I forgot the Disclaimer the first time so here it is!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters (sighs)
I loved all of the reviews and they helped me press on in writing this!
This chapter probably isn't as depressing as the other one, but I hope you like it1
Chapter 2:
'It's my fault. She was the most delicate glass and I broke her. What have I done?'
Flashback:
1 year ago:
"Kenshin, I have to get ready," a woman with long black hair spoke quietly as she slowly got out of the chair they were both sitting in.
"No, watch the rest of the movie with me!" he said playfully as he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his arms.
She only raised an eyebrow. He never acted like this. She sighed, "Kenshin, it's only a silly romance movie."
"It's almost over, Tomoe! Then I have something important to ask you," his eyes had suddenly turned serious.
She saw the dramatic change and thought that it would be important enough. She slowly settled down into his arms and watched the rest of the movie. She was still in her pajamas, but she decided to stay.
"Mr. Himura! Pay attention please!" Katsura yelled.
Kenshin snapped out of it and sat up straight. The day was too long. It had been a year since her death, but he was going in and out of dazes. Every night he would try to sleep, but every night all he could see was her face when he closed his eyes. His world was nothing without her.
He found it hard to pay attention at work, which is why Katsura was yelling at him. He worked at a high class business firm in Kyoto. He never really liked it and he would have quit ages ago, but he had met Tomoe there.
Flashback:
4years ago
"Yet another great year at Rurouni Inc.!" Katsura called across the crowded table of employees. It was the traditional New Years party for the people on the high end of cooperation. One of them was Kenshin Himura.
He was the one of the youngest employees there and was really bored. The only reason that he had joined in the first place was because his uncle was the head of it. He was twiddling his pen in between his thumbs as the sake was being pored around. Unlike his uncle, he hated the smell and the taste so he declined when on of the servers asked him if he wanted some.
"Kenshin, what's wrong?" a man with spiky brown hair asked the downtrodden redhead.
Kenshin smiled, "Nothing, Sanosuke."
"Oh come on! You're so depressed! I think you need a woman in your life!" Sanosuke was a little bit drunk and he was too loud for Kenshin's taste.
"Sano, quiet!" Kenshin hissed as more people started to stare at him.
"Hey guys! Don't you think that Himura needs a woman?" Sano bluntly asked the whole room.
Katsura laughed, "Of course he does!" Katsura had smooth black hair that was tied in a pony tail at the top of his head. He appeared to be genuine, but there was some sort of secret that seemed to always be present around him.
"I have no intention of seeking a life partner right now!" Kenshin defended himself.
"That's fine," Katsura replied, "I'll just get you a secretary."
To this day Kenshin was grateful that Sano had gotten drunk because if he hadn't, he never would have met her.
"You've had enough time to grieve, Himura!" Katsura snapped at him. This was the time of year that the business went cold. He didn't want his employees to be off in their own lands. He especially didn't want his most promising employee to do this.
Kenshin looked up at him. But there was no emotion in his eyes. He was blank.
Katsura sighed, "Himura, go home for a week. If you still want to work here, please come, but if not, I'm afraid I'll have to talk to your uncle."
Kenshin stood up, bowed and left the room. The world seemed empty without her.
As he walked out of the building he heard someone shouting at him.
"Excuse me!" the voice called, "I have a question to ask you!"
"Huh?" was all Kenshin managed to say before he saw a young woman charging at him.
She was really short and her big green eyes were filled with enthusiasm. "Will you go on a date with my friend?"
"What?"
Who was this strange girl?
"Look I know this is sudden, but my friend is in this big depression stage and she needs to go out on a date with someone!"
"Misao cut it out!" a voice behind her cried. He looked to see who it was and he was shocked. It was her!
"Misao, this is the fifth random guy you've asked out for me and…" she trailed off. "Kenshin!"
Kenshin smiled, "It's nice to see you again, Miss Kaoru."
Misao gasped, "So you already know each other? That's perfect!" She clapped her hands together and started dancing.
Kaoru shook her head and then turned to Kenshin, "I apologize for my friend's behavior. She's decided that it was time to stop moping and to find a new boyfriend since…" she couldn't continue the sentence and she stared at the ground. Her breath was coming in unusual patterns and Kenshin could tell she was trying to hold back the tears.
Kenshin quickly said something, "Miss Misao, I think I will take you up on your offer."
Kaoru looked up with a shocked expression and Misao had a big grin placed on her face.
"Miss Kaoru, would you honor me with a date?" he bowed.
Kaoru stared at him for a few seconds and Kenshin looked up at her with knowing eyes. She figured out that it was just to get rid of Misao for a little while. She loved Misao. She was her best friend, but sometimes it was hard because Misao didn't understand the pain.
