Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ I Am Battousai ❯ chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

There were a few things that Kaoru was. She was strong, smart, loving and much more. However, she was defiantly not a morning person. She always got up at the crack of dawn no mater how late she went to bed. She blamed her father. He had always wanted her to live like they did back when Kenshin was alive, but it never really sounded like something she wanted to do. Just her luck that the only thing that stuck from his teachings, besides mastery of her family's sword style, was the sleeping regimen.

 

Grabbing a clean pair of clothes she rubbed her eyes sleepily as she walked down the hall to the bathroom.

 

Her bath was normal. She used the same lavender scented oils and soaps meant for soothing, not the mention they were her favorite scent. A candle that smelled of fresh flowers sat by the bath, just to give that extra feel of comfort. It was getting cold outside so there was no need to shaver her legs everyday. Could always just wear pants and no one would know, so that wasn't important, her armpits were though. She hated to let those go.

 

Draining the tub, she dressed for the day. A pair of gray sweat pants and a plain white T-shirt did the trick. Brushing out her wet hair she tied it up in a high ponytail. Her friends always told her to wear her hair down because of its beauty and length but she preferred it up. It was easier to do things throughout the day that way.

 

Turning to leave she groaned when she realized the back of her shirt was soaked from her wet hair. She was able to see her bare skin threw it. Oh well, not going to let it dampen her day.

 

She giggled at her silliness.

 

Opening the door she was greeted with the delicious smell of breakfast. Leaning toward the kitchen she stuck her nose in the air and breathed in, taking in the wonderful aroma. She usually just ate cereal or maybe a bagel.

 

The Battosai must have made breakfast.

 

Kaoru smiled. If he was going to cook for her in the morning time she might have to keep him.

 

Walking toward the kitchen the scents of each prepared food was slowly separating themselves from just one delicious scent. Lets see there were eggs, pancakes, bacon, and some kind of bread. She wasn't sure.

 

Wait a second. She didn't have those things in her kitchen. Where the hell did he get those things?

 

Reaching the kitchen she stopped in the doorway. The table was littered with foods. Everything she named was there including French toast, omelets, and assorted fruits.

 

“What the hell are all of you doing in my kitchen?” Kaoru yelled.

 

Everybody stopped. Misao, Sanosuke, Magumi, and Soujiro were sitting at the table eating the wonderful food while that Battosai was standing at the counter seemingly emotionless…wait was he preparing a lunch?

 

“Hey there missy,” Sano mumbled threw his full mouth.

 

“You never answered my question!” Kaoru bit out.

 

“Is miss Kaoru usually thing angry?” Battosai spoke in his normal serious tone.

 

“Now that I think about it there has been times when she let her anger go but she is usually a happy go lucky person” Misao smiled.

 

“Hey, don't talk like I'm not here”

 

“Sorry Kaoru” Misao started to eat again.

 

“Raccoon girl, where did you dig up such a wonderful man like Sir Ken?” Magumi smiled her cunning fox like smile.

 

Sir Ken? Kaoru wasn't sure why that made her so mad but Megumi was three seconds away from being strangled and thrown out of the gates of her dojo. “Why are all of you here?” she spoke between clenched teeth.

 

“Oh, I invited them over” Kenshin didn't even look at her.

 

“How did you know to invite them?”

 

“Oh that was me!” Misao raised her hand, her mouth full of pancake. “I came over, like I do sometimes, and he was making breakfast. He asked me if I wanted some and like I was going to pass this up, I mean look at it. Anyway, Sano happened to call you just as I was sitting down with my first plate and he was over in no time at all when he heard about all the free food. Magumi showed up with him and Soujiro was supposed to meat me somewhere but since I was here that wasn't going to work so I called him and told him to come too. It was mainly Himura's idea.”

 

“Misao” Sano interrupted Misao's rambling. “You might want to breath weasel girl”

 

“WHY YOU!” Misao jumped up to beat Sano.

 

“HEY” everybody looked at Kaoru who was fuming. “Why the hell are all of you here? Is it for the free food? If I remember right you all IGNORED me at the party the night before last.”

 

Kenshin watched them in confusion. Her best friends ignored her? No wonder she was lonely.

 

“Kaoru,” Magumi started. “We were intoxicated that night and don't remember most of it. We had to ask what happened by other people who attended the party.”

 

“Yeah, we even saw a video somebody made” Misao eyed Soujiro.

 

Soujiro just smiled.

 

Sano smiled while pointing his thumb at Soujiro, who was known for being polite and somewhat quiet. “This little faker here was loud, annoying, and naked for a good chuck of the party.”

 

“Really, Sanosuke, I-” Soujiro started.

 

“Yeah, he put on his pants after he was attacked by a mod of cute girls.” Misao giggled.

 

Soujiro turned red. A nervous laughed escaped his throat.

 

“Come on now, that wasn't as bad as a certain rooster I know” Magumi smiled at Sano.

 

“Be careful fox lady” Sano warned.

 

Misao was laughing so hard her face turned red.

