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Chap. 8a: Family Affair Pt. 1

He is going to find out eventually koishii.

I know and I'm counting on it.

Koishii... You could completely screw up everything with this little deception. I was hoping to make the transition of the Shinsen as painless as possible. Making them the cops and everything. But, you do know that what you've done could completely throw the plans off balance.

I know that's a risk, I'm willing to take.

Since when are you commander in chief, koishii?

The day I married you.


"Aoshi-sama how much longer? I'm getting bored..."

Aoshi was completely confused. Face blank all the while. After walking for 6 hours straight... Koishii comes up as bored. Not tired, hungry or having to deal with mother nature but...

"Aoshi-sama could you please at least talk to me? Please! I'm gonna die from boredom..."

"Hmm what'd you say koishii..."

"Aoshi-sama is something wrong you just called me..." Misao flushes, "'Koishii.'"

"Ano..."

"Aoshi-sama I think you need a break." Misao bustled about. First, sitting a befuddled Aoshi by the foot of a tree. Then, taking out her canteen and pouring a little water on a spare piece of cloth. She placed the cloth to his forehead.

Aoshi meanwhile was out inn his own little dream world. The little place he has been in this whole trip.

"Aoshi-sama yoo hoo! Calling all popsicles!"

This got his attention. "Misao what's the matter?" He noticed her face flushed with embarrassment. Bangs framing her face in the gentle breeze. He slipped back into fantasy world quite easily...

"Aoshi-sama do you have a fever? I mean you just..." Misao then realized that this was a hopeless cause. Ao-chan what's the matter... Just then, she had evil idea.

Just for good measure she tried one more time. "Aoshi-sama?"

Fine be that way... She leaned over until...


Kaoru woke up to the sweet sound of Blue Jays in the trees and the smell of pine and sandalwood. She snuggled closer to the warm... body... Not again!

"Kenshin no Hentai!" Kaoru sent a sleeping, unaware, oroing, Kenshin straight through the shoji. "How could you! You... you..." She was at a loss for words...

"Pedophile?" a swirly-eyed Kenshin suggested.

"Mou! I'm no child!"

"You're acting like one, de gozaru."

"You just can't..."

"Sleep with you? I thought that was what the whole ceremony allowed, koishii, de gozaru." The term of endearment just rolling off the tongue. I thought she would blow up at me like she did last night...

"Gomen... I forgot... I'll go make breakfast..." Kaoru muttered something about "baka men" and started changing. Seeming to forget that there was indeed someone else in the room.

"Um Ukiko-san do you mind?"

"Gomen! I'm really,really sorry Kenshin!" a half naked Kaoru ran behind the changing screen. Finished changing, and ran out of the room. Her face flushed the color of a tomato.

Kenshin on the other hand simply stood there at a complete loss of what to do. One second she punches me through the shoji (she has a mean right hook), the next she's embarrassed... I'll never get her. Shaking his head, he changed out of his dark yakuta into the newly acquired pink gi and white hakama. Oh boy... What am I going to do, de gozaru. I think I'll do the laundry...


Kaoru was cooking. This was a recipe for disaster. The fact that she was even within 10 yards of a kitchen that she was cooking in was worthy of forest fire alert. To make matters worse, her mind wasn't even on her cooking. This being, yet another wrong spice added to the soup of catastrophe.

That pervert... I can't believe he took off the outer layer of my kimono last night. Then he actually had the nerve to stay in the same bed! Chikuso! I forgot he even called me "Koishii". I can't believe the Ishin bought the dojo... When I get my hands on Katsura rest assured he will die. Revenge shall be... The putrid smell of something burning cracked her back to reality. The sight that she met made her mind run blank. Only one thing came to mind...

"KENSHIN!"


On the way to the storage house for soap, Kenshin decided to take a peek at the dojo before getting started. Just a peek so that he could finish the little laundry in time for breakfast.

The dark, shiny pine floors were spotless. The white walls bright and the wood frame strong. What really caught his attention were the name tags hung at the far end.

Master: Koshijirou Kamiya

Assistant Master: Kaoru Kamiya...

So that's why she knows how to use...

"KENSHIN!"

The cry snapped him back to reality. He left the dojo, leaving the door slightly ajar, and ran into the courtyard. The black smoke billowing out of the roof was enough of a clue. He went and grabbed the filled laundry tub and jogged as quickly as he could with the heavy container. In his haste, several liters of water spilled on him. But, he paid no mind.

