Author's note:
Thank very much to those who left a wonderful for me. I really love reading review. Thank you!
This chapter was supposed to much longer but it was way too long. I am a reader as well and I can understand what it feels like to read one chapter that is over 10,000 words. It can be very tiring and that is why I am breaking this chapter into two parts. I hope that you would enjoy this chapter. I will try my best to move the story faster.
Previously, Kenshin was still upset over not able to protect Kaoru. To add it on, he felt Hiko was ignoring him. After Hiko had sorted matters with the Bradoss, they flew back to Japan and K&K moved in with Hiko. After the father and son sword practice, Hiko wanted Kenshin to pick up his real family name because the name Seijuro represents power. However Kenshin refuses.
Enishi called Kaoru when he found out she had taken long leave fro work. He was stupefied when he overheard Kaoru's make session with Kenshin. However he still thinks that Kaoru was with Hiko. He decide to go back to Japan and win Kaoru over.
Family Men (Part One)
Hiko took another sip of his sake accompanied by Vivaldi's The Four Season. He closed his eyes and relaxed his mind while waiting to start dinner. The food on the dining table was getting cold but he didn't mind. He was contended.
On the other hand, a frown was working its way up to Anji's angelic feature who sat with Hiko on the dining table. He glanced at the grandfather clock again and sighed quietly. He had informed the young couple half an hour ago that dinner was to be served in fifteen minutes times. He didn't like keeping his master, Hiko, waiting although Hiko didn't seemed to mind. He made a move to stand up.
"Leave them be. They will come down for dinner when they are ready. Is not like Kenshin to be late unless he is caught with something important," Hiko said, smirking and took another sip.
Anji sighed and leaned back on the chair. 'Young people…'
"Perhaps we should start without them." Hiko sat down his cup and picked up a chopstick. "They might need more time," he smiled.
Anji was surprised and at the same time, happy to see Hiko smiled. It had been a while since he last saw it a genuine smile creased Hiko's face. Just as Anji was about to eat, the young couple came walking hand in hand to the dining area.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Kenshin apologized, showing no sign of repentance.
Kaoru was looking a little flushed when both Hiko and Anji merely gazed at them. She was glad that neither Hiko nor Anji asked why they were late. Even if so, she had came up with a few excuses before she arrived at the dining area.
As they quietly ate dinner, all of a sudden Hiko asked, "Are the two of you working hard to bear me give a grandchild? How soon can I expect one?"
Kenshin almost choked on his food and coughed. It was impossible to tell whether he turned red from almost choking or from embarrassment. It was much easier to tell from Kaoru who kept her head low, grinning away sheepishly.
Anji couldn't help but chuckled lightly.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
In his dimmed studies, Hiko slowly sipped his after dinner sake while holding photo frame containing a picture of his beloved wife. A dreamy smile carved his lips while his thumb kept smoothing her cheek. It had been two hours and he never tore his eyes away from the photograph. In silence, he communicated with his beloved wife through his tendered soft eyes which spoke a million.
"Hiko," a soft voice was heard from the other side of the shoji, "Saitoh is here." Anji did not slide open the shoji door for he knew it was Hiko's private moment with Hitomi.
"I'll be right there," Hiko answered. He carefully placed the photo frame back on his desk. He gazed for another moment longer before he stood and walked out of his studies.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Ding-dong!
Sano did not move the slightest. His arm flung across Megumi's warm stomach.
Ding-dong!
Megumi stirred in her sleep. She began to register noises from outside. "Sano," she called out partially unconscious, "I think someone's at the door."
Ding-dong!
She shook his arm. "Sano, wake up. Someone's at the door. Go see."
"Hm? Hm," Sano mumbled.
Ding-dong!
She sighed. The door bell was getting at her and she was beginning to wake up. She raised her arm and pinched Sano in the hand.
"Ow!" He jumped. "Alright! Alright! I'll go see." Reluctantly he climbed out of the bed, muttering something incomprehensible under his breath.
Ding-dong!
With a shirt in his hand, he fumbled through the dark out of the room to the entrance door. He peeped through peep hole with his squinted eye. Surprised, his eyes shot wide open and he immediately jolted to wakefulness by the person behind the door. He quickly unlashed and unlocked the door.
"Shishou! What are you doing here? H-how did you find me here?" Sano wasn't thinking when he asked the second question as he put on his shirt.
Hiko ignored Sano's question and scolded, "What took you so long?"
