*I wasn't planning on updating so soon but I got some new reviews and well
it spurred my thinking process. First of all it's kinda funny, two people
have already mentioned the fact about men 'buying wives.' Actually you all
probably know this already but in the early days when America was just
founded, men, because women were on short supply, would use the Mail Order
Bride system. It's true! I thought it was a crazy way of doing it and
that got me thinking 'hey it would be funny to do a Rurouni Kenshin story
out of this.' So there you have it the reason behind the madness, and
don't worry the plot will unfold in time, and this is NOT going to be some
sad ending story, so just keep hanging in there. I now must go to the
disclaimer . . .
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin . . .it's the sad truth.
Chapter 3: Of Dreams and Decisions
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Kenshin's Farm~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:
It was late Saturday evening, well, late for the farmers, that is. The sun had already begun to set and the moon was rising over the surrounding hills. Kenshin slowly walked up his front steps onto his porch. He stopped for a moment to turn around and gaze on his farm. He had a barn to the left surrounded by a cluster of trees the trees stretched on in a never-ending wall until it reached an opening where the road to the outside world was. 'It's been a long time since I've been to town. It's probably changed a lot since I last saw it.' Once again Kenshin had this unquenchable desire for someone to share this sunset with, someone to wrap his arms around and whisper 'I love you' into her ear. He sighed 'No more wishful thinking, Kenshin. You need to remain strong. Out here when you are all alone you have to remain immune to feelings like these.'
He turned to enter his small cabin. Actually for a bachelor's pad it was quite large. It had a large living room/kitchen area but there was practically no furniture in the room, save for a small wooden table and a single chair. There was an icebox in the front-left corner next to some old, worn-out cabinets. There were only a few windows that let streams of light trickle through the window in the early hours of the morning. Kenshin let one of his lazy smiles pass over his face. He was so proud of his home. It had taken so long for him to build it, but he had done it all by himself. 'Eight years,' he thought 'it has been eight years since I left my father and mother searching for a better life.' The transition had been hard. Those first few months when he had been on his own were strenuous. He remembered the long, cold nights when he felt his life would never amount to anything. Now looking on his house . . .yes, his house he felt a satisfaction to great to be measured.
He began to head to the door in the far back left corner where the bedroom was. The only decorations in this room were a bed and a washbasin. Kenshin stood in the doorway leaning against the frame. He thought about what Sano had said that Thursday ~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Flashback~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
"Look Kenshin. I don't know who she is and what she's been through. All I know is that she'll be lookin' for somethin' better and I can give it to her. I want to give it to her, and I'm going to give it to her. I was just tryin' to get you to take a chance and hope for the best. It's time you stop moping around your farm dreamin' of the perfect wife. She's prolly waitin' for you just on the other side of the ocean."
~:~:~:~:~:~:End Flashback~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Kenshin sighed. Maybe Sano was right. I mean what if she was just waiting over the ocean, but he wanted to love and be loved. Could one really be happy with someone they were 'arranged' so to speak with? Could he possibly ever love a woman that just popped into his life? What if she never loved him back? Was it really worth all this time thinking about it? Kenshin shook his head his red hair began falling from his ponytail. 'I should get cleaned up and stop dwelling on this so much. Life's too short to stand around worrying . . . 'life is also to short to not take a chance' a voice inside his head said. 'Where did that come from? O well, time that these overalls were washed.' Kenshin began cleaning up around the house. 'Man I really need to do laundry . . .O well.' (AN don't you just think it's adorable that Kenshin likes to do laundry so much?) Kenshin began to wash his cloths in an old basin. Though he told himself he wasn't going to even consider 'ordering a bride' again that was the foremost thing on his mind.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~Europe~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:
Kaoru walked at a brisk pace through the streets of London. She was heading towards the courthouse and to the untrained eye one would have thought she was excited, but that would be far from the truth. Reason be told, she was walking fast so she didn't have time to think about it. It was what her mother wanted. It was what her brother wanted, and if that's what they wanted then she would do everything in her power to meet their desires. Only thing was . . .did it have to be this?
