Decision
Kaoru sighed heavily, tugged her tresses out of the bun and threw the pins on her dresser while checking herself over in the mirror. Her hair was not cooperating, her clothes were all wrong, and she had no idea what to even do with the lip and eye powders she'd gotten from the market, leaving her raging silently in her room.
Her appearance, which had never been an issue before, was now something she slaved over every morning; waking up before first light to get started and taking at least an hour before she even left her room. She wished she had the grace and beauty of the Megumi, who looked radiant even without face powders. Kaoru was lucky if she didn't have dirt caked on her cheek. She stared at her figure in the mirror a little longer unsatisfied by the full length dress, the curls in her hair or the lip color she applied. Groaning, she tugged the dress over her head and grabbed a rag to scrub the color off her lips. They were stained now, a slight hue as if she had been eating berries but no matter, she was already late and couldn't spare another moment. Donning her usual trousers and shirt, she tied up her hair as normal then stomped out of her room to start her morning chores before meeting Yahiko in the clearing. She could already hear the complaints her pupil was about to give. Quickly going through her routine she made sure to stop at the stable to greet and feed her horse only to notice the feed bag was full and the water had been refreshed. Looking around a fluttering noise caught her attention and she made her way out the back to be met with the sight of Kenshin near the laundry post; the sleeves of his white shirt pulled back up to his shoulders and muscles taut as he hung wet linens out to dry. His hair, tied off in its usual low style, swayed with the small breeze as he stepped back and examined his work. A slight smile played on his lips though it didn't reach his eyes, that look of sadness he tried to hide swirling in the amethyst.
The wanderer had entered her life a few short weeks ago, like something out of a fairy tale, and flipped her humble little home on its head. His presence became a comfort to Kaoru, he fit well with their everyday life, never hindering it and, dare she say, he was less of a burden than Yahiko was.
Yes it was strange, perhaps not even smart, to let him stay this long but she couldn't find it in herself to send him on his way. Kaoru wasn't dumb, and knew there was more to him than just a man who happened to be on the wrong ship at the wrong time. He kept secrets, she probably should've been wary of that, but there was something in his demeanor that told her he meant no harm so she would leave that up to Kenshin on whether he would disclose what really happened. Kaoru of all people knew better than to pry and if he was hiding something it was probably better she didn't know. Of course, that didn't stop her curiosity or her want for the truth; she studied him as he flung the second set of linens over the line. Maybe he was a mercenary? A bounty hunter? Maybe some long lost prince lost at sea?
Kaoru giggled at how her imagination ran away with her thoughts, and allowed herself a few more moments to study the wanderer. His arm was out of the sling now and true to his word he spent more time helping out around the ranch and doing the menial chores Yahiko refused to do. He'd also taken up the task of preparing dinner; it seemed to everyone's pleasure as they repeatedly said Kaoru was ill fit for the job, and Kenshin appeared to enjoy preparing the meals they feasted on. Even just now her horse was taken care of before she had any thought to do so, before she had even asked it. In the back of her mind she remembered he said his lodging was just until he was healed, but a part of her was thinking maybe he had changed his thinking and was here for good. Slapping her cheeks to wake herself out of her day dreaming, she turned away from the man and proceeded to the clearing where Yahiko was waiting impatiently.
"What took you so long?" The boy frowned. Kaoru huffed and crossed her arms.
"I had to get ready! Beauty takes time, you know!"
"Beauty?" Yahiko made a face. "For what? You're gonna get sweaty, ugly and gross anyway," he said. How cruel, even if it was true, he still didn't have to say it like that. Kaoru rolled her eyes and drew her practice weapon, and long wooden stick, from the barrel next to her.
"I'm still a woman, and maybe I wanna look like it from time to time!" Yahiko snorted, unable to contain his laughter.
"Good luck with that!" Upset and feeling disrespected, Kaoru lightly hit him with her practice weapon.
"You left yourself open to your enemy, that's fifty basic repetitions!" Yahiko groaned before readying himself. She struck again, though this time he was prepared and parried the attack as she taught him. They practiced, Kaoru easily dodging and blocking the younger one's advances, but her heart still ached from the statement he made. Bad enough she knew she wasn't the prettiest but to hear it so bluntly stated was a slap to the face. She was by no means not attractive, but just a little attention from a man would be nice.
So what she was trying to appear more feminine? Was that really a crime? Why did the boy have to crush her dreams like that? Even though nothing would come of it, was it really that bad to try and impress someone?
Distracted, Yahiko landed a blow she should've blocked on her upper arm. She yelped in pain as the thumping shot through her limb when the boy disarmed her, tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground. Yahiko stood triumphantly and celebrated his victory for a moment, mocking Kaoru before she kicked her leg out and swept his feet from under him, sending the boy crashing to the ground as well. Kaoru made a move for his weapon and held what was thought to be the blade end to his face. Yahiko panted, anger appearing on his features. "You cheated!" He complained seeing himself pinned down.
