Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Closed Doors ❯ Chapter 3

This is a modern story but still focuses more on the era on which our heroes exist. I've changed some names, especially Kaoru's parents since I can't remember if the original animè/manga had mentioned one, and some of its original storyline. Read on! Please R&R!

Standard disclaimers apply.

"Closed Doors"

Chapter III:

A smiling Kaoru watched the ceiling on top of her as she lied on bed. She recalled from her thoughts what happened that night.

Biting her lip, she said to herself, I wonder how it feels like to be kissed by Kenshin…

She blushed at the thought of her idea.

~õ~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

When she closed her eyes to sleep, there was a joyful smile painted on her lips. But not long after she had drifted off when suddenly her brows arched…

~õ~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

She was running and trying to keep up with the train that carried off Kenshin. He was reaching out his arms to her. Kaoru ran faster and also tried to reach his grasp but the train went faster and faster until she can no longer catch up.

Far, far away the train went as smoke covered her sight of Kenshin still reaching out to her. The dark smoke filled the air around her…

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Kaoru was the only daughter of Iyasu and Yumemi Kamiya. Her father was a successor of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu and with his wife, they run a dojo in Tokyo even before Kaoru was born. Yumemi died giving birth to her and she was left in the care of her father.

Though a girl, Iyasu taught his child the ideals and principles of the Kamiya Kasshin sword technique even at a very early age; its life-purpose to preserve and protect life.

Despite being deprived of motherly care, Kaoru still grew up in a warm and loving household his father established. She came to learn the value of life in her young age. And it seemed that almost nothing could go wrong until one day, a plague ravished the town. Kaoru, at his father's command, was sent in the nearby town where it is safe. She came back in Tokyo only to find out that her father was not lucky enough to survive. Grief overtook her for she was finally alone…

Her good-for-nothing relatives left her, upon knowing that her father was dead. Soon, the girl lived alone. Alone for she had no one to be with in the big dojo; alone for she had not even one brother or sister to take care of her; and alone, to have lost could-have-been wonderful and kind parents.

Until one day, she met a wandering swordsman in town by the name of Kenshin Himura. She accidentally met him as she came out looking for a certain 'hitokiri battousai' they called that almost tarnished the name of their respected Dojo. She was surprised at his claim that he was, actually the man she was looking for.

Kaoru looked at him in amazement. Amazed, not in the sense that she was in front of the a.k.a. 'the most deadliest man in Japan', but with his strange reserve. She looked at him more closely: his red locks being tossed by the blowing wind, and the extraordinary color of his eyes… what does she sees? Purple? Gold? Or something in between? And his slender features… who would EVER think that this IS the hitokiri battousai, if it weren't much for the X-shaped scar on his cheek?

She felt different. He was a total stranger. A complete ruruoni. But what can she do?

She gazed into those tired and longing eyes… that must have triggered for her to offer him stay at the dojo.

And when he finally came in? Strange… she felt all the more complete.

As time flew, Kaoru began to discover another feeling inside her for this man…

He was kind…

He was thoughtful…

He is gentle…

What does she feel?

Am I in love…?

It can't be…

But as how incidents have been happening around them; from Jin'eh, Shishio and finally Enishi… it seemed they return each others feelings though not vocal. For Kenshin, everything was always for his 'Kaoru-dono'. Its his job to keep her safe. But he never said a word about his true feelings.

Kaoru, on the other hand felt impatient with this routine. And Kazue's wedding and Megumi's conviction came to tighten her determination to finally win his heart.

As years passed, she decided she would keep the dojo and run it by herself. By chance they also had met a pickpocket Myoujin Yahiko and a street fighter Sagara Sanosuke. Though they had strange acquaintances, she asked them to live with her in the Kamiya Dojo. After all, she was alone and needed some company.

Yahiko was a brat, as she would put it. And Sanosuke was born lazy-a frequent freeloader, she commented. But in general, they have kind and affectionate hearts. Soon after, she had came to love them. She treated them as her own kind. Now she felt complete…

~õ~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Kaoru slipped out of her room for breakfast, only to find Yahiko and Sano already eating lunch.

Her morning was bad. She don't understand why something keeps on bothering her. She didn't quite remember her dream last night but what was definitely sure was that she was not feeling any good. With still lazy eyes, she had managed to greet the two.

"Ohayou, Yahiko… Sano…" she said as she slumped on a chair.

"Ohayou Jou-chan! So, did you enjoy the party last night like we did?" asked Sano.

"Hai, Sano. I had a wonderful time," she replied joyously.

"And what time did you went home? Did Kenshin waited for you? I bet you got drunk again, neh busu?" Yahiko blurted.

She felt weak to whack Yahiko with her slipper. Instead, she looked at him warnfully. "Shut up Yahiko okay?? I went home pretty late and Kenshin was with me. You know very well he wouldn't let me walk home alone, would you…?" she explained.

Speaking of him… where is he? She looked at her left and right.

Yahiko grinned at her actions, "Oi busu! Will you stop looking around for Kenshin like that?? He's at the market right now for your information…he said he'll be back before you wake up."

Sano interrupted, "The boy's right Jou-chan. I think you should be changing your style. You're acting like a small child, looking for Otou-san there. When will you EVER grow up???"

Kaoru smiled as her mind was still stuck with Kenshin, "Soon…"

Yahiko and Sano confusingly looked at each other with what she said.

"Ey tanuki! Come out here!"

Sanosuke almost jumped out from his seat as he heard the fox lady's soaring voice.

A few moments later, Kaoru was off the table and went out to see Megumi.

"Tsk, tsk! Women!"

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

"So, talk!" Megumi excitingly asked. "What happened between you and Kenshin? My, I was surprised to see you were dancing with him! Ohohoho!"