As Hiko and Saitoh were walking into the dark apartment, Sano turned on the light in the living area.
Saitoh walked a few step ahead of Hiko towards to the window. He drew the curtains on all window close, preventing anyone from looking into Megumi's apartment.
"What are you doing here?" Sano asked again, walking to Hiko.
"I came to see you, obviously," Hiko stood in the middle of the apartment. He tediously observed the apartment.
Megumi noticed a beam of light from outside the bedroom and she heard Sano speaking to someone. She got up and pulled a robe over her before she stepped out of her room. "Sano, who…?" Her brain immediately went on red alert when she saw a familiar and yet unfamiliar face standing in her living room.
"Megumi, this…." Before Sano could complete his sentence, Megumi hurried and protectively stood closely in front of him, in between him and Hiko. Sano quirked his brows questioningly and tilted his head slightly, asking his Megumi, "Meg, what's wrong?"
Instead of answering Sano's concern, she bellowed to Hiko, "What the hell are you doing in my apartment. Stay away from my man, you freaking old pervert!!!"
Sano widened his eyes in shock at Megumi's accusation. Within seconds, he was clouded by confusion. "Megumi, what are you talking about?" he was getting a little concern as to why Megumi had called Hiko a pervert. "Have you guys met before?" He looked at the side of Megumi's face and then to Hiko for some explanation.
"Indeed, we have met," Hiko replied with a smile and took a step forward.
Megumi tensed up immediately and stepped back but came to a halt when she was hit by Sano's hard chest. Sano showed no sign of retreating from the situation. He placed his hands on her the sides of her shoulder and turned her around to face him.
"Megumi, what's wrong?" he asked gently. "Have you met him before?"
"Sano, he is crazy and he wants to hurt you," Megumi hastily explained.
Sano eyed her questioningly before he looked up at Hiko's smiling face. He looked back at Megumi again. "Megumi, calm down. He is not going to hurt me. He is…"
"I am Sano's father," Hiko interrupted loudly.
"What?" Megumi immediately turned around to face Hiko. Shock plastered her expression. 'How could it be? They carry different surname?' She turned around and stared at Sano squarely and enquiringly.
Sano smiled and raised his brows, confirming Hiko's statement.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" Angrily, Megumi began to punch Sano on his chest. Sano cringe his stomach, pretending to be in pain.
"I thought we agree that would be no secret?!" Megumi was upset. She felt like a fool.
"Megumi," Hiko called out, "I forbade Sano to tell of his family background. So, he is not to be blame on this matter."
Megumi turned around but could not bring herself to look at Hiko in the eyes without being utterly embarrassed. She had called her boyfriend's father a 'freaking old pervert.' She didn't know where to hide her shame. Suddenly another form of horror dawned onto her – the boyfriend's father wanted her for his own!!! She shook her head in oblivion, dismissing her preposterous assumptions when she recalled Hiko's exact word at the clinic, 'Takani Megumi, I approve of you.'
"I… I…" It was a rare moment but Megumi was utterly speechless. However, Hiko spoke up, saving her from further display of stupidity.
"I apologized for my earlier action at the clinic. I knew Sano was seriously dating you when we first met. But I wasn't sure how serious you were at that time," Hiko explained briefly.
Megumi immediately caught on and nodded. She couldn't tell whether she wanted to be angry at Hiko or be glad that he was only hitting on her to test her loyalty to Sano.
"What clinic? What happened? How come you didn't tell me about it?" Sano asked Megumi softly but she didn't answer his questions. She was still beyond embarrassed. It wasn't till then she realized that was another stranger present in her apartment and he was puffing his cigarette like nobody's business in her non smoking apartment. She was about to stomp right in front of him and put out the cigarette but she withheld herself. She didn't know how that person was related to both Sano and Hiko. She didn't want to risk it. She could temporarily put up with the smell and dirty carpet. Furthermore, the man looked coldly intimidating and she was wise to decide she didn't want to get on his bad side.
Tired of standing in the middle of the living area, Hiko moved to sit down on the sofa. "There has been an incident relating to that baka during their vacation," Hiko started talking while Megumi and Sano took a seat on the sofa, "and they are back in Japan."
"What happen?" Sano asked.
"He did something stupid and I had to go save him and bring him back. So, his link to me has been exposed."
"Ah…" It was just Hiko to explain thing so briefly. Since Hiko did not mention anything further, Sano thought Kenshin was fine.
Megumi did not understand what was going on or who they were talking about.