The teacher scoffed, brushing loose tendrils of hair out of her face as she stood up, righting her stance. "You think the enemy will fight fair?" She began, "You have to be prepared for every move your opponent makes!" The boy slammed his fist on the ground next to him in rage.
"Says you! I beat you and you know it!" Anger welled up inside and she felt so stupid; allowing her pupil to score a blow like that. It was going to his head, when he was simply lucky. She knew his footing was off, the strike wasn't aimed or true, he was merely just swinging his weapon around in an effort to make contact, and with her blunder, in his eyes he did. Now he was calling out what he thought was a lack of fairness, instead of seeing the error for what it was. But it was her fault, if not for her distracted mindset it would've never happened and what would Yahiko be more mad about; that her lapse in judgment cheapened his victory or that she wasn't taking his training seriously in the first place.
Needing to cool off and give the boy space, she demanded he do one hundred basic repetitions before stomping off to tend to the bruise she was sure to have, ignoring his complaints at her retreating form. Looking for some sort of cold compress, she made her way to the well near the stables, hoping that it still had a little water in it. To her relief the well was filled so she drew the bucket up, pulled her sleeve back and dipped a rag into the cool water to soothe her skin. It solved the initial ache, the burning dissipating, but she knew a warm soak would do it much better. The pain settled to a dull throb and she sighed at the feeling.
"Miss Kaoru? Are you alright?" Someone asked from behind her. She turned to see Kenshin; he was returning with a fresh catch from the river, yet his clothes were soaked- did he fall in or something?
"I'm fine," she said, going back to her arm, dabbing the area. "What happened to you? A fish drag you into the river?" She joked. Suddenly a strong pair of hands took the rag from her, dipped it back in the bucket and was pressing into the abused flesh tenderly. Kaoru gazed up at Kenshin, who was focused on her arm that his eyes didn't meet hers, hidden behind his long fringe.
"Nevermind this one. Please take more care, Miss Kaoru. It would be a shame if you got seriously injured that it would," his gaze locked with hers and Kaoru's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Her skin burned where he touched, heating up from the inside out and she was lost in swirling amethyst, stunned into silence. Goodness he was handsome, she'd known that from day one but having him this close; she could see that glittering gold his hair turned in the sunlight, the sweat that dipped down into his loose shirt, the dark scar that gave him a mysterious appeal and made her fingers ache with the desire to touch it. For a moment she wondered what he would do if she reached out and caressed the blemish on his beauty. "And I'm sure Yahiko would be upset if his teacher was out of commission, that I am."
The statement was like throwing water onto embers and she blinked before quickly pulling away from his hands to collect herself. Kaoru's cheeks felt hot and she knew that her blush would betray her thinking.
"Yes, Yahiko just got a lucky hit in is all," she said trying not to let her voice waver. "But I'll make sure it won't stroke his ego too much."
"I'm sure of that," Kenshin laughed. "Are you done for the day? Would you like me to draw a bath for you?" Kaoru smiled, the thought of the warm water tempting and nodded vigorously. Kenshin smiled and excused himself, walking away briskly. He was always so courteous, she often wondered where he had learned his mannerisms and was washed in thought momentarily before she returned to the young boy to check on him, and maybe apologize. Maybe.
Yahiko was still in the middle of his routine, however he was joined by Sanosuke who was lounging around in the tall grass of the clearing. She approached, he never stirred though she was sure he could hear her, and sat down next to him. "You're here again?" She asked.
"What, I'm not allowed to visit anymore?" He replied, smirking. His eyes were closed as he chewed a long grain he'd plucked from the ground but she knew better than to think he was just stopping by, on account of the fresh bruise under his eye and his lip being busted. Kaoru figured he had been in another brawl at the tavern and was hiding out from authorities as the farm was remote enough that they seldom traveled this far. Kaoru let it be and didn't question him on it further; as long as he didn't bring trouble with him she would let him come and go as he pleased and though it didn't seem like it, he paid his fair share from time to time. Sanosuke Sagara was an enigma of a man, and his blatant ignorance often made him that much harder to understand. Originally a drifter, he was blowing through town when she met him- in the midst of a fight, and while she was on the initial judgment she quickly learned that through the hard exterior he showed, the man was soft on the inside with a weak spot for those suffering and starving on the streets. A kinship he must have felt to the poor living in the slums which is why Kaoru tolerated Sanosuke's volatile behavior- there was more there than just a brawler.
Even now, while he was in a fight no doubt she surmised that he would've come this way regardless as he had been showing up more often since the wanderer started to live here. Sanosuke didn't trust him, and though part of her was chaffed- she could take care of herself, another part was relieved at his concern. Besides, now that Kenshin was on her mind, there were questions she wanted to ask her friend. Questions that involved the intimacies of the opposite sex... questions that set her face on fire at the mere thought of asking them aloud. Kaoru pulled her knees up to her chest, glancing over to the lazy one once more. She chewed her lip while thinking of the right words to say without sounding like a harlot.
"What is it?" Sanosuke cracked one eye open to look her way, noticing her fidgeting. Hesitantly she began.
