Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Never for the Public... ❯ Home Sweet Home ( Chapter 12 )

Never for the public…

Chapter 12 - Home Sweet Home

Chapter Summary - Carriage rides and pigeons…

 

This story has not been beta'd.

 

Summary: Kaoru's suffered a traumatic experience resulting in anxiety attacks. How does Kenshin plan to cure her? This story is based on the manga and anime up to the end of the Kyoto Arc, and ignores the Jinchuu Arc. However, sometime before this story, Kenshin does confide his past to his friends (same roundtable as in manga, different reasons irrelevant to this story)…

 

Note: The Japanese language is highly flexible and very beautiful. Although I do love mixing Japanese with English to try to keep the story true, I believe there is a limit which can severely decrease a story's enjoyment factor. I decided to ignore Kenshin's changes between his use of “sessha” versus “ore,” although I felt it necessary to keep “de gozaru.” Nevertheless, this story does contain MANY Japanese phrases. I've included a glossary at the end for reference. I apologize to those whom may not enjoy this story due to the intricate language mix.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, any part of Watsuki Nobuhiro-dono's creations. I pray Watsuki-dono will forgive me as I most humbly adapt an excerpt from the manga in this chapter…

Rated: X

 

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December 2, 1878

 

Kaoru slowly awoke, fighting the light pulling her to consciousness. She unthinkingly cuddled deeper into the warmth surrounding her, luxuriating the sensations of being safe and secure. She gasped as the warmth around her held her closer, her breath loud in her ears. Her skin flushed from her rising emotions, she opened her eyes to a well-muscled chest and… pressed her lips to the chiseled, warm skin. Arms closed tightly around her, keeping her trapped. She snuggled, trying to become one with that warmth.

 

“Ohayo, de gozaru, Koishii.” A kiss gently dropped on top of her head.

 

“Ohayo, Anata…”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Kaoru peeked over Kenshin's shoulder as he wrote his “weekly report” of her recovery for everyone back in Tokyo. Kenshin suddenly crouched over the letter, hiding it under his head and arms playfully. Kaoru laughed, lightly smacking his back.

 

“Kenshin no baka!” she chastened his silliness. He sat upright, smiling up at her. Kaoru dropped to her knees and fervently kissed him. She leaned up and kissed his nose, loving his bright, genuine laughter.

 

“Shall we play some shogi today?” she suggested.

 

“Nope, I'm treating you out to lunch today… since I won't be able to splurge like this until the next time we come back here, de gozaru,” he held her closer, squeezing his arms around her waist.

 

“Kenshin?” she asked confused.

 

“It's time to go home, de gozaru yo, Koishii,” Kenshin smiled. She blinked a few times before his words sunk in…

 

“I'm cured?” she breathed out hopefully.

 

“I'm guessing the source of your fear was all of those men holding you down, more so than the rape itself, de gozaru. I noticed your attacks were always triggered whenever you woke up in my arms. However, this morning was the first time you woke up in my arms, and did not have an attack, de gozaru,” he explained, “We'll let Megumi-dono and Gensai-sensei make the final diagnosis… once we get back home.”

 

Kaoru squealed out joyfully, smooshing Kenshin in her excitement. She glomped kisses all over his face.

 

“Saa, go get dressed, Koishii!” he smiled at her.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Ohayo, de gozaru, Omasu-dono! Ohayo, Omasu-san!” Kenshin and Kaoru greeted.

 

“Kaoru-san, Himura-san! Ohayo! So, how was the honeymoon?” Omasu greeted and teased. The newlyweds blushed brightly.

 

“We had a craving for some udon today, de gozaru,” Kenshin greeted.

 

“Cravings already? Yareyare, you two wasted no time--“ Ochika came out to join them.

 

“O-OCHIKA-DONO!” stuttered a highly embarrassed Kenshin. Kaoru looked on, innocently confused at his reaction, both of them easily ignored by Ochika…

 

“… Saa, please follow me into the residence,” she smoothly glibbed.

 

“I'll get the others,” Omasu giggled as she separated from them to gather everyone. Ochika led them inside to the residence's outdoor porch. She went indoors, and then quickly returned with a stack of floor cushions.

