Mornings After

By hye-kyo

Disclaimer: Nope, RK isn't mine…

Author's Notes: I apologize for the long wait. It was a serious case of writer's block compounded with a serious case of time management. It's like I already have the details in my mind and my mind was already on the part near the end and you know how it feels to get tired with writing something that you thought of long ago and besides when I already had the energy to write again, there were a lot of things that started happening. I didn't have the time to sit down, think and type. And then when finally I had the time, I just didn't have that much energy left in me. I just couldn't remember what I was supposed to write. So I made you guys wait. And I'm really sorry. I reread the whole story many times, yeah I know about the grammatical errors and all but that's beside the point. So after reading it a lot of times over and over again I finally found the energy to write again. So here it is, don't worry my so-called sabbatical leave didn't and wouldn't affect the plot. So there, sorry for rambling so much. And sorry for the super late update.

I hope this makes up for it. There's a cliffie. Oh my, I'm spoiling your reading already. So anyway, please do read and review. And thanks for waiting. I love you guys!

--

Chapter thirty one: confession

--

The fact that Tomoe called and told her about what she was planning to do was more than irritating. So was she threatening her? Kaoru doesn't feel in any way threatened. Or does she?

Of course she was worried. A bit. Okay, so maybe not that little. She was worried what that would give rise to. She was worried about how he would react. She was still worried about her status in his life.

She has to trust him. Of course. Of course she has to trust him and believe that whatever he chooses in the end he would be happy. She only wanted his happiness. Right? And hers too. But what if his happiness and hers were two different things?

She would just have to accept it.

Oh well, Kaoru sighed, turning the faucet on. She just has to wait and see, hasn't she?

---

It felt quite odd receiving a call from her. After all, their last meeting seemed to have occurred many many many years ago, thought it could only have been months but anyway. It seemed like a distant memory, so distant it was unbelievable.

But Tomoe called. And her calling was real.

Kenshin sank back into his seat. She called to ask if he could probably meet him for lunch because there were things she wanted to tell him. He wondered if he should say yes or refuse and lie because in fact he was free the entire day. But well, he was never a good liar and in the end, after a long debate with himself and after a promise of calling her back in the pretext of needing time to check his schedule, he said yes.

And he was now asking himself whether he should tell Kaoru or not. Because as far as he knew right now, the things between Tomoe and him were of Kaoru's concern.

But what if she would tell him to refuse? He already agreed to meet Tomoe and suddenly canceling the meeting would be rude. But maybe Kaoru wouldn't act like that though of course he doesn't mind her acting dominant some of the times. But anyway, does he have to tell her?

He took in a deep breath. The issue at hand was of Kaoru's concern. He would just have to assure her that no matter what everything would be alright. He was determined to be happy this time. And being happy meant having Kaoru happy. It was not that a hard task was it?

---

Kaoru hesitated picking up the phone for the nth time. She would just have to ask. Kenshin wouldn't probably tell her. But what if he gets the wrong idea? What if he starts thinking she was getting possessive? Oh no. She placed the phone back on its cradle.

But doesn't she have the right to know? Doesn't she have at least the right to ask? It wasn't as if she was going to tell him not to see Tomoe. Though she hoped she could. She couldn't. Because in the very first place her position in his life was still undefined. A bit hazy. No, make that really hazy. So it wasn't right to be possessive.

But she was just going to ask. There was nothing wrong about asking. Right? Heaving a sigh, she slowly picked up the phone and dialed his number. Crossing her fingers, she hoped for the best.

---

The minute he decided to dial her number the local line rang. Idly, he picked it up and asked, "Yes?" He was determined to say he was busy whoever it was and didn't really try to grasp the secretary's words until he heard Kaoru's name. "I'll take it," he quickly said and the call was transferred.

"Hey," he said, wondering why she called so suddenly.

"Hey," her voice was a little hoarse. "I…I was just wondering if you have something to do today…"

He smiled, "Well…what time do you need me?"

"Say…around 12…lunchtime?"

His smiled faded. Does she know about it? Of all the times she would be calling and of all the possible time she could ask for. He cleared his throat, "Ah…I have something important to do…"

"Oh," she seemed to be searching for the right words to say, "Is it that important? I mean…couldn't you cancel it? I haven't seen you in a long while…"

He would love to cancel. But he wasn't rude. He shifted in his seat and asked, "How about dinner? I could pick you up for dinner."

"Well…what is it that…what are you doing for lunchtime anyway?"

That caught him. Well, he liked it that Kaoru asked. "I have something very important to discuss with someone."

"From work?" there was a hint of something in her voice. Jealousy? He smiled to himself. Probably.

"Nope," he decided to tell the truth. He'd be telling her anyway.

"Ah" the remark was sudden, as if she was hurrying to have the word off her mouth lest she say anything unnecessary.

