Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Drowning of Thyself ❯ Let Go ( Chapter 5 )

The Stages of Drowning Thyself

 

Notes: This part is more... upbeat... than the previous parts. *cringes* It's almost a bit too happy for my liking but it's a transitional period that had to show Kaoru happy at least for a little while. I mean, she's not characteristically a depressed person, so... Well, let's just hope you'll enjoy this still. Thanks again for reading and do drop a line or two, it's really nice to hear comments *hint hint* ^__¬

 

Part 5: Let Go

---

 

If there was anything Kaoru could take pride in, it was watching her students grow bit by bit every time they came into the dojo. She felt a certain pride in seeing how they developed into individuals who had dignity and were honorable people. And amongst all her students, there was one whom she felt closest to her - though she would never ever, anywhere in the future, ever indulge this piece of information to him.

 

Myojin Yahiko, a young teenager with a past he would not share with anyone except Kaoru. His trust in her had made her all the more eager to keep his secret close. He was always complaining about her practices and making fun of her overall appearance, but he had never disobeyed her nor had he ever backed down from a challenge.

 

“200!” Yahiko yelled triumphantly, bringing the shinai down with a determined force. He looked over his shoulder at her, “Busu! I'm done for today!”

 

Kaoru made a `tsk-tsk' sound and came over to him, ruffling his hair as punishment for his name-calling.

“Not if you want to be stuck at that level for another year.”

 

Yahiko's eyes immediately snapped to attention, his mouth curled into a questioning frown.

 

“You've got to do more at home.” Kaoru reminded firmly, “200 in the dojo alone isn't enough. For you to be constantly in shape, you've got to continue an extra 500 at home.”

 

Yahiko made a smug look with a turn of his chin.

“Ceh! Is that all? I've been doing that plus extra!”

 

“Really?” Kaoru raised an eyebrow. “Well, if with that kind of practice you're still at your level, than it's gonna be 400 at the dojo and 1000 at home.”

 

Yahiko's face burned with something like rage before he immediately cooled down and that childishly smug grin came back on full-forced.

“Haha! Busu, you're not gonna scare me. I can do that and more!”

 

“Before I give you more to do, why don't you just clean up and go home.” Kaoru shook her head.

 

Taking her words as a dismissal, he immediately stood in a rigid stance before bowing deeply.

“Arigatou, sensei!”

 

Kaoru watched him walk away, feeling that same surge of pride well deep inside her. He was a stubborn and a wilful kid, that he was- but he was also deeply dedicated to the art of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryuu.

 

“Oi! Jou-chan!” Another familiar voice called out to her.

 

She turned around and eyed the tall, lanky figure wearily.

“What do you want now?”

He gave her a sheepish grin.

“I'm bunking at your place tonight. I've got...er...uh...”

 

Kaoru waved away his pathetic attempt at an explanation.

 

“Maa...maa..., don't even try Sano.” She walked over to her bag and took out the spare set of keys she had prepared for these types of situations. Throwing it over to him carelessly, she warned, “Don't make too much noise when you come in. I enjoy my sleep.”

He laughed off her comment, his hand swiftly catching the keys.

“Mata ne, Jou-chan!”

 

Kaoru shook her head- sometimes she wondered if she was being too lenient on that guy. Sagara Sanosuke was harmless to her, he was like a pesky older brother who was constantly getting into trouble. She had met him one night, finding him unbelievably drunk and bruised from God-knew-what. Unable to not help a person in need, she had taken him in, did her best to patch him up and after that, he kept on coming back to her whenever he knew he was going to get into one of those nights again. She never questioned and he never lied. Kaoru liked it that way.

 

She looked at her watch and realized that it was time to close. Calling her students to attention, she gave them the customary instructions of what to practice at home and warnings that she would know if they didn't and the divine punishment that would come unto them when she did. They left slowly, the numbers slowly disappearing until she was the only one left in the practice hall. Kaoru waved the last one goodbye and went to shower and change.

 

Checking her watch again after slipping on a loose black cotton yukata, she cursed and grabbed her things, stuffing everything she needed into a huge bag. She quickly ran out of the dojo after locking everything up, and headed towards the Akabeko.

 

“Kaoru!” A relieved sounding Tae greeted her. “I was worried you weren't going to make it.”

 

“I'm so sorry,” Kaoru apologized as she slipped on her white apron over the yukata, “I lost track of time...”

 

“Don't worry,” Tae waved the apology away. “Customers are piling in tonight. Must be some sort of occasion in town.”

 

“Really?” Kaoru looked tired before she even went out to the restaurant, “Are they nice customers or bad customers?”

“Mostly nice.” Tae reassured her. “Just hungry.”

 

“Alrightey then,” Kaoru took a deep breath and stepped out of the office of the Akabeko and into the restaurant filled with buzzing people, plastering on a happy smile.

