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Orphan's Paradise
By: Mystic Song
Chapter 4 – Dinner
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Kenshin had been sitting in his room all afternoon. His walls were neutral colors, colors that relaxed him, and allowed him to reflect in ease. He heard the commotion when the girl arrived a couple hours ago and debated whether or not to greet her. Honestly, he was afraid of what he would see.
Kenshin was not one who liked to confront his past. Not that this girl was his past, but she was an orphan, just like himself. Even after all these years, he had yet to fully recover from his parents' death, choosing the simple option of not reflecting on it. But instances like these came where he had no other choice but to remember it, especially when the press would discover that link between him and his new guest.
So he sat on his couch, just thinking. Thinking about the tragic events that had happened a few days before, about the frightening images and the chilling screams. About the grief that racked his body, and the rough days that were to follow. When troubled, he'd focus on training. He practically cast himself away from the world until he felt under control. He was like Aoshi in many ways, always putting on a façade to fool everyone. No, not to fool, just to keep them from seeing the truth. To keep them from seeing how he really felt.
He leaned back into his couch, letting his feet rest on armrest at the other side. His red hair spilled over the arm rest, contrasting with the black leather of the couch. He was wearing a black button down shirt and khaki pants, all ready for dinner that night. Speaking of dinner, he would have to leave in a few minutes. But that still left him some more time to think.
With the sun starting to set, the light reflecting off the lake and casting long shadows across his patio and into his room, he wondered what this new girl would be like. He heard her arrive, or more of Misao's lively greeting. He didn't hear much other than the usual bickering of Megumi and Sano and Misao anxiously leading their new guest around.
Glancing for a final time at the clock, he decided that he might as well get Aoshi and walk into dinner, leaving his thoughts in his room.
Aoshi's room was at the opposite end of the hall, right next to Misao's. Kenshin strolled down the hall, his laid back demeanor giving him a careless look. And he could honestly say that he couldn't care less about anything these days. Not since he was betrayed and attacked. Not since he knew that there was somebody out there to get him. It seemed like there wasn't much to live for anymore. Hiko had organized a team to investigate Akira and Tomoe and their past together, but Kenshin had not heard anything since the day Tomoe died. Kenshin was restless and on edge, but he knew he could never show it. Not with the press around, not with somebody after him, and definitely not with an orphan living in his house.
Kenshin only knocked on the door to Aoshi's room once and waited for just a moment until Aoshi walked out. His unyielding face was stern as always, but Kenshin could detect the anxiety beneath. "I've been meditating." Aoshi offered to his perturbed mood. "No answer has presented itself."
Kenshin smiled at his friend for his efforts while sliding his hands into his pockets. His eyes were a miasma of amber and amethyst. He was angry and fierce and relaxed and unbiased all at the same time. Kenshin was not used to experiencing all of these emotions at one time, and it was exhausting to keep a tight hold on them and to not let his hostile side completely take over. If it did, well things wouldn't be pretty. "Something is bound to come up. But let's enjoy dinner without any worries."
Aoshi knew better than to think that Kenshin wanted to enjoy dinner for his guests' sake. Kenshin was walking on a tightrope, one slip will make him fall over the edge and he will fall prey to his aggressive self. To not think and worry about anything kept him at bay.
The two walked in step with each other down the steps across the lobby and, without hesitation, into the ballroom. The dinner guests all leapt up from their chairs in respect as they walked in. All except for one girl with long black hair and startling blue eyes. She looked around uncertainly at the other people at the table before cautiously sliding out of her own chair.
Kenshin couldn't help but stare at the unfamiliar face. He could only assume that this was the orphan, but she certainly didn't look like one. She wore her blue dress so well that it seemed like she was made for classy events. But her eyes, her eyes were innocent and revealing; he could read all of her emotions just from her eyes. Normally Kenshin would find that to be a major weakness, but not with this girl. For her it seemed like a weapon that could enforce guilt or sadness or happiness upon whoever she was looking at. Strange, really, but very….Kenshin couldn't think of the word. Attractive? Adamant? Alluring? Whatever it was, this girl had caught his attention completely.