 

“It's a beautiful morning; would you like to eat outside with us?” she offered.

 

“That would be perfect,” Kaoru agreed blushingly, taking two cushions. Ochika placed the stack of cushions against the wall and left to get everyone else.

 

“Our family…” Kaoru whispered, staring dreamily at the Aoiya's famous uchiike.

 

“Oro?”

 

“Our family, is so large!” Kaoru sighed happily, looking back to Kenshin.

 

“Aa,” he contentedly agreed.

 

“Ohayo, Himura-dono, Kaoru-kun!” Okina boisterously greeted them. Taking a cushion from the top of the stack, he sat on Kaoru's right side. Okina's sharp eyes immediately traveled to Kaoru's neck…

 

“Did you two have a nice honeymoon, Himura-kun [Kenshin and Kaoru collectively here]? I see Battousai's presence may be here to stay…” he mercilessly teased them while pointedly looking at her neck. The couple blushed beyond embarassed.

 

“Anyone and everyone, ne, Anata?” Kaoru giggled.

 

“I don't know what you're talking about, de gozaru yo, Okina-dono,” Kenshin replied cooly.

 

“Mou! Does the entire lot of Oniwabanshu keep their minds in the gutter?” Kaoru teased Okina.

 

“I would not say “the entire lot” of the Oniwabanshu,” a cold, deep voice lightly disagreed.

 

“Ohayo, de gozaru na, Aoshi,” Kenshin greeted Aoshi's rare appearance.

 

“Himura, Himura-san,” Aoshi greeted the couple, sitting on Kenshin's left side. Okina stared at Aoshi thoughtfully, wondering when he had stopped calling Kenshin by his old name…

 

“Jiiya, where are you? Mattaku! Oro, you're already out here? Ohayo, Aoshi-sama!” Misao came around a corner, “Ohayo, Kaoru-san, Himura! So then, did you two have a nice honeymoon?”

 

Kenshin and Kaoru sighed smiling, just now realizing the extent of the new, sweet torture they would be enduring from their “family” for the next few weeks. Misao grabbed a cushion and plopped down beside Aoshi. Omasu, Ochika, Shiro, and Kuro soon brought out the multiple trays of breakfast for everyone, sat down, and joined in the jovial greetings. Loving friendship was enjoyed by all, accentuated with an excellent dose of honeymoon jives.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“How do you feel now that you're finally married to Himura, Kaoru-san?” Misao asked as she and Kaoru walked through the streets of Kyoto. Kenshin had excused himself after breakfast, needing to finish a final errand and arrange for their travel back to Tokyo. The women enjoyed the fresh, crisp air signaling snow was soon to fall.

 

“I feel wonderful!” Kaoru smiled to herself; Misao's eyes narrowed and she smirked.

 

“I suppose having a husband will do that for you?” Misao teased, “So, what's he like?”

 

“Nani?!” Kaoru's head snapped up to look at Misao.

 

“Does Himura act any different now that you two are hitched?” Misao smirked at Kaoru's reaction to the innocent question. Kaoru let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.

 

“Kaoru-san, what did you think I was referring to?” Misao asked wickedly.

 

“Nothing, nothing!” Kaoru sputtered guiltily, “Kenshin doesn't act any differently really.”

 

“Oooh? So he's still distant and reticent?”

 

“He'll always be reticent; that's just part of his personality… but distant? He's never been distant, at least not with me,” Kaoru sighed happily.

 

“You two are too cute together; you really are the perfect couple,” Misao smiled.

 

“Arigatou, Misao-chan. So, how is Aoshi-san doing?”

 

“ … “

 

“Misao-chan?” Kaoru looked at Misao, then turned around to see Misao had stopped and was staring up at the clouds.

 

“He smiled at me yesterday… not a thin-lipped or even a strained smile… a genuine smile that lit up his eyes.”

 

“Sou ka?” Kaoru smiled knowingly…

 

~ Flashback ~

 

“Mou!” Kaoru laughed exasperated as Kenshin swiped her bishop from the shogi board. He was lying on his side, playfully dangling his feet over the porch's edge where they were enjoying the approaching sunset.

