Light poured through the shōji in Kaoru's room, highlighting the patterns on her futon and face. The room was peaceful and still until Kaoru shot up with one hand covering her face. Beads of sweat rolled down her jaw as she shook from the fear that grew from within. So… vivid, and similar to Dr. Gensai's story about the love triangle between my parents and Katsu. But it's still not the story… She removed the hand from her face and used it to caress the arm that was supporting her weight. What do I do?
Kenshin had been up since the crack of dawn, walking around the perimeter of the dojo because he felt uneasy. What is bothering Kaoru-dono? I wish she would tell me. I want to help her. The rurouni continued his pondering until he reached Kaoru's room for the fifth time. He stared longingly at her shoji, unconsciously wishing that one day, he would have the courage to go through it and hold her, comfort her through her tough times. If he had lingered longer, that wish could've came true for then, Kenshin would've heard Kaoru's sudden gasp and the abrupt fluctuation of her peaceful ki.
Kaoru slid open her shoji and stepped out into the morning light. Sighing and stretching her arms upward, she inwardly hoped for the day to go by peacefully without questions and strode towards the training room. Yahiko was already there, practicing his strokes, when she stepped through the door.
"Yahiko? Why are you here so early?"
"Oh you're finally awake, busu. Good morning!" the young student greeted. "Hurry and come over here! I have something to show you." The assistant master walked over to her student, subtly tracking the flow of his ki for fluctuations that would mean a sudden attack. Suddenly, the student's bokken came crashing down towards Kaoru's left shoulder. Kaoru barely managed to dodge the attack; she skidded to a stop a few feet away from Yahiko. His ki remained constant…
Kaoru straightened up and questioned, "Yahiko, when did you learn how to hide the fluctuations in your ki?" Her brows furrowed.
"Kenshin taught me last night and I practiced 'til dawn. Haha I think I should be called a prodigy now!"
"Mou, more like Kenshin is a good teacher," Kaoru playfully slapped boy's arm and the two laughed, the sound ringing throughout the practice hall. The cheerful atmosphere was hastily stopped when an alien ki was felt and a shadow fell through the door.
"Who are you?" Yahiko asked as he took a defensive stance in front of Kaoru. The man at the door merely smiled and walked closer. The pupil switched into offense and prepared to jump at the intruder, but was stopped when Kaoru placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You need to learn how to keep your ki under control during times like these, Yahiko," she said to the boy and then turning to the man, "And you sir need to learn how to knock so you won't surprise the ones who don't know you, Nobuo." She walked towards Nobuo and gave him a quick slap to the shoulder. In turn, he picked her up and hugged the living daylights out of the poor girl!
"Kaoru! It's so good to see you again!"
The girl laughed and said, "I know! Hey can you put me down now? Or else…" she was interrupted by a certain rurouni who just came back from buying tofu. Kenshin had been alarmed at the unfamiliar presence within the estate and followed it into the training hall. He became quite worried since he knew Kaoru and Yahiko would be there at this time of day and knowing this, he immediately flew to the building. The first thing he saw was Nobuo spinning Kaoru around and although this was an innocent act of friendliness, to Kenshin it was far too intimate and it angered him to see another man hugging Kaoru so closely.
"Put her down," Kenshin growled and he shot Nobuo a deadly glare while his arm unconsciously reached for his sakabatou. Nobuo instantly dropped Kaoru to the ground, but instead of backing down like any typical guy in Japan, Nobuo took an offensive stance in front of Kaoru and even told the girl to take the child and run! Kaoru moved between the two men and opened her arms to protect Kenshin from Nobuo.
"STOP! Nobuo he's harmless! And Kenshin," she called over her shoulder, "He's an old friend."
"Harmless?" questioned Nobuo as he gawked at the girl, "Any sane living thing would know this guy is far from harmless. He looks as if he's ready to kill anything standing in his way! Move Kaoru, I'll take care of him." Yahiko coughed in an attempt to hide his snicker in the background.
Kaoru did not budge. "Nobuo, stop. He is harmless." The man remained unconvinced so Kaoru continued, "If you don't believe me then maybe you should go take a walk and cool your head."
"I'll go when he goes."
"Then I'll go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast," said Kenshin calmly, amused, and contentedly grateful, at the fact that Kaoru took his side.
"Excuse me?" Nobuo looked at Kenshin as if he was crazy, "I meant you should live this place and go home."
"That would be rather impossible because… he is home," smiled Kaoru as she looked at Kenshin gently. Kenshin returned one to Kaoru, a surge of happiness running through him. Thank-you, Kaoru-dono, he thought.
Nobuo remained confused and stared questioningly at the two. He walked over to Kaoru, took both of her hands in his and said, "Well, if there is any trouble, you can always come to me." He leaned closer while Kaoru awkwardly agreed and tried to pull away. She was extremely grateful when Kenshin placed an arm around her shoulders and moved her away, breaking Nobuo's hold. Instead of letting his arm drop immediately afterwards, Kenshin held Kaoru closer and tighter as he smiled at the man and said, "Nobuo-san, I do not mean to reject your offer to protect Kaoru-dono but as long as I'm here, Kaoru-dono will be under my protection so please do not worry." A blush rose to Kaoru's cheeks and so she hid her face in Kenshin's gi to hide the smile that crept to her lips; she could hear his heart skip a beat.
"Well, Kaoru is this what you really want?" inquired Nobuo, his brows furrowing.
"Yes, it is," answered Kaoru as she slowly separated herself from Kenshin, "now can we just catch up as friends without fighting? I'd love to hear about your trip to Hokkaido." Nobuo froze for a brief second, a moment even Kenshin barely noticed, and then agreed to the girl's offer. "Alrighty then, Kenshin, if you would be so kind to prepare some tea for the four of us while I go change. Nobuo you can go wait in the dining room and Yahiko, tidy up in here before coming. Oh this is going to be great!"
And so, Kenshin, Kaoru, and Nobuo exited the training hall while Yahiko stayed behind to wipe down the bokkens and put them away. The student was rather excited to attend the miniscule gathering, something that was rare for the young boy. Oh boy! I wonder if Kenshin will get jealous again…keh I bet if Sanosuke were here right now he'd bet me 150 yen that a fight would break out over busu. At that thought, he hurriedly too made his exit.
Hehehe teatime in the next chapter! I feel all giddy just thinking about writing the next chapter! What do you think will happen? Would it be too OOC for Kenshin to be jealous and such? Please give me your thoughts! I really appreciate them! ^^
Note: By the way, Kenshin taught Yahiko how to control his ki after Kaoru went to bed. He went to sleep (barely) and then woke up to walk around and check on Kaoru. Just in case the beginning was confusing ^^.