Author's Note: As an important note: this is set after The Final. I have the movie verse in mind when I wrote this.
Also, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough about this, but the first FIVE CHAPTERS of this convoluted mess can be found at "a distant part of the sky"
I am so sorry. It feels like I have led you into some wild goose chase and I feel so embarrassed for my dumbassery but yes, for this to make sense, you'll have to go and read some of the chapters there.
An Unexpected Invitation
She had just finished the last uchimizu of the day and the wet patch on the ground was quickly drying up. It was a losing battle against this heat and she knew when to surrender. With a tired sigh, she settled herself on the cushion she' brought out into the engawa. A low table on the side had all of her writing tools, which she had quickly organized. She took a deep, steadying breath as she stacked the sheets of papers. Her finger nervously tapped against the table, but she shook her head and willed herself to not think about it – not now, at least.
Groaning out load, she muttered a quick curse. How Yukishiro Enishi can keep wreaking havoc on her life even though he's already gone, hopefully never to return again, was beyond her. She angrily picked up the the grasshopper-shaped ivory paperweight, and even though no wind would blow any of the papers away, she placed it right on top, pressing it firmly. Telling herself to forget about it. Let it lie there, beneath all that papers. Undisturbed. Forgotten.
She will not be tempted. She's a master of the Kamiya Kasshin. Her self-discipline was infallible.
Nescience is Buddha, she reminded herself and with a nod of her head, Kaoru allowed herself to relax. Closing her eyes, she tried to see the inner courtyard in her mind. The flowers and shrubs her mother had planted, old and sturdy, comfortingly familiar. Right next to it were the newer ones, courtesy of Kenshin; still taking roots now and growing steadily. She smiled as the image of Kenshin, his hakama stained with dirt and mud, but his faces, so utterly happy, tending that small patch of land she had neglected to care for. She imagined her mother being pleased come spring time when the flowers would start blooming and everything would be lush and green once more.
Tonight, the garden was filled with the night time songs of cricket but even that seemed subdued. There's a heavy stillness in the air and nothing stirred. The wind chimes remained mute, not even a breeze to coax out even the tiniest sound. The heat felt like a presence, engulfing the whole of Tokyo.
Sighing, distracted by the trail of sweat dripping from her forehead to her neck, Kaoru opened her eyes, tilting her head to gaze up at sky above, glittering with stars. It would have been a perfect night if it weren't for the balminess that was still lingering in the air. Kaoru fanned herself. She had changed into her night yukata but it did little to ease the discomfort of the nettaiya.
She has never known summer like this before; the kind that was utterly oppressive, weighing her down. There was no escape from it. She was truly tired of this weather and wanted nothing more than the nippy air of autumn.
For a brief moment, she wondered if Japan and Shanghai were sharing the same sweltering summer. If Enishi could promise her that Shanghai would be cooler she just might be tempted - but no, not even that would be enough.
Kaoru swallowed hard, feeling her whole face scrunching up.
"What's wrong with you?"
She snapped her heads towards Yahiko who ungracefully sat beside her.
Kaoru twisted her head to look at her student. "Nothing. What do you mean?"
Yahiko smirked at her, "Your face. It's looks like you're having some sort of upset stomach. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine. Why would I –" and then realizing that Yahiko was merely teasing her, she reached out to quickly smack him at the back of his head.
"Ow, Kaoru! Stop hitting people!" He swatted her hands away.
"Stop being a brat. It wasn't that bad." She couldn't help the pout that pulled at her lips. She worked hard on that meal and maybe it didn't look as appetizing, but it was still edible which was the most important part of cooking. Enishi had even asked for a second serving!
"You know he only did it to annoy Kenshin, right?" Yahiko muttered darkly, eyes darting quickly at her.
Kaoru was more surprised at how easily her adopted student could read her mind to notice the accusatory tone in his voice. She couldn't decide whether this was something she was actually happy about. On one hand, it was proof of how deeply their relationship have developed over the year. But he really should learn to be more courteous. He was still her student. None of her father's followers were as bold and forward as Yahiko. She supposed it was fine, since they weren't training now. She'll just have to find a way to get back at him tomorrow for being so insolent. "Why would that annoy Kenshin?"
Yahiko rolled his eyes. "Don't play dumb. You know why."
She honestly did not know but the grumbled confession was lost on Yahiko who had moved on to a different topic.
"I still can't believe you invited that dunghead for dinner." He stretched out his legs in front of him; his feet almost at the edge of the engawa.