Kaoru giggled as she started to tell what happened.

"We just talked about many things after that. We sat again from where we came from."

"And what did you talk about?" Megumi insisted.

"We talked about anything! About what his dreams, his life… you know. His real age…" she answered.

"And he's…?"

"Hmm, he's 28," she continued.

"He does look old…"

"What old? His age just suits him. And mind you, he doesn't look old, neh? Hey! I'm not finished yet!" she irritatingly said.

"Now where was I? Aaa… he said he wants to help me get more money for the dojo. He and Sano will work in the port sometime…" she added.

Megumi thought for a moment. Kenshin working at the port? "Hey, what do you mean? I don't doubt Tori-atama working there… but Ken-san? With such puny body…?"

Kaoru blushed. "Mou! Of course not Megumi! What I mean is, he would like to serve as security for the sailing ships! There are a lot of bandits lurking along sea you know!"

Megumi looked convinced. "Aaa. I'm sure Ken-san would be doing his job well…"

"Megumi…?"

"…nani?"

"Hmm, Kenshin also told me that he needs to have a physical check-up done as a requirement for the job so…"

Fox ears shot up from Megumi's head, "So…?"

"I'm sending Kenshin to you. You'll be having him checked-up…"

"Oho ho ho!!" Megumi's smile widened with mischief. "Are you sure about that tanuki?"

Kaoru felt her eyes narrowed in anger but there was no other choice. "H-hai. But DON'T DO ANYTHING FOOLISH, OKAYYY???"

Megumi composed herself. "Sure, sure! No problem. In fact, I'll tell him to open up to me about you…"

The tanuki girl's eyes widened, "A-are you sure you'll do that for me?"

The doctor chuckled, "Of course baka! What are friends for?"

Kaoru out of the blue embraced the taller lady, "Oh that would be great Megumi! Please do! Arigatou…!"

Setting herself free from Kaoru's 'death hug', "Yah, yah. Just lemme have him for just one night…"

"Mou!!"

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The days came near for Kenshin and Sano's departure. The whole Kenshin-gumi decided to spend endless nights at the Akabeko or sometimes only at home for their well-wished safe journey. Sometimes they would all come home drunk and full from partying.

It continued for one whole week that they would celebrate almost every night. Kaoru tried to keep herself close to Kenshin. And may it be obvious to him, that he doesn't speak of it. Eventually, its been her and Kenshin that would closely talk with each other in the group. This made Kaoru very happy. She felt so close to him and him feeling the same with her.

When it would be time to go home, the boys would walk the girls home to their respective houses. Sano with Megumi, Yahiko with Tsubame and Kenshin with Kaoru. Not on one occasion had their neighbors had seen the same usual evening scenario. For almost a week, from their observation, they disapproved from the continual loud laughs and cackles that came from the group as they walk home. They sound like drunk people on the road. And that they said they were afraid for the children who overhears the words that are coming from Sano's horrifying mouth.

Soon afterwards, the townspeople reported the incident to the officer Saitou Hajime. He coldly dismissed the people and told them that he will speak to the mistress of the dojo himself.

Kaoru was surprised to see Saitou as she was sweeping near the gate.

She managed to smile a little to the icy officer walking towards her. "What can I do for you Saitou-san?"

The Mibu Wolf puffed a smoke from his mouth before he looked sternly at her, "I promise you wouldn't even think of smiling once I tell you what I came here for…"

Her brows arched. "Sou da ne, Hajime-san? Then what do you came here for?"

"I would like to inform you that we may have to close this dojo soon…" he said coolly.

Kaoru's mouth fell open. Her knees trembling, she pretended to be brave. "AND WHAT AUTHORITY DO YOU HAVE TO CLOSE MY FATHER'S DOJO???"

Hajime smirked. "Your father has been a well-known man of decency and righteous acts. He believes in living a modest, honorable and sensible life. That you must act upon, Kamiya-san…"

"What do you mean?" asked Kaoru, who did not understand-or rather was not willing to understand.

"I believe you, as well as the other inhabitants of this dignified dojo, are not living up to the morals and principles of your late father."

"You DARE question the morale and dignity of my father's dojo, Saitou-san?? Truly, this conduct of yours is infamous!" said Kaoru, drawing herself up to her full height and looking at him with an almost threatening expression.

Saitou spat on the floor and unmoved by Kaoru's stare, he said. "As officer of the law I have full right and duty to protect the welfare and well-being of this town, Kamiya-san. This dojo was not built to be a house of harlots… screaming, giggling and screeching like nobody else cares. Pardon me for saying these things but the townspeople had spoken…"

"The government's dog had served him well! I don't care about them all! I know to myself that I never did anything wrong to destroy the Kamiya family name!", she said in supreme disdain.

"If that is so, then try to behave yourselves like proper people Kamiya-san. I would not want to come back here, because by the time I do again, its for the purpose of locking the dojo for keeps-not even battousai could stop me." Saitou made a deep bow then turned on his heels and walked away.

Kaoru was deeply stirred by the wolf's words. Surely these past few nights have been immensely happy for them, but she never thought that the irritating mouths of the neighbors would come that far, telling even the police!

She stepped back, became so pale that it seemed that she might be dying, and leaning against the broomstick to keep herself from falling, she took a deep breath. Tears of rage filled her eyes.

Have I really disgraced my father's name?

Am I have no right to remain a Kamiya?

Her blood began to rebel of the thought that she might have dishonored the dojo by their improper conduct these past nights.

Her feet stepped to the direction of a room she perfectly knows how to go to.

She wanted someone to talk to, someone that could understand her… someone who knows her

"K-kenshin…" her tremulous and inaudible voice whispered.