Mornings After
By hye kyo
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Disclaimer: Nope, Rurouni Kenshin is not mine. There.
Author's Notes: So this is the ninth chapter. This is a bit longer than the longest chapter by far which is the fifth one. Well I think a lot of things happened here. Anyway, school's taken most of my time but I'll try to update faster and better. To those who reviewed thanks a lot. Please do keep reading and reviewing okay? Thanks again!
Read and Review!
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Chapter nine: everyone's coming back
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It was awkward. It was so unreal yet here she was really in front of him. "How are you?" he managed to say.
She smiled. She tucked a stray hair behind her ears and said, "You? How are you?"
"I…I am fine…" he swallowed hard. This is hard. He had never imagined her coming back. He should've known this could happen so that he could've have at least prepared himself.
"How's Misao?" she asked again.
He gazed at her. She was still so fragile-looking, so graceful, so beautiful. He was about to respond when his phone started ringing. It took him aback. He tried ignoring it. "She's fine," he said.
Tomoe smiled, "That's—" the phone kept ringing. "Aren't you going to answer it?"
Kenshin swallowed again, "Ah…no, it's nothing important." And he cancelled the call. He took in a deep breath, "Where…where are you staying?"
"At a hotel near your building." She took a sip from her glass and continued, "I was a bit homesick. I had missed Japan so much."
"Really—" his phone started ringing again.
"I think it's an important call." Tomoe's face showed an expression of concern.
"Not really," he grinned and cancelled the call. Again.
"I see."
"It must be hard to be away for so long," he commented. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He felt his heart palpitating and felt something he hadn't felt for a long time.
"Yes. Especially whenever I think of all my friends here," she reached out and touched his hand, "I miss you a lot."
Kenshin broke into a wide smile, "Y-yes…I…I miss you a lot too…"
Tomoe smiled and as if suddenly remembering something, her smile faded.
"What is it?" he asked and was about to stand up when his phone rang again. He looked at it and cursed. "Excuse me," he said and flipped it open.
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Kaoru was getting furious. She told him she'd call him and here he was canceling her calls. He couldn't be in some damn meeting because it was already late. So what the heck is he doing?
She had tried calling him twice and each time he cancelled the call. He would get some beating. She'd make sure about that. She speed dialed him and waited.
Finally there was a click. Next there was voice. It was Kenshin's. "Hello?" his voice sounded agitated.
Kaoru frowned and impatiently said, "Well about time you answered."
There was a pause and finally, "Kaoru?"
"Surprise," she said lamely, "Of course. I told you I'd call."
"Yeah…yeah…" he said.
"I'm home."
There was another pause, a couple of wordless mumbles and then, "G-good…eh…let's see…I'd see you tomorrow…okay?"
She frowned. Is this all? "Where are you?"
"I'm…I'm—I'd see you tomorrow evening then. Bye." And then there was a click and the call ended.
"Kenshin? Kenshin? Hey!" she frowned as she realized that he wasn't there anymore. She slowly brought the phone in front of her, stared at the screen and murmured, "Stupid…"
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Aunt Misako called him the same night to remind him. She said it is imperative that he should come and would forever hate him if he'd miss it out. He assured her and ended the call immediately. He need to do some thinking.
Tomoe had returned and what was he supposed to do? It wasn't as if Tomoe was expecting him to do something. But he knew he should do something.
Why was she back anyway? Wasn't she getting married? He knew he was becoming pathetic by hoping that she cancelled the ceremony because she wanted him back. He sighed, he was becoming desperate.
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"Could you take these cases to the inventory in the tenth floor?" Tae-san asked Kaoru the next morning. It was only nine in the morning.
"Sure," Kaoru stood up, walked over to the cart and said, "What are these?"
"Couple of old files Seta-san asked me to look at yesterday."
Kaoru rested her hands on the handle bars. "I'll take them now. Don't you want me to do anything else?"
"Ah, good you ask." Tae went over to her table and foraged through her drawer. She picked something up and went over to her. She handed her a serial bus.
She accepted it and placed it inside her pocket.
"Bring that to Seta-san on the seventh floor. He asked me to go over the files stored there last night. He was becoming picky about certain things."
"What things?"
"Inventory."