When he entered the kitchen he haphazardly threw the water in the general direction of the stove. Effectively dousing the fire. With one minor side affect, Kaoru just happened to be in the line of fire. Effectively making her cream kimono see through.

"Um Ukiko-dono would you like me light the furo for you?" Although the question asked was simple enough, the mind of Kenshin Himura was nowhere even close to the task at hand.

"Kenshin? Do you mind?" Why is he staring? It's not like I've got anything close to a real feminine figure. Megumi is always the one who gets stares like that... She noticed the way his wet, crimson hair stuck to his face. Framing the sharp angles. Wide amethyst eyes stood out in sharp relief to a hard chin and high cheekbones. If Misao were here she'd fall in love... To put it mildly, he's hot... 'kuso! My kimono it's see-through... A light pink tint appeared stained across the bridge of her nose...

"No, Ukiko-dono, seesha does not mind, ." He averted his eyes and mumble something unintelligible and walked out to start up the furo. Mentally, his thoughts were way down under. Damn... All the right places... I really need to get out there. Since when am I interested her... So go get her... I refuse, that I do. Time out! What the hell are you doing in my head! Aren't you supposed to be the one actually... Listen, it's not like I'm not there anymore. I just enjoy watching you make a fool out of yourself... You never think about the right things such as those pretty, long le... Just shut up! Geez... Testy I see. Just shut the hell up! Understand this: I'm not here just for your dirty work... I have feelings too... Yeah, feelings that could melt the girl... Unlike you I don't enjoy things done in half measures. I'll make sure she's safe. Even if means your pretty idealism is destroyed...


The sky a dark sky blue shade. The sand, the color of bleached linen. Sea a deep blue-green, so clear that you can see to the bottom. Her eyes the color of the ocean that lay before… Gentle porcelain hands urging him toward the deep ocean depths.

"Aoshi-sama come on! You can't sit on the sand all day! We're in Yokohama for goodness sake! It's not like we come here every year!"

The cool relief of the ocean breeze, welcomed to the still hot air coming from the sand. Her eyes lit up in glee. Her small form drifting among the waves of foam.

Aoshi stood up and caught her after one particularly daring dive.

"Misao it's not that I am not enjoying the trip... believe me I am." His hands dove into ebony hair, bringing her face close. Noses touching... That's funny I can actually feel her breath...

His eyes snapped open. She was right in front her lips almost upon his. Hands traveled to the small of her back. Shocked emerald eyes opened. Meeting his icy blue. Closing the remaining distance, her lips met his in a ...

"Wow nii-san! I certainly didn't expect that out of YOU!"

"Sou-chan!" Soujiro was crushed into one of Misao's legendary hugs.

"...Misao, I think you can let go of Soujiro now..." Aoshi felt sympathetic to the poor blue faced swordsman. He pitied anybody who ended up being hugged by Misao.

"Arigato. Nii-san, I'm glad to know that you and Misao-chan are doing well. But, I do have a rather small time window. If you could please..."

"Demo, Sou-chan couldn't you come with us for some ramen or something?" Earnest hope shone brightly in Misao's eyes.

"Misao, you know he can't."

"Kuso."

"Are you sure this area is clean Soujiro?"

"Hai. I personally took care of anyone who could even think about hearing our conversation. My report is simple: There are 3 fronts on which The Sanaku are going to attack. They are Kyoto, Tokyo and any people with high skill. In Kyoto they have planned an invasion from the south. This shall proceed once the 2 powers' troops have been diverted to the large scale battle in Tokyo. They plan on having 2 black ships, currently disguised, attack the shoreline of Tokyo. From the north a force of 2,000 stealth troops, plan a looting and killing spree. Effectively throwing the temporary peace into chaos. In Kyoto there are supposed to only be 500 troops. But, with the threat imminent in Tokyo, they shall be met by little or no resistance.

The most complex part of this plan is the destruction of any and all people with a level of skill that could pose any threat to them. As far as I know Enishi has some personal vendetta against the Battousai and the imperialists. Something about his "nee-san"... Shishio is mad simply because the Ishin tried to kill him after he went rogue. You remember "The massacre of Odawari" right?"

"Hai." The two somber ninjas replied.

"Well the whole thing was planned by Shishio and his Kyukirei. The Ishin found out and attempted to burn him at stake. Unfortunately they were unsuccessful. And then you know, of course, about the expulsion of Udoh Jinei. Having been the one to advise the Shisen yourself. Jinei has something planned for the Captains of the first and third squads of the Shinsengumi. Shishio has the kidnapping of Katsura, Ikumatsu planned.

