The Best of Intentions: Chapter 5
The days drew closer to the anniversary of Kilik's death and Kaoru felt that all too familiar sense of sadness clutching her heart. Today was the day that she and Aoshi had decided to leave for Tokyo.
They had decided to keep their journey private. If everything worked out they would be long gone before everyone else woke up that morning. Kaoru packed her sparse belongings into a bag that could easily be carried over her shoulder. She held her wooden sword in her hand and tried to decide whether or not to bring that along as well.
The sound of her rice paper door sliding open interrupted her thoughts. She turned and offered the silent figure a brief smile. "I'm almost ready," Kaoru assured him.
Aoshi gestured his chin towards the wooden sword in her hands. "Are you bringing that?" He asked as he walked towards her and took her bag to sling over his shoulder, opposite of a similar bag on his other shoulder.
"I'm not sure," Kaoru replied chewing on her bottom lip. She looked up into her friend's penetrating icy blue gaze. "It's a good idea don't you think?" She sounded so unsure of herself, the grief from the anniversary must have been affecting her self confidence. Normally Kaoru was a pillar of strength, as long as whatever she was thinking about didn't involve Kenshin at least.
Aoshi shook his head and took her hand to lead her out of the room. "You don't need it," he assured her. He was internally pleased when she placed it alongside the wall of her bedroom and followed him out.
She grinned cheekily at her friend. "Are you going to serve as my own personal ninja protector?" She teased, a spark of humor lighting her sapphire eyes.
In spite of the jeer made of his profession Aoshi found himself laughing softly. "I suppose so, however I seriously doubt that you are in any danger." He appraised her up and down with a thoughtful expression. "I don't believe anyone would have any reason to harm you." He confessed.
Kaoru shook her head, "Well maybe Misao when she discovers that you and I are leaving on a journey together without so much as telling her."
"I wouldn't worry about that," Aoshi assured as they stepped down the last few stairs to arrive on the main floor of the house. It was still a few hours before sun rise and no one would normally be awake at this time, however as fate would have it someone had an odd urge for a glass of juice in these wee hours of the morning.
"Where are you going?" Misao asked coming out of the kitchen only to discover Aoshi with two bags slung over his shoulders and Kaoru standing beside him at the front door. She nearly dropped her juice at the sight and could feel fire burning in her veins at the picture they made.
Kaoru gave her young friend a smile and walked towards her and gave her a one-sided hug before stepping back towards Aoshi and the door. "We'll be back soon Misao-chan."
Misao didn't respond to her and had eyes only for Aoshi. Her hands landed on her hips as she glared with narrowed eyes at her long-time crush. "Where are you going?" She repeated with a hostile edge to her tone.
Kaoru glanced up at Aoshi for his explanation. He simply stared back down at her, making it obvious that he was not going to be the one explaining. Sighing, Kaoru shifted her weight before answering. "Aoshi offered to accompany me to visit Kilik's grave," Kaoru informed the other girl whom suddenly snapped her green gaze towards her with a smile crossing her features and her eyes lit up.
"That's great! I'll go pack! A trip to Tokyo with my Aoshi-sama is wonderful! I can be ready to go in five minutes." Misao already began to climb the stairs when Aoshi interrupted her with a serious expression.
"Misao," the girl turned towards him and found him shaking his head at her. "This is not a vacation." He stressed. He looked down at Kaoru to plead that she break it to the young woman with out crushing her heart. Kaoru moved towards the stairs where the dumbfounded and confused Misao stood and took her by the elbow to the next landing to explain.
"This trip is very important to me," Kaoru began. "It's dedicated to Kilik's memory."
Understanding lit Misao's features and she nodded absently. "I understand, I didn't think about that. I guess it wouldn't be very nice for Aoshi to proclaim his undying love for me while you were visiting your lost love's grave. I'm sorry Kaoru, I was being selfish."
Kaoru gapped at the other woman. How dense was she? Aoshi couldn't be any more clear in his lack of desire for her. How could she assume his indifference mean he was simply in denial? Did the possibility that he didn't return her feelings ever come to mind? Clearing her throat, Kaoru gave Misao another hug, this time it was returned. "We won't be gone for long."
After Kaoru reunited with Aoshi, with a chipper Misao waving them goodbye he asked her the question that was on his mind. "How did you handle Misao?" Aoshi was frankly amazed at how Misao was so happily wishing them a safe journey. He felt rather impressed with Kaoru at the moment, though he would loath to have her realize that.
"I told her the truth, that this was a visit in honor Kilik not some romantic escapade."
Aoshi laughed quietly. "She thought you and I were running away together?" His eyes twinkled with mischief and he took a swallow of the water he was carrying at his side.
Kaoru looked at him and was confused. "No, she didn't want to make me more depressed by having to see the two love birds."
Aoshi promptly spit out the water. "What?" He choked out, Kaoru realized her slip, but surely Aoshi already suspected Misao's thoughts.