She finally reached the courthouse its stone walls looked cold and foreboding, but Kaoru Kamiya was not one to shrink away from a challenge, and to her, this, was a challenge. She walked up the hard steps and stepped through one of the very large doors into a dimly lit grand hall. As her eyes slowly adjusted she noticed that the floor was carpeted and the ceiling was exceptionally high. She glanced around the room until she spotted a desk right in the front. She removed her hat and hastily tried to smooth her hair down because the humidity outside had caused it to frizz slightly. She walked slowly up to the desk. The man that was behind it couldn't have been more than two years older than herself, but it was apparent her presence hadn't been noticed so she cleared her throat.
"Oh, dreadfully sorry. May I be of assistance to you Madam?" The clerk flashed a smile and Kaoru noticed how extremely handsome the young gentleman was.
"Umm yes, I was here to turn in an application."
"Alright let me see . . . mm hmmm . . .mm hmmm . . . Well, everything looks in order all there is to do now is for you to head down that hall to be interviewed."
"Interviewed!" Kaoru said exasperated. She had come down her to hand a guy a piece of paper and now she was going to have to talk to someone O no not her she was out of here.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. You see we have so many . . .un-eligible applicants that the paper is merely for show. You seem to be one Mr. RC will see. So just head down that hall and enter the third door on your right."
"You mean I have to talk to someone to actually 'get' to go?"
"Precisely."
Kaoru groaned. 'If only I had a big stick I could whack someone with, that would make this all better.'
"My lady? Are you quite alright?" the clerk saw Kaoru's expression go from dismayed to and evil grimace.
"Hmm? Oh yes fine. I suppose I'll go talk to that man now."
"Yes ma'am." The clerk watched as the slim figure walked down the hallway. 'Wonder why she can't find anyone here? I suppose ladies have their reasons. Nothing I should concern myself with I suppose.'
Kaoru walked down the hall until she reached a big wooden oak door with the name RC printed on the nameplate. 'I guess this is the one.' Kaoru straightened her shoulders and knocked on the door.
"Come in." A gruff voice on the other side answered. Kaoru gulped she hoped that this wouldn't be too much to handle. She slowly entered the door only to find a man whose appearance was quite comical. His hair was disheveled his, clothes were all wrinkled, and his eyes were jolly and jovial. It was apparent he hadn't been to the barber for a while with his half-grown beard and matted hair.
"Well, well, well, my dear what can I do for you?" Kaoru liked the man in an instant his smile was kind and inviting all her former notions, of running away, vanished.
"Well the man at the desk sent me here for an interview I believe?"
"So you're another one eh? Another woman that wants to sail away and leave the old past and worries behind. Well, I'll be upfront with you dearie it isn't a pretty picture like some paint it. You'll more than likely be working every day from sun up to sun down washing dishes cleaning cloths and chopping firewood. Your pretty hands won't stay flawless, the sun will burn your skin, and you'll probably have a bunch of snotty-nosed bratty children to boot."
Kaoru was taken aback this man was trying to discourage her from going. He had given her the facts straight out. Life wasn't going to be easy. Unfortunately for RC this only gave Kaoru a new vigor.
"I can take on anything. Nothing can discourage me. I've had life hard from the time I was eight. I've had to work to achieve anything in life and if you think that's going to discourage me you got another thing coming Mister."
RC liked this slight figured female with raven hair and eyes sharper than a knife. He had given her the run-down and she had brushed it off like dust.
"Well, I think proper introductions are an order now my dear. I'm Race Carver Underwood but you can call me RC just like everyone else. Now what may I call you?"
"Kaoru Kamiya Mr. RC."
"Well, Ms. Kamiya you want to go to America. Let's see, how old are you?"
"Nineteen Sir."
"Nineteen huh? Hmmm . . ." RC knew that at this point he should send this young woman on her way. Even though she was older than most married women he knew that men in America were looking for older tougher women, women that would be able to face the hard elements, not some slight little female who had hardly had a chance to live in the real world. Most men who would be even using this system would be in their late 20's to mid 40's. But as he looked at the tiny dark haired figure before him something about her struck him as . . .strong. He knew he shouldn't be doing this, but she deserved a chance. He quickly scratched down the age 24 on the paper and continued with the interview. "Any job experiences?"
"I work in a factory."
"How tall are you?"
"5'3." (A/N is that true? Help me out here!)
"Know how to milk a cow?"