 

“Check,” he said in a mock-bored voice. Kaoru threw the pillow she'd been hugging at him; he laughed and plucked it effortlessly from the air, hugging it to himself. Kaoru sat comfortably cross-legged opposite him. Dressed in her workout uniform, she bent down to rest her elbows on her knees, planting her cheeks on her fists.

 

“Ne, Kenshin, has Aoshi-san ever mentioned Misao-chan to you?”

 

“Oro?”

 

“Ah, nothing, nothing!” Kaoru chirped, sighing as she turned to look out at the vegetable garden. She turned back to the board, focusing on her next move…

 

“You don't have to worry about Aoshi and Misao-dono, de gozaru, Koishii,” Kenshin said softly after a few moments. Kaoru looked up at him startled.

 

“Nani? Kenshin?”

 

Kenshin looked up into her eyes, “Aoshi is still healing, de gozaru. However, unlike myself, it will not take him ten years of being a rurouni to discover his answer. He already has it; Misao-dono only has a bit longer to wait, de gozaru yo.”

 

“You mean…?”

 

“Just as you are my answer, Misao-dono is his,” Kenshin said, shifting to lie on his back, peacefully closing his eyes. Kaoru smiled and rose from her seat. She walked to his side and lay down with him, hugging his waist and breathing in the cool winter's eve…

 

~ End Flashback ~

 

“Do you really have to go back to Tokyo so soon?” Misao asked as they returned to the Aoiya.

 

“Mou Misao-chan! We've been here for two whole months! Besides, I'm worried about how trashed my dojo will be, leaving only Yahiko and Sanosuke back there…” Kaoru grumbled; Misao laughed merrily.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

“Tadaima,” Kenshin said as he entered the room Misao and Kaoru were relaxing in. Kaoru jumped up and ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. Kenshin laughed as he picked her up and whirled her in a circle before setting her down. Misao gaped amazed, having never seen Kenshin let down his emotional mask...

 

“Okaeri nasai,” Kaoru greeted, gracefully releasing him.

 

“I've finished everything I need to do, de gozaru,” Kenshin said. Kaoru suddenly yawned; he frowned…

 

“Doushita no, Kaoru-san?” Misao asked concerned.

 

“Daijoubu, Misao-chan. I'm just tired, probably from all the excitement of going home,” Kaoru smiled.

 

“Kaoru, would you like to visit Tomoe with me before we head back to the house, de gozaru?” Kenshin asked shyly. Kaoru's smile widened.

 

“We can get some fresh flowers and visit her now,” she agreed.

 

“Misao-dono, may I purchase a jug of sake, de gozaru?” Kenshin asked.

 

“Sake?” Kaoru questioned.

 

“There's a promise I have to keep, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin said, tweaking Kaoru's nose.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Himura Kenshin and Kaoru entered the cemetery, bearing flowers, incense, and sake. They paced their way to Himura Tomoe's grave.

 

“Her grave looks well-kept,” Kaoru smiled, running her fingers lightly across the tombstone. She gently arranged the flowers on the grave as Kenshin lit the incense. The couple crouched side-by-side and prayed together for many long minutes, the occasional nipping breeze breaking the silent serenity. After a long time, Kenshin rose, opened the sake jug and emptied its entire contents over the tombstone.

 

“Kenshin, why the sake?” Kaoru asked.

 

“Shishou's… Shishou's always wished he'd had the chance to have meet Tomoe before…” Kenshin took a deep breath, “… before I'd killed her.” Kenshin was surprised with himself as the ancient, depressive thoughts no longer consumed him with absolute despair. Smiling, he shifted his attention to his second, beautiful wife crouching beside him.

 

“What did you say to Tomoe, Koishii?” Kenshin asked curiously.

 

““Arigatou” I guess,” Kaoru replied smiling, lost in thought as she stood up straight, “for acting as a sheath for your madness, and then for your life. I'm positive… that she's smiling for you.

 

“And you, Anata? To Tomoe-san, what did you…?”

