Hidee Hi! I have over 200 Reviews! You guys are GREAT! (Throws out candy) Well, I finally have the next chapter ready! Now I know some authors put in filler chapters until they can think of something good. And this chapter will seem like a filler chapter . . .but it does have some important . . .facts . . .in it so just read and enjoy! Don't think too hard about it. This is just a nice relaxing chapter. And don't ask about the chapter title I was in a weird mood when I thought of it. KK well on to the story!
Disclaimer: Don't own it and never will . . .(runs away and cries)
Chapter 18: A Crickets Song ( I know, I know, weird)
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:Mid-August:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
The sun beat d own h ard on Kaoru's back as she bent over tending to her garden. She stood up and wiped the sweat away with the back of her sleeve. And looked up at the sky. 'Not a cloud in sight.' She thought happily. 'It would have been a good day for Kenshin and I to have lunch outside.' The reason it would have been was because Kenshin had left early that morning to meet Mr. Dowdy. She sighed. 'I wonder what time he'll be home. He said late tonight.' She began to walk around her garden some more when she felt very dizzy and had to grab the wall of the picket fence to keep from falling. She suddenly felt very ill, but continued to stand there until the nausea passed. 'Maybe Kenshin was right.' She thought thinking of their conversation that morning . . .
"Love, I have to meet Mr. Dowdy today so I'll be leaving shortly." Kenshin said as he walked through the front door.
She smiled as he used his 'pet name' for her. "Does that mean you won't want any breakfast?" Kaoru asked as she turned slowly. Kenshin looked at her alarmed.
"Do you feel okay, Love? You look ill. Maybe you should lie down today and take a nap."
"Kenshin. I feel just fine. Besides with you gone I can get some work done in my garden." She teased. It was hard to ever get any work done when Kenshin was near the house because he continually stopped her and asked questions and talked. Not that it bugged her. It just prevented her from doing her chores.
Kenshin grinned mischievously. "Well, you're just so distracting outside. I can't help it."
Kaoru shook her head and turned back to the stove. Kenshin stood there and stared at her for a moment. "Are you sure you feel alright? I can stay home if I need to."
"Kenshin, I'll be fine. You have things to do. Besides today is beautiful and I want to get outside."
Kenshin looked at her apprehensively before giving in. "All right. He walked over and kissed her sweetly. "I have to leave now, but I'll be home later tonight okay?"
"Okay."
She sighed. He was so different now, so attentive.
"Halooo? Anyone home?" Came the familiar drawl Kaoru knew well.
"Back here Sano." She called back. Sano rounded the side of the house with a bundle on his back.
"Mornin' Missy came to drop this stuff of for Kenshin."
"Yes, thank you. You can put it in the barn."
"Awright." Sano walked off toward the barn and Kaoru walked around to the front of the house.
"Sano? Have you had lunch yet?" She asked as he walked back outside the barn. He looked at her for a moment.
"Can't say as I have."
"Would you like to come inside then?" She watched his face as his face changed briefly as he mused over the prospect. He looked like he was going to refuse for a moment so she quickly said. "I mean unless Sayo has lunch prepared at home."
He looked up at her his eyes pained. Then they changed back to their usual cheerful gleam. "You know what Missy I think I will stay for lunch. Sayo's gone in to town and I'd just have to scrounge up some grub back at my house. Might as well eat with a friend.
Kaoru smiled happily. The thought of a lonely lunch had dampened her spirits, but now with Sano there she knew it would turn out fine. "Why don't you come inside then.
Kaoru turned and began walking up the steps when she lost her footing and began to slip backwards. Luckily Sano was there to catch her and help her up the rest of the way.
"You ok Missy?" He looked at her concerned.
"I'm fine. I just slipped that's all." Kaoru shook her head in disbelief. 'That's twice in one day.' She thought with frustration. 'What's wrong with you Kaoru generally people watch where they walk.'