"I can learn."
"Know how to cook?"
"Well enough for me and my family."
"Know how to sew?"
"Pretty good."
"Finally, do you get seasick?"
"I wouldn't know, I've never been on the ocean before." Kaoru looked wistfully out the window.
"Ahh, I see, well, it seems everything is in order. All you have to do now is wait until I contact you. As soon as we have the orders from America you will be placed on a ship with other women and sailed off. Any questions?"
"Will I know anything about the man that I am to go with?"
"Yes, you will be given a sheet of information just as he will receive the same."
"I assume that's what the interview was for?"
"Indeed you're a quick learner."
"Well, then am I done?"
"You are. You do know how to find your way out do you not?"
"I do. Thank you very much Mr. RC." Kaoru shook the old man's hand and smiled.
"Your very welcome my dear I wish you the best of luck. I'll be in touch."
RC watched as Kaoru walked out of his office and shut the door. 'Were there more women with her determination in the world I would be happily married by now.' He sighed even though he had never found 'the one' he wanted to give men in America a chance for a life he was no longer capable of achieving he sat down at his desk and began to finish the final touches on Kaoru's application.
As Kaoru stepped outside of the courthouse she breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment she was glad she was getting out of London. The streets were too crowded and the air was not clean. She envisioned fields stretching out in front of her and trees with birds and the sunshine. She smiled perhaps her life would work itself out after all. Maybe her mother was right. Perhaps she would find happiness on the other side of the deep blue sea.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:America (Sunday Morning)~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
The fog still hadn't lifted by the time Kenshin, along with others from town, walked out of the church. Kenshin had decided to come to town this Sunday to catch up with some friends, not to mention, hear what all other men's thoughts were on the new 'system.' He had been invited to go to lunch with the Dowdy's but had turned them down because he and Sano were going to go eat at the diner. He was talking with some other members of the church when he caught sight of Sano leaning against a building across the street. He quickly excused himself and headed across the street to his friend.
"Morning Sano."
"Morning Kenshin. How's old gramps doin'?"
"Mr. Dowdy is doin' just fine he and his wife are having a big outdoor dinner at their house today you wanna go there or still go to Maybell's?"
"Well Mr. Dowdy is not to fond of me so lets just leave it at that and head on over to Maybell's."
"Sounds good."
"Well, good morning Himura, Sagara."
"Good morning Mayor." Kenshin said as he shook Aoshi's hand.
"Will you two gentlemen be attending the cookout at the Dowdy's?"
"I'm afraid not Mayor, Sano and I are heading over to the diner today."
"Ahh I see. Well, Sagara, how is the money coming along?"
"Just fine Mayor. I only have about 10 dollars left to raise."
"Incredible. But remember it's due next Sunday."
"Yes sir I'll be sure to have it by then."
"Mayor," Kenshin started. " I must ask you . . .do you not think it petty to 'buy' into this whole . . . 'affair'?"
"Not at all, in fact I'm throwing my lot in as well."
Kenshin and Sano were shocked. They had never considered their mayor who was always so reserved to go out on a limb.
"Wow, well here's to ya Mayor!" Sano said as he slapped Aoshi on the back. Aoshi glared for a second but decided to brush it off. "See there Kenshin 'taint foolhardy. Even the Mayor thinks it shows promise."
"Oh are you not planning on participating in this . . . 'affair' as you put it so nicely?" Aoshi asked looking at Kenshin intensely.
"I-haven't-decided . . ." Kenshin said slowly. It appeared a lot of men were willing to take the risk while others said they'd try it next round if it worked out. Kenshin also knew that there weren't boatloads of women who were 'fiery' enough to take such a drastic step. That after this time there may be a chance of it never happening again.
"Well, don't take too long Himura. The Deadline is next Sunday and you have to have 30 (actually it says 300 in chapter 2 but it is supposed to be 30) dollars."
"Thirty dollars is a lot to ask for Mayor."
"I know, that's why you need to get on with it if you are going to participate."
All three men cringed. It sounded like they were gambling . . .even though in a sense they were. It just sounded so awful to say things like that but there really was no better way to put it.
"Well I had better be going. They'll be expecting me. It was nice running into you gentlemen."