Kaoru couldn't help the tender smile as she realized how just a few months ago, Yahiko had barely reached her shoulder. He was growing so fast! In no time, he'd be taller than her. More man than boy. She supposed she could stop calling him chan. But it infuriated him so much, she couldn't help but find it both funny and endearing. She truly hoped that she'd be able to do him right by teaching him everything that her father had taught her.
"He was hungry." Kaoru answered after a moment, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulder. Her father had always told her to never let a man starve, even if she had to give up her own meal. One day, she might find herself or someone she cared about under the same predicament. Karma would provide, just as she had provided for someone who was in need. Kindness goes around that way.
Yahiko grumbled sulkily, refusing to appreciate the wisdom she'd just imparted. "Sheesh, Kaoru. You aren't responsible for every sorry idiot who comes to you with a growling stomach."
Kaoru raised her eyebrows, unable to understand Yahiko's mood. "Are you angry because I made you wash all the dishes and clean the kitchen?"
"It's not that." He paused and then glared at her, "I don't care about that. I know you and Kenshin do a lot of the household work here and I don't mind helping."
Kaoru chuckled, fighting the urge to affectionately pat him on the head. "You're a good kid, Yahiko-chan. Thank you. Even though you grumble so much about it afterwards."
Yahiko made a familiar tsss-ing sound, something he'd learned from Sano and had decided, for some reason, to imitate. She watched as the expression on his face changed from belligerent to determined. His eyes slid over to her, "So, what did you and Old Man Hair talked about? What was so interesting about Shanghai that you burned our dinner?"
Kaoru scowled, finally taking note of Yahiko's reproachful tone. "Why are you making it sound like we were chitchatting like good friends?"
Yahiko made a face. "I didn't! I was just asking."
She gritted her teeth. Why was she being overly sensitive and defensive about this? "Nothing interesting." She answered, pretending indifference, knowing fully well that the evasive reply would only lead to more questions. A lot of them she was certain she'd be unable to answer.
Yukishiro had an impressively impassive look about him but oh, does he love the sound of his own voice: a gruff and deep timbre that matched his whole demeanor. That dangerous, brooding look he'd given her as he fired up all those infuriatingly ridiculous questions at her. Which now all made sense, thanks to Saitou and his evil plots. For the briefest second, Kaoru allowed herself to wish that Kenshin was indignant enough to at least hit Saitou. But that would definitely not end well. Saitou's ego would not suffer that kind of slight without an appropriate, probably over-the-top, retaliation.
"So? Are you going to answer or just dreamily stare at nothing like some soppy fool?"
Dreamily?! Clenching her jaw, Kaoru tried to erase any sort of expression on her face that might be further misnterpreted. Enishi had been tossing her random stories that did not make sense and did not interest her but – yes, there was something he had said that curiously stuck to her and she remembered it now, feeling the same unexplained anxiety crawling up her spine.
"Dolls." She mumbled after a whole second, looking away and sounding oddly grim. She didn't have to turn her head to know that Yahiko was giving her a curious look.
"Dolls?" Yahiko repeated dully and Kaoru could not help but shiver at the word; there was a strange pinching sensation just beneath her ribcage, as though a memory or a barely-remembered nightmare was tied to that one word.
She deliberately shook her shoulder, trying to dislodge the fear coiling and squirming its way inside of her. She was being irrational. There was nothing terrifying about dolls. No self-respecting woman her age and status should be spooked by such things. She waved her hand in dismissal, more for herself than anything else. "He has a friend, well not friend, I guess," she amended when she heard Yahiko snort with disbelief. "More like an associate. Gein – or something – who's living in Shanghai. Apparently, he makes dolls. Special kinds of dolls. Robots."
That foreign word so easily rolling off of Enishi's tongue; she couldn't quite say it the way he did. With that husky rumble in his voice.
I'd like to hear him say my name.
Kaoru promptly choked. She pressed her throat with her thumb and forefinger, coughing softly. What was that?! Kami-sama, where did that even come from?!
Yahiko was eyeing with an unreadable expression on his face and she silently shook her head, praying that he hadn't caught on to that! She felt her face warming and she quickly fanned herself, clamping her mouth shut.
"Ro-botsu?" Her student made the same attempt at pronouncing the word, failing just like her. "What the heck is that?" He asked, eyebrows slamming together in irritation.
Kaoru was thankful for the distraction, forcefully shoving away that unexplainably insane thought out of her head. "A fancy name for a puppet master. He uses this technique with lots of weaving and strings. Probably a Chinese thing." She concluded with a nod.