 

“ … “

 

Kaoru observed Kenshin in silence; he stared at his deceased beloved's final resting place. “The same as you, Koishii… “Arigatou.” That, and “Gomen…” and “Sayonara...”” Kaoru gasped, staring at Kenshin in shock. He smiled at her and held out his hand.

 

“Shall we be going soon?” he asked serenely. She smiled, raw love shining in her eyes for him. The newlyweds walked out of the cemetery, hand-in-hand.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

December 3, 1878

 

Kaoru excitedly tried on her new kimono. She ran out to the living room area where Kenshin was cooking breakfast and stopped stunned. He looked up when she ran out.

 

“Kenshin?!” Kenshin smiled at her.

 

“Ohayo, de gozaru, Koishii.”

 

“You're… wearing the clothes I bought for you?” Kenshin chuckled, standing straight and turning around for her to inspect him. The new, bright, sky-blue winter haori, navy-blue kimono, sparkling white hakama, and navy-blue tabi with matching navy-blue hair-tie enriched his flattering, exotic features.

 

“I like these… They're not as stiff as new clothes usually are, de gozaru yo. Arigatou, Koishii,” he bent back to cooking, keeping his eyes trained on her. Kaoru blushed, noticing how his eyes appreciatively appraised her.

 

“Anata, what do you think?!” she asked girlishly. She made a show of spinning in circles for him. Kenshin smiled at her naive excitement.

 

“You're beautiful, Koishii,” he replied happily; she giggled. They ate breakfast quickly, and checked to make sure every spot in the house was specless. The evening before, they had scoured the small house clean. Kaoru looked at their bags on the porch with concern as Kenshin locked up the house.

 

“Kenshin, we can't carry all of this by ourselves…” she said before she heard a carriage approaching.

 

“We won't need to, de gozaru, Koishii,” he smiled.

 

“Kenshin! You paid for a carriage for today?!”

 

“No… Yamagata-san didn't give me a choice yesterday when I saw him, de gozaru.” Kaoru instantly frowned.

 

“Kenshin, what was really was your errand yesterday?” she growled.

 

“I was at the train station buying our tickets, de gozaru. Yamagata-san saw me standing in line and called me over to his carriage. We chatted for a bit, and I mentioned that you and I were returning to Tokyo today, de gozaru. He ordered his carriage to attend us all the way back to Tokyo.” Kenshin explained as he and the carriage-driver loaded up their belongings.

 

“That's Yamagata-sama's personal carriage?!!!” Kaoru yelped stunned.

 

“Oro? He said he'd be out in field-training for a couple of days, so he didn't need his carriage, de gozaru. I tried to decline, but he sort of ordered me to take it, so…” Kenshin smiled sheepishly. He advised the driver some instructions, then opened the door and helped Kaoru inside. Kenshin closed the door behind himself and withdrew his sakabatou, holding it in one hand as he sat down.

 

“Ooooh! I feel like an important person, riding in Yamagata-sama's personal carriage… like royalty!” she squealed happily. Kenshin chuckled and laid his sword down on his seat. He moved from his seat across to hers. Kaoru blushed as he put his arm around her and laid his head back, closing his eyes.

 

“Is this your first time in a carriage, de gozaru, Koishii?”

 

“Hai! Kenshin, you're acting like you're used to riding in carriages?” Kaoru asked, resting her chin on his chest looking up at him.

 

“Hitokiri Battousai has been in many carriages...” he answered softly.

 

“Why?“ she asked innocently. Kenshin opened his eyes, meeting Kaoru's as she stared at him in contemplation.

 

“Even in carriages you had to kill?!” she gasped, then slammed her hand on her mouth, feeling incredibly stupid for her careless outburst. Kenshin gently pushed her hand away with his and cupped her cheek, smoothing his thumb lovingly over her lips.

 

“Protection and assassination were hand-in-hand back then… However, this is the first time I've ever been in a carriage without feeling trepidation, de gozaru yo,” he smiled.

