This has not been beta'd so I apologize for any major errors.
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Kitchen Confidential ch 8

The rest of Kaoru's first day rolled along smoothly since the brasserie seemed to have one of its quieter Sundays. Yahiko was enjoying the extra attention he received from Kaoru which broke up the monotony of handling nothing but dirty dishes, and Kaoru enjoyed getting to understand the pace of the kitchen as set by Okita and the others. A lot of this ease seemed to stem from the lack of Saitou's particularly keen observations since the man wasn't around as often. However, his absence was really only noticed by two bodies - the man who was considered iin charge and the young woman who was trying to forget the odd encounter she experienced only a few hours ago.

Okita found it unusual that Saitou had kept to his office for most of the day. He had come down once after the dinner crowd had started to arrive but after he'd spent a few minutes watching everyone he turned about and went back to his office without so much as a word. Okita couldn't help noticing that most of those minutes were spent watching the new addition to the kitchen, but he wasn't sure if Saitou's appraisal of Kaoru was one of praise or something more.

Kaoru had also noted Saitou's arrival earlier that evening, but she focused on trying to not be reminded that the man was there. She braced herself for being confronted by the chef to either be criticized for whatever she was doing, or to have to deal with the awkwardness she felt churning within her. while working the dough she had started kneading, she didn't dare look up to see Saitou but she was able to notice when he left and she let out a small sigh not having realized she had been holding her breath. But then she felt a knot in her gut that she couldn't explain to herself because if she tried to analyze it, Kaoru would have to admit that unease had stemmed from... disappointment? Could she really be feeling disappointment from the fact that Saitou had left without so much without a glance in her direction? Before the thought began to settle in her mind, she brushed it aside to focus on her kneading and resumed her baking.

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The last of the ten o'clock reservations had been seated and the slow evening predicted there shouldn't be too many walk-ins to overfill the kitchen for the rest of the night. Kaoru had provided enough goods to last the evening with enough for the workers to be taking any leftovers home (much to everyone's delight).

Within just a few hours, Kaoru had won over the kitchen and serving staff by her ability to remain poised and professional while sharing a smile as she worked. It was safe to conclude that Kamiya Kaoru was a hit with everyone at Les Alles. The only questionable factor was Saitou Hajime, but since the man had remained MIA for the majority of the evening, the question hadn't been thought of much at all. but then, the long lean form descended the steps but he quickly bypassed the crew and walked straight through the back door to have a smoke.

Kaoru hadn't noticed his arrival and quick departure since her back had been to the staircase that led down from Saitou's office, so she didn't hesitate to satiate her curiosity about going out to the alley. She knew the back door was the proper service entrance, but she hadn't yet seen which door it was from the alley side since none of the doors had numbers or names marked.

She cautiously opened the heavy metal door to peer out into the darkness. A few seconds later, a bright white light illuminated the dark alley. Well, at least they have motion sensor lights. It'd be awfully creepy without it back here, she thought as she stepped outside while keeping a hand on the door so it couldn't close behind her.

"You should enter through the front doors when starting after dark," a voice coolly stated before she noticed the lean figure against the wall opposite to her.

Kaoru looked up to see Saitou standing still, arms crossed over his chest with one hand up towards his mouth holding a cigarette between his fingers.

"I plan to enter through the service entrance, like everyone else. It's not as if I'm afraid of the dark," she lied. Kaoru felt uneasy after looking down the long alleyway. She could see the light illuminated only so far, which meant once she turned off from the main street, it would be dark until she was close to the service entrance door before the light above would turn on.

Saitou smiled with his amused smirk before speaking, "I'm sure you don't fear monsters, but I tell the other girls-," until Kaoru interrupted him.

"I'm not a girl. I'm a woman and I can also take care of myself!" she replied indignantly.

He blew out the smoke he had just inhaled and then spoke, "the other ladies and Yahiko. It's not a reflection of whether you can handle yourself or not defensively. I'm responsible for my employees and since I have to pay the insurance on everyone's safety, I do ask that you use the front door, as the others already do." He paused. "Do I make myself clear?"

He spoke without it sounding like a threat, so Kaoru didn't feel she could really argue the point. She realized there was no reason to try and create trouble, and walking alone in a dark alley wasn't the best idea to begin with.

