Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. I am just a fan girl with a wild imagination.
******Kenshin POV******
As Kenshin flew back to the shrine thoughts of his next plan filled his mind.
He needed to hide until Hiko contacted him about the new sword.
As much as he wanted to see Kaoru, he didn't want to upset her further.
In the back of his mind, he feared that their connection would get her killed. A past love had been killed after getting involved with him.
He couldn't let that happen again.
That was the main fear standing in the way of him pursuing her.
He needed to protect her without her knowing that he was protecting her.
As Kenshin flew over the land, he noticed an old man walking his dog. The dog waited patiently for the old man as he hobbled along.
Man's best friend. That's it!
He would disguise himself as a dog and somehow convince Kaoru to take him in.
He would remain incognito that way.
He could stay close to Kaoru and enjoy her company without the nuisance of his demonic side trying to take over and claim her.
It was harder for him to control his demon when he was in human form.
A wave of relief went through him, and he quickened his pace to the shrine.
He remembered Kaoru saying that she would go to Nishiki market with her friend at some point today.
*****Kaoru POV*****
That Afternoon
Back at the shrine Kaoru and Misao got ready to depart. Kaoru donned a light blue kimono with simple white and purple flowers on the sleeves. A light pink obi with a magenta obi tie secured it in place. She pulled back her hair with a clip to keep it out of her face.
Misao wore a light pink kimono with a purple obi. She preferred jeans and a t-shirt, but in Kyoto it was normal for Japanese citizens to dress more traditionally.
"Kaoru, are you ready?"
"Yes, let's go!"
Leaving the entrance of the shrine together, they made their way over to the nearest subway station.
They would first take the JR train to Kyoto station, and then take the karasuma line to shijio station.
The whole trip was around 18 minutes.
Mid-day the train was not as packed. They both found a place to sit and both women chatted happily. Once the train had reached their stop, they left the subway station and headed out to the market.
Nishiki Market was a glorious site to behold, stretching on for over 100 stands.
Anything a cook, housewife, farmer, needed; could be found here.
Fine meats, fresh vegetables, delicacies, fast food, sweets, gifts, the market had it all.
Each item was always labeled with a time stamp to guarantee how fresh it was.
After wandering through a few stands Kaoru and Misao found the Takoyaki stand.
Cooks busily stood behind the stand, pouring the batter, and turning the Takoyaki into balls with two metal chopsticks.
"Wow, that smells so good, I think I want two orders!" Kaoru exclaimed.
"Haha, go for it! You have barely eaten in 3 days!" Misao pushed her way to the back of the line, and they stood there patiently waiting for their food and checking their phones.
Aerially, Kenshin watched them in his hawk form. He was looking for the right opportunity to present himself as a dog to Kaoru.
How would he get her to take him home?
He didn't even know if she liked dogs.
Screw it. If she didn't like dogs, he would turn himself into a stray cat.
Either way, he was getting her to take him home tonight.
Kenshin liked the idea of a transformation challenge. It was fun to try different life forms to morph into.
He eyed the strip that they were on carefully while plotting to himself.
There wasn't much room to entice a human. The place had become too crowded.
This wasn't going to work. How would he get her attention with all of these people around?
Especially her nosy best friend?
Kenshin thought back to all those sad adopt-a-dog commercials he had seen.
Dogs wandering the streets alone, dirty, and hungry.
Aha!
He would try being a pathetic dumpster diving dog.
Trying to appeal to a person's emotional side and sense of empathy could work better than surprising them at a market.
Come to think of it, the shrine had some trash cans in the back, and Kaoru walked the grounds every night before bed.
Kenshin waited until he saw Kaoru and Misao get onto the train, and then flew back to the shrine.
Once he landed by trash cans, he decided on a dog form and began to transform.
His wings and talons grew and expanded into four legs, his feathers were replaced by bright orange fur, pointed furry ears sprouted from his head.
Kenshin chose to become an orange Shiba Inu with a white chest.
Kenshin paced around a few times to get used to his new form. He couldn't recall the last time he was in canine form.
It was an easy form to maneuver.
Now to get to work. The women should return soon.
Kenshin reversed a few yards back to put some distance between him and the trash cans.
With a sprint he charged into them headfirst like a battering ram.
The metal cans crashed to the ground with a loud booming noise.
That is sure to get their attention.
************Kaoru POV****
Later that evening at the Shrine:
After Kaoru and Misao got back from the market fat from Takoyaki, they prepared to do their nightly shrine duties.
Misao would walk the south side of the shrine, its gardens, public bathroom, and pond.
Kaoru would check the west side by the administration office, the water lily garden, and back exit.
Both girls were equipped with walkie-talkies, and cell phones in case they needed anything.
Okina normally looked over the books, managed the ground staff, planned events, and hired contractors when there was structural problem, or plumbing problem.