"Sanosuke, you're a man right?" There was a pause for a moment before he reached for the edge of his trousers.
"Let me check." Kaoru covered her face with her hands, lest she catch a glimpse of what lay beneath his clothing.
"Don't be crude!" She exclaimed, hearing the deep chuckles of her friend and she huffed. Kaoru hated when he teased her. "Look, I'm only asking you since there's no one else." The young woman hadn't been educated on the intimacies of sex; she had no mother figure and wasn't coddled like other girls so what little she knew of the act left questions and a veil hung over the subject. She couldn't even discuss it with other common women her age else she appeared like a lady of the night. She wasn't necessarily looking for any illicit information, but she also wasn't stupid enough to not know that what she was told was censored. Where else to get a little more detail than the brawler himself? Kaoru could only imagine his escapades. She cleared her throat. "What's it like? The relationship between a man and a woman?" Her face grew hot as the words left her lips. "I mean, um..." Sanosuke sat up and moved closer to her.
"You want me to teach ya?" His hand moved under her chin and he gently tilted her head towards him as if to kiss her. Kaoru knew him better than that; he was like family and besides there was a certain Raven haired woman he was interested in. She made a face at him. "Stop teasing me you pervert." He backed off laughing.
"You're the one asking me the perverted questions." Settling back into his position in the grass, his hands behind his head once more, Sanosuke continued, "Ya want to know about fuckin?"
Kaoru turned her nose up, put off by his terminology. "Must you say it like that?"
Sanosuke shrugged then spoke, "Call it what ya will, it's all the same." She sighed and rolled her eyes prompting him to smile again. His next words were even more explicit that the young woman could not believe such language existed, not to mention the acts of passion he described… He wasn't recounting his own affairs necessarily, hopefully, just stating the general without the censorship she was used to receiving. Her face was bright red by the time he finished, really when she begged him to stop, to which a hard laugh left him adding to her embarrassment. "I'm just tellin ya the truth. Bout time someone did, you're a big girl and can take it."
"But, were you ever in love with those women? I mean, the ones you did things like that with?" She asked. Curiosity was getting the better of her, and when she knew she should have avoided the topic Kaoru could not help but keep asking questions.
"If you're lookin for love stuff... I can't help ya there." His tone was still light but his face had taken a solemn look. "A woman's heart is all over the place. Couldn't figure it out even if I wanted to."
Surprised by the revelation, the next words escaped her mouth without a filter. "So you and Megumi...?"
He huffed, his lips twisting up into a halfhearted smile like he was upset or put off by something. "She ain't lookin for a man like me." Suddenly he rose up from the ground and trotted off toward the gate, muttering something about needing another drink. Kaoru felt she must have pushed some button for him to leave like that, and regretted it as she stared at his retreating back. She really needed to learn to think before she spoke. Yet hearing Megumi wasn't interested she was confused by all of what she knew and learned, and it seemed the brawler was in one of those unrequited scenarios. Kaoru sighed and dusted herself off before going in search of her bath.
xxx
"Good morning Kaoru," Kenshin said, the drop in formalities shocking her and stirring up something else she couldn't quite identify. They were so close she could feel his body heat burning through her clothes, melting into her own and she wanted to faint from his proximity.
"Good morning Kenshin," she breathed. He stepped even closer, effectively trapping her in her room while his form was flush against hers, a smile playing on his lips. "Kenshin, Yahiko is waiting for me."
"He can wait a little longer. Forgive me, but I can't help myself. You look, ravishing," he said. His arm came up to wrap around her waist and the other brought a hand up to cup her cheek. Fire coiled in her belly radiating to her cheeks. She couldn't believe he was being this forward considering he never showed interest before.
"Kenshin, hold on, what are you-" she was cut off as his mouth fell upon hers in a wild kiss that sent her reeling, tumbling out of her bed and to the floor with a loud thud. Blinking, Kaoru tried to regain a sense of herself as her room came into clarity and groaned while rubbing the sore elbow that caught the fall. A soft knock on the door captured her attention before Kenshin's voice could be heard on the other side, asking if she was okay. She replied in earnest, hoping it was enough that he would not walk in and see her rumpled state; more than likely he would never cross the threshold into her room, but the possibility hung over her head and she dreaded it. Thankfully he accepted her response and she breathed in relief as the distinct sound of his quiet footsteps could be heard leaving her door.
Alone, she tugged a piece of her hair and mulled over what she had just experienced; the dream was so intense and looked so real that her lips felt hot as if his had actually been there. It was the first time she had ever had a dream like that and a part of her wished she had not woken up just yet, wanting to see where else the fantasy would take her. Thoughts of the erotic nature crossed her mind and created a lustful haze she nearly fell into before she shook her head and willed the images away. Her mind wasn't very creative as she had never even seen Kenshin's body beyond his chest but it was enough that she was blushing red, in need of water, and in need of a break from the confinements of the ranch. Standing up she threw her linens back onto her bed, got dressed and decided to venture into the town to escape the emotions she was feeling. Without breakfast, and giving Yahiko a poor excuse for skipping training, she was on her horse and galloping away down the road.
