Summary: 50 stories about Kenshin and Kaoru, sometimes meandering to include the other Ruroken cast. A mix of canon and AU one-shots. Some crack can be expected. Read and Review!
Rating: T
Characters: Kaoru and Kenshin
Disclaimer: Anything you recognise here belongs to the one and only Watsuki Nobuhiro.
Modern AU, Kenshin has always been Kaoru's sanctuary.
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"Kaoru, please hurry up. I need those cucumbers today honey." The soft voice of her mother belied the steely command latent in her words. Kaoru thrust her lower lip out, furrowed her eyebrows and quickly sliced the cucumbers into even discs. Depositing the plate in front of her mother, she stepped back from the kitchen island, and craned her neck to peek into the drawing room.
Her father was on the phone. She slumped. No chance of help from that end.
"Is something wrong Kaoru?"
"No, Mom. Everything's fine, just peachy."
"Hmmm."
Her mother began to hum as she expertly tossed a salad and grated cheese over a pasta dish. Kaoru took a deep breath. Now or never.
"Mom, do you need any more help?"
"No…we're pretty much set here. Have you set the table?"
"Yes."
"Folded the napkins like I told you to?"
"Yes."
"And you tidied your room as well?"
"Well….a little."
"Kaoru…." She drew her name out in a warning tone. Kaoru pulled a face.
"So what if it isn't one hundred percent tidy. It's not like anybody is going to see it."
"What if you and Enishi want to play videogames?"
"I am not taking that..that worm…"
"Kaoru…."
"Oh alright! But, I'm not taking Enishi anywhere near my room. Not to play videogames or anything else! Mom, I can't stand that guy and you just had to go and invite him and his family over for dinner. Geez, Mom, what were you thinking?"
"Kaoru, they're new in town and as neighbours, it's our duty to make sure they feel like a part of our community. You know that."
"Well fine, but do I have to be here? I can't stand him, he's so annoying!"
"What has the poor boy done to you Kaoru? You're never this bitter."
"I'm not being bitter. Enishi is just…just…an ignoramus, Mom."
Her mother laughed. "Oh Kaoru. You're so funny."
Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Can't I just go over to Misao's?" She turned to face her mother and shrank a little at her stern expression.
"Kaoru, we have guests coming over for dinner. I want you to be polite. Even if you don't like them. Understood?"
Kaoru sighed. "Yes, Mom."
"That's my girl." She bent and quickly kissed the top of Kaoru's head. "I love you."
"I love you too, Mom."
X
Half an hour later…..
Kenshin put his pen down and laid his head down upon his notebook. Groaning slightly, he stretched his hand, bringing his fingers to rest between his shoulder blades and gently massaged his tired muscles. Straightening his back, he rolled his shoulders back and forward before putting his books away. Just as he was about to stand and leave the room, there was a noise outside.
He turned towards it. There was a warm breeze blowing, making the curtains billow softly. He stood and walked to the window and looked outside. The street was deserted except for a few boys shooting hoops next door. He glanced at the house across the street in passing. Kaoru had mentioned something about a dinner. He leaned his hands on the window sill and sighed.
Suddenly there was a flash of light in the old tree-house. He frowned. What was that?
Kenshin pulled out a flashlight from a drawer and lightly ran down the stairs and out into the backyard to investigate. He stuck the flashlight in the back pocket of his jeans, and pulled himself up the tree. Sticking his head, through the lush branches of the tree, he felt his eyebrows shoot up at the sight that greeted him. Kaoru Kamiya, his precocious twelve year old neighbour, sat bundled up in a blanket with a packet of crisps and a candle for company.
She looked up in alarm, and relaxed as she recognised him. Kenshin shook his head and heaved himself onto the wooden pallet that served as a tree house when he'd been younger.
"Kaoru-chan, what are you doing here?"
"Hiding." She replied shortly.
"That's nice. Why aren't you home?"
"That would involve being nice to Enishi."
"Who's Enishi?"
"He's a jerk." She looked up. Kenshin was waiting for her to explain. "He's having dinner at my house."
"And you're here?"
"I'm allergic to jerks."
Kenshin ran his fingers through his hair. "Do your parents know you're here?"
She bit her lip. "No."
He took a deep breath and looked at her. "Come on, let's get you home."
A look of panic crossed her features. "Please Kenshin, let me stay here a while longer."
"Kaoru-chan, your Mom is probably getting ready to freak out. You have to go back."
"But…"
"Come on." He began his descent down the tree, jumping off the last branch with ease. Kaoru followed reluctantly behind him, clutching the blanket and crumpled packet of crisps. He crossed the yard and held the kitchen door open for her. Kaoru held her head down and dragged her feet, plodding into the kitchen.
"What's this? You cradle-snatching now, Himura?" Kaoru raised her eyes at the new voice. It was a slender boy with dark hair. He looked like he was in high school, just like Kenshin.
"Kaoru Kamiya, my friend Kamatari. Kamatari, this is Kaoru-chan, she lives across the street."
The boy glanced at her, smiling as he took in the blanket. "Running away from home?"
"Avoiding unpleasant dinner guests." She replied without batting an eyelid. Kamatari raised an eyebrow at Kenshin, who shook his head and picked up the kitchen phone.
Kaoru slumped in a chair and glared at him. Kenshin smiled at her and dialled the number. He waited for a few seconds, "Hello? Mrs. Kamiya, this is Kenshin….yes, from across the street. Just thought I'd let you know, Kaoru's here. Yes, she's fine. I'm bringing her over right away. It's alright, don't worry about it."
He put the phone down and turned to Kaoru who glared daggers at him. "I can't believe you did that! I thought I could trust you!"
"Kaoru-chan, your Mom was really worried."
"The only thing she's worried about right now is whether or not Enishi likes the pasta!" She grabbed her blanket and stamped to the door. Kenshin followed her.
"Kaoru, wait. I'll drop you home."
"It's across the street. It's not like I'll get lost." She slammed the door shut, and then reappeared five seconds later. "Traitor!"
The door slammed once more. The walls seemed to tremble. Kamatari glanced at Kenshin, "Well, you've always had a thing for high-voltage females." Kenshin rolled his eyes and punched him in the shoulder.
X
Author's Note
This is the first in a series of one-shots where the setting is modern. Kaoru is a bratty child and Kenshin is in high school. The one-shots will explore how their friendship grows over the years. Little snippets of conversations and incidents in their lives. Hope you all like them.