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Kaoru felt her face flush at the insistent stare of Kenshin Himura. She knew that she stood up late and she recognized her mistake, but did he have to stare at her like that? Really, for a person of high society, that guy didn't show it. How dare he stare at her, embarrassing her like that in front of all these people she had never met before! Her body hardened in anger. If he really had a problem with her, why didn't he just tell her instead of staring at her so blatantly?
She lifted her chin to stare directly at Kenshin, her eyes harder than ice, daring him to say anything in front of all these people. But as she looked at him and waited for him to take his seat, she noticed the unusual color of his eyes. And within the colorful swirl of gold and purple, she recognized his amusement, and his uncertainty.
Aoshi headed towards his seat at the end of the table adjacent Misao, who was smiling broadly. Kenshin clumsily followed Aoshi and sat at the opposite end of the table adjacent Hiko and a couple seats away from Kaoru. She held Kenshin's gaze all the way to his seat before turning to Misao who promptly introduced her to every person at the table.
"First, this is Aoshi Shinomori." Misao began boldly. Aoshi simply lifted his head in acknowledgement at her. Or maybe it was at the servant since they all came out with their dinners at that time. Kaoru couldn't tell.
But when her plate was set down in front of her and the cover lifted, she couldn't believe her eyes. She had a platter of fettuccini alfredo with think noodles and creamy penne sauce with some basil tomatoes sprinkled on top along with parmesan cheese. Never had she ate a meal such as this in her all her life, and she felt guilty for not being able to eat all of it.
"Across from me is Tae." Misao continued with the introductions. "She runs the banquets around here and is in charge of decorating and food and such. Though it's not uncommon to see her doing some of the cooking herself." Tae looked up and bobbed her head with a pleasant smile. "Across from you is Tsubame. She also helps with decorating though she usually creates themes during holidays and have the staff decorate accordingly.
Tsubame, to Kaoru's surprise, was a little younger than her and Misao. 'She must be very talented then to work for Kenshin Himura.' Kaoru thought.
"And you already know Megumi and Sano." Misao interrupted Kaoru's thoughts. "But at the other end of the table is Mr. Kenshin Himura." Misao said proudly.
Kenshin looked up from his plate and gave Kaoru a hazardous smirk that sent her insides churning. She weakly smiled back and set her attention on a burly yet handsome man with long black hair.
"That's Hiko Seijuro; Kenshin's godfather." Misao informed Kaoru. Kaoru smiled more pleasantly at him, but he returned it with a sour look. 'Mou.' Kaoru thought, pouting her lips and scrunching her nose.
"And then next to you is Shishio Makato." Misao added loosely, her tone dropping unfavorably.
"Ah, Mr. Shishio." Kaoru said, surprising the table with her first words. "How wonderful it is to put a name to the face."
Shishio gave her a cold smile that threatened her not to say too much. Apparently the guests at the table didn't know about his affair with the orphanage caretaker, Yumi. "Ms. Kamiya. It is a pleasure meeting you. The caretaker of your orphanage spoke very highly of you. I just could not refuse you this great opportunity."
Kaoru snorted into her food and noticed the confused glances exchanged between Megumi and Sano. After realizing that Shishio was expecting her to say something more, Kaoru said, "Well, I'm sorry I can't say the same of you. But I'm sure my caretaker must have seen something to change her better judgment. I thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity." Then, facing Kenshin in order to avoid Shishio's death glare, she said, "And thank you, sir, for opening up your house to me."
Kenshin looked startled and didn't manage to 'thank you.' Instead he sat up straighter and gave a default smile. Hiko turned to his godson and glared at him.
