Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin
The festival (part 2)
They were walking towards the city. Misao held Suzume's hand, until the latest got way too distracted by Aoshi's faces, that she let her go. She began to make a space between Aoshi and herself. She was in a lot of pain, emotional pain, because all night he just ignore her, and it was showing around her, in her ki, in the way that she walked, the way that she was breathing. Anyone paying attention could see it. Aoshi, as always, was oblivious to it.
Kaoru was still on Kenshin's embrace. He was reluctant to let her go. He liked the way she felt against his body, but he could see that Misao needed help and support
"Kaoru, Misao needs your help"
"I know Shinta. I just don't want to… never mind" the rurouni looked at her quizzically.
"Kaoru, go talk to her. She needs support. Aoshi wont decide to treat her as a women, and Okina wants her marry by the end of the year, so that gives us around two months to make Aoshi understand, or just help her to let him go."
"Shinta, you are right. I don't wanna leave your embrace, but I must help a friend" she smiled to him, blushing, while he reluctantly took his arm back from her shoulders.
Meanwhile Tokio looked at Misao with pity on her eyes.
"Hajime, she does not deserves these treatment"
"The weasel is an annoying girl, but I must agree with you. The icicle went way too far this time"
"I must go help her. Would you watch Shinomori and the girls for me? I promise that I will make it up to you"
"If that is your wish… so it be. But remember, you will pay for it later"
"Yes husband, whatever you want"
Tokio went near Misao, while Kaoru let go of Kenshin and also went to her side
"Misao, please. Don't be down for this. I know that Aoshi-san looks astounding, that he did not pay attention to you, but I believe he just dressed for you" said Kaoru
"No Kaoru, he still sees me like a child" answer Misao
"You are far from a child Misao-chan" said Tokio at her other side
"I know I am, but he does not, and he does not want to admit it. Okina wants me marry by the end of this year, because now I am officially the Okashira of the Oniwabanshu, but I always held the hope that I would be Aoshi by my side, not a complete estranger"
"Look Misao, let me be honest. You are far too pretty to held this long faces. The man by your side, whoever is gonna be, he is going to be the luckiest man alive, and if Shinomori does not want to realize it, so be it. Misao come on, prove him how much of a women you are, go to the festival, enjoy yourself and wait to see what happens" said Tokio
"Misao, that is true. Look, you do look even more astounding than Aoshi-san, even Kenshin was breathless looking at you, which I don't really feel comfortable with, you know" said Kaoru putting a face, while Misao gave a look of apology at her. Kaoru made a grin "but Tokio-san is right, you must be yourself. Putting things and faces for him to know that you have grown up will do nothing, he cannot see farther than his nose, and you know that"
"I got these kimono just for him, and he does not even care, or notice for that matter" said Misao with a frown
"If it makes you feel better, which I am not sure it will, and please, not a word, Hajime said that you looked nice" said Tokio
"The wolf said that I look good?" asked Misao with a face that clearly state that she could not imagine that
"Yeah, he did. Misao come on, will you let the long face and enjoy yourself?" said Tokio almost pleading
"Yeah Misao, please" said Kaoru begging
"Hai, I will. For you girls, anything" said Misao with a weak smile on her face
"That is better. Now, let's just have fun, with or without Shinomori" said Tokio
Meanwhile, a little bit ahead, Kenshin walked towards the girls. Saito, on the other hand, with his mind planning how his wife was going to pay for yesterday and today's actions, went to Suzume's side. He did not really meant to get there, and before he could do anything to avoid it, Suzume took his hand in hers.
Saito look down at her in shock, and before he could utter a word, Suzume let go of Aoshi's hand and turned fully to Saito.
The girls stopped talking at the interesting view in front of them, the wolf was in problems. Tokio knew that he did not like kids, but that was secondary. Someday, she wishes to have kids, so he would have to learn. She loves Eiyi, but she wants one to rise. Not far away Megumi wanted to laugh and Sano was already on the floor laughing quietly.