Hiko continued, "I want you to come back to the main house first thing in the morning. "
"But…"
"Forget about going to work. You will not be returning to the squad anymore." Hiko dictated, knowing what Sano was about to say.
Sano nodded.
Hiko turned to Megumi, "Your man is essentially a yakuza's son. He will no longer be with the elite police squad. Instead, he will assume the family business. Do you still want to be with him?"
Both Sano and Megumi were caught off guard by Hiko's unexpected question. Megumi quickly thought of her answer and without hesitation she replied, "Yes. No matter what..."
Sano who was holding his breathe, sighed in relief before he grinned. The grin was immediately wiped out from his face when he realized his girlfriend was staring dagger at him. 'Oh boy…' He doubted he would be able get any more sleep for that night. He had lots of explaining to do.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Kenshin sat at the patio watching the kois swimming around in circle in the pond. He sighed. It was only mid morning and he was feeling a little restless, not knowing what to do. He thought for a while and decided that he will go for his sword practice. As he was about to get up, Sano came walking into the patio area.
"Yo! I have been looking for you. What are you doing there? Where's Kaoru?" Sano looked around for any sight of Kaoru.
"At the lab. When did you get it?"
"Oh, I've just arrived. Had to drop Megumi to work before I come. So, how come Kaoru gets to go to work when we don't?" Sano quirked his brows questioningly. He moved and sat next to Kenshin on the wooden floor.
"She is going there to hand over her project to her colleagues. Today will be her last day."
"I see. So, tell me, what happen during your vacation that Hiko had to went all the way there to bring you back?"
"Hm… Well…" Kenshin briefly summarized to Sano of his misfortunate encounter with the Bradosses.
"Wow! It is just so like Kaoru to be impetuous and reckless?" Sano commented.
"She is," Kenshin grinned to himself. Impetuous was one of her signature traits that he was drawn to her.
Sano continued, "Remember the time with that Yahiko brat? She did exactly the same thing! She was thankful that we were with her at that time. How was she supposed to fend off all those thugs on her own? What was she thinking?"
"Yeah, I remember that one. Yahiko had his face pinned to the ground by a foot and she just marched right in and kicked the thug really hard in the ass," he chuckled lightly, "She was lucky that we were there to protect her. That guy was about to eat her up alive." At that time he managed to protect her. With that thought, he recalled what had happened during their vacation. "But I wasn't able to protect her then, in Netherlands…" he said softly.
Sano noticed Kenshin's expression changed and he understood his pain. He would have felt awful too if he was in Kenshin's shoe. "So, Hiko told me that you have something to say to me. What is it?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I do?" Kenshin's eyes wide opened.
"Well, yeah. He told me that you are going to tell me about your mom and something about Kaoru."
"Oh…" Inwardly Kenshin cursed his father. How was he supposed to break it to Sano what he or Hiko had been hiding it from Sano. Hiko had the easy way out and placed him in the spot instead. "Er… Sano, you know, even though we are related by blood but we are still a family right?"
Sano examined Kenshin with an enquiring pair of eye. "Sure. Why all the sudden?" he shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I… Hiko is actually my…"
"Your father?" Sano cut Kenshin short, smiling.
"You knew?"
"Well yeah. I knew it long ago. Although none of you said anything but I could easily guessed by his attention to you. Though physically, no can tell but both of you do share the same personality, in a way…" he trailed off. "So is that all you wanted to tell me?"
"There is just one other thing… Kaoru and I are married."
"What?!" Sano laughed incredulously. "You can't wait and married her during your vacation? What? -Are you afraid that Aoshi would not give his consent? So, you do it before he says 'No!'"
"No, it is like that. We got married in Shanghai."
"What?!" Disbelief, Sano's brow knit together.
Kenshin let out his breath before he disclosed Kaoru true identity to Sano. He told Sano of the arranged marriage and how it led to all that had happened between him and Kaoru.
Sano stood in stupor for a moment before he stood up and threw his hand high up in the air. "Man! I can't believe this! You didn't even tell me about this?" He started pacing around the patio.
"Sano, calm down. It is not like I hide it from you on purpose." Kenshin stood up as well.
"How the fuck am I supposed to calm down?! You don't trust me enough to let me know that you are marrying a Chinese triad head's only grand-daughter!"
Kenshin didn't have answer. He cursed his father again.
"Man, I don't know what to say to all of this," Sano sighed exasperatedly and started to walk away.