"Have a nice day mayor." Kenshin said, as Aoshi began to walk away. He and Sano turned to walk in the opposite direction. They walked in silence. Each man lost in his own thoughts. When they arrived at the diner they ordered the special and sat down at the checker table.
"You know Kenshin . . .I was thinkin' 'bout what you said. 'Bout this bein' like a game and all and 'buyin' into it. Well, ya know. It may sound like one. But think about it. The woman knows all the risks and all the possibilities. So I mean it 'taint like we're cheatin' them or they're cheatin' us. We are all just trying to make it in life. Ya know?"
" Yea I've thought about it Sano and-well- I just don't know. I mean I want a wife I really do. But I don't want to, ya know, disappoint her. Cause it's a real possibility."
"Yea I know Kenshin, but I also know that any woman who gets you would be the luckiest woman alive. Whether or not she realized it at first. She would come to realize it in time."
Kenshin was taken aback at the words his friend had just spoken. He was truly touched by them. "Thanks Sano . . ." was all he could muster up to say in reply.
"Hey it was nothin' I mean I need to butter you up now so when I'm married and she's havin' a fit then I'll have somewhere to hide at night."
Both men began to laugh hysterically. They both realized what a great friendship they had, and always would have.
"Sano, I wish you the best. Whoever you 'woman' may be may she be beautiful and madly in love with you." Kenshin held up his water glass to Sano's.
"And to you Kenshin, may you make a wise decision, and may it be the best decision you ever made."
Both men continued talking throughout the meal about the harvest the weather and other daily things. But the plaguing question still lurked in Kenshin's head, 'am I willing to take this risk?'
########################################################################
There it is . . .in all its glory! Hope you like it! Oh yea and I know Aoshi is a 'little OOC' okay a LOTTA OOC but bear with me. He has to be that way in this story. Hopefully as the plot unfolds he'll get more into character. K, thanks, and I will now thank the reviewers for chapter 2!
********My Reviewers*********
Koishii Sweet- She likes it! She really, really likes it! YAY! Well, at least your reading this fic I don't think many people are . . .it's kinda depressing but O well. You like it! Thanks for updating your stories and I love the new one you started.
Bob-san - You gotta love the dialect right??? LOL! Thanks for reviewing! And I like readin' yer stories!
**********************
Thanks for reading and please review. When people review it tends to make me update sooner and plus I tend to read all my reviewers stories and review back . . . Sooooo REVIEW!
~Kairi7~
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin . . .it's the sad truth.
Chapter 3: Of Dreams and Decisions
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Kenshin's Farm~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:
It was late Saturday evening, well, late for the farmers, that is. The sun had already begun to set and the moon was rising over the surrounding hills. Kenshin slowly walked up his front steps onto his porch. He stopped for a moment to turn around and gaze on his farm. He had a barn to the left surrounded by a cluster of trees the trees stretched on in a never-ending wall until it reached an opening where the road to the outside world was. 'It's been a long time since I've been to town. It's probably changed a lot since I last saw it.' Once again Kenshin had this unquenchable desire for someone to share this sunset with, someone to wrap his arms around and whisper 'I love you' into her ear. He sighed 'No more wishful thinking, Kenshin. You need to remain strong. Out here when you are all alone you have to remain immune to feelings like these.'
He turned to enter his small cabin. Actually for a bachelor's pad it was quite large. It had a large living room/kitchen area but there was practically no furniture in the room, save for a small wooden table and a single chair. There was an icebox in the front-left corner next to some old, worn-out cabinets. There were only a few windows that let streams of light trickle through the window in the early hours of the morning. Kenshin let one of his lazy smiles pass over his face. He was so proud of his home. It had taken so long for him to build it, but he had done it all by himself. 'Eight years,' he thought 'it has been eight years since I left my father and mother searching for a better life.' The transition had been hard. Those first few months when he had been on his own were strenuous. He remembered the long, cold nights when he felt his life would never amount to anything. Now looking on his house . . .yes, his house he felt a satisfaction to great to be measured.