"You know, the two of you being soul mates and all." Kaoru informed him matter-of-factly, enjoying the sight of a non-composed Aoshi Shinomori.
"That is hardly the case Kaoru, and you above all people should know that." Aoshi told her as he calmly took another drink of his water. His throat was suddenly parched and he felt uncomfortable talking about this with Kaoru suddenly.
Kaoru looked away, she didn't know what to think. She looked back at him, "So you don't feel anything for her at all?" She knew that they had discussed this before, but she really wanted to make certain she understood the situation before she got caught in the middle any more than she already was.
Aoshi blinked, "I care for her, I did help raise her, but I'm afraid I could never see her as anything but the child I once knew." He searched Kaoru's sapphire eyes in curiosity. They had already been over this discussion. He wondered why she was asking the same questions.
"I see. I never did thank you," Kaoru began changing the subject, not wanting Aoshi to be annoyed with her.
"For what?" Aoshi asked with a raised brow.
"For saving me," Kaoru informed him as she kicked a pebble around with the tip of her toes in the dusty trail they were following.
"I did no such thing," Aoshi countered.
Kaoru looked at him seriously, "When Enishi captured me, it was you who figured out that I was not dead. If you hadn't done that, there's no telling what would have happened," she trailed off with a far away look to her eyes.
He squeezed her shoulder, a bit uncomfortable about topic, "It was no problem."
The rest of the day passed by without too much conversation passing between the two. Aoshi Shinomori had a knack for causing even the most gregarious to become accustomed to quiet.
Kaoru's feet were killing her, but she was under no circumstances about to complain about that to Aoshi Shinomori. She should have realized that with his keen eye he would pick up on the slightest things, no matter how well she tried to hide it.
"Your feet are hurting you," he stated more than inquired. The sun was hanging low in the Western sky and they had only paused once during their journey to enjoy lunch. He admired his companion's determination, but she had a lot to learn.
"Just a little," Kaoru agreed, not wanting to sound weak. Too often she had served as the hostage or merely ended up cowering behind Kenshin or Sanosuke. She didn't want Aoshi to treat her as some delicate little flower. She was stronger than that.
Aoshi paused and looked at her with a hard gleam in his cold eyes. He then shook his head and laughed. "You are impossible," he told her as she became annoyed at being laughed at. He shifted the bags that were over his left shoulder a bit and then place his right hand upon the small of Kaoru's back. "Let's go find an inn for the night."
"We don't have to end so early. I'm not weak," Kaoru informed him feeling insulted and a little uncomfortable with the strange sense of fluttering butterflies in her stomach. She was confused as to why Aoshi's presence was suddenly affecting her. He was only her friend and she loved Kenshin dearly. It must be because she was starving affection lately. She had always been an affectionate person, but after the deaths of both her father and Kilik she had withdrawn somewhat.
"Why are you so determined to make me think you are not in pain?" Aoshi inquired curiously, but didn't pause as he pulled her towards the inn that he saw in the distance.
"I'm not some fragile flower," Kaoru told him as she moved away from his arm. Aoshi frowned at her action internally, but externally refused to show any emotion. She didn't need to know that by her moving away from his touch she had wounded him. He didn't offer his affections freely and she had just rejected him.
"I never said any such thing," he argued quietly.
She hugged herself, as if to keep warm. "Maybe you haven't, but I'm tired of being the weak link. I'm a strong woman and I can do things on my own. I'm not dependent on anyone." She assured him, though she seemed to be assuring herself.
Aoshi internally cursed Battousai for this. He realized now what the problem was. She took his token of friendship and concern to think he was belittling her. He was far from doing any such thing.
"If I'm not the kidnapped victim then I'm being forced to cow behind Kenshin or Sano. I'm tired of being the helpless fragile girl. I'm a grown woman!" Kaoru's sapphire eyes were shining with unshed tears.
Aoshi commended her silently for her efforts to look strong in his presence. "I realize you are a grown woman," he began as he took a step back towards her and placed his hand back on the small of her back to continue towards the inn. He was relieved that she didn't flinch from his contact. "Do not down your own strength. You must realize when you face opponents stronger than yourself. Do not believe that because you aren't the strongest that it makes you weak."
Kaoru looked back at him with questions obvious in her eyes. He nodded, "That's right, I had to discover this the hard way. You know how I was after the death of my friends. So please, take my word on it."
Kaoru smiled, "For a guy who can't find the words to tell a girl he's not interested, you sure seem to know exactly the right thing to say."
A frown formed on Aoshi's forehead as he drew his ebon brows together. "I will choose to take that as a compliment."
The inn was a quant little place. It was an elderly couple's home that they converted the spare rooms into guest rooms for travelers. The inn-keeper beamed at Aoshi and Kaoru when they knocked on her front door.
"Come in, you both look weary," she greeted, ushering the two inside. "You are such a cute couple!" She squealed with her hands pressed together in front of her ample bosom. Kaoru opened her mouth to correct the older woman's assumption, but Aoshi promptly silenced her by putting a hand over her mouth.