Enishi hadn't been too specific but she recalled the way he had said it: sounding both sinister and amused, as though he was sharing an incredibly fascinating joke. He made long, deliberate pauses, making sure that she was still listening.
Kaoru winced at the memory of how he had looked at her, his eyes dark and piercing, holding her stare long enough for her not to notice the fire over the grill leaping into the air, almost burning her hair. She had yanked her head and instinctively pushed the fish away, which would explain its mangled state when she had served it.
"What a fucking creep." Yahiko listlessly replied. "Why would he tell you that?"
"Who knows?" She asked out loud, exasperated. "I was trying to cook that stupid fish. I wasn't really listening to him."
Yahiko leaned back, moving his head a little closer to her, trying to catch some of the breeze her fan was making. "He's insane, you know that, right?"
Kaoru huffed, peering down at him. The worried lines on his forehead looked so out of place in his young, smooth face and she wished there was something she could do to make him understand that Yukishiro pose no real threat to her. Physically, at least. Mentally was a different thing. Letting out a sigh, she made a familiar gesture: palm up, fingers curling twice. Yahiko knew what it meant and grumpily sat up straight, the strong line of his shoulder still too small and slight to be carrying that kind of weight. That constant fear and worry for the safety of everyone he cared for.
She faced him, feeling the rush of affection and pride as he tried to suck in his breath, stretching his spine, making him appear a little bit taller. "I told you, he can't hurt me. He tried but something inside of him would not allow that. Maybe it's because of Tomoe-san, maybe it's something else, but I promise you, he can't hurt me." She reached out to lay her hand on top of his knuckles, squeezing gently a silent promise and assurance.
Something flashed in Yahiko's eyes and immediately, Kaoru knew that she had said the wrong thing. "He can drop a bomb here, now and hurt you the same way he hurt Tusbame-chan. She didn't have anything to do with what happened all those years ago, but she still got hurt. So don't give me that crap, Kaoru. He's dangerous. Don't trust him. Don't help him."
The pleading tone in his voice startled her and she felt the burning shame for so casually dismissing her student's worry and fear. She'd so miserably failed at really listening to Yahiko, at what he was telling her and the realization hurt because she knew exactly how Yahiko felt; this painfully familiar scene, except she had been Yahiko just a few years ago, looking up at her father, entreating him, please otou-chan, please don't go. Please don't leave me.
And an even more recent memory, of her asking Kenshin to stay with her – with them, at the dojo, to leave the fate of Japan to the government and let them deal with Shishio. It wasn't his burden to carry anymore.
And yet, they both left her.
And even though Kenshin had come back, her father hadn't. She felt a lump in her throat and when she bravely swallowed it down, it burned a path straight to her chest, where it settled, amongst all the other hurts that were still inside of her. She bit her lips, blinking back the tears prickling the back of her eyes.
How could she have not seen this? That their lives had so profoundly intertwined, and with it comes such complex feelings.
But at the same time, it was all so simple.
It cannot be helped. This is how we are with the people we care for; this is how it will always be when we open up ourselves to let people in. When we give them the space in our lives; when we build our hopes and dreams around them; when we allow them the power to hold our hearts at the palm of their hands. But how to make Yahiko understand that?
She bowed deeply, ignoring Yahiko's surprised sputtering. "Sumimasen, Yahiko. I didn't mean to be patronizing. I understand now. But please know that I am not going to put myself in danger for just any silly reason."
Yahiko groaned with dismay. "No. That's even worst, Kaoru. Because if there's enough reason and with you, there's always one – you would go and help out even if it means that you'd get hurt!"
She gave him an encouraging smile. "But Yahiko, that's why we train. That's why we work hard to become better and stronger so that if someone – anyone – would need our help, we'd know how to protect ourselves. And no matter how careful we are, sometimes, we still get hurt. It's all part of life, neh? We can't avoid it just because we're afraid." Yahiko made a disgruntled noise, but Kaoru was quick to cut him off, "It's ok to be afraid. Sometimes courage is doing things even if we're afraid."
Yahiko drew in a deep breath, briefly looking away. "I know all about that. I understand that. I just," he licked his lips, and looked at her, his face so impossibly open and child-like but also fierce and shining with all the adult-seriousness he could muster. "You're not leaving me here. If you're going to Shanghai, or wherever, you are not leaving me here. I refuse. I don't care if it's dangerous. You will let me come with you. And of course, Kenshin too."
"I'm not even –" She started to protest but Yahiko shook his head, stopping her.
