Mornings After
by hye kyo
Disclaimer:
Nope, RK isn't mine…Author's Notes: Okay so this is chapter eighteen. A bit serious, with a bit of lemon at the end. Haha, spoilers! Anyway, hope you'd like this one.
Chapter eighteen: the urge
She glanced at him as she pulled the pillow closer.
She tensed. Her clenched fist tensed even more. She glared hard.
Kenshin was taken aback. He was struck by the sheer force of the punch but he was even more stunned because she had done it. He slowly brought a hand to touch his nose. He felt something damp and as he stared back at his hand he realized his nose was bleeding.
She looked away.
"You punched me," he murmured in a low voice. He slowly looked at her and tried to point at the blood from his nose.
"You deserve it," she hissed, "It's just a punch."
"It is a punch," he said with a deep intake of breath. "I think I'm going to faint."
"Crybaby!" she said quickly turning back to him, "You whine as if I'd done something so horrible. Compare to what you did it's nothing!" she pushed him.
"Ow," he cringed, "What's your problem?"
"Problem?" she tried to calm herself. Her hand's itching for another punch. "Whatever!" she stood up, straightened her clothes and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you a man?" he said with sarcasm, "No woman hits like that."
"I don't care," she murmured as she looked at her fist. "I'm not like other woman." And whispered to herself, "I'm not like her."
She glanced at him as she pulled the pillow closer. The television was left turned on, a weekday sitcom rerun was on the boob tube. Kaoru didn't like it, but nevertheless watched it. At least they do not need to talk.
He glanced at her. He moved closer. He wanted to take a nap, but he was thinking she might get away and date that Enishi guy once he lets his guard down. Besides his nose was throbbing still. No, he just couldn't be so easygoing with her, especially since she's become more barbaric.
She glanced at him again and when she did, their eyes met.
"What are you thinking?" Kenshin asked all of a sudden. He invited himself to sit closer to her.
Kaoru pulled the pillow closer. Nevertheless she didn't move away and only breathed in deep when she felt Kenshin's arm lean against her arm. She tensed. "What?"
He turned to her and asked in a drawling voice, "What are you thinking?"
Kaoru looked away, noticing the closeness. But she didn't move still. "Nothing. I'm watching T.V."
He laughed and suddenly lay down on the bed. He propped his arms behind his head to serve as his pillow, "My nose hurts".
"It's serves you right," she said without even turning to him.
"What if it gets an infection or something?"
She turned to him and rolled her eyes, "Don't overreact Kenshin. It's just a punch."
"But it's one hell of a punch," he said with admonishment. "What did you do that for anyway?"
"Because I want to."
"Out of your caprice you hurt innocent people?"
She clucked her tongue, "I don't hurt innocent people."
"What am I guilty of?" he insisted, sitting up and turning to her.
"A lot," she said and she looked away. "If I enumerate everything it'd take us a hundred years."
"Now who's overreacting?" Kenshin rolled his eyes.
"Just shut up." They both fell silent. With a deep breath she slowly asked, "Does it really hurt?"
"Yeah…" he scratched his nape, "I guess you could protect yourself from Enishi if anything happens." And then he laughed.
She puffed her cheeks.
He lay down and had his arms behind his head.
She turned her hip to stare at him. "You're sleepy?"
He closed her eyes, "Yes."
"Then go ahead. Sleep." She then turned back to the T.V.
"But I shouldn't. Otherwise you'd ran away and meet up with that guy," he replied with eyes closed.
'You told me I could very well protect myself," Kaoru smiled. She wanted to ask him if he was jealous but that would be a bit too stupid. No, she doesn't care if he was jealous. And in the first place there's really no possibility of him becoming jealous. Over Enishi. And because of her. That would be funny.
"So?" Kenshin asked, opening one eye.
She slowly turned her head to glance at him. "Don't worry, I won't."
He smiled. "Okay." And then he closed his eyes again.
"I'm sleepy too," she told herself. She didn't realize she had said it aloud.
"Maybe punching people had tired you already. Come here," Kenshin said, as if he himself was just thinking about it but had said it aloud.
Kaoru sharply turned to him. When she saw his closed eyes, she leaned closer to know if he was already sleeping. She smiled to herself and touched his forehead when he didn't stir. He was asleep. Kaoru was sure about that.
"What are you doing?" his voice suddenly came.
Kaoru was stunned, she quickly pulled away and stammered, "There was a mosquito…"
Kenshin laughed, turned to his side and faced her and suddenly reached out to her with one hand. He pulled her down.
"Kenshin," she said, panicking.
"You said you're sleepy," he said, his eyes sleepy yet smiling.