I believe, it will all begin in 3 days. But, please be prepared in 2. I haven't been given the complete details as to that. Misao, I have something to tell you. Supposedly their are after you as well..."

"Soujiro I refuse to let them take Misao!" This statement from Aoshi had her eyes growing wider with each passing moment.

"Nii-san they are going to have to take her. There is currently no way that you could possibly get all the way to Tokyo to warn all the others. I made up this little backup plan. Misao remember wayyyyyyyyy back when, you gave me two of your Kunai as a little keepsake? Well... I kinda modified them. Inside the shaft of each Kunai I've hidden something." He held out two normal looking Kunai. One had a red dot painted on the end. The other a blue one. "If you want you can use them as normal kunai. But, they actually have 2 maps included inside of them. You have to break the rest of the girls out of the base. The blue contains a map of the underground maze that Shishio built. The red, a map of the outside of the base. The kunai are unfortunately one time use only now because of the way I had to modify them. Simply pull the end pieces out and unwind the rope binder and the maps shall just fall out. Nii-san, what do you think?"

"So, how do expect Misao to break all of them out? She's only one ninja and she only has 2 disposable weapons?"

"Gomen... I really hadn't thought of that..." Soujiro's eyes downcast. The smile fading off his face.

"Aoshi-sama I'm not stupid! Jeez! You treat me like a little porcelain doll! It's not like we're going to break out right away!"

"Misao, I don't treat you like a child." Aoshi said aloud, but in Misao's he whispered suggestively, "You of all people should know that..."

Misao just turned bright red...


"Kaoru-dono, I'm heading to the market..."

The furo's door slammed open, revealing a damp Kaoru wielding a broom.

"How the hell do you know my name?" The white-knuckled grip Kaoru had on the broom had Kenshin worried.

"Ano, Seesha heard Makimachi-dono call you that, de gozaru. Seesha also saw the plaque hung in the..."

"...dojo? What the hell were you doing in the dojo!" She advanced on Kenshin brandishing the broom menacingly.

"Seesha was just curious, de gozaru." Kenshin was slowly inching away from the red faced Kaoru. Unknowingly backing himself into the wall of the furo.

"Gotcha!" Kaoru swung the makeshift bokken at Kenshin. Who cleanly avoided it by stepping to his right.

"MOU! Kenshin what are doing, going to the market anyway?"

"Ano, you did burn all the ingredients, de gozaru. I was thinking, I could go to the market and buy some ingredients for lunch."

"Where's Kenshin, and what have you done with him?" The question caught him off guard. Eliciting his normal response...

"Oro?"

"Kenshin no baka!" The broom bore down on Kenshin's poor head repeatedly.

After 3 strikes Kenshin caught the broom in his hands and snapped it out of her grasp. Effectively disarming her. He spun around and glared at the women in front of him.

Kaoru knew she was in trouble as soon as she caught sight of narrowed Amber eyes. But, chose not to back down and instead sent him a glare of her own.

"There's the Kenshin I know and love..." Her hand slapped over her mouth. Eyes widened as she saw Kenshin's shocked response.

Kenshin didn't know what to think. She loves me! Isn't that what she just said? So now your deaf and stupid. Shut the hell up! I love her...I can't hear you! I LOVE HER! Happy? Duh! Maybe you're not as stupid as you appear to be.

Kaoru watched the myriad of emotions play their way across his eyes. Amber melting to purple. Violet gleaming amber... Kaoru could watch the play of color for all of time.

Eyes settling on amber, he closed the space between them and gently lifted her chin with a single finger. Unnerving amber met startled blue.

"Kaoru, you do know who your talking to right?" A shiver ran down her spine at the warm whisper.

"Hai..."

Slowly, at first, their lips met...Kaoru's arms snaked their way around Kenshin's neck bringing him closer...Kenshin's arms wrapped their way around her slim waist coaxing her body toward his... Kenshin deepened the kiss by tilting his head to the side and gently urging her mouth open with a caress down her jaw bone. Willingly compliant, Kaoru gave in to the soft feel of his of his lips against hers... Kenshin slid his tongue into her sweet mouth... lost in the feel of his sweet touch... naive hands dove into soft copper strands tugging the leather cord out of it' s place... hands traveled up her spine to let free the ebony waterfall... Responding ot the heat of his touch Kaoru let out soft moan, spurring Kenshin farther into her mouth... Letting her knees go weak with pleasure, she broke the heated kiss, leaning against his strong body for support. Gentle hands at her waist, held her up without fail.