Kenshin moved and stopped Sano. "Sano! Look, I'm sorry I screwed up. I should have let you into this and I don't know what I was thinking about at that time…"
Sano interrupted Kenshin. "You didn't think you could trust me, that what you were thinking. So much for the 'family-bond' that we have… What a piece of bull!"
"It is not like that," Kenshin momentarily thought Sano was much more difficult to deal with than Kaoru.
"Then, what is it, huh? I thought we were family."
"We are a family!"
"Then why the hell I wasn't even there when you got married, huh?"
Kenshin opened his mouth but no words came out.
Sano shook his head and turned his back to Kenshin, walking away.
Kenshin grabbed Sano by the shoulder. "Sano, I am sorry and I don't know what else to say. But you are the only brother that I have. You are like a real brother," Kenshin paused for a second, thinking of his next line. "For god sake, I do love you!" Inwardly, he believed that by being with Kaoru had surfaced more of his feminine side. It was the second time he said 'I love you' out loud to a man! – first time was to Hiko.
Sano was pinned to his spot. His anger was immediately dissipated at Kenshin's declaration. He was touched but that doesn't mean he knew how to respond to it.
"Aoshi is arranging an official wedding in Japan at Tae's and I want you to be my best man. I do not make the call for the wedding in Shanghai but this one, I want you to be there. I want my family to be there and I want my brother to be my best man. There would be no best man if not you. I need your blessing, Sano." Kenshin pleaded, squeezing Sano's shoulder. He waited for Sano's response.
They both stood statue like for a lingering moment.
Unexpectedly, Sano turned around and wrapped his arms around Kenshin, giving him a strong brotherly hug.
"It is really weird hearing another man saying 'I love you' to yourself," Sano finally said. "You had my hair stand…" He released Kenshin from his embrace.
Kenshin smiled sheepishly. "So, are you going to be our best man?"
"The hell I am!" Sano punched Kenshin on the upper chest. "I demand my rights!" His arm went around Kenshin's shoulder and gestured Kenshin to walk, "Come on, let's go for a sword practice. I need to vent my anger somewhere and you are going to let me beat the crap out of you."
Kenshin moved along and smiled broadly.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Soujiro glanced at his wrist watch and sighed. Enishi's flight had been further delayed. His hands went back to into side pockets. He couldn't help wondering why Enishi had shortened his trip to China this time round. Whenever it comes to Tomoe, Enishi could afford to set everything aside including mega buck project.
Soujiro entertained the possibility that perhaps he had managed to talk some sense into Enishi in regards to Sayo. And Enishi came back without Tomoe because of Sayo. As brief as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately kill it. 'There will be only Tomoe in his heart,' he concluded. He dropped his head and shook it when he couldn't decide if he should be happy or not if Enishi had really came back for Sayo.
Lately, Soujiro had been seeing Sayo quite often and he welcomed Sayo's persistent present even though she went to see him for no other reason except Enishi. He appreciated the fact that Sayo had chose to confide in him of her pain and sorrow because of her wait a man she loves. Apart from not having the heart to do so, he selfishly remained silent on the fact that she no longer needs to wait for Enishi. If he were to tell her, he will probably never see her again and he couldn't bear at the thought of it.
He didn't mind if all Sayo talked and thought of was Enishi, as long he could be near her. He didn't mind being a nobody to Sayo for that was the only way he could be close to her. Hopefully, he prayed, she will one day realize he was all there for her.
He sighed. 'As if that day would ever come…'
"Hey," Enishi snapped Soujiro out of his reverie, "what are you thinking of? I have been a standing here for a good few seconds and you didn't even realized I am here."
"Nothing," Soujiro put up his signature smile. "I was just day dreaming. I have been waiting for an hour and I got bored."
Enishi studied his partner for a while and decided to let it go. Presently, he had more important things to take care of. "Come, let get going. I need to go the Prof. Kannyru's lab."
"To the lab?" For the first time, Soujiro was caught being surprised. 'He urgently flew back from China just to go to the lab? I could have gone on his behalf!' He was getting a little more than curious to know what was going on.
The drive to the lab was quiet until Enishi requested, "Soujiro, I need you do me a detail profile on Seijuro Hiko. I want to know everything there is to this man."
"You are thinking of another project? With Seijuro? He is a yakuza, for god sake. And we have enough projects in hand already. Slow down Enishi."
"I don't have time," Enishi replied simply and Soujiro wondered what Enishi had meant.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
"Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to work for you, Professor." Kaoru bowed low in respect to the Prof. Kanryuu. "It has been pleasure working for you."