It was colder down the hills toward the port with gray clouds that littered the sky, the smell of rain on the horizon. The mare shook its mane and Kaoru was glad she brought her cloak along as she tugged it over her shoulders. From her position she could see the town bustling with many ships docked and excitement filled her as she rode the horse down the path. It had been a while since she had seen this much cargo come into town and there was no telling what treasures lay in the market. Being on the border had its merits in that foreign goods often came through here before they arrived at their supposed destination and a lot of the merchants sold it for fairly cheap. Kaoru could take one look at an item, see the quality, and pay minimal for something akin to what a duke's cousin would own. She remembered her father often wore fine threaded fabrics when she was younger before selling them to a peddler for the iron in her sword.
As she crossed the arched gates into the town, the mud caking onto her horse's hooves, she hoped to find a few trinkets here and there or something cheap and delectable that would make a filling dinner, however she was hit with disappointment at the stock she found; the fish market was dry, the bakery had a few loaves of bread that hadn't yet molded over and she was able to make a trade with a few ears of corn, and even the blacksmith was sparse on wares. She was offered a dull blade for her mare but she swiftly declined and made her way down to a few more peddlers to ask about their product, or lack thereof, due to her confusion of the whole situation. The ships were in port yet they were receiving no goods and not a single one of the merchants had been on the trade routes in the last few weeks.
One peddler, an old and fragile looking man who sold grain for coin, cursed the ships that were docked and stated they belonged to Kanryuu Takeda; their load was already purchased and on its way to the man's manor. Kaoru noticed the carts passing by, full of fresh goods and meats, and the men driving them were indeed a part of Takeda's entourage. They trotted through, nearly running over someone in the process and she scowled.
Only a few weeks ago had the air in the ports been different; there was peace and happiness in the atmosphere, the people genuine in their lives. Now it was beginning to look like they were on the brink of conflict, or as if war had already stripped the town of its life. The people were humble and the only one with wealthy money had been Takeda along with his elite. To take from them more, the very things that had kept them going for all this time… Perhaps Yahiko was right in that those people had more than what they deserved, and others were suffering because of it. Huffing to keep her anger from boiling over and seeing how her shopping trip was ruined, Kaoru decided since she was out she would pay a visit to the tavern and see the maid, Tae, there. Doubling back she did one more sweep of the market before tying off her horse to the stable outside the inn.
Entering, the place was nearly empty and Kaoru wondered how long had the town's decline been occurring and if she missed it by this much, she really needed to get out more. Tae was behind the counter, drying a few cups before looking up to give her a warm smile to which the younger returned it and moved to sit at the counter. The maid disappeared for a moment before returning with a mug filled with a warm, fragrant tea and placed it in front of her. Kaoru grinned, pleased the woman always had her favorite drink ready and sipped it slowly, her eyes squinting with the heat. It helped to stave off the chill the day was starting to take on.
"Been a long time since I've seen your pretty face," Tae said. Kaoru gave an apologetic smile, stating she had an incident to take care of. She dare not mention the wanderer to avoid rumors or any talk of indecency, and not that she couldn't trust Tae, but one never knew how many ears were listening in a place like this.
Tae waved it off, disappointed but not offended at the young woman's absence before they launched into deep conversation; it was mostly Kaoru asking questions about anything and everything and the tavern maid answering every single one of them with as much gusto as they were delivered. She liked visiting Tae; the woman knew much about the kingdom and the world from her various travels and the drifters that stopped by as they blew through town. It was a view of the world she would never see as the older woman was a wealth of knowledge, but her love stories about her late husband is really what drew Kaoru in. The younger adored the tales of fleeting gazes, stolen kisses, and proclivities of love like the fairy tales she read in the few books she owned. She liked to live vicariously through them since the experience would never present itself. Not to mention she figured the maid wanted other company besides drunken men so at the counter she sat, currently listening to the tale of how Tae and her late husband met.
As focused as she tried to remain however, her mind kept wandering to a certain redheaded man, envisioning herself and him in the stories the tavern lady was telling. It was getting to her favorite part now, the moment where they had confessed their feelings for one another, when Kaoru suddenly interrupted.
"But how did you know you fell in love?" Tae gave her a surprised look. "I mean what's the difference between lust and love? How is it that I can think about him at all hours that it completely ruins my day to day life?" She bit her lip to silence her rambling as the older maid gave her a sympathetic look.
"Honey, you're talking like ya caught feelings already," Tae said with a smile.
"No, of course not!" Kaoru said. "I-I just wanted to know," she stammered, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. It obviously didn't work as Tae kept giving her a knowing smile and Kaoru couldn't keep the blush off her cheeks. "It's not like a suitor will come knocking," she exasperated.
Tae shook her head, frowning disappointingly. "Kaoru, give yourself more credit-"
The younger one interrupted again. "But who's gonna marry someone with no house name?" Best I hope for is he'll take my virginity, she thought.