"Hmm…" he agreed wordlessly. Does he need to say something more? Perhaps she really was jealous.

"Ah…" there was a pause.

He knew there was probably something more. But he didn't dare ask anymore. "Don't worry—"

"I am not worried," she quickly interjected. Clearing her throat she quickly said, "So I'll just see you this evening." And she hung up.

Kenshin could just chuckle to himself. Perhaps Kaoru knew. Oh well. A jealous Kaoru was so adorable.

---

Kaoru was restless after the call. She knew of course what they would talk about. She kept mum about this the whole time and was regretting having done so. Perhaps she should've just told him. At least this suspense wouldn't be killing her.

By eleven thirty she had lunch, told Tae she'd leave early because she wasn't feeling well and by twelve thirty was on a cab to Kenshin's building. Perhaps he would scold her about worrying but well, she'd rather endure that than the suspense.

---

He found Kaoru sitting on a couch in the lobby when he arrived. He rounded the fountain, sneaking in behind her. "Hello," he murmured behind her ear, so close that he felt her jump a little.

"Don't do that again," she hissed and turned around. "Kenshin," she frowned, a little annoyed with being surprised.

He fought the urge to laugh. "Why are you here?"

The frown on her face was quickly replaced with a blush. "Ah…well, I just came to tell you I wouldn't make it tonight."

"Why didn't you just call me?" he asked, circling around the couch to stand beside her.

She looked away, seemingly in search of something to say. Eventually she said, "I left my phone at the office. I told Tae I wasn't feeling well and was on my way home when I remembered that I have forgotten to tell you so…I opted to go here instead…"

"Oh," he arched a brow and pulled her down with him, "You should've just waited for me upstairs."

"She," she pointed to the concierge, "Was telling me to. But I'd rather stay here, besides your office is really boring and Megumi isn't there."

"Well sorry for being boring," he stuck a tongue at her.

She smiled and then suddenly asked, "Why are you so early anyway? It's only five past one. I thought you have a date."

He looked at his own watch and said, "Well yeah."

She looked at him worriedly, turning to face him she asked, "So…how did it go?"

He knew they both knew what and who they were talking about, "Why do you want to know?"

She suddenly blushed furiously and turned away, "Well I apologize for asking."

He smiled, slid an arm around her waist and whispered, "Are you jealous?"

"Of course not," she exclaimed, reddening. She noticed the looks people kept on giving them. She inched away, "And remove your hands off me."

"I'm not doing anything," he protested but he couldn't help the glint in his eyes.

She frowned, "I'm going home now." She made an attempt to sit up but Kenshin was quick to grab her down.

"Don't you want to know what happened?" he teased.

"I…I don't really care…" she murmured, looking away but allowing him to pull her closer.

"Don't worry."

"Yes," and she turned to him, "I'm going home now. I don't feel very well."

"Is that for show or are you really—"

She slapped him across the arm, "I said I'm going." And she stood up.

He laughed, "Wait." And he produced his mobile phone from his pocket and made a call.

She was memorizing his profile when she caught the words, "I'd be going" "record the calls" "I'll call you back" and "cancel my meetings", which meant he was going to slack off somewhere. She frowned at him when he ended the call. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Well, you said you weren't feeling well so I thought I should—"

"Nope you're staying here," she said sternly.

"Okay," thinking he said, "Why don't you just stay for a little while so we could talk about these things? Besides I haven't lunch yet."

"You haven't?" surprise written all over her face.

"Yeah and I'll tell you," he slipped an arm around her waist lest she decide to run away and ushered her to the elevator. "I'd have someone bring food from the cafeteria."

"I have already eaten."

"Then you'll eat again," he said with finality as the doors opened.

---

Kenshin locked the door just in case. The new secretary has a habit of suddenly popping in and out. Anyway, Megumi would be back in two months.

She sat, pouting, on the couch, watching him run through the papers left on his desk. After making sure nothing was urgent he sank in beside her. He smiled at Kaoru, and allowed his hands to move.

She swatted them away. "Your hands."

He laughed again, "Why not?" He quickly pulled her closer and kissed her.

She protested but eventually gave in, her palms resting flat against his chest and rising to snake around his nape.

He pulled back with a smug expression on his face, "I thought you don't want to—Ouch!" he earned a punch. "What was that for?"

"That," she pointed to his face, "Don't think you could have me with your kisses."

"Can't I?" he crooned, moving in closer.

She feigned annoyance, "You can't. So hands off." And she scooted away, glaring at him in the process.

"Kaoru," he stammered.

"I think I should be going."

He was just about to reason out that the food was already coming when the intercom rang. And he was right, the food just arrived. He went to the door, unlocked it and received a brown paper bag from his secretary who darted an eye to see Kaoru on the couch. He quickly locked the door close.

