Mornings After
by hye kyo
Disclaimer: Nope, Rk isn't mine. I'm merely borrowing it.
Author's NOtes: Hey, so there. I'd re-posted (if there's such a word) chapter 18. The divisions were gone and it has become confusing really. Anyway, here is chapter 19. I hope that it's not as confusing as chap18.
Chapter nineteen: starting again
--
She hasn't forgotten the dream
She hasn't forgotten the dream. It was the reason why she had been late. And it was also the reason why she's feeling a little queer today.
"See you," she told Eri as she walked to the vehicle stop. She looked at her watch, thought of calling the redhead but decided against it.
She doesn't know why she had that dream. She was a bit dismayed because she hadn't finished it. Maybe it would've been better come that part of…wait, what is she thinking? She scolded herself and was stomping her foot when she felt her cell phone vibrate.
It was him. The redhead. The maniac of her dreams.
She thought that if he would ask, he could maniac her in real life too…she shook her head. There it goes again. She let it ring for several seconds until she finally picked it up. Kenshin had been making his appearances lately. Maybe it was because of her hitting him. Okay, now she was feeling hot. "Kenshin?"
"I'm on the way," he said. "Meet me at your building lobby."
"I'm at the bus stop waiting for a cab."
"I'm almost there," and then the call ended.
Now why does he have to show up when she's feeling like this?
--
Kenshin came a good fifteen minutes after he called. She was scratching her arm.
"What happened?" he asked looking at the red marks on her arm.
"Mosquito bites. It took you a really long time." She continued scratching.
He grabbed her arm and then examined the scratch. "Come on," he said.
"Where?"
"To your apartment."
Her cheeks reddened and she immediately grabbed her arm back, "What?"
"I'm hungry. I'll fix us something to eat."
"Why the heck in my place?"
Kenshin arched a brow. "Why not?" he then opened the car door and said, "Hop in."
--
Kaoru was sitting on the couch sniffing the buttery smell coming from the kitchen. Kenshin was really good at it. She never was. It was the first time he'd cook her something after many years. The last time was in high school. And that was a very long time ago.
She crept to the bar to watch him. She made herself comfortable on a stool and said, "What are you making?"
"You'll see," he said.
She gazed at his back, from the back of his head, down to his nape, to his strong back. She sighed.
"Are you hungry already?"
"Why are you here anyway?" she asked. She looked away.
He laughed.
"Maybe something bad has happened to you. You'd been like that the last time you cooked for me."
"Huh?" he turned slightly to meet her eyes.
"In high school," she whispered, "A girl you liked danced with someone in the graduation ball."
He laughed again, "You remember silly stuff?"
"Yeah," and then she stared at him again.
"Well…" he turned the stove off and went towards her, "Maybe." He leaned against the bar and stared deeply into her eyes.
"What is it?" she asked, her knees weakening all of a sudden. This was still the dream troubling her. Not that she'd mind the dream getting replayed in real life…what the! She shook her head and stood up from the stool and went to the couch.
He followed her. "It's done I'm, hungry."
--
They finished eating. Kaoru didn't know she was that hungry. She read from somewhere that people derive pleasure from eating, the same pleasure they derive from…well…sex. So she was frustrated. Megumi once told her, when she was still working for that old and stupid company, that she was overworked, underpaid, over fatigued and undersexed. God, she is an inexperienced virgin. She simply laughed it off, telling Megumi she never needed sex really. But now that she was looking at his beautiful face, she was beginning to think that maybe Megumi was right.
"I think I am undersexed…" she whispered unknowingly, her gaze locked on his mouth.
He furrowed her brows, "What?"
As if jolting from a reverie, she quickly shook her head and nervously said, "Nothing…I said nothing…"
"Really?" he pouted, "I thought I heard you say you are under…underwhat?"
"Nothing," she laughed stupidly. She was feeling really stupid.
He smiled awkwardly, "Isn't the food good?"
"It is," she said, jamming a chunk of meat into her mouth, "It is really."
He frowned, stood up and went to the sink, "How is that Enishi guy?"
Kaoru clucked her tongue and then leaned forward and in a mocking tone she said, "Tell me, are you jealous?"
He abruptly turned and then with a laugh said, "Of course not! Why would I be?"
She stood up went over to him and with her arms akimbo she murmured, "Then why are you asking?"
"I told you already…I just don't trust that guy."
She frowned.
"Whatever," he said dismissively. "What time is it anyway?" He looked at the clock. Then at his wrist watch.
"You'd better go," she said, glancing at the clock too.
"Yeah," he grinned.
She stuck out her tongue as he picked his coat from the couch.
--
Enishi gave her a quick call the following morning, asking her if they could meet for lunch. Since there's nothing on her schedule and she felt like going out for that time she agreed.
"Do you like the food?" he asked, staring at her.
"Yeah," she nodded. It wasn't that good actually and the way he was staring at her was making her uneasy.
"Good," he said brightly. "Maybe I could pick you up tonight. Do you want to go to the movies?"