 

“Gomen, Kenshin,” she looked down. He tilted her head back up, and leaned down to kiss her. Rubbing his hands sensually on her back and down her neck, he carefully explored the recesses of her mouth before releasing her. Then he playfully pinched her nose. She tried to get away from his fingers, but he tickled her cheeks and pinched her nose again until she broke down into giggles.

 

“Do you like the carriage, Koishii? Are you enjoying yourself, de gozaru?” he smiled happily.

 

Kaoru was proud Kenshin no longer stayed focused on the sins of his past… “To think we have this luxury carriage all to ourselves for two whole days!” Kaoru chirped, yawning unexpectedly.

 

“Did you not sleep well last night, Kaoru?” he asked concerned.

 

“I slept wonderfully; I've just been feeling a bit tired for the past couple of days,” she snuggled into his chest.

 

“You've never felt this tired before, de gozaru?” he pressed.

 

“It's nothing, Anata. Don't be a worry-wart! Besides, you are the reason I'm all worn out!” Kaoru breathed deeply, already falling asleep on him as he chuckled in amusement. Kenshin scooted over on his seat and laid her down, pillowing her head on his lap.

 

“Kenshin?” she looked up at him. He smiled and pulled her ribbon out of her hair.

 

“Rest now, Koishii. I'll protect you… always,” Kenshin said, lightly running his hand through her hair. She smiled, sighing peacefully. Kenshin slipped off his haori and draped it over her. She cuddled into his warmth, closing her eyes.

 

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December 4, 1878

 

“It's so… clean,” Kaoru said. They took their unpacked bags to their rooms, and then met inside the dojo.

 

“You've taught Yahiko well, de gozaru yo,” Kenshin hugged her.

 

“Hmmm? I'm not alone there,” she smiled at him, “I wonder where is everyone?”

 

Her stomach chose that moment to loudly announce its needs. Kenshin laughed and rubbed her stomach, then slowly moved his hand lower.

 

“Kenshin!” Kaoru restrained his hand, smirking at him.

 

“I was imagining, de gozaru,” he explained, his eyes shining with mirth.

 

“Imagining what, Anata?”

 

“How much more beautiful you'll become when you're carrying our child, de gozaru yo,” he blushed profusely. Kaoru giggled and laid his hand on her lower stomach.

 

“I could be pregnant now… in fact, I'd be more surprised if I'm not pregnant yet,” her eyes twinkled mischievously. Kenshin's blush deepened.

 

“Let's go to the Akabeko for dinner, de gozaru,” he evaded. Kaoru agreed and together, they walked to the Akabeko. Reaching the restaurant, the newlyweds entered only to be showered with party confetti…

 

“SURPRISE!!! OKAERI NASAI!!!” Kaoru and Kenshin wiped confetti from their hair and eyes to see Tae, Tsubame, Sanosuke, Yahiko, Megumi, Gensai-sensei, Ayame, and Suzume. The couple stared in shock.

 

“Minna?! How did you know--?” Kenshin started.

 

“You know, those Oniwaban pigeons are quick! I didn't think mere birds could be that smart!” Sanosuke said, draping an arm around Kenshin's shoulders and pulling him in for an inescapable noogie on the head.

 

“Sano, let me go, de gozaru yo!” Kenshin laughed.

 

“So you really DID have it in you, eh, little buddy?” Sanosuke teased.

 

“Sanoooooooooooo!” Kenshin blushed deep crimson.

 

“Humph, funny to think pigeons are smarter than tori-atamas…” Megumi goaded.

 

“Kitsunes should learn when to keep their wit in check,” Sanosuke teased back as he moved to grab up Kaoru in a huge bear hug.

 

“Hey there, Jou-chan! Kenshin made ya all better, huh?” he put her down, smirking widely. Kaoru blushed prettily.

 

“Oi, busu! You even got a new kimono to try and hide your busu face!” Yahiko laughed.

 

“Mou! Sanosuke, Yahiko!” Kaoru raged. Everyone enjoyed the normal hilarity. Megumi attached herself to Kenshin's arm, much to Kaoru's jealous rage…

 

“I'm glad to see you're back, Keeeeeen-san! You look VERY dashing in these new clothes!” Kenshin heard the warning growl to his side and sweat-dropped, attempting to pry Megumi off his arm.