He began to head to the door in the far back left corner where the bedroom was. The only decorations in this room were a bed and a washbasin. Kenshin stood in the doorway leaning against the frame. He thought about what Sano had said that Thursday ~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Flashback~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
"Look Kenshin. I don't know who she is and what she's been through. All I know is that she'll be lookin' for somethin' better and I can give it to her. I want to give it to her, and I'm going to give it to her. I was just tryin' to get you to take a chance and hope for the best. It's time you stop moping around your farm dreamin' of the perfect wife. She's prolly waitin' for you just on the other side of the ocean."
~:~:~:~:~:~:End Flashback~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Kenshin sighed. Maybe Sano was right. I mean what if she was just waiting over the ocean, but he wanted to love and be loved. Could one really be happy with someone they were 'arranged' so to speak with? Could he possibly ever love a woman that just popped into his life? What if she never loved him back? Was it really worth all this time thinking about it? Kenshin shook his head his red hair began falling from his ponytail. 'I should get cleaned up and stop dwelling on this so much. Life's too short to stand around worrying . . . 'life is also to short to not take a chance' a voice inside his head said. 'Where did that come from? O well, time that these overalls were washed.' Kenshin began cleaning up around the house. 'Man I really need to do laundry . . .O well.' (AN don't you just think it's adorable that Kenshin likes to do laundry so much?) Kenshin began to wash his cloths in an old basin. Though he told himself he wasn't going to even consider 'ordering a bride' again that was the foremost thing on his mind.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~Europe~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:
Kaoru walked at a brisk pace through the streets of London. She was heading towards the courthouse and to the untrained eye one would have thought she was excited, but that would be far from the truth. Reason be told, she was walking fast so she didn't have time to think about it. It was what her mother wanted. It was what her brother wanted, and if that's what they wanted then she would do everything in her power to meet their desires. Only thing was . . .did it have to be this?
She finally reached the courthouse its stone walls looked cold and foreboding, but Kaoru Kamiya was not one to shrink away from a challenge, and to her, this, was a challenge. She walked up the hard steps and stepped through one of the very large doors into a dimly lit grand hall. As her eyes slowly adjusted she noticed that the floor was carpeted and the ceiling was exceptionally high. She glanced around the room until she spotted a desk right in the front. She removed her hat and hastily tried to smooth her hair down because the humidity outside had caused it to frizz slightly. She walked slowly up to the desk. The man that was behind it couldn't have been more than two years older than herself, but it was apparent her presence hadn't been noticed so she cleared her throat.
"Oh, dreadfully sorry. May I be of assistance to you Madam?" The clerk flashed a smile and Kaoru noticed how extremely handsome the young gentleman was.
"Umm yes, I was here to turn in an application."
"Alright let me see . . . mm hmmm . . .mm hmmm . . . Well, everything looks in order all there is to do now is for you to head down that hall to be interviewed."
"Interviewed!" Kaoru said exasperated. She had come down her to hand a guy a piece of paper and now she was going to have to talk to someone O no not her she was out of here.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. You see we have so many . . .un-eligible applicants that the paper is merely for show. You seem to be one Mr. RC will see. So just head down that hall and enter the third door on your right."
"You mean I have to talk to someone to actually 'get' to go?"
"Precisely."
Kaoru groaned. 'If only I had a big stick I could whack someone with, that would make this all better.'
"My lady? Are you quite alright?" the clerk saw Kaoru's expression go from dismayed to and evil grimace.
"Hmm? Oh yes fine. I suppose I'll go talk to that man now."
"Yes ma'am." The clerk watched as the slim figure walked down the hallway. 'Wonder why she can't find anyone here? I suppose ladies have their reasons. Nothing I should concern myself with I suppose.'
Kaoru walked down the hall until she reached a big wooden oak door with the name RC printed on the nameplate. 'I guess this is the one.' Kaoru straightened her shoulders and knocked on the door.
"Come in." A gruff voice on the other side answered. Kaoru gulped she hoped that this wouldn't be too much to handle. She slowly entered the door only to find a man whose appearance was quite comical. His hair was disheveled his, clothes were all wrinkled, and his eyes were jolly and jovial. It was apparent he hadn't been to the barber for a while with his half-grown beard and matted hair.
"Well, well, well, my dear what can I do for you?" Kaoru liked the man in an instant his smile was kind and inviting all her former notions, of running away, vanished.
"Well the man at the desk sent me here for an interview I believe?"
