Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Cabana Boy ❯ Chapter 2

On a bit of a side note: After I posted the first chapter, it got me thinking. I pulled out my book of websites, many which I uncovered when I was in college. Probably eighty percent of them were either gone or hadn't been updated in years. But there are some, most notably the ones I have discovered in the last few years that are still up and wondering and wouldn't you know it? I uncovered this story on meijitales.com. So if you can't wait for me to put the chapters up here (and if you don't have t, why would you?) then head over there. But if you like the thrill of anticipation, then you can just read it here. Cheers!

 

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Kaoru had stopped in the kitchen searching for a box of matches when Elena had come in. She had shrieked and hugged her surrogate daughter and then had bound away, her mouth chattering about what she might make for dinner. Kaoru had slipped back out side, matches, dustpan, and hand broom in her hands. She had come upon the broken glass and carefully swept the broken pieces up. Then she had stared at the photograph.

 

Last summer she had fled the house in an attempt to flee from the bad memories of her disastrous relationship. Misao had offered to take her to England for the warm months and she had finally accepted. She had wanted to get as far as possible from Yukishiro Enishi and a whole other continent seemed to be the only viable option.

 

He had been her first serious relationship. Looking back, she couldn't even recall what had drawn her to him in the first place. He was so austere and serious. Maybe she had thought to lighten him up. Not really change him, so much, but there was something about him that she had found intriguing, fascinating enough that she was with him just over a year and a half. Whatever the case had been, he had become extremely possessive of her after three months together. Megumi and Misao had been her only friends; Sanosuke even shying away after her lover had threatened to dismember the brunette when he discovered Kaoru had lost her virginity to her longtime friend. Up until the final weeks when she finally walked away from him, it was the only time he had ever outwardly shown violence of any kinds towards another person, at least in her presence.

 

The woman could only live in denial for so long. When Megumi at last pointed out that she had stopped receiving phone calls, even from fellow students, she realized something was wrong. She had approached the man, imploring him to give her a bit of room. He had not taken the news well. What had ensued was a vicious argument. Enishi had disappeared for three weeks and she hadn't been sure if she was thankful for that or not. When he had returned, he seemed different, much more composed. Things had seemed to go fine and Kaoru thought maybe things would work out.

 

Then three weeks before the end of the year, Sanosuke had taken her out for a drink. He had been unable to on her twenty-first birthday, due to Enishi's behavior. She had finally acknowledged the darker aspects of her involvement with the man. Sano had pleaded with her to get out. She had left in a huff, asserting he was jealous. The idea was absurd, but Kaoru still refused to see Enishi's flaws. However, when she had returned to his apartment and he had discovered where she had been, her boyfriend had flipped. He had in turn taken his anger out on Kaoru. The moment he struck her, she knew it was over, the truth crashing around her along with Enishi's fist. She packed her bags that very night, rescued by a phone call. If he hadn`t been called away, she had no idea how badly he might have beaten her.

 

She had fled to Aoshi, a friend of Sanosuke. He had protected her and for strange reasons, Enishi had never threatened him. For his part, Enishi had pleaded with her to stay and then kicked her to the curb when she hadn't immediately acquiesced. He had destroyed any belongings she had left at his apartment and then had proclaimed her as his. Calls had come with harassment. He had stopped when she left for England and the time apart seemed to have helped. She had rarely seen him over the course of the year and last she had heard he had actually left the country on personal business. He had made no attempt at contact and she prayed he had disappeared from her life for good.

 

Misao had helped her throw out most of her memories of the man. The picture must have been overlooked, as she hadn't really lived here during the course of the relationship; he had never been by the house and not for the first time she was grateful. Her father had never cared for him and he had offered her a shelter of protection, whether he was aware of it or not. Enishi would not risk coming here, knowing what Kamiya had been in another life.

 

She swallowed and struck the match. She touched the flame to the corner of the photo and watched the fire greedily lick the image into nothing. She hadn't been with another since then. It was time to move on.

 

“Kaoru-dono, is everything alright?”

 

She looked up in surprise at the gentle voice. Kenshin stood several feet from her, a strange look in his violet eyes. She nodded. “Yes.” She answered softly. She dropped the small remnants of the picture into the plastic pan before it could burn her fingers. After another moment it went out, nothing left to consume. She began to sweep up the remainder of the frame. “I'm fine.”