She smiled at him, "I would be honored."
Misao smiled, "I know a place for you two to go! There's this great new restaurant, the Akabeko. You can go there tonight at 8:00. Yahiko, Soujiro and I just went there. It's not too romantic, that's why we all went there, but it's not completely casual so it would be perfect for a first date! Come on Kaoru we got to pick out a dress for you!" Misao dragged the older woman with her down the sidewalk.
Kenshin gazed at the two until they were far in the distance. When he couldn't see them anymore he slowly walked to the train station.
When he reached his apartment, he looked around. There were pictures of her everywhere. He couldn't seem to let go. Tomoe was his life and now what was there?
A picture of Kaoru came into his mind.
Later when it was time for dinner, he was dressed in the best tuxedo he could find. He had run over to the nearest flower shop and bought a dozen yellow roses. They stood for sympathy and maybe the hope of a friendship.
He arrived at the restaurant and he didn't know what to do. 'Were tables reserved? And if they were, under what name? What was her last name?'
"Sir, may I help you?" a soft voice with an Osaka accent asked.
He turned around and there stood a woman with a loose brown bun and a big smile on her face.
"I'm looking… I mean I…"
"First date, huh?" the woman laughed and pointed to a table in the back. "I just got a girl who came in with the same expression. Why don't you go and check to see if it's her?"
Kenshin swiftly walked over. Sitting at the table sat on of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. Her hair was usually in a pony-tail, but it was now down and wavy. Her dress was a dark turquoise color that went to just below her knees. Her two-inch heels held her up with prestige as she stood up when she saw him.
"Hello, Kenshin."
"I'm so sorry," he bowed "How long have I made you wait?"
"Don't worry! I've only been here for a little bit!"
They both sat down and stayed in silence until the waitress came to ask what they wanted. They both decided to share a small beef pot and the waitress left.
After a while Kaoru finally broke the ice, "It's been a while since I…" She couldn't continue.
"Me too," Kenshin quickly said.
"It's so hard. Some days I don't want to get out of bed. It's really hurts knowing that he's not going to drop by for breakfast or that he won't meet me for lunch after I take my classes."
"It's hard for me too. We were going to get married two weeks after the… accident."
Kaoru tried to hold back the tears, but it didn't work and she cried for a minute. After a while she stopped and she dried her tears, "I'm so horrible. I'm ruining your dinner. If you want to leave I'll pay."
"No," Kenshin said gently. "You're the first person who has helped the pain in a while."
Kaoru stared at him blankly. "No, you've helped mine."
Meanwhile at another table sat Misao and one of her friends.
"Soujiro, what do you think they're talking about?"
"I don't know," a boy with short brown hair replied. He took a quick sip of his tea and looked at Misao. She was so caring. He knew that she was trying to help Kaoru with her best intentions; she just didn't know how.
"This is making me mad! Kaoru is on her first date in a year and I'm not able to hear what's going on!"
"You haven't been on a date in a while either, Misao," Soujiro pointed out.
"That's because I'm waiting for Aoshi! Soujiro, you know that!"
"Aoshi is five years older than you!"
"Kenshin is five years older than Kaoru!"
"That's a different situation!"
"Soujiro, are you jealous?"
He hesitated for a second, "No!"
"You didn't say it fast enough! Sou-chan is in love with me!" Misao giggled.
"I am not! I just think that…"
Before he could finish the sentence a tall man with black hair entered the restaurant and Misao signaled Soujiro to be quiet.
"Do I look alright, Soujiro?" Misao started messing with her hair.
"You look," he hesitated, "…beautiful, Misao."
She squeaked and then ran up to the man.
"Hi Aoshi," she softly whispered.
He turned his gaze down to her and gave a look of slight acknowledgement. "Good evening, Misao."
Soujiro sighed, 'Damn it Soujiro! Get your act together! She's your friend!'
At the other table Kenshin and Kaoru were leaving.
"Good-bye Kenshin. Tonight was a lovely night."
"You were the one who made it lovely," Kenshin replied as he picked up her purse for her.
She blushed, "You really helped me."
He smiled and nodded as she left. They were going to be great friends. As he watched her go out and he noticed something, she walked just like Tomoe.
A/N: I hope this chapter held up to your expectations! I just have one question. Who do you think Misao should end up with? Soujiro or Aoshi? I'm fine with either one although I slightly prefer Aoshi. I have the story basically planned out now but that part will be a side-story. Remember, your vote does count!
Please review and tell me your thoughts on the chapter!
Thanks for reading!
-rm/bo
