The Best of Intentions: Chapter 9
It didn't take much time to pack up the extra supplies that would make Kaoru's extended stay in Kyoto more comfortable. Once more, Aoshi burdened himself with their traveling bags. He knew that Kaoru wasn't fragile, but he did have a macho sense of pride to be carrying her things with ease while she would be straining, no matter how hard she tried to hide the fact.
"I can carry something you know," Kaoru complained as she wrung her hands before her waist while walking at Aoshi's side. The stoic ninja glanced down at her with a raised brow but didn't comment as he kept their bags tossed over his shoulder in an easy grip.
After realizing that there would be no point in arguing with the man, Kaoru merely let him have his way. Besides, who in their right mind would ask to carry luggage if someone else was willing to do so. 'Especially when that someone else looked especially sexy with his biceps flexed as he casually lifted those extra pounds,' Kaoru thought to herself as she cast her companion a side-ways glance. She quickly ducked her head away when he returned her gaze.
"Is something wrong?" Aoshi asked innocently, though he witnessed the crimson blush on the assistant sword master's cheeks.
"Nothing at all," Kaoru assured him after wiping her face free of all evidence of embarrassment. It was a little before noon as they entered into town when they had an unexpected encounter.
Leaning against the side of a fabric store stood policeman Hajime Saitou smoking a freshly lit cigarette. "Well if it isn't the Tanuki and the ice man," he greeted as he pulled the fag out from between his thin lips.
Kaoru's hands fisted at her sides in anger at the deceitful man's rude greeting. She still hadn't completely forgiven him for when he lied to her two years ago about his identity. "What are you doing here Saitou? Looking for more people to impose your ideas of justice upon?"
Aoshi's firm hand fell upon Kaoru's shoulder, and gave her a comforting squeeze while he shot Saitou a chilling look that would have caused a lesser man's knees to start knocking. Saitou's amber eyes narrowed at the scene before him. He was unaware of there being any connection between the two individuals standing before him other than possibly a loose connection to Himura.
Any other thoughts on the matter were interrupted when, "Hajime dear," a woman's voice called out from the doorway of the fabric store. A beautiful woman stepped out of the store, her dark hair was piled high in an exotic twist upon her head, and the elegant dress she wore accentuated her porcelain doll-like features. "There you are," Tokio smiled at her husband as she lifted the burning cigarette from his fingers and tossed it to the ground before rubbing it out with her foot.
Saitou gave his wife a dark look as he allowed her to take away his cigarette. Tokio smiled sweetly at him and took his arm, looking lovely standing beside the uniformed officer. "Who are your friends, dear?" She inquired giving Aoshi and Kaoru a curious look.
Kaoru reached her hand to place over the one Aoshi had on her shoulder. She looked over at him and met his gaze. She licked her lips and seeing the amused expression on her face Aoshi bent his ear down to her lips knowing she was about to burst in her need to gossip. "That must be his wife," Kaoru whispered, excited to see Saitou put in his place by a woman, no less!
She started to pull away but Aoshi turned her head by catching her chin, so that he could speak in her ear. "He's married?" He asked in disbelief.
Kaoru nodded excitedly at the discovery before she gestured for Aoshi to turn for her to speak in his ear by tugging on one of his dark locks. "See, if he's got someone then I'm sure there is someone out there for you." Kaoru confided. At her angle she missed the look that flashed through Aoshi's icy eyes as her words registered.
A masculine throat cleared, drawing their attention back to the police officer in question. "If you two are finished with your childish whispering, I can make introductions." Saitou remarked in obvious irritation.
"Oh Hajime, you're terrible, truly." Tokio playfully hit his chest before turning to smile at the couple standing before her. Saitou's right eye began to twitch in annoyance.
"Excuse me, Shinomori Aoshi, Kamiya Kaoru, I'd like to introduce you to my lovely wife, Tokio." Saitou introduced formally, in the most monotone, unenthusiastic voice possible.
