A/N: Hello everybody!
I'm sorry for not updating earlier!
I've just been so busy with my other stories! And I've also had a writers block so I'm not quite sure what to write for this chapter!
(looks back on the last chapter)
Ok, well, I guess I can work on things for here!
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Chapter 14 – Growth
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"Ugh…"
Kenshin's face was planted downward into the comforter of his bed mattress. The sweet scent of jasmine was gone from his smell and he frankly didn't quite like it. Half of him felt the need to gripe for it once more with it's lulling smell and beautiful persona who harbored the honey-sweet aroma.
But instead, he was presented with the dull sent of his green comforter. He groaned slightly and pushed himself up onto the balancing effect that his palms presented. Slowly whisking away the fatigue that hung over him, Kenshin took a large intake of breath and wiped his hand down his face.
Suddenly, the sent of something foul entered his nose. Curiosity and slight concern coaxed him to get off of his bed and follow the trail. Slowly, Kenshin staggered his way out of the bedroom and ended up in the kitchen where Kaoru seemed to be wrestling with the contents on the stove.
"Kaoru…?"
With a small glance over her shoulder, Kaoru spared a smile toward him.
"G'morning, sleepy head!"
Then, quickly turning back to the 'breakfast' she had somehow cooked up, Kaoru shouted out curses and yelped as she got slightly burned. Hastily retreating to the sink, Kaoru turned on the faucet and put the frying pan under the running water while a cloud full of steam erupted from the hot pan as a loud sizzle broke out over the rushing of the water while Kaoru whined.
"Dang it! I always burn breakfast…and Lunch, and Dinner…"
Kenshin could only find it in his heart to smile at the girl and chuckle slightly. She definitely was a cute one. Kenshin grinned as he leaned against the door frame and watched her.
Kaoru continued to curse and sputter angrily at the uncooperative breakfast that was now in a heaping mess in the kitchen sink. Sighing in defeat, she turned her back to the sink and faced Kenshin with a forlorn expression on her pretty face. Kenshin tried desperately to trap the bubbling laughter that threatened to slip from his throat.
Suddenly, her air turned sour as she huffed and placed her hands on her hips.
"And what, pray tell, is so funny?"
Kenshin could only shake his head for the moment before finally taking in a breath and cooling down his laughter that had finally slipped.
"I'm sorry, Kaoru. You just looked so funny."
Kaoru scowled at him and spat her tongue out in attempts to show her anger toward him but was disappointed when only a small chuckle was heard from him.
"Well, maybe it hasn't occurred to you, but I'm not cooking material!"
Kenshin deadpanned in his humor. Staring at her while blinking a few times, Kenshin raised a tentative eyebrow.
"Kaoru, anyone can cook. It's not like you have to be born with the talent. It's a skill you learn."
Kaoru only turned away from him, her arms enfolded with each other while she spoke softly back to him.
"Yeah well, I guess I'm just stupid…"
Kenshin shook his head and smiled hesitantly.
"Kaoru, you're not stupid."
Kaoru sighed, clearly irritated.
"Kenshin, I've never been able to get anything right. I read the ingredients, I put the right amount in after checking three or four times if I got the amount right, and no mater what, I never seem to get it right. I just can't cook."
Kenshin sighed and smiled at her while slowly pushing off his perch and approaching the sad girl, Kenshin laughed.
"Kaoru, if you'd like, I'll teach you how to cook."
Kaoru swiftly turned around from her original position and smiled.
"You will…?"
Kenshin laughed and nodded slightly, swinging an arm around her shoulders affectionately.
"It would be an honor."
Kaoru shook her head, not able to hide her growing smile as Kenshin teased her. The coming afternoon was bound to be one to remember.
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"No, Kaoru! That's vinegar not water!"
Kenshin quickly rushed over to retrieve the deadly beverage that could spoil the whole meal. Kaoru looked bewildered at her mistake as she blinked at the liquid which Kenshin cradled in his hands.
"But…but…"
Kenshin sighed a shook his head.
"You've got to pay more attention, young grasshopper! Or else you'll never learn!"
Kaoru pouted as she placed her hands on her hips.
Kenshin and herself stood in the kitchen dressed in aprons. A mess of mixed ingredients of all sorts were splattered about their faces and the shielding cloth while their hair was pulled back in pony-tails to prevent them from falling into the food.
"Mou! Kenshin, I told you! I never get it right!"
Kenshin smiled reassuringly while placing the vinegar onto the messy, cluttered counter-top.
"Kaoru, you've got to have optimism! Now do me a favor and pick up the flour pack over there, will you?"