 

“Me-Megumi-dono… I'm glad to see you are well, de gozaru,” he said weakly, trying to escape the chaos preparing to explode around him.

 

“MEGUMI-SAN! Get off him!” Everyone looked surprised at Kaoru as she rounded on Megumi, instead of typically knocking-out Kenshin.

 

“Oro? It's amazing what marriage does to a tanuki? However, I think I'll still dote on Ken-san… how else am I to show him my eternal gratitude?” she hugged Kenshin's shoulders and stroked his cheek.

 

“Oroooooooooooooo…” Kenshin's eyes bulged, knowing he was doomed. The evening's surprises seemed to have no end as Sanosuke grabbed Megumi around her waist, kicking and cursing, and dragged her back to the food-filled booth waiting for all of them. Kenshin and Kaoru blinked, absolute confusion reigning. Tae shoved the bewildered couple to sit at the head of the party booth.

 

“Oro? Where are all of the customers, Tae-dono?” Kenshin asked.

 

“We closed the restaurant early tonight to celebrate Kaoru-chan's recovery, and your marriage,” Tae explained before happily admonishing him, “Might I add it took you long enough to propose, Ken-san!”

 

“H-H-How di--?” Kenshin stuttered abashed. Sanosuke laughed and slapped Kenshin on the back, knocking him head-first down into Kaoru's lap unexpectedly.

 

“ORO?!”

 

Kaoru burst into flames… “KENSHIN NO BAKA!” she screeched as her power-punch sent Kenshin flying into the opposite booth's wall upside-down.

 

“OROOOOOOOOOO!” swirly-eyed, his body slowly slid down to the ground.

 

“Ken-san!” Megumi cried out and rushed over to him as everyone but Kaoru guffawed. And so the party went, the normal banter and injuries sustained pleasantly by all…

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sanosuke slowly walked home; Sanosuke carrying a passed-out, drunk Yahiko.

 

“Oi, Jou-chan, this kid handles liquor as poorly as you!” Sanosuke said, earning another emerging bump on his head.

 

“Mou! You can go sleep in your shack tonight for all I care, Tori-atama no baka!” she huffed and stalked up ahead in her anger. Sanosuke chuckled and looked at Kenshin. Kenshin stared at Kaoru's back, completely lost in his thoughts.

 

“Ne Kenshin, is Jou-chan really all better?”

 

“I don't know, but I believe so, de gozaru.”

 

“So all she needed was to get hitched, eh? By the way, lover-boy, that must've been some honeymoon… considering that huge hickie on the right side of her neck was done from behind her…” Sanosuke trailed off wickedly.

 

“Anyone and everyone…” Kenshin mumbled, mocking irritation as his blush became permanent.

 

“Temee, you're not even going to tell me, your best friend?” Sanosuke grumbled as he shifted Yahiko to his other shoulder.

 

“However… it is good to be home, de gozaru…” Kenshin evaded, looking up at the sky. He knew he'd have to divulge some “tidbits” to Sanosuke pretty soon if he wanted to survive unharmed... but not tonight. Sanosuke smiled and separated from them before the bridge outside the dojo. Kenshin stopped and looked back.

 

“Sano?”

 

“Don't argue, Kenshin… we all decided we'd avoid the dojo tonight and tomorrow. Enjoy the peace while you can. Ja,” Sanosuke turned around and headed toward his ruffian-row house with Yahiko. Kenshin smiled and ran to catch up with Kaoru.

 

“Oro? Where're Sanosuke and Yahiko?” she asked. He bashfully joined his hand with hers. She looked behind them, seeing they were alone.

 

“No one will disturb us tonight, de gozaru,” he said.

 

“They just want to catch us making out, mattaku!” Kaoru snarled blushingly; Kenshin laughed agreeing with her.

 

“More than likely, but honestly, all I really want to do tonight is hold you in my arms, de gozaru na,” he said honestly. Kaoru looked down at their joined hands, and squeezed lightly.

 

“Just sleeping in your arms… sounds nice,” she said.