Tokio's hands clasped together. "Oh you two are absolutely precious!" She exclaimed, greatly having enjoyed their little whispering episode from earlier. Kaoru and Aoshi both blinked at her in surprise for her gusto. "You simply must eat dinner with us! It is so rare that I actually get to meet Hajime's friends. I've heard about both of you, and it's great to finally meet you," she enthused. Tokio gave her husband a scolding look, "You never told me they were a couple," she accused loud whisper only he was supposed to hear.
Perhaps it was the shock of learning that Saitou had talked about them to his wife before that caused Aoshi and Kaoru to agree with her assumption, but most likely it was the look of mortification that crossed Saitou's face at such a prospect. "Mrs. Saito we would be honored to accept such an invitation," Aoshi agreed.
Kaoru grinned wide, pleasing the older woman with her reaction. She was going to love writing about this to Kenshin and Sano in her next letter. "We would utterly love to join you Tokio-san," she gushed causing the older woman to squeal in glee, and rush towards her, clamping onto her arm, leading her down the streets as she told her about the fabric she just purchased.
Saitou and Aoshi were left lagging behind, watching as the two woman walked away as if they were best friends reunited. Aoshi ignored the way Saitou was eyeing him, judging him no doubt. "What are you doing with Battousai's woman?"
Aoshi gave him a look that clearly conveyed that topic was off limits and not up for debate. Saitou pulled another cigarette from his pocket, and placed it in his mouth, and lit it, settling his nerves as the two men followed after their respective women.
"You sure you want to do that around your wife?" Aoshi couldn't resist asking. If he wasn't mistaken, Saitou's ears burned red at his question. However, the officer gave no answer as he merely blew a cloud of carbon-monoxide laced smoke in the ninja's face.
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The residence of Hajime and Tokio Saitou was quite beautiful. It was hard to imagine the stone cold, emotionless Saitou living in a house of such warm elegance. He seemed more the type to live in a home with weapons covering every inch of wall, and for there to be complete shadow and darkness.
Tokio was the perfect hostess, and served them tea in the fashionable style of their heritage. The delicate china clinked together in the tray as she removed the empty cups after their beverages were consumed.
"Tokio-san, do you need any help with making dinner?" Kaoru asked politely, ignoring the warning look Aoshi gave to her. Tokio smiled at her, not seeing the look from the dark haired man sitting beside her.
"That won't be necessary, but thank you Kaoru. We have a cook who has made our dinner for us," she explained with an easy smile.
"Must make a lot of money to have a cook," Kaoru gave Saitou a dirty look as her voice dripped with suspicion.
"Oh, Saitou's salary wouldn't be able to cover the expenses of a cook," Tokio agreed, not seeing the dark look that crossed her husband's eyes. "My father is a rich business man, so I have quite a substantial wealth to my name." She turned to Saitou, and placed a hand upon his cheek, and drew him close.
Saitou forgot his audience as he gazed longingly into his wife's adoring eyes, and kissed her possessively upon the lips. It was a good thing they no longer had their teacups, because they would have surely shattered upon the wooden floor after seeing the stoic wolf of Mibu kissing his wife so passionately.
Tokio pulled away as Saitou gave her an arrogant smirk. "It took father a while to accept my Hajime, but there was no way I could live the rest of my life without that." She declared referring to their impromptu kiss.
Hajime had a decidedly smug look on his face as he faced his unwanted guests. "So, I hear that Battousai left you again," he commented eying Kaoru carefully analyzing her reactions.
Kaoru sucked in her bottom lip as she took a deep calming breath, trying to ignore the bait the policeman was giving her. Aoshi recognized her discomfort well, and discreetly shifted his hand so that it rested upon the back of her hand. The gesture went unseen by the husband and wife sitting across from them on the other side of the table. It's effect, however, was marked.
"Kaoru is currently on holiday, visiting me in Kyoto. We took a brief trip to Tokyo to pick up a few things for her stay." Aoshi answered.
