Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Benefits ❯ Chapter 10

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 Watsuki.

 

Warning: This work contains references to adult material.

 

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Kenshin cleared the remains of food from the table while Kaoru loaded the dishwasher. When he finished, he got mugs out of the cupboard to make cocoa. Kaoru noticed his actions and bit her lip. This far into their arrangement, what more could he want to discuss?

 

“So there's something I've been meaning to talk with you about.” Kenshin began, as he handed her a mug and walked over to the couch.

 

Kaoru's stomach tightened with worry. In her experience these types of conversations were rarely good. She sat down next to him, noting the tension in his shoulders as well. Not a good sign.

 

Kenshin fidgeted briefly with his mug, before taking a sip and continuing. “With the holidays approaching, I get a number of invitations to various parties and such. Some from my uncle, some from connections at work. Unfortunately I'm expected to attend quite a few of these affairs. Most of the time, a date is considered mandatory.”

 

Kenshin stopped and drank some cocoa. Kaoru could feel a heaviness settle on her chest and a sinking feeling in her stomach. He was obviously trying to end their arrangement, since if he was going on that many dates he'd no doubt find a better bed partner than her. She had suspected that when this arrangement ended, she wouldn't be happy. But she hadn't thought it would hurt this much. Pulling into herself, she clutched at her cocoa, hoping she wouldn't cry.

 

Kenshin shifted uneasily, not yet noticing her distress. “I know those sorts of things aren't much fun and can get tiresome. It really helps to have a good companion with you. So,” he paused and took a breath, “would you mind being my date?”

 

He then looked at Kaoru and noticed something was wrong. “Hey, Kaoru,” he said, reaching out to set their mugs on the coffee table. “What's wrong? If you don't want to go, just tell me.” He made a face. “There's no need to get all stressed about it.” He put an arm around her a pulled her close.

 

Kaoru relaxed slightly in his embrace as she processed what he said. He wasn't trying to end their arrangement, which was a relief. He thought her a good companion and wanted her presences at some boring functions. For some reason that wasn't quite as comforting as it should have been. She snuggle more into his chest, inhaling his scent, and tried to relax.

 

Kenshin stroked her hair, concerned. Feeling her relax and rest against him, he said, “Kaoru, honey, tell me what's wrong.”

 

Kaoru struggled to sit up, her cheeks slightly red. Biting her lip, she mumbled, “it's not important.”

 

“Tell me.” Looking softly at her, he whispered, “Please?”

 

Kaoru shifted uncomfortably. Curse him for those eyes. She sighed and looked away. “I just thought you were ending our arrangement and I wasn't quite ready for it.” Her blush darkened.

 

Kenshin pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. He felt quite warm and happy inside, but managed to keep the grin off his face. Not quite knowing how to respond, he hugged her close for a moment.

 

After a while he asked, “Does this mean you'll be my date?”

 

Kaoru sighed. “I suppose, but I really don't have anything appropriate to wear.”

 

Kenshin grinned. “We can go dress shopping this afternoon.”

 

Kaoru groaned and then peered up at him. “Have you ever been dress shopping? It's really not that much fun.”

 

“I think watching you parade around in fancy clothes seems like a fine way to spend the day. Besides, if I'm going to be paying for the dresses I should at least get to help pick them out.”

 

Kaoru sputtered. “What do you mean paying for them?! I can buy my own dress…”

 

Kenshin cut her off, calmly stating “Kaoru, you're accompanying me to these events as a favor. I really can't let you buy clothes just for them as well.”

 

Kaoru glared at him.

 

He sighed. “If it makes you feel better, I'll keep the clothes afterwards. But I really don't have use for women's dresses.” He looked at her and grinned. “I guess I could always try my hand at cross-dressing.”

 

She giggled. “I don't think you're quite my size.”

 

“Then you'll accept the dresses from me?”

 

Frowning, Kaoru nodded hesitantly. She probably couldn't afford the type of dresses necessary for these events anyway, especially not if she had to wear something different to each one. “But I pay for the shoes myself,” she added, trying to keep some control of the situation. Besides, if she was buying the shoes she could make sure to get ones that were at least somewhat comfortable, regardless of what Kenshin thought of them.

 

Kenshin looked for a moment like he was going to argue, but then nodded. “Well then, let's go.” A sly smile settled on his face. “And when we get back, I'll prove to you that our arrangement is still in effect.”

 

Kaoru blushed slightly at the thoughts his comment brought up. At least this was more incentive than the ice cream Misao always promised after shopping trips. As Kenshin walked to the door she noted his firm ass. A much better incentive, indeed.

 

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Kenshin hung up his jacket and began to put away his dress clothes. They had just finished the last of the formal events he had to attend. He had sent Kaoru off to shower, knowing she would appreciate the opportunity to wash the gunk out of her hair and to remove her make up. He set out some of his comfy clothes for her to change into, and then headed to the kitchen.

 

They had ended up at his place this time, partial because it was closer and partially because he had been thinking about the rice pudding in his fridge, which made him drive home with out consciously thinking about it.

 

He put some milk on the stove to make hot cocoa and turned to get the pudding out of the refrigerator. He really needed to talk with Kaoru about where their relationship was heading. Well, more accurately, to convince her to officially have a relationship with him. He was still amazed that after all this time, she assumed their relationship was just a typical friends with benefits arrangement.

 

Serving up the rice pudding, he set out a dish for each of them and got out the mugs. Hearing Kaoru coming, he finished seasoning the cocoa with a bit of cinnamon and poured them each a mug.

 

She entered the room, stretching, his boxers barely staying on her hips. She smiled tiredly at him, sat down and began to rub her feet.

 

“No matter what they say, there is no such thing as comfortable heels.” Kaoru complained. “Damn my feet hurt.”

 

Kenshin grimaced in sympathy and sat down beside her. “Here let me,” he said, taking a foot in his lap and rubbing it.

 

“Mmmm” Kaoru moaned. “Feels great.” She sat there for a while with her eyes closed, savoring the massage. After a while she opened them and noticed the snack in front of her.

 

Tasting her drink, she raised an eyebrow. “So what did you want to talk about?”

 

Kenshin switched feet, rubbing a bit before answering. He took a deep breath. “I'd like to take you out on real date. Something fun, not like these formal events.”

 

Kaoru blinked at him, trying to process what he said. He was asking her out?

 

“What do you say? Can I take you out next Friday?” Kenshin asked with a tight smile.

 

Kaoru hesitated. A date? Dating leads to expectations, which leads to problems. He really wanted to take her on a date? The though made her feel warm and worried all at once. Dating Kenshin was something she had never really let herself think about. They had an arrangement, not a relationship. Why would he want to take her out? He was already getting sex…

 

She bit her lip, but nodded. Kenshin let out a sigh of relief.

 

“Hey don't look so tense. There's nothing to worry about. It's just a date. We go out, have fun. No pressure involved. And if you don't have fun, next time I ask, you turn me down. Simply as that.” Kenshin said.

 

Kaoru smiled and relaxed a bit. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. One date wasn't that big a deal, right?

 

“Now drink your cocoa before it gets cold. There are other parts of your body I'm looking forward to massaging tonight.”

 

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