Kenshin could sense how Saito got tense when Suzume took his hand on hers, so he went to stand in front of Suzume, and at Saito's side. Ayame and Aoshi also stopped
"Ken-nii, I don't remember who this handsome men is. Oh look, he has a sword like you and Aoshi-oji" said Suzume to Kenshin, while she still held Saito's hand on hers
"Suzume-chan, he is Tokio-san husband, Saito" said Kenshin
"Really? You are Tokio-neechan's husband… so that means that this is Saito-nii" she said happily. She went forward and kissed Saito's cheek.
Saito wanted to faint. Wait a second, Saito-nii??? These kids did not know him, and they already made him part of their family?. Ayame let go of Aoshi and went to kiss Saito's other cheek.
The group was shocked. Kenshin froze at this waiting for a reaction from the wolf. He had to be alert in case that the wolf did something. His eyes were amber and alert
If that bastard says the wrong thing, after what those girls said and did to him, he will die at my hands I swear
Yeah, I agree with you. Let's just watch for now.
Amusing, Tokio thought
Misao was looking at the wolf faces of shock. Megumi was now laughing with her mouth cover by her kimono sleeve, while Sano was struggling to breath from how hard he was laughing. Aoshi was beyond holding his amusement. Kaoru was watching the scene interested. She knew that the wolf's live was at risk, if he pissed the kids.
"Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan. Saito does not feel comfortable with kids" said Kenshin, while looking at Saito with an amber glare
"Saito-nii, that is not true right?" asked Ayame
"Ken-nii, that is not possible. Right Saito-nii?" said Suzume about to let go of her tears "right Saito-nii? Tell Ken-nii that you like to be with us"
Saito did not know what to say or do. He could see that Kenshin, no, Battousai was going to chop his head off if he said the wrong thing. Suzume let go of a tear, and Battousai's hand went to his sword
"There is not need for that Himura. I like to be with them, is all right" and what he did next made all the presents believe that they were on a dream. Saito got up and took both kids in his arms
I just hope that no one sees me like this, but I have to admit, the kids are cute thought Saito
"Wait a second" said Aoshi, trying to sound casual "You know more of me, and you call me Aoshi-oji, and you just meet the wolf and you call him Saito-nii?"
Everyone laugh at this. Kenshin relax at sensing that the wolf was actually enjoying these, and could feel how his ki radiated when Aoshi made his remark
"Aoshi-oji, Saito-nii is not a wolf, and he is Saito-nii because he is Tokio-neechan's husband" explained Suzume
"If you were Misao-neechan's husband, you would be Aoshi-nii" remarked Ayame
Everyone laugh at the intelligence of the little girls and watched with amusement how Aoshi's face turned a shade of pink. Misao made a pained face for a second, but then smiled. Tokio went to her husband side and said to him in his ear
"I love to look at you like that. You look cute with the kids, and don't even dare to deny that you are enjoying it" said Tokio
"Shut it women, you are going to pay for this later" Saito answer, while turning his head to his wife and made a grin. She understood perfectly that signal. It meant 'I am enjoying it, yes, but don't even dare to say anything'
"All right husband, but you look even more handsome tonight. With those two beautiful girls, I should be jealous" said Tokio with a smirk
"Tokio-neechan, don't be jealous, we love you too" said Ayame and Suzume at the same time that they took one of the hands that were holding onto one of Saito's shoulders and put them in front of them for her to take
Kenshin was happy to see this. He never liked the wolf, until now. He was somehow more human at his eyes. He could see the love that radiated from his wife, and the natural that it seamed for the wolf to hold to the kids. He was enjoying it
"Shall we continue?" asked Kenshin
"Yes, let's go. What do you think girls?" said Saito
"Yeah let's go Saito-nii. Will you buy us some cotton candy?" asked Suzume
"Yes we will girls, as soon as we arrive to town" answer Tokio
"I hate to admit this, but I like the wolf now" said Kaoru at Kenshin's side
"He looks good with children, and the girls love him" said Misao at Kenshin's other side "I thought that I would not live to see him like this, even thou he took Eiyi in the Shingetsu village"
"Yeah, I agree. Shall we continue?" asked Kenshin offering his arm to Kaoru and a wide smile to Misao
"Yeah, sure Himura, let's go" said Misao returning his smile with one of her own
They walked like that for a while, until Ayame asked Saito to put her down, so she could be free to run to Aoshi, but not before kissing Saito's and Tokio's checks. Suzume resumed her hold on Saito, putting her small arms around his neck and gave him a kiss.