 

He watched her for another moment and she looked up. There was something unreadable in his gaze. His eyes darkened and his lips were pressed together. Then he seemed to realize she was watching him and he smiled at her. “I unloaded the rest of your stuff, that I did. I just put it in your room, not sure if it was supposed to go elsewhere. If you need help unpacking let me know.”

 

Kaoru blinked at him. “You unloaded my car? All of it?” He nodded. How long had she been sitting out here? “You didn't have to do—Damnit!”

 

Distracted, she had caught her thumb on a stray piece of glass, slicing the skin. Kenshin was at her side in a flash, her thumb between his fingers. “I would have gotten the glass, Kaoru-dono. There was no need for you to come clean it.”

 

“But it was my mess.”

 

“And now you've injured yourself.”

 

“It's only a simple cut.”

 

“Regardless, I do not want it to get infected, that I do not. Come, let's get it cleaned.” She felt compelled to follow him, her fingers still grasped in his hands.

 

He led her to the kitchen and quickly turned on the facet. He only ran her thumb under the water for a second before bringing it to his face again. Then he began to apply pressure. “Oww!” She couldn't help but cry.

 

Kenshin smiled at her apologetically before plucking something from her skin. He tossed in into the compactor and then placed her hand under the water again. It stung only slightly. She colored faintly as his hand still firmly held hers as he reached for the first aid kit. He found a bandage and carefully adjusted the band-aid. “All better.” He told her softly, pressing a tender kiss over the wound.

 

Anxiously she licked her lips, his face so close to hers. Never before had she felt this way. Who cared if she had only met the man? She wanted to lean forward, just a few inches and her lips could connect with his. Her eyes caught his and she almost felt herself doing just that.

 

“I see you two have met.” Elena chirped as she entered the room.

 

Kaoru felt her cheeks flush and she stepped back. A small surge of disappointment went through her when Kenshin dropped her hand. “Yes. He helped me unload.”

 

“That's good. Now get out of my kitchen.” She ordered. There was no malice in her voice, but Kaoru was used to the woman.

 

The redhead turned and headed back outside. Kaoru wavered before chasing after him. “Wait, Kenshin.” He turned slowly, glancing at her over his shoulder first. “I didn't mean to leave you with unloading my car. I had really only needed help with my trunk and… I… thanks.”

 

He shrugged. “It was no hassle.”

 

She bit her lip and took a deep breath. “Well, I'd like to make it up to you.”

 

“How?”

 

“Dinner won't be ready for a few hours yet, when my father gets home and I had a two hour drive from school. Anyway, umm… I was thinking I might could use one to unwind and if you're done working for the day maybe I could go and buy you a drink.”

 

“Now?” She nodded. “I haven't finished cleaning the pool.”

 

“It'll keep.” She told him, suddenly wanting him to accompany her out. “I promise I won't use the pool tomorrow.”

 

He hesitated and then nodded. “Should I change?”

 

“Why? We're just going to a bar. I'm not changing my clothes.”

 

“Let me go put everything away and get my keys.”

 

“Okay.” She waited for him to remove the vacuum from the pool and then he went inside the guesthouse. She hadn't been inside there for years, using it as a playhouse growing up. Once her mother had passed away, however, she had stopped playing. Many of the yard crew had resided there over the years. They had plenty of room in the house and had no real need for it original use. Never before though had she been curious to see how the rooms were decorated. It was already furnished, but what kind of pictures were up on the walls, books on the shelves; what kind of beverage did the man keep in the refrigerator. What kind of a man was Kenshin? Before she could reach the door to assuage her curiosity, he came out and locked the door.

 

“Shall we?”

 

Kaoru smiled brightly at him. “Absolutely.” She chimed and they headed towards her car.

 

***********************************

 

Kenshin timidly sat down at the bar as Kaoru disappeared towards the back. The bartender came up and placed two mats down. “Drink?”

 

He nodded. “Um………I guess I'll have a beer.”

 

“And for your lady?”

 

“I'm not really sure.”

 

The bartender shrugged and placed a bottle in front of him. “You're lucky.”

 

“Oro?”

 

“Kaoru.” He nodded towards the direction the woman had disappeared. “She's always been deemed untouchable. She has this inaccessible way about her. Like something you can only look at, but are never really able to touch. Then she had the crazy boyfriend. Anyway, you struck gold with her.”