 

“This dolt over here tried to take a bath in the giant punch fountain Misao's grandfather rented. We had to scrub him down with god knows what to get the pin k tint off of his skin.”

 

They all laughed, except for Kenshin who seemed to ignore them.

 

Kaoru was still irritated but knew how they could be when they were drunk. It was the way they were. Sighing in defeat she sat down at the table. There was no point in staying mad at them.

 

Kenshin put a plate and silverware down on the table in front of her.

 

“Thank you Kenshin” Kaoru smiled. Taking a look at her options it wasn't long before her plate was full and she was eating as if she had never eaten before. The others didn't notice for they were eating the same way. There had never been a better-made breakfast than the one they had been eating that morning.

 

“So when were going to tell us that the Battosai was living with you Kaoru?” Misao asked as if it didn't bother her. Knowing her personality it probably didn't.

 

“Actually I hadn't even thought about it” Kaoru blushed. She didn't know why she was blushing, but it crept up there anyway.

 

“Yeah missy, what's the big idea hiding somebody like him from us?”

 

“Somebody like him? He was born over a hundred and fifty years ago. Why aren't you freaked out?”

 

Sano turned toward Kenshin. “She over reacted when she saw you didn't see”

 

Kenshin didn't even bother looking at Sano. He had been working on something diligently since before Kaoru entered the kitchen. “Given the circumstances I think she reacted just as she should have.”

 

“Thank you” Kaoru began eating again.

 

She didn't know how much she ate or how messy her face was. As a matter of fact she was confused as to why the people around the table were starring at her. If they were going to stare at least they could have told her what was so damn interesting. Deciding she had enough, she grabbed her bag and headed for the gates of the dojo.

 

“Miss Kaoru” she heard Kenshin's voice behind her. Stopping just inside the gate and turned toward him, a little nervous.

 

“Yes Kenshin” Kaoru whispered. For some reason that smile of his had taken her breath away. Now, if she thought that was bad she didn't know what to do next.

 

“You have some breakfast on your face.”

 

Kaoru turned red. She would have gone to school with food on her face, how embarrassing. Reaching up to wipe off she food her arm was stopped by a strong slender hand.

 

Kenshin reached up, a warm damp rag in his hand. Carefully he wiped the pieces of pancake and eggs off of her cheeks, chin, nose, and even forehead.

 

Kaoru wasn't sure of what to do, and even if she knew she doubted her body would obey. Their bodies were so close and that smile of his. The way he wiped off her face. Warmth filled her body.

 

When Kenshin was finish he bowed slightly. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. He turned away to leave but not before he placed a container, which held a well-prepared lunch, in her hands.

 

She just starred after him for some time, until she was pulled out of her thoughts by something moving out of the corner of her eye. To her right was the window to the kitchen and in the window were four sets of eyes peaking at her from around the curtain. Her face had turned redder than she had ever remembered it turning. Cursing under her breath she turned around and walked as quickly as she could from the prying eyes.

 

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His goal was to clean Kaoru's house the best of his ability. What that meant in this time period he wasn't sure, but if he cleaned her house for her, then maybe she would be less stressed and a little more pleasant to be around. Not to mention he loved the way she smiled. A day of housework was a small price to pay for something to beautiful. After all he did way more than this for his master in the years he lived with him

 

Walking the house and dojo he made a list of all the things that needed to be done. The yard needed some major work before the rainy season started and by the look of it he has about two days. That, however wasn't his main concern. From his spot on the ground he was able to see a number of things on the roof. Why they were up there, he was not sure. The dishes needed to be done. Shopping for the next day's food was a must. Oh, dusting and cleaning the floors, that too. Walking back into Kaoru room he nearly cringed at what he saw. Clothes everywhere weren't even the worse part. There was what looked like food wrappers and dishes she never took to the kitchen. Looking off into the corner he wasn't sure if that lump of fur was a rat or a mold piece of something or other.

 

Kenshin sighed. This was his number one priority. Kaoru may not be happy that he went in her room at all but this needed to be done. This was a health hazard, and he'll protect her from anything, including her laziness.

 

Ok, so last time he was summoned he was cleaning clothes in a sink. They had things known as a washer machine but they were too expensive for everybody to have one. The real problem here was that he didn't know how to use one and Kaoru had gone off to school. So does he just clean the clothes in the sink like he use to or does he attempt the machines?

 

More than just a little curious he stood in front of the washer machine and eyed it. He hasn't found any kind of manual anywhere so he had to do this on his own. What did the machine do? Well it looked like thingy in the middle turned around in circles. That's it? There was so scrubbing?

 

Taking some of Kaoru's pants from the floor of her room he made sure that they were all of the same color scheme. He remembered when he has messed up on one of the other girl's kimono's.

 

He shivered. That wasn't something he wanted to think about.

 

Ok so, put the clothes in the washer.

 

Check.

 

What's next, well you need water, and soap.

 

Looking over the dial on the washer machine he noticed all of the choices. Should he wash her pants on delicate? No they should go on normal and not using warm water. He made that mistake once as well. Should he fill it up with himself or does the machine do it? The machine must do it. There was no well around any longer to bring water from and if they had indoor pluming then they certainly would invent a washing machine that could fill itself up with water.