As everybody settled into their food, Kaoru was able to sit back and really sink into this new life. She looked around at all of the people at the table chatting casually to each other. All except for Aoshi and Misao; Misao seemed to be doing all of the talking as Aoshi nodded his head a few times. Everybody seemed proper with their mannerisms and their dress, but Kaoru was comforted to know that these people were really no different than her self.
She couldn't say the same for Kenshin, however. His posture and his demeanor all screamed elegance and poise. Kaoru was afraid to even look at the man. She only did because she saw him look at her from the corner of her eye. His piercing eyes seemed to examine her and judge her and Kaoru prayed that he found her worthy to stay here. It's not like she had anywhere to go, she could never return to the orphanage after this. And that cross-shaped scar on his face made him appear very dangerous. But even when she looked away, his appearance seemed imprinted in her mind.
"Oh, Kaoru. I never showed you the pier!" Misao said suddenly. "Would you like to go down there after dinner?"
Kaoru smiled graciously. "I don't know, Misao. I'm pretty tired as it is."
"Oh, Kaoru, that's nonsense. There's a boat we can take out if you want. Or better yet, we can go out on the jet skis." Misao urged.
"Maybe tomorrow, Misao. All of this is very overwhelming, and I need some time to let it all sink in." Kaoru added with a chuckle at Misao's eagerness. "But thanks anyways."
"Oh okay." Misao sighed dramatically. "But tomorrow we're going to be out on the water all day! No excuses!"
Kaoru laughed. "Okay. But wait! I don't have a bathing suit!"
Misao shook her head. "I didn't have one when I first came here too. But, I tell you, that closet has everything in it."
Kaoru's eyes widened in wonder, "Who fills our closet anyway?"
Tsubame looked up from across the table. "I send some people out with a budget and they buy everything from party dresses to pajamas. Don't worry, we have everything covered." She said with a wink.
"Thank you, Tsubame, very much." Kaoru said graciously and finished the rest of her dinner.
Kaoru made sure she wasn't the last one to finish her meal. She waited until Misao was finished before Kaoru stood up from her seat. She walked out of the great hall awkwardly, never having to eat that much and feeling as if her stomach would burst. As she left the hall with Misao, she felt the burning gaze of Kenshin on her back. Without a second glance, though Kaoru was dying to take one, she walked up the stairs, step by step with Misao at her side.
Misao was laughing the entire time. "Do you need me to help you into your bed, too?"
Kaoru playfully swatted Misao. "Hey now. I think I can make it."
"Think being the key word. If you need any help, just yell for me. I'll be there in a heartbeat!" Misao said. By this time they had made it to Kaoru's room and she already had the door half open.
"'Night, Misao. I'll see you in the morning." Kaoru said, stepping into her room and closing the door.
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"Baka deshi, what the hell were you thinking?" Hiko said accusingly to Kenshin. "And that girl was worried about making a fool of herself. You, sir, were the one acting like a fool. Staring at her the entire time. If this were at an actual party, the press would rape you! That girl will not be the one who embarrasses your image. You will."
Kenshin sighed inwardly, thankful that they were the only two left in the ballroom. This wasn't the first time his uncle had talked to him like this. "Yes, sir." He said, about to recite what always proved to be the perfect apology. "You're right. I'm wrong. I do not know what I was thinking."
"Yes." Hiko said, "That is right. Now I trust that you will take that girl with you on your next night out. She's not meant to be stuck inside. She's here to be looked at by the press. She's here to straighten the mess that you got into."
Something akin to guilt dropped in Kenshin's stomach. He hated it when Hiko blamed him for this. It made Kenshin seem inhuman and uncaring. He bowed his head and stood up from the dinner table. "Good night, sir."
Hiko bowed his head, lifting his mug of beer and downing the rest quickly. Kenshin turned and left the ballroom and entered his study to think.
