Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin
The weekend of his arrival made me nervous yet excited to see him once again. Misao hadn't stopped talking about him, and I hadn't stopped thinking about him. I wondered if he would remember me.
Christmas was only a week away and I was looking forward to my 2 weeks holiday off work over the festive period. I had bought all my presents and was glad this was one thing I could tick off my list, but I had yet to wrap them. So the Friday night I finished work I decided I`d sit in front of the tv with Misao and wrap them all, Misao could help with cutting pieces of cello-tape off for me.
"I havent bought a present for Aoshi yet Kaoru" this made me look up and I frowned.
"Why didn't you say, what is it your getting him I can go buy it for you tomorrow when I go shopping" I offered and Misao beamed a smile at me.
"Your the best" she giggled "I want to get him the new Lucia aftershave, a cook book so he can cook for me more often, and a golfing glove with his name woven into it" Misao was definitely in dream land now.
"Wow thats alot" I whistled but then dreaded the thought of having to go find all these gifts amongst the nightmarish city centre.
"I want to surprise him on Christmas morning" Misao sighed one of longing, she obviously couldn't wait to see him again. The nights he popped round were only for a few hours as he had to get a goods night rest as work called early for him the next day but Misao was patient.
"I`ll be going shopping early tomorrow" I informed and Misao looked at me in bewilderment.
"Don't you wanna see what your new neighbour looks like, he said he was moving in today" Misao seemed more excited than I am.
"You know if I didnt know any better i`d think you had a soft spot for this man" I smirked playfully.
"Its a good job you don't know any better then isnt it" Misao giggled and I laughed.
"You hungry?" I asked and she nodded, so we dialled for a pizza.
"Pizza`s take forever" Misao moaned 20 minutes later when it still hadn't arrived.
The bell did finally ring and I rushed to the door still laughing at a joke Misao had told earlier.
"14" Pepperoni?" the delivery man asked and I nodded.
"That`ll be £6.50" and I paid the man and he left, I breathed in the smell of the warm boxed pizza in my hand and my mouth began to water.
"Good evening Kaoru" I looked up at the sound of a male voice and I stepped back in shock, my mouth hanging open and eyes widening. I had hoped to be prepared for when I met this man, not stood on my doorstep slavering over a pizza.
He stood there in his doorway with a large box in his hand, his smile was so warm and friendly I could only stare in wonder, had this really been the man covered in blood and growling at me.
"Your my new neighbour" I spoke out in a pathetic voice and he grinned.
"I sure am, and I hope your the friendly neighbour to lend milk and sugar when one is out" he chuckled and I laughed nervously wondering why he was being so friendly, surely this was not the man from the hospital.
"Kaoru whats taking so-" Misao grumbled as she hobbled next to me but she stopped in her tracks when she saw who I was talking to.
"Oh Hi!" she beamed a little too cheerful.
"Nice to see you again Misao, so I have the pleasure of living beside two beautiful ladies" he charmed and Misao giggled.
"No this is Kaoru`s flat she`s just keeping me company while I recover from a major accident" Misao buttered it all up, whenever she could get a chance she would talk about her great escape from deaths door and the sympathy would keep on coming. I couldn't blame her though, I would probably do exactly the same thing.
"Pizza tonight is it?" our new neighbour asked and Misao nodded whilst snatching the box from my hands and opening the lid.
"Not to be rude or anything but this smells deeelicious and I am starving so when your all settled in call round for a drink" Misao told our new neighbour before hobbling back into the flat.
"How do you know my name?" I asked when I knew Misao was a safe distance away.
"Dr Shinomori referred to you as Kaoru at the hospital, when you wandered into my room" he teased playfully and I felt my toes tingle.
"So you are the man I saw at the hospital" I lent against the door frame for a little support, just being a a few metres away from this man was doing strange things to me.
"I apologise for my appearance back at the hospital, it couldn't have been pleasant" I was surprised at this apology, I thought I would be the one forwarding the apologies.
"I should apologise too" I mumbled, I wasnt finding this easy at all.
But before I could say anything the box slipped from my neighbours hands and the contents spilled across the floor. Neither of us moved but the horror on my neighbours face was evident. I looked down at my feet to were one item had slid to my feet.
"I have an illness" my neighbours tone lowered to a chill hiss as he snatched his belongings throwing them back into the box and slamming his door shut.
My face must have been a picture as I stood there staring at his door, I slowly stepped back and closed the door gently.
"Your gonna have to order another pizza" Misao shouted out as she laughed at something on TV. I wandered slowly to the living room and Misao glanced over at me.
"Hes handsome isnt he" she winked at me and I didnt reply.
"You want me to order another pizza?" she shouted out to me as I wandered to my bedroom.
"I'm not hungry" I replied and shut my bedroom door.
The contents of that box weighed on my mind and I fell back onto my bed, 'I have an illness' his chilling words played over and over and I wondered what kind of illness required someone to need large amounts of blood bags.