"Take what now?" Tae asked. Kaoru bit her lip again, mortified she'd spoken her mind aloud, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Covering her face to hide from the giggling her friend made there was the sound of the doors opening and Kaoru peeked through her fingers to see Megumi waltzing in, her eyes landing on the two with a smile. She fluttered over gracefully and took the seat next to her.
"Good day Tae, Kaoru," she nodded at them both.
"Good day Miss Takani, to what do I owe the honor?" Tae asked, bowing deeply. Ever since Megumi revealed her highborn status Tae often teased her with respectful bows and stating she would be whisked off by some Duke to the capital. Kaoru didn't participate in the joke, secretly jealous of the doctor's many suitors. She refused to give it any more attention than it got.
Megumi smiled, brushed off the chaff and asked for a fine wine before pulling out her pipe and lighting it. Kaoru didn't bring up the conversation from earlier; once Megumi got wind of embarrassing factors she would never let one live it down and as such she did not want to be on the receiving end of that mockery. The younger sipped her drink quietly, willing Tae to hurry back and save her from the doctor's piercing stares. Thankfully the tavern maid was quick in her work and returned with the bottle in hand.
"So how's business, Tae?" Megumi asked before taking a sip of her drink.
"As slow as always," she sighed. "Not much happening 'round here when all the men are either working up at Takeda's or shipped off to the mines." That explained the decline in the patrons and it was no wonder it was starting to look like a ghost town; Tae mentioned a few common folk made customers of themselves and Takeda's elite group would often stop by the business, offering her a lot of money to sell. Even the local authorities seemed to be under Takeda's thumb or to the very least their tables were stocked by him. Kaoru wondered where the militia had gone and now it was obvious that the king had abandoned the small fishing town leaving it in the hands of whoever held the most money.
To her left Megumi seemed visibly agitated, a slight crease in her brow on her otherwise calm and collected features, and was completely uncharacteristic of her to display such emotions on her face. Kaoru opened her mouth to comment before they were interrupted by the call of a few unsavory looking men who had just entered the tavern, reeking of alcohol and piss as they approached. They were common to see on the streets but in the establishment it was unfamiliar and immediately Kaoru's stomach churned, a warning, the flight or fight response kicking in. They crowded Megumi, all but shoved Kaoru out of the way, while the doctor quietly sipped her drink.
"Woman, ya kept Takeda waitin long enough," one with a dark, scraggly beard and bald head sneered. He was stocky and bits of food and mud stuck to the unkempt facial hair. Another one grinned; a tall and wiry man, his black and broken teeth scattered between thin lips. The last man was young but dirty, his face void of any emotion. This one scared Kaoru the most.
"What's ya answer?" The one with the blackened teeth said. Kaoru was confused and found herself wanting an answer from Megumi as well but on a very different line of questioning. These men weren't a part of Takeda's elite, just broken thugs picked off the streets and easily swayed with coin; she could tell from the attitude of the silent one they were fresh into Takeda's pockets. What business did they have with Megumi, or more to the point what business did Megumi have with Takeda?
Tae attempted to quell the situation but was swiftly cut off by the burly one slamming his fist into the countertop and all three drawing short swords. Kaoru's stomach sank and she briefly wished she had brought her own blade with her- maybe she should be more like Kenshin and carry it around at all times.
The doctor set her cup down, picked up her pipe and took a long puff before blowing the smoke into one of the guy's face. This didn't sit well as he knocked her drink onto the floor in anger causing Megumi to stand up and face him- in an instant, without even really thinking, Kaoru pulled the doctor to the side, effectively making herself the barrier against the assailants.
"What are you doing Kaoru?" Megumi angrily whispered to her. She wasn't sure herself; she had no weapon, was at least a full length shorter than the assailants, and half the weight. If all three were to charge her there's no way she would win. However, out of the three women she was the only one with combat experience. If she could bait one close enough, she could disarm him and at least then she would have some sort of defense.
"Piss off!" The bearded one shouted, the volunteer for Kaoru's plan. "Got no reason to bother with ya," he said.
"You're the one that needs to piss off," she responded, trying to irk his advances. He needed to take another step closer and she could get his weapon.
"Kaoru-" Megumi began. Kaoru's skin prickled with sweat and she could feel the hairs on her arms stand up but she remained calm watching the man in front of her and listening for the two when suddenly he was grabbed and sucker punched in the face, sent sprawling to the ground beside them. Sanosuke stood there a scowl on his features. She hadn't even seen or heard him come in but relief filled her at his arrival. The other two shoved the women aside, shouting obscenities.
"Who the fuck are you?" Blackened teeth shouted while stocky picked himself off the floor. The quiet one shuffled back but made no moves to attack. Sanosuke ignored the address, throwing a glance toward the back door.
"Missy, Fox. Beat it," his voice was curt and to the point.
"Fox?" Megumi asked incredulously before Kaoru nodded and dragged the woman outside the back entrance. She felt bad about leaving Tae behind, but the quick look she gave her said it was alright and to quickly get the doctor out of the establishment. The men were after her and would most likely leave everyone else alone.