"The pleasure is with me. You have been a great help Kaoru. Are you sure that there is nothing that I offer you to make you stay?"
Kaoru shook her head. "I'm so sorry for not serving my notice but…"
"I understand, it is personal. How about if you take a long leave, however much you want and when you have sort out your family problem, come and work with me again?"
"Thanks for the offer but I don't think I will be returning to Tokyo,"
"What a pity. I really love your work."
Kaoru's mobile phone rang. She apologized before she answered. "Kenshin? Yup, I am almost done. Ok, I'll see you later."
"Is he going with you?"
Kaoru nodded, smiling. She held out her hand and shook his hand. "All the best to you, Professor."
"Same to you. You take care. If one day you decided to return to Tokyo, please know my door is always open to you and I'll be happy to have you back in the lab."
"Thank you, Professor," Kaoru thanked the Prof. Kanryuu for the last time before she left his office.
Prof. Kanryuu watched Kaoru interact with his other staff from his office. Although he could not hear their conversation but he was sure that they will miss her. He will miss her too. He sighed. 'Well life goes on,' he thought and carried out with his paper work. After drowning in his paper work for unknown amount of time, his office door was opened abruptly, startling him.
"Mr.Yukishiro, it is a surprised to see you here. What…"
"I want Kamiya's personal file," Enishi demanded, pulling a chair and sat in front of the professor.
"Why?"
"I don't think I have any need to explain to you. Now, give me that file,"
"She is a trustworthy person and she has professional conduct. She will not disclose any information in regards to our lab findings even though she is longer working for us."
Enishi stood abruptly causing the chair to almost flip, both his palm planted flatly on the edge of Prof. Kannyru desk, "What! Are you taking about?"
"Oh… I thought you knew. You were asking…"
"KNOW. WHAT."
"S-she just resigned today…"
"What?!"
"She is in the lab today, handing over her work and security pass. She needs to go return to her grandfather in China immediately and she is less likely to return to Tokyo," Prof. Kanryuu explained.
"Where is she now?"
"In the lab next door…" Prof Kanryuu realized that he was talking to his swing door, "… saying.. her… goodbye…" he completed his sentence to himself.
Enishi ran out of his lab to the neighboring lab. His heart was beating extremely fast and it wasn't because he just sprinted. He slammed open the door and looked around for Kaoru before he asked loudly, "Where's Kaoru?"
Everyone in the neighboring lab including his own staff stared stupor at Enishi.
"Where is she?" Enishi demanded to know.
"She has left. You just missed..." Kirara answered and Enishi disappeared. She looked at her fellow colleagues and they shook her head, as clueless as she was.
Enishi violently hit the going down button of the lift. He looked up to see which floor the carrier was currently stopped at and he cursed. He sprinted towards the stairwell and jumped down flight by flight.
When Enishi came out of the building, he saw the back of a car moving away. Without much to thinking, he ran after the car.
Soujiru who waited for Enishi in his car, in front of the building saw Enishi dashed towards the car. He quickly started his car and accelerated towards to Enishi.
Enishi stopped his track, panting away. The car was moving too fast, he couldn't chase it. He bent down his waist and pressed his palms on his knees, catching his breath. He turned to his side when he heard a car pull over. It was Soujiro.
"Enishi, hop in," Soujiro said through his wind down window from inside the car.
Enishi looked away from Soujiro without moving his feet. He stared at the empty road ahead of him. Kaoru was gone out of his sight. He dropped his head, staring at his own feet and cursed inwardly.
Soujiru was perplexed by Enishi's non-responsive reaction. "Enishi?"
Enishi straightened up his body both his hands rested on his hips. "It is alright. I will find her later," Enishi said to Soujiro.
'Her?!' Soujiro couldn't believe his own ears. He quickly got out of the car and went to Enishi. "Who is she? Who are you chasing?" he asked hastily.
Enishi turned to Soujiro and said, "I am going after my future wife."
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Kenshin realized that an awfully familiar face was running, apparently chasing after their car from the rear mirror. "Kaoru," he called his wife as he stepped on the accelerator, "how was everything today?"
"Alright, I guess. I have handed over my portfolio to Kirara." She sighed, "It was kinda sad. I really love the job but I guess being Mrs. Himura has its price to pay."
"Hey… don't blame it on our marriage. I am the one who has to leave Japan to live with my in-laws in China. I am the bigger sacrifice here." Kenshin commented in a jokingly manner.