"I…I am but—"
"Come here," he said and scooted over to make room for her.
Kaoru had brushed his hand away and had been glancing at the space he left for her. It looked so inviting, so amid all issues about propriety, she slipped in and took the space beside the sleeping redhead.
Kenshin didn't know what time it was. He opened his eyes, let out a soft yawn and turned to his side. Kaoru was there, sleeping, her back turned to him. He smiled.
Kaoru murmured something in her sleep as she stirred. And then she fell silent again and she was once again sleeping soundly.
He reached over to wrap his arms around her waist and to pull her close. She was on the edge of the bed and he feared that she might fall. Because Kaoru was, in nature, a messy sleeper. That's why Kaoru told him one time she doesn't like sleeping on beds. She preferred futon than beds. She said beds give her black and blues. She lands on the floor every time she sleeps on the bed.
Kaoru stirred again and then shifted to her side. She was now facing him.
He smiled, faced the ceiling and looked at his watch. It was already six in the evening. He didn't know they had been together for so long. He glanced at her and found her stirring, until finally she was awake. He smiled at her as she opened her eyes.
Kaoru smiled back and then closed her eyes. But upon realizing who it was who smiled back at her, she quickly opened her eyes and stared at him, covering herself.
"Kaoru," Kenshin rolled his eyes, turning to one side. He now wasn't facing her.
Kaoru frowned and stared at his back. Suddenly she felt a nagging need to press herself closer to his back.
And a mobile phone suddenly rang. Kenshin reached on top of the dresser beside the table and got the ringing phone.
"Hello." Kenshin suppressed a yawn. Kaoru was still staring at his back.
"Kaoru?" the voice on the other end said.
"Who's this?" he asked again, turning around to face Kaoru. He shot Kaoru a someone's-looking-for-you look and the did-you-give-my-number-as-yours look.
Kaoru frowned and said, "I don't know." And she leaned closer to listen over.
"Onii," now it was clear who it was.
"Misao?" Kenshin furrowed her brows.
"Why did you call me if you're looking for Kaoru?" okay, so they will conceal to everybody that they were together.
"Call you? I called Kaoru."
Kenshin turned to Kaoru and shrugged.
"This is—"
"You're still with her? You're still together?" Misao's voice hold so much suspicion.
Kenshin frowned. How did she know about this? And so he suddenly pulled the phone from his ear and stared at it. Duh, it wasn't his.
Kaoru smirked at him and grabbed the phone. "Misao."
"You're still with onii?" Misao's voice was clear, and suspicious.
Kaoru stood up, straightened her clothes and went to the dresser to fix her hair. She glanced back at Kenshin and then rolled her eyes at him. "Not really, why?"
"Not really?" There was a pause and then, "Do you mind helping me out with something? I'm coming over to your house."
Kaoru panicked, "Sure." And she glanced back at her reflection before grabbing her bag from the table. She marched out.
"Hey," Kenshin called.
Kaoru stepped in the elevator and said, "I'm going."
"Where are you going?" he asked, placing a hand on the door to prevent it from closing.
Kaoru cursed and pressed the button for the doors to close. She pushed his hands away, "Misao would be coming over. I have to go home now."
"You're not going out with Enishi okay?"
Kaoru frowned. Now all her facial muscles are tired. "Shut up." And the doors closed.
Tomoe smiled. There's no use in putting forth an argument. She was tired and he looked tired too. She didn't want to get on his nerves right now, especially that the wedding preparations are in progress.
"I couldn't," he said.
She simply nodded. She knew that it was what he'd say. She asked anyway and got the answer she was expecting and hoping not to get. "I see," that was her only response.
"It's getting late," he stood up as he glanced at his watch. "I can't take you home, you just have to call a cab."
She looked away as he left. She took in a deep breath then asked, "Aren't you even going to call me a cab?"
He stopped and without turning to her he said, "I'm tired. You must be too. Go get a rest."
She felt something caught in her throat as she tried to comprehend the situation. Some 80's love song was playing in the background. She wondered how she ended up like this.
Kaoru woke up. She felt like she just wanted to lie down, feel her soft covers and not do anything. She wasn't tired, she just simply wanted to think things over.
Misao had been suspicious last night. She came to ask her about her econometrics. Kaoru had forgotten most stuff being out of school for a long time but nevertheless had been able to prod her brain for any econometrically-relevant thing left.
She told Misao Kenshin asked her to accompany him to do some book-shopping, which they didn't actually do. Kaoru had called Kenshin right after Misao left and told him to consummate the lying process, just so the story would be fit and secure. Kaoru breathed out a sigh. Kenshin didn't particularly said yes but he didn't say no, so it was most probably that he wouldn't say anything to Misao. Besides he would never want Misao to know about what happened to the two of them since Tomoe had come back already.
