*Sorry! (bows) I've had some difficulty coming out with this chapter for some reason. I think it is because I reached a tiny climax in the story and didn't know how to start the next chapter. Well, I finally got it finished. Please forgive me I took sooo long in updating. Here's the next chapter. It's really choppy I think, but it has to be that way in order for me to get everything that I need to say in this chapter. I promise it'll be smoother in the chapters to come. Now on to the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I just don't!
Chapter 9: It's a Start
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She stood looking up at the tiny hut as Kenshin un-harnessed the horses. 'It looks so quiet' she thought. 'How long has he lived here by himself.' A soft hand on her shoulder jerked her away from her thoughts.
"Shall I show you around?" Kenshin asked tentatively.
"Yes. Please." Kenshin helped her as she walked up the stairs and opened up the front door. Kaoru walked inside and looked around the sparsely furnished room. Kenshin strode past her to the fireplace to start a fire. She walked over to the stove and ran her hand along the wooden table. She glanced out the window that was over the sink. It was dark outside now. 'The sun sets awfully fast out here.' She thought reluctantly before turning back to look at Kenshin. He was still bending over attending to the fire, which had already begun to blaze brightly casting its rays of light over the barren walls.
Kenshin looked back at her and smiled. "You do know how to build a fire don't you?"
She smiled and nodded. 'He's such a dope . . .who does he think I am? A little princess from far away?' She dismissed the tought. After all he didn't know a thing about her, nor she him. They were just two souls looking for company to help them last the long nights.
"Well, that's good. I see you've noticed the stove?" She nodded. "Well, the wood for the stove is right outside to the left I can show you the pile in the morning. The wood for the fireplace is outside to the left as well but they're in different piles. You may have seen the well, but that water is for watering the crops. There's a water pump out back you can use for cooking and the pots and pans are in the cabinets below the sink.
Kaoru bent down to look in the cupboards. Sure enough there were 3 pots and a frying pan neatly stacked next to the plates and bowls. She managed to smile up at Kenshin who was now standing next to her, proceeding to show her where everything was located.
"We only have a bit of seasonings left. I forgot to buy some while I was in town. So you'll have to be thrifty. We'll only head to town about once every two weeks, so in the meantime we'll have to make do with what we have."
"That should be no problem." She stated with confidence. "You're not . . .a picky eater are you?"
"Kensin smiled. "By no means, I'll eat practically anything you fix up I'm sure. Oh, and the bread I keep in this cupboard up here on the wall. It keeps it out of the reach of mice."
"Mice?"
"Yes, you'll become quite acquainted with the little fellows. So be sure to rinse the dishes before cooking anything in them."
Kaoru shivered inwardly, 'great, just when I thought I wouldn't have to deal with mice anymore I come to find out the run rampant in these parts. Oh well, I guess if I could handle them in London, I can handle them here.'
"Kaoru?"
"Oh! Hmm?"
"Did you hear what I said?"
Kaoru blushed, "no I'm afraid I didn't."
"I said the wash bin is in that closet over there. You can also find one extra set of sheets. Do you have any questions?"
"No . . .I should be fine . . ."
"Ok then well I'm going to go finish tending to the horse. You're probably tired so . . .you can go ahead and go to sleep I guess. You're going to need your rest because I get up very early every morning, and I'll need to help you get started with breakfast before I can go to work."
"Ok."
Kenshin smiled and left. Leaving Kaoru to fend for herself. 'Well, I guess I can unload my clothes.'
She walked to the back room and set her bag on the floor by the window. 'I wonder which side of the bed he usually sleeps on?' She shrugged her shoulders and threw on her nightgown. Then she slipped into the bed speedily. She rolled over on her side to stare at the wall. 'This is so weird . . .I mean . . .I'm married and I don't know what to do with myself.' She closed her eyes. 'I hope I can fall asleep before he comes in here. No, I really hope I can fall asleep before he comes in here.' Kaoru tossed and turned in the little bed before she finally drifted asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kenshin finished brushing down the team (A/n the group of horses the hitch to the wagon, if you didn't know) and went back inside. 'She must have gone to bed.' He sat down at the table and put his head in his hands. 'What am I doing? Who am I trying to fool? I can't be a husband! Not when I terrified to walk back to the bedroom to get some sleep. Maybe I can somehow fall asleep out her 'by accident'.' Kenshin grinned, 'Hey, that is a good idea. I mean we hardly know each other, and I'm sure she's not waiting for me. So I can just sleep out here for the time being. Yes, Himura you're a genius!" With that resolve Kenshin made himself as comfy as possible and slowly fell asleep.