 

---

 

Kaoru sighed as she soaked her feet into warm water. She splashed them a bit, letting the sounds from the TV brush over her senses as she closed her eyes and just relaxed for the moment.

 

Working two jobs was definitely tiring but it was nothing she could complain about. She was finally doing something she loved- teaching kendo and Tae had helped her so much she didn't mind putting in extra hours to give back to her.

 

It had been about a year and a half since she'd moved into this new part of town and she was finally stabilizing. New place, new work, new friends... basically a new life. She saw Megumi often enough, and Kenshin made it a point to check up on her at least once a week so she wasn't exactly cut off from her old life either. A balance had been established and she could finally start to enjoy herself.

 

She heard the lock click and there was a squirming sound of the door opening.

 

“Jou-chan? You awake?” Sanosuke's voice was quiet but loud enough for her to hear.

 

“Over here!” Kaoru waved without opening her eyes.

 

She heard him plop down next to her and felt arms work its way under her neck and draped itself on her shoulders.

 

“You're intruding on my personal space, Sano.” Kaoru mumbled happily.

 

“I need human contact.” Sano quipped before adding meaningfully, “Female human contact.”

 

Kaoru laughed and pushed his arms away.

“Kami-sama, you're awful! Hitting on your benefactor is bad, don't you know that?”

 

“I'm not hitting on you,” Sano guffawed at her statement, “I'm just taking advantage of you because you're the only female who's willing to house a slum.”

 

Kaoru shook her head and laughed, batting his arms that were trying to reach for her again.

 

“What're you doing here so early anyways?” Kaoru asked once she stopped laughing. “You're usually in when the sun's about to rise.”

 

“Bad night.” He made a face. “Lost money... a LOT of money..., couldn't get any gals and no one was feeling stupid for a fight...” He sighed heavily, “And now I'm with you.”

 

“Gee, thanks.” Kaoru rolled her eyes.

 

“I mean that in the most affectionate way possible, Jou-chan.” He leaned into her, looking as if though he was going to kiss her before ducking down and splashing water all over her clothes and sofa.

 

“Argh!” Kaoru squealed, jumping away from the wetness, glaring at the hysterical Sano while trying to figure out a good comeback.

 

She wasn't given a chance to properly plan out her revenge as a knock came on the door. Kaoru shot Sano a `We're-not-done-with-this-yet' look and went to answer the door.

 

She looked surprised at Kenshin's suspicious eyes glaring at her.

 

“Was that a scream I heard just now?” Kenshin moved to brush past her but was stopped by Kaoru.

 

“Yes,” Kaoru held the door in front of her, not allowing Kenshin to enter, “I have company and we're in the middle of something.”

 

As if on cue, Sano called out,

“Jou-chan?! Who's that?”

 

Kaoru hid a smile before turning to matters at hand.

“Do you want something, Kenshin?”

 

“I-,” Kenshin paused, “I just came back from Kyoto and wanted to make sure you're safe. ...And maybe take you out for tea.”

 

“Thanks Kenshin,” Kaoru still kept the door as a buffer between them, smiling sincerely at Kenshin's concern, “But I'm alright and I'm kinda set for the night.”

Was it her imagination or did he look a bit disappointed?

 

“Oh.” Kenshin gave her that soft smile she was always used to seeing when he was feeling let-down. “Well then, I should---,”

 

“Wait,” Kaoru berated herself inwardly at her inability to see anyone look unhappy, “I was going to have tea anyways. Why don't you join me and Sano for awhile?”

“Are you sure?” Kenshin didn't look too convinced. “I don't want to intrude on you and your—,”

 

“Don't worry.” Kaoru opened the door fully and ushered him in. “Sano's not gonna mind at all.”

 

---

 

Kenshin's first thought at seeing this `Sano' was somewhere along the lines of `oro?'. He kept his surprise hidden well enough at the sight of the tall, handsome man with hair that defied all laws of gravity and an aura that bespoke charm and hazard at the same time.

 

When he smiled though, Kenshin felt his worries wipe away. `No, this man is a good person.'

 

“Sagara Sanosuke,” Sano offered a hand out to Kenshin.

 

“Himura Kenshin.” He took the hand and returned the smile.

 

“Himura?” Sano's eyes lit with surprise. He turned to Kaoru, pointing at Kenshin with a questioning look.

 

“Yes, he's my ex-husband.” Kaoru affirmed his question and moved to the kitchen to make tea.

 

“Was it the cooking?” Sano asked good-naturedly.

 

A pan appeared out of nowhere and promptly hit the back of his head with accuracy and stunning force. Kenshin chuckled and decided he might like *this* guy.

 

As soon as he sat down with him, he realized why.

 

Sano leaned into him, gesturing that he do the same. Kenshin came close enough so that Sano's words were loud and clear only to him. His next words slightly threw him off guard.