Speaking of which she had never actually met Tomoe since she came back. They met many years ago, when Tomoe and Misao's stupid brother were still together. She was introduced to her and Kaoru had to admit that Kenshin's taste in women are superb. And that's when she had totally forgotten about her stupid thing for him way back in high school. Not that there was something really, she realized she had just imagined liking him all along.
She would never like him. He was arrogant, all at once stupid, too dependable, too formal, too logical, too good-looking. No, she would never like him. She could never describe her relief when the pregnancy tests came out saying that the first tests were a bunch of wrongs. Yes, she was relieved. Actually.
But yesterday when she woke up beside him she had that nagging, irritating feeling that she might just like waking up beside him every morning of every day. But maybe it was just because he looked so cute when he was lying beside her. Maybe it was just because of that. Maybe if she had woken up beside an equally good-looking man maybe she'd be feeling the same way too.
She shook her head and headed to the shower. She would be late.
Soujiro was just rounding up the corner when he spotted Kaoru emerging from the elevator. He put on a bright smile and called her.
She turned and bowed low as she met him, "Seta-san."
"Soujiro," he corrected her. It was then that he noticed the changes. "You look different…"
"Ah…" Kaoru said, looking unsure, "Isn't…isn't it okay?"
"Okay?" Soujiro frowned, "It is not just okay, it's totally gorgeous!"
Kaoru broke into a smile, "Really? Well, thank you so much. I thought I look funny…"
"I think I would want to flaunt you out for lunch. How does that sound?" Soujiro hoped.
Kaoru suddenly had this thought that Soujiro was asking her on a date. She shook her head inwardly and realized that he could possibly asking her just because they are friends. She nodded and said, "Sure. Maybe it should be my treat this time."
He laughed, "Let me see…I want to eat in , I heard they serve good gourmet food."
Kaoru frowned. as she knew was a fine-dining restaurant. He was always asking for something fine-dining whenever she volunteers to pay. She quickly said, "I thought…I thought we could have some Chinese noodles for lunch. I know of a place that serves them good with rice."
Soujiro laughed, "Don't worry," he leaned forward, "It's my treat." And then he waved a hand as he walked away.
Kaoru was left befuddled.
Kenshin was calling her. He was starting to get irritated. He stood up from his swivel and opened the door.
He heard Megumi's voice calling him but all he could think of was the possibility that she might be out with that guy. He hurried to his car.
Soujiro was already at the lobby when Kaoru came.
"I'm sorry," she said, catching her breath, "I had to finish some stuff."
"It's alright," he said. And the he offered his arm, "Shall we?"
Kaoru glanced at his arm and then motioned him to look around. Business ethics.
He grinned, "Don't mind them." And he got her arm and slid it into his.
And it was then that a very irritated voice came calling Kaoru's name.
"Kaoru!"
Kaoru turned. And was all at once surprised and vexed at finding the redhead coming towards her. She saw him glanced menacingly at Soujiro's direction and then back at her.
"Kenshin," she murmured, suddenly removing her arms from his.
"I was calling you," he said, his eyes darting from her to her companion.
"Oh, I left my cell phone," she said, suddenly remembering.
"You have a cell phone so people could contact you. Don't leave it again." He said rather arrogantly. He turned an arrogant chin to the man beside Kaoru and then back at her and gave her a who-the-heck-is-that look.
Kaoru frowned, not liking his sudden arrogance, "By the way this is Seta-san, my boss."
Kenshin nodded slowly, "I'm—"
"He's Kenshin," Kaoru interjected. She smiled apologetically at Soujiro and then turning back to the redhead she hissed, "What are you doing here?" she clenched her fist.
"Well," he said, making sure the guy named Seta would hear, "I wanted you to know that I told Misao."
"What?" Kaoru exclaimed and then she cleared her throat, "You didn't actually—"
Kenshin turned to her, "I did."
Kaoru frowned, and glanced at Soujiro and nodded apologetically. She grabbed Kenshin's sleeved arm and then dragged her to one corner, "What did you tell her?"
"What happened. I told her what happened."
She punched him, "I told you not to."
"But you told me to tell her we went book-shopping yesterday," he said, breaking into laughter.
She glared. So he came only to first antagonize her, then to make her nervous and then finally to laugh at her. How stupid. And how childish. She pushed him, "You came here just to do that."
"Yeah," he said, smiling, "I was bored."
"Then why didn't you just call Tomoe?" there was accusation in her voice. It was unintended but it came out. She then looked away.