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~2 Days Later~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~::~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
Kaoru was out on the front porch washing dishes when she heard a horse trotting up the road. She wiped her hands on the towel and walked down the steps to meet the visitor.
"Hello Mrs. Himura, I am Hajime Saito, is your husband around?"
"I believe he is around back. Can I get you some water?"
"Yes, that would be excellent. I'll just step around back to speak with Himura."
Kaoru nodded and watched Saito as he rounded the corner of the house. 'Wonder what he's here for? Oh, well.' IT had been two days since she and Kenshin had been married and they had hardly spoken more than a few strained words to one another. She watched out the side window as Kenshin walked over and greeted Saito. They spoke a few words to one another before Kenhsin motioned towards the house.
'They must be coming inside.' Kaoru thought panickingly. (A/N I think I made up that word cause it said it was wrong in spell check o well,. . .it fits doesn't it?) She rushed around the room and picked up the few stray dishes from earlier that morning and put them in the sink. Then she rushed outside to grab the laundry and throw it in the back room. She had just finished shutting the door when the two men entered.
"Kaoru, I believe you know Mr. Hajime Saito?"
"Yes we met out front."
"He's the law around our community."
"Oh? I trust nothing is wrong."
"No, Mrs. Himura, this is actually a friendly visit." He smiled and sat down at the table with Kenshin. Kaoru served the two men water before sitting down in the rocking chair Kenshin had made for her. She sewed as she listened to the two men converse about general topics, the weather, (A/N why is it men talk about the weather?) the latest news, and hunting season. 'This can't be all he came to talk about. Could it? I mean, he of all people knows that a farmer has a ton of work to do and he wouldn't come to interrupt it to talk about menial things.' She was not far off in her guess. For once the two men had finished talking about the rarity of doves this season Saito leaned forward in his chair a bit.
"Himura, the reason I've come here today was to ask of you a favor."
"Sure thing Saito, but what kind of favor?"
"Actually the favor is more for your wife than for yourself. You see my wife Tokio, well, she doesn't have any one to talk to except for me and I think that she may begin to get lonely. Do you think your wife would be willing to meet her this Sunday?"
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Kaoru?" At this point Kaoru looked at him as if she had heard nothing of the conversation. "Do you think you would be willing to get to know a woman named Tokio this Sunday?"
"Tokio? I believe we've already met. I mean . . .I met a woman on the train whose name was Tokio so of course I would be willing." Kaoru smiled.
"Excellent." Saito stood. "Well, I must be getting back home now. I can't b late for dinner." Kenshin and Kaoru both stood to walk him to the door. "Thank you for your hospitality. Oh, and would you two like to come over for lunch after church Sunday?"
Kenshin looked at Kaoru who nodded. "We'd be happy to accept." Kenshin replied with a smile.
"Well, then I'll see you both Sunday." They waved as Saito road off down the road.
"Nice fellow, Mr. Hajime, once you get to know him, that is." Kenshin looked Kaoru.
"I believe he is. Well, I need to finish the laundry." Kenshin started down the steps before asking.
"I hope it wasn't too much trouble inviting him inside like that."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure it was just as hard to put off your work for an hour. So please don't fret about it." Kenshin nodded and smiled, and Kaoru went back to her work. 'Well, at least I'll have someone to talk to . . .I wonder how Megumi, Misao, and Sayo are fairing?
* * * * * * * * * * *The Mayor's Office * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aoshi sat in his office filing some paperwork. 'Stupid assistants . . .they never do this right . . .I should fire them all!' The sudden opening of his door stirred his thoughts, and caused him to look up evilly at the intruder, who so happened to be his dutiful wife Misao.
"Misao?"
His shocked face was worth a million dollars to Misao as she smiled cunningly, proud she had caught him unawares.
"Hello Aoshi, you are coming home for lunch today aren't you?"
"No I have to much work to do" Aoshi continued flipping through files until he felt a soft pressure on his shoulder.
"Aoshi, we are having the Dowdys over for lunch today. You had told me last week to set the date for today."
"I did?" Misao nodded. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, then I suppose I should be there shouldn't I?"
Misao smiled, "I thought you'd say as much. Now, remember that Mr. O'Connell's father passed away yesterday and you were invited to the funeral. Ms. Hannah is due for a checkup and she still refuses to go see the doctor. So I filed her a prescription and you need to take it by her house on your way home. Your best dress coat is at the cleaners so don't come home in a rage because you can't find it." Misao glided over to the door before swirling around, "Oh, and one more thing, Mrs. Dowdy loves daisies, so I'd appreciate it if you swing by Kate's to get some. Thank you Darling, I'll see you at 4:00." Misao stepped out of the office and shut the door.