"No, Kaoru. Promise me now."
She didn't have the heart to deny him that, not when he was so openly showing his vulnerability. "Alright, I promise."
Yahiko looked moderately satisfied. He crossed his arms against his chest and glared at her. "But if you go to Shanghai, I'm going to shave off all your hair, that way you can't go outside. You'd look stupid without any hair." He smirked, clearly already picturing it.
Kaoru gasped, narrowing her eyes. She wasn't particularly vain, not like Megumi with her pale skin and red lips, but she took great pride in her long, lustrous hair. It was the only thing that she ritually took care of, because there wasn't any hope for her hard calloused hands or her skin regularly exposed to the sun and elements. Unconsciously, her hands reached up to protectively curl the dark strands over her wrist. "I'll shave off all your eyebrows. Let's see how you'd like that."
"Gonna have to knock me out first, busu."
She rolled her eyes. Just when she thought they've reached a milestone in their relationship that now bordered towards siblings, rather than master and student, Yahiko just had to say something impudent. She gave him a wicked smile, which Yahiko returned, silently accepting the challenge.
They were alright now. They'll be alright. Whatever happens, they will always have each other's back.
The night had deepened but they kept their vigil, waiting for Kenshin. Kaoru was no longer worried about Kenshin leaving without telling her – well, leaving permanently that is. She understood that sometimes circumstances do not allow for even a goodbye. She was certain that if Kenshin needed to depart immediately, a note or a message would be passed on to her, later. Complete with explanations and instructions on how, where and when she'll follow him. She had learned to put her trust in Kenshin, the same way he did, when he'd finally told them about his past. It didn't lessen her worrying though, but at least now she had a better understanding of how to deal with the anxiety that always comes with waiting.
It was best to keep her mind busy. She'd taken out the accounting for the dojo and the household, she had to keep them separate, otherwise, she'd never know how much the dojo was making. It was their only source of income, one that's not going to sustain them for long, especially since winter will be here soon enough and she'd have to start figuring out the provisions that they would need. She'd been able to solve this recurring dilemma, but she had to admit having more mouths to feed was proving to be quite a challenge.
No matter. She was the head of this household and she will provide, whatever it takes. She could get a job at The Akabeko and maybe get some free lessons in cooking, too. Tae-chan had always told her that preparing a decent meal, one suitable for a husband, and eventually, a family was an important skill. Maybe not as important as learning kendo, but still, it would be nice, to surprise Kenshin with a truly, remarkably, delicious dinner.
Kenshin doesn't mind that you can't cook her mind quickly answered for her; he'd made that clear enough when he told her once that he liked being able to cook for her and do household chores for her. It had made her heart thump wildly inside her chest, the way he had tenderly looked at her. He'd always done things even before she could ask him to. All the fixing that needed to be fixed, the garden that needed tending, the laundry, the cleaning of their yard and he always looked pleased and happy, going about his daily chores. But it wasn't the point. A wife has responsibilities. She needed to take those seriously.
Enishi would probably just hire a cook and a battalion of maids to do his bidding.
This time, Kaoru was ready for that and she didn't choke or coughed or inanely sputtered. She merely gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. She didn't understand why thoughts of what Enishi would do or think or say were pestering her. She figured it was a natural reaction, much like what she had done the first time she'd met Shinomori-san. She had a curious nature. Perfectly reasonable explanation. It had nothing to do with how he had asked her if she was married and if she wanted to go to Shanghai with him. He wasn't asking you because he wanted to, she told herself. He was only following Saitou's instruction. It meant nothing.
"You forgot watermelons." Yahiko announced, breaking her thoughts. He was still awake, reading the list of groceries she had prepared. He'd been idly commenting that if she was buying eel, she better make sure that Kenshin would do the cooking. One tragic dinner was enough and she had stopped listening at that point. Now it was the lack of fruits on the list that he was finding fault with.
She glared at him, wondering why on earth did he think his penchant for watermelons would be a priority over rice, salt and vinegar. "We can't afford watermelons this week. Maybe next week, we can."
Yahiko let out a dramatic sigh as he picked up another sheet of paper, frowning at the longer list that didn't consist of food. "What's this?" He asked her, waving it around.
Kaoru glanced at it and quickly looked away, smoothing out her yukata. "I already told you, I'm making Yukishiro pay for everything he'd damaged earlier."
He looked at her and then at the list and then back at her, frowning. She refused to meet his eyes. "Kaoru, we do not have a hundred bokkens in the dojo."