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It was only 7 pm, but Kaoru was exhausted. And after stuffing her face at dinner, Kaoru felt beyond tired. She was sprawled out on the couch, eyeing the curtain separating her from her bed and calculated how much energy it would take to push open the curtain and to hop onto her bed. Kaoru concluded that it would be too much energy, so why bother. Instead, she closed her eyes and let her mind begin to wander.
Lightning bolts, colorful sunsets, crossed swords, wooded forests, raging fires. Some of Kaoru's imaginings were frightful images, and some were blissful. Kaoru struggled to understand it all. It was like an impossible math equation that had only one solution.
Her brows furrowed as they pieced the images together. Gold and amethyst swirled into a molten blend. Red fire engulfed the gold and amethyst. And the shape of an 'X' overlapped it all.
Kaoru shot up, eyes widening, her breath shallow. "Kenshin." She breathed.
Her window snapped shut causing Kaoru to jump. "What was that?" She wondered aloud. She slid off the couch and stepped cautiously to the window. Her heart was pounding in her throat, knowing that the wind couldn't have possibly shut her window.
Knock. Knock.
Kaoru screamed and twisted around to face the door.
"Jou-chan, you alright in there?" Came Sano's voice, turning the door handle before Kaoru could answer.
She collapsed onto the couch just as Sano entered the room. "I was just spooked, that's all. Everything's fine."
Sano raised one eyebrow. "That seemed like a little more than a spook."
Kaoru sighed. "My window closed unexpectedly, and it set me on edge. Then you knocked…." She ended sheepishly.
Sano chuckled. "Nothing to worry about. These grounds are supervised 24/7 and have a high tech security system. But if it makes you feel better, you can always lock your windows at night."
Kaoru smiled. "I will. But what were you doing up here anyway?"
"I was on my way to see you." Sano answered. "Megumi sent me up here to tell you the agenda for the next two weeks."
"Oh, okay." Kaoru answered uneasily.
"Oh don't worry." Sano quickly said, sensing her discomfort. "When you go out in public, you won't be on your own. Sometimes Misao goes, and other times Megumi and I go. And Kenshin will always be there."
Something about the last thing Sano said made Kaoru shudder.
"What's wrong with Kenshin?" Sano asked. "You haven't even really met the guy yet."
"He seems so….intimidating." Kaoru wrinkled her nose.
"Oh he's not all that bad once you get to know the guy." Sano said in Kenshin's defense.
Kaoru squirmed and Sano chuckled.
"Well anyway, you won't have to worry about going out until next week. Megumi and I still have to take care of the press, easing them into the idea that you're here. Don't be surprised if you see weird people with cameras trying to sneak onto the property, though."
"Oh, gee, thanks." Kaoru giggled. "I'll make sure to keep my eyes peeled."
"Seriously that's a good idea." Sano said. "You never know what may happen."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow at his tone. "Is there something I should worry about?"
Sano looked surprise. "My, do you read between the lines." Kaoru gave him a glare motioning for him to continue. "I'm just warning you to be cautious, that's all."
"Sano…." Kaoru growled.
"Fine." Sano said, throwing up his hands in defense. "Well, the press can be vicious sometimes. You don't want to do anything, well, stupid. And then we don't know who's after Kenshin. So you might want to watch out in case they go after you to get to him."
Kaoru laughed, though it was a fake one. "Why would they go after me? I barely know the guy!"
"But it won't be like that for long." Sano added wisely. "Now I really do have to tell you what you'll be doing this week."
Kaoru leaned back and rested her chin on her palm. "I'm listening."
"Next week, a bunch of people from Hiten-Mitsurugi Company are coming over for a meeting. I believe they're arriving on Tuesday. We'll be having a welcoming party for them Wednesday night. And Saturday night, you'll be attending an awards ceremony with Kenshin. Oh, and Saturday's evening will be broadcasted on television." Sano said with a smirk.
Kaoru paled. "Oh-kay. I can do that…."
"Misao's going too. You won't be alone." Sano said. "You just won't be sitting together." Sano added quietly.
"What did you say?" Kaoru asked.