"That seems a little improper, don't you think?" Saitou pressed, enjoying how the two seemed uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. If there was one thing that he loved, it was interrogations.
"Kaoru, you have excellent coloring," Tokio spoke up suddenly. Kaoru's attention snapped to her. The older woman clasped her hands together excited. "I have a necklace I never wear that would go beautifully with that lovely kimono you are wearing. Come with me," she ordered as she rose to stand. Kaoru only hesitated for a moment to give Aoshi's hand a grateful squeeze before following the older woman.
Saitou and Aoshi both watched their women walk out of the room before focusing on one another once assured of their solitude. "I'll ask it again. What are you doing with Battousai's woman?"
"She's not his woman," Aoshi told him evenly, not phased by the knowing look the man before him was casting. Saitou smirked as he pulled out a cigarette.
"I suppose that's true. But that doesn't explain why you specifically out of all people would be with the Tanuki," Saitou mused. He was thrilled by the sharp blue gaze that was shot in his direction.
The two sat in silence, Saitou puffing on his cigarette while Aoshi sat impassively. The women could be heard coming back so Saitou quickly put out his cigarette, but not before leaning across the table to confide in the ninja. "Just some words of advice, Tokio was engaged to another man, but once I set my sights on her there was no way she could deny me."
"I don't know what you are suggesting," Aoshi answered calmly, just as the women returned. Kaoru kneeled beside Aoshi to show him the intricately designed jade necklace Tokio had given to her. It was obviously very valuable and expensive, something Kaoru had little experience with.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Kaoru gushed, excited by the exquisite piece of jewelry that Tokio had given to her just for the sake of giving. "I've never had anything like this before," she confessed.
"Kaoru," Aoshi interrupted her, causing her to pause in her mindless chatter. She met his gaze expectantly waiting for whatever words of wisdom he was ready to instill. "It is not the necklace that is beautiful. It is merely a rock."
She opened her mouth to protest, but Aoshi gave her a look that instantly quieted her arguments. "Without the beauty that radiates from within you it would just be a piece of jade."
Kaoru was speechless, truly moved beyond words with Aoshi's praise. Without thinking, she threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him tight, completely forgetting about the married couple watching their little show in amusement. She leaned to whisper in his ear, her breath warming the shell of it, and sending flames of awareness throughout the ninja's body.
"Thank you Aoshi, you always know how to make me feel special." Kaoru confessed in a barely audible voice. Aoshi loosely placed his arms around her small frame, feeling her ribs and muscles as he did so, and gave her a gentle hug in return. She was so soft and warm that he soon lost himself to the feel of her, and the worries of the world were forgotten for just that short time.
The two were brought back to reality when a throat cleared. Saitou was watching them both with a raised brow while his wife had a large toothy grin on her face. A servant stood beside their table with a tray laden with food. "Would the two of you be interested in eating?" He asked innocently.
Kaoru and Aoshi instantaneously realized their compromising position, and a vast space was created between them. The servant did an admirable job of serving the four without so much as an indication of there being any trace of tension amongst the group.
Kaoru was the first to sample the meal. She dug in her chopsticks, and closed her eyes in enjoyment as the taste of the buttery noodles melted in her mouth. "Mmmm, this is so good," she cooed with her eyes closed in pleasure. Aoshi took a deep breath to collect himself, and not let her breathless declaration affect his composure.
As he calmly ate his food, which was quite remarkable in texture and flavor, he pondered his recent reactions to Kaoru. He was not acting quite like himself. It was almost as if he found himself acting like a carefree teenager in her company. He was far from a teen, as he could feel his age creeping closer and closer to the ominous big three-oh.
From the corner of his eye he watched her eating while he nodded his head politely at Tokio whenever she tried to draw him into the conversation. He avoided the steely eyes of the wolf that seemed to see what was happening before he even truly had assessed the situation.
Aoshi Shinomori would not allow himself to fall in love with Battousai's woman!