She pouted before sarcastically said, "Well, it is not too late if you regret your decision now."
He mockingly shook his head in sorrow, "It is too late to pull out now. I have entered into an irrevocable contract the night you took away my virginity." He sighed pretentiously.
"I took away your virginity?! Your hands were the ones all over my body!"
"You tricked me. You drugged me. You made yourself irresistible to me," Kenshin said with a straight face, looking ahead.
"What?!" She slapped his arm lightly.
"Ow! That hurts."
"That's for twisting the situation around."
He grinned.
She pouted and turned away from him, to her side of the window. However she could not restraint from smiling at the memory of their first kiss. Her smile slowly pulled back when a thought abruptly came to mind.
"Seriously, Kenshin, will you regret?" she asked soft enough for him to hear without looking at him, as if she was asking the window instead. "I mean, to marry me, you would have to leave your family and job behind. And you don't even like business or office work…" she trailed off. She had been meaning to ask him the question for a long time but was a little worried of what would be his answer. She noticed, since their tertiary years, he was not at all interested in business, let alone taking over her grandfather's conglomerates.
He momentarily turned to his side stared at the back of his wife's head before he looked up at the rear mirror. There was no one tailing them. Without warning, he pulled the car over by the road shoulder.
Stunned, she turned around to look at him. "Kenshin, what are you doing?"
Leaving the engine running, his left hand reached for her nape, bringing her closer to him.
"Kaoru," he looked straight into her eyes, "the things that I have to leave behind because I married you, is nothing compared to what will happen if I let you walk passed me. Nothing is more important than to be with you. I am willing to give up everything for you - no regrets. The only regret was to be so stupid to have left you on our wedding night and wasted all the time while we were apart when I could have spent every breath with you." His right hand went to cheek to brush away a tear that rolled down her cheek. "I don't want to spend a single moment without you. That is all I care, all I know… So, nothing compares."
She bit her bottom lips and threw herself at him, hugging him tightly. "Who wants you to give up everything for me?" she said in between her sobs and grin.
He lips curled upwards before he added, "Besides, traveling between Japan and Shanghai is only within hours. We can always choose to see Sano and Hiko as we please and like wise." He stroked her hair.
He pulled their bodies apart and intently looked at her. Without a word, he sealed their lips together, indulging them in a deep fulfilling kiss. He pulled away, licking his lips and said, "No regret…"
Kaoru blushed and nodded, giving Kenshin a small smile. Clearly, she saw his sincerity. She was well aware that no one can see through the future and men, in general, are subject to change of heart. In her opinion, type 'Aoshi' alike – loyal to his grave- were rare and probably on the verge of extinction. However, at that moment, she believed he meant every one of his words and he will do his best to keep to his words.. As a token of her love for him, she will always be there for him no matter what happens in the future.
"Let's go home," she said.
Kenshin returned her smile and proceeded to drive them home. Once they reached home, Anji informed them that dinner would be served in two hours time. The couple went to their room, getting ready for dinner and receiving their special guest- Takani Megumi. Hiko had invited Megumi over dinner that night.
Kaoru raised her hands and stopped Kenshin, "You are not coming into the bath with me."
"Why not?"
"Because I intend to be down earlier and help Anji with dinner."
Kenshin smirked, understood her subtle hint. "Alright," he agreed.
"Alright?" her eyes widened and her mouth slightly agape. She had expected Kenshin put up a fight. She never expected him to give in so easily, not especially when he was in a lusty mood.
"Yeah. Alright," he repeated. He tried not to laugh at her stunned expression. "Come on, get into the shower," he turned her around and pushed her into the bathroom.
Kaoru maintained her surprised look but obliged and closed the bathroom door behind her.
Once Kenshin heard the water running, he walked to her dressing table where she had left her handbag. He turned toward to the bathroom door and stared at it. After making sure she would not be coming out anytime soon, he pried open her bag and his hand went into the bag. He pulled out her mobile phone. He scrolled down the screen and checked for her recent calls. Satisfied that Enishi had not called for that day, he turned off her phone. He opened the window and threw her phone into the koi pond.
He carefully placed the handbag as left by her before walking to the bed side. He picked up a one of her magazines and started flipping it through while waiting.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Enishi got out of his car, staring at the apartment building. He slammed the car door closed while wondering which unit his Kaoru lived in that particular floor. Slowly he walked into the apartment building, bracing himself to see her again. His heart skipped a beat at the thought. He wasn't sure how he was going to convince her, in a short period of time, to leave Hiko and be with him instead.