 

“You are a bastard to have left her and you better not make anymore trouble for her.” Sano's voice was edgy and was barely restrained in warning. “She's doing good now and she doesn't need you to mess it up again.”

 

Kenshin liked his forwardness and the genuine caring he heard in Sano's tone. He wasn't, however, going to let Sano think that he was going to be scared off by him.

 

“Thank you for your advice, but I have no intention of harming her anymore than you do.” Kenshin allowed just the slightest hint of steel mark his words. He leaned away from Sano and spoke in a more courteous tone, “I do appreciate your obvious loyalty to her and I hope you'll do well to take care of her when I can't.”

 

He watched Sano look at him with surprise but his look quickly changed to one of understanding.

 

“Well, that can be arranged.” Sano grinned at him.

 

“What are you two boys talking about?” Kaoru's voice broke into their quiet conversation. “If you're plotting something against me, tell me so I can just kick you both out now.”

 

Kenshin just smiled as Sano laughed.

 

“No, Kenshin was just telling me how he nearly died from your cooking.” Sano teased.

 

Kaoru's angry eyes fixed themselves on him and he felt an `oro?' work its way out of his lips as her rage came in the form of hot tea drenched on his head.

 

---

 

“I'm really sorry.” Kaoru muttered for the gazillionth time that night. She held a towel over Kenshin's head, pressing down on the long red locks. “I'm so sorry...”

 

Kenshin chuckled.

“Really, Kaoru-dono, I accept your apology so you can stop feeling guilty.”

 

Kaoru shook her head, her hands stilling his movements as she helped dry his hair.

 

“I can't believe I lost my temper like that.” Kaoru grumbled, her hands working its way through the endless amount of hair he had, massaging his head as a way of apology. “I should've known that Sano was teasing...”

 

Kenshin caught her hands and raised his face to smile at her. Kaoru felt even more guilty at the slight redness she saw at his scalp.

 

“Kaoru-dono...” His voice beckoned her to look into his eyes.

 

Kaoru gulped, feeling a sense of déjà vu go over her.

 

“Stop with the worrying.” Kenshin continued to smile. “I'll be fine. It's nothing and I'll live.”

 

Kaoru chewed on her bottom lip, moving her hand so as to start massaging his head again. Kenshin's hands stilled hers and gave her a meaningful look. She sighed.

 

“Alright.” Kaoru let go of the towelled head, leaning back against the wall. “I suppose you won't die.”

 

“No,” Kenshin chuckled, looking more amused, “I won't.”

 

She felt an arm drape over her shoulder and looked up to see that Sano had appeared. His eyes were heavy-lidded and he leaned on her quite a bit, making her stagger from his weight.

 

“Jou-chan, I'm gonna sleep now.” He gave a big yawn that didn't look as if it was faked. “I'll leave early tomorrow so it's good night and see you later.”

Kaoru shrugged the arm off of her, smiling as he retreated towards the living room.

“I'll get you some blankets.”

 

“Don't—“

 

“You're sleeping with blankets.” She said firmly. “I'll leave them on you if you've dozed off by then.”

 

“Fine fine...,” a sleepy voice called back to her before her couch gave off a groaning sound, complaining from his weight.

 

Kaoru laughed and went on tiptoes to look into her cupboard for a spare blanket.

 

“Is he living with you at the moment?” Kenshin's voice reminded her of his near presence.

 

Kaoru blinked at the question, her hands finding the blanket and holding them to her chest.

“No, he just needs a place to stay once in a while when he's in the neighbourhood.”

 

“Are you dating?” Kenshin's question immediately brought forth a choked and a slightly hysterical laugh from Kaoru. Kenshin smiled, “That's a `no', I presume?”

 

“No.” Kaoru shook her head, wiping the tears that had come from a good hard laugh. “He's just a friend.”

 

They looked at each other for a moment before Kaoru suddenly felt that she was a little too close to her ex-husband and it was bringing up feelings that she thought had long been buried. She moved away quickly, heading towards where Sano was comfortably sleeping on her sofa, albeit snoring a little. She draped the blanket over his form and, like a mother-hen, clucked as she tucked him in.

 

She felt Kenshin move behind her towards the door.

“I should go. You'll be needing your rest.” Kenshin said.

 

“You're leaving?” Kaoru frowned. “At this hour?”

 

“Well, I've got work tomorrow so I should rest as well...,” Kenshin smiled as if this should be obvious to her.

 

Kaoru rolled her eyes.

“I know you've got work, Kenshin, you've always got work to do. But you're not driving back at 4 in the morning for and hour and a half and then taking another half hour drive to work. You're not gonna have time to sleep.” Kaoru took his arm and dragged him to her bedroom.

 

“Wh-what are you doing, Kaoru-dono?” Kenshin's eyes went wide with surprise.

