Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Benefits ❯ Chapter 2

Disclaimer: All standard disclaimers apply: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, I make no money off this work, etc. Characters of Rurouni Kenshin are the property of Nobuhiro Watsuk.

 

Warning: This work contains adult material, specifically sex. Some chapters will likely be censored to meet fanfiction.net's guide lines; in that case the uncensored version will be posted on mediaminer under the same pen name.

 

 

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She was lonely, Kaoru admitted to herself. Misao had been in Europe for almost three months. While regular emails and occasional phone calls kept them in touch, it wasn't the same as seeing your best friend almost every day. She missed having someone there to confide in. Although Tae had proved to be a warm friend and fun person to hangout with, the friendship lacked the depth of confidence that she had with Misao.

 

She really wished she had someone to talk her out of this idea. (Though Misao would probably have said go for it). While Megumi would definitely lecture her on the matter, her biting cynicism and uptight manner grated on Kaoru's nerves. Talking to Megumi would just give her a tension headache without actually solving her dilemma.

 

Kaoru supposed that she could email Misao, but she wasn't sure she wanted to commit this plan to writing. Besides, she had the feeling that any email she sent Misao regarding sex might one day resurface at an embarrassing time.

 

The problem was her sex life, or lack of it, really. While she could meet her physical `needs', as she had assured Misao, it just wasn't as satisfying of late. She missed the kissing, the cuddling, the physical connection of the act itself. A few too many nights had been spent silently crying, either before or after the deed, before Kaoru had admitted to herself she wanted a man in her life.

 

Well, a man in her sex life anyway. Some contemplative nights affirmed her belief that she just wasn't interested in making a go at a relationship. She didn't want to have to dress up to try and attract some guy. She didn't want to share her life long dreams or listen to his political rants. She wasn't willing to spend an afternoon watching football with him and she wasn't going to change her habits to suit his pet peeves.

 

She wanted a friend she could fuck. No more, no less. Someone she knew, liked, enjoyed hanging out with, but not someone she had to impress. Someone she could appreciate physically and sexually, who wouldn't mind holding her for a bit after the act.

 

The question of course, was who. Sano was currently out of town and had been for weeks. Some website had sponsored him on the Poker Tour - no way Sano would pass up getting paid to gamble. He was losing as always, but he did so in such a spectacular fashion that the company received a lot of publicity. More importantly, she wasn't the least attracted to him and believed that sex would definitely mess up their sibling like friendship in addition to ruining whatever he was developing with Megumi.

 

Anji was also easily nixed, both due to his personal beliefs and his physical appearance. Kaoru preferred shorter guys. While she was sure that if she was a guy, Katamari would be happy to assist her, that wasn't an option in this lifetime. Continuing through her mental list of male friends and acquaintances, Kaoru cut the smokers, the gossips, and others who did nothing for her.

 

Her remaining list was quite short. The most promising option was Kenshin. They knew each other well enough to be friends, but weren't so close that Kaoru feared ruining a lifelong friendship if things didn't work out. His comments at the barbeque seemed to imply he might be open to a friends with benefits arrangement. The times they danced together suggested good physical compatibility and she found him sexy to boot. In all he seemed like an excellent choice.

 

 

Now she just had to ask him.

 

 

Which led her to her current situation. On the way to the party Kaoru had debated with herself if she really was going to propose a friends with benefits option to Kenshin. She wasn't sure if she should be thankful he attended tonight or not. But she still had to figure out a way to discuss it with him. She had watched him most of the night, his red hair making him easy to pick out. They had already talked a few times. Once Kaoru had lost her nerve. Another time they were interrupted. And most of the time they just didn't have any privacy. She need to find a way to speak to him alone, without making it obvious to everyone just what she wanted from him.

 

Kenshin looked up to find Kaoru staring at him. Again. It was obvious she wanted something from him. He had struck up a number of conversation with her tonight, but she still hadn't said whatever she needed to. He hope it was something simple - perhaps she needed a gym partner? They did use the same gym after all.

 

He was afraid it was some sort of bad news, given how nervous she seemed. With most of her close friends gone, she had seemed lonely lately. He would like to help her if he could. Glancing briefly around the room, he picked up his drink, and with her eyes upon him, slipped out on to the small balcony.

 

Kaoru watched Kenshin slide through the door to the empty balcony. She really wouldn't get a better opportunity than this. Steeling herself, she tossed down the rest of her drink, set her cup on the end table, and unobtrusively entered the balcony and closed the door behind her.

 

Kenshin looked up when she came out. Leaning with his back against the railing he smiled and greeted her.

 

“Hi,” Kaoru replied, grabbing the railing and looking out over the city.

 

Silence fell for a few moments as Kenshin waited patiently for her to share what was on her mind. Kaoru's hands clench the railing tightly and she took a few deep breaths. Quenching her internal debated and forcing down a blush, she turned slightly away from him and stared at the lights in the distance.

 

“I've been thinking about what you said at Misao's party…,” Kaoru began, wincing a little as her voice sounded loud to her ears. At least it didn't waver, even if her voice did sound a bit strained.

 

She hear Kenshin shift behind her as she forced herself to continue, “about how it's possible for a friends with benefits relationship to work out.” She felt herself starting to choke. “And… I was wondering… I mean if you're interested… that is I like you and thought… ummm…” Kaoru cursed herself as she fumbled with a way to ask him and felt the heat of a deep blush on her cheeks.

 

She was so preoccupied with her own embarrassment and frantically trying to say something coherent that she completely missed his approach until his hands closed on the railing on each side of her. She started. With his breath hot on her ear and his voice low and deep, he murmured, “Your place or mine?”