She entered into the house first. Sano left the door open and walked over to the table. She smiled as she took his lead. She walked over to each window opened it and pulled back the drapes. Sano smiled at her as he sat down.
"So . . .what do you want to eat?"
"Anything's good. Just whatever you were planning on having."
"Sandwiches it is then." Kaoru stated with a smile.
He watched her for a moment. "Kaoru?"
Kaoru looked up at him immediately. He had used her name and for some reason that unsettled her. She saw his face was strained and his eyes were downcast. "Yes?"
"Can I . . ." He stopped and she waited until he continued. "I want to tell you something. About Sayo and me . . .it may help me to talk about it."
Kaoru smiled and walked over with a glass of water for him and sat down. "Of course."
Sano watched as she looked at him intently. He took a deep breath. "Since the fair things between Sayo and I have gotten a lot better . . .I don't really know why though. She doesn't complain and the only thing she does that bothers me is she meets up with some friends of hers every other day. You see before the fair . . .well actually about 3 months before the fair we were talking about . . .kids.
Kaoru's gaze didn't falter for a moment. She nodded to let him know he had her complete attention.
"Well, as we were talking she . . .said . . .something that . . .well, kinda . . .ruins everything, in a way. Do you understand?"
Kaoru looked at him blankly. He rubbed the back of his head. "She'd prolly get mad at me if she knew I was tellin you this but I'm gonna anyway . . .I need to tell someone and get their advice . . .mainly a woman."
Kaoru just watched him her brow wrinkled in confusion but she nodded for him to continue. "Well, you see . . .Sayo . . .Sayo . . ." He stopped and turned his head to look out the window.
Kaoru looked out the window as well wondering what had distracted him. She saw a carriage ride up and stop outside in her front yard. She stood up from the table and walked out on the porch. She wondered who would be stopping by on a day like today. Her face instantly lit up when she saw Lorie O'Connell alight from the carriage carrying the baby and followed by her two children, Annie and Micheal.
"Lorie!" She exclaimed as she pranced down the stairs and rushed over to hug her friend. "What brings you here?"
'Well, the children missed you and we haven't been able to talk in so long so I decided to visit. I hope it's not a bad time."
"Not at all." Kaoru said cheerfully as the children hugged her legs. She saw Lorie looking past her and she turned around to see Sano standing in the doorway.
"Why, Mr. Sagara how good it is to see you. It's been such a long time."
Sano smiled at Lorie. "It has, I've missed seeing your kids too." The children immediately after spotting Sano rushed over and tackled him. Lorie laughed lightly.
"Where's Kenshin? The children were hoping to play with him today."
"I'm afraid he's gone into town to have lunch with Mr. Dowdy."
"Oh dear well that does spoil my plans. I was going to swindle your husband into amusing them while we had a good chatting session. Oh well, perhaps we can talk some other time."
"Actually Ma'am if you'd like I can watch after these here young'uns now couldn't I?" He said as he twirled Annie around.
'He likes kids . . .wonder if Sayo knows . . .stop it Kaoru . . .you have enough of your own problems to deal with' Kaoru shook the thought away and looked questioningly at Lorie.
"Sounds fine to me, but I'm sure you're a very busy man and have no time to deal with children."
"I've got nothin' planned for the rest of the day. So I'm free." Sano said with a grin.
"Pwease wet Mister Sano pway wid us Mommy." Annie implored as she shook hr mother's skirt.
"Well, of course I'll let him play with you if he really wants to." Lorie said smiling at the bundle of curls. Annie smiled and let out a squeal of delight as she skipped back over to Sano.
"Well, that takes care of our problem. Are you sure you can handle them Mr. Sagara."
Sano just laughed and waved as he walked of to the nearby field with Micheal on his shoulders and Annie's hand in his own.
"Such a fine young man." Lorie commented.
"Yes, he is a fine young man." Kaoru said with a hint of sadness.
