Chapter 9: Bitter Tea and Broken Promises pt.2
"...so that's what happened after I left the Okubo Mansion," Kaoru finished lamely. She wanted them to leave the dojo. Hopefully her "edited" version would be enough for their prying ears and eyes. Needless to say, her relationship with Kenshin didn't need to be announced to the entire world. She planned on keeping that a secret. She already saw what it meant to be one of Battousai's women... Wait a minute! Okita said "Battousai's women" like there actually was another... That can't be true... Kenshin has always been alone... or on "assignment"... Kenshin wouldn't cheat on me with some whore... He is not that type of person...
"...Kidnapped is more like it." Kaoru missed the first part of Sano's statement while she was lost in her own thoughts.
"Eto... Sano could you please repeat that?" Kaoru asked tentatively.
"I said you were kidnapped, Kaoru. Himura the Battousai is not some guy you just walk out of a fancy party with. Especially after you've recognized him. He not someone to be played with." Sano actually managed saying that with a straight face. He never intended to be condescending but things don't always go as planned...
This had Kaoru wishing she had her bokken with her. Unfortunately playing the part of "Battousai's wife" had nothing to do with protecting oneself. She apparently had to always play the damsel in distress as well.
"Sano you are really lucky that I don't have my bokken with me," her tone honeyed poison, "because if I EVER hear you say that again you will not wake up to see the light of day for a week! Kenshin is the sweetest, most dedicated man I have ever met!" She said it with enough vehemence but, her heart wasn't behind it. Sure Kenshin always played the gentleman. He never even tried to seduce her or anything. If anything, it was the opposite way. She chose to snuggle next to him. She chose to tell him that she loved him. He never advanced on her. But then again, how could you kiss a girl like that and not actually love them?
"How can you call a cold blooded murderer, sweet? He isn't even human! He defeated the two most feared Shinsengumi captains only getting a damned cut on his shoulder!"
"Sanosuke Sagara, just because someone's reputation isn't perfect, doesn't mean they are bad people. You of all people should know that." She spat that out, her nose high, looking like the snob she was trying to be. Sure she felt that putting down Sano this way was low. Way low by her standards, but who was Sanosuke to be putting him down anyway?
Megumi was startled by the change in the Tanuki. Neko was more like it. Claws out and scratching. She knew that this wasn't same naive little girl who lost her parents. Something was amiss with the little neko and the fox was determined to sniff it out.
Kenshin was outside, listening to the conversation. Eavesdropping was more like it, but who was going to punish him?
He was also doing, the long overdue, laundry. The scrubbing motion, though meditative, irritated the bandages wrapped around his shoulder. Reminding him that even though it all seemed peaceful. It could never possibly ever stay this way for him. He started to tune back into the conversation which had found it's way from a storytelling session to a yelling match audible around the whole entire neighborhood.
Why is the name Sagara Sanosuke so familiar? It's not like... Sagara Souzou. Must have been his father... he was with the sekihoutai? But that doesn't make any sense. The Sekihoutai were on our side. Supposedly they were all dismissed of... Much to Katsura's dismay... He must be Zanza. Sole survivor of the massacre. Although even that I'm not sure of... Why does Kaoru know him? More importantly, why is she acting this way? She never acts like that around me. Her ki has gotten so icy all of a sudden... She's so damn confusing.
Kaoru opened the door behind him disturbing his musings for the moment. She looked up at all the clean laundry noticing a very familiar set of gi and hakama... Oh my god! I can't believe I wore... her face flushed at the thought.
She went up behind Kenshin and hugged him around the middle and buried her face in his red ponytail. She felt him tense as she breathed in his scent, a mix of pine, sandalwood and soap... home.
"Um, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin was lost by Kaoru's sudden forward actions.
She snapped away and a slight blush tinted her cheeks. "Gomen Kenshin..."
"Kaoru why are you apologizing?"
"Um well... I kinda snuck away from the inn once to practice and I kinda borrowed your gi and hakama off the laundry line..." she confessed, her zori making a hole in the dirt floor.
Kenshin just chuckled. "I know you liked to sneak away from the inn Kaoru-dono."
"YOU KNEW!" she shrieked.
"Hai..." Kenshin's response was passive. He wondered if it was the right choice to tell her that he had indeed been spying on her quiet moments and practice... Although he had admit, the thought of Kaoru in his clothes was quite... appealing.