Quickly they got to the mare and were galloping down the road; a group of militia- or maybe not, running past them to the tavern. Kaoru kept the horse at a steady pace until they were making their way up the hills to the farm then slowed to a safe talking trot.
"I didn't need your help Kaoru," was the first thing out of Megumi's mouth, instead of a thank you.
"Like hell you didn't," the younger replied. The horse snorted in agreement and Kaoru patted her mare's head gently, rewarding her good behavior. "You should thank Sanosuke as well." The thought of the brawler going up against weapons bare handed made her stomach churn with worry. She hoped he would make it out unscathed or at the very least not mortally wounded.
The doctor scoffed from behind her- one could practically hear the eye rolling, a harsh and breathy laugh. "That tongue of yours is going to get you in a lot of trouble."
Now it was Kaoru's turn to chastise. "What about you? What's this with Takeda?" The doctor had a point in that the young woman really should have just walked away and ignored what was happening in front of her, and her defiant attitude put her in a precarious position with the most powerful man in the region. However, Megumi definitely had some explaining to do considering they might have just painted a target on both of their backs.
"He's been courting me," Kaoru nearly fell off the horse at this, "but I have no intention of accepting his proposal."
The younger looked over her shoulder, hands itching to slap her elder silly. "Then why lead him on?"
"It doesn't concern you," the doctor said, turning her nose up. Kaoru sighed, debating if she should kick the woman off her horse or continue on. She was trying to be nice to Megumi, she did owe her something for help before and not to mention with Kenshin, but damned if the woman wasn't making it hard. Trudging on, they could lie low at the ranch for the day and besides, Kaoru wasn't going to escort this woman home any time soon.
Kenshin was already done with dinner, Yahiko was just about to leave to retrieve Kaoru when the women came strolling through the gate. Immediately Megumi started hanging all over Kenshin, who was none too bothered by it so it seemed, while Yahiko demanded to know where Kaoru had been all this time and was put out that she didn't return with the goods she promised. There was a concerned look on Kenshin's face as well however the doctor quickly interjected, stating they were held up with some feminine matters and that was enough to silence any further questioning from the two as they walked up the path to enter the house. Kaoru, though initially wanting to out the woman, realized that it would effectively out her as well so she kept her mouth shut and watch begrudgingly as Megumi fawned over the wanderer- taking the seat next to him at the dining table before the younger even had a chance. Yahiko snickered at the dejected face she tried to hide and Kaoru would have clobbered him yet found herself out of energy to pay it any mind. For now she was ready to bury her feelings in the delicious meal that was prepared as she placed the dishes on the table.
"Are you doing alright Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin's voice floated out toward her. She looked up to see his amethyst eyes gauging her with heavy curiosity. Kaoru shook her head and waved it off.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me. Let's eat!"
"Bout time! I'm starving!" Yahiko exclaimed, taking the first mouth full of the piping hot meal. He burned himself and while Kaoru chastised him, he kept shoveling it in. The boy was on his second plate when suddenly the brawler came booming through the door as if he kicked it open. "Don't you know how to knock?" Yahiko asked him as he sat down at the table. There was minimal bruising on his lip but other than that he was free of injury and it colored Kaoru impressed.
Sanosuke ignored the boy's complaint and was already stuffing his face when Megumi cleared her throat loudly. "So, did you have fun playing thug today?" She addressed him. He nearly choked on his food, giving her a disbelieving look. "Playing thug? I was defending your honor!"
The doctor laughed haughtily. "Please, I bet you enjoyed that scene you caused."
Sanosuke grabbed the wine canteen and downed its contents before slamming it down on the table. "This is the thanks I get for taking care of those assholes for ya?"
"No one asked for your help!"
Kenshin put up his hands between the two attempting to make peace. "Now now, let's not fight, but this one would like to know what happened?" Yahiko returned with another wine canteen to which the brawler nearly finished that too. Kaoru protested as they didn't have many good ones left but it died on her lips; a lost cause considering he was well on his way to drunkenness.
"Nothing other than this buffoon getting himself into more trouble than he's worth," Megumi answered.
Sanosuke snorted and shook his head. "Women, I tell ya," he began, "do somethin nice for them, and they spit on your kindness."
Kaoru sighed and continued her meal, less it became cold while the bickering carried on, all the while trying to ignore Megumi's behavior to Kenshin. Her flirting was chipping away at Kaoru's collected demeanor and if the woman rested her head on his shoulder one more time she was going to dump her soup on the woman's head.
"So what's your type, Kenshin?" Sanosuke suddenly asked, ignoring the doctor's last degrading statement and stared the wanderer down drunkenly. Kaoru's ears perked up but she did her best to look uninterested.
The red head quietly sipped his drink then smiled lightly. "I don't think I have one." Sanosuke blew air and side eyed him.