Kaoru looked thoughtfully at the cart, "He didn't seem that kind of guy to me."
"He actually is a bit of a perfectionist. But he's very kind and funny."
She smiled, "I'm going now. These cases for the tenth floor and the USB for the seventh floor. Right?"
"Right." Tae gave her a pat and walked her to the glass door.
---
She had brought the cart to the tenth floor just as Tae-san had instructed her to and was now in front of Seta-san's office.
A woman sporting a bob do beckoned her to enter. "Yes?"
She smiled and greeted her, "Ah, yes…I'm Kamiya Kaoru from the general affairs—"
"Ah yes, Tae called me and told me you'd be coming." She said smiling back. "You could go in, Seta-san is expecting you."
She bowed, "Thanks." And she quietly went to the door and turned the knob. She was greeted by a huge photograph of the Tokyo skyline.
"Kaoru-san. I was waiting for you."
She quickly turned. It was him, the same man from last time, only he was wearing a suit. He looked different. She closed the door softly and bowed, "Good morning Seta-san."
He grinned and led her to a chair.
"Ah," she said, slipping her hand inside her pocket to get the serial bus, "Sekihara-san told me to hand you this."
He extended his hand and accepted it, "Thank you."
She smiled and slowly stood up, "Well I think I should be going now sir."
He frowned, "But you just came."
"I think you have a lot of work to do sir and I don't want to bother—"
"Anyway," he interjected, turning towards the photograph, "You still owe me."
She was taken aback, "Y-yes…but…could you at least give me until the end of this month?"
He slowly turned and laughed, "I was just joking. Don't worry about it."
She forced herself to smile, "A-ah…I wasn't planning on running away…really…"
"Forget about it," he stepped closer, "I'd make some coffee so stay over for a while."
She was about to protest when he quickly walked over to the coffeemaker.
"I make good coffee don't worry."
"Sir," she said, realizing the differences in status. She quickly walked over to him and said, "Let me do it."
Seta-san smiled and brushed her hand away gently, "Don't call me sir okay? Simply Soujiro would be a lot better. Call me sir if there are other people around."
"B-but…" she stammered.
"It's fine. I actually don't like it when people call me sir." He winked at her and laughed as he poured steaming hot coffee onto two mugs. "Here," he handed her one as he finished.
"Thanks…" she murmured as she accepted.
"I'd talk to Tae-san. She should always get you to bring me the stuff I need from your department." He sipped from her mug.
She didn't know how to respond. She sipped from her cup.
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Kaoru crossed the parking lot and found Kenshin leaning against the car. She decided against calling him and walked quietly behind him instead. As she neared him she brought her hands to slowly and quietly pat against his back. "Boo!" she suddenly said and started laughing.
Kenshin turned and frowned, "That isn't funny at all."
She smiled watching him look uneasy, "You're so uptight. I wanted you to loosen up a bit."
He simply nodded and opened the door.
Kaoru removed the straps of her bag from her shoulder and slipped inside. As soon as Kenshin was inside she said, "Tomorrow…are you going?"
It took him a moment to understand what she was talking about. "Ah…y-yes…"
Kaoru gave a weird expression. Somehow, Kenshin was acting so not himself today. Sure he was really weird but not as weird as now.
He made a quick turn. Tonight he needs some time alone. He wanted to go home and be alone. He wanted to think.
"Hey," Kaoru said, suddenly straightening up and looking through the windows, "Where are we going?"
Kenshin shot her a puzzled look, "To your apartment?"
Kaoru frowned, "I mean…aren't we going to have dinner? I-I actually hadn't had anything for lunch."
Kenshin almost stopped the car, timidly he said, "Ah? Ah…I see, where do you want to eat then?"
Kaoru looked out the window, "Forget it, I'm not hungry actually. And you seem tired."
He slowly looked at her and when he found her still staring away he turned back to the wheel. "S-sorry…"
She felt dismayed.
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"Tomorrow…what time would you be going?" Kaoru knew they were almost at her apartment.
"I…I don't know yet," he murmured.
She wanted to ask him if he could pick her up on the way. But right now she just couldn't say it. Whatever it was Kenshin was extremely not himself. He was bothered by something.