"KENSHIN NO BAKA!" Since no bokken was present she decided that the laundry tub would have to do. She dumped out the water and started hitting Kenshin over the head eliciting several loud Oro's on Kenshin's part and several large bumps on his head.
Kenshin stumbled out of her reach just as Kaoru aimed another blow. Missing, she overbalanced and started falling. Kenshin instinctively grabbed her and together the fell into a large puddle of water, soap and clothing getting themselves completely soaked.
"Whoo hoo! Jou-chan! I didn't know you had it in you!" Sano whistled as he came outside. Although the idea of his little Jou-chan liking another man had his stomach turning. She was practically a sister to him! But this was a step in the right direction in his opinion. All she had to do was get another man... anybody but the Battousai...
"Sanosuke Sagara," she started out threatening enough, jumping to her feet using Kenshin's injured shoulder as a push off point earning another "ORO" from the ex-hitokiri. Startled by Kenshin, she slipped on the bar of soap and landed on Kenshin again her head hitting his chest.
Sano burst out laughing, "That was wonderful!" he wiped a fake tear out his eye. "Jou-chan, you gotta show how you manage to seduce him without even looking like you were trying. Maybe, I can try it on the kitsune sometime..."
"Tori-atama your too stupid to seduce a girl. As if I would even consider a ruffian like you. Humph!" Megumi haughtily rebuffed Sano.
Yahiko, who walked through the shoji, just stared. "Busu, I'm scarred for life."
"Yahiko-chan," she started having gotten off Kenshin successfully, "...you will pay for calling me UGLY!" She grabbed the tub and proceeded with her ritual beating of the aforementioned brat, leaving Megumi and Sano to deal with a bruised, and quite literally, battered ex-hitokiri.
"Eh, Sano can you help me?" Megumi tried to lift Kenshin up, but apparently he was heavier than he looked.
"Sure..." he replied. Not really exactly sure as to what he just agreed to. His bird-head obviously occupied with even more birdbrained schemes of revenge on a poor swordsman who has done nothing to harm him.
After having beaten up two very poor "boys", Kaoru took a short bath and went to leave some dinner for the 2 former Shinsengumi currently taking residence in her dojo. Not my dojo... Kenshin's dojo.
She opened the shoji and deposited the tray Kenshin said was meant for "The Wolf" in the appropriate room. The only difference between the two trays was a small battered cigarette box and a piece of rolled parchment. This was apparently some sort of peace offering by Kenshin to Saitoh. Weird as it seemed, she actually thought it kind of sweet that Kenshin would actually attempt to try to stop their personal feud.
Saitoh was still sleeping and she decided to leave the tray outside the door. Who knew what he would do if she saw him like that.
Next came Okita, she didn't want to have to deal with him ever again. Sure he was her uncle, but he had no right to tell her what to do. She learned that lesson the hard way...
(flashback)
"Nii-san! Wait up!" a small girl with her hair in a ribbon yelled. Her kimono was soiled and filthy. Dirt caked on her face and nails. Ahead of her a boy ran, his jet-black hair and bright blue gi the only beacons that the young girl followed. Suddenly her only clues to his location disappeared from view.
"Nii-san!" her sprint slowed into a cantor of sorts.
Suddenly a loud "Shhhhh" came from the bushes behind her and Okita popped out his head. Kaoru jumped a good 2 feet up into the air from fright.
"Nii-san, don't scare me like that!" Okita just put his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet.
"I told you to be quiet! Here, come around the bush. I have something to show you."
Kaoru crept about the bush and looked down at...
"A dead rat! You made me chase you half way into the woods so that you could show me a dead rat!" Kaoru little, chubby face had a very unchildlike look of anger. With her arms akimbo, she continued to yell at Okita, "Okaasan going to kill me because of you and that stupid rat!" Kaoru looked down at her Kimono, "MOU! Even my Kimono is ruined!"
And ruined it was. The once pale pink material now sported several splotches of brown. Her long sleeves now torn to ribbons and vast openings now ran along the seams from her sprint.
Okita simply laughed at her predicament. "I wouldn't worry too much, Kaoru-chan. It's not like you would get into any trouble. You never get into trouble. All you gotta do is flash that smile of yours to your mother."
So back to the dojo the twosome went. Only to be met with the loud squeal of Kamiya-san.
"KAORU-CHAN! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOUR KIMONO!" her mother's yelling and commanding tone left no room for argument.