She sighed quietly and replied, "Yeah, I get it. I wanted to see which door I could use in the daytime." She turned around to look at the door and the wall to see that the words Les Alles were posted above the door frame, but that it had been painted over so it would have been difficult to see without direct light over it. "That was it." Kaoru turned around to go back into the kitchen.

Saitou had dropped the cigarette stub and started to smash it under his shoe to follow her in when they heard someone clearing his throat.

Both bodies turned to look in the direction and waited for the figure to appear under the light. Kaoru's brows lifted in slight surprise while Saitou kept a neutral expression on his visage.

"Good evening, Saitou." Aoshi stepped fully into the light before offering a small smile directly at Kaoru, which did not go unnoticed by amber eyes.

"Aoshi," nodded Saitou. "I believe you know Kamiya Kaoru?"

By this time, Kaoru's brows had dipped down to normal and she smiled before extending her hand to Aoshi.

"Chef Shinomori, it's a pleasure to meet you. It's really an honor." Kaoru had a slightly giddy expression, much to Saitou's dismay. Usually, he wouldn't care, but for some reason her warmth towards his friend seemed to tug at his gut, but he tried not to analyze it and pushed the thought away instead.

Aoshi, giving one of his rare smiles, took her hand to shake but placed his left hand over both to further personalize the moment. "The pleasure and honor is all mine, Chef Kamiya. I've heard much praise about what you had done for La Cienega Bakery out West."

Kaoru blushed and lowered her eyes briefly before speaking, "Please, call me Kaoru. I dislike such formality."

Saitou decided to cut the chitchat by getting down to the reason Aoshi had shown up. "Aoshi, shall we go meet the others now? Or did you want to see more of my kitchen, even though you already know what it looks like."

Aoshi fully understood Saitou's hint that he wanted them to leave sooner than later for their weekly chefs' meet, but Aoshi had other ideas in mind as soon as he'd realized Saitou may have other ideas for Kaoru. He had no intention of leaving the Wolf alone when he could certainly get some enjoyment of actually being able to rile the stoic man to express some real emotions.

"Yes, let's leave. In fact, Kaoru, why don't you join us?" Aoshi kept his gaze on Kaoru, but he could almost hear Saitou's eyebrows shoot upwards in surprise. He knew the man wasn't so crass as to try and disinvite the young woman, but Aoshi knew he'd get an earful from Saitou when they were out of her company later.

"Um, join you... for?," Kaoru asked.

Saitou jumped in before Aoshi could get another word in. "Several chefs in the area, who happen to be friends of ours, get together once a week to eat, drink, smoke, and shoot the shit." He looked at her directly before adding, "You're welcome to join, but you may find it rather dull."

Aoshi remaining his usually even keeled self spoke, "Not at all. I think you'd rather enjoy yourself. In fact, I am sure you know at least one other person who will be there. Though not a chef, your bartender Sano joins us on occasion even since he joined Les Alles. I saw him on my way over and he confirmed he was headed over there to see the others now."

Kaoru ignored the comment Saitou made before by agreeing to join them. "I think it sounds like something I'd really like, minus the smoking. I'll grab my things!"

Both men watched her return to the kitchen and waited for her outside.

"Aoshi, what are you playing at?" Saitou then lit another cigarette.

"Not everything is a game, Saitou. Is there anything wrong with inviting someone to join us? She is another chef, after all." Aoshi was playing a game, but no need to be truthful at this point.

Saitou exhaled and pressed his lips into a thin line. He wasn't sure why all of this annoyed him and he decided to not worry about it anymore. Nothing some drinks won't get rid of.

Kaoru returned shortly with a light jacket and her purse in hand. "So, where are we going?"

TBC

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Hi all - sorry for the shortness and for the delay. I've been really preoccupied lately and my head hasn't been in the RuroKen mood. However, as poorly crafted as my storytelling may get, I plan to finish this no matter what; it may take longer than I hoped.
For those of you who've been kind enough to comment and add this to their Story Alerts, THANK YOU SO MUCH! If it weren't for you, I may have abandoned this altogether.

Till next time...