Author's note:
Many thanks to, koishiikochou, for looking through this for me and giving me the help and support.
Previously, Kaoru started working and Kenshin was jealous of Ryubazaro who seemed to like Kaoru. Kenshin counter Ryubazaro's attentive attention to Kaoru, Kenshin announced to Kaoru's colleague that he and Kaoru lived together. Meanwhile Tomoe is torn in between her brother and her husband.
Disclamer: I do not own any character in Rurouni Kenshin. I just borrowed them to improve my vocabulary and grammar.
When he says nothing at all
Kenshin looked at the time on his wrist watch. "Shit!" Kenshin cursed softly, but loud enough for Sano to hear him.
Sano's widened eyes looked at Kenshin, shocked. He had thought that he would be the only one, between the two of them, to complain having to be called to work at half past four. Kenshin had been very dedicated to his work. It was one of Kenshin's life goals to keep the orders in the society.
'Why can't they choose to rob the bank earlier!' Kenshin complained silently and stomped out of the room.
"Kenshin! Where are you going? We are to get ready and leave soon," Sano reminded but his words fell on deaf ears. "Oi! Kenshin!" He could only stare at Kenshin's back as Kenshin walked away. He shook his head. Kenshin could be one stubborn bull when he chose to be.
Kenshin started to run towards the fire exit once he turned out from the room. He took out his mobile phone from his pocket as he pushed the door open with his palm. He dialed and waited impatiently as he kept his watch on the time - he had not the luxury of time. "Come on, pick it up!" He hissed annoyingly, tapping his foot on the ground.
"Ba-"
Kenshin quickly cut short Hiko's routine greeting. "I need you to pick Kaoru up from work. She gets off at five thirty sharp. Be early and wait for her in the lab, Block D, second floor, third door on your left. And make sure that bastard is no where near her," He said in a breath's time, leaving no time for Hiko to interrupt. "Be early. Five thirty. Block D, second floor, third left," he summarized as he ran out of the stairwell heading to the locker room and hung up.
Hiko still holding his mobile to his ear, dazed as he thought he just heard himself talking on the other line and his son hung up on him. He was completely caught off guard. He thought of what would constitute his son's uncharacteristic behavior.
It has been years since Saitoh last saw the exact same expression on Hiko's face. "Hiko, is something wrong?" he enquired.
Hiko, snapping out of his own reverie, answered slowly, "Kenshin has just instructed me to pick Kaoru up from work."
Saitoh raised his brow. 'Instructed?'
"You are going there personally?" What was meant to be a surprised question turned out as a flat straight question from Saitoh's tongue.
"Yes, I am to pick her up personally." Hiko smiled to himself. He reflected on the implication behind his son's specific order - Kenshin willed Hiko to appear in public with Kaoru. 'Is he ready? He thought with a larger smile crossing his face. 'Perhaps not.' In his opinion, his son can, sometimes, be extremely dense – acting without thinking of the consequences that will follow.
"Interestingly, he mentioned that I should watch out for a bastard attempting to get close to Kaoru," Hiko shared his musing with Saitoh.
"Need me to find out who this bastard is?" Saitoh puffed his cigarette, unworried.
Hiko smirked. "There is no need for that. I will find out myself, today." He was interested in meeting the 'bastard' who managed to awaken the dormant dragon in his son. He got up from his director chair and he said, "I better get going before my son screws me over with a taste of my own medicine."
Saitoh spoke up, halting Hiko's move to walk to the door. "Before you leave, your other son has been spotted on multiple occasions walking hand in hand with the same lady in the city lately."
"Who is she?" Hiko asked even before Saitoh managed to give out the information voluntarily.
"Takani."
"Takani…" Hiko tried jogging his memory. "Wasn't Takani the medical student who had a crush on Kenshin?"
"Currently a practicing doctor in a public hospital." Saitoh knew Hiko would be concerned over the matter despite the fact that he was disinterested in reporting such petty news. He hated having to 'baby-sit' Hiko's precious 'sons' from afar. Hiko had made it even more challenging for him to spy on those, he considered, two brats without linking any relation back to Hiko. In spite of this, he had never complained as Hiko had given full trust to him to be responsible over such a trivial and yet important task.
"So… this Takani girl is with Sano now…" Hiko pondered for a while before he continued, "Arrange a doctor appointment with her tomorrow. Make sure that my visit is made well known." He started walking toward the door.
Saitoh nodded, puffing out the cigarette smoke from his lungs. He had known that Hiko would be asking him to do something similar to that.
Hiko had just about turned the door knob when he turned his head to the side slightly and said, "We are having dinner with the Shinomoris tonight. I want you to join us."
Saitoh merely sighed. He hated to attend any form of social function.
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Two knocks on the entrance door caught the attention of everyone in the lab. They turned to look at the attention seeker.
"Hiko!" Kaoru walked quickly to the entrance. "What are you doing here?" she asked softly when she was a step away from him.
"I have come to bring you home, of course." Hiko was amused by her puzzled expression. "By Kenshin's order," he added and winked at her. His eyes flickered towards Ryuzabaro who was watching their interaction with unease. He immediately spotted the mouse who managed to move the sleeping dragon. Then again after years of accumulating wisdom, it was true that one should never judge a book by its cover.
Slowly, Kaoru managed to decipher what Hiko was saying. "B-but it is only five fifteen. I get off at five thirty."
"I know. I have specific instruction to be here early and wait for you." Hiko saw how Kaoru was grinning sheepishly. He looked up and saw her colleagues were observing Kaoru and himself. They were whispering among themselves. He gave a courtesy smile and nodded. He locked eye contact with the mouse. Ryuzabaro immediately backed down. He made a mental note to himself that when he sees Kenshin again, he was going to give him a good beating for being threatened by a mere timid mouse.