Kaoru sighed as she sauntered over to where the packs of flour sat idly and picked one up with a grumble.
Balancing the heavy package in her arms, Kaoru made her way back over to where Kenshin stood, stirring in the mix for chocolate chip cookies.
"Here, I got the flour."
Kenshin turned around and smile before quickly turning into a panic as Kaoru shifted the flour she was holding into a position where it was weighted down by gravity.
"Kaoru don't hold it like th-"
Before Kenshin could finish, the weight of the flour had done exactly what he feared. The flour came bursting out of the bag, exploding all over the kitchen and covering the two in it's fluffy white powder.
Kaoru coughed a few times, having dropped the bag in the process. Kenshin stood there with a tired look on his now white face.
"We really need to work on this…"
His groan caused Kaoru to give off a sheepish smile. She warned him that she couldn't cook.
And now there was proof.
"Kenshin, let's just get cleaned up for soccer practice."
All's well that ends well, she always said.
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"Got me!"
Kenshin quickly pushed his body from where it stood in a quick recovery of speed as the boy in a parallel sprint of him panted in his attempt to study the ball at his feet while also keeping his speed to its maximum. Gratefully taking Kenshin's offer, he kicked the ball over to Kenshin's form and quickly fell back, falling into a tired walk.
"Hey, you ok, Sou?"
The large form of Sanosuke was suddenly at the boys side with a large palm on his shoulders while he balanced his palms on his knee caps in an effort to catch his breath.
The boy delayed in responding to him with a nod before pushing back up into a standing position.
"Yeah, I'm ok. I just need to sit out. I've been running non stop and I haven't had a good nights rest in a while."
Sano nodded as he left the boy standing and quickly rushed down the field after the wielder of the ball, Kenshin.
Soujiro languidly made his way over to the side lines where a few other players sat looking bored and full of anticipation. Brushing back his brunette bangs, the sweat from his brow mixing in with the glossy locks went uncared for as his worries were far greater then a little nonpermanent sweat.
"Hey, Soujiro, y'look like you're ready to collapse, man!"
The comment really didn't make him feel any better as his teammate decided to state the painfully obvious state in which he set down on the cool grass, falling onto his back with the outstretching of his arms, gazing exhaustedly at the twilight that had fallen over the sky.
"Sou-chan, you can have some of my water if you like!"
The bright voice of the newest addition to the team somehow managed to bring a little bit of energy back in him as his lilac eyes lazily looked over to where the member sat, her hand holding an inviting jug of ice-water; a smile on her face.
"Thanks, Kaoru-san."
Gasps for air interrupted his deep praise of thanks as he politely grabbed the water and not-so-politely guzzled it down his parched throat.
"You really should think twice before playing two positions. You'll wear yourself down faster that way."
Handing her the water back and wiping his jaw clean of the water that escaped his vicious attack, Soujiro nodded tiredly at the advice.
"I know, I know. But coach said he needs a strong player in both positions, and that Kenshin's already playing the full field so he can't do it."
Kaoru laughed slightly.
"You shouldn't let him use you like that."
Soujiro looked at her in surprised. He hadn't thought of it that way before.
"You know, you should let him know that he's got a bunch of exceptional players. He's just got to realize that he's not going to win if he relies on only a certain amount of kids."
Soujiro smiled brightly at her and nodded.
"That's true…"
Kaoru laughed a little and turned her gaze back onto the game in play. Kenshin still held the ball in his midst as the scrimmage continued to proceed, the incredible foot work of Kenshin's continuously astounding her while his flaming hair whipped violently in its high pony-tail. Unconsciously, her smile grew on her face while her sapphire eyes glowed.
"You really like him, don't you."
The words that barely managed to break through snapped her out of her staring as she turned back to face Soujiro.
"W-what? Pardon?"
Soujiro smiled at her and laughed, his shoulders bouncing slightly in a childish way.
"It's so obviously displayed on your face, Kaoru-chan. The way you look at him, it's just different then the way you look at the others."
Kaoru blinked back in surprise as she stuttered with her words, a slightly blush on her face.
"Sou-chan, you're mistaken! We're just good friends!"
Soujiro chortled at her denial and smiled at her once before returning his gaze back onto the field. There was no hiding it. Kaoru continued to sputter out reasons against his proclamation, choking bashfully on her words while glancing at Kenshin's form here and there.
Soujiro sustained his happy natured with a chuckle while he whispered partly to himself, while half-heartedly hoping Kaoru would hear it.
"Whatever you say, Kaoru-chan. Whatever you say."
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A/N: I'm sorry everyone for the long delay! I've had a writers block.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the short chapter!
Please review and I apologize for the meaningless chapter!