"Excuse me Shinomori-san," Tokio drew him out of his inner turmoil. He glanced up, meeting her curious gaze across the table. "So what did you two decide to do for tonight? Surely you can not travel in the dark."
"It's dark already?" Kaoru gasped as she rose from the place at the table to look out the window to, in fact, watch the sun set. "I didn't realize we were here for so long."
"You two are more than welcome to stay here for the night," Tokio invited. She and Saitou lived a few miles away from Tokyo and the Kamiya dojo. To send the young couple out into the darkness seemed cruel, and she certainly didn't want to send her husband as an escort for them. Perhaps it was selfish, but she so rarely got to see her Hajime that she wanted to keep him with her as long as possible.
"We thank you for your hospitality," Aoshi answered as Kaoru returned to the table, and sat upon her cushioned pillow heavily, glancing at her food in a manner that indicated she was full to combustion, and not another bite, no matter the quality, would pass her lips.
"It is no trouble at all," Tokio assured him. Aoshi noticed the corner of Saitou's lip twitching, and knew it would be best to avoid spending more time with the troublesome justice seeker.
"We really must return to Kyoto at haste," Aoshi explained calmly, careful not to offend.
"Oh," Tokio's face grew thoughtful as she cast her husband a suspicious look. She feared he did something to cause their guests a desire to leave. He smiled back at her in his dashing fashion that always caused her heart to flutter. "You should take the train back then," she looked back at Kaoru, meeting her gaze. "It would help me to rest easy knowing that the two of you are not wandering about at night."
Kaoru looked about to protest. She had a million reasons why they shouldn't take the train, but the idea of staying as a guest at Saitou's home was not a viable option. However, her reasons only numbered one, money.
"And money is not a problem as I have plenty to share with my friends," Tokio assured the young woman and man. Tokio gave her husband a stern look.
Hajime Saitou met that gaze with an unwavering look of his own. "Take the train, there has been a great deal of crime lately. And I'd like to take the weekend off."
Aoshi looked to Kaoru, it was apparent that neither had a good reason to resist such an offer. So they did the only thing they could do, and agreed.
After Saitou and his wife dropped the pair off at the train station, Tokio turned to her husband. "You were surprised at seeing them together," she observed.
Saitou gave a non-committal shrug as he wrapped his arm possessively around his wife's shoulder to draw her close to him. "I will admit that finding those two, in particular, in one another's company was unexpected."
"Why is that?" Tokio continued. "They seemed perfect for one another."
Saitou leaned down to kiss the top of his wife's head. "My love, you would probably say the same thing if saw the Tanuki with the Battousai. She has that effect on people. I'll have to tell you about that rag-tag band of misfits that she holds together like a family."
Tokio reached up her hand to cup her husband's cheek. She stood on tiptoe, and kissed him softly on the lips, recoiling with distaste. "You were smoking!" She accused.
"No, I was just," Saitou trailed off.
Tokio dragged his face to hers again, and kissed more firmly. She loved the man too much to care whether or not he tasted of tobacco. "You really should stop smoking, it's a bad habit."
Saitou smirked, knowing that he could smoke all he wanted, and his wife would still desire him. He waited until they had returned to their home, now empty of all human life but their own before he lifted her into his arms bridal style. "I'll just have to remind you of all my good habits then," he concluded as he walked with resolve towards the master bedroom.
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"It was kind of Tokio-san to pay for our train ride," Kaoru commented as she sat beside Aoshi in the last vacant boxcar. Sitting across from them was an older couple, soundly sleeping, leaning against one another.
"We will pay them back," Aoshi assured her as he sipped greedily from his mug of tea. There was something odd about this particular brand of tea. He would have to question the attendant when he came back their way.
"Yes," Kaoru agreed as she began to fidget with the jade necklace given to her earlier that evening. "It's hard to believe someone as generous and free-loving as her would end up with someone as dark as Saitou."