 

He spun the dial around until the arrow pointed toward the normal wash. Looking around he didn't see any soaps, so he started rummaging threw cupboards and drawers. It didn't take long before he found something that had some kind of cute fuzzy bar on it. He wasn't sure what it was to say, but the words laundry and soap were on the bottle, so in it went. How much, he wasn't sure. Ok he knew how much he put in but he wasn't sure it is was too much or too little.

 

Taking a closer examination of the cap to the bottle and noticed lines inside.

 

Oh, so this was a measuring cup. Well according to that he put just about the right amount in.

 

Closing the door he eyed the clothes until it was shut.

 

 

Four hours and three loads later he had already swept and cleaned the floors over every inch of the house and dojo, plus do all of the dishes. Next he had to fold all of the clothes and make her bed. This mattress thing was new to him as well. He had seen them before but he never dressed one. He would soon figure it out though. The sheets were coming out of the washer next.

 

Glancing at the clock he nearly swore. Kaoru last class was getting over in two hours and he hadn't finished her room or gone to the store; the outside jobs would have to wait until tomorrow.

 

Reaching into the sleeve he pulled out a pouch. Opening it up he smiled. That was one good thing about having the gods on your side; endless amount of money. Well that wasn't true. He had a certain amount every day he was able to spend and by the look of it, it was more than normal.

 

Taking off out the door he locked the gate and headed to the store. It was only a few blocks, not that far, but he wasn't use to the way in which he was to buy things. This computer/cash register thing, was way beyond him, and the automatic sliding doors scared the life out of him that morning when he shopped for breakfast.

 

Reaching the market a friendly, and bored, cashier smiled and waved at him. Smiling back he nodded slightly.

 

The girl blushed.

 

Ok so he needed to try this cart thing one more time. Last time he nearly took out ever person that was within a ten-foot radius.

 

He laughed at himself. If only the shinsengumi could see him now.

 

 

 

 

Kaoru's day wasn't to bad, but it was long and taxing. The classes he had that day started at nine a.m. and ended at five. Eight hours of mind stimulation wasn't bad. Very bad!

 

She didn't even have time to go out and get some lunch between classes. Good thing Kenshin packed her one or she would have passed out from starvation by now.

 

Kaoru blushed.

 

She wouldn't admit it out loud but Kenshin was indeed very attractive. He held a grace about him. You could tell he could be deadly if he wanted or the gentlest person alive. She had only known him for a few hours, and wasn't sure if she could completely trust him, but still. There was just something about him. Maybe it was the diary entrée she read. Maybe she should read more.

 

Reaching the gate to her dojo her stomach growled. It was as if it knew she was getting close to the kitchen. As she made her way closer and closer to the kitchen one of the wonderful smell became stronger and stronger. She had no idea what it was but man did she want to eat it.

 

Placing her stuff down in the living room floor she entered the kitchen.

 

Oh god if he did this for her everyday there was no way in hell she was ever going to let him go.

 

The table was set for two with bowls of food scattered around the table.

 

Kenshin greeted her with a bow. He turned back toward the counter, finishing something she wasn't able to see.

 

Kaoru didn't say anything, just smiled. He was the greatest man on the face of the planet.

 

“Miss Kaoru, please have a seat. The dinner with be ready in only a moment” Kenshin held up the timer.

 

“What is all of this food? What's garlic bread?” kaoru had never heard of such a thing.

 

“I will explain miss kaoru” he turned back toward the oven and opened the door. Taking out the tray with a folded kitchen towel she placed in on the counter. Quickly, to prevent burning himself, he moved the pieces onto the center of a kitchen towel and wrapped them up, to keep them warm.

 

Making his way toward the table he saw kaoru watching ever move he made out of the corner of his eye.

 

Taking a seat he placed the bread down on the table.

 

Kaoru smiled.

 

“When I went to the market this afternoon there was a TV with a woman on it playing near the bakery. She was making something I had never seen before. It was called Spaghetti, something from a country in the west called Italy. As I watched her make it I was surprised at house easy it looked compared to most of the meals I usually made. I decided to try it. The garlic bread was also recommended by the woman.

 

“Ok, so how does this work?” Kaoru eyed the different bowls of food.

 

“place the amount of noodles you want on your plate.” Kenshin placed a decent amount of noodles on his plate. “Then you put sauce over the noodles.” He pored sauce on his noodles.

 

“And the bread?”

 

“For dipping” Kenshin replied.

 

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Kaoru laid on her bed starring at the ceiling. That man was something all right. Her room was spotless and even smelled of fresh flowers. How he made that happen without having fresh flowers or lighting her candle was beyond her. He prepared her that wonder breakfast, lunch and dinner and he walked her to her bedroom door when she went to bed, only to kiss her hand goodnight.

 

The greatest part however, was when he blushed and very quickly made his way toward the living room.

 

He was a sweetheart.

 

She would have to do something for him now, but what. What could the legendary Battosai want?