*
Misao didn't disturb me until morning when she shouted out that Aoshi would be taking her to dinner and that she would leave some money on the kitchen counter for me to get his Christmas presents.
As soon as Misao had left I crept out of my room and to the front door leaning forward and squinting through the peephole on the door, she door was directly opposite. I wondered if he was still in there, I must have stood there for a good 10 minutes before I pulled myself away and decided if I got out now I wouldn't bump into him if he hadn't already moved in, Misao had said his official move in day was today so the sooner I got out the better.
I quickly showered, dressed and left for the shops. The city was busy and full of life as usual, and with only 6 days left till Christmas day everyone was out doing their last minute shopping. It didn't take long for me to find a good cook book, or the aftershave but the golfing glove was becoming a struggle. Misao had given plenty of money but I personally would be put off paying £15 for an all weather golfing glove, it was only one glove that didn't cover the whole of the hand and had sweat holes in it, but it was what Misao wanted for Aoshi so I waited for an hour as the glove was woven with the name .
Once all the gifts had been collected I decided on resting my aching feet with a coffee, resting into a booth a waitress quickly approached me with a menu and I ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate muffin, everyone treats themself at Christmas. As I drank my cappuccino I let my thoughts wander back to last nights events with my neighbour.
'I have an illness'the words grew more chilling as I thought of him hissing at me, horrified at my finding, if he really did have an illness my heart went out to him. I made a mental note to ask Aoshi of any illness be rare or without a cure that required one to need a large blood backup.
My new neighbour was becoming more of a shadow on my back than anyone I had ever met, he was handsome and was incredibly well mannered, his dress sense was a little off as I thought to his black shirt and black jeans, he looked almost Gothic with his fiery red hair spilling over his shoulders and pale complexion bringing out the sharp violet eyes.
I had seem him before but where I had yet to figure out, he was one of those few people that on a single contact of the eyes you remembered something, be it long ago or from a hidden dream he was definatly familiar and unanswered questions prevented you from remembering how you knew him.
I looked out into the cold wintry streets of looked, crawling with people desperate to get there required gifts and get home to the comforts of the warm fire or hot bath. I held my cappuccino and cradled it between my fingers letting my eyes wander over the many people in the cafe. I loved to people watch, witnessing an event in someone elses life other than your own somehow felt therapeutic. As wrong as it was, listening into others conversations was interesting especially when secrets and confessions were left out in the open. I smiled as the women in front of me giggled over a successful date and gossiped about the texts he had sent, and I listened intently to the couple behind me as they whispered over their missing daughter, the anguish in their voice being forced to silence. A quiet television in the corner of the coffee shop caught my attention and I quickly left seeing the forcasted blizzards fast approaching England.
I left the coffee shop and headed home, pulling my coat closer around me as the bitter wind gripped me. Flakes of snow were being blown around the air and I walked faster, it was foretold to be a very frosty winter.
"I`m home" I shouted as I let myself into my flat and felt the warmth smother my exposed skin indicating someone was already in the flat and had the fire on.
"Kaoru" Misao greeted with a glass of wine in one hand and her support stick in the other.
"Our new neighbours all settled in" she grinned and my smile faltered as I looked into the living room to see Aoshi and my new neighbour enjoying what looked to be a bottle of red.
"Ah Kaoru, how was shopping?" Aoshi stood and poured me a glass of red.
"Busy" I spoke without emotion as I took off my coat scarf and gloves and handed Misao her bags, she quickly hobbled into the spare room she was occupying.
"Afternoon Kaoru" I averted my eyes from his intense stare.
"We are just having a little welcome party for your new neighbour" Aoshi told me as I sat awkwardly on my own sofa.
"I hope you dont mind the intrustion" my new red headed 'friend' smiled at me and I took a gulp of my wine.
"Of course not" I choked on the wine and stood to leave for the kitchen.
"Whats for dinner?" I asked seeing Aoshi cooking on the stove and smelling something delicious.
"Spaghetti" Aoshi smiled "Wont be long now just another 10 minutes"
"Soooo Mr..." I didn't even know my new neighbours name and here he was drinking red wine in my living room, he stood and extended his hand for me to take.
"Please call me Kenshin" he smiled and I took his outstretched hand. The tingle that zipped through my spine with that one touch forced me to pull away from the contact.
"Were`s Misao disappeared to?" Aoshi asked and I nodded to the spare bedroom.
"Wrapping gifts" I smirked and he grinned playfully creeping up to the door and sneaking inside.
"Who`d have thought him a doctor hey" I joked
"And a very good one at that" Kenshin turned to me and refilled my glass.
"My presence makes you uncomfortable" Kenshin turned away from me placing the wine bottle back onto the table.
"Last night-"
"Was something you can either forget or accept, you have alot to learn Kaoru" he kept his back to me but I knew from that moment on, the way he spoke my name, I wasn't a stranger to him.