"Kaoru, if you don't mind my asking . . .how are things with his wife . . .or is that personal?"
"To tell you the truth I don't know . . .he was telling me something when you all road up but he never finished it."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure he'll tell me later. Now lets go have us a good talk." The women giggled like little schoolgirls as they entered the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kenshin road down the streets slowly tipping his hat to people walking by. 'Well, I think that Kaoru will be pleased with the deal that I made with Mr. Dowdy.' Kenshin thought please with himself for a productive day. He and Mr. Dowdy had talked prices for buying cattle. Mr. Dowdy was ready to expand his herd but his bull had suddenly died leaving him with no way to breed. He had gone to Kenshin for help and Kenshin loving the old man like a father had offered to give him a bull for free. Which of course Mr. Dowdy refused.
So Kenshin and he had haggled on a price all day. Mr. Dowdy offering an extremely high price while Kenshin went dollars below. They finally had settled on a price right about the middle of what each man had asked for from the start. They had shook hands on the deal and Kenshin was the drop off the bull the next time he was in town.
He continued to ride down the street lost in his thoughts until he spotted Sayo sitting outside on a bench with three other women. 'Wonder why she's here? Maybe Sano's around somewhere.' He decided to approach the group and talk to Sayo.
"Morning ladies." He said as he tipped his hat. Two of the women batted their eyes while the other crossed her arms and smirked Sayo just looked up at him as if her were stupid.
"Sayo, I was wondering is Sano in town."
"No. I believe he was working in the left field today. Though I'm not sure. I just came to town to get together with my friends. You shoul tell Kaoru that she should join us sometime."
'Over my dead body.' Kenshin thought hastily, but said out loud. "Yes, I'm sure she would enjoy company sometime. You all should come over for dinner and be sure to bring your husbands."
The two women's faces that were gazing at him seductively twisted into a horrible frown as they continued to bore into him with their eyes. Kenshin just smiled and tipped his hat again. "Have a good day ladies."
He knew full well that Kaytlin Ward had started a small group of disgruntled women after divorcing her husband and making him a public shame. 'Sayo has some great friends' he thought begrudgingly. He chuckled to himself upon remembering their faces when he had mentioned their husbands. 'That's not right Kenshin . . .' He corrected himself. 'In fact that was exceedingly rude.' 'But funny' He quickly added. Kaoru would scold him for that once he told her but it will have been worth it in the end.
"Kaoru . . ." He smiled as he thought of his wife. He spurred Summer and road off at a gallop. No horse could get him home soon enough.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kenshin arrived home shortly and saw there was a carriage sitting in their yard. 'Wonder who-' he heard children laughing and spotted Sano out in a field giving piggyback rides. 'The O'Connell's kids.' He smiled. They were his favorite children in the surrounding community. Two of the most well behaved children he'd ever met. He smiled and tied up Summer before going out in the field to join Sano.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Kaoru was sitting on the couch knitting and talking with Lorie when she heard the familiar whinny of Summer. He eyes darted to the front door and she hastily walked over to it and swung it open.
Lorie watched her with a knowing expression on her face. She got up and followed Kaoru outside.
Once outside Kaoru saw Kenshin and Sano swinging the kids around in circles. The children squealed and ran around yelling 'you can't catch me' and the men as if on cue ran seemingly ran after them 'as fast as they could' stopping every now and then to 'catch their breath'. (A/N in case you didn't know they're pretending) Finally Kenshin wrapped his arms around Annie and whirled her around. He stopped when he heard laughter drifting over the field.
He turned to meet his wife's eyes dancing with merriment as she laughed. Lorie was standing behind her trying to stifle her giggles by placing a hand over her mouth. But it was inevitable soon both women were laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes.
"I don't know what's so funny." Kenshin said with a smile on his face as he walked up.
Kaoru just giggled even more. And Sano looked at Kenshin helplessly.