Kaoru shifted in her seat. "Yes, we do."
"I count them every day," Yahiko insisted.
Losing her patience, she snatched the paper from him. "Well, you counted wrong!" She gave him a look, that probably announced her guilt and shame because his whole face suddenly lit up with realization.
"Oho!" He exclaimed gleefully. "Of course. Sorry. You know how bad I am with sums." He winked at her, looking somewhat impressed at her audacity. He probably didn't think she had it in her, but what's a few bokkens to Yukishiro who, despite looking all scruffy, definitely have tons of money at his disposal. His huge mansion alone and all the fancy stuff he owned that she was able to see confirmed that he was in a better financial state than she was. It was a temptation that had admittedly, gotten the best out of her.
"While we're at it, add the replacement for the roof. It'll be winter soon. New tiles would be nice."
Kaoru slowly turned her head at her apprentice, wincing a little because obviously, charging Enishi for things that he didn't break wasn't an honorable thing to do and she didn't want Yahiko to get the wrong idea. She was supposed to teach him what was right and wrong. But bending the rules was also part of life, wasn't it? It wasn't exactly stealing but a line has to be drawn somewhere. She chewed her lips, cursing her inability to lie. "That would be expensive. I don't want to be indebted to him."
Yahiko thoughtfully nodded his head. "Yeah. That's smart. And look, even if I have to work at The Akabeko, washing dishes and stuff, I'll do it. We don't need Kenshin's demented brother-in-law coming back here. I'd kick his ass if does." The declaration was emphasized with the slamming of his fist against his opened palm.
Kaoru cleared her throat and grimaced, surreptitiously glancing at Tomoe-san's journal, innocently lying at the bottom of her writing equipment.
Yukishiro had conveniently left it, jerk.
She will have to find a way to give it back to him. Yahiko was right, the dojo has had enough of Enishi. Who knows what new damage he'd wrought if he comes back? The sooner she could permanently get rid of him, the better.
Kaoru wanted everything to go back to the way it was: normal and quiet. Just her and Kenshin and Yahiko and her friends, no thoughts or worries about the government and Shanghai and Enishi.
She could hear the sound of waves crashing. Beneath her feet, the sand was fine and warm. The distant sound of seagulls, squawking.
But she felt so incredibly sad. And alone. She kept her eyes closed but it did nothing to stop the tears from coming; spilling from her eyes, falling on her cheeks, mixing with the sea spray.
There was a weight inside her heart; she could barely breathe and she knew what this was, this familiar sorrow, this darkness closing in on her: a river filled with fireflies and choked, whispered goodbyes - but it didn't make sense, she could smell the ocean, the sun on her skin…
She was so confused and terribly afraid. What will she find if she raised her head and opened her eyes?
A hand slid beneath her shoulder and Kaoru jerked awake, finding herself staring up at the concerned eyes of Kenshin. She reached out to touch his face, but stopped mid-way, still partly disoriented from her dream, she turned her palms towards herself, cupping her cheek and feeling the cold tracks of her tears.
Ever so gentle, Kenshin covered her hand with his, tilting her face up so that she could look into his eyes. Behind him, the sky was no longer inky-black. The streaks of purple and muted blue, meant it was almost morning, dawn about to break.
She turned her attention back to him and she could clearly see the worry and apology in his eyes, but first, always: "Tadaima, Kaoru-dono."
"Okaerinasai, Kenshin"
A placeholder for words they have yet to find the courage to say out loud. They shared a soft, shy smile and Kaoru was so pleased to see the wonderful crinkling of the skin on the corner of Kenshin's eyes. A true smile.
She felt him move her hands, so that it was his fingers that were now touching the curve of her cheeks. She let her arm drop, unsure of where to put them. "Bad dream?" he asked, sounding just the tiniest bit guilty and she shook her head, dislodging his hand. She immediately missed its warmth and almost grabbed it to make him touch her once again. But it was too late, she watched as he let his it settle on top of his knees.
"I can't remember." Which was true. There was only a vague sensation of something salty and warm on her skin, an incredible heaviness on her heart. She pressed her lips, trying not to wince, trying not to let that barely remembered emotion wash over her.
She moved, shifting her weight just a little, only to realize that she was still sitting down on her cushion. Kenshin was kneeling in front of her, his other arm looped behind her so that she didn't slump down. He was so near her that his shallow breathing stirred the bangs on her forehead. She realized that he was probably attempting to carry her to her room when she'd woken up at his touch.