"They must be thinking we're doing something in here." She was blushing, her hands on her lap.

"So? Aren't we really doing something?" he went back to sit on the couch, placed the paper bag on the coffee table and said, "I wonder what she got me?"

"So…" she suddenly cleared her throat, "You haven't told me yet why you came early."

"Haven't I?" he teased, "I'll tell you if you give me a kiss."

"Kenshin stop being so silly." But she nevertheless kissed him, "So tell me now."

"I didn't see her." The words slipped out fluidly. He had been rehearsing this in his mind since he and Tomoe finished talking. He wondered if Kaoru would notice the pronoun that he slipped.

"You didn't?"

So she didn't notice. Kenshin almost smiled to himself. It meant that Kaoru knew who they were talking about. "I didn't."

"Oh…why?"

"I didn't know. She called and cancelled the meeting."

"Oh…" again she didn't notice the pronoun.

"Are you jealous?"

"I told you I am not."

"I was hoping you'd say you are." And he grinned before fishing a chicken sandwich from the bag. He unwrapped it and took a bite. He glanced up at her and noticed that she was smiling.

"Okay…maybe just a bit. But I don't really have to be jealous right? Or do I have to?" she gave him a threatening look.

"Of course not," he assured her, wanting to kiss her but remembering suddenly he was eating something. "Do you like chicken?"

She furrowed her brows but got the innuendo anyway, "I don't mind." And she smiled and pulled herself up against his chest to kiss him on the mouth.

---

Kaoru left after an hour more. He asked her if she could wait but she said she really was not feeling that well and insisted that she'd go ahead. He agreed after making her promise that she'd call back and after making her promise they would have dinner together tonight.

He hadn't told her what exactly happened. Besides, whatever Tomoe tells him he was keen on keeping Kaoru. He was not about to let anything and anyone ruin their relationship, especially now that it has gotten really interesting.

Tomoe told him she was not getting married anymore and that in fact she was still pining for him. He was surprised at the boldness but well, he knew Tomoe and he knew she had the knack for being unpredictable, no matter how predictable her façade may seem.

But well, he surprised even himself, especially with the swift and fluid way he dealt with it. He told Tomoe he was in love with someone else. He surprised himself at how happy he felt saying it. It felt the right-est decision he had ever made.

Looking back, he realized he could've changed everything. But he didn't. When Tomoe left him he could have followed her and bring her back. But he didn't. He could have pursued her and gain her back. But he didn't. It was as if everything and everyone, including himself unconsciously, were conspiring to lead to this moment. To lead him to Kaoru.

He smiled to himself. He'd better hurry up and finish his work. Dinner would be waiting. As well as Kaoru.

---

Misao dropped by at half past six, flopped on her bed and asked for an apple juice. Kaoru's head was aching so bad she hadn't the strength to ask her why she came, what she was doing there and could she just get her juice herself? So she lazily went for the kitchen, and finding no apple juice in her refrigerator or any other juice for that matter she shouted that she'd just drop by the super and ask for a fruit and come back quickly.

Misao made a wordless murmur as she closed the door behind her, jogged down the flight of stairs to her super and asked for some fruits. She wanted to race back up due to her aching head but the super was talkative, taking his sweet time chatting about some gossip he picked somewhere as he placed the fruits in a paper bag. Kaoru made a move for her purse but the super said no and waved her off with a smile.

Misao was standing by the doorway when she came back, apples in tow and a tired expression on her face. "Hey," she said to Misao, surprised at finding her there, "Are you going anywhere else?"

"I thought you were taking a really long time," she said. Something in her eyes seemed to say there was something she wanted to let out.

"I went downstairs for these," she pointed to the bag, "I'm having a really major headache."

"Let me have that," and Misao grabbed the bag and went to the kitchen. Kaoru followed and sat on a stool by the counter.

"I feel like my head is splitting in two," Kaoru held her head in one hand.

"I'll get you a Tylenol."

"I just took one," the pain flashed again and caused her to cringed.

"Do you have flu?"

"I might have or will have soon."

Misao turned the blender on, "Is it stress?"

"Possibly."

Misao laughed and turned to face her, "Work or love life?"

"Misao," she frowned. "Whatever."

"How are you and Soujiro doing?"

Right, she suddenly remembered. She hadn't spoken to Soujiro yet. She doesn't want to lead him on but things were just happening so fast and she couldn't handle them all at the same time. "We are just friends Misao."

Misao rolled her eyes, "Too showbiz-y Kaoru. Try some other line."

"Really."

"So any other guy you're dating? I mean, Enishi's clearly out of the picture and Soujiro…well you said you are just friends, so is there someone else you might want to tell me about?" there was doubt in her voice but Kaoru shook it off. She was just too cautious and too guilty.

"No, none at the moment Misao," she lied.

"But if there's someone else would you tell me?" there was a hushed tone in her voice.