"So you're another one eh? Another woman that wants to sail away and leave the old past and worries behind. Well, I'll be upfront with you dearie it isn't a pretty picture like some paint it. You'll more than likely be working every day from sun up to sun down washing dishes cleaning cloths and chopping firewood. Your pretty hands won't stay flawless, the sun will burn your skin, and you'll probably have a bunch of snotty-nosed bratty children to boot."
Kaoru was taken aback this man was trying to discourage her from going. He had given her the facts straight out. Life wasn't going to be easy. Unfortunately for RC this only gave Kaoru a new vigor.
"I can take on anything. Nothing can discourage me. I've had life hard from the time I was eight. I've had to work to achieve anything in life and if you think that's going to discourage me you got another thing coming Mister."
RC liked this slight figured female with raven hair and eyes sharper than a knife. He had given her the run-down and she had brushed it off like dust.
"Well, I think proper introductions are an order now my dear. I'm Race Carver Underwood but you can call me RC just like everyone else. Now what may I call you?"
"Kaoru Kamiya Mr. RC."
"Well, Ms. Kamiya you want to go to America. Let's see, how old are you?"
"Nineteen Sir."
"Nineteen huh? Hmmm . . ." RC knew that at this point he should send this young woman on her way. Even though she was older than most married women he knew that men in America were looking for older tougher women, women that would be able to face the hard elements, not some slight little female who had hardly had a chance to live in the real world. Most men who would be even using this system would be in their late 20's to mid 40's. But as he looked at the tiny dark haired figure before him something about her struck him as . . .strong. He knew he shouldn't be doing this, but she deserved a chance. He quickly scratched down the age 24 on the paper and continued with the interview. "Any job experiences?"
"I work in a factory."
"How tall are you?"
"5'3." (A/N is that true? Help me out here!)
"Know how to milk a cow?"
"I can learn."
"Know how to cook?"
"Well enough for me and my family."
"Know how to sew?"
"Pretty good."
"Finally, do you get seasick?"
"I wouldn't know, I've never been on the ocean before." Kaoru looked wistfully out the window.
"Ahh, I see, well, it seems everything is in order. All you have to do now is wait until I contact you. As soon as we have the orders from America you will be placed on a ship with other women and sailed off. Any questions?"
"Will I know anything about the man that I am to go with?"
"Yes, you will be given a sheet of information just as he will receive the same."
"I assume that's what the interview was for?"
"Indeed you're a quick learner."
"Well, then am I done?"
"You are. You do know how to find your way out do you not?"
"I do. Thank you very much Mr. RC." Kaoru shook the old man's hand and smiled.
"Your very welcome my dear I wish you the best of luck. I'll be in touch."
RC watched as Kaoru walked out of his office and shut the door. 'Were there more women with her determination in the world I would be happily married by now.' He sighed even though he had never found 'the one' he wanted to give men in America a chance for a life he was no longer capable of achieving he sat down at his desk and began to finish the final touches on Kaoru's application.
As Kaoru stepped outside of the courthouse she breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment she was glad she was getting out of London. The streets were too crowded and the air was not clean. She envisioned fields stretching out in front of her and trees with birds and the sunshine. She smiled perhaps her life would work itself out after all. Maybe her mother was right. Perhaps she would find happiness on the other side of the deep blue sea.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:America (Sunday Morning)~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
The fog still hadn't lifted by the time Kenshin, along with others from town, walked out of the church. Kenshin had decided to come to town this Sunday to catch up with some friends, not to mention, hear what all other men's thoughts were on the new 'system.' He had been invited to go to lunch with the Dowdy's but had turned them down because he and Sano were going to go eat at the diner. He was talking with some other members of the church when he caught sight of Sano leaning against a building across the street. He quickly excused himself and headed across the street to his friend.
"Morning Sano."
"Morning Kenshin. How's old gramps doin'?"
"Mr. Dowdy is doin' just fine he and his wife are having a big outdoor dinner at their house today you wanna go there or still go to Maybell's?"
"Well Mr. Dowdy is not to fond of me so lets just leave it at that and head on over to Maybell's."
"Sounds good."
"Well, good morning Himura, Sagara."
"Good morning Mayor." Kenshin said as he shook Aoshi's hand.