"They love you Hajime" said Tokio happily
"Yeah Saito, the kids really like you. Thanks" said Kenshin from behind. Saito was now openly confused because of the thanks, but before he could do anything else, the tanuki said
"Yeah Saito, thanks" and gave him a wide smile, with her mouth and eyes
"No problem" answer Saito, with his trademark grin
Aoshi took Ayame on his hold. He was feeling confuse. Everyone was telling him that he should marry Misao, including his consciousness, even a small child that had no real vision of life, and did not even knew him. He was also kind of jealous of the wolf because he got the kids whole attention for a long time, leaving him walking by himself. He was also kind of jealous with Battousai, because he was soo close to his Misao
'wait a second, where did that come from? Mine?' said a voice inside Aoshi's head. He shocked his head and continue walking 'Shinomori Aoshi, stop. You are jealous of the wolf and the Battousai?? You have lost control too many times now, what is going on?'
"Saito-nii" said Suzume, trying to get Saito's attention for herself, while he was talking with his wife "I am hungry, I wanna eat"
"Yeah Hajime, I am hungry too. What are we going to eat?" asked Tokio
"Ask Battousai, I think that he has a plan" said Saito sternly
"Himura-san where are we going to eat? The girls are hungry" said Tokio
"Yeah Himura, do you have anything on mind?" asked Misao
"Actually, I was thinking that we could eat inside the festival. There is all kind of foods. I know that there will be a lot of sweet stuff" said Kenshin looking at Misao and Kaoru "a lot of cotton candy" he said looking at Suzume that was on Saito's arms "and good soba for you" said looking directly at Saito
"Even Himura knows that soba is what you like honey, he thought about everything" said Tokio looking at his husband
"Why do you like soba soo much Saito-nii?" asked Suzume
"Himura, we have a problem, Ayame is sleep" said Aoshi
"We will take her home, right rooster?" said Megumi
"Sure kitsune" said Sano with a naughty smirk. Saito made a face that clearly resembles a person that wanted to throw up "Wolf, do you want us to take Suzume too?"
"Saito-nii, I don't wanna go, I wanna stay with you" said Suzume
"If that is all right with you, of course" said Kenshin
"Sure, no problem Himura-san, we are enjoying Suzume's company" answer Tokio
"All right then, see ya guys later. Don't do anything that I would not" said Sano taking Ayame from Aoshi's grip and began walking towards Megumi
"Saito-nii, can I get on your shoulders? Just like when I get on Ken-nii'?" asked Suzume
"Yeah, sure. Himura, how do you put her exactly?" asked Saito
"Here let me help you" said Kenshin letting go of Kaoru. They were pretty close to the festival.