"Gomen," this they both whispered and chuckled in unison, ducking their heads, still unable to move away from each other. Something about the half-darkened, half-lighted sky – this precious moment in between night and day – was making them act bolder than usual. There was no immediate need to put any distance between them, in fact, Kaoru could feel the tiniest bit of pressure from Kenshin's palm, pushing her closer to him so that now, their shoulders were touching.
So this is what it's like, waking up to next to Kenshin, Kaoru thought with a silent thrill.
"I didn't mean to make you wait, that I did not." Kenshin said, finally, regretfully.
Kaoru sniffed a little, the faint scent of sake made her blink up in surprise. Kenshin gave her a sheepish, apologetic smile. He helped her sit up straighter and when he was assured that she was comfortable enough, he leaned back so that he was sitting on his heels. He gazed at her for a whole second, and Kaoru remembered something that Yahiko said last night.
Dreamily.
The way Kenshin was looking at her now, certainly held that quality: his eyes soft, his jaws slack, the relaxed drop of his shoulders. Caught in a daydream, she thought, watching as he swallowed, shaking his head. And suddenly everything about him was sharper, pulled into focus. "I went to Sano after talking to Saitou." He explained.
"Was it that bad?" Kaoru asked, teasingly, trying to hide the worry in her voice.
"We'll talk about it later, Kaoru-dono, that we will. It will not be sun up for a few more hours. You should go rest a little bit more. It could not have been a restful sleep." There was a reprimand on his voice as he glanced down at the cushion and her rumpled yukata.
"Oh, Yahiko!" She exclaimed suddenly, turning her head, only to find the spot where she'd last seen him dozing off, already empty.
"I've already moved him." Kenshin offered a hand for her to take.
She gratefully took it and without much effort, Kenshin stood up, taking her with him, his arms wrapping around her waist to fully support her.
Standing up now, their bodies were pressed against each other. She could feel both of Kenshin's hand clasped behind the small of her back. Heart fluttering, she flicked her gaze up and found him looking at her with such naked longing that she let out a small gasp, but this was quickly swallowed down when Kenshin bent his head, resting his forehead against her shoulder, the tip of his nose touching the curve of her neck. She felt her eyelids growing heavy and she could not help but close her eyes, sighing as she surrendered to this feeling – this newness of touch, of overwhelming warmth.
She had decided, long ago, that she'd let Kenshin take the lead: where and how fast he wanted their relationship to progress. She'd given them a year, for him to get used to the idea of finally giving up the life of a wanderer and for her to assure him that her feelings for him went far beyond friendship. Deeper than just wanting to be his companion. She knew that he saw her as young, painfully naïve but everything changed after Jinchuu.
Ever since they've visited Tomoe-san's grave and Kenshin had offered his hand to her, much like what he'd done just minutes ago, he had been more generous in his touches; in the way that it would linger; finding more reason for their skin to brush against each other and today, this was going further than what she had been used to, what she had been expecting from him.
He murmured something she didn't quite catch, something about being patient, just a little bit more, something about today being perfect but not the right time – not yet. And when her name was whispered, even with the usual -dono, there was a subtle change in the way Kenshin said it.
And for this moment at least, it was enough. Kaoru would not ask any questions; she would be patient, she would let Kenshin hold her and later, they will finally have that talk.
It was time.
Uchimizu - People would pour water in front of their houses and on the cobblestone streets in the mornings and evenings to cool the area and to keep down the dust.
Nettaiya - "tropical night"
Sumimasen – more formal way of saying "sorry"
Gomen – less formal way of saying "sorry"
END NOTE: Well, this didn't end up the way I was planning it to. Uck. Has that ever happened to other writers out there? Like, you have everything all planned out inside your head and then when you started typing, it's like the keyboard is possessed and it kept churning out things that you just don't have the power to stop it?! Like you're all panicked and NO NO NO, that's not how it 's supposed to go!
Now I'm really going to have to get my shit together.
Also, I think of all the people around Kaoru, Yahiko would probably be the last to warm up to Enishi. And Sano being a solid KenKao shipper would also need a lot of convincing. So there's a challenge I do not want to take. I don't think killing off Sano would be good solution to this. Hmmmm. I need more time to figure this out. But I hope you all liked this little update. As always, I'd re-read this and be mortified by all the glaring errors that I've missed and I'll endeavor to edit and then possessed keyboard will change and add stuff.
Please let me know what you think. Your comments have been the greatest motivation to keep this going :) And also Enishi. But that's probably a given.
Thank you so much in advance.