At night he would relax and allow the girls to cover the grounds, unless they needed him.
Kaoru began her nightly walk. She had on a pair of jeans, a long sleeve, with a windbreaker to keep her warm.
She left the guest house and made her way down to the administration building.
Everything looks fine. So far so good.
After that, she crossed the bridge by the hashidono. She made her way up the trail on the west side of the shrine.
This wasn't the trail she had taken Kenshin on, but it was beautiful none the less.
This trail was covered with gorgeous old trees. Kaoru liked to admire them.
The trees themselves felt like her old ancestors. They had decades of wisdom and had seen many things that Kaoru hadn't. She was thankful to be able to see them every day.
As she headed towards the back loop of the trail by the toilets, a loud crash interrupted her thoughts.
"What was that?!"
Kaoru had heard noises and seen animals of course, but they didn't make noises like this. Kaoru halted in place. What should she do?
Better tell Misao.
The noises continued. It was like someone was banging pots and pans together.
"Misao come in-over."
*Static.*
"What's up Kaoru? Over."
"There's something weird going on over by the toilets on the hashidono trail. In the northwest corner. I hear banging. I'm afraid to go over there. Over."
"Okay, I'll head over and meet you by the steppingstones, and then we can go check it out together. Over."
"Roger that. Over."
While she waited, curiosity started to get the better of her. The banging and rustling continued.
Kaoru decided to get closer. In the distance she heard rustling and growling.
This was beginning to feel like a cliché' horror movie.
Kaoru gulped; she was in front of the outhouse with the toilets. It was too late to turn back now.
"Hello?" Kaoru called.
The growling ceased. Kaoru shined her lights in the bathroom and flicked on the light.
Nothing seemed out of ordinary.
Suddenly there were footsteps behind Kaoru. She turned around and bumped into something hard.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhh!" She screamed.
Misao jumped back holding up her flashlight to her face.
"Kaoru it's me! Calm down!"
"What the hell? You should know better than to sneak up on someone!"
"Sorry! Did you hear that growling?"
"Y-ya! What do you think it is?"
Misao turned on her flashlight and left the bathroom. She headed towards the trashcans behind the toilet.
"Fuck if I know!"
"Wait, I'll go with you!"
The two women crept around the back of the restrooms and peered around the corner.
There was a small shape moving back and forth in the darkness. Misao shined her flashlight on the shape. Both women froze.
There was a furry orange-something-sticking out of one of the trash cans. Two hind legs could be seen from their view.
"What is it?" Kaoru asked from behind her.
"I think it is stuck in there." Misao made her way over to the trashcan ready to free the creature.
Suddenly the creature freed itself from the trashcan and stared at them with black beady eyes.
"Aww! It's a doggy!" The dog stared at them and whined softly.
It was covered in garbage.
Forgetting her all her fear and prior hesitations, Kaoru walked over to him and knelt down.
She slowly stuck her hand out in front of her.
"It's alright come little one," The dog sat in place and stared at her.
"Kaoru be careful!" Misao called. She slowly made her way over them.
The dog slowly made its way over to her and sniffed her hand. After a moment of analyzing her, it licked her palm.
"It's friendly!" The dog moved closer to Kaoru and used its muzzle to sniff her. Its curly tail began wagging.
Misao knelt down beside Kaoru and put her hand out as well. The dog sniffed her hand quickly and then went back to sniffing Kaoru.
It stood up on its hind legs and began to bathe Kaoru's face in kisses.
"ha-ha! He likes you!"
Kaoru gently lowered the dog back down on all legs and looked over at Misao.
"What should we do? We can't take him to the pound tonight, everything is closed."
"Yeah, we can figure it out in the morning. Let's get back to the main house and bring him with us."
"We need a leash or something-"
"Already on it!" Misao disconnected one of the ropes holding the trashcan to the restroom wall.
She fashioned it into a lease using an old fisherman knot. She placed it around the dog's neck, and he let her. He sat there patiently while Misao worked.
"Hmm He must be tame, look at how calm he is."
"Ya, he's not putting up a fight at all."
Tugging gently on his new lease, Misao and Kaoru coaxed the dog to walk with them.
"Come on little guy."
Without a fuss, the dog followed eagerly, wagging his tail.
"Yeah, he's well behaved. He must be trained."
"Darn it, that means he has owners we need to return him to."
"Kaoru, you want to keep him?"
"Duh! ya! It would be nice to have a dog around."
"Don't get your hopes up just yet."
As the two girls chatted, the dog pranced behind them listening to their dialogue.
Internally, Kenshin smiled. Kaoru wanted to keep him.
So, she is a dog person.
Little did she know, no owners would come searching for him. They would be spending a lot of time together.
The girls headed into the main house with the dog in tow.
They needed to notify Okina that they had animal on the shrine grounds.
Misao opened the main door and called down the hall.