He wasn't sure what kind of family problem Kaoru would be facing in China but he was prepared to go to China with her. However he was worried that she might reject his offer. He was well aware his Kaoru had not knew him for very long and he would probably scare her if he told her bluntly that he wish to make her his. He needed to be tactful in this matter. He needed a plan.
He reached the apartment of where Kamiya Kaoru lived as indicated on her staff personal record. For the mean time, he will have to settle with finding out the source of her worries and stand by her, giving her the support that she needs. He doubted that Seijuro would go to China to seek out his little mistress's family problem. It would be a perfect opportunity for him. He knew Kaoru was like no other woman that he had met and he needed to develop their friendship before he could take them further. She would have to be assured that she could count on him and he would be there for her.
He took a deep breath and exhaled.
He smiled half heartedly and looked down at his feet, thinking of how he had never been so nervous about knocking on a lady's door. He had wits and it was at the tip of his finger to come out with clever plan for his megabuck businesses, yet, when it came to Kaoru, a mere woman, he was all lost – he didn't know what to do. He had never killed so much of his brain cells thinking of how to further a relationship with another woman. This was his first experience of being edgy and terrified of what might happen if he messed up the situation. He knew he had fallen hard for the woman who lived behind the close door. He was determined to own her and he will not lose her.
He closed his eyes and took another deep breath. He opened his eyes and raised his hand to press the door bell. He waited patiently.
Seconds had past and there was no answer.
He pressed the bell again.
The response was the same – no answer..
This time his patient took the better of him and fanatically, he hit continuously on the door bell with his index finger. He was beginning to break cold sweat when his mind quickly calculated the possible scenario. Had she flown to China? Had Seijuro took her away?
Ding! The elevator door opened and Enishi reflexively turned towards the direction of the hallway. An elderly woman came into the scene, carefully walking towards Enishi.
"Hello there. Are you looking for Kenshin?" she asked.
'Who the hell is Kenshin? Why does the name sounded so familiar?' "Good evening, M'am. I am looking for a Kamiya Kaoru. She lives here, I believe."
"Oh… You are looking for sweet Kaoru…."
'Yes, my sweet Kaoru…'
"… but they have moved," she informed. "Didn't she tell you?"
Enishi was horrified but maintained his composure and asked, "Really? I didn't know. Where has she moved to?"
"I'm sorry but I don't know. They moved so hastily that they didn't say their goodbye to us."
"They? Kaoru's family?" Enishi couldn't help but ask. He wanted to know everything there was to her.
"Oh no… They are not related but they do live together like a family. Kenshin and Sano, don't you know them?"
'Kaoru lived with two other males? Who are they?!' Something was beginning to stir at the pit of his stomach.
"Hm… Kenshin and Kaoru make such a sweet young couple. I hope that they will get married soon and be happy," she said as she carefully opened the door to her apartment. However, Enishi was far too flabbergasted to pay attention to what she was doing.
'SWEET YOUNG COUPLE?!!!! MARRIED?!!' Suddenly it dawned to Enishi whom the name Kenshin belonged to. Reminiscence flashed before him - a short red head man was dragging a helpless looking Kaoru away from the dance floor and disappeared into the crowd, leaving him with no sight of Kaoru. He remembered, then, that man who took his Kaoru away from him the night before he flew to China…
Once he realized that the elderly lady was out of his sight, he immediately went for his pocket and pulled out his mobile phone. He called Kaoru but all he got was a dead tone. Very quickly, he ran down the way to the elevator, exiting the apartment building.
Had he mistaken Seijuro for her lover? No, it can't be, he thought. He clearly remembered the look on Seijuro's face. She was precious to him. If so, who was Kenshin and what was his relationship with his Kaoru? Why did the elderly lady said that they were a couple and she hope that she would get married soon? 'I am missing something here…'
The moment he started his car engine, he called Soujiro. "Soujiro, I need you find out everything there is about a Kamiya Kaoru," he demanded.
"Kamiya Kaoru? Who is she?" Soujiro had a strong feeling it would be the lady that Enishi was chasing after earlier on but he decided on further clarification.
"Quit with the question! Just find me about her!" Enishi snapped. "And I need a detail on a guy named Kenshin that hang around with her." Abruptly Enishi hung up on Soujiro. He couldn't help thinking about the red head guy. 'Who the fuck is he?' If the old lady was right about them, could it be his Kaoru two timing her lovers? 'No, no… She is not that sort,' he refused to believe.