Kaoru turned around to look at who Hiko was smiling at. She remembered suddenly that she had yet not introduced Hiko and she was hit by a wall. How was she going to address Hiko to her fellow colleagues? – as Kenshin's uncle when she knew very well of Hiko's intention to conceal their relationship? Or as the Seijuro Hiko, the infamous Yakuza without any ties to a plain Himura Kenshin? If she did the later, then she will risk having another scandalized rumor about her two timing her live-in-good-looking-boyfriend with a prominent Yakuza. Things were getting complicated. She swallowed hard.
As if, reading her mind, Hiko spoke, "My dear niece, I shall wait for you in the car." Hiko bowed slightly in courtesy before he smiled and left the lab, saving Kaoru the formal introduction.
"T-that's my uncle." Kaoru smiled uncertainly and returned to work. Her colleagues eyed her from the corner of their eyes, doubting her words.
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As Hiko walked out of the lab, along the corridor of the floor, a tall young man with shades walked past. The moment when they crossed paths, the young man turned briefly to look at Hiko's profile. Hiko held his head high and paid no attention to the young man. The young man looked ahead and turned into the third door on his left.
"Oh my god! Look! It is him!" A female lab assistant whispered excitedly her colleague. The other female gasped.
Kaoru was nearby when she heard the comment. She looked up to see who they were talking about. 'Wow! He is kinda cute… and very affluent,' she noted as she recognized the label of his designer wear. Kaoru went to stand next to the girls and asked very softly, "Who is he?"
The young man did not bother to greet anybody in the lab and went straight into the professor's room.
"That's Yukishiro Enishi. He is the sponsor of this project." Her colleague whispered back.
"Sponsor? But he is so young?" Kaoru asked, surprised.
"Not to mention good looking and extremely smart. He runs Shinja Co.," another colleague remarked.
Kaoru stared at the young man behind the glass window, in total disbelief. 'Another man like Aoshi,' she thought.
"Kaoru, stay off this one and leave him to us. You already got a handsome one on your hands. He is ours."
"What? Don't be silly!" Kaoru was baffled. What on earth would have given the idea that she was interested in the young, tall, handsome, brilliant and loaded man when she had Kenshin? Kenshin could match all of that Yukishiro's criteria except that Kenshin was not as tall as he was. Tall guys were difficult to kiss, she reasoned triumphantly. 'What am I even thinking…' She shook her head.
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"What did Seijuro Hiko want?" Enishi asked.
Professor Kanyru was bewildered. "Who?"
Enishi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Seijuro Hiko, the tall man in his fine suit who just walked out of my lab." He wondered why he had agreed to fund this project in the first place. The professor didn't seem to be very bright.
"I didn't realize that there was such a man in the lab. Is there any relevance of you asking this?" For the period of time where the professor had worked with Enishi, he understood that his employer paid no heed to petty matters, let alone a mere human. Enishi seemed to have a lack of human touch, despite his good looks.
Enishi sighed before he stressed, "If the key person of the large conglomerate – Hiten Corp – all of a sudden appeared in university compound, in the lab where I am currently funding a project, I would think it makes logical sense that I would want to know what is going on!" Enishi felt like walking out of the damned professor's room when the professor did not seem to note the significance of the matters. Scientists were just scientists – just plain dumb, he thought.
Therefore Enishi continued on and asked the question that he initially had come for: "What's the result of the project? It has been weeks and I need to see some progress or else I will stop funding!" He fumed.
"We are getting there. I have some results but I think we can do better. It has potential…"
"Show. Me. Now." Enishi demanded.
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"I will come again next week. Make sure, by then, you have something more factual to show me." Enishi walked out of the professor's room without waiting for a reply from the professor. He was trying very hard to control his temper. All the professor showed him was the processes of the experiment, in which he was not interested. He only wanted to know of the end result – the outcome of his investment. How and what ways the result was derived were not relevant to him.
Enishi kept his posture straight, earning a few pairs of ogling eyes, and walked out of the lab. He was thinking of his business matters as he walked down the building to his car.
As he turned out from the building he immediately saw a familiar sight that caught his attention earlier -the limousine by the road shoulder. The only change in the scene was an unfamiliar chauffeur holding the door, allowing a female to board. She has long straight hair like his beloved sister, he noticed. From afar he saw Hiko's priceless smile as the female sat comfortably in familiarity next to him. He was surprised as he immediately recognized the female being one of the personnel from his lab when he caught a glimpse of her.
'What do we have here? The reputable Seijuro with his young whore…'Enishi was sort of relieved knowing the purpose of Seijuro's visit. He had thought that Seijuro was rather careless to be easily seen in public with his mistress. It could well be the front page of tabloid press - one of the most eligible multimillionaire bachelor's love affairs with a woman who can be passed as his daughter. Then again, news as such wasn't uncommon among the rich. However what would be really interesting was Seijuro who wasn't glamorously associated to any women, now dating a younger female. Rumor had it that Seijuro was still moaning over his missing half.
Elsewhere in Enishi's thoughts, he was worrying as to how much information, in regards to the research, had the woman released to Seijuro. It would not be in Enishi's best interest either if he removed the woman from his lab. He had no intent to anger the lion. Judging by Seijuro's attention towards her, she must be precious to him. He sighed. He would have to come up with a more diplomatic solution for the situation.
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"How come you get to pick me up?" Kaoru asked as she settled herself comfortably in the back seat of Hiko's limousine.
"Kenshin had to work, so he got me to pick you up instead." Hiko lifted and waved his hand, signaling the chauffeur to drive. There was a glass panel separating the front and back of the car, making the chauffeur unable to listen to their conversation.
"Work! What happened?" Kaoru started to worry.
"Nothing major."
Kaoru noted how Hiko's expression was calm; she relaxed a little. "He should have just called me. I can ride with my colleague who lives nearby. You don't have to take the trouble to come get me."