Kenshin stopped smiling and then stared seriously at her.
"Anyway," she said clearing her throat, "I'd be going."
"Who's the guy?"
"My boss. Haven't I told you already?"
"In case you don't know," he said glaring at her, "There's what we call business ethics."
"Your mind is so dirty. If you won't stop I'd be tempted to give you a punch or two," she snapped. She then turned on her heel and left him.
"You seem to be so close," Soujiro murmured. He peered at her bowed face.
She lifted her face up to look at him, "He's a jerk."
"What?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't badmouth him." Kaoru grinned.
He smiled back.
"He's always irritating me."
"Maybe he likes you." He said without reserve.
Kaoru's eyes widened. And then with a frown she said, "Of course not. I've known him all my life and never had I felt anything resembling that. I know his tastes in women. It's just that…that I don't fit."
"Let me guess," Soujiro said, sipping from his glass, "You like him?" He looked at her eyes.
Kaoru wondered at the weirdness of his stares. There was something she couldn't describe. Nevertheless she focused on the issue at hand, "No. No way."
He smiled, "If that's true…I'm glad about it."
"Eh?" she asked, baffled.
He shook his head and then looked away, "I didn't say anything."
She leaned back on her chair, trying to know if he really said anything or not.
Kenshin was irritated when he came back to the office. He actually came because he wanted to know if she was free for lunch. It turned out someone had already planned that ahead of him.
"A certain Ueda-san called," Megumi greeted him.
"Ueda?" he frowned. No, it doesn't ring a bell.
"She's a friend of Yukishiro-san," Megumi continued, looking at her scribbled messages, "She said YUkishiro-san is in the hospital right now."
He suddenly felt worried, "Hospital?"
He sighed. He touched her hand. Tomoe was still sleeping.
"You do not mind if I leave her to you now Himura-san?" it was that Ueda-san.
Kenshin nodded without glancing at the woman. He heard the door open and close. In a few seconds Ueda-san was gone.
"I'm sorry," Tomoe said, smiling weakly.
"Don't worry."
"You must be very busy at work," she continued, looking at their entwined hands.
"I am not." He lied. He was always busy at work. It's just that he doesn't rush himself.
"I had to cause this so much trouble—"
He admonished her with a look, "Don't say such words. I am happy I could help."
Tomoe looked away and felt tears coming into her eyes. She closed them and before she even had time to realize it, she had already fallen asleep.
She was pressed against the wall. Her heart beating faster than usual, heat creeping from her hands to her face down to her thighs. Even the soles of her feet were getting hot. Is this what he can do?
"Sshh," he whispered. He smiled sheepishly before tentatively pressing his mouth on hers. It was quick, sudden yet highly anticipated. She caught her breath in his as she was about to speak. That kept her silent.
She clenched her fists as she felt his hands on her thighs, then on her stomach, then somewhere she couldn't remember for her mind was already hazy by the time she realized he was touching her and caressing her. She could only gasp.
He grinned as he pulled back. He whispered something in her ear but she didn't understand whatever he had said. He caught her legs in his arms, carried her to the couch in the living room and planted her there securely, before settling over her.
She didn't know how she lost her shirt, and her skirt and even the thin wire headband she has been wearing. She doesn't even know why she had noticed it missing. She took a sharp intake of breath as she whispered his name, "Kenshin…" and then she was breathless again. Her knees weakening with every kiss, every caress, every whisper, every touch.
"What?" he whispered into her mouth. He trailed nibbling kisses on her chin and then on her neck, collarbone, and even at the lacy trimmings of her brassiere.
"We mustn't…" her words left her as she felt him unbuckle her underwear.
"Hmm…it comes out in the front," he grinned like a schoolboy.
"N-no…" she swallowed hard, suddenly feeling hot and melting.
"Funny," he murmured, his mouth on her stomach.
She felt the need to push him away and to make this stop but the feel of his hot mouth all over was weakening her. How could she stop him when she couldn't even get herself up?
She woke up with a start. The alarm clock was hysterical. She glared at it, slammed her palm against the bell and shut it up completely.
Now if only she could go back to where she left off…
And the phone started ringing.
She cursed loudly, scratched through her disheveled hair and inched closer to the side table to pick up her phone.
"Kaoru."
She frowned, "Who is this?" she asked in a drawling voice.
"You just woke up?" it was a female. Definitely familiar. "For God's sake it's ten thirty. Have you forgotten than it's a weekday?"
She scratched her nape. Weekday? And then it dawned on her. "Tae?"
"You're absent for the day Kaoru."
"Oh," she gasped in horror. She quickly stood up, almost tripping through her blankets, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm coming now."
A/n: so...that's it...