"T-to think that-t-two grown men . . .w-would play-" Lorie couldn't finish. It had been the funniest thing seeing Sano and Kenshin run around like banshees after her children. She tried to regain her composure because now the children were laughing. At what they didn't have a clue but the sight of their mother laughing was enough to make them happy.
"W-Why doesn't everyone c-come inside for d-dinner" Kaoru finally got out between giggles.
"Sounds good to me. Come on Sano lets go wash up." Kenshin took one last glance at his laughing wife before disappearing around the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dinner was lovely. Kenshin and Lorie talked absentmindedly about things upcoming events. While Kaoru busied herself with making sure everyone was well fed. The children ate silently like they had been taught and Sano just leaned back in his chair taking it all in. 'This is what a family is supposed to look like.' He thought sadly. He was feeling rather out of place at the moment. Until Kenshin suggested they go and look at his new stall for the barn.
Sano gladly accepted. 'Anything to get me away from this.'
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *After dinner they all sat around the living room talking and laughing. The children were playing happily on the floor with some blocks of wood Kenshin had saved the last time he'd cut trees. Sano was now feeling more at ease as the women bantered on about the process of knitting a jacket and how difficult it was to d o the sleeves, while Kenshin and he shared a paper and were reading.
Sano looked out the window and was surprised at how late it was. "Well, I'm afraid I had better be going. It's getting late and I'm sure Sayo's wondering where in tarnation I am. Thanks for dinner Missy. It was nice seeing you again Mrs. O'Connell and thanks for lettin' me play with your kids." He ruffled Micheal's hair affectionately as he walked past.
"It is rather late. Children pick up the blocks and get ready to leave. Thank Mr. and Mrs. Himura for letting you play with them."
"Tank you." "Thank you." The children chanted obediently as they preceded their mother out the door.
"Thanks again for a lovely evening you two." Lorie said as she hugged Kaoru.
"It was fun! We'll have to do it again really soon." Kaoru said enthusiastically. Lorie Nodded.
Kenshin shook Sano's hand and followed his wife and Lorie out onto the front porch. Sano helped load up the kids on the carriage. Then Lorie led the carriage away. Sano waved goodbye again before mounting his steed and tearing off into the darkness.
Kenshin wrapped his arms around Kaoru's waist and pulled her back against his chest. "Is everything going okay with Sano?"
"I don't know Kenshin . . .he looks so sad sometimes."
"Yes, he does." Kenshin and Kaoru stood there staring after Sano each lost in their own thoughts.
"Come. It's late. Let's get to bed."
Kaoru Yawned. "Yes I'm sleepy. Let's go to bed." The couple walked inside and the only other sound that broke through the silence of the night was the cricket's merry song.
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Well, did you like it? I know it wasn't 'action packed' but it has some key ideas in it. So it was still important. Anyways I'm gonna thank all my reviewers now!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~My Reviewers ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Noner_89- Yes I have to tell you that last chapter was my favorite so far! Glad you love it! Sano and Sayo have issues as you can tell. Hope this gives you a little more insight.
Moonsilver- Ahh yes Sano and Sayo . . .good times . . . Glad you liked the Kaoru Kenshin bit. It's my favorite chapter in the whole fic right now!
Darky- Yes Kingdom Hearts is a great game . . .though I can't get the rest of the mystery goos. Sigh . . . Just look at my name and you can pretty much figure out what gender I am. *wink* OH and my age . . .I'm almost done with highschool! Woo hoo!
Allin656- Yea I was really afraid about making Sayo evil cause she's a complete softy in the series . . .I liked her and yet I didn't cause I wanted Sano to be with Megumi . . .Oh well, glad you like her character. Glad you liked the 'fluff'
Catnip- First of all thanks so much for checking out my story! I mean I'm so glad even though you don't like AU fics you checked mine out anyway. That's Awesome! (You just made my day by the way!) I DO try and update fast. I hate it when authors leave you hanging . . .of course that's what I've been doing in my other fic . . .heh heh. I'm so glad you enjoy my story! I really try to keep everyone in character . . .unless I tell you they're not lol. (For instance Sayo). Anyway thanks for the review! I hope you liked this chapter!