"Maybe, maybe I'd be there by ten…"
Okay, so he still didn't tell her to wait for him tomorrow. It was a bad feeling. "Did something happen?" she whispered. The building was in sight.
"Hn?" he suddenly looked at her.
"Nothing." She looked down. She didn't like this feeling. She knew Kenshin doesn't really need to say anything to her about him but somehow it felt that he was being unfair. She needed to forget about this feeling. It was becoming dangerous.
"We're here," he said. The engine died. He quietly opened the door.
Kaoru did so too and from where she was she could see his downcast expression. Now she was getting mad.
"Good…night…" he said as he turned back to the car.
She nodded and turned around. But as soon as she was about to take her first step she felt like something was really amiss. She wouldn't be able to sleep with this feeling. She was mad, and was getting madder. She quickly turned around and faced him. "Wait."
He stopped and turned on his heel. "W-what Kaoru?"
She felt fury seething as she quickly wrapped her fingers around the lapels of his jacket, pulled him close and gave him an angry kiss. She quickly pulled away and stepped back and found him utterly bewildered. She was satisfied, at least she was able to get his attention.
Without any word she turned around and picked up her pace. She doesn't give a damn as to how they'd talk tomorrow.
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Kenshin could still taste the vanilla gloss she had on her lips.
She was mad, he was able to feel it. He could sense the anger in her sudden kiss and he could really tell why.
Should he call her now? Tell her what happened? Tell her about Tomoe? Kaoru really wouldn't care, she told him that before. She told she wouldn't care about the girls he goes out with. She told him she doesn't really care about him anyway. So Kenshin knew he shouldn't tell her about it.
But shouldn't he call her now? And tell her he'd pick her up on the way tomorrow? Wasn't that what she was hinting about when she asked about it twice? Why was he so slow? Now Kaoru was really mad at him.
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Kaoru was exhausted by the time she arrived. She was hungry and cold. She needed some sleep. She walked the dirt path leading to the house and smiled to herself as she caught sight of the very familiar pointed tiled roofs.
She stopped at the front gate. From here on nothing much has changed. The well-polished wooden gates spoke of warmth. She couldn't wait to see the entirety. She pressed the buzzer.
The gates creaked softly as they swung open. It was Kojima-san, the caretaker. Kaoru bowed and grinned at her. "It's been a long time Kojima-san." Her hair had gone gray.
"Yes it's been Kaoru-san. Come in, they are all inside."
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A female attendant announced the arrival of Kaoru. Kenshin quickly stood up and turned to Aunt Misako.
"I'd go see her," he said as he took leave.
Misao shot him a puzzled look.
Kenshin quickly traversed around the family hall, got to the shortcut through the kitchen and arrived at the front porch just as Kaoru was removing her shoes. He felt nervous just as Kaoru looked up.
"Ah…Kojima-san," he said, turning to the older woman, "I'd…I'd take care from here on…"
The older woman nodded and bowed at him then to Kaoru and took leave.
Kaoru slipped on the fluffy slippers, "Where's Misao?"
"S-she's inside…" he was finding it hard to talk. What now?
She started for the kitchen. She was intending to go through the shortcut to the family hall.
Kenshin quickly placed his hand on her arm, "That way is blocked…" He needed all the tie he could get.
She frowned and then turned to the right wing. It was a longer way though.
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Kenshin felt anxious. Somehow Kaoru still seemed mad. She wasn't talking to him. Well, she normally doesn't talk to him but at least they bicker. She was awfully silent today.
"About yesterday," he started but faltered.
"Forget it," she said as she took a turn.
"Did you…take the train?" he asked warily.
"Of course. What would I ride if not the train?"
He looked down on his feet, "I'm sorry."
She stopped and turned to him, "What for?"
"For not being able to—"
"—Shut up." She knew what he was about to say. She wasn't mad because he didn't offer her a ride, she was mad because he was not himself last night, because he was completely ignoring her.
He sighed. Now, Kaoru really was mad.
She turned again and said, "I didn't really want to kiss you." She quickly started walking, leaving him behind.
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Aunt Misako's face brightened up as Kaoru entered the family hall. Kaoru smiled back, bowed and quickly rushed to her to give her a hug. She sure missed her aunt a lot.
Kenshin came a few seconds after she did. Misao shot him another weird look as he took a seat beside her. "What took you so long?" she asked him.