"Perhaps so, but Kenshin does not easily trust just anybody when it comes to you, does he?" Hiko smiled.
Kaoru stupidly stared at Hiko before she slowly grinned sheepishly. She turned away from Hiko, elbow propped on the door rest, supporting her chin. She looked outside at the passing scenery, the smile still carving her face.
Hiko observed her dreamy expression.
It took her some time before she realized that something was wrong with the passing scenery. She sat straight and observed the landmark. She turned to Hiko, "We are going the wrong way. Home is back that way." She pointed her finger to opposite direction.
"I know but we are going to the Aoiya for dinner." Hiko explained.
Kaoru eyes widened with shock.
Hiko laughed. He was amazed how this little woman could make him laugh easily.
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"Hand me your handbag," Hiko demanded gently when Kaoru and he got out from the limousine.
Kaoru carefully obliged, thinking of why Hiko was asking for her handbag.
Hiko received Kaoru's handbag with a smile and tossed it back into the car and shut the car door.
"Hiko! My bag…"
Hiko then placed his hand on Kaoru's back, guiding her toward the entrance of Aoiya Hotel. "You don't need it for tonight. All you need is already waiting for you inside."
Kaoru's was bewildered by Hiko's statement. She looked over her shoulder as she walked, watching the limousine driving away with her belonging. She felt somewhat a little naked without her handbag, her mobile phone in particular.
Hiko assured, "Don't worry. Kenshin is aware that you are with me."
"I wasn't worried about that!" Kaoru denied with a blush on her cheek.
"Kaoru!" Misao greeted the moment Kaoru and Hiko entered the hotel lobby.
"Misao!" Kaoru walked quickly toward her best friend, leaving Hiko's side.
"Aoshi and Saitoh are waiting for us at the restaurant." Misao said excitedly. "Good evening, Mr. Seijuro." She bowed, changing her demeanor very quickly.
"Who is this Saitoh?" Kaoru asked when the unfamiliar name caught her ears.
"Saitoh Hajime is my CFO and also a close trusted friend of mine. I have asked him to join us for dinner. Despite his menacing look, he is very reliable and loyal." Hiko explained to Kaoru.
Kaooaru nodded, thinking of over Hiko's description of the man named Saitoh.
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When Kenshin came back to the dark apartment, he was not at all pleased. He had assumed that Kaoru would be home before him. It was almost ten. He could not help but worry for her. He wanted to see her instantly.
Kenshin kept on calling her on her mobile phone, but all he got was the automated answering tone. He tried Hiko's mobile as well but it was not available. He went to the extent of calling Saitoh, but Saitoh was not answering his calls either. "Damn that arrogant man!"
Kenshin dialed Kaoru's number again and the result was still the same. He tried Hiko's again. Not reachable. 'Where are they!' Not knowing where Kaoru was and being unable to contact her was driving him mad. He could not bring himself to calm down.
Sano came out from the bathroom. He saw Kenshin's frustration but said nothing and left Kenshin alone. He was going to call his sweetheart. He didn't understand why Kenshin was being fanatic about knowing Kaoru's whereabouts when Kenshin knew very well that she was with Hiko.
Kenshin could not sit still and kept on pacing back and forth, thinking of whom else that he should be calling to get ahold of Kaoru's whereabouts. He thought of Misao. It was illogical to call Misao, but he called anyhow.
"Kenshin, Kaoru just left with Hiko." Misao said chirpily, roughly guessing the reason for the Kenshin's sudden call. She noticed, during dinner, how Kaoru was a little restless observing the time.
"I see. How long ago did they leave?"
"Hm… About 10 minutes ago. Don't worry, she will be home shortly." Misao smiled.
"Alright. Thank you. Sorry for calling you at this hour." Kenshin replied, slightly embarrassed by Misao's last remark.
"No worries. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Kenshin said before he ended the call.
Kenshin sighed heavily before he decided to go for his long overdue shower. It would take another thirty minutes before Kaoru would arrive home.
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The moment Kaoru entered the limousine, she went looking for her handbag, but it was nowhere to be found.
"What are you looking for?" Hiko asked the obvious.
"Where is my handbag?" Kaoru asked while still searching.
Hiko sniggered before he pulled down a secret compartment in which Kaoru didn't know was there. He took out her handbag and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Kaoru immediately opened her hand bag and went for her mobile phone. She wondered if Kenshin had called her. She had in fact been thinking and worrying about it the whole night. She was taken aback when she found her mobile phone was turned off.
"Why are you so anxious? Worrying about how many times that baka has called you?" Hiko asked, observing her expression.
"O-of course not." She tried to secretly turn on her mobile phone but Hiko saw what she was doing. "Why did you not allow me to carry my mobile phone with me and have it turned off?" Kaoru could not contain her curiosity any longer.
"Because I wanted you to have a quality meal with your family, and since you would not be around to answer any calls, it would make sense to turn it off in case someone was persistent enough to keep on calling you." Hiko explained.
It made sense to Kaoru, in a way. Back in Kyoto, Aoshi forbade Misao and her to answer their calls while they were having their meals.
"That baka is aware that you are with me." Hiko added.
Kaoru nodded as she sat back and tried to relax.
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They missed their evening walk again, Kenshin thought as he looked ahead the dark road, waiting for Kaoru's return. When he saw two headlights coming closer to his direction, he got up from the bench and walked toward where he thought the car might stop.
Kenshin smiled when Kaoru stepped out from the car.
"Kenshin! What are you doing here?" Kaoru was very pleased to see Kenshin.
"Waiting for you. Where have you been?" Kenshin walked closer to Kaoru.
"I took her to dinner." Hiko got out of the limousine and was standing next to the limousine.
Kenshin couldn't help but glare at his father. He had thought that Hiko could have at least informed him, rather than have him worried of Kaoru's whereabouts.