 

Kenshin stared at the guy. “She seems quite a catch.”

 

“She is. You're the first guy I think she's ever brought into this bar other than Sanosuke. But then, they have an interesting relationship.”

 

“She never brought her ex in here?”

 

The bartender made a look of distaste. “He was not fond of anything to do with Kaoru he couldn't control. She only came in when he had for some reason allowed her to come home. I never did understand why she was with him in the first place.” He stood up and shrugged. “Tab?”

 

Mutely he nodded. He was still trying to figure out why he was here. Digesting everything he had gleaned from the bartender, he turned when he felt her return. Kaoru squeezed between him and the stool next to him. She glanced at him once she was settled. “So.”

 

He smiled flittingly at her. The bartender came over. “Love, what can I get you?”

 

Kaoru turned to him and smiled. “I'll have what he's having.”

 

The guy nodded and placed another beer on the bar. Kenshin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow as he watched the woman take a long swig strait from the bottle. She grinned at him and absently wiped her mouth. “Thirsty.”

 

“No, I just didn't expect a woman such as yourself to be swigging from a beer bottle, that I didn't.”

 

“Well, I'm sure you'll find that I'm not your average kind of gal.”

 

I bet not, he couldn't help but think, lifting the bottle to his lips. He was learning many things about her. She was not at all similar to the woman he was used to dealing with in this position.

 

“How long have you been working for my father?”

 

“About a month.”

 

“And you enjoy it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I'm glad.”

 

“Oro?” He gazed at her questioningly.

 

“I think it's important that one enjoys one's work. I mean just because you're nothing more than a lawn boy, doesn't mean you aren't worthy of being something more. You're doing it because you enjoy it which is more than most people.”

 

“Really?” He couldn't help but ask incredulously.

 

She smiled. “I have a friend, a good friend, who probably won't amount to much at all. He could if he really wanted. He majored in geology in school.”

 

“Geology?”

 

She shrugged and drank her beer. “He had the inane desire to prove he could break a rock with his bare fist. Somehow he ended up studying the logistics of how and why.”

 

“And now?”

 

“He is a kick boxing instructor. I think he does it to meet the women mostly. But he's happy doing it and that's all that matters.”

 

“He's important to you?” He asked, recalling the bartender had mentioned a man's name.

 

“I love him dearly. He could be more, if he ever thought to apply himself.” She rolled her blue eyes, but there was affection in her soft voice. “Sanosuke is just one of those types.”

 

“And what type is that?”

 

Both turned at the new male voice interrupting their conversation. A tall man with spiky brown hair stood there. He had warm brown eyes and a smirk on his lips. “Go on, tell this man what type I am.”

 

Kaoru grinned and winked at Kenshin. “He is a rooster who has one goal in life and that is to outwit the fox.”

 

Sano turned red and Kenshin frowned, realizing he had missed some kind of joke. “Watch it, Jou-chan. That girl wants me, I know she does.”

 

“Whatever.” The woman scoffed.

 

“Did you have trouble unloading your car? That trunk was heavy as hell.”

 

“Kenshin helped me.”

 

“And this is Kenshin?” He clapped him on the back and Kenshin tried valiantly not to fall off the stool. He was surprised by the strength behind it and wondered if the man had succeeded in breaking a rock bare-fisted. “I'm Sanosuke. How do you know, our little miss here?”

 

“I work for her father.” He told him, not sure if Kaoru wanting to divulge his real identity.

 

“He's the new maintenance man, so be nice to him.”

 

“Great! I'll finally have another male to talk to when all the girls come over.”

 

“When he isn't teaching his one class a week, Sano's a loafer.” She explained.

 

Kenshin frowned again. “I don't think I quite follow.” First Kaoru felt no qualms about telling this guy about what he did and then the man was offering to hang out with him.

 

“Sanosuke will be practically living at my house. He might as well stay with you. I think he has for the last three summers at least. Well, maybe not last summer, but whenever we've come home for break.”

 

“I can't be driving when I've been drinking.” He argued.

 

“And I do commend you for that. Anyway,” Kaoru rolled her eyes again. “He hangs out at the house a lot. I don't think that one guy two years ago did any work around the house. Probably why he didn't last once we returned to school. Sano might be there more often than me.” She explained.