"Who are you?" I whispered praying Misao or Aoshi would interrupt. Kenshin turned to me and the serious expression on his face made me grip my glass.
"You dont remember" his expression turned to that of anguish and I forced myself not to reach out to him.
"Remember what?" I begged for him to explain.
"Tea is ready" Aoshi dashed out of the spare room and into the kitchen obviously praying the food wasn't burnt. I sat on the sofa whilst Kenshin sat on the opposite chair, but he wouldn't look at me.
"Oh this is good Aoshi" we all agreed with Misao as we chowed down on our evening meal.
"There's something missing" I mumbled as we ate and Aoshi nodded in agreement.
"Garlic, Kenshin here is allergic to it" Aoshi informed and I looked over to Kenshin who continued to eat.
"Ive added some chilli flavouring instead" Aoshi spoke with a mouthful of food.
"Its delicious" I moaned as the flavours released in my mouth.
In all the evening meal turned out better than I had thought as we all enjoyed one anothers company. I couldnt help noticing Kenshins lustful stare as he watched me from across the room, and I felt myself drawn to him like an addict to the drug.
"Kaoru i`ll be taking Misao home with me tonight, I have the day off tomorrow so i`ll be surprising her with a few treats" Aoshi`s smirk was playing with his lips as he spoke, Misao squeaked in excitement.
"What have you got planned for tomorrow?" Misao asked me and I was about to reply with the usual 'grocery shopping then off to meet mother for lunch' but Kenshin suprisingly answered for me.
"Kaoru has offered to help me decorate my flat, haven't you" his words were almost hypnotic and I could only nod in agreement.
"Well that's nice, I can see some neighbourly bonding happening already" Aoshi joked but Misao smirked and winked at me. I turned to Kenshin to see him looking at me once more and his eyes bore into mine.
"I`m stuffed" Misao gasped as she led back onto the sofa and patted her stomach.
"Aoshi that was wonderful, thank you" I smiled at him and carried out plates to the kitchen.
"I`ll help you" Kenshin stood.
Misao nudged Aoshi, Aoshi nudged her back. "This is going very good" Misao whispered.
"Better than I expected" Aoshi whispered back and both snook off to the privacy of the spare room leaving Kaoru and Kenshin alone in the kitchen.
"Why did you say that?" I asked him as I filled the sink up with watch pouring liquid in creating an explosion of bubbles.
"There are unanswered questions, I tire of waiting" he breathed down my neck as he stood behind me, I scrubbed harder on the plates in an attempt to distract myself.
"Tell me now"
"Ive waited a long time just to see you Kaoru, you can wait til tomorrow to receive your answers" he whispered in my ear and the glass I held shattered in my hand.
"Shit!" I screeched as I gripped my hand which was drowning in blood, I turned to Kenshin for help and the pain in my hand was nothing compared to the fear wafting through me as I saw Kenshin`s eyes sharpen and change colour, his gaze was focused on my bleeding hand.
"Aoshi!" Kenshin through himself away from me. Aoshi appeared with wide eyes as he took in the scene before him, I heard the kitchen window open and I turned to see Kenshin throw himself out.
"What?!" I screamed as I ran over to the window and looked down but there was no none there, as if I had just imagined him jumped out of my flat window. I pulled myself away from the ledge and turned to Aoshi my breathing coming in pants.
"You know of his secrets?!" I was out of breath from shock but Aoshi ignored me as he took care of my hand.
"I do not know of any secrets" Aoshi spoke in a calm but shaken voice as he picked the glass from my hand.
"It wont stop bleeding" I looked on in disgust at my gashed hand.
"That's good the flow of the blood will push out any tiny pieces of glass in the skin" he nodded for me to sit as we made our way to the bathroom, Misao hovered nervously in the doorway.
"Aoshi that man just jumped out of my flat window!" I sobbed as the tears gave way, this was all too much for me.
"At the hospital when you walked into the wrong room, I was treating Kenshin who had multiple wounds all over his body, he`s a common visitor to the hospital and he only wishes for me to treat him. He is not registered under any name I don't even know if Kenshin is his real name, he had no address filed with us and he has no medical record" Aoshi told me as I sat there sobbing pitifully as he picked the remaining lodged pieces of glass with tweezers.
"There are things you dont know Kaoru and things that you mustnt know!" Aoshi`s voice grew harsh.
"I don't understand" I whimpered as Aoshi pulled down the first aid bag from the top shelf of the bathroom.
"You don't want to, believe me!" Aoshi spat as he dabbed my hand with a topical antibiotic and began dressing it.
"Aoshi i`ve seen the blood bags, he told me he had an illness! He got those blood bags from you didn't he" I spat back in frustration.
"Misao we are leaving" Aoshi spoke out knowing Misao was only standing behind him in the door frame.
To be continued.....
poems2songs - Hope you like this chapter too!
bluewolfeyes - Thanks for the lovely comment it is greatly appreciated :)