Mornings After
by hye-kyo
Disclaimer: Nope, RK ins't mine.
Author's Notes: Okay, so here's chap 21. People asked me what sturm und drang is. Literally it means storm and stress. It was the storm and stress movement in the 18th or 19th century as a response to the enlightenment movement. But enough of that, I hope you get what I mean when I said sturm and drang for Kenshin. He has to get it, sooner or later. He'd be too lucky if he would get away with his stupidity. Which by the way he has a lot of. Anyway, I've got great news, I've finally managed to finish chap15 of my other fic. I guess writing something lemony was really hard huh? Since it took me a coupld of year before I could finally work on it again. Huh!
Anyway, thanks for all the reviews. I've yet to reply to most of them. I've been too lazy to do stuff lately…
Please do read and review and thanks!
Chapter twenty-two: sturm und drang the second phase
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Kenshin knew that he had no right whatsoever to interfere with her, to meddle with her life. She was right actually, it was just that it's too…well, he just wanted to protect her. Of course he cares for her, growing up with her and all. That's the reason why he was so damn protective about her.
But she was being so narrow-minded.
Or maybe he's just being a worrywart. He needed a break. He'd go out and have lunch.
--
Kaoru put on a black dress falling just an inch above the knee, did her hair and put on a little make-up and was all set. The blind date was somewhere high-end. She wasn't actually psyched about the idea but at least she'll get a free meal.
She flagged down a cab, instructed the driver and in fifteen minutes or so arrived at the scheduled place. She approached the maitre' d and asked for reservation.
"Himura Hiko?" the late forties-looking woman said, "Of course Ma'am. Please follow me." And she was led to a table near the glass windows, stretching from floor to ceiling. And she saw him, well the back of her date which was actually familiar to her as she stared at him more.
She glanced at the maitre 'd and smiled, thanking her. When she had gone, she cleared her throat and staring at the back of her date she said, "E-excuse me?"
--
Soujiro knew he should've never said yes. It was done out of courtesy, out of being grateful. He should've told his mentor he likes somebody already. But he knew that even if he would tell him, he would still force him.
So here he was waiting at the table reserved for him, and his date. He thought it was going to be next week and he was thinking of canceling it when his mentor called and told him that it was actually this week.
He sighed. Okay, he'd be polite but he wouldn't flirt. He was liking somebody already and he would be faithful.
He came ten minutes early and was waiting when he heard a woman cleared her throat and asked, "E-excuse me?"
He straightened up, stood up and turned around. And things really happen when you least expect them to.
--
Kaoru's eyes widened. Of all people! "Soujiro!"
He broke into a wide smile, "I…I didn't…Kaoru!"
"I didn't know it was you!"
"I didn't know either," he said and broke into a huge grin. He quickly took her hand and offered her a seat which she took. "This is…" he foraged his mind for the right word, "I don't know…unexplainable?"
"Maybe it was fated." And Kaoru laughed. "I was actually thinking of not coming. Good thing I felt the need to be courteous."
He smiled, "Serendipity". This would be an interesting night.
--
"So you know Hiko?" Kaoru asked as she sipped wine from her glass.
"He was my mentor, way back in college days. I met him while I was still in Germany."
"Germany?"
"I studied there."
"I see, by the way," she said, leaning closer, "I introduced you to his son. Kenshin Himura, do you remember? He also studied in Germany."
"The 'jerk' as you called him?" he smiled.
She pouted, "Well…I didn't mean it that much when I said it. He's a bit of a jerk. But yeah that's Kenshin."
"It was the first time I met him. I knew Hiko-san has a daughter but I never met her either."
"Oh Misao. Her name's Misao. She's a very funny girl, very likeable, and very different from his touchy brother." And she laughed.
"Such a small world isn't it?"
"Yeah," and she flashed a smile. Soujiro does look good tonight, she noticed and she couldn't help but feel that something good was bound to happen.
--
"How was the date?" Misao asked. They were in the bookstore. She had called Kaoru earlier and had asked her to accompany her.
"It was fun."
"Fun?"
Kaoru laughed, "Okay, I'll tell you." She took a deep breath and said, "I still couldn't believe it until now."
"What?" Misao arched a brow. They had stopped in front of a shelf.
"Maybe it was destined, or something…whatever they call it." and she laughed.
"Kaoru?"
She grinned and said, "Can you believe it? I actually know the person your father set me up with."
"Really?" Misao said suddenly amused, "Who was it?"
"My boss. Soujiro Seta."
"Soujiro Seta? How did he know my father?"
