Mornings After

by hye kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine…

Author's Notes: Okay, so I wanted to post this earlier but documents section was done so I had to delay this. Anyway, I was about to post it yesterday as some you are probably bewildered by the message from saying chapter 17 is now available but find the link empty. So this is what happened, I thought the chap17 in the uploaded documents was the chap17 I had revised. I uploaded it and when I read it I realized my mistake so I had to delete it. Don't worry, here is the real chap17, the first one had a less brutal ending and I didn't want that. So here it is. Anyway, for hose expecting a more brutal revenge I doubt if I'd meet your expectations here. Kaoru would be gliding and not running, she'd be taking the revenge thing smoothly, or at least I think she will.

Anyway, please do read and review and thanks a lot for the loads of review I received for the last two chapters. I promise to reply to them as soon as I can.

---

Chapter seventeen: the makeover and the sturm und drang for Kenshin (initial phase)

---

The following Saturday Kaoru thought of giving herself a makeover. She could afford to do so, having received her salary a couple of weeks ago. She hadn't spend it all, particularly because Seta-san, well Soujiro, have been treating her to lunch.

She walked the streets of Ginza, and decided that first of all she'd have to change her hairstyle.

---

"Yeah? Misao," Kaoru giggled over the phone. She was staring at her reflection in the mirror. "Where am I?"

She smiled appreciatively at her reflection. Now that's what I call a makeover, she told herself. "I'm in the salon." And the she laughed.

"Help me do some shopping," she told Misao and instructed her to come.

---

"Whoa!" Misao exclaimed. She was scrutinizing Kaoru's new hairstyle.

"So?" Kaoru said with a wave of her hand, "What do you think? I've always thought of having it curled." She looked once again at her reflection, it was the I've-just-gotten-out-bed look. It was a bit messy, but totally sexy.

Misao grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Is it for Enishi?"

Kaoru smiled. No, not really but since your stupid brother is just so plain irritating then why not? She smiled slyly and said, "Who do you think this is for?" and then she laughed.

"I can't imagine you could change overnight."

Kaoru looked at her watch, "We've got no time to waste. Come on, help me overhaul my wardrobe." And she marched towards the congested streets of Ginza. She smiled to herself, it's time to bring the real Kaoru back.

---

She had been thinking last night. Kenshin had been making such a ruckus about Enishi coming back. So what? She hadn't made a scene when she learnt Tomoe had come back. He acted like he was so concerned about her. She gritted her teeth. Misao was right, no matter how weird Kaoru may seem to be sometimes, and no matter how disorienting her quests in the past have been, an overnight overhauling was still surprising. Okay, so she'd show the redhead.

"Why don't we have lunch with your gossiping brother? It's Saturday, he must have some free time," she said nonchalantly. She was looking through a couple of dresses made out of flimsy material.

"Good idea," Misao said, dialing immediately her brother's number.

---

Kaoru went out of the dressing room. "So?" she asked Misao. She was wearing a short denim skirt and a skimpy top.

"Isn't it showing too much skin?" Misao said with a frown.

Kaoru looked at herself. Yeah, Misao was right. Not that it doesn't look good. Actually, she never thought her body would look that good in skimpy clothing. But Misao was right, it does show too much skin. She turned back to Misao, "How about a dress?"

"I think so too," Misao noted, "By the way, onii agreed."

"Good," Kaoru smiled to herself. She changed into a sundress. "So?"

"Nice, but doesn't it match the weather?"

Kaoru nodded. "Yeah, maybe something sexy but comfortable."

"Right," Misao ushered her back in the dressing room. "Here," Misao threw in a pair of black shorts and a shorter version of that shorts.

"Okay, I got just the right top to match it," she said. She got out of the dressing room and was wearing the shorter version and a wine-colored satin almost-looking-formal Victorian top. It was perfect, not showing too much skin on her top but showing her perfect legs. "So?"

Misao smiled, "Wow. That's some nice top."

She grinned to herself. Okay, she'll show Kenshin.

---

Then they bought a nice pair of peek-a-boo heels to complement the outfit. Kaoru was happy with the result. The nightly ritual of soaking her legs in hot water had paid off. She was liking what she was seeing.

They were walking towards the restaurant when Kaoru realized she was becoming a head turner. She smiled to herself. Wait, Himura Kenshin. And she almost laughed out loud.

---

"Onii!" Misao suddenly pranced towards his brother. Kaoru smiled slyly, now doing the smile she had been practicing all night.

Kenshin turned. He saw Misao but what really struck her was Kaoru.

"Hi," she said, her voice different from the usual. She took a seat and smiled at him. Cattily. She laughed inwardly, liking the reaction on Kenshin's face.

"What happened to you?" he said suddenly.

Kaoru arched a brow. No, that wasn't the response she was hoping to hear from him.

"What do you mean?" Kaoru asked, leaning forward.

Kenshin gazed at her. "What did you do to your hair?"

Kaoru furrowed her brows and then brought her hands to beckon to her messy bun. "This? Why don't you like it?" She turned to Misao, "Doesn't it look good?" Kaoru was getting irritated.