Nakkie- Thanks! I mean it! It's awesome that you're enjoying my story . . .the funny thing is the more I write the more INVOLVED it gets. I'm continually thinking of new twist . . .lol! In fact a REALLY big twist is coming up in a few chapters and everyone will hate me . . .but it's ok cause it's realistic. Anyway it's never too much to ask for a Sano/Megumi love! Hope you liked this chapter!
Mirage- It's one of your favorites? I'm so honored! (bows) Yes MANY things will happen to bond them closer just you wait! Hope you liked this chappie!
Animemistress419- Yes, isn't it precious? I tried to update soon! Hope this chapter was good!
Poppy2- EXACTLY! Woo hoo! Fun times! *wink* Glad you liked it! Hope this one was good!
Kenshinobsession- Yea I figured Kenshin would confess first. I think it's the best way! Anyway, hope you had a good week so far and that this chapter was good!
The Evil Witch- Not, yet. She's a slow little thing that she is! Lol!
Kakashi-fan- Yahiko won't come in for a while sooo . . .you'll just have to wait on that one . . .and well if Kenshin can wrestle cattle I guess that would make him pretty strong . . .so yea I guess he could fight if he needed to. Lol! Hope you liked this chapter!
Ginny-cry- Yea I'm planning on ordering them . . .kinda funny isn't it? You've gotten me addicted to something I haven't even seen yet! Lol! Hope this chapter was good!
Koishii Sweet- Aww I'm SO glad you liked it! It's my favorite chapter so far! Lol! I hope this is soon enough! Hope that this chapter was ok!
Mishorou Mie- Yay! So glad you LOVE IT!
Tintin-chan- (giggles) you really like it that much? Heheh! That makes me happy! Yea the fluff was great! And yes Kenshin wanting to hold someone in his arms was where I got the idea from. Don't worry more will come your way with time!
Lanse- Hehe I'm glad you liked it! This chapter was kinda . . .boring . . .if that's the word for it. But it needed to happen because . . .well you'll see.
Me, Myself, and I- Yes but Sano's and idiot sometimes . . .a cute idiot . . . but an idiot just the same. Yea Sayo's WAY out of character. But that's ok. As long as you practically HATE her it's all good!
Chocoberry- Well, sad to disappoint you but Sano and Sayo will NOT be together in the end. But it'll all be for the best. But yes Kesnhin confessed his feelings for Kaoru isn't it sweet?
Miko no Kokoro- (hands special waff toothpaste) Here this should help with the cavities. Don't want my stories to cause pain! LOL! Hope you liked this chapter!
Hioga-chan- Sound of Music . . .HAHAHAHAH! That's great! Well the hills pretty much DO look that way in my fic so I guess that's a good thing . . .no singing though . . .lol unless I teach Kenshin to yodel . . .lol! Sound of Music is a great movie though! Hope you liked this chapter!
Sequel x Kira Yamato- Don't worry Sequel I appreciate you. And well of COURSE you can't read my mind . . . I hardly understand it myself . . .how will they get together you ask??? Do you really think I'm gonna tell you? NO WAY! Heheh . . .that ruins the whole fun of SURPRISING you right??? Right??? And Kira . . .yea Sano has issues for loving that girl Sayo . . .I really don't like her at all. I actually don't mind her in the anime but I hate her in my story. O my poor, poor Sano . . .why did I ever do this to you? Oh well. I'm over it. See you guys later! Hope you liked this chappie!
Augi- I'm so glad you like it! I hope this chapter pleases you!
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Well that's all for now folks. Hope you all enjoyed it! All of your reviews are extremely encouraging! It really helps me get my mind working. Well until the next time I update! REVIEW!
~Kairi7~