great here!"
"That it does, Kaoru-dono, that it does," Kenshin agreed.
Shifting his eyes back to the menu, Kenshin's mind began to wonder over the last years they had spent together. Before meeting Kaoru, Kenshin had been so alone and forgotten in this vast world. It didn't seem to matter if he lived or died. But Kaoru had changed all that. Now he had something, or rather somebody to live for.
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Misao's POV
"Uh, Sano, why don't you slow down a bit. The food's not going anywhere you know." Misao asked him with a disgusted look at the rate he was inhaling his food.
Between mouthfuls, he replied "But it's just so damn good!"
Exchanging a hopeless expression with Aoshi, she realized what today was. Three years ago their home had been destroyed. Three years and they still didn't have any ideas on Yahiko's or Kaoru's whereabouts, or if they were even alive. They'd been searching everywhere for them, but always turned up empty handed. Letting out a sigh, Aoshi noticed Misao was picking at her food.
"Are you alright?" he questioned earnestly.
Looking up at her love, she showed him a small smile and shook her head. What would she have done without him these past years? He helped her get through the toughest of times, and stuck by her side through and through. And their love only grew deeper from it all.
Misao knew Aoshi had realized what today was; he was the type to keep track of that kind of stuff. Sano on the other hand…….. probably not. But she wasn't about to ruin the day for her brother figure. He'd grieved plenty over the past years, lashing out or even crying when he thought no one else knew. She also knew that he hid his emotions with the goofy front he put on. Sano was the type who hated confronting his emotions and feelings, particularly when he was remembering his family. He's always been burdened by feelings of guilt for not being able to save them, though time after time they had told him that there was nothing more he could've done and that it most certainly was not his fault.
Her thoughts were broken with a "Are you gonna eat that?" Looking to the man she had just been thinking about, she pushed the plate towards him. Then again, maybe Sano did realize what today was; he sure was eating a helluva lot of food………
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"It's about time you two got down here," a frazzled Tae greeted the kids.
"Tsubame, can you go refill drinks at booths 2 and 3, and Yahiko, take this tray to booth 6." She instructed as she pushed the two out of the kitchen. The friends exchanged looks before parting ways to do their tasks.
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After Kenshin and Kaoru had ordered their food, they both fell silent, wrapped up in their own thoughts. The silencewas broken when a small voice asked if they'd like some more tea. Both heads whipped up to see a small girl with a bob holding a kettle.
"Yes, that would be great. Thank you very much miss," Kenshin, polite as ever responded. Glancing at Kaoru, he saw her staring at the girl with a funny look on her face, as if trying to remember something. The girl noticed her stare, and instantly began to squirm under her gaze as she refilled the cups.
Finally Kaoru broke the tension. "It may seem silly to ask, but, do I know you from somewhere?"
A bit startled, the girl met Kaoru's gaze. "I don't believe so miss."
Kaoru's face fell a bit as she apologized for asking. After the girl moved on to the next table, Kenshin asked her about it.
"I swore I recognized her from somewhere. I'm almost positive I've seen her before. Or maybe she only reminds me of someone I once knew….." Kaoru's rambling trailed off. "Oh well, who knows. Maybe I'm becoming crazy in my old age!" she finished off in an upbeat voice with a huge smile, no doubt hiding her initial thoughts. Kenshin figuredthat it couldbe someone from her past, but he wasn't about to press the matter. She would tell him in her own time, when she was ready. And whenever that would be, he would be ready to listen.
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Yahiko heard the loud laughter before he saw them. 'Great, drunk people. And so early in the day too,' he grudgingly thought. Carrying the tray of deserts, he rounded the corner and turned to face the booth. But he was certainly not ready for what met him there……………
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Sorry for the cliffy but I couldn't help myself. I will try to update soon (within the next couple of days), so I won't leave you hanging too long. Some reviews might help... : ) Well, until next time,
Western