 

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December 5, 1878

 

Sanosuke and Yahiko quietly snuck into the dojo in the pre-dawn's dusk, making their way to the residence.

 

“Kenshin didn't lock the doors?” Sanosuke wondered aloud.

 

“Kenshin's religious about locking the doors; I can't imagine him forgetting, even in his old age… Either way, even Kenshin doesn't wake up this early,” Yahiko replied smirking. He slowly slid open Kenshin's bedroom door, then opened it all the way. There was no sign of Kenshin, his futon still folded up neatly against the wall; the two pranksters looked at each other and evilly chuckled.

 

“Let go surprise the married ones,” Sanosuke smirked, looking down at the bucket of cold water in his hand; Yahiko holding a similar bucket. They stealthily made their way to Kaoru's bedroom door.

 

“We'll get busu good this time, right, Sanosuke?” Yahiko giggled.

 

“Yeah, we pose no threat, so Kenshin won't wake up either. This is perfect,” Sanosuke smirked evilly.

 

“What threat am I not waking up for, de gozaru naaaaa?” a frightening baritone voice smoothly reverberated from behind them. The would-be pranksters froze in their tracks at that voice. Sanosuke suddenly felt the butt of a sword's hilt poking in his back. As if in a horror movie, Sanosuke and Yahiko slowly turned around to see the freakishly, pure amber glare, Battousai's loose hair framing his face, exacerbating his hellish apparition in the dark hallway.

 

“Were you two expecting something this morning?” Kenshin asked chillingly, his eyes narrowing…

 

“Aaaah, no no! No threat here, Ba--uuuuh… Kenshin yo! Hahahaha!” Sanosuke sputtered out laughing uselessly.

 

“That's right! No threat here! Hahahaha!” Yahiko piped in.

 

“Hmmmm? Strange, I think I see two threats standing before me…” Kenshin drawled menacingly, eyes widening at the two buckets of water. He looked back up to Sanosuke and Yahiko, narrowing his eyes balefully. The pranksters visibly paled in the ever-lightening hallway.

 

“Oro! I just remembered I have to have the Kitsune look at my hand today!“ Sanosuke lied through his teeth, quickly dashing out of the home.

 

“…a-a-and I have to work at the Akabeko today! Ja, Kenshin yo!” Yahiko hot on Sanosuke's heels. Kaoru slid open her bedroom door when she heard the front gate slam shut. She looked into amber eyes filled with wicked amusement, then both of them broke down in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, tears leaking from their eyes.

 

“Kami Kenshin! You've gotten too good at controlling that transformation!” she cackled.

 

“Sano looked like he was going to faint on the spot!” he exulted.

 

“…and Yahiko, muah hahahahahahaha!” she tried to speak failingly. They ended up kneeling on the floor in each other's arms, suffering from hilarity until their laughter finally abated, leaving their still-injured sides aching.

 

“However, Koishii, that was pretty evil… perhaps we should make it up to them, de gozaru yo?” Kenshin asked smiling, his eyes back to their normally rich, violet hue. Kaoru pushed him down to the floor, trapping his wrists above his head.

 

“Let them suffer…” she smirked, taking her fill of his lips.

 

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Special Thanks:

Neko-sama - *purrs* for my Neko-sama :)

 

Jenniebennie-sama - *Rambles nonsensically* I have to wonder if chocolate has ever made any pregnant women nauseous? Katajikenai!

 

Ginny-sama (aka Kokoronagomu) - I definitely hope you limited your exposure in Chapter 11; that chapter was no-holds-barred on the hot-n-heavy stimuli. ;P I personally adore the father/son relationship between Hiko and Kenshin, even if they did only live together for a short five years. Katajikenai!

 

Rosie-sama (aka Freaky-hanyou) - LOL! Congratulations on your increasing understanding of Japanese! I completely sympathize as it's a never-ending experience which I've been slowly enjoying over the past ten years of being an avid anime fan. So much so in fact, I've already planned to take a Japanese college course next year! Katajikenai!