Panting lightly, Kenshin was at a lost to what he just did...

"Arigato gozaimus Kenshin. I'll never forget my first kiss." The words consoled her more than it did him. My first kiss stolen by the man I love...

"Aishiteru Koishii."


Author's note: Phew! Done! I'm really sorry about the late update. 3 papers and 1 short story kinda took precedence to Fanfiction... (grumbles about school and grades...) I hope that was fluffy enough for u guys cause I need to start writing a bit more of the plot. I wanted to leave with a cliffy... but, that was just wayyyy too perfect a place to leave the story.

Read This!

I'm going to start a new story when this one is over! I want people to vote on which one so I'm going to put up. Please vote by either sending me an e-mail or putting your vote in a review. Here are the 4 choices:

Kei: Thrown into the future, Kenshin finds himself in the country he worked so hard to build. Kaoru an agent of Chronos has a job to do: Send Himura the Battousai back to the past. But, what she finds is a man fighting for his life between 2 rival gangs on the streets of Tokyo. KK traditional pairings.Alt-Universe

Fragile: Thought to be Immortal. Known to be a Monster. Said to be the Devil. The Battousai is all but fragile. One girl proves to him otherwise. Songfic BK traditional pairings

It's not me, It's you: Kenshin Himura is the most wanted guy in school. The only problem is he can't seem to hold onto any girl longer than 2 weeks. They always throw themselves at him, then they break it with him. Leaving him the most confused boy in the universe. Their favorite break up line: It's not me, It's you. Songfic KK traditional pairings Alt-Universe

The Hackley School: The Hackley School is known all around the country for its excellence in both academics and athletics. Kenshin is a shy new senior. Kaoru a hotheaded junior. Together they discover the mystery behind the schools haunted history.KK traditional pairings Alt-Universe (Hackley is a real place people!)

Voting Ends when this Fic ends! Please Vote!

Disclaimer: The day I own Rurouni Kenshin is the day I get a powerbook G6 with wireless brain telecommunications. I don't own this! Don't Sue!

Japanese to English Glossary:

gi- japanese samurai shirt

hakama- samurai pants with the folds in them

arigato gozaimus- thank you for everything

sayonara-good bye

ja ne- see you

san- mr. ms. mrs.

chan-little...

sama- lord

Okashira- leader

Atashi wa - I am...

shoji-rice paper door

zori- flat wooden slippers worn by Kaoru in the Anime

kami-sama - Lord God

Obi - sash that ties the Kimono closed usually highly decorative

tabi - split toe socks

bokken -wooden sword

de gozaru - that it is ( something that makes the sentence said polite)

oro - can't explain it so I'm not even going to try

itai - ouch

gomen nasai - I'm sorry

hai - yes

Aa - yes (informal)

Iie - no

ano - a kind of stammering...

sen - cents are to dollars what sen is to yen

itachi -weasel

kurasa-raven

kunai - throwing knives

kuso - something like damn

baka -stupid

hentai - pervert

ki - aura of a person or thing

ahou- idiot

daijoubu- Are u okay/ I am okay.

hime- princess

nana-seven

dono- old fashioned ending even more honorific than -san

tori-atama- birdhead

kitsune- fox

megitsune-twist between mugumi and kitsune used by Sano

kei-firefly

koishii-term of endearment male to female

kawaii-cute

sessha-literally "this unworthy one"

oneesan-sister

Aku,soku,zan -sin swiftly slay

tenken-heaven's sword

demo-but

saya-sheath

sake-rice wine

Hyaku-hurry up

Odawari- A resort town near Mt. Hakone. (It is a real place people!)

Reviewer responses:

Zomego: U have to read the rest oof the chappys!Lol! Cya!

Kuramazlovah: Hey u like Yu Yu Hakusho too! I have a thing for red heads in anime...(sigh-D) Glad u like it!

Crazianimegirl: Ur gonna have to keep pestering me at school... LOL! It helps get the chappys out quicker! Thanx!

RogueSummersLover: U a big fan of X-men? It's a pity that they had to take it off the WB-11... Glad u like it!

cc: Thanx! Did u kno the Hackley School is a real place? Lol!

Lady Battousai: Kinda cliched I kno but, it seemed so perfect! Glad u liked it!

Jisusaken: The fuzzier the better! Thanx!

kittycat: Thanx for the vote!

gaby (hyatt: Glad u like it!

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