"I was worried. You should have called me." Kenshin said tenderly to Kaoru, ignoring Hiko. He subdued the urge to hold her with his arm.
"I am sorry. I thought that you knew."
Hiko smiled at the scene before him. "I did you a favor, baka. I took Kaoru to dinner, to take her mind off of you, instead of having her sitting at home worrying about you." He watched how both Kenshin and Kaoru – not even acknowledging his present, earlier – were suddenly self-conscious and bashful over his statement. "Besides, Kaoru would be happier if she were to be taken out for a dinner once in a while, instead of having to be cooked up between the office and home." Hiko looked at his wrist watch. "It is getting late. Both of you better head back. Goodnight." Hiko stepped back into his limousine.
"Goodnight. Thank you for picking me up from work and for the lovely evening." Kaoru smiled broadly.
"It is my honor." Hiko returned her smiled before he stepped back into his limousine.
"Let's go home," Kenshin suggested to Kaoru.
Kaoru nodded and turned to walk alongside Kenshin back to the apartment building.
"Kenshin," Hiko called out from his car through his wound down window, "I found your 'bastard' – a mere mouse. He is no threat. Baka!" Hiko wound up his window and the limousine started to move.
Kaoru was puzzled over what Hiko had said and turned to Kenshin only to find him looking stupefied. "What was Hiko talking about? What bastard?"
"Er... Nothing really. Come, let's go home. It is getting late." Kenshin gestured for Kaoru to move on.
Kaoru was still puzzled, but moved forward nevertheless.
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"Dr. Takani! Dr. Takani!" A nurse walked hurriedly to Megumi.
Megumi sighed before she turned her heels to see who was calling her before she continued to walk back to her office.
The girl finally managed to catch up with Megumi, "Dr. Takani, it is true that Mr. Seijuro the owner of the Hiten Corp is here to see you today?"
Megumi sighed again. 'Not another one of those questions?' "As a matter of fact, he is going to be here today."
"Oh my god, people like him to be seeing a doctor in a public hospital like this! Oh my god, I think he has the hots for you! Otherwise why else would he be here? He is really rich, do you know that?"
"So? And he is only human. All of his internal organs are the same as any other man. "
"So! Can you imagine if he were to fall in love with you? You'll be rich!"
"I don't really care if he likes me or not. He is just a patient. Besides, he is old." Having said that made Megumi feel disgusted. She knew who Seijuro Hiko was and contemplated why he would be coming to see her instead of a more experienced reputable doctor. She reckoned that people of his class would already engage themselves with a personal private doctor. Their lives would be too precious to be left in the hands of a no name practitioner. Nevertheless, she had no doubt on her medical skill. She shook her head slightly and thought no further.
"Who cares if he is old or young? The point is that he is rich. Well, it would be better if he is younger. Besides, he is rather good looking despite his age. Man like him gain charm with age. How I wish he would take a liking for me…" The girl sighed dreamingly. "Hey, do you need a nurse to be around for the consultation?" She asked all of a sudden.
"No thank you. I don't need a gold digger nurse to be in my clinic." Megumi declined and walked into her office.
"Hey…!" the girl protested. "I really do think that he is charming."
"Whatever…" Megumi said before closing the door behind her.
Megumi sat on her chair and began to look at Hiko's medical record that had been sent over personally by his secretary. On hindsight, he seemed pretty healthy. She wouldn't help but wonder again about his purpose of appointing her as his doctor.
The ringer from the phone snapped her out her reverie. Megumi picked up the receiver. "Dr. Takani speaking."
"Doctor, Mr. Seijuro is here for his appointment. Shall I send him to the clinic?"
"Yes please. And thank you."
"Not a problem."
As the reception nurse put down the receiver, Megumi could hear her directing Hiko to her clinic. For some reason, Megumi found herself becoming slightly nervous.
"Argh… Get a grip Megumi. He is just a patient. He won't bite." Megumi said to herself. She got up and walked herself out of her office and to her clinic with Hiko's medical records.
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When Megumi entered the clinic, she was slightly taken aback by Hiko's appearance. He had definitely had the air of the rich and famous. Even as she entered, the sterilized clinic was filled with his aromatic cologne. He smelled rather… manly.
He was sitting comfortably on a chair, crossing his legs waiting for her. He smiled to her when she came in. "Hello Doctor."
"Mr. Seijuro, how can I help you?" Megumi managed to compose herself and retaining her own arrogance, as usual.
"Hiko."
"I'm sorry?" Megumi was puzzled.
"Hiko. I would be most delighted if you could call me Hiko."
Megumi ignored his request and sat in front of him. "Mr. Seijuro, I have looked over your record. You are very healthy." She refused to make eye contact but flipping through his file.
"Would you like to know why I am really here?"
She was caught off guard by his sudden question and looked up, meeting him in the eyes. "I am a doctor. Unless you have some medical concern, I would not be of service to you."
Hiko sniggered. "I am beginning to like you."
"Thank you. I would assume that you appreciate my professionalism. Now, back to my question, Mr. Seijuro, how can I help you?"
"I am impressed by your professional conduct. I would like to make you an offer to work only for me. Allow me to take you out for dinner and we can discuss of the term and condition of your employment." Hiko smiled charmingly.
Megumi started to picking up the hint. She closed his with file with a slap, put in down over the counter and looked at him sternly. "Mr. Seijuro, I am very flattered that you admire my medical conduct. However, my experience is not justified to warrant such admiration from a high profile businessman such yourself. If you wish, I could recommend a few reputable doctors for your consideration." She was implicitly rejecting his offer.
'A smart one. I might just like her.' Hiko thought before he raised his hand to pick hers up to his lips. "There is more than just your profession that I wish to seek." He said before he kissed the back of her hand.
