Mornings After

by hye-kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine…

Author's Notes: Okay, so the last chapter was a sudden turn. I hope you were all surprised. Nothing happened much here. But I hope you will all like it.

Read and Review!

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Chapter thirteen: start again

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Kaoru was staring at the sky, her hands tightening their hold on the steel ropes. Her shoes were dusty from the sand but nevertheless she dug deeper into the sand with the toes of her shoes and pushed herself up higher.

The swing was pushed backwards until it reached its momentum and came swinging. Kaoru continued staring into the afternoon sky.

Kaoru sighed, she doesn't know how to feel. Beside her sat the redhead and she doesn't know what to say to him. The swinging motion slowed down, "Kenshin," she murmured, turning towards him.

"Hn?" he asked, disinterested.

She forced a smile, keeping her feet steadied on the ground. "I think…I think it's okay."

"Hn?" he asked, now turning to face her.

She looked at her feet and then back to him, "I guess, I guess this is what both of us really want."

"Kaoru…"

"You should be happy about it," the words rolled off smoothly, surprisingly. She wondered how well she could say it.

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

Kaoru laughed, "You know what I mean…with Tomoe back and all…" and then she stopped laughing. Feeling stupid.

Kenshin stammered, then halted and held his breath. After a long pause he released it with a sigh.

Kaoru looked up again, the sky was pale. "I'm happy for you." And she meant it.

"How'd you know?" he stood up, and placed his hands on the metal ropes of her swing.

That made Kaoru looked up at him, "It doesn't matter. Was it supposed to be a secret?"

He looked away. Now he was feeling guilty.

"You should've told me," she murmured. She knew she doesn't really need to know, nor does she have the right to know.

He didn't speak.

Kaoru waited, waited for him to speak but he didn't. She watched as he removed his hands from the ropes.

"I'm going," he said, looking away.

Kaoru felt the cringing again. She ignored it, "Okay," she said as she stood up.

Kenshin turned around and started walking.

Kaoru knew that after this they'd be back to normal, to the indifferent normalcy they once had. She knew after this he would no longer care whether she was already home or not, nor would he care if she had eaten or not. She knew she shouldn't care about him anymore. After all, nothing really happened.

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"Where are you?" Misao asked as he picked up the phone.

"I'll be home before twelve," he said and ignored the rest of Misao's litany. He flipped his phone close and tossed it aside. He wouldn't want to talk to anyone now.

Why does he feel guilty? He didn't mean to hide the fact that Tomoe has returned, he didn't mean to hide it from Kaoru. He just thought that there really was no point in telling her.

But the way she mentioned about it earlier, he knew he had done the wrong thing. Now there's no restitution, there are no second chances. Whatever had occurred between the two of them had already ended.

What was he feeling?

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Kaoru stared at herself in the mirror. She had stripped herself off of any clothing, gazing at herself. She was a fool for having believed that she was pregnant. She doesn't look pregnant, how can she be so easily deceived?

She turned around, stepped into the tub and turned the shower on. It was hot.

---

Kaoru woke up feeling refreshed. She had never felt so relieved in her entire life. It must have been because something was lifted off her shoulder. She stepped out of the cab. Aunt Misako was already at the gate waiting for her.

"Kaoru dear!" Aunt Misako hugged her, "You should've told me beforehand that you were coming."

Kaoru smiled, "I just thought I wanted to see you. The last time we were here we didn't get to talk much."

"Yes, yes," Aunt Misako slipped a hand around Kaoru's arm, "Let's talk all about it inside."

Kaoru inhaled deeply. She was having some peace of mind.

---

"Uncle?" Kaoru's eyes widened as she saw Hiko sitting at the porch drinking tea.

Hiko gave her a curt smile and tossed a piece of sweet cake into his mouth.

"He's been here almost everyday," Aunt Misako said as she gestured Kaoru to sit down. "I'll get you some tea."

She nodded, "Thanks."

"So," Hiko started, "How are you?"

Kaoru smiled. She would've liked it more if her uncle isn't here. She wouldn't want to see any remnants of the redhead, well Aunt Misako is different. "I'm fine. I'm doing well with my job."