"Do you really think so?" Aoshi asked as he drained the last few drops of the odd tea. He was curious about Kaoru's answer, because she was describing herself in more ways than she realized. Could she love the Battousai, the most feared assassin of the revolution? Or more importantly, could she learn to love freely a ninja assassin that had just as much blood on his hands?
Kaoru looked across at the old couple sleeping peacefully, and carefully considered Aoshi's question. He was making a good point. At a distance Kenshin had a dark past, same as Saitou. Could Kaoru understand how Tokio loved a man like that? She understood all too well. She smiled faintly at Aoshi, and shook her head. "I guess it's not so hard to believe after all."
The attendant walked by at that moment. "Excuse me," Aoshi stopped him, and handed him his empty mug. "What was in that tea? There's something odd about it."
The silver haired man accepted the mug with a slight bow. "Sir, I believe that may have been the little bit of sake added."
Aoshi's face paled as the words were spoken. "Sake was in that?" He demanded quietly as his hand gripped the back of the seat in a white knuckled grasp.
"Yes sir, I hope that wasn't a problem," the attendant apologized with a flash of a smile, and a quick bow as he left their boxcar.
"Is something wrong?" Kaoru asked worried as she placed her hand lightly on the tense shoulder of Aoshi, he looked unhealthily pale. "You look a bit drained," she observed.
"There was sake in it," he answered through clenched teeth as his left eye began to twitch.
"It's just a little sake," Kaoru assured him as she removed her hand. She wasn't too great at handling alcohol herself, but there wasn't any need for Aoshi to look so worried. He was a big guy, surely a little sake wouldn't hurt him.
Aoshi lifted his hands to his temples as the effect of the alcohol began to take force. He was a strong man, but alcohol was absolute poison to him. "My system has no tolerance for alcohol," he explained.
"Will you be okay? Shall I try to find a doctor?" Kaoru asked worried, panic entering her voice.
"I'll be fine, I just, need to sleep it off. And perhaps some water, I need water too." Aoshi elucidated. Without another word of prompting, Kaoru quickly handed him what was left of her mug of water. The ninja drained it without delay. Aoshi looked around the cramped the boxcar; he would not be able to sleep comfortably here.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked, biting her lip as she followed Aoshi's tired gaze. His pale eyes were developing a lackluster glaze that concerned her.
Aoshi placed his head in his hands, closing his eyes as the inevitable headache came. "There isn't room on this boxcar for me lay down." He muttered, resigned he shifted so that he lay propped up against the window. It wasn't very comfortable, but he really didn't have a choice.
"You could lay your head in my lap," Kaoru offered, ignoring the slight embarrassment she felt at making the suggestion in light of her concern for her friend.
Aoshi opened his eyes, and glanced down at the offered lap. He swallowed to wet his suddenly parched throat. "I would appreciate that," he answered as he shifted so that while his legs didn't have room to completely stretch out, with his head on Kaoru's lap he could at least find some comfort.
Kaoru let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding as Aoshi laid his head in her lap. He faced the older couple, so she had some relief knowing that he didn't have his nose buried in her stomach. She tried to ignore the feelings of butterflies that idea provoked.
"I'm sorry about this," Aoshi apologized as he shifted to become more comfortable. "Do you mind if I make myself more comfortable, I'm afraid this is a bit awkward." He commented.
"Of course I don't mind, I just want you to feel better," Kaoru assured him. She regretted the offer when she felt two sinewy arms wrap around her waist, and Aoshi turned so that his face was now at her stomach. His tense muscles seemed to relax, and his breathing slowed. Kaoru blinked in surprise when she realized that he was already asleep.
She wasn't sure what to do with her hands now that she had a tall, dark, and handsome ninja sleeping with his head on her lap. His hair looked awfully tempting. With a mischievous grin her fingers found their way to his ebony hair. It was as soft and silky as she imagined it was. Lightly she began to stroke his dark locks. A memory of her father stroking her hair when she was a child came surfacing to her mind.