She thought for a while and thinking that it's a good way to rid herself of her green fantasies about the redhead she agreed.
--
"There is something going on," Misao said. Megumi had recently taken her maternity leave. They were at Megumi's home.
"Always. You always sense something Misao," Megumi said sipping tea.
"No this time there really is something."
Megumi arched a brow, "Who is it about this time?"
"Kaoru."
"Kaoru?" Megumi laughed, "Of course. Enishi came back didn't he?"
Misao shoo her head intensely, "He did yeah. But Kaoru wasn't that excited about it."
"So that's the reason why Kaoru is acting weird?"
"One of the reasons," she said, without even breathing.
Megumi handed her a glass of water which Misao ignored.
"There are other reasons."
"Other reasons why she is acting weird."
Misao nodded and finally noticed the glass. She took a long drink and then said, "I think my brother knows something about it."
"Kenshin?" Megumi almost choked, "No way!"
"He knew about Enishi. And the other day they were together for like, a whole day!"
"So?" Megumi frowned, "I think it's normal. They've known each other since they were children."
"But they never got along very well."
"Hmmm," Megumi rubbed her chin. "Don't be so suspicious Misao. Don't you like it that they're getting along?"
"It's just that…it's weird."
And Megumi only laughed.
--
Kenshin received her call. Tomoe was at the bus station when he arrived. She was crying.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"It's okay," he said as he let her slip into his arms and cry.
And they stood there. Kenshin doesn't know why the heck he was there, comforting the woman to whom he had lost his heart to, helping the woman who had broken what he had given and who had caused him so much pain. Maybe he was just too heroic, martyr or maybe he was just plain dumb.
--
The movie was boring. She suppressed a yawn and reached out for her drink. And she touched Enishi's hand accidentally. She quickly jerked it back. "Sorry," she murmured.
He smiled and then slowly wrapped his hand around hers and pulled it closer.
"Enishi," she said trying hard to hide her vexation. She pulled it back.
"Kaoru," he whispered, leaning closer.
Oh of course Enishi smells really good but Kaoru felt a little allergic at his cologne that she quickly leaned away.
"Kaoru," he said, searching for her face in the darkness of the movie house.
"Enishi," she said with admonishment, she leant farther.
"Could I…" he swallowed hard. Kaoru could see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"Please…" she murmured, "It's improper…"
"Could I kiss you?" and he said it. He stared at her eyes intently and slowly leaned closer to kiss her.
She quickly stood up and heaving she said, "Stop." And she walked away.
--
"I'm sorry," he said apologetically as he followed her.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you like that," she said without even turning to face her.
He took a hold of her hand, "Tell me…is there someone else?"
She frowned. He was making it sound like they were already together, like she was already his girlfriend. She shook her head, "Enishi—"
"I guess…I guess I shouldn't have rushed you…"
She slipped her arm from his arm hold and rubbing it she said, "I'd better get home. You too. It's late." And she turned on her heel and flagged down a cab.
--
Kaoru lay on the bed looking at her ceiling. She has done the right thing. Okay so one thing was clear, she doesn't like Enishi anymore. It was clear. However one thing remains unsolved: Why doesn't she like him anymore?
Is there someone else? It weighted down on her. Probably. Probably there was someone else. She just doesn't know yet. She closed her eyes and felt sleep coming to her.
--
She was woken up by the sound of her mobile phone ringing. She felt for it on her bedside table and almost dropped it on the floor. She picked it up and with her face buried on the blankets she said, "Yes?"
"Kaoru."
She blinked her eyes, "Who's this?"
"Who else?" and then a laugh, "Kenshin."
"Kenshin?"
"Open up," he said.
"Huh?"
There was a pause and then, "I'm just outside."
"Outside? You mean outside my door?" and she quickly stood up straightened her sheer sleeping gown and slipped on a pair of fluffy slippers. "At this time?"
"Hurry." And then there was a click.
--
She was rubbing her eyes as she let him in.
"I'm sleepy," he said.
"Then why are you here?"
"I don't want to go home," he said, removing his coat and setting it on the table.
"Your father?" she asked, locking the door.
"Partly. But no, some other reason."
She had her arms akimbo as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Then what?"
He paused for a long time and then finally said, "Am I stupid?"
Kaoru stared at him dumbfounded until she began to laugh, "Yeah. Utterly. Why ask?"
He laughed. "Well…It just dawned on me this evening."
She stopped laughing and then frowned, "How?"
He ignored the question, waved a hand as if telling her to drop it and that the matter was not worth it, and murmured, "You don't mind me here do you?"
"What if Misao asks?"
"I'd tell her I checked in somewhere."
She walked to her bedroom about to get some spare blankets and a couple of pillows when she noticed him following her. "Where are you going?"
"Sleeping."
"You're not sleeping in my room."
"Why not? The couch's too cold."
"I'd bring you blankets don't worry."
"Do you have a heating pad?"
She shook her head.
"Then I'm staying at your room," he said determinedly and he marched to her room.
--
She looked at the ceiling. She was sleepy but now she couldn't sleep anymore.