Just in front of them there was a sake stand with many drunks bakas. Kaoru, Misao and Tokio went forward a little, and when they heard Suzume's request, they stopped to wait for Kenshin and Saito, while Aoshi was in the shadows, but not too far
"Oi, look what we have here buddy" said a drunk guy to another
"Yeah, hey beauties" said the other. Aoshi, Saito and Kenshin did not hear a word. The guys advance towards Misao and Kaoru
"Buddy, I want the one in brown, she is gorgeous"
'great the one day that I did not bring my bokken with me, under my kimono, is the day I need it' thought Kaoru
"If I was you, I would leave right about now" said Tokio looking towards the oblivious males
'I don't have my kunais with me. Crap' thought Misao
"Yeah If you want to keep your heads, I would leave" said Kaoru. One of the guys went to give her a black flip. Kaoru closed her eyes ready to receive the punch, while the other guy went to Misao, who told him clearly "You are garbage, get out of my way". She understood that this was a mistake shortly after, when the guy went to hit her
They both waited to get the punch that never came. They opened the eyes, only to see a funny scene. The guy that went to punch Kaoru was under an angered Battousai who said
"Don't ever dare to talk or touch MY WOMEN, you garbage, am I clear enough?" Kenshin had his sword push against the drunken guy's neck. He decided that to make even more clear what he was saying, he punch the guy several times, as hard as he could
Meanwhile, the wolf got the one who went to punch the weasel. When he saw what was happening, he putted Suzume on the floor and made her go towards Shinomori, and before he could reply, the wolf was on top the other guy beaten the hell out of him, and said "don't you even dare to mess with my wife or the weasel. You don't wanna anger me" he said this while he gave a last punch on the guy's face.
"Hajime, that is enough, you are going to mess your gloves. Look, they have blood on them… oh well I will buy you new ones when we go inside the festival" said Tokio taking a hold of Saito's jacket. He let go of the guy and kicks him one last time
"Shinta, is all right let's go," said Kaoru on Kenshin's ear. He let the unconscious guy on the floor and got up
"Saito-nii, Ken-nii, are you ok?" said Suzume getting near them. She hugged Kenshin's hakama pant, and then went to look at Saito's hand "Saito-nii, your gloves are ruined…" she said somehow disappointed
"Saito, thanks for getting that drunk guy out of me" said Misao blushing "Allow me to get you new gloves please"
"No problem weasel, don't worry" said Saito taking Suzume on his arms "Shinomori, you should be more careful with your weasel if you don't want her to get hurt, I might not be near the next time"
"You are going to pay for this you bastards" said one of the drunken guy to Saito and Kenshin "You are messing with the Yakuzas, you wont be able to save them the next time"
"Oh, really??" said Battousai in a murderer's tone. Even Saito could not suppress a flinch "You are an idiot, you are lucky to be alive. Come on Battousai, the girls are hungry and I don't wanna make them wait any longer" said Saito
"Yeah Saito, let's go. He does not deserves our time" Kenshin turned around with golden eyes, shining on the night. He went between Kaoru and Misao, shot a murderer's glance towards Aoshi and said in an icy tone "I fully expect that you would protect Misao, no matter what. Don't let anything like this happen again, do I make myself clear?"
Aoshi could only gulp at Kenshin's sight. He was furious, but he could not understand why. Tokio and Saito were shouting anger glances too. Suzume asked Saito to put her down and went towards Aoshi, who took her in his arm.
"Let's go" said Tokio. Kenshin, well no, Battousai, offered both arms to the girls that were at each side of him "I want you two close to me, just in case" said Kenshin
Misao took a hold of Kenshin's arm, wishing somehow that Aoshi would just offer his arm instead. Kenshin did expect Aoshi to do so, but when he simply turned around, he got piss. Kaoru notice it and immediately took his arm and said
"Come on Misao, I am hungry" said Kaoru
"Yeah, all right. Himura, are you all right?" said Misao looking at Kenshin, whose eyes were even brighter with anger in the deep pools of gold. When he did not answer, Misao said "Himura?"
He turned around to look at Misao, when he heard his name. He notices that Misao flinched when she saw his eyes, so he smiled to her and said, "Everything is all right Misao-dono, that it is" Misao calmed herself down.