"Of course," she cleared her throat.

"How about…" she paused and then turning to face her Misao raised a brow and asked, "My brother?"

"Who?"

"Onii…" she said with a little hint of suspicion in her voice that Kaoru might have noticed had her headache not been really bad.

"Of course not!" she said rather too quickly. She had tried so hard not to giggle at that.

"Oh well," Misao stopped the blender, "Anyway, I was craving for apple juice but I made a smoothie. How stupid."

Kaoru laughed and said, "Give me a glass too. I suddenly feel like craving for a smoothie."

---

Kaoru dialed Kenshin's number as soon as Misao left. She would not make it to dinner—her headache had gone worse.

"Kaoru," his voice came smooth and deep across the receiver.

"I can't make it to dinner tonight," she said, cradling her head with one hand. She had propped her pillows against the wall and was leaning against them.

"Why?" he sounded worried.

She looked at her watch. It was six in the evening already. She resisted a yawn, "I feel like I'm coming down with a flu."

"Alright," he said, "I'll be there in twenty."

"Are you sure?" she asked seriously, though she couldn't stop the excitement in her voice from showing.

"Of course." There was a shuffle of papers, "I'd just finish some stuff and I'll be at your doorstep in twenty. How's that?"

"If you have tons to do you don't have to—"

"And I'll bring dinner."

"Oh alright," she smiled, "Hurry up. I miss you already." She didn't want to say it and act mushy but it slipped out just like that.

"Really?"

She flushed despite herself, "Just…just get here."

"Yes Ma'am," he smiled to himself.

---

Kenshin has never been that punctual. He pressed the buzzer, feeling a little excited. It was as if he hadn't seen Kaoru in a really long time.

The door opened abruptly, a little too quickly perhaps like she had been beside the door all the time. "Hi," she said, a little breathless.

"Hi," he replied. He removed his shoes, slipped on a pair of slippers and followed after her. "I brought dinner."

"I don't feel like eating at all," she pouted, flopping on the couch.

"I brought rice porridge," Kenshin started emptying the contents of the paper bag onto the countertop.

"I have no appetite. I just want to sleep."

"Then go ahead, I'll wake you up later."

She stood up, went behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek on his back. "Hmm…you smell nice."

Kenshin laughed, "And you feel hot. I think you should go take a rest. I'll take your temperature in a little while. I'll just reheat these."

She pouted despite herself and stayed behind him, her hands coaxing him to face her.

"Hn?" he asked, turning around.

Kaoru slowly slipped his hands inside his shirt, "You're so warm."

He laughed, "Come on, I'll put you to bed."

She pouted. She felt hot, running a high fever. Perhaps she ought to listen to him. "Okay," but she didn't budge.

"Kaoru," he feigned exasperation.

"Okay," she said again, without budging.

"Kaoru," he brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek and murmured, "You need to take a rest."

She released a long sigh and then removing her hands from his shirt she nodded and went off to her bedroom.

---

Kaoru opened her eyes and cast him a long look before closing them again and burying herself deeper into the quilts. Kenshin slipped beside her. She inched closer, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"You sure are cuddly when you're sick," he teased and kissed the top of her head.

"Yeah," she murmured, her voice muffled against his chest, "I feel like a little kid."

"I'll make you feel like a baby," and he chuckled to himself, "Don't you want to eat?"

"I don't feel like it."

He stroked her hair, "You couldn't take your medicine without eating something first."

She thought for a while, murmuring noises in the back of her throat as she pulled herself closer, "Oh, alright."

"I'll go get the porridge," and he kissed her eyes before slipping out.

---

Misao took in a deep breath. She was going to be okay with it. She was going to congratulate her, wish her good luck and treat her to dinner. But she wasn't going to. Anymore. She only needed her to tell her, to admit to her what was going on. But she didn't. If only she told her, Misao would be extremely happy. But she didn't. And Misao doesn't need liars.

Misao turned her head as the door abruptly opened. She stood up, smiled slightly at Megumi and beckoned her to sit down.

"You've been waiting?" she took a sip of water from a glass. The glass had started to percolate.

"Nope," she shook her head, "I didn't mind anyway."

Megumi returned her smile, "I'm sorry for being late. I had to wait for Sano, I couldn't just leave Ryo-chan you know—"

"Don't worry about it," Misao interrupted.

Megumi sighed and leaned against her seat.

She foraged for something in her bag and slowly pulled it out. "Do you know what this is?"

"It's a tie." Megumi nodded. So what was Misao up to this time?

"Yes. It's my brother's." She looked at it, "It's the tie I gave him as a birthday present. And it's the tie I found in Kaoru's drawer."

---

A/n: So how was it? I hope that makes up for the really long wait. Long is an understatement of the real length of the wait isn't it? Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you won't get tired of this story. Read and review!