Disclaimer: This chapter contains fun. So if your not into having fun I suggest you go find one of those really deep dark fics that's not categorized in humor. Otherwise, lets get started!

"Right now I'm having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before."
― Steven Wright

"The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time."
― Friedrich Nietzsche

LAST TIME

Kaoru hung a right into the parking garage across the street and began the round-about process of looking for a parking space. "Taking it slow, huh. Like, how slow?" Kaoru watched Yahiko carefully out of the corner of her eye. "Have you guys, um, done it yet?"

Yahiko scrunched up his face, confused. "Done what, Ugly?"

"You know; it. Like, when a man and a women love each other very much-"

"Oh my, God. Stop!" Yahiko put up his hands like he was defending himself from the swing of a nine-iron. "I am not discussing that with you. Not now. Not ever." He was red as a newborn's slapped behind. "Especially not about Tsubame."

Kaoru was howling with laughter. "You have, haven't you?" She found a parking spot and rolled her car evenly between the stripes. Her laughter still echoed as they stepped out into the concrete structure.

Yahiko grunted. "Just, come on, will ya? And shut up with that banshee shrieking. There could be babies around your murdering with that noise."

THIS TIME

Kaoru managed to quiet herself to random giggle bursts before they entered the restaurant. It was a family-style establishment with lots of stained wood and noisy chatter. It felt warm; like a blanket fresh from the dryer. Kaoru noticed the wall behind the greeters counter was covered in crayon drawings of various shapes and skill levels. Probably made by children eagerly awaiting their food orders. Kaoru could imagine them tugging on mom or dad's sleeve and waving their new masterpiece, never holding it still quite long enough for the adults to get a proper look.

Yahiko shouted a waved his arm over his head. "Tsubame! Hey!"

A very tiny girl in a waitressing uniform and carrying a large and very full serving tray, looked up and waved back before holding up a finger for them to wait as she wove her way between the crowded tables. She was one of the cutest little girls Kaoru had ever seen.

She gave her little brother a firm thump across the back and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Good for you, little Yahiko."

Yahiko brushed off her hand. "Don't call me little."

Kaoru chuckled and a minute later Tsubame had shed her burden and made her way to the front where they stood. She was even cuter up close with bobbed chocolate brown hair and shining blue eyes. She kind of reminded Kaoru of Sora as she approached, smiling shyly and bowing to great them as customers.

"Welcome to the Akabeko. My name is Tsubame, and I'll be your server this evening. How many are in your party?"

Yahiko grinned like he had just won the lottery before quickly yanking of his cap and carelessly stuffing it in his back pocket. "Hi Tsubame. It's just the two of us. Oh!" He yanked on Kaoru's arm to bring her front and center. "And this is my sister, Kaoru. You remember me telling you about her, right?"

Tsubame nodded and beamed up at Kaoru. "I'm very pleased to meet you. You're a lot prettier than I thought you'd be."

Kaoru loved her immediately. "Well, thank you very much." She looked from Yahiko to Tsubame. "You have to tell me; how did my brother get such an adorable girl to go out with him?"

Tsubame's face nearly caught flame with the blush she was sporting. "Y-you think I'm adorable?"

Kaoru nodded sagely. "Of course you are. Now, tell me, what did he do to convince you?"

Tsubame's smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Yahiko is very kind."

"Really?" Kaoru wasn't sure they were talking about the same brat.

"Yes." Tsubame continued. "He rescued me from some bullies the first day I came to the school. He was so brave."

Yahiko puffed out his chest and wiped a non-existent smudge off his nose. "Heh, I was just doin' the right thing. If you got the skills, you better use 'em to help people."

Tsubame nodded and suddenly became the professional waitress again. "Please follow me to your table." She seated them near a window and they ordered. Yahiko went with the beef-curry rice and Kaoru chose some yakitori and an order of spring rolls. Tsubame left the table.

"So, really, Kaoru, how's the house sitting thing?" Yahiko asked.

Kaoru leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Pretty easy, actually. Megumi's as meticulous as always but really, when you get down to it, there's not all that much to do. I watch the cats, pick up the mail, water the plants, keep the place looking lived in." She shrugged. "If it weren't for Kenshin I'd get bored."

Yahiko shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. "Oh, yeah. Kenshin lives next door to Sano and Megumi, right? I'd forgotten about that."

Kaoru had to do a double take. "Wait. You know Kenshin?"

"Red head, kinda short, super polite." Yahiko pulled his cap from his pocket and draped it on the corner of the chair. "Yeah, I know him."

"Hang on." Kaoru put her palms on the table and leaned forward. "How?"

Yahiko was giving her that 'second head' look again. "I met him at the wedding. Duh."

"He was at the wedding?" Kaoru tilted her head to the side. "Why don't I remember him?"