"Everyone's got a type. Let's see," he sneered. "I wager, you like a woman with dark hair, fair skin, fiery persona, one who can take care of herself," he said. Kenshin took another bite of his dinner, and his eyes met Kaoru's for a brief moment before looking away. It was so fast she wasn't even sure it happened.
"That sounds nice." The statement resonated through her ears down to her heart, which she thought would explode, and she had to take several spoonfuls of her meal to keep the smile off her face. She choked.
Megumi then chimed in, a seductive smile on her face while she grazed Kenshin's hand. "What about a woman who's soft, feminine, sultry?" She said.
Sanosuke rolled his eyes. "What, you mean you?" Megumi frowned.
"That sounds nice too," Kenshin added in between them. Megumi shot Sanosuke a smirk, smug at the wanderer's compliment and Kaoru felt the high she was riding mere seconds ago die as quickly as it came, all of her confidence shot down. While she was trying to appear more feminine, Kenshin had never even thought of her as a woman. She couldn't out do the doctor in his eyes, it should have been obvious. Megumi had a better chance of gaining his attention than she did and from what could see in front of her, all of the doctor's tactics were working. It angered Kaoru, her blood boiling from the way the woman was flaunting her beauty and Sanosuke- that moron wasn't even trying to charm or court Megumi and allowed her to flirt around! Just earlier they were on the verge of being stabbed to death for her behavior and here she was acting as if it never happened! Unable to take the risque jokes Sanosuke was making and the shameless way Megumi threw herself onto Kenshin any longer, Kaoru stood up and collected her dishes, dumping the rest of her meal onto the plate of the bottomless pit that was Yahiko and excused herself.
"I'm going to bathe," she said, making her way around the table.
"This late?" Yahiko asked after her.
"The water will be cold. Are you sure you don't want to wait, Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin's kind voice floated through the space stopping her in her tracks. Megumi threw a taunt her way, stating it was past children's bedtime and Kaoru didn't dare turn around lest she punch the doctor square in her face.
"It's fine," she said full stop. Maybe she was too harsh since it wasn't necessarily his fault she was put out, but again, the doctor's pretty face was at stake here. So she stormed down the hall to the washroom.
Kenshin was right, the water just looked freezing, an oversight on Kaoru's part, but it was too late to back out now. It could heat while she washed and pinned her hair. She lit the fire under the tub, then quickly stripped and set her clothes aside, and dumped the wash bucket of water on her head, also freezing in temperature, the cold quickly drowning out any anger she had a moment ago. Again, and oversight on her part.
Once her hair was pinned neatly out of place, she stepped into what was now lukewarm liquid and settled down into the tub. Sighing, she rubbed her skin with the water, collecting her thoughts. The voices of her companions filtered in through the closed door filling the quiet the room had taken on and she splashed her face to clear her haze.
Immediately her thoughts went to Kenshin. She stared at her reflection in the water of the basin; out of prying eyes she wouldn't deny it, she felt something for him. Whether it was lust or love she still wasn't sure, but it was there and tangible. He was alluring, exotic in a way, different from anything she had seen, and the fire he lit deep in her belly was frightening and magnetic all at the same time. She wanted him to feel it too, to look at her the way he had in her dream, the way Sanosuke mentioned in his stories that sent heat to her core and turned her cheeks pink, but what would come of that? If Kenshin was to stay, what would he think of her? Kaoru didn't mind being close friends, yet she wanted more. If he pursued her then chose to leave, what would happen then? Could her reputation suffer that blow?
There were too many questions, the gray area blurring her logic and desire all in one.
Some time had passed and she was beginning to prune so she stood from the water and the door began to open. Kaoru nearly shrieked but the sound died upon seeing Megumi step inside.
"What are you doing?" She jumped behind the partition to hide her nakedness. Megumi giggled. "I'm a doctor, your doctor to be exact. It's not like I haven't seen it before."
"Still to invade my privacy-"
"I realize that I might have been... rude earlier today." Kaoru stared at her blankly. Was Megumi Takani trying to apologize? The doctor cleared her throat and continued. "While I still think you're a stupid girl, your quick thinking solved a problem so... good on you." It wasn't exactly a sincere expression but the pride she must have choked down to say it was probably enormous.
"Accepted," Kaoru said.
"I wasn't apologizing," Megumi spoke, turning her nose up. Kaoru rolled her eyes while dropping her towel to dress in her gown and robe. "Anyway, you've been acting strange the last few days," her elder leaned against the door, her dark hair pulled over her shoulder, "not that you aren't strange in general, but Kenshin mentioned a bruising you received... Are you feeling alright?" It was uncharacteristic of Megumi to be this caring and Kaoru didn't buy it for a moment. The 'apology' was a peace offering and the doctor wanted something.
"The bruising is fine, but with you and Sano getting into spats every few minutes it's bound to sour anyone's mood." Kaoru exited from behind the screen and sat in the chair to comb out her wet locks. "Aren't you two supposed to be getting along, considering you have feelings for him?" Her brush stopped momentarily, "or you found someone else to seduce? You are past marrying age after all." It was a low blow; whether Megumi felt affection for Sanosuke or not was besides the point, Kaoru had enough of the woman for the night.