"Yeah," Misao nodded and the turned to her brother, "Don't you know what's fashion and what's not?" She then turned back to Kaoru, "It does look good. You know onii, so old-fashioned and so out of style."

Kaoru laughed. Yeah, so true. She gazed at Kenshin, trying hard to imitate the gaze from the women on men's magazine. Was she doing it?

Kenshin looked queerly at her, "Is there something in your eyes?" He leaned forward to try to have a good look at her eyes.

"What?" Kaoru quickly pulled away. She was getting really irritated.

Then suddenly Misao's phone rang. She picked it up. Kaoru stared at her. "Aoshi?" Misao nodded, "Hn? Me? About to have lunch with onii and Kaoru." She nodded again. "Now? Sure. I haven't started yet."

Kaoru glanced at Kenshin who was still looking at her. She ignored him and looked back at Misao.

"I'll ask him," and then Misao nodded again and ended the call. She flipped her mobile phone close and turned to Kenshin, "Hey."

Kenshin slowly turned his head towards her but his eyes were trained on Kaoru.

"Aoshi was asking if we could meet. You don't mind do you? Besides Kaoru's here to keep you company."

Kenshin looked at her, "Why?"

Misao grinned at him and gave him a hug, "You're the best brother in the whole wide world. I'm going," and then she stood up and before Kenshin could even protest she turned to Kaoru, "You don't mind do you?"

Kaoru was already laughing inwardly, "Of course not. Have fun!" she called out as Misao sped through the door. She turned back to Kenshin.

Kenshin was frowning at the image of the running Misao. "She'll see when she gets home."

Kaoru clucked her tongue, "Don't be so harsh on her."

He turned back to her, eyeing her once again, "What have you done to yourself."

Kaoru's brows furrowed, "Doesn't it look good?" she transferred seats and took the seat Misao once occupied beside him.

Kenshin was taken aback with the sudden closeness. "Kaoru."

"So? Doesn't it?"

He swallowed. "It…it does…"

Kaoru was pleased with herself so she stood up again and grabbed her purse from the table. She looked at her watch, "I forgot, I have some place to go."

Kenshin suddenly stood up, "What?"

She started walking towards the door. She slowly glanced at him to see if he was following. When she realized that he was she quickened her pace.

---

"Don't tell me you're meeting with Enishi," Kenshin said as he followed her. He glared at a guy who was ogling Kaoru.

"So?" she asked, loving the attention. Though her legs were starting to ache from the heels, she was really loving the moment.

"Don't go out with him," he said with resolution.

Kaoru stopped and faced him, "Why not? I can do whatever I want."

"Fine," Kenshin said, realizing it was the same argument again, "But change your clothes if you want to go out with him."

She sensed it. Could the redhead be jealous? "Why would I do so?"

Kenshin swallowed. Kaoru was irritating him. "Because…because…because you don't know what he might do to you!"

"Why, Enishi isn't like someone I know who'd take advantage of a drunk woman," she said bitterly.

Kenshin quickly reacted, "I-I…I didn't take advantage of you…you were—"

"Enough," Kaoru said with a roll of her eyes. She then smiled, "Besides, you know I am not the wham-bam-I-am-now-pregnant type. You've proven that already."

"Don't tell me…" Kenshin's eyes widened.

"Why not?" Kaoru laughed, turning on her heels.

"Kaoru!"

"Besides I've done it before, it wouldn't hurt to do it again…would it?" and she laughed again. This was a complete 180 degree turn of her personality. It was hard to sustain it, but she was liking the effect on him.

"K-Kaoru…" he stopped walking.

Kaoru glanced back at him and when she realized he had stopped, she turned around and walked back to him, "Don't act like it's a big deal."

Kenshin was frowning, "If…If you really want to do it again…then…then come," and he grabbed her hand and flagged down a taxi.

---

"Where are we going?" Kaoru asked. The cab parked in front of a hotel.

Kenshin paid the fare and dragged her out. They were in one of the biggest hotels in Tokyo. He held her hand as they walked to the front desk. "A room please."

"Yes sir," the receptionist replied swiftly.

"Kenshin," Kaoru was starting to get the feeling everything wasn't going to turn out the way she had planned it. It was starting to backfire, and this early!

"Room 406 sir," the receptionist finally said, "Do you have some baggage sir?"

"No we don't," and Kenshin accepted the card and followed a busboy who led them to the marbled elevator.

Think Kaoru. Think. Kaoru clamed herself and took in a deep breath. Okay, she'd go along with the redhead then she'd escape just as things start heating up. Okay, she'd make him pay.

They were led to Room 406. He slid on the magnetic card and the door opened.

---

"What are you thinking?" she asked Kenshin. She sat on the edge of the bed, warily glancing at him.

"Enishi…he might just fool you again," he said, he was standing up, his back to her, his hands on his hips.

Kaoru frowned, "He never fooled me."

"So what do you call what he did to you?" he turned and glared back.

"Whatever, we never had any romantic relationship," she said with a roll of her eyes, "Besides, you don't have any right whatsoever to interfere with me."