"Will you two gentlemen be attending the cookout at the Dowdy's?"
"I'm afraid not Mayor, Sano and I are heading over to the diner today."
"Ahh I see. Well, Sagara, how is the money coming along?"
"Just fine Mayor. I only have about 10 dollars left to raise."
"Incredible. But remember it's due next Sunday."
"Yes sir I'll be sure to have it by then."
"Mayor," Kenshin started. " I must ask you . . .do you not think it petty to 'buy' into this whole . . . 'affair'?"
"Not at all, in fact I'm throwing my lot in as well."
Kenshin and Sano were shocked. They had never considered their mayor who was always so reserved to go out on a limb.
"Wow, well here's to ya Mayor!" Sano said as he slapped Aoshi on the back. Aoshi glared for a second but decided to brush it off. "See there Kenshin 'taint foolhardy. Even the Mayor thinks it shows promise."
"Oh are you not planning on participating in this . . . 'affair' as you put it so nicely?" Aoshi asked looking at Kenshin intensely.
"I-haven't-decided . . ." Kenshin said slowly. It appeared a lot of men were willing to take the risk while others said they'd try it next round if it worked out. Kenshin also knew that there weren't boatloads of women who were 'fiery' enough to take such a drastic step. That after this time there may be a chance of it never happening again.
"Well, don't take too long Himura. The Deadline is next Sunday and you have to have 30 (actually it says 300 in chapter 2 but it is supposed to be 30) dollars."
"Thirty dollars is a lot to ask for Mayor."
"I know, that's why you need to get on with it if you are going to participate."
All three men cringed. It sounded like they were gambling . . .even though in a sense they were. It just sounded so awful to say things like that but there really was no better way to put it.
"Well I had better be going. They'll be expecting me. It was nice running into you gentlemen."
"Have a nice day mayor." Kenshin said, as Aoshi began to walk away. He and Sano turned to walk in the opposite direction. They walked in silence. Each man lost in his own thoughts. When they arrived at the diner they ordered the special and sat down at the checker table.
"You know Kenshin . . .I was thinkin' 'bout what you said. 'Bout this bein' like a game and all and 'buyin' into it. Well, ya know. It may sound like one. But think about it. The woman knows all the risks and all the possibilities. So I mean it 'taint like we're cheatin' them or they're cheatin' us. We are all just trying to make it in life. Ya know?"
" Yea I've thought about it Sano and-well- I just don't know. I mean I want a wife I really do. But I don't want to, ya know, disappoint her. Cause it's a real possibility."
"Yea I know Kenshin, but I also know that any woman who gets you would be the luckiest woman alive. Whether or not she realized it at first. She would come to realize it in time."
Kenshin was taken aback at the words his friend had just spoken. He was truly touched by them. "Thanks Sano . . ." was all he could muster up to say in reply.
"Hey it was nothin' I mean I need to butter you up now so when I'm married and she's havin' a fit then I'll have somewhere to hide at night."
Both men began to laugh hysterically. They both realized what a great friendship they had, and always would have.
"Sano, I wish you the best. Whoever you 'woman' may be may she be beautiful and madly in love with you." Kenshin held up his water glass to Sano's.
"And to you Kenshin, may you make a wise decision, and may it be the best decision you ever made."
Both men continued talking throughout the meal about the harvest the weather and other daily things. But the plaguing question still lurked in Kenshin's head, 'am I willing to take this risk?'
########################################################################
There it is . . .in all its glory! Hope you like it! Oh yea and I know Aoshi is a 'little OOC' okay a LOTTA OOC but bear with me. He has to be that way in this story. Hopefully as the plot unfolds he'll get more into character. K, thanks, and I will now thank the reviewers for chapter 2!
********My Reviewers*********
Koishii Sweet- She likes it! She really, really likes it! YAY! Well, at least your reading this fic I don't think many people are . . .it's kinda depressing but O well. You like it! Thanks for updating your stories and I love the new one you started.
Bob-san - You gotta love the dialect right??? LOL! Thanks for reviewing! And I like readin' yer stories!
**********************
Thanks for reading and please review. When people review it tends to make me update sooner and plus I tend to read all my reviewers stories and review back . . . Sooooo REVIEW!
~Kairi7~