Megumi was stunned and immediately pulled her hand back. She eyes widened. It was outrageous, she thought. He was repulsing. "Mr. Seijuro," she looked at him sternly, her tone harsh, "this is a hos-pi-tal. If you wish to seek more than just medical advice, I suggest you look elsewhere. Please leave." She was angry. Who did he think he was? Or rather, who did he think she was?
"Your temperament just made you more desirable."
She had had enough of the dirty old man. "Get out of my clinic!" Her voice grew a few notches higher.
Hiko continued, not moving from his chair, "How much would it take for you to leave that boyfriend of yours? Sagara, is it? I can give you more in a year than he can offer you in a million years. Think about it. I'll wait for your answer."
"THERE IS NOTHING TO THINK ABOUT, YOU DIRTY OLD MAN! HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT SAGARA! YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE AND GET OUT!" She shouted, her right hand on her hip and the other pointing to the exit. "GET OUT!"
It was clear to Hiko that she was felt disrespected by him and was genuinely furious. He sat there observing her before he stood up, feeling satisfied. He turned to walk out of the clinic. Just before he left, he commented. "Takani Megumi, I approve of you."
Megumi could not stop herself from throwing his medical record to the closed door. "Fuck that old man," she cursed. "I approve of you? Who the hell needs your approval!" She hissed at no one in particular. "Idiot!"
Megumi closed her eyes and chanted, "Calm down… clam down…"
The ringing tune from the mobile phone broke her concentration. She smiled a little before she answered.
"Hi…"
"Hey beautiful. What are you doing there?"
"Working obviously but I do not have any patients at the moment." Megumi decided not to tell him of her encounter with Hiko. However, her analytical mind quickly alarmed her that she should probably warn him in case that old freak decides to confront him instead. Although she was sure that she did not possess such attractive qualities to be totally obsessed over by the rich and famous, she cannot foretell what sick bored rich people would do in the name of 'winning the game".
"… the commander is…"
"Sano..." Megumi cut in.
"Yes, dear?"
"…What time are you coming tonight?" Megumi made up her mind not to tell. She didn't want him to worry, and she definitely didn't want him to do a stupid thing like confront the powerful man. She believed that Sano was highly capable of protecting himself should anything happen. Though it is not likely that anything should happen, she thought.
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Kaoru and Kenshin both walked down the familiar corridor, talking to one another as they turned into the lab…
"Morning Kaoru. Morning Kenshin," greeted Kakari who was near the entrance.
"Morning," Kaoru and Kenshin said to everyone in the lab.
Everyone else politely returned the greeting.
"Good morning, Kaoru," Ryubazaro cheerfully greeted Kaoru, conveniently forgetting of Kenshin's existence.
Kenshin looked at Ryubazaro sternly. However, his stare was broken when a few of Kaoru's colleagues began circling around Kenshin. They simultaneously started a small conversation with Kenshin.
Kaoru watched Kenshin interact humbly with her over-excited female colleagues – they enjoyed talking to Kenshin, although it was just for a few minutes. She marveled at how Kenshin managed to win the heart of her colleagues when they hardly knew him as a person. Already, they had branded him as the boyfriend of the year. She deliberated whether it was because Kenshin had been bringing her to work right to the door step of the lab and picking her up from lab to bring her home for the past week. Kenshin had insisted that she wait for him in the lab. She smiled at the thought.
Her colleagues had been telling her how lucky she was that she had Kenshin being so sweet and all. They had no idea how much she agreed with them. The only thing that bothered Kaoru was that everyone seemed to accept or assume the fact that Kenshin was her boyfriend when she knew very well that she and Kenshin were not of that relationship. Or were they…?
Sometimes she was confused as to what was their relationship. Good friends? Conservative couple? Sometimes she felt as though there was a subtle understanding that they had taken a big step forward in their relationship but did nothing more intimate as a couple. She pondered on what Kenshin thought of them.
"Kaoru?" Kenshin looked deep into her eyes, wondering what was on her mind.
"Huh? Yes?"
He had really loved the transition from her dreamy to awakening expression on her small face. "I'll be going now." Kenshin said deliberately in a very low tone, his eyes watching her warmly. "I shall come pick you later in the day. Wait for me in the lab. I will be getting off slightly early today, so I will be here at five thirty sharp."
Kaoru nodded. "Have a good day. Please take care." She had no idea why she would worry.
Kenshin smiled. "I will. I shall see you later." It was time that he would turn and leave but he just felt heavy to do so. He wanted to look at her angelic face for a while longer. He was aware that her colleagues were watching them absorbedly with longing eyes. He didn't care. He didn't know how long he stood there watching her face but he could freeze in time if not for Prof Kanyru's loud greeting.
"Ahh, good morning Kenshin. Seeing Kaoru to work again?" Prof. Kanyru asked.
"Yes and I am just about to leave. Have a good day." Kenshin nodded slightly to Kaoru's colleagues before he turned out of the lab.
Kaoru was watching the entrance when Kirara waved her hand at Kaoru's face. Seeing no response from Kaoru, Kirara whispered to Kaoru's ears, "He is long gone. You can stop looking now…"
Kaoru snapped out of her reverie and, "Huh?"
Her colleagues were laughing at her. Kaoru blushed hard.
"Tell me, where did you pick him up again?" Kirara asked. "He is so good looking and at the same time so very sweet." She sighed dreamingly.
Kaoru can only nod in agreement. A smile slowly made it to her serene face. It did not matter if she and Kenshin had not spelled out their relationship clearly. This was good enough for her, for the moment. They were making progress and that was what mattered most. At least she felt that they had.
"Does he have any brothers?" Another female colleague asked.
Kaoru chuckled and shook her head. "Not that I know of."
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Enishi sighed heavily, his hands on the wheel and his eyes looking at sign board indicating the direction of the airport.