 

“Not if any of your friends have anything to say about it.” He winked.

 

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

 

“I think you know. Kitsune won't want to leave the house if I'm there.”

 

“Megumi isn't going to go for you.”

 

“You don't know that.” He lounged against the bar. “Besides, who's to say you don't have a fancy for any of my friends? Perhaps when they stop by, you'll want to hang around.”

 

“Curious, since I'm the one who actually lives there. Besides, you know Misao is the only one with a crush.”

 

“I can handle both of them.”

 

“Misao doesn't have a thing for you!” Kaoru nearly screamed. She glanced at Kenshin and blushed prettily. He had to admit he was somewhat fascinated by the argument going on between the two young adults. The chemistry was astounding, and yet he didn't gather there was anything romantic going on between the two of them. Is that what the bartender had meant about their interesting relationship? And yet, as he watched he felt a stirring of jealousy. The camaraderie between them was something he had missed over the last ten years.

 

“Whom do you have a thing for?” Sano demanded.

 

The woman shut her mouth and glanced guiltily at him. Kenshin couldn't decide if she was indicating she had thing for him or merely was embarrassed by the onslaught by her friend. He decided she was embarrassed. It was easier for him to think that way. She downed her drink and threw a ten on the bar. “We have to go.” She declared, grabbing Kenshin's arm. “My father will be home and he'll be upset if I'm not there.”

 

“I'll let you go, only because I know I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

Kaoru blew a raspberry at him and practically dragged Kenshin from the bar. He waved awkwardly towards the brunette. “I guess I'll see you around.”

 

“You know you will.”

 

She tossed him the keys once they were outside. “Do you feel like driving?” She asked.

 

He caught them and looked up at her. “ I don't know how.”

 

She stopped. “What?”

 

Kenshin shrugged and handed them back to her. “I don't know how.” He repeated before opening the passenger door to her car.

 

Stupefied she climbed into the driver's seat. She put the key in the ignition and stared at him. “How come?”

 

“I move around a lot. I never had a need for a car and therefore had no need to learn to drive.”

 

“But still?”

 

“But still what?” He watched her, his violet eyes narrowing slightly. “I'm your father's lawn boy, not your chauffeur.” He sneered.

 

Kaoru snorted. “Get over yourself Kenshin.” She turned the engine over and put the car in gear. “I know how men are when it comes to driving and I was being nice. Forget it happened.”

 

Immediately he felt guilty for assuming the worst. He had promised himself to keep an open mind where this woman was concerned and several times he had inadvertently jumped to conclusions. The woman sped through the streets, taking turns a bit faster than normal. Kenshin tried to rationalize she had to be a good driver in that her car was still in one piece. Her scent proliferated the car, so it couldn't be too new. However, it wasn't without a sigh of relief when they pulled up to her house, another car sitting in front of the large mansion.

 

 

Kaoru threw the car in park and turned to glare at him. “Look, I don't know what I did, but stop. You helped me and I was trying to repay the favor.” She chided, her arms crossed.

 

“I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono. It's just a matter of everything I have come to know. I once knew a woman very much like you. However, I am quickly learning that there aren't really as many similarities. I apologize from the deepest of my heart, that I do.” He told her sincerely.

 

Her scowl disappeared and she looked down at her lap. “If you like, I could teach you to drive.”

 

“Oro?”

 

“I have no pending plans for the summer short of getting sunburn and drinking a lot. I have an internship in the fall but until then, my days and nights are pretty much free. If you want.”

 

“Why would you want to teach me to drive?”

 

She shrugged nonchalantly and gazed out the window. “Why not?”

 

Why not? It couldn't hurt to know how to drive. He could have need for the ability later on in life. “Okay.”

 

She glanced at him, her blue eyes full of surprise. “Really?”

 

He nodded. She clapped her hands together gleefully and threw her arms around his neck. “We'll have so much fun!” She chirped and then drew back slightly, suddenly remembering where they were.

 

Her face was inches from his, just like it had been in the kitchen. He had wanted to kiss her then and the urge was stronger now with the small amount of alcohol flowing through his blood. He wasn't a lightweight, but the afternoon in the sun had made him woozy to start with. He could see the faint sprinkle of freckles on her nose this close and she licked her lips anxiously. Then her eyes were gazing past him and she pulled back abruptly. She was clamoring out of the car.