"Thanks," Aoshi accepted the compliment from the woman. He released his hand from Kaoru's mouth and wiped it on his pants leg giving his companion a disgusted look. The old woman left them to acquire the proper paper work. "Did you have to lick my hand?"
"Did you have to lie?" Kaoru challenged.
Aoshi shrugged. "There is no need to make trouble where there is none." Kaoru obviously didn't understand. "Do you honestly believe that woman would allow us to share a room if she thought something scandalous was happening?"
"But nothing is happening, we're friends," Kaoru argued perplexed. It took a moment for his words to sink in and her face became scarlet, whether in anger or embarrassment it was uncertain. "I can't share a room with you!" She whispered loudly.
Aoshi promptly covered her mouth again and smiled sweetly at the old woman. She was so distracted by his perfect smile that she failed to notice that Kaoru was being silenced with a hand clamped over her mouth. "Come along, I'll show you to your room."
After the old woman informed them about dinner and showed them to their room, Aoshi and Kaoru found themselves alone. Kaoru's face was red and Aoshi was dreading the words that were surely about to explode. She wasn't nick-named the Tanuki for no reason after all. And angry raccoons were not a friendly animal.
"What's going on Aoshi?" Kaoru demanded, keeping her voice down and straining to control her rising temper.
"Kaoru," Aoshi began, "you admitted that we are friends. Don't you trust me?"
Kaoru scoffed. "I'm friends with Sano too, but I wouldn't be stupid enough to share a room with him."
"Are you comparing me to that fighter for hire?" Aoshi asked coldly, he found the comparison distasteful.
Kaoru's shoulders slumped; she obviously didn't phrase that right. "I just want to know the reason."
"Several reasons really, one is I don't want to waste money on two rooms when I could purchase one. All we're going to do is sleep in here anyway. Secondly, I'm responsible for your well being. I can best keep an eye on you if we're in the same room. And last, I know you have nightmares occasionally, pretty bad ones too it would seem." Aoshi replied as he dumped the bags off his shoulder onto the wooden floor. He looked at Kaoru for her reaction.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking." She replied meekly, her features paling and the red disappearing as her temper vanished as well. "We're friends, I should have just trusted your judgment." She looked up at him and spoke gravely, "I won't doubt it again."
"Your loyalty is appreciated and you had good reason to question. Do not feel afraid to question me when you don't understand my decisions. I don't mind explaining, as long as you wait until an appropriate time." His features hardened at the end of his statement.
"Of course, no more licking your palm I promise," Kaoru joked with a wry grin.
"Besides, I know how you feel about the Battousai, only a fool would try to win you over from such devotion." Aoshi continued, confused with the unfamiliar emotions he felt raging within. Perhaps he was still angry at Battousai for abandoning Kaoru. That must have been the reason. His friendship with the young woman was causing him to feel protective of all matters to her including her heart.
"Do you think that nice lady will allow me to help her with the dinner?" Kaoru asked innocently. Aoshi nearly burst out laughing but the horror of having his meal scorched beyond recognition was a sobering thought.
"Kaoru, I'm going to be honest with you," he started, knowing full well he was about to be confronted with the Tanuki again. He had Kaoru's rapt attention so he continued. "You are a terrible cook. Don't get angry. You have good intentions, but to be a good cook you need to follow the recipes and pay attention to what you are doing."
Kaoru looked about to argue.
Aoshi's cold gaze made her smile sheepishly. "I suppose that's true. I used to be better at it, but now I tend to get a little creative and day dream when I'm cooking." Kaoru confessed.
"I'm sure our hostess would allow you to dice some vegetables though. Perhaps she could give you a few pointers." A sudden thought occurred to Aoshi and he looked Kaoru a bit nervously. "Don't try to beat me to death in my sleep because of what I'm telling you. It is the truth."
Kaoru sighed, "Yeah I know." She had a determined look come into her features and her spine straightened as she peered up towards her tall companion. "I'll get better though."
"No doubt," Aoshi agreed and watched as she forgot all about her tired feet and excited ran towards the kitchen to help. He could only hope that she wasn't allowed to do anything too important to the meal. But, surely under the old woman's watchful eye, if Kaoru was able to contribute to a good meal that would do wonders for her self-esteem.
Aoshi settled upon his futon, there were two in the room and stared at the ceiling. Why had no one in her little troop not thought about that idea? Kenshin was a good cook, why didn't he bother teaching her the ropes? It wasn't like she was unreasonable. He was starting to think her nickname was a misnomer. She didn't seem that much like an angry raccoon to him.
A/N: Thanks for all the lovely reviews. For clarification Aoshi and Kaoru are just friends right now. And Misao may seem like a villain in a few chapters from now, but things work out well for her in the end too. I'm not writing Kenshin off, you'll have to see what happens with him. It will all make perfect sense though! I love the Aoshi and Kaoru pairing!!!