Tomoe turned to her side and observed her brother. She had wanted to say something, but she didn't know what else to say to him. She knew that he was upset with her. She broke her promise to him. She felt guilty.
"Do you really have to go back this early?" Enishi finally voiced up, asking again the same question.
"Enishi, I'm sorry, but I really have to go. Akira needs me now." Tomoe explained again. Shanghai hospital called late last night and informed her that her husband had been in an accident. He was drunk driving and rammed into a lamp post. "I promise you that I will be back as soon as I can." She had no idea how serious his injury was, but it was serious enough to be warded. Just the night before, they had an argument over Enishi again. During the argument, she had unintentionally spoken of her opinion that they both needed to reconsider their marriage- it was not working very well.
"The nurse can take care of him. He should be fine. If it was a matter of life and death, the hospital would have notified you."
"Enishi, please don't make things more difficult than they already are now." Tomoe pleaded.
Enishi kept quiet. He did not want to cause more worry to the only person that he loved most. 'Hell I hate that son of a bitch!' His grip on the steering wheel tightened. 'He would have to go as soon as possible!' Enishi screamed in his head.
His eyes flickered to his left. Enishi saw how Tomoe was restless, her hands clamping one another. He removed his left hand from the wheel and rested on hers and said, "Don't worry. He will be alright. I will be fine. Come to back to me once you are done in Shanghai. Bring him along. We have better medical experts in Japan." He assured her with a broad smile.
Tomoe gave him a genuine smile.
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Kenshin was true to his words, he was at the lab at five thirty on the dot to pick Kaoru up. He patiently waited while Kaoru cleaned up her workstation. He carefully observed what was on her worktop. She had the tendency to tell in details of what she was doing. It would be good for him to pick up a thing or two from her worktop rather than having to imagine the tools that she described. He also picked up a pair of eyes watching him from behind, but he was not bothered by the mere mouse.
When Kaoru was all set and ready to go, she said her goodbyes to everyone in the lab and turned to leave to Kenshin.
"I didn't think that you were really going to be here on time," Kaoru confessed. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"It is alright. I didn't have to wait for too long. I have been an hour late taking you home everyday; it is no wonder if you didn't expect me to be early."
"Well, unless you get off work at four thirty sharp I didn't think I will be able to step out of the lab on time." She offered him a smile. "I really don't mind if you are going to be a little late. I can get more work done anyhow."
Kenshin smiled, opening the car door to the navigator seat. Kaoru got into the car before Kenshin closed the door shut. Kenshin went around the car and Kaoru did not take her eyes off him.
Kaoru could not tell whether she was imagining things or if Kenshin really looked extremely handsome that day. Kenshin was always charming, but something was different about him today. First of all, she noted that he had put on a new shirt, which she had brought him two weeks ago when she went on a shopping spree. She was right, the Armani shirt, costing a fortune, looked really good on him. Price did come with quality. She took a mental note to get him more of those shirts in different colors but white, his favorite color really suited him fine. He did not tuck it in, and only buttoned from slightly below his waist to mid section of his chest. It reminded her of Aoshi, but of course Kenshin looked so much sexier than Aoshi. She realized that she had never seen Kenshin without his shirt on and she was looking forward to that. She blushed. 'What am I thinking…?'
Kaoru excitedly turned to her side, watching him step into the car. Almost immediately the entire car smelled of his cologne, one of the other items she took the liberty to buy for him. The cologne smelled so much better on him than on its own. She suspected that Kenshin had put something on his hair which he normally didn't because his low pony tail had looked extremely neat. It must be one of the hair products that she bought him.
Kenshin didn't any cosmetic frill until she came to move in with him. She was beginning to think that she was trying to turn him into an Aoshi look-alike. She was glad that he was appreciating her effort since he was using it. Initially, she had thought that he didn't like them as this was the first time he actually used any of them. She smiled, looking at him intently. 'He is so good looking!' Her heart skipped a beat.
"Yes?" Kenshin asked when he noticed that she was still staring at him when he had moved the car.
Kaoru's face inch closer, "You look really good today." She was still looking at him. He said nothing but she was invigorated when she saw him turned pink without looking at her. "How was your day?"
Kenshin gave a full summary report of how his day went by and occasionally switching from the road to her as he gave a summary of what he did during the day.
She nodded at interval as he spoke.
"You looked happy today. Did you find something interesting?" Kenshin asked once his report to her was complete.
Kaoru giggled a little. "We have had a breakthrough with the specimen. We found a substance in the specimen which has the identical compound to penicillin. This new substance, however, is a lot stronger than that of penicillin. So, we might have found a new drug." She sighed in relieve, turning back to the road and rested against the car seat.
"Congratulations! So, when are you going to patent it?"
"Not so soon. There is more that needs to be done. This is just a discovery stage."
"I see."
Kaoru closed her eyes. After all the hard work and time away from Kenshin, it had finally paid off.
Kenshin turned to her again, drinking in her expression. A smile automatically made it to his lip.
Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and turned to her side to ogle at Kenshin again. She didn't know when she started to feel at ease looking at him, knowing that Kenshin knew she was looking. She was concentrating on his feature when she had this feeling of déjà vu. Then she realized what it was – the passing scenery. They were heading to the city.
"Kenshin, where are we going?" Kaoru sat up straight.
Kenshin turned to her with a sly grin. "Dinner," was the only clue he gave.
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Kaoru looked in awe as they arrived at their destination. The restaurant was simply grand. It was one of the best fine dining restaurants in town and it was located near the botanical garden.
The valet opened the car door for Kaoru, and she got out of the car looking dumbfounded. She had not expected Kenshin to take her to such an expensive restaurant.
Kenshin handed over his keys to the valet and walked to Kaoru. He stood next to her, enjoying the surprised expression as she was observing the vicinity. He smiled, satisfied. He put his hand on the small of her back.