Megumi laughed, a series of melodic bells that Kaoru hated. "I like to take my time to sort through the many suitors I have," teasing the younger as the lack of suitable propositions for her was a weak spot. "Does this have something to do with a certain redhead?" The inquiry smacked the younger in the face and she nearly faltered in her nonchalant expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Please. It's written all over your face." Megumi shook her head and gave Kaoru a look of pity. The rudeness of it was unfathomable. "But you're better off with someone else."
At this, Kaoru stood up, demanding to know what Megumi's intentions truly were. "Why, you want him to yourself?"
The doctor smiled mischievously, "And if I do?" Kaoru's face burned with the blushing in her cheeks from anger at the provoking Megumi gave. How dare she think she could lay one finger on-
The doctor laughed again, this time harder and waved off Kaoru's threatening attitude. "My, that's a look I've never seen you make before!" She moved to the door and grasped the handle. "I don't want to be rude, but it's for your own good. A man like that needs a woman, with a name, not a little girl without one," then she sauntered out of the room, Sanosuke's booming voice asking if she needed an escort home. Kaoru fell back to her chair, shattered. They had always butted heads but never said anything as hurtful as tonight's exchange. Sure simple name calling, but to go to that extent, to bring up her soiled heritage to stake her claim on the wanderer... She wiped a tear from her eye and took in a deep breath to calm herself.
'How cruel,' she thought and decided to hide out in the washroom a little longer in fear her emotional state would be known to the others. When she felt relaxed enough to leave she quietly creaked the door open, peering into the darkness, only the soft glow of one candle resting in the fixture in the hall. Yahiko must have gone to bed as his door was closed but Kenshin's remained open, and the young woman wondered where he had gotten off to. Dread settled in her stomach at the thought of him with the doctor so she donned a pair of slippers and made her way to the front door.
Kenshin sat outside on the end walk, a favorite pastime of his, lightly caressing the scar on his face. Feeling relief, Kaoru pulled her robe tightly over her figure then sat down next to him. "Good evening Miss Kaoru. Won't you get a cold like that?" he asked. She shook her head, smiling lightly and avoiding his gaze. "Are you sure you're alright Miss Kaoru?" He asked. Looking back at him now, his eyes were full of genuine worry as he studied her face- she hid away from them again not wanting her expression to betray her feelings. "This one wonders if he said anything to offend you that he does."
"No, it's not you," she shook her head and sighed. "I've just had a lot on my mind is all." She needed to change the subject; the last thing Kaoru wanted was to appear whiny or like a child who complained from the smallest jabs at her pride. It would make her no better than Yahiko. Shifting her hair to one side, she began speaking, twirling a dark lock around her finger. "You've been here a while Kenshin, and I just realized I never asked you about your family. You sure they aren't worried about you?" He looked away, his fringe shielding his face from her view and he settled against the post next to him.
"As a wanderer, I have no family. My name isn't something to be shared that it isn't," he spoke. Kaoru couldn't imagine a life without family, without at least one person to call kin. They weren't related by blood but Yahiko, Sanosuke, and even Megumi at times, they were what she had and all she knew. Not having anyone was a hard thing to swallow; had the man never met his parents? Had he no brothers no sisters? Were there not even lovers he had? She thought about that for a moment before the next words left her mouth with a filter.
"It must be lonely," she bit her lip, cursing herself for not being more tactful. He was quiet and still didn't turn her way, most likely put out by her statement. "I'm sorry. That was insensitive," she said, trying to fix her mistake.
Kenshin then faced her, a light expression on his face but those amethyst eyes held a deeper look of sadness than they often portrayed. "It does feel that way sometimes." She didn't say anything else and it was another moment of silence before his voice floated out again. "Miss Kaoru, do you mind telling this one now? What your name is?" She looked away from those inquisitive eyes for they seemed to search the depths of her soul, an invasion of privacy she feared and enjoyed at the same time.
"It's..." she paused to take a breath and calm herself, "Niitsu. Kaoru Niitsu," she said softly. "I'm embarrassed by it. The name is so old it has no merit. Not even worth a proposal to a decent man." A soft sigh left her lips. She hadn't meant to tell him this, but there was a sense of trust she felt in him that she had to say something. "I didn't want you to think bad of me because of it."
"It's quite the opposite, Miss Kaoru," the soft tenor of his voice spoke. " No matter what your name is, I could never think lesser of you that I could not." Her cheeks flamed and she kept her face hidden, in fear that he would see the shade of pink she took on. "And don't sell yourself short, Miss Kaoru. Any man would be lucky to have you, that they would." This made her look at him; from the softness of his features and his kind smile she could tell his words were true. All her life she had never known acceptance and now here it was in the form of a simple wanderer. In that moment she felt seen, and perhaps even beautiful.
Her heart thumped as she couldn't break away from his gaze and immediately she regretted giving her uncle's surname as her own.
...