So Kaoru did her best. She smiled and told her "loving Okaasan" exactly their crimes and how much she loves her.
"Kaoru-chan you are to go straight to the into the furo. I will be there in 5 minutes. If you are not in the tub by the time I get there you're grounded. Understood young lady?"
"Hai Okaasan." was the sullen reply. A bath! Mou! When I get my hands on Okita...
"Kaoru quit standing there and go for your bath!"
"Hai..." Kaoru trod over to the furo sullenly. As she she closed yelling could be heard. She pressed her ears to the door trying to hear what was going on, but was able to discern nothing. Suddenly footsteps were heard just outside her door. Hurriedly she tried to get into her bath. But was only able to get out of her kimono by the time the door was opened.
"Kaoru-chan, I told you to be in the bath by the time I got here..." her arms were crossed across her chest. One delicate high heeled geta clicking in a rhythm of annoyance.
"But, Okaasan..." Kaoru wheedled. "I..."
"I don't care Kaoru-chan. For the next 2 weeks you will not be allowed to have your kendo lessons. Instead, I will see you promptly at noon in the kitchen. Understood?"
"Hai..." mumbled Kaoru.
"Understood young lady?" her mother asked again.
"Hai, Okaasan."
(end flashback)
Those were some of the worst 2 weeks of my life. Her feet stopped automatically at the door. Her thoughts clearing of the cob webbed memories, she opened the door and stepped inside...
Okita's eyes snapped open at the entrance of Kaoru. Maybe I can just drop off the food and leave?
"Konbanwa, Okita-san. I just came here..." she started but, was evidently interrupted by Okita when he sat up in bed, obviously awake.
"Kaoru just leave the tray by the edge. I need to talk to you." Apparently not... MOU let me live my own life!
"Kaoru-chan there is no need to get all riled up. I just wanted to talk."
"Gomen... eto I didn't mean to say that aloud..."
"Kaoru-chan forget it. You meant what you said. I take it at face value. Well actually I took it at face value. That's why I didn't accept when the Gensai's wanted me to take you in." Okita actually seemed pensive and off his usual chirpiness.
"How could you tell it was me?"
He chuckled lightly. "The tea was so over brewed it was bitter. Even 2 weeks of cooking lessons did absolutely nothing to improve your tea," he took a bite of the food and his eyes widened in surprise, "although I must say, you food had definitely become better."
"I didn't make it. Kenshin did."
Okita spat out the food. "You mean to tell me that even the Hitokiri Battousai can cook better than you?" He said incredulously.
"Hai..." at the mention of Kenshin her face held a forlorn expression.
"He really is perfect for you. He cooks and cleans and manages all the household stuff." he mused aloud, a grin on his face.
"Nii-san... I need to talk to you about something else... I need you to tell me why you said that I was only one of Kenshin's... women..." The thought had her embarrassed and jealous all at once.
To him, her face only shown with naive hope. Hoping that beyond all else, the one thing that she relied on would still be be there instead of chopped off from under her like the trunk of a tree. He saw the love that glistened in her eyes in the form of water threatening to fall. In truth, he was jealous. Jealous of the Battousai. His own envy blocked him seeing her pain. It was the green demon that took him over in the knowledge that his greatest foe could find the one thing he was looking for twice, while he was still failing.
"Kaoru-chan, I don't really know much. All I know is at one time an assassin was sent after the Hitokiri Battousai. We found him dead outside a tavern. After that a women named Tomoe Yukishiro came to us seeking revenge on Himura because her fiancé, Kiyosato Akira, was killed by him. All I know was that Tomoe got married to Himura. It wasn't completed by my division. So I have no idea where the relationship went. Before Tomoe he had only one scar. Afterward, he ended up with a cross shaped scar. After the whole thing we haven't seen hide or hair of Tomoe Yukishiro. It's like she's dead. The only way that you can find anything out is to ask him. Gomen Nasai."
Kaoru's heart was torn. Kenshin wasn't cheating on her. He was a widower...
The front bell's happy note rang across the dojo stopping her dismal musings in their tracks.
"Nii-san, I need to go get the door. Gomen for all the trouble I've been."
The small wooden side door opened revealing a lovely lady. Her dark hair was pinned up in an elegant bun and she wore a dark plum kimono with sakuras scattered about it. Her dark eyes shown with annoyance.
"Sumimasen, I was wondering if a certain Fujita Goro came by here earlier with his partner?"