"Gramps! Kaoru found a lost dog at the shrine."
"What? A mongrel? Here?"
"He's sweet, look at him!"
Okina looked down at the bright orange dog and into his black beady eyes.
Looks like a mutt to me.
He had never had a soft spot for animals.
"Is he a Shiba Inu?"
"Yes! Isn't he cute?!"
"Well, I suppose a dog is better than the last thing you dragged in here."
Kaoru crossed her arms defensively and stood opposing him. She knew Okina was referring to Kenshin.
"Hey! That's not nice!"
"He will need to be trained Kaoru. We can't have a dog peeing in the house."
"So does that mean we can keep him?!"
"We should still put-up signs in case his owner is missing him. If no one comes to retrieve him, then sure."
"Really?!" The girls exclaimed.
"I see no harm in having a dog around the shrine. You two are responsible for him."
Okina looked at the girls showering the dog with attention. He let a small grin grace his features. He hadn't seen Kaoru this happy in a long time.
If it distracts her from missing that bandit piece of shit demon, she can have all the dogs she wants.
"What should we name him?!"
"How about Kenzo?"
The dog, seeming to understand their words barked in response and showered Kaoru's face with sloppy kisses before turning and jumping on Misao.
Kaoru happily accepted his affections, while Misao seemed grossed out.
"Haha, I think he approves!"
"Eww..I am going to be covered in dog slobber!"
"We should first give him a bath; he smells like garbage!"
"Good Idea, let's get him out to the bath house."
The girls gathered up their bathing supplies and headed to the bath house.
Kaoru wasn't sure what sort of shampoo would work on a dog, but she chose one for sensitive skin.
Using the same leash that Misao made, they led Kenzo to the bathhouse.
*****Kenshin Pov*****
Kenshin let the girls lead him out to the bath house.
There they filled a tub and took turns washing him.
They did a good job keeping the soap out of his ears, and for that he was thankful.
He found that he rather liked being lathered and rinsed by two attractive females.
When the girls were done with him, they wrapped him up in a towel and tied his lease to a free peg on the bath house wall.
One thing he hadn't anticipated was the fact that they would also be taking a bath.
Kenshin had a free show from his spot across the room.
Kaoru was taking off her robe.
Inch by inch of smooth porcelain skin was being revealed to him. He felt like he was watching in slow motion.
Though she was young, she had a rounded backside and full breasts which were further accentuated by her slim waist. Her body was toned in all of the right places.
He pondered; she was so fit. All from running around a shrine?
Her long blue-black hair flowed down her back as she loosened her ribbon and let it free. He admired her, She was simply angelic.
She's perfect. Oh gods..
Just then, Kenshin remembered that he was supposed to be acting like an uninterested dog and snapped himself out of it.
He couldn't be caught acting un-dog like. He didn't want to arouse any suspicions.
As Misao began undressing he laid down and faced the other way.
The only indicator that they had his attention was the swivel of his furry ears responding to their sounds behind him.
This was going to be tougher than he thought. He hadn't thought about what he would do if he encountered full frontal nudity.
He heard the low growling of his demon within his mind. Whispering dirty thoughts to him.
Thankfully, as a dog his primal urges were more dulled. He was humbled by this.
The goal was to hold off on trying to claim her for as long as possible.
Kenshin wasn't stupid though. His demon was very demanding, and it was only a matter of time before it would get what it wanted.
********Kaoru POV****
Inside their Room:
"Should we make him sleep outside?"
"No, I wanna cuddle with him!"
"With a dog? That seems unsanitary."
"We just bathed him!"
"Suit yourself Kaoru, just keep him off my futon."
As the girls argued, Kenzo sat between them staring at them. He enjoyed the banter.
Out of the two, he was hoping Kaoru would take the initiative in directing him more.
It looked like everything was going to work out.
Kaoru motioned for him to come lay down with her.
"Come here Kenzo, you can sleep next to me."
Kenzo approach Kaoru and laid down by her side.
Once Kaoru began to pet him, he rolled over onto his back and looked at her with his tongue hanging out.
Kaoru giggled.
He's so cute.
She began to rub his belly and he kicked his little legs in the air like he was riding a bicycle.
Misao glared at them from across the room in disgust.
"Barf. You guys make me sick."
"Aw come on Misao, I can't help it. He's adorable."
"Yeah, you say that now, wait till you get fleas. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Misao! Goodnight Kenzo."
Misao shut off the light and rolled over with a groan. Kaoru lay there quietly stroking Kenzo's fur.
She thought of Kenshin again.
Even though she was still hurting, she felt content with Kenzo in her arms.
She would sleep well tonight.
Kenshin laid in Kaoru's arms and stared up at her.
He was happy that he could be the source of her ease.
As Kaoru snored softly, he listened to her breathing like a lullaby.
**************Author*********
This chapter was really fun to write. 😊