And she told her and by the time they finished Misao had already a couple of books in hand, a rim of A4 white paper, some glossy sheets and a couple of markers. They went to the counter.
"How does he look like?"
Kaoru smiled. "He's actually…good-looking."
"Really?" Misao's eyes looked eager, "I've got to see him. Anyway, were you close even before the date?"
"Close? Define close." Kaoru furrowed her brows.
"Well," Misao started, "Close as in…friends? Right?"
"Oh…well, I think so. We work together and chat and he treats me to lunch…"
"Really?" Misao shook Kaoru's shoulders, "I feel it now. This is the just the beginning of a romantic event Kaoru!"
"You think so?" Kaoru never actually thought of Soujiro in that way, save when she, for just a while, decided to use his name to irritate Kenshin. She had only thought like that when she was thinking of solving her dilemma about the stupid redhead. So now that Misao was talking about it, it felt quite weird. Could it be?
--
"Hey," he dialed her number. It has been a week and a half and he couldn't take it any longer. Okay, so he admitted defeat, so what?
"Who is this?" Kaoru rummaged through the papers piled on her desk as she picked up the phone.
He rolled his eyes, "It's Santa Claus."
"Funny," Kaoru replied with a frown, "Who is this seriously?"
"Why do you pretend you don't recognize my voice?"
She glared at nothing in particular, "Listen mister if you don't want to tell me who you are, then fine. I don't have time for stupid things like this."
"I am not a prank caller."
"Whatever, I am hanging up," she said in a sarcastic tone.
"Kaoru!" he quickly said.
And she hang up.
--
She knew for a fact that it was Kenshin. She was just irritated by the way he seemed too familiar with her, at least even for once she wanted him to treat her like other women. She wanted him to be polite, to be a gentleman. She knew that he really is a gentleman but with her he never was. He'd even go as far as admitting that even though they do not both understand what they are doing, it still felt good. At least she wanted him to have the courtesy of asking her whether she wanted to take things to the next level. To the extend that if he wanted her to say no then she would gladly do so, even if she would really want to say yes.
The phone rang again and she picked it up. "Hello?"
"Kaoru," it was him again.
"Who is this?"
There was a pause and then a long intake of breath. He sounded irritated. "Kenshin."
"Oh," she feigned surprise. "Why did you call?"
There was another long pause and it seemed like he was trying hard not to shout, "I have to see you."
"Why?" she asked sarcastically, "You feel stupid? Tomoe made you feel so block-headed again?"
"Kaoru."
"I told you I won't listen to your whining about Tomoe and your stupidity again."
"Okay, I give up. I lose."
"Good." She smiled to herself, feeling triumphant, "But even so I don't want to see you, lest hear your voice. I don't want to listen to your ramblings about how stupid you are."
"I thought you will always listen to me whenever I am sad?" he sounded like a kindergarten.
"I lied," and she laughed evilly, "I have to go now." and she hang up. Okay, she took a deep breath, that felt good. Really good.
--
Perhaps he had underestimated her. Perhaps he had underestimated the attachment he had developed towards her.
He grunted, felt dismayed at himself. He needed to see her, even if it meant having a row with her. He wouldn't mind. He wouldn't as long as he would see her.
It was already evening. It was almost nine thirty in the evening. He should've known she would get mad simply because of what happened at the family house a couple of weeks ago. He thought it was just a little banter, a banter which turned into an irritating exchange of words. He should've known. Now she doesn't even want to speak to him.
He simply wanted to know how her blind date went. He wanted to know what her date looks like, the way he speaks, whether he has a sense of humor or not. He simply wanted to know. Why? He scratched his head, he simply just wants to. There's no other reason.
He picked up his coat, got out and gave the temporary secretary—who is doing some overtime tonight—some pointers and then sped to see Kaoru.
--
"I'll bring you home," Soujiro offered.
She blushed which was surprising because as far as she could remember, she never actually blushed at the things he said or at the things he do.
"So?" he asked as he opened the door for her.
"Well," she murmured, "Thanks a lot…"
He smiled, chuckled to himself and said as he slipped into the car, "I wish I could've known you earlier."
--
"Do you want to come in?" she asked, not knowing what to say or ask exactly. There was something about him these past few days, right after the blind date, that made her uneasy. Uneasy in a cute weird sort of way. Or maybe it has nothing to do with her. Maybe it was something about her, or something about seeing him suddenly in a new light.
He smiled, looking away sheepishly, "You don't mind?"
"Of course," she smiled and almost laughed at the boyish look on his face, "Of course I would mind."