 

“Daddy!” She cried.

 

Somewhat reluctantly Kenshin opened the door and waited. Sure enough the man's dark eyes landed on Kenshin. Something flashed across the man's face before he set his mouth into a grim smile. “Himura-san, I wish to speak with you after dinner if that is alright.”

 

“Sure.” He offered weakly. What was he to do?

 

***********************************

 

“Going away?” Kaoru's bite of dessert paused halfway to her mouth. She put the utensil on her plate with a clatter. “So soon? But I just got here!” She couldn't help but whine.

 

Her father smiled at her. He reached over and brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I know, love. I'm sorry I am. These things happen. Where were you when I spent three months with no one but Elena for company?” He asked pointedly, referring to the time just after Christmas when she had been in a hurry to return to her apartment.

 

She blushed slightly. “I just wanted to spend a bit of bonding time, you and me.”

 

“I know. I'll be back next week for a five-day stint. We'll do something then, I promise.”

 

“Kay.”

 

She placed the bite of cheesecake she had initially abandoned in her mouth and allowed the velvety richness to linger on her tongue. Dinner had been pleasant, the two catching up on menial everyday things. Kaoru enjoyed her father's company. He had been a loving parent, there for her when she needed it, but most importantly, a supportive shoulder that didn't ask too many questions.

 

“I see you have befriended the new resident of the guest house.” He said casually.

 

She blinked at his choice of words. “I did.”

 

“And?”

 

“And what, dad?”

 

“What did you think of him?”

 

The woman licked her lips. She thought he was downright sexy and thought maybe if he wasn't so standoffish, she just might go for it. There was a definite charge that seemed to embrace the two whenever they were in proximity of each other. Kaoru couldn't explain it and wasn't about to let her father in on her thoughts.

 

“I like him well enough.”

 

“Maybe while I'm gone, you two will become closer.”

 

She shrugged, swirling the remnants of her wine in the goblet. “I guess. Sano seemed to take to him right away.”

 

“Why do you say that?”

 

“He didn't pick a fight with him.”

 

“I guess that says a lot.”

 

She shrugged again. “For Sano it does. He mentioned it would be nice to have another male around the house this summer.”

 

“Should I have Rosita air out one of the guest rooms for him?”

 

“I suppose so. You know he hates being in that large house alone.”

 

“I know. Where are his parents now?”

 

She shrugged. “Who knows? It's been nearly two years I think since he really saw them though.”

 

“Well, it'll be good to have two men around to keep an eye on you.”

 

Kaoru rolled her blue eyes at the overprotective sentiment. “Nothing is going to happen while you're gone.”

 

Her father looked at her strangely. “God, I hope so.”

 

She blinked once more at the strange way her father was acting. She pushed back from the table and picked up her plate. “I'm finished.”

 

He nodded his consent and rose as well. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Kaoru, please be careful this summer. I want you to enjoy yourself, your last summer before heading off into the real world. But I don't want you to make any stupid mistakes either. I don't know what I would do if I lost you.”

 

She smiled. “I promise father. I'll even drag Kenshin out if you're so worried. It's not like he'll have much to do when the sun goes down anyway.”

 

Something akin to relief flashed in the man's eyes. “I'll hold you to that.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Why don't you go take a bath or something? I'm sure you're sore from your drive back from school.”

 

She nodded, eager to do just that. She hadn't really had a chance to unpack her things and she headed to the kitchen to wash her plate. She entered and paused when she saw the redhead sitting at the counter. He had an empty plate in front of him, a well-worn copy of `Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight' in his long slender fingers. He looked up when she entered. “How was dinner?” She asked.

 

“It's gone.”

 

A slight twinge of a headache touched her temple. Maybe it was the wine, but she had a feeling it was just added to the frustrating paradox that was the man seated before her. “Back to being snide again?”

 

She placed her plate in the sink, the sound of the porcelain banging the steel a bit louder than she had anticipated. “I'm sorry. It was good.” He told her, his voice softening. She risked a glance over her shoulder as she rinsed her plate. Before she could think about it she picked up his empty plate. “What are you doing?”

 

“I'm rinsing the dishes, what does it look like.” She opened the dishwasher and placed them carefully inside. She noticed the empty glass of juice. “Did you not want any wine?”