Aoshi sat and listened to the slight patter of her feet as they echoed down the hall. He smiled and chuckled, 'That Misao is a piece of work isn't she now?" He jus shook his head and went back to work.
* * * * * * * * * * Sano's Ranch* * * * * * * * * * * *Sano finished washing his hands before he went inside. He saw his little wife in front of the stove preparing dinner.
"Sure smells good in here!"
She turned and smiled at him. "I hope so . . .I've been slaving on this meal for the past hour."
Sano just chuckled and went over to the fireplace to add another log.
"What are we havin'?"
"Rice casserole."
"Mmmmm . . .sounds delicious." Sayo just nodded as she continued to work.
Sano just looked at her for a moment before going to the bedroom to change clothes. 'She's so cute when she's working' he thought as he entered back into the main room.
"How are Kenshin and Kaoru?" She asked absentmindedly.
"Oh, fine, fine, I went up to borrow Kenshin's plow today and she was out hanging the laundry up. Sweet little thing."
"Yes she is."
"You know her pretty well?"
"Mmm hmm we met on the ship,"
"Oh."
"Dinner's ready."
"Great I'm starved!"
"You're always 'starved'."
"I know . . ." he chuckled "it's just the way I am . . .does it bother you?"
"No, a woman likes to know her cooking is appreciated."
Sano just grinned as he sat down. "Well, I assure you it is!"
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Ok, ok I know that was a really rough chapter. Please forgive me! Anyway I wanted to get you all some info on the other couples and well, there just wasn't a good way to put that transition. So you'll just have to go with it . . .lol! Anyway . . .where's Megumi you may ask??? Well, I guess you'll have to find out later won't you? Heh heh . . .on to thank my reviewers!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*My Reviewers~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kakashi-fan- Yes, eek for Sayo! Yes you must have GREAT patience for Sano/Meg and I tried to add some Aoshi/Misao in there today. Hope you liked it!
Moonsilver- Yes I wanted to smack him too after I wrote that. Lol! But then again the two of them don't know diddily squat about each other so how would he know? Hope you thought this chapter was ok . . .
Noner_89- I'm so glad you enjoyed the K/K action in the last chapter. Just to let you know it'll be coming on very slowly. I want to make this as realistic as possible . . .so all the "sweet fluffy stuff" will have to come much later. Hope you enjoyed this chappy!
Koishii Sweet- Are they Married? YES! Are they Happy? Maybe . . .you'll just have to wait and find out! Sorry bout the long wait for the update!
Me, Myself, and I- Yes he lied, and the reason was because most men in America wanted a 'sturdy' woman so to speak and a young one may have been turned away. So he lied in order to get her accepted. Anyway hope you liked the chapter!
Bob-san- I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Hope this one wasn't too choppy!
Tintin-chan- Yay! She liked the last chappy! Yes the wedding was great! And yes Misao is going around bossing Aoshi already! Lol! Yea and Kenshin's not gonna be like 'I'm not worthy of her' because I get tired of that scenario . . .you know? LOL! SOOO sorry for the long update! I hope you can forgive me!
Lily of the Shadow- Well, I think I'm gonna need another spell. Cause it definitely took me forever to write this one chapter! Thanks for the review!
Allin656- Yes . . .Megumi was not at the wedding. About her husband . . .guess you'll have to wait and find out . . .Muahahahahah! . . .ha.
Nigihayami Haruko- Yes . . .I WAS getting comfortable now the going gets a little rough. I think once I get through the next chapter things will pick up again. Thanks so much for the encouragement it meant a lot to me!
The Evil Witch- So glad you enjoyed it!
Chocoberry- argh ff.net sometimes makes me angry as well . . .especially WHEN I DON"T GET REVIEW ALERTS!
Ki-ki-chan Himura- Yea! She likes it! I'll write more soon I PROMISE!
Maya-chan- Hahahahah! I understand the feeling . . .only I want to marry Sano . . . and not let Megumi have him . . . .sigh . . .O well. And I don't think you're crazy . . .LOL!
Catnip- Yea! It's a lot of fun writing about him and his horse!
Animegurl444- Lol! Happy endings for ALL! I promise. And well, they aren't happy right now . . .but like I said happy endings for ALL!
Gypsy-chan- Awwww. I'm so glad you liked the wedding! I promise I'll update soon!
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Once again I am o so sorry for the late update! I will try to never do it again! Or at least warn you. Thanks for reviewing in advance * wink * I hope you liked this chapter! Oh one more thing. I don't think the review alert is working properly . . .so if I missed your review, please forgive me and let me know! K that's all for now! REVIEW!
~Kairi7~