"Hey," he said.
"What?"
He scooted closer, "Come here," he patted on the space between them, "It's cold."
"It is not."
"Come here," and he stretched an arm towards her and anchored it on her waist.
She rolled her eyes but nevertheless allowed him to pull her closer. She could feel the warmth of his chest against her back.
"Hmmm," he sniffed her hair, "What's your shampoo?"
"Why?"
"It doesn't smell good," he joked. And he earned an elbow on his ribs. "Ow…" he whimpered, "You're so barbaric. Really."
"Say nasty stuff again and I'll make sure you'd have more than a bleeding nose," she threatened.
Kenshin pouted and then said "Do you have dreams?"
Kaoru reddened, remembering her dream about him, about them…doing…she shook her head inwardly. She cleared her throat and asked, "Why?"
"I had a dream," he whispered, "We got married."
"We did?" she whispered back, her left hand resting against the arm around her waist. Maybe it was because it was evening. Maybe why she felt a bit mushy, a bit warm and a bit full of emotions she couldn't name was because it was evening. She read somewhere that the night, and the moon allows people to be more sensitive about certain things, like fear, excitement, sensuality…love. Love? She shook her head. It was just the heat. The heat from being huddled close to someone. No such emotion.
"Yeah…it was weird."
She frowned and pinched him, "Getting married to me is weird?"
He laughed, "Yeah…well like that really."
She rolled her eyes again, "I had a dream too."
"What dream?" he leaned closer.
"It's a secret," she grinned and blushed. Yeah, lunatic. There's such a term as lunatic. Coming from the word Luna which means the moon. This was just the moon playing with her emotions.
"Maybe it's something green," he poked at her ribs which made Kaoru squeal.
She quickly squirmed away from him. She laughed now facing him.
He pointed his two index fingers at her ribs ready to launch and when she squealed again he quickly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. He laughed.
"Dummy," she said, breathless.
"So what did you dream about? Something green?"
She laughed, "How did you know?"
His eyes widened, "Really?"
She suppressed a laugh as she said, "You're so gullible."
"Maybe it was something about me. And you…doing something…" he grinned at her like a naughty schoolboy.
"Now who's dreaming?" she arched a brow, "That would be a nightmare."
"Really? Then why don't we try and see for ourselves."
"Dummy!" and she slapped him across his arm. Oh how she would love to!
--
Kaoru didn't know when she had fallen asleep. She felt the warm rays of sunlight on her face as she opened one eye, let out a yawn and buried her face in the covers. She extended one arm to pat the space where he was but surprisingly it was empty. She jerked up. He had left already.
"Kenshin," she called. She rubbed her eyes, scratched through her wild hair and stood up.
She let out another yawn as she made her way to the kitchen. She thought he would be making breakfast at this time but he wasn't there. She was about to check the bathroom when she saw a note posted on the fridge. She picked it up and read. It was for her. From him.
She frowned. So he went away early because of some meeting. Good, at least she would be left at peace. She hurried back to bed.
And that's when she realized it was a weekday.
--
"You seem happy," Tae arched a brow.
"Happy?" she laughed, "Me? Happy?"
"You look blooming. Are you in love?" Tae asked again, smiling slyly at her.
She shook her head, laughed again and turned back to her computer. "Of course not. To whom would I be in love with?"
"I have three whom I can name," Tae suddenly jolted a hand up in the air. She stood up, walked over to Kaoru's cubicle and sat on her table. "First, the Enishi guy a couple of days ago. Second, the hot redhead who used to fetch you every night."
"Tae," she frowned, "Why are you making up stories? And the third is?"
"Okay, so here's the third," she stopped and then smiled meaningfully, "The one upstairs. The one a couple of floors above us."
She was puzzled. "Who?"
"Duh Kaoru," Tae slapped her arm, "Are you trying to act like you don't know?"
She was about to retort back when her mobile phone rang. She sneered at Tae and then excused herself. She looked at the caller ID. It was Kenshin. So maybe she really was happy today. And would be much happier.
--
"Kenshin?" she asked, looking behind her to see if Tae is listening somewhere.
"Of course," he said with a laugh, "You read my note?"
"On the fridge?"
"Yeah, you read it?"
She nodded as if he could see, "Sure."
"Good."
"Good? There's nothing important on the note anyway." she frowned.
"Ah I mean…nothing…I…" he cut himself, "Anyway, I'm coming over for dinner later."
She smiled to herself, fell silent while musing to herself. After hearing Kenshin clear his throat she asked in a voice barely a whisper, "Will you be staying over?" she glanced behind. No Tae. Good. It was safe.
There was a rustle of papers. And then, "Would you like me to?"
She blushed, "I mean…I was just wondering…" she faltered.
"Sure. Would it be okay?"
"I guess so," Kaoru was feeling flushed. Okay, so she would allow the moon to let her feel things again.
--
A/n: So how was it? Confusing. I'm sorry for the problems with my tenses. I have this tendency to drift off. Don't worry I'd do some major revisions after graduation. There.