 

“I didn't know I would be privy to any wine.”

 

She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “You're right. You are the help.” She sniffed her nose disdainfully and turned her head. `I'm feeling a bit worn out, Jeeves.” She said snottily, a hint of a British accent hitting her consonants. She waved her hand facetiously. “Draw me a bath and then make sure to stay around and scrub my back.”

 

Kenshin grinned at her and she patted herself on the back for getting the man to smile. “It's not in my job description.”

 

“So you do have a sense of humor. I was beginning to wonder.”

 

He shrugged, brushing his dark red hair out of his face. “It breaks through every once in awhile.”

 

She hopped up on the counter and studied him. He leaned back on the stool. His violet eyes watched her and she suddenly felt a bit nervous. “Where are you from, Kenshin?”

 

“Lots of different places.”

 

“That's very cryptic.”

 

“Ask a more direct question.”

 

“Why don't you just give me the answers you know I want to know?”

 

“Only when you find the correct questions to ask.” He teased.

 

She was grinning and she shook her head. “How long have you been working on people's lawns?”

 

“Quite some time.”

 

“And how long is that?”

 

He offered her a wry grin. “Probably the last ten years or so.”

 

“Ten years?” It made her immediately wonder of his age. He didn't look much older than her. However, she never really put much merit into how old people were. It didn't matter to her. Sanosuke was roughly a year older than her and acted like a little boy most of the time. Misao was a year younger and acted even younger sometimes. Aoshi, a friend of Sano's, was several years older and behaved accordingly. However, he still chose to hang out with them on a regular basis, so Kaoru didn't think anything of his age. The man in front of her didn't appear much older than his mid twenties, but he carried himself in such a way that belied his age. But then, his demeanor was so guarded, she couldn't figure if it was just him being cautious. “How old are you?” She finally asked.

 

He glanced back at the book in his hands. “Thirty.” He murmured.

 

“Thirty!”

 

“I'm an old man.”

 

The way he said that to her made her feel a sense of dejection. She touched him lightly on the shoulder. “Not really by today's standards.”

 

Kenshin glanced up at her and something she read in the depths of his violet eyes caught her attention. She wasn't sure what it was, but it looked akin to hope. “By the youth of today. Many live in fear of their thirtieth birthday.”

 

“Being thirty isn't scary. It's the idea that one reaches that age and has yet to accomplish anything that frightens people. I know you have achieved much though I don't know what it may be. The sheer fact that you are doing something you enjoy attests to that.”

 

Now surprise crossed his features. “You would still wish to spend time with me though I am thirty and have yet to learn to drive? You know nothing about me.”

 

“Age is of no importance and neither is your past.” Kaoru waved a hand dismissively. “You have done nothing to show me you are a bad guy, though you are a bit rude at times.” He grinned ruefully at her. “I feel no hostility from you like I did from—” She stopped, about to say Enishi had not been a warm person even in the beginning. Looking back she still wasn't sure what the attraction had been. “Besides I told you I would teach you to drive.” She added quickly.

 

He rose then and touched her shoulder. “We shall have to discuss that on the morrow. Your father wishes to speak with me now, that he does.”

 

Kaoru looked up at him and felt her blue gaze drop to his mouth. How long it had been since she had been with a man. Really Enishi and there hadn't been much pleasure involved during the end of their relationship. The redhead caressed her cheek tenderly and she couldn't prevent herself from wondering what kind of lover he'd be. She blushed and looked away, purposefully distancing herself from him. She'd known him all of a day and already she was fanaticizing about the man. If he was going to be around this summer, she had to get over this silly crush soon or she wouldn't make it through the summer. Not with Misao and Megumi in high form.

 

Glancing at the floor, she scuffed her shoe. She still wore her sneakers from her drive. “Until tomorrow.” She whispered, not trusting herself to meet his gaze.

 

“Until then.” He returned and left the kitchen.

 

When he was gone, she let out a deep breath. Her muscles felt sore and she made her way up to the bathroom. Maybe it was nothing more than a crush. But Kenshin sure could set her stomach twisting when he was near. She wondered what he would discuss with her father. She turned the water tap on added salts to her bath. Oh she was looking forward to a long soak.

 

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So what did you think? What do you think her father has to say? I know there is a bit of out of character ness(Is that even a word?) though not too much. Hope you all enjoyed it!