He sped to Soujiro's place.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Sano drove into the driveway, back to the car garage. He had just returned from driving Megumi back to her apartment. The evening had gone pretty well with Megumi coming over for dinner and being introduced to be officially to his family members.
He turned off the car engine dead and got off the car. He would have preferred if Megumi stayed overnight at his place but Megumi was not comfortable with the idea. It was too soon, she reckoned. She didn't want to give the bad impression of herself to Hiko although Sano had been frequently staying overnight at her place.
Sano walked into the house through the side entrance and found Anji waiting for him.
"Sano, welcome home. Hiko is waiting for you at the living area." Anji informed.
"Alright. Thanks." Sano headed to where Hiko was. Anji followed him from behind.
As Sano entered the living area, he asked, "Where's Kenshin and wife?" He had assumed it was a family gathering. He sat down in front of the coffee table, face to face with Hiko.
"They are resting in their bedroom." Hiko replied as Anji was filling Sano's teacup. "I wanted to speak to you in private."
Anji left them alone and slid the shoji door closed.
"What about?" Sano asked curiously. 'I hope that this has nothing to do with Megumi,' he thought.
"Sano, how attached are you to the name Sagara?"
Sano's brows came together. "Er… It is just a name to identify me as myself." His family name had not meant anything to Sano. It was just a name. He didn't even know his biological parents or siblings. The only family he had was Hiko and Kenshin. And perhaps another addition to his family tree, Kaoru.
"Good. You know I have always treat you like my son. And since both you and Kenshin's ties to me will be publicly disclosed, I want you to take after the name Seijuro and officially be named as my son."
Sano was too astonished to answer. He opened his mouth wide.
"You will be taking over Hiten Corp when I retire. I want you be ready for it and from tomorrow onwards, you will be going to work with me. Sano, do you hear me?"
"Huh?… Yeah, I heard you." Sano was too overwhelmed by the surname changed. He was going to be a Seijuro. And it wasn't just a name. It signified the family bond, giving him a better sense of belonging. Involuntarily, he grinned.
Hiko silently studied Sano's emotion written all over his face. He smirked. "Saitoh will get the legal papers done. You and Kenshin will be my next kin although that Baka is in insist on keeping his mother's maiden name."
"He what?" Sano finally snapped out of his reverie.
"Don't ask me what the Baka is thinking. I can never understand him," Hiko rolled his eyes. "There is another thing I wish to discuss over with you," he brought in the next subject in his agenda, "Takani Megumi."
'Oh-uh' Sano knew that Hiko can be a dictator. Given a choice between his father and girlfriend, he didn't know who to choose. It was like deciding whether it be the back of his hand or palm which both essentially his hand. He couldn't do without any one of them. "What about Megumi?" he asked timidly.
"When are you planning to marry her?"
"What?" Sano was caught of guard.
"Is something wrong with your hearing, tonight? I asked when you are going to propose to her. If you have decided on this woman to be the one, why wait any longer? At least you don't have to travel between home and her apartment. We can plan for your wedding after Kenshin's. I intend to have a grand one, not a subtle as Kenshin. It will be held in Tokyo and …"
"Er… Shishou, let not get carried away. Let me propose to her first." Sano quietly suggested. He was a little skeptical whether she would agree to marry him so soon.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
"Everything is going well, Anji," Hiko said relaxingly as Anji poured more tea into his teacup.
Anji nodded and smiled.
"I finally have my family under one roof. Hitomi would very happy to know," Hiko raised his cup and sipped it.
"It is time to inform Aoshi?" Anji enquired.
"Yes, it is time."
"I'll get you the phone," Anji stood up and went to fetch the phone. He dialed for Aoshi's number and the moment the line was connected, he handed the phone to Hiko.
"Hello?"
"Aoshi, it is time to proceed with the plan. Starting with the media."
"I understand. I will get to it." Aoshi replied.
XoooooooooooXooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooXooooooooX
Author's note:
Well, that's part one. Hopefully I can complete part tow by beginning of next month.
I sometimes wonder whether it is really worthwhile investing so much time writing in such details and giving myself many sleepless night just to churn out one chapter? Do readers actually want to read details or they just prefer to read a fast moving story? Am I a reader too and I do like to read story that moves along and not stuck in a particular scene for too long. Ironically, when I write, I can stretched one scene for very very long. Can I have some opinion on this?
Anyway, thanks for reading.