Kaoru turned to turn when she felt his hand, "Kenshin…" She didn't know what to say to him. She had a very mixed feeling of being happy, astonished and uneasiness. Happy and astonished because Kenshin took her out for dinner at a fine restaurant and he had took the trouble to dress up. However unease because she felt out of place with fine restaurant since she was in her working clothes – dark cotton pants and a shirt – and safety flat pumps.
Kenshin had a fuzzy feeling in his stomach when he looked into her soft eyes and at her slightly flushed cheeks. "Let's go in," he willed her to walk to the entrance.
The waitress opened the door and greeted them.
Kenshin's hand was still on Kaoru's back when he told the manager, "Good evening, reservation under Himura."
"Ah... Yes, A reservation for two for a Mr. Himura. This way please." The manager smiled to Kenshin and turned to glance at Kaoru before she led them to their table.
Kaoru felt that the manager had looked at her with inquiring eyes or was that cheeky smile that she saw on the manager's face. As she walked into the restaurant, Kenshin's hand guiding her, she felt so inferior. Everyone including Kenshin was properly dressed, abiding the fine dining dress code. 'He should have told me!' She berated in her head. Despite that she felt people including the waiter and waitresses were looking at her, she held her head high. 'Mind over matter… mind over matter… mind over matter…'
Kaoru was in for a further surprise as they walked past the common dining area and the booths, further into the restaurant. Kaoru looked up to Kenshin questioningly, hoping that he would give her an answer. To her dismay, he only offered her a smile.
The manager led them to a door and she opened the door. "Your private room, Mr. Himura." The manager held the door for Kenshin and Kaoru to go in.
Kaoru was speechless. The octagon shape room was completely covered in glass, exposing them to the moonlight and scenic garden enhanced by appropriate lighting. She saw the fountain from where she stood. The view was simply magnificent. She felt like she was in a green house. The glass room was decorated in simplicity and the garden and fountain view gave it a touch of elegance. The lighting was soft and yet not too dark. The ambience was perfect - relaxing and pleasant. She was so amazed with the room that she had temporarily forgotten her lack of proper attire.
Kenshin took a good look at Kaoru before he went in. He absolutely adored her stunned expression at that very moment. For all the trouble he went through – getting Hiko's contact to reserve the room as there was no way Kenshin could have manage to make to the reservation on the day itself and getting himself ready for dinner – was really worth it. The smile that she flashed to him and the way her eyes glittered just before she walked into the room with him, made him feel as if he had achieved something great. Never in his life had he taken anyone out for dinner on a grand scale like that. He began to understand what Sano meant by 'obtaining a great deal of pleasure by pleasing a woman'.
The manager was about to pull out the chair for Kaoru when Kenshin said, "Allow me."
Kaoru sat down at the relatively round table, marveled at the table settings. There were three light colored candles in its holder screening them. She was trying very hard to stifle her giggle. She felt like laughing her head off and rolling on the floor. 'Kenshin did all of this!'
Kenshin went across the table and sat down.
Once both of them were settled at their seat, the Manager lit the scented candle and asked, "Mr. Himura and lady, I will be at your service this evening. To begin your meal, would you like some wine?"
Kenshin looked at Kaoru for her opinion.
Kaoru nodded, her cheeks still pink.
Kenshin smiled and turned to the manager, "Yes, please. What do you have here?"
"We have only the finest selection of wines. I personally recommend…" The Manager continued on to list several wines of very high reknown.
"We'll take the best wine you have."
"Very well. I shall be back with the wine." The Manager excused herself.
Both of them looked at each other. They didn't know what to say to each other when they were finally left alone. Kaoru was still smiling away and Kenshin was just lost for words. He didn't know what to do. He didn't plan that far. They both felt somewhat embarrassed.
Two knocks on the door saved their awkward moment. The manager came in with the wine, and along with her came a violinist. The violinist went to the far corner, nearest to the door and started playing ambient music.
Kenshin wasn't expecting the violinist. Anyhow, he was glad that the violinist was there. Otherwise, the atmosphere was too quiet and he was growing nervous.
The manager showed Kenshin the wine, seeking his approval. Kenshin nodded and the manager opened the bottle of wine and poured some into Kenshin's glass wine for him to sample. He drank and nodded, willing the Manager to proceed to pour more wine into his glass and thereafter Kaoru's glass.
"I shall leave now. Please press on this button," The Manager pointed at the device on the side of the table in which Kenshin and Kaoru didn't know it was there, "when you are ready and first course will be served. Press again when you are ready for the next course. Press this button should you require my assistance." She pointed at the other button on the same device. "Enjoy your evening," she said with a genuine smile before she took her leave.
Kenshin and Kaoru were back at square one; they didn't know what to do or say next. They sat silent for a while. Kenshin worked his brain to say something while Kaoru waited for him, drinking her wine.
"Erm… How do you like the wine?" Kenshin asked the only thing that he could think of. He was beginning to think that the violinist's present was a hindrance as he found himself hesitant to speak to Kaoru in a more romantic manner, although he had yet to come up with anything nice to say to her, in front of a total stranger…
The only consolation was that the table was small enough for them to talk softly and still be able to hear one another clearly.
"It is sweet," Kaoru took another big sip, emptying the glass. "Very nice," she commented honestly.
He poured more wine into her glass. "I am glad that you like it." He could feel the butterflies in his stomach. 'Come on… What else to say to her?' He mentally hit himself for not coming out with a dialogue before he took her to dinner.
"You look very nice today. And I see why now," Kaoru starting a small talk. The warmth of the wine in her system had started to relax her, releasing her earlier tension.
Kenshin could only laugh half heartedly. He was still lost for words.
"I really appreciate you taking me to dinner," Kaoru continued when she realized he was having a little problem talking to her at that moment. "But you should have told me before hand. At least I could wear a cocktail dress to match the atmosphere. I feel so under dressed now." She pouted a little, washing the wine down her throat.