"Good," he said, "That's good to hear."

"Thanks for the concern." She looked up at the bright sky and remembered how she looked at the same sky yesterday.

"Do you know how my stupid son is?"

Kaoru abruptly turned to him, "W-what?"

Hiko narrowed his eyes, "I haven't been seeing my stupid son for days. Do you know how he is?"

Kaoru was dumbfounded. She was certain Uncle Hiko doesn't know anything, "Uh…I'm not sure…I haven't been seeing him too…"

"Well," Hiko frowned, "Misao doesn't even know. He was becoming more stupid each day."

"Aren't you being harsh on him Uncle?" she asked, not really thinking of asking it out loud.

"Harsh?" he laughed, then placed the cup of tea on the tray. He turned to her, "That's not being harsh."

"Then?" Kaoru grew bolder, "What do you call that? Fatherly love?"

Hiko laughed again, "You do have some sense of humor Kaoru. I love that!" and he laughed even more.

Kaoru frowned, "Why do you call him stupid?"

"Because he doesn't know what he really wants," Hiko said, suddenly becoming serious.

She shot him a puzzled look.

"He's very obedient. And I hate that."

"Is that why you always bully him? To make him disobey you?"

Hiko shrugged, "I don't really know."

Kaoru laughed, turning towards the pond, "That's ingenious. But don't you think you're making it hard for him? Why don't you just tell him he can do whatever he wants?"

Hiko stood up, walked towards the pond and said, "Maybe I just can't. I'm not that kind of father."

Kaoru smiled and stood up too, following him, "As I could very well see…"

"It seems that you two had been having some serious talks here," Aunt Misako came from the kitchen carrying a wooden tray. She sat on the porch, "Kaoru here's your tea, drink it before it cools."

Kaoru smiled. Maybe she would have a refreshing weekend after all.

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"Have you gone to a blind date?" Hiko asked. They were having lunch at the family hall.

Kaoru frowned. She knew about his uncle's habit of matchmaking, Misao warned her of it. "I haven't. And I'm not intending to."

"Too bad," he almost choked on his rice, "I was thinking of setting you up with this guy I know. Very good-looking, too bad…too bad…" he repeatedly said as he rubbed his chin.

"Kaoru dear why don't you try?" Misako said as she sipped tea from her cup, "It's not a bad idea, besides you're not getting any younger—"

Kaoru frowned, "Auntie, I don't need a man to survive."

"Actually I believe you," Misako said, "But at least why don't you consider it?"

"Then how about going at it with my stupid son?" Hiko interjected.

Kaoru almost choked, this is the reason why she doesn't want to be with anyone who'd remind her of Kenshin. "Uncle!"

And Hiko laughed, "What do you think?" he asked, turning to Misako, "Not a bad idea eh?"

Misako laughed and then said, "I think that's funny. You know how those two are when they see each other…" and the she trailed off as she laughed.

Hiko continued laughing.

Kaoru frowned at him.

---

Kenshin sat idly at his swivel, looking at the blank screen of his mobile phone. He was debating with himself whether he should go call Kaoru or not. Apparently, he still couldn't decide.

He picked it up, looked her name up in his phonebook but eventually put his phone down. He had made himself a cup of coffee but his cup was left untouched and full due to this feat. He knew drinking coffee would make him much more fidgety.

Just then Megumi entered, "Phone call."

Kenshin sat up eagerly, attentive, "Who is it from?"

Megumi eyed him suspiciously, "Misao."

His shoulders drooped, "I'll take it here."

Megumi shook her head as she went out.

---

Monday morning was nice. To Kaoru it had never been this nice. She had done a navy skirt and a navy jacket, looking corporate. She was feeling good, feeling light.

"Kaoru," Tae came, carrying a box.

Kaoru stood up, greeted her and asked, "Yes Sekihara-san?"

Tae smiled, "You're a bit cheerful today eh? Something good happened?" she sat on the edge of Kaoru's table and arched a brow, "You're boyfriend proposed or what?"

Kaoru laughed, waved a hand and said, "Nothing like that. Maybe I just woke up on the right side of the bed."