"Fujita Goro?"
"Maybe you know him as Saitoh Hajime?"
"Ano... and who might you be?" Kaoru responded defensively. It wasn't like some random women could just walk in. Especially women asking about undercover Shinsengumi.
"Atashi wa Saitoh Tokio."
Kaoru's eyes widened. He's actually married!
"My no good husband tried to leave earlier today to try and fight Himura-san, but I stopped him. Then later on he claimed to want soba and took Soushi-chan with him. After an hour without him returning, I got suspicious and checked out the soba stand that he liked only to find out the waiters didn't see him at all today. I ended up going to the station and digging through his papers to find him. I need to talk to him." She had placed special emphasis on the word "talk" meaning that there really would be no talking at all. More like yelling and screaming.
"Come in, he's in the third bedroom at the house."
"Ah, so I take it he lost?" Tokio heaved a great sigh of annoyance.
"Ano... hai?" Kaoru's questioning response was testament to her confusion by Saitoh-san's response. Just to be polite she invited them to stay for dinner.
" I think we will. Heaven knows I'll need time to cool down tonight after I get my hands on Hajime." after that Saitoh Tokio led herself toward the house.
Kenshin was cutting the tofu brought earlier and absently humming a tune to himself when he heard many approaching footsteps.
The shoji opened revealing Megumi followed by an old man dressed in grey holding the hands of 2 little girls. The smaller one was dressed in red, the larger in yellow. Both had unruly brown hair.
"Ken-san, I want you to meet my sensei, Dr. Gensai," she nodded toward the older gentleman who bowed, "and Ayame and Suzume, his granddaughters."
"Sessha wa Himura Kenshin. It's a pleasure to meet you." He bowed.
"Ken-san these guys will be staying over for dinner. So could you please make a little extra?"
"Hai, Megumi-dono."
"Do you need any help?" inquired Megumi.
"Iie, sessha will be fine."
"Demo, I want to help!" Ayame immediately took over residence next to Kenshin's right leg and peered over at the contents of the pot.
"yeah me wanna help Ken-nii too!" Suzume latched onto Kenshin's remaining leg and watched him chop the vegetables.
"Ken-san, I will be around later to check how far you've gotten. Ja!" Megumi led the old doctor out to the porch to talk and closed the shoji.
Meanwhile Ayame attempted "to make the soup taste" better by adding a cup of chili powder. Only to be stopped just in time by Kenshin who let out a sigh of relief. They actually expect an edible meal?
An edible meal was what they received. Most were quite happy that Kenshin did the cooking and that Kaoru had nothing to do with their food. The rest were simply confused as to how the greatest hitokiri of The Bakumatsu was actually a great cook too. With a chorus of "itadakimasu!", the 11 of them started their meal.
The meal itself went off smoothly. Saitoh attempted to glare at Kenshin but, was unable to catch Kenshin's eye because Kenshin was slightly occupied with getting Ayame and Suzume off Okita. Since they found out that their favorite "playmates" were here, their antics had no end.
Not that the two didn't enjoy playing with the two. Both of them were sporting grins as they ended up in a little food fight which Yahiko had no choice but, to join as he got hit with a stray riceball.
Kaoru had to giggle as she saw Kenshin get hit with four more riceballs and a bowl of miso. The joy in his violet eyes was contagious and she found herself grinning.
Dr. Genzai tapped her shoulder and whispered in her ear "He would make a good father."
Kaoru just turned bright red. Not that the thought hadn't crossed her mind, but she wasn't sure yet. I haven't known Kenshin that long...
All too soon, the meal was over and the guests started leaving in threes. All that was left was Kenshin and Kaoru.
Kenshin went for a short bath to clean himself up and Kaoru went back to their room to change.
Chikuso! I forgot my clothes. This is absolutely hilarious. What's so funny? Now you've got to walk back into the room you share with Kaoru naked. Oro! No... No I don't! I have a towel! (grins triumphantly) As if that is much better. (smirk) ORO!
Kenshin found his way back to the hoping that Kaoru would already be asleep. Unfortunately, she was just unfolding the futon. Kenshin knocked on the door quietly.
"Um Kaoru-dono? Could you please pass sessha a yakuta?" was his timid question.
"What'd you say Kenshin?" Apparently she couldn't hear him.
"Could please pass me a yakuta?"