Kenshin was surprised that she felt that way. "I didn't think you were under dressed. You look lovely as always. I like the way you dress and carry yourself. I would not have brought you here if I had thought that you were not appropriately dressed. Embarrassing you was not what I had in mind for tonight." He remarked earnestly from the bottom of his heart, finally overcoming his wordless moment.
Kaoru gazed at him with tender eyes with both her elbows propped on the table, the back of the left hand supporting her chin and her right hand swirling the almost emptied glass wine. "So, what else do you have in mind for tonight?" she asked boldly, an after affect from the alcohol flowing in her blood stream. One corner of her lips slowly curled upward.
He swallowed hard and he felt his heart beat thumping in his ears. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He found a glass of iced water and quickly gulped it down.
Kaoru was delighted at his reaction. Deciding to let him off the hook, she asked, "Shall we eat?"
"Of-f course." Kenshin pressed the button. He thought that things were not going very well with him. He supposed to be in control of the situation and romancing her, not her teasing him instead.
As the evening progressed, dinner went pleasantly well for the both of them. The food was superb and they had small conversation throughout dinner. Although Kenshin had loosened up a little, he had yet to sweep her off her feet. It was harder that he thought it would be.
After dinner, Kenshin asked whether or not Kaoru would be interested in taking a stroll in the garden. Kaoru nodded anticipatively. Kenshin got up from seat and walked over to Kaoru. She watched his very step. He was one step away from her when he offered his hand to her. She stared at his hand a while and smiled before she puts hers in his. He helped her out of her chair. They went into the garden from the almost invisible door in one of the glass panel.
The violinist had initially walked along with them, keeping the soft music with them, but Kenshin put a stop to it. Kenshin had wanted some private moments with just the two of them.
They walked silently, closely to each other, each trying to grasp what the other was thinking.
"Kenshin…" Kaoru called when the silence was no longer tolerable.
"Yes, Kaoru?" Kenshin halted, turned and looked at her.
"I-I wanted to know… well, erm… what tonight…" Kaoru struggled with her words. Should she even bother asking when she could already guess what the meaning of tonight's dinner arrangement was? In spite of already knowing, she would really like to hear it from him, instead of assuming.
Kenshin was glad that she could not muster the whole question because he would have difficulties answering her. He felt ashamed that she had to ask him. She shouldn't have to. 'I am such an idiot.' Since he can't express himself in words, the best that he could do was by action.
Kaoru was startled when he took her hand by surprised and laced his fingers in hers. His grip was firm.
Kenshin concentrated hard on Kaoru face, looking for any sign of resentment. He was turning red.
Kaoru smiled and thought, 'What the hell, this is good enough for me…' She tugged their glued hand, gesturing him to walk.
He grinned. The span of his smile grew wider with every step that they took. He held on tightly to her hand.
Kaoru squeezed back.
They walked in silence, taking pleasure in holding each other's hand and memorizing the feel of it.
Action, indeed, speaks louder than words.
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They walked along the corridor to their apartment, hand in hand. Kenshin had refused to let go unless required. What they stopped at the door of their apartment, Kaoru turned to face him.
"I had a wonderful evening. Thank you," Kaoru tip toed and pecked Kenshin on the cheek. She immediately turned away from him, embarrassed.
Kenshin stood stunned in stupor.
When Kaoru couldn't sense any movement from Kenshin, she turned to look at him again and was shocked. In the many years of knowing him, it was the first time that she ever saw his face red as a tomato. She laughed.
Kenshin snapped out of his stupor. As he intently watched her addictive laughter, his shyness subdued.
Kaoru's laughter died down and she immediately realized that he was looking at her with those yearning eyes again.
They eyes locked.
His other free hand held her chin. He tilted his head downward, bring in close his lip to hers.
She anticipated his kiss eagerly but not without nervousness. She froze herself on the spot, promise herself not to back away this time.
His lips were closing in and she closed her eyes…
"Ping!" The elevator was opening its door and someone was walking out of it.
Kenshin quickly straighten himself up as a reflex response. Kaoru snapped out of her daze. Both cursed inwardly.
Sano came to view and saw them together. "Hey! What are you guys doing here?" He eyes picked up Kaoru's hand locking in Kenshin's. When he was close enough to them, he exclaimed "Wow! Finally…"
Kaoru looked at Kenshin and back to Sano again. She sighed and turned around facing the door. She freed her hands from Kenshin, opened the door and went in without another word.
Sano was puzzled at Kaoru's reaction. "What! What did I do?" He asked Kenshin.
Kenshin glared at Sano and sighed before he went inside the apartment.
"What! What's wrong? Aren't you guys supposed to be happy, now that you are together?" Sano was completely confused by the reactions his friends gave him.
Author's note:
First and foremost, I would like to apologized for taking so long to come out with this chapter. I think it has been two months since my last update.
Working had been crazy during the first month. On average I worked ten hours a day so by the time I get home, I'm too darn 'stone' to do anything. Just when I decided to take things at a slower pace (who cares about the office work, it is just work) and start writing again, I was hit by a writer's block! I know how I want to the story to go on but it is so difficult to express what I wanted to say. And I thought writing was a way to relax the mind…
Anyway I got past that phrase and hopefully I will do better the next round. So, if you think this chapter is 'crappy', you know why now…. There is actually more to this chapter (in my head) than what is written but I thought it was too long of a chapter already and I shall my continued with my 'ideas' to the next chapter. Thought K&K would get more intimate but… sorry..sorry.. it will be in next chapter.
Just before I say, 'thank you for reading and please leave me review and tell me what you thought of it.' can anyone tell me what is the difference between WAFF, lemon and lime?
Anyway, thanks you those who have reviewed the last chapter. I should have replied to everyone except the anonymous reviewers.