Saito was glancing at Aoshi too, as if trying to kill him in the distance. He could feel Battousai's anger, now that he did not even bother to hide it, and saw the weasel on Kenshin's other arm
"Ken-nii, Saito-nii come here, I wont eat without you!" said Suzume from Aoshi's shoulders
"Coming Suzume-chan" said Kaoru, while resuming their path into the festival
'Shinomori should watch it, Battousai is out, and he does like to protect the weasel. I am sure that he does not love her like he does the tanuki, but he cares for her as an older brother. I can easily understand that when she was with him during the Shishio incident' thought Saito
Let me beat the hell out of the icicle
We should mind our own business
You say that because she is not in danger anymore. But what would happened is the guy did hit Misao?
Let's just thank the wolf that did not let it happen
If he hurts weasel again while they are here, he is gonna pay a high price
They were near the food side of the festival. There were a lot of clothing stances, and Misao, Kaoru and Tokio shoved Saito and Kenshin to look at them, while Aoshi watched from the distance. Saito and Kenshin decided to not let go of the girls, because there were a lot of drunken guys.
"Hajime, here, there are some few gloves here. Would you like another color, besides white?" said Tokio
"You know that I used them because there are a part of the uniform only," said Saito
"You liked to wear gloves during the Bakumatsu" Kenshin observed "Under the arm's guard"
"Well yeah" said Saito
"Let me get you a pair Saito, as a thank you gift. Maybe a pair of black one? Grey?" said Misao
"There is no need to thank me weasel, I did my duty" said Saito
"Just plain white Misao, you know Saito, always by the book" said Tokio
Everyone laughed. Misao bought a pair of white one and handed it to Saito. He took them and put them on saying something that sounded like thanks.
Soon they were on the food court. Kenshin had at each side of him the girls. Aoshi was in front of them. It did not took them long to eat. They grabbed a bite and decided to go to the store site. Suzume wanted to go to the playground, so Aoshi communicated his intensions of going there
"Aoshi-sama would you appreciate some company?" asked Misao
Aoshi looked at her and he could feel Battousai's ki growing. He knew that he loved Misao as a younger sister and that he would protect her with everything he got "If you wish to come, then come"
Saito and Kenshin put their hands in fists. Kaoru and Tokio took a hold of them and waited to see Misao's reaction, but before she could say something…
"Misao-neechan, come with us" said Suzume
"Of course Suzume-chan" said Misao taking Suzume's hand, and walking away
"Himura I will let you to your business now" said Saito
"We will meet to see the fireworks in an hour and a half at the hill top" said Tokio "we already talked about it"
"All right, we will meet there. But the way, thanks Saito for what you did for Misao and the girls" said Kenshin
"Don't worry, he enjoy it, right Hajime?" said Tokio
"Yes wife, whatever you say" said Saito "An hour and a half". After saying these, he took Tokio towards the stores.
Is time to tell her. Let's take her near the hill, so we can be alone for a while and not far from the meeting place
Yeah, I am beginning to get nervous
Don't worry rurouni, confidence
"Kaoru, would you like us to go near the hill, so we could continue our conversation?" asked Kenshin
"Yeah Shinta, I would love to. Can we get a hot tea first? I am kind of cold" Kaoru blushed. She could feel that something was going to happen tonight, and she was beginning to get anxious
"Would you like to take my haori, Kaoru?"
"No Shinta, just tea and well…" said Kaoru blushing prettily
"Yes Kaoru?"
"Just embrace me Shinta"
"As you wish Kaoru," he said while he putted his arm around Kaoru and said to her ear "do you really want tea? Or would you trade it for a hug, Kaoru-dono?" said Kenshin with a mischievous grin
"That sounds like a nice deal. Sure" said Kaoru while resuming the walk towards the hill. She knew that he was teasing her with the –dono, but she let it slip
Tonight, before the firework, everything will be different. Our Kaoru. Ours rurouni, no one else's. We wont share her… Just our… Battousai thought possessively
Hey guys, would you like me to continue?? I kinda want to give it a turn… Something bad or at least interesting happening to the group?? Give me your opinion please
Thanks