She threw the shoji open. "Oh for goodness sake! Could you just talk a bit..." her ranting was cut short as she noticed Kenshin's state of dress or lack there of. To her he looked damn sexy wearing nothing but, a towel wrapped around his slim waist. The candle light was playing with his unbound hair, bringing it to life. Her hands longed to run themselves through the damp tendrils... She shook her head. Don't think like that... Don't think about him being practically naked in front of you... Don't think about his 6-pack abs Don't think about those eyes... She looked up and met his gold tinted eyes... It reminded her of that day in the restaurant. But, this time instead of only seeing sorrow in his eyes, she saw something else. His eyes held a possessive edge as they watched her.
She averted her eyes and turned back into their room. She went over to his trunk and snapped it open. With her eyes still looking away, she tossed Kenshin's yakuta in the general direction he was standing.
He put it on and grabbed some underwear and put it on under his robe.
"Kaoru-dono, do you mind if sessha sits on the roof for awhile?"
"Kenshin that's silly! Why would you want to do that?"
He shrugged, "Just to think." He was hoping that she would join him.
"Sure."
Kenshin strolled out onto the veranda and leaned casually against the support. He looked up to the sky toward the bright crescent moon. It reminds me of Akira... His hand went up to trace the outline of his scar. It's thinner! But I still haven't completed my promise...
Tomoe told me to live... I swore to her that I would stop killing once the war was over. Is it over? Is this what she meant by living? Did she mean I should find someone like Akira was to her... You think that reading the thoughts of someone else would give you clear insight into their head. The only thing I got out of her Journal was more questions...
The door behind Kenshin opened.
"I thought you said that you would be on the roof?"
"This place seemed just as nice, de gozaru."
She looked up into the moonlit sky. For, some odd reason she felt a need to learn about Tomoe. Why was it that today of all days, she actually wanted to learn about Kenshin's past. Seeing him behave so differently in so may situations almost made him seem like a whole person...
"Kaoru-dono is something the matter?" he saw doubt and confusion flit across her face followed by understanding.
"Well, it's not like me to actually pry into somebody's past. But, what if this past had something to do with my own future? Should you ask about then? Or is it still tabooed?"
"I have no idea Kaoru-dono. I would ask though. Even if I didn't understand. I know I'll understand what their saying someday."
"If that is so, do you mind if I ask you something Kenshin?"
"Sure, don't worry to much about me Kaoru-dono."
Talking to Kenshin like this seemed so romantic to Kaoru. But, how romantic is to be talking about someone's dead wife?
"Can you please tell me about Tomoe?" There I said it. I can't believe I'm jealous of Kenshin's dead wife.
Kenshin's hand dropped away from his scar.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Okita told me you were married. Nobody knows what happened to her. For all I know she could still be alive..."
"Are you implying that I would cheat on you!" his tone scathing and hot, contrary to the calm, cool night.
"No!" she blurted out, "I'm just curious..." She bit her lip in nervouseness. " I just want to know how you became, well you."
Kenshin's temper was abated for the moment. He took a seat and prepared himself to tell his story...
"It all started when I was assigned to kill a shogun politician..."
Author's Note: That is one hell of a long chapter. anyway the response I got for my last one was kinda disheartening... To make up for my long hiatus I wrote this. This story will be over in about 4 or 5 chapters. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own RK. It and and all it's characters belong to Watsuki-san!
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!
The Votes So Far are...
Kei: 4 votes
Fragile: 3 votes
It's Not me, It's you: 1 vote (eva...)
The Hackley School: 3 votes
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-criminal punishment (I was wrong but... I'm still keeping the title.)
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
neko-cat
Reviewer responses:
crazianimegirl- Thanks for supporting me online and at school. Goodness knows, I need it.
The girl who attends my school and refuses to use her screenname- Geez, thank you for bugging me continuously until I got this chappy out.
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tameka- by the looks of things I'm probably gonna write Kei. I'm glad you like what I've done with the plot. Thanx!
kittycat- thanx!
scythe195- Thanx for reading!
katana blade- Glad you like it so far! Parents and dinner good riddance!
Short Term Memory- You'll allow me a little creative license right? lol I did my best to avoid overly silly grammer mistakes this chappy. If there are any plaese tell me! I need a beta...
RogueSummersLover- Sorry if it seemed so confusing I have a habit of doing that. Please tell me when I do! Thanx!
Angel of Light and Darkness16- Glad u like it!
AOD- I hope you still like it!
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