"Nothing." Sano replied quickly. "Okay, I must be heading out. You have a good night, Kaoru."
Kaoru waved her hand and stood up to go over to her bed once Sano left the room. But not before locking all of her windows.
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Kenshin was alone in his study. Which wasn't unusual. But somehow, and it started just recently, being alone felt awfully….lonesome. He sighed and pressed his hand against the black armchair. He felt so guilty after his chat with Hiko. He really had been selfish and a prick. That poor orphan, being subjected to a completely new world, and Kenshin just abused her. Heck, he didn't even introduce himself. And he was the host!
'Well,' he thought to himself, 'She handled it well.'
'That's not the point!' He argued himself, biting back a wave of frustration.
He briskly walked over to the door at the other end of the room. It's one he didn't use that often, but it was a quick way to his bedroom upstairs.
As he ascended the carpeted steps, he thought about how the girl was feeling. Did he completely ruin her stay by just that one dinner?
'Why do you care, anyway? It's not like you cared about any of your other guests when they stayed here. You didn't even care about Misao.' He thought.
'But they're different.'
'No, they're really not.'
Kenshin really didn't want to think about it anymore. He'd been thinking all day. He pushed the glass doors in his room open and stepped out onto his deck. Glancing across the yard he realized that Kaoru's room was next to his.
Curiosity got the better of him as he stepped over the railing and hopped onto the adjoining roof, which was conveniently built below Kaoru's room. He easily crept across the shingles and knelt down by Kaoru's open window. He had to make sure that she was alright and not completely thrown off by his act at dinner. He was sure that he hurt her somehow after her quick leave once dinner ended.
He glanced around the room. She wasn't hard to spot, being sprawled out on the couch fully dressed in her evening attire. Kenshin had to admit she looked gorgeous. He paid particular attention to her face. It was in complete bliss one moment and in aggravation the next.
Kenshin didn't know what to do. She looked like she was having some terrible nightmare, but he couldn't just barge into her room. But when her brows furrowed and she shifted uncomfortably on the couch, Kenshin was ready to break into the room.
And then Kaoru shot up unexpectedly and murmured his name. Kenshin was so shocked at hearing his name and so rushed to jump off the roof so he wasn't caught that he unknowingly made the window slam shut.
He was halfway across the yard when he heard Kaoru scream.
'Should I turn back?'
'No, keep going, or she'll catch you.'
'Would that be such a bad thing? You should have just stayed in her room….'
'You pervert!'
Kenshin slowed down his jog as he approached the pier. He slid off his shoes at the end of the walkway and walked across the wooden boards of the pier. The water lapped gently at the sides. The water was so warm this time of year that Kenshin was tempted to strip and go swimming right then and there. However it was too risky with the press hounding his every move. Instead he settled with dipping his feet into the water, watching the ripples collide one into the other.
And so his mind trailed off lazily. It wasn't long until his thoughts encompassed an ebony haired girl with passionate cobalt eyes. He reminisced of her sparkling laughter and stone-cold glare. Kenshin had to admit that this girl was intriguing and that he would certainly enjoy her stay there.
A speed boat launched past the cove his pier was in, abruptly waking Kenshin from his thoughts. He thought it better to return to his room and to make a better second impression on his new guest.
'Kaoru….'
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A/N: FYI – someone brought up a good point in one of the reviews commenting on how Kaoru is in an orphanage when 18, and how the age difference between Kaoru and Kenshin would look bad publicly. Think of it this way: Kaoru just turned 18, but because of her over protective nature (which I hoped you noticed), she stayed in the orphanage for as long as she could. So I guess you could say she wasn't really being adopted, since she is 18, but just given another place to stay. As for Kenshin and Kaoru, well, I was surprised nobody hit on Aoshi and Misao. The two are linked. Remember that someone is out to get Kenshin, and his relationship with Kaoru may benefit the culprit………Just a thought.
Anywho, keep reading and please review!