A fond smile found it's way to her lips at the precious memory. Aoshi gave a content sigh as he squeezed his arms around her waist tighter, more possessively. She giggled slightly. He looked like a little boy hugging his favorite toy in his sleep. A throat cleared across the boxcar and Kaoru looked up to meet the amused look of the older woman.
She winked at Kaoru before closing her eyes once more. Kaoru then found herself to be the only person awake on the boxcar. The attendant passed by once more and took her empty mug that formerly contained water. He gave a concerned look towards Aoshi, but hurried away in case the man had a bone to pick with him.
Kaoru felt her own eyelids growing heavy, she grinned to herself at seeing how she mused Aoshi's hair. Instead of his casual messy hair, it looked more akin to Sano's rooster-do. A helpless giggle erupted from her chest, but it stopped abruptly when she felt the face pressed against her stomach.
Kaoru took in a shuddering breath at the feel of Aoshi's nose pressed against her belly. The small boxcar became even more crowded, and much hotter. Her hands stilled in his silky hair. She wasn't sure what she should do. Should she wake him? 'But, he's ill; won't that make him worse if I disturbed him?' His skin was still rather pale, and her concern for her friend greatly outweighed any sense of humiliation she might have felt.
"I'm a grown woman, and he has been there for me when I was in need of comfort, so grow up Kaoru," she chided herself. She rolled her shoulders, and then leaned her head against the back of her seat. She might as well try and get some sleep herself.
Aoshi knew the moment that Kaoru had fallen asleep, when her body when lax. He glanced up at her slumbering face, and felt a warm feeling flood over him. She felt so right in his arms, even if he was getting sore from sitting at an odd angle. His headache was gone; the water he drank seemed to help prevent the dehydration sake usually caused him.
He took another deep breath, the woman in his arms smelled so good, and when she was tugging lightly on his hair he felt like he was in heaven. He hadn't felt so peaceful since he was a boy. She didn't look too comfortable in the position she was in, and he felt that he did owe her for caring for him earlier.
Reluctantly, he released his arms from around her waist. An arrogant smirk crossed his lips when he heard her whimper in protest in her sleep. He sat up, alert, glanced at the older couple, and saw that they were asleep.
His gaze returned to Kaoru, and he saw her shiver now that his body pulled away. She blinked open her eyes, and looked back at him with sleep clouded sapphire orbs. "Are you feeling better?" She asked sleepily.
"Thanks to you," Aoshi answered. "You look uncomfortable," he commented.
"I'm fine," Kaoru protested. Aoshi narrowed her eyes at the denial. "Okay, I'm a little uncomfortable," she admitted.
"Here, let me pay back your kindness," Aoshi offered as he placed his hands on Kaoru's hips, and lifted her to his lap. Kaoru began to squirm.
"This isn't necessary," she argued quietly, careful not to disturb the others.
"Non-sense, my legs have cramps in them, and it looks like your neck has developed one as well. There is only one way for us both to sleep comfortably," he explained as he sat with his legs stretched across the expanse of their bench seat. He took his jacket that was tossed on the floor, and balled it up under his head. He bent his knees, and pulled Kaoru down with him, cradling her smaller form to his torso with her legs wrapped around the outside of his.
"This is an interesting solution," Kaoru commented as she found her face pressed against Aoshi's neck. It actually was quite comfortable, and it seemed to be comfortable for them both.
Aoshi closed his eyes, and relaxed his muscles; this position was much more comfortable. It was a good thing that Kaoru weighed so little. "Indeed, but it works."
"I guess it does," Kaoru agreed, but she was too tired to argue. She would ignore the slight tendrils of guilt that wrapped around her heart with the familiar way she was acting around Aoshi. She had known Kenshin for so long now, and the thought of being in a similar position with the red haired warrior seemed far-fetched. So why did it seem so natural with the mysterious ninja?
A/N: Thanks so much for your support! Your reviews truly inspire and encourage.