Proposal

It was past evening and the inn were preparing dinner for the workers and the remaining guests.

"You sure are full of surprises, Enishi san," Kaoru said as she helped to place the utensils on the dinner table.

"One learns to do much more when one can only depends on oneself," replied Enishi as he shrugged his shoulders and placed a dish of fried vegetables on the table.

"I beg to differ," Megumi said after placing another two dishes on the table and glanced at Kaoru with a smirk, "Some people simply cannot do simple tasks, such as cooking."

"What are you trying to imply," said Kaoru as she glared at Megumi.

"Nothing at all, Kaoru," replied Megumi innocently.

"Good evening," Yahiko greeted as he came to the dining area with Sanosuke. Not waiting for the others to greet them, Sanosuke picked up a pair of chopsticks, preparing to take a bite of the dishes. "This sure smell nice."

"You are so right," Yahiko agreed as he too reached for a pair of chopsticks.

Just as their chopsticks were to reach the food, it was blocked by another pair of chopsticks. Looking up, it was Enishi. "Use serving chopsticks and spoons," he said curtly. That was when the two start to notice that the some of the dishes are Chinese cuisine and unlike the Japanese way of eating, there were no smaller portions prepared for each person.

"Right," said Sanosuke as he placed down his own chopsticks.

"There you are, Ken-san," Megumi greeted as she saw Kenshin and Tomoe walking towards the dining room.

"Good evening to you, Megumi dono," Kenshin greeted back.

"Megumi, you shouldn't address Kenshin like that," Kaoru chided.

"And why not?"

Kaoru explained, "Well, it's rather too informal…and…Tomoe san is here…"

"You don't mind, do you, Ken-san?" Megumi asked cheerfully, emphasizing on his name.

"No," Kenshin replied politely with a smile.

"And you, Tomoe san?" asked Megumi as she turned to look at Tomoe, who had sat beside Enishi.

Both Kenshin and Kaoru looked at her, anticipating her answers.

Yet, her reply was quick and seemed thoughtless. "Hn hn," Tomoe replied and shook her head.

"Then it is settled," Megumi said.

"Let's eat," Natsuo said, changing the subject.

"Nee-san, try this," Enishi said as he put a spoonful of tofu on his sister's plate.

The image of Enishi wearing an apron and cooking earlier suddenly seemed funny and so out of character of her younger brother that Tomoe giggled as she thanked him.

Enishi looked questioning at her but did not asked any questions. As long as his sister is happy, he is fine with it.

….

"Kenshin no baka," Kaoru mumbled as she sat on the corridor, waiting for Kenshin to finish his duties as a bodyguard of the inn. Yahiko had gone back to the dojo earlier, while Megumi and Sanosuke also took their leave.

She felt the presence of someone approaching and turned to her side.

"I brought you tea," Enishi said as he placed a tray with two cups of tea beside Kaoru and sat down on the corridor.

"Thank you," Kaoru said and reached for the cup nearer to her. The tea smelled sweet like jasmine and she took a sip eagerly.

"You love him."

"Wha-t?!" Kaoru exclaimed as she almost choked on the tea at the sudden statement. After a few seconds, she calmed herself and looked at him in disbelief. She must have heard wrongly as Enishi did not meet her eyes but stare at yard. She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.

"I am going back to Shanghai," said Enishi after a while. "I plan to bring my family with me."

"You mean your father and sister?" asked Kaoru. When Enishi remained silent, she continued, "Kenshin would not allow it."

Enishi frowned and drank the tea, "He has no say in this matter."

"Does your family know about this?"

"Not yet, I am going to tell them later."

"Alright, and why are you telling me this?" Kaoru said, feeling embarrassed that he knew her feelings for the Rurounin.

"You really don't get it, do you?"

"No," Kaoru stared at him with irritation at the sight of the smirk on his face as if mocking her.

"That man would not leave my sister side unless he gives up," said Enishi. "I need your help to do so."

"Me?" Kaoru exclaimed.

"Yes," Enishi answered firmly.

"I will not help you," said Kaoru. Apparently, Enishi is still planning to hurt Kenshin and she would not allow it.

"Sounds to me that you are afraid," Enishi said reproachfully.

"I will not allow you to hurt him," Kaoru said with determination.

Enishi explained, "That was my intention but for now I just want him to be out of my family and my life."

"You can't just decide that for yourself. After all, your sister is married to Kenshin."

"Was," Enishi said curtly, then he continued, "Do you not love him strong enough to fight for him?"

"Of course, I – " Kaoru was quick to defend when her reply was cut off by Enishi, who raised his hand to signal her to keep quiet.

"That man is coming," Enishi explained briefly.

Kaoru turned her head around but she saw no one, just as she was to say something, she saw Kenshin walking out of the door at the other side.

How? She wanted to ask but she kept silence as she realized that he must have better hearing abilities than the rest.

"Consider my proposal," Enishi said before leaving for his room, not wanting to meet the person whom he did not want to talk to.

…..