 

Meet.A.L.E.X. - The title remains hilarious to me; it's my own personal joke. The working name was originally “Never For the Public…” because I really and truly never planned to publish it anywhere. The material that came out of me for the first two chapters honestly scared the daylights out of me. Regardless, I allowed myself to continue the story in the hopes that it might change later on, and it did. Once I had twelve chapters written with only 2-3 more to go, I finally decided this would be worth posting, as long as I had warnings with neon lights attached. Funny enough, when the time came to re-evaluate the working title, I found the story literally wrote itself around the title. Can't argue with the story, right? :) Katajikenai!

 

Katajikenai, minna-san.

 

Glossary:

 

-chan = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone whom is younger, or equal to, in age, or for friends

-dono = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone of important standing… Kenshin uses

-kun = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed used by seniors, or schoolteachers, to address junior-aged males, and is still rarely used for females

-sama = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to a Lord or Lady, usually used for royalty

-san = an honorific pronoun suffix addressed to someone whom is older, or is a stranger

Aa = an exclamation made in agreement or acknowledgement of the previous statement or gesture

Anata = in this story, a term of endearment usually used by the wife

Arigatou = Thank you

Baka = idiot

Bakumatsu = The Late Tokugawa Shogunate period in Japan's history from 1853-1867, ending with the Boshin War of 1868 and the final battle at Toba-Fushimi

Battou-jutsu = (Quick Draw Technique) by whipping the sword out of its sheath, one can increase its speed twice- or three-fold, which can kill with one blow without taking a single blow from one's opponent. This is a real-life kenjutsu technique.

Battousai = Kenshin's name during the Bakumatsu Revolutionary War per his sword-fighting specialty, Battoujutsu… the -sai at the end designates him as a Battoujutsu Master, having perfected every Battou-technique possible

Busu = Ugly

Daijoubu = “It's ok.”, “Are you ok?”, “Everything will be alright.”

De gozaru = an obsolete phrase of extreme politeness added to the end of sentences, roughly translated to “that it is”, a form of “to be”… (I only use one conjugation of de gozaru to keep things simple.)

Doushita = What's wrong?

Gomen = I'm sorry

Hai = Yes

Hakama = traditional Japanese pants which resemble a wide, pleated skirt

Haori = traditional Japanese coat worn over a kimono

Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu = the killing style of swordsmanship that Kenshin fights with, allowing him to swiftly slaughter a multitude of opponents at one time

Hitokiri = Assassin

Ja = See you later

Jiiya = only used in the Rurouni Kenshin manga/anime by Makimachi Misao… nickname for Ojiisan (grandfather)

Jou-chan = Sanosuke's nickname for Kaoru, a shortened form of ojou-chan, or young woman

Kami = God

Katajikenai = Old Samurai language, now obsolete… Thank You formally; grateful; indebted

Kimono = traditional full-length garment of Japan

Kitsune = Fox

Koishii = a term of endearment usually used by the husband

Mattaku! = Good grief!

Minna = Everyone

Mou = geez

Nani? = What?

Ne = equivalent to a softly spoken English “hey” or “is that right?”

Ohayo = Good Morning

Oi = Hey!

Okaeri nasai = Welcome Back, traditional Japanese greeting

Ore = “ I “ (typical brash male pronoun)

Oro = an exclamation, only slightly similar to the English “huh?”

Rurouni = homeless wanderer, vagabond

Saa = an exclamation similar to the English word “so”

Sakabatou = Kenshin's reversed-blade sword

Sake = Japanese wine

Sayonara = Goodbye (usually in a “the end” or “never again” connotation)

Sessha = this humbled one

Shishou = Master (usually of any sort of martial arts training)

Shogi = Japanese Chess board game

Sou ka = “Is that so?” or “I see”

Tabi = Japanese split-toe socks

Tadaima = “I'm home.”

Tanuki = Raccoon

Temee = “You”, said in a vulgar way, usually used by males, very rarely by females

Tori-atama = Rooster-head

Uchiike = Japanese garden pond

Udon = thick Japanese buckwheat noodles usually boiled in stock or soup broth as a snack, meat and vegetables may be added making it a meal

Yareyare = an exclamation made in exasperation, relief, annoyance, or disappointment