Treasured

Chapter 4 – A Timely Departure

Kaoru was tickled pink after her little performance at The Golden Shower…eugh. She had been a while at sea and she missed simple pleasures and excitements that she had once experienced before…well before. Kenshin on the other hand had almost lost his mind by the time she had returned.

'Kaoru!'

'What happened to Kamiya san?' he blushed prettily at her little barb 'I was worried' he muttered 'I obviously didn't need to'

'Jou Chan! You look pleased with yourself! So spill!'

'Mmm I had a good time. Your sister is a lovely young lady Kenshin. Very talented.'

'She's been playing the piano since she could sit up in a chair. That's what you meant right? When you said she was talented?' his voice rising with agitation at Kaoru's comment.

'Of course that's what I meant! Stop being such a debutante! Honestly. You'll be happy to know that we should be able to procure your sister and leave here by 2:30 tomorrow at the very latest.' She said cracking her knuckles with satisfaction.

'You arranged a meet? How can I ever Thank You!'

'You can thank me once we get you and your sister all the way back to London City dear friend. With everything packed we should be fine. I'll be meeting Ami at the Markets to shop for ribbons and such tomorrow at 2pm. We will lead the guards away to an area where we can escape unnoticed. Sano, you can deal with the guards, there's only two of them anyway.' Yawning Kaoru stood to leave, which prompted Kenshin to rise with her like he had been trained to when a lady left the room in London City. Kaoru raised her eyebrows at the motion 'Goodnight Gentlemen, we have a big day ahead of us so sleep tight'.

Kaoru now stood outside the inn waiting for Ami and her moronic guards to join her. Today she wore a light blur day gown which complemented her eyes nicely. The cap sleeves left the tops of her arms bare until the lacey edge of her gloves covered her hands and arm. She twirled the matching light blue umbrella lazily and turned her face up to the sun.

'Kaoru…you look lovely'

'Thank You Kenshin'

'This is for you…to put in your hair. I thought it might look nice.' He said handing her a small blue orchard which matched the colour of her gown.

'I can put it in for you-'

'No that's fine. It's lovely, but I can put it in myself'

And there the little orchard sat in all its splendour nestled in the whorls of shining black locks. It weighed more heavily in her mind than the mission at hand.

'Ah, Miss Kamiya! How punctual of you!'

'I couldn't bear miss a moment of being in your company dear Ami' she trilled back in her most proper accent. Giggling, Ami linked her arm with Kaoru's and set of for the markets in high spirits.

'And what colours will you be seeking today?'

'umm I think Pink, and some yellow for myself. But for you I think a sapphire colour, and yellow as well.'

'Yellow? Do you think? Hmmm we shall see'

Kaoru was not of the girly element herself, but she could not help but respond to Ami's overtures. The excitement, happiness and sheer joy she exuded was a welcome change from the constant male company. In times like this she missed Misao the most. She was a strange mix of Female Coquietishness and Sword Faring Lady. Kaoru was more inclined to wearing breeches but donned the dress when the occasion required it. Maybe I'll visit Misao when I get back to London…I have so much to tell her, and no doubt she has much to tell me…

Before she realised it, they had reached the Carnivale which was the place Kaoru had determined could be easiest to slip away from the guards and have Sano take care of them. She leaned in close to Ami and pretended to contemplate the complex rationale of selecting the correct shade of pink ribbon against Ami's complexion.

'When I put this ribbon down I want you to come quickly with towards the Ghost Shack. We'll lose the guards in there okay?' Making a show of putting the ribbon back Kaoru turned to Ami and smiled.

'Ami dear, why don't we test our mettle and endure some horror in the Ghost House? What do you think?'

'Oooooo I'd like that Miss Kamiya!'

After purchasing their tickets, Kaoru and Ami entered the Ghost House with the two guards following closely. The darkness was difficult to adjust to after the sunlight an Ami clutched Kaoru's hand desperately. Two thumps were heard and Kaoru strode out the other side of the stupid theme house with Ami in tow.

'There was another tailing you Kaoru. I got rid of him too' Sano grinned. Kaoru saw what he meant as he had two guards slumped over his shoulders and held one in his left hand. 'It's a pleasure to meet you Ami san. We'll get you home soon enough' he said winking at her.

Stealthily they followed the most crowded route out of the carnivale towards the Akebeko. Kaoru could almost hear Kenshin's nervous pacings in the eating hall downstairs. Pulling the umbrella down over Ami's head she rushed into the hall to find Kenshin doing exactly that. Pacing nervously. Upon sighting Ami however he hugged her so tightly all the air whooshed out of her lungs.

'Ami! I'm going to teach you how to sword fight when we get home'. He whispered so only she could hear. Ami grinned in response.

'Well this has been a touching reunion, but we have ship to catch people. Hayaku!' shouted Kaoru.

They carriages rumbled towards the harbour and as she neared the sea edge she felt a mild measure of relief. Being on land for too long always made her feel tetchy.

Boarding was easy enough, as Sano had arranged everything to perfection. He wasn't the First Mate for nothing. As the ship finally set sail and picked up speed with the early afternoon winds, Kaoru felt an ease in the tension between her shoulders.

London here we come…


Dearest Audience, Tell me what you think!

Cheers,

Iuvenalis.