Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Bathtime ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Rurouni Kenshin and all characters are copyright of the respective companies and owners. I make no money from this story.

AN: Looks like the end, folks. Just in time, I might add. Things might get a little steamy, so make sure your monitors don't become fogged up. I'm kind of surprised how this story took off. Whoo-ee! This whole story was the result of a "What If?" game that I play in my head to pass the time. Hope you enjoyed it. I don't usually explore this aspect of Kenshin and Kaoru's hesitant relationship, since keeping both in character and providing a cutesy plotline is hard. Anyway, please review, and thanks for reading.

Bath Time

Chapter 4

By the time he had fully recovered, Kaoru had shoved him inside and closed the door behind her. The residual heat from the water hit the rurouni like a slap in the face, and he finally took control over his hanging jaw. "Miss Kaoru, what's going on? Are you sick? Should I-"

Her quick fingers found the tie to his hakama, and began to undo the complicated knot. Kenshin gave a startled "Eep!" and jumped back. Unfortunately, her grip was very strong, and his jump was cut off in mid-leap as she tugged him back. The wandering swordsman landed in an undignified heap on the ground, and Kaoru pounced. She had his gi off so quickly that it seemed as if her movements were lightning fast. The traditional binding over his abdomen was shredded in a manner to fast for even his eyes to follow. Kaoru plopped down, straddling his lap and leaned over to brace her weight on his shoulders.

She stared down at Kenshin's face. Flecks of gold swirled in his normally purple eyes. Alarm spread across her face for a moment, but feminine instinct caused her to bend down and give him a gentle kiss. The fight or flee instinct left the rurouni, but there was still the matter of a barely-clothed Kaoru sitting on him. She ran a soft hand over the scar on his cheek, trailing down the curve of his neck to rest briefly on the bare skin over his heart.

Not that Kenshin minded, but being alone in here with her….like this….well, it was a good thing the other regulars were in town for the day. Unfortunately, he realized, that meant…well, it meant they were completely alone. He was beginning to realize other things as Kaoru's hands idly traced patterns over his stomach. If she didn't stop soon…

"I had to make you wake up somehow." Kenshin turned away from his inner thoughts to regard her face. Kaoru's blush had deepened, spreading to the roots of her hair. She sat back, leaning on the wooden floor to either side of his knees. The position was so provocative that he turned his face to the side, a similar blush creeping over his face.

They sat silently for a moment. Kenshin wanted to tell her that she had always had his attention, but the words remained stuck in his throat. Finally, she sat up, and wiggled closer to his waist. The sensation caused him to gasp, and she turned his face to look at her. Her hands fumbled at the ties of her towel, and Kenshin swallowed a groan. What on earth was she doing? You already know WHAT she's doing, idiot.

The ties came undone, and slowly began to slide down, and he took in a breath-

"Hey! Kenshin!" Red hair covered the sleeping man's eyes, and he mumbled some incoherent from beneath the heavy bangs. Kaoru stood above him, a mop and bucket in each hand. She had tried everything to wake him up, and a quick bop with her bokken was starting to sound like a good idea. There was a sopping wet floor to take care of in the bathhouse, and the assistant master had better things to do.

Judging by items scattered nearby, the sleeping man had been planning on a bath of his own. Something inside her twinged in regret at waking him to clean up her mess, but that was part of their living arrangement. Kaoru poked him once more half-heartedly. It was actually kind of cute to see him sleeping like this. In the year and a half the wanderer had taken up space in her residence, she couldn't recall ever having seen him sleep.

A stray thought popped up then, causing her to wonder where it came from? Somewhere a bird called out, "Kiss him!" Kaoru shook her head. There was no way any bird anywhere could actually say that. It was all in her imagination. Still, it wasn't a half-bad idea.

She called his name again. There was no response. Kaoru stood over him, arms crossed. Minutes passed by, and only Kenshin's mumbles broke the quiet. Finally, she had had enough. Careful not to drop the bucket, Kaoru approached him, trying to stifle a mad giggle in the back of her throat. This was crazy…and yet, her heart was trying to hammer its way out of her chest. She crouched on his left side, careful to avoid kneeling on the calloused hand that had slipped off his lap.

Small puffs of breath escaped his lips. Kaoru's mind was screaming at her to just go and clean the bathhouse herself and leave this funny business behind. She reached up gently to push the bangs away from his forehead, and dropped her lips gently on his. The result was instantaneous.

Kenshin rocketed forwards, cracking his skull against hers. His purple eyes, flecked with gold, flicked to her face. "M-Miss Kaoru! I'm so sorry!" The gold faded from his eyes, and he glanced at the pail and mop resting on the ground. "Did you wish for me to clean out the bathhouse now?" Kaoru sat back rubbing at her aching head. The urge to yell at him was strong, so she just nodded.

Kenshin was on his feet, helping her up in a flash. He bent to pick up the cleaning supplies, and stole a quick peek. She was still rubbing her head. He could still feel the tingle of her lips on his, and touched them to make sure it wasn't another dream.

Kaoru noticed his discreet assessment, her anger fading. Kenshin nodded at her and hefted the mop over one shoulder. "Kenshin-" She began. He stopped and turned to her. There was a long pause as they looked at one another. "I had to wake you up somehow." Kaoru said by way of apology, and beat a hasty retreat back inside the dojo.

As it was, she missed the bewildered start of recognition on the rurouni's face. He stared after her retreating form before turning towards the bathhouse with a smile on his lips.