"We had to walk the long way because the shortcut was blocked."
"Really?" Misao frowned and dismissed the idea.
Kaoru took a seat beside Misao, grinned at her and gave her a squeeze. "How are you?"
"Fine," Misao cheerily responded and then dropping her voice low she whispered, "Except that my brother's been acting weird lately."
Kaoru didn't know why. Was it because of her or was it because of some other reason? The same reason why he was so not himself last night. Nevertheless she didn't want Misao to worry so she quickly grinned and said, "Maybe there are things at work that's been bothering him." Yeah, maybe, maybe that's why he was like that last night.
"Maybe," Misao's voice was full of suspicion, "If you know anything, don't hesitate to tell me. You have my full trust."
"S-sure…" lying felt bad.
Aunt Misako quickly stood up, "I had called Omasu and Shiro so they could join us but they were too busy, so it seems that it'd just be the four of us."
"What is it about Auntie?" Misao looked like a child.
"I just wanted to give everyone a surprise."
Kaoru looked puzzled, "What surprise?"
"I'm thinking of saying it after we have lunch but it seems that the time of his flight was scheduled earlier than expected so—"
"His?" Kenshin asked, standing up.
Aunt Misako laughed, "You're a bit impatient aren't you?"
Kaoru stood up as well, "So…he's here? Whoever he is…"
"Yes, he's actually waiting at the other end of this room."
Misao finally stood up and clapped her hands, "Let me guess…Uncle Masaru?"
"Nope, but close enough." Aunt Misako started for the sliding doors.
Kenshin has that nagging feeling. He crossed his arms across his chest and frowned. Somehow he knew who Aunt Misako was referring to and he wasn't really liking it.
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Aunt Misako opened the doors. "You can come out now."
"I told you there's no need for such flamboyant surprises." A huge figure emerged from the doors.
Kenshin knew it. He frowned.
"Daddy!" Misao squealed like a little kid. She quickly rushed to the tall man and gave him a hug.
No matter how many times she sees him, he never fails to awe her. Hiko Himura never fails to captivate people with his presence. (I made Hiko his first name, he is more familiar that way)
"My little princess."
"Why are you here?" Kenshin's voice was cold and distant.
Hiko looked up from Misao to Kensin, "Why not? I still live here." And he laughed, a low deep laugh that made Kenshin smirk.
Kaoru sensed the tension so she quickly said, "Welcome back Uncle."
Hiko looked at her and smiled, "It's nice to see you Kaoru. How are you?"
"I'm fine," she said unable to look at him directly, "Thank you for your concern."
"Hmm," he said rubbing his chin, "You look more experienced and smarter than Stupid here," he glared at Kenshin.
Kaoru tried to calm them both, "Not really Uncle. By the way how was your flight?"
"Tiring," he said. "I am hungry actually. Could we have lunch now?"
"Of course!" Aunt Misako beamed. She called for the female attendant and Kojima-san.
Kaoru smiled, relieved that finally the tension has gone down. But she sure doesn't want to be caught up in such a tension. She could still sense Kenshin's irritation.
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Surprisingly lunch was bearable. And the afternoon spent on talking, walking around the big house and eating sweets was bearable too. Kenshin had been nowhere in sight and Kaoru was getting worried. She knew of his feelings towards his father. She knew them perfectly well to understand them.
"There you are," Kaoru said as she finally spotted him.
"Why?" he asked, his voice deep.
Kaoru approached, sat beside him and looked at him, "Don't act like it's the end of the world."
"It is." He smirked and then looked away.
"Don't be so arrogant. He still is your father."
He didn't respond.
"Stupid," she murmured and slowly touched his hand, "Uncle wouldn't stop calling you Stupid unless you tell him to, unless you show him that you shouldn't be called that way."
"Haven't I done that?" he asked, anger flaring in his eyes as he suddenly turned to her.
She kept silent, her hand still on his.
"Haven't I done that?"
"Have you?"
He looked down, finding no answer. He wondered if he had done so. Had he make him proud? Had he? What does he want him to do?
"Maybe you're mistaken."
That caught his attention and Kenshin slowly looked up, "What?"