"Really?"

Kaoru laughed again, she indeed was feeling good. So staying over at Aunt Misako's was a good thing. She was back on track. She was feeling normal. She would try to forget everything. It was a nightmare. "Really. Anyway, you want to watch a movie tonight?"

"Tonight? Isn't your boyfriend coming over to pick you up?"

Kaoru shook her head, "First, I don't have anyone picking me up tonight. Second, I don't have a boyfriend."

Tae laughed, stood up and placed the box in front of her, "Well that's good to hear. There's some one I know who might very well feel good about what you said."

Kaoru frowned, puzzled, "What?"

"Never mind what I said. Anyway," Tae said pointing to the box, "Inside are a couple of compact discs. Take a look at them and make some statistics."

"Okay," she knew what these discs are for. "How many copies should I print out?"

"Five. One I'd send to Seta-san and the rest I'd send to the other concerned departments."

Kaoru nodded, "Okay."

"I'll ask the rest if they could go to the movies with us," Tae said eagerly as she started to leave.

"That'd be better," Kaoru said, taking a seat. Now she has something to do, something to occupy her mind.

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Kaoru rounded up the corner, carrying some stacks of folders when she met Seta-san.

"Seta-san," she greeted, puzzled that he was here on their floor.

"Kaoru-san," he grinned.

"Should I call Sekihara-san?" she asked, starting for the hallway.

"N-no," he grinned again and scratched the back of his neck.

Kaoru narrowed her eyebrows as she kept on walking. Seta-san was walking beside her, "Is there anything you want me to do sir?"

"Ah…" he swallowed, stopping.

Kaoru stopped too, "Seta-san?"

He smiled, glanced at his back and looked around. Finally he asked, "How are you?"

Kaoru was puzzled but eventually laughed, "What do you mean how am I?"

He pouted, as if telling her this is something both of them should understand, "I mean how are you…how are you after…after…"

"Ah," Kaoru sighed, finally getting what he was trying to say, "I am fine."

"Really?" his eyes widened.

She nodded and then said as she started walking, "If you'll excuse me sir, I still have to—"

"Don't mind me," he started following her, "I'm doing my rounds actually."

"I didn't know you—"

"I actually do," he cleared his throat. He straightened his suit and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I am going back to my post to finish these," she said beckoning to the folders.

Soujiro smiled, "I could help you if you want," he offered.

Kaoru glanced at him, "I appreciate the offer but it's my job. Thank you though."

"Why are you acting so distant today?" he suddenly asked.

And that hit Kaoru. She stopped, looked at him and said, "Am I?"

He looked away and nodded, "Cool and distant."

"I'm sorry."

"No problem," he smiled as he faced her once again, "I guess I should—"

"Didn't I promise to make it up for the damages to your camera?"

"Hn?"

Kaoru smiled, looked at her watch and said, "I'll treat you to lunch. Meet me at the lobby," and then leaning she added, "Okay, Soujiro?"

He could only nod.

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Kaoru was already at the lobby when Soujiro came. He smiled instantly and hurried to her just as several employees passed by an greeted him. He merely nodded at them and waved a hand at Kaoru.

"It's my treat, so what do you want for lunch?" Kaoru asked as they walked through the glass doors.

Soujiro suggested French and told her about a fine dining restaurant a couple of blocks from the building.

Kaoru was surprised, "Ah…I have another idea. I know of a place which serves good spaghetti," she grinned. She wanted to treat him to lunch, but she still has to consider her budget constraints.

Soujiro laughed, "Don't worry, I'll treat you today, you can treat me next time. I wanted you to try French today."

Kaoru sighed. Of course she doesn't want him to treat her but he insisted on having French. It was not a moot point.

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"Thanks," she said as she got out of the elevator.

"Next time I'd like to try that spaghetti place you're talking about," he said just as the doors started closing.

"Count on it," she smiled. It was good, nice, much better than what she had expected. At least she didn't have to spend her lunchtime thinking about that stupid redhead.

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A/n: So what do you think? I haven't replied to most reviews yet but I will try to in no time.