"I dunno. You had to walk out of the church arm-in-arm at the end of the ceremony. I guess you're just ugly and stupid."

Kaoru's head was spinning like a tilt-a-whorl. "Why would we have done that?"

Yahiko sighed and rubbed his face. "Because he was the best man, Kaoru." He picked up the salt and pepper shakers and set the pepper on the edge of the table. "He was the best man," he set the salt next to the pepper, "And you were the maid of honor. At the end of all the vows and the rings and the kissing you guys had to process out." He moved the shakers like they were walking, tilting them side to side toward the center of the table. "Honestly, you were close enough to know what cologne he was wearing. How can you not remember?"

Kaoru did remember now. Yahiko's condiment illustration was helpful, however patronizing. Kaoru had been so dizzy with the hectic flow of overseeing her friend's wedding and she had met so many people that day that she must have filed Kenshin away somewhere. Kenshin Himura. And he had looked really different in a tuxedo and with his hair pulled up into a high samurai tail. Now that Kaoru thought about it, the style had really shown off his cheek bones and he had been really handsome. How could she not have remembered that?!

Kaoru groaned and lowered her forehead to connect with the table top. "I am such an idiot."

Yahiko snorted. "Yeah, I know. But please, do continue."

Kaoru wrapped her arms around her head, still firmly pressed into the table. "He must think I have some sort of mental disorder or something." She sat up suddenly, eyes wide. "I have to apologize." She yanked her phone out of her jeans and began scrolling through her contacts. "But, wait." She stopped cold and looked off into nowhere. "I should apologize in person, right? Oh man, this is gonna suck." Her phone clattered to the table and she started spinning it like a top. "But it's either that or never show my face to him again."

Kaoru was still muttering to herself when Tsubame brought their food. "Is she alright?" Tsubame directed the question at Yahiko who had already began shoveling the beef-curry into his mouth.

"She's fine. I mean, her brain just totally broke but she'll snap out of it when she gets hungry." Yahiko consumed another spoonful. "This is great, Tsubame! Really great!"

Tsubame smiled and clapped lightly, all thoughts of Kaoru's meltdown forgotten. "I'm so glad you like it. I've made some suggestions for changes to the recipe that the cook seems to like." She started enthusiastically listing off changes in measurement, addition and subtraction of spices, cook time and temperature, ect.

Yahiko grinned contentedly. Tsubame loved to cook. And she loved to talk about cooking. She was shy and really quiet most of the time. But cooking got her going. To her, it was an art form.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the table, Kaoru was talking into her phone in a surprisingly calm and not-at-all-crazy-or-frantic fashion. "Do you think you still have it?" She nodded and waited for the other person to finish. "Is that okay? I mean, I know you don't use it but if it has sentimental value. . .okay . . . yeah . . . Thank you so much." Kaoru smiled like she had just found the glue to mend the universe. "I'll pick it up later . . . Yeah . . . Love you. Bye."

"Did you decide to call Kenshin?" Yahiko spoke around a mouthful of curry.

Kaoru's eyes went wide as dinner plates. "Oh God, no." She scooped up one of her spring roles. "That was dad. I just had this idea that might win me forgiveness." She took a big bite out of the food and quickly turned to Tsubame to compliment it in much the same way Yahiko had. Tsubame thanked her and was nearly glowing with satisfaction as she scooted off to another table.

"So, what's this idea?" Yahiko quirked an eyebrow at his sister.

"Not tellin'." Kaoru munched another spring roll. "Maybe later . . . If it works." She waved a hand dismissively. "Just finish your dinner."

They cleared their plates and headed out. Yahiko said a quick "goodbye" to Tsubame, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before they left. Kaoru awed. Tsubame blushed. Yahiko scoffed.

Dad was waiting for them when Kaoru pulled up into the driveway of their family home. He handed Kaoru a lumpy package as Yahiko lazily hauled himself and his full stomach out of the car. "I hope it fits." Dad said.

Kaoru grinned and placed the package on the passenger seat. "Oh, I'm pretty sure it will." They did a kind of through-the-open-window hug and ended up laughing at the awkwardness of it. "Thanks, dad. I'll see you next week." Kaoru rolled out of the driveway and headed back to Megumi's house.

It was dark when she got there and she resolved to take care of her apology in the morning.

CHAPTER END

My my my. What could Kaoru's plan be? What do you think is in the package?

Not a lot of Kenshin in the last two installments. But we'll get back to him in the next chapter. They do have to spend time apart after all. It's not like we can glue them together lol. . . wait. That actually sounds like a great idea for a crack fic! lol Somebody, make it so!

I seriously can't thank you all enough for your continued support! As a token of my appreciation . . . here's a picture of Kenshin I drew. ^_^

musicfreak312 () deviantart () com /art/Samurai-X-374866816

Just remove the spaces and replace "()" with "."

Reviews are love!