Kenshin remained silent. He swallowed hard. "I…I tried calling you yesterday."

Her eyebrow twitched, "You have?"

He took in a deep breath and sighed, "Yes."

"So?" she stood up and took a step towards him.

"But I couldn't contact you."

"Ah," she said, "W-why?" she wanted to know. She took another step.

Kenshin slowly brought up his eyes to meet hers, "I wanted to…to say thank you…and I'm sorry."

Kaoru's voice caught in her throat. She coughed.

"T-thank you…and I'm sorry," he said sincerely. And then he forced a laugh, "Maybe I should call for something to eat. I'm hungry."

"Yeah," she said, finally able to speak, "Me too."

He smiled and then, "By the way, where were you supposed to go?"

She bit her lower lip and then she turned around, "I…I was supposed to meet with Enishi, remember?"

Kenshin frowned, "Then did you tell him you aren't going to meet him anymore?"

"H-huh?" she suddenly turned to face him, "What?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he said, not looking at her. He was getting vexed just with the thought of Kaoru meeting with that Enishi guy, especially with her makeover. "You are staying with me…"

"E-eh?" Kaoru suddenly took a step back, shielding herself.

He sat on the bed and dialed for food service.

Kaoru felt her heart palpitating. What was Kenshin going to do to her? She couldn't remember the first time it happened…so does it mean…

---

They ate in silence as Kaoru slowly inched away.

"Have you called him yet?" Kenshin asked again, referring to Enishi.

"I…I had," she lied. She didn't call him for in the first place she wasn't going to meet with him.

"Good…" he murmured. He finished his club sandwich and walked over to the small refrigerator to fish for a mineral water. He tossed one at her.

"Don't you have any work to do?" Kaoru asked warily. Now she felt so naked. Why had she decided to wear such things in the first place?

"It's Saturday."

"Well, don't you have a date with Tomoe?" she asked, slowly glancing at him.

"Are you jealous?" he suddenly asked.

The corners of her mouth twitched, "Jealous? Me? Of course not!"

Kenshin looked downcast. Maybe he was hoping that she'd say she is. But she didn't.

"If…" she started, glancing at him, "If I was really…pregnant…what would you have done?"

Kenshin turned to her.

"Knowing of course that…Tomoe has returned…" she murmured. She waited for a reply but when after some time nothing came she began to regret what she had asked.

"I'd still marry you…" he suddenly said just as Kaoru was about to say something to change the topic.

She looked down on her lap. Was she happy that he had say that? "But…but you wouldn't be…" she trailed off.

Kenshin forced a laugh, "Why? Are you hoping that you are pregnant?"

Kaoru suddenly reddened and with a smirk replied, "Of course not! Especially not with you!" She had her arms akimbo.

Kenshin walked over to her and stood in front of her, "Really?"

"Of course," she said with resolve. She glared at him.

Kenshin laughed again, "Then let's see." And he slowly leaned towards her.

"What are you going to do?" she said, panic rising in her voice.

"What do you think?" he whispered, inching closer. He had his hands on either side of her.

Kaoru panicked. She was slowly being pushed back on the bed as Kenshin started leaning towards her. "I'll scream…I'll scream rape!"

Kenshin laughed again huskily, "I'm just going to kiss you."

She frowned. Nope, she wasn't dismayed. But the way he was doing it like it was some natural thing to do was making her grit with annoyance. "You're a bit arrogant aren't you?"

"Me?" Kenshin asked, grinning. He was an inch away. He leaned closer.

Kaoru quickly brought a hand to cover her mouth. "Get away!" she said, flinging her other arm.

"Why you…" Kenshin said, trying to stop her other arm with one hand and trying to pull her hand away from her mouth with the other. The tumble sent them down on the bed.

---

Kaoru froze. They were in a very compromising position. She had read scenes like this in some cheap novels she bought for hundred to five hundred yen in book sales. No, she shook her head, maybe she had been reading too many of those.

Kenshin grinned to himself. He was hovering above her. He had one arm around her and the other trying hard to remove the hand she had used to cover her mouth. It was a bit indecent. He laughed to himself.

"Get off," she whispered. Her heart was palpitating. This was making her angry, this, his ease about it, like there was something between them but there actually were not. He was treating her like she was someone who wouldn't care. When in fact she would. She cares. She cares about what he feels for her. And she doesn't like the spontaneity of this situation. Nothing romantic. Nothing. She was mad.

"Why would I?" Kenshin teased.

"Get off or I'll scream…" she gritted her teeth.

Kenshin grinned and tried removing her hand again.

"Get off, you're heavy!" she screamed. She quickly and suddenly pushed him, sending him off balance. He landed on the floor.

He groaned. "Oww," Kenshin whimpered. He rubbed his backside and then glared at Kaoru, "You're so barbaric."

She was panting. It took all of her energy just to have him get off her, "So now I'm the barbaric one." She glared back at him as she closed the distance between them and in one swooping motion she had landed a clean punch on his beautiful face.

---

A/n: So how was it? Sorry for the little trouble by that fake chap17 url. anyway, please do read and review! this is the start of Kaoru's revenge! I hope you all liked it...