He furrowed his brows and then suddenly laughed, "I guess…I guess I have no choice then?"
"Yeah, no choice but to go home now." And Kaoru chuckled. "Come in," she said, "I would mind if you decline my invitation."
"Well," he said, scratching the back of his head, "I'm happy to accept then."
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" she asked, as she flicked on the lights.
"Sure. Thanks." He surveyed and found the apartment cute and colorful. He sat down on the couch. "Nice place."
"Don't bother with the niceties," she said with a roll of her eyes, "I know I am not a good housekeeper."
He laughed and watched her back. He wouldn't mind having a bad housekeeping job if she would be his housekeeper. He laughed at himself.
"By the way," she said, poking her head through the divider, "Don't tell Tae you've been here. She's been egging me to bring her here ever since."
He nodded, motioned his hand as if he was zipping his mouth close and said, "Don't you worry."
"Good," she said with a laugh.
--
Kenshin knew that by this time Kaoru must be at home. He parked his car, slipped his car keys into his pocket and hurriedly punched the elevator buttons to her floor. It took him about seven minutes to finally get on the lift and he was feeling a bit more nervous as he rode the next forty seconds to her flat.
By the time he was standing on her doorway his stomach was doing all kinds of somersaults. He pressed the buzzer.
--
"Someone's at the door," Soujiro said.
"I wonder," Kaoru said as she stood up. She pressed the intercom, "Who is it?"
There was a pause and then, "Kenshin."
She rolled her eyes.
Soujiro looked at her.
"I'll get it," she said with a smile. And as she turned towards the door, she smirked.
--
"Hey," Kenshin said, rather too gleefully.
She arched a brow, "What are you doing here?"
He took in a deep breath, "I was just wondering…"
She tapped her fingers against the door.
"I was just wondering what you are doing…"
"Oh yeah?" she rolled her eyes. After a long uncomfortable pause she finally said, "Go home."
"What?" he asked in disbelief.
"I have a visitor so just go home," and as she was about to close the door, Kenshin quickly slipped a foot to prevent her from closing the door.
"Who is it?"
She smiled slyly and then, "Guess who?"
"Kaoru!"
And she laughed, "Go home Kenshin." And she pushed him back.
But he quickly got a hold of her hand and had managed to slip through the door. He trudged towards the living room as Kaoru had her arms around his waist pulling him back, trying to thrash him out the door.
--
Soujiro was already wondering what's keeping her so long and was about to stand up and go to the entryway when he heard footsteps and finally saw a red haired man standing in front of him with Kaoru apparently trying to pull him away.
"Kenshin, go home!" it was Kaoru.
"So…" the red head who, as he remembers correctly was called Himura Kenshin, son of his mentor, was now standing in front of him with his arms akimbo.
"Good evening," Soujiro stood up, extending his hand.
Kaoru finally released Kenshin and went over to Soujiro's side. She cleared her throat, "Anyway," she glared at Kenshin, "This is Soujiro Seta, remember? And Soujiro this is Kenshin."
He smiled.
Kenshin finally took his hand in a firm handshake. "You're Kaoru's boss." He placed a stress on the last word.
"Yeah…" Soujiro looked at Kaoru tentatively.
"Actually," Kaoru said, stepping in between them, "He knows your father Kenshin."
"Yeah?" Kenshin was still boring a hole through Soujiro's face.
"Right. He was like a mentor to me. A very good mentor."
He looked away, finally. He took a seat and then turned to glare at Kaoru.
"Haven't Kaoru told you yet?" Soujiro asked as he sat down too. Is he up for the challenge? Oh, yes definitely.
"What?" he asked, well, he snapped.
"Hiko-san has arranged a blind date for me and Kaoru, without actually knowing we already knew each other."
That caused Kenshin to turn abruptly to him. "What?"
Kaoru shot him a shut-up-or-I'll-take-you-out-cold look. "Yes," she then turned to Soujiro, "Is this serendipity or what?"
There was a long uncomfortable, hostile silence. Kaoru stood up and said, "The coffee must be ready by now. Do you want to have a cup Kenshin?"
He slowly turned to her and with a glare combined with a hurt look he stood up, "I'd better get going. It's late. I just dropped by to see how you are." And he walked over to the door, "Nice meeting you Seta-san."
--
Kaoru noticed the look on his face so she hurried to the door. "Kenshin…"
"Good night," he said, his face downcast, "I'm sorry for the bother." And he walked away.
--
A/n: So chap 22 took a longer time than I promised. But well, I hope you'll like it. I haven't reviewed to some of my reviews anyway...