"I don't know…" she murmured. In fact the things going on in her head are actually so unsure that she didn't know if she had to say them. She might get things complicated if she'd do so.
He slipped his hand away from hers and stood up. "I am going to take a nap."
"Good," she said as she stood up too, "You really need some rest."
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"Are you really sure you wouldn't want to stay for the night?" Aunt Misako asked as she walked them to the parking lot.
"Yeah, I wanted to get home as soon as possible." Hiko said as he took Misao by the hand and led her to a black car.
"Well then I guess I have to let you all go," Aunt Misako said smiling still.
"Kenshin," Hiko called Kenshin, "Drive Kaoru home."
Kenshin glared.
Kaoru felt like she shouldn't be meddling and felt that she should distance from Kenshin so she quickly said, "Don't worry Uncle, I can still take a train home."
Hiko walked over to her, had an arm around her shoulder and said, "It's late and pretty girls like you shouldn't be traveling at night alone. Though Kenshin's so stupid, he's still a man."
Kaoru forced a grin. Somehow she was getting what Kenshin's father had been trying to tell Kenshin. She wished she could simply tell it to the redhead so that things between them would get a lot better. "Yes, thanks Uncle," she said as she bowed.
"Well then," Hiko yawned and then turned to Aunt Misako, "I'll see you before I go."
Aunt Misako smiled and nodded.
"Bye," Kaoru said as she entered Kenshin's vehicle. She waved a hand at Aunt Misako as she lowered the window and then at Misao.
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She noticed the way he tightened his grip on the wheel. Slowly she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're so tense."
The car came to an abrupt stop.
She didn't know how to respond. Somehow having an irritating blabbering Kenshin was much easier than this kind of Kenshin.
Slowly he looked at her, "I feel so stupid."
She laughed and the removed the hand from his shoulder.
"I…I don't want to go home."
"Go home. It's best to face your fears."
He took a sharp intake of breath, "I don't know…"
She smiled, "You know what to do. I believe in you."
"Kaoru," he started but faltered. He scratched the back of his neck as he slowly turned to her, "I really feel so stupid."
"At least you acknowledge it," she joked and realizing that the timing was bad she quickly looked away.
"Yeah," he forced a laugh, "Well…he won't be around for too long…"
She could only nod.
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Kaoru spent her Sunday sprawling on the bed. She wanted some sleep, she needed some sleep yet thinking about Kenshin made sleeping so hard.
She stood up, walked over to the telephone, picked up the receiver and dialed his number. She would ask him to come over. Maybe by talking to him she would feel less restless. She has to know how he was.
Maybe she was worried.
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Kenshin had locked the door to his room, secluded himself in his work and ignored Misao's voice coming through the door announcing it's lunch time. No, he doesn't want to see his father now. Maybe he was really righteous, or plain arrogant. But whatever he really is he still doesn't want to see him.
The phone rang just as he was about to lie down. Reluctantly he picked it up. "Hello?" he asked.
"Kenshin."
He felt a sudden spasm in his chest which made him sit up. Could it be? "Tomoe?"
"Y-yes," he heard a sigh.
"You called…" he had stated the obvious. Now he would look so stupid.
"Yes," there was a soft laugh, "I was just wondering…are you busy?"
"Busy?" he asked, "Not really. Why?"
"Good," she murmured. "I was thinking of having lunch…when I suddenly thought of you…"
"Really?" that made him smile. "Where are you?"
"I'm still in the hotel. Would you come for me?"
Kenshin smiled, "Of course. I'm there in thirty."
"Sure," another soft laugh.
"By the way," he asked as he stood up and went to gather the papers and folders scattered on the bed, "It's glad you still know my home number."
"Of course, why would I forget about—" She stopped and then, "You still have the same mobile number?"
Kenshin grinned, "Yes. You could call me anytime."
"Thanks."
And he replaced the receiver back on the cradle, feeling it was the happiest moment of his time. Now he couldn't sleep even more.
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Kaoru looked disappointedly at her mobile phone. So his phone was busy and his cell phone was off. So maybe he's in hibernation. And what does she care anyway?
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A/n: So how was it? It's longer ne? I hope you find this chapter worthwhile. Do send me what you think about this chapter. I'd be glad to read. Anyway, thanks a lot minna-san!
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