 

“You're sleeping here tonight. I'm sure you've got clothes in a suitcase somewhere in your car. You can go to work straight from here. It's like you're going from home anyways.” Kaoru pushed him inside her bedroom.

 

“B-but...,” Kenshin stammered, suddenly not knowing what to do. “Wh-where are you sleeping?”

“I'll be fine.” Kaoru gave him a wave and closed the door. “Good night Kenshin, sleep well.”

 

She heard him stutter some more from behind the door and smiled to herself, going to find more blankets for herself. She wasn't going to let Kenshin sleep on the floor- that would've made her unable to sleep well. Her carpet was soft enough and she had a pillow stashed somewhere...

 

“Kaoru-dono.”

 

She yelped as she felt herself being swept into Kenshin's arms. She felt ridiculous as he carried her into her bedroom. She was reminded of herself as a young bride and didn't like the onslaught of memories that threatened to overwhelm her.

 

“Kenshin!” She hissed, smacking him so that he would let her go. “What are you doing?”

 

“I'll sleep on the floor, you should sleep on your own...”

 

Kaoru kicked her feet out wildly and managed to jump out of his grip.

“Kenshin! I'm not having you sleep on the floor!”

 

“Well, I'm not letting you sleep on the floor either.” Kenshin looked equally stubborn.

 

Kaoru sighed and threw up her hands in the air. She took Kenshin's hand and sat him down on the bed.

 

“Fine, I'll sleep with you tonight.” Kaoru said, nudging him to make room for herself on the single bed.

 

“Eh?” Kenshin looked surprised at being manhandled this way.

 

“I'm sure we can both be mature adults and live through one more night of sleeping together.” Kaoru tucked her feet inside the blankets and smiled sweetly. “I'm too sleepy to think of something better, I'm too tired to argue and too sleepy to care, so, good night.”

 

Kaoru nuzzled her pillow and promptly went to sleep.

 

---

 

Whatever he had expected from her, it wasn't this.

 

Kenshin look at Kaoru's sleeping form, her breath had evened out a few moments ago and knew she had fallen asleep almost instantaneously. Kenshin fought the urge to run his fingers through her silkened locks and smiled down at her.

 

“Goodnight... Kaoru.” He whispered softly, turning his back to her and letting himself fall asleep.

 

---

 

Kaoru woke up and knew that he was gone. Kenshin had always been early to rise and he was always so suspiciously quiet when moving. She rubbed at her tired eyes, groaning a bit when she remembered she had promised to help at the Akabeko for the lunch hour traffic. Reluctantly, Kaoru got up and ready for work. She didn't have class at the dojo today so at least she wouldn't be too tired.

 

As she hurriedly pulled on her yukata through the living room, she noticed that Sano had left his blankets pooled on the floor in a mess. Kaoru shook her head and decided not to clean up just yet- she had to hurry as it is.

 

When she arrived at the Akabeko, she knew instantly that something was off. Firstly, there was that prominent `Closed' sign hanging at the entrance. Secondly, Tae looked like someone had died and was ready to take her down with them. Kaoru took her apron off a hanger and tied a bow behind her back, readying herself for work anyways.

 

“Tae?” She called out to her friend. “Why's the restaurant closed?”

 

Tae looked up from a file that she was reading, the haunted look still in her eyes. She tried to smile but it ended up looking more like she was going to cry.

 

“Kaoru-san!” Her soft voice seemed startled at her appearance. “It's- It seems as if though you won't need to come in for work today. There are some... well... it seems that...”

 

“Tae?” Kaoru came closer to the woman and peered over her shoulder to take a look at the file she was holding. “What's wrong?”

 

The woman hesitated, looking thoughtfully at the paper in front of her.

“I don't want to bother you with this Kaoru-san. I've already burdened you with so much work...”

 

“Tae!” Kaoru sounded shocked and dismayed at her friend. “It's not a burden at all that I'm helping you out! It's the least I can do after all you've already done for me.”

 

Tae gave a sincere, heart-felt smile at her words. Kaoru settled down and plucked the file out of Tae's hands before she could stop her.

 

“Now, what's this that's gotten you look so dark and dreary?” Kaoru's eyes started to scan the document. “It's a... merger document of some sort?”

 

“More like an agreement for a joint ownership of this restaurant.” Tae sighed heavily. “It was supposed to have assured the Akabeko's financial worries. I really didn't expect it to come this...”

 

“What's the problem?” Kaoru continued to scan the document, not really understanding half the jargons that were littering the pages. “I'm sorry, but this isn't exactly my field.”

 

“My uncle held a big portion of this restaurant. He had recently sold off his share to be managed by a trustworthy company.” Tae's eyes looked downcast. “I hadn't known since his signatures were still on some of the papers. Apparently, he acted as only the name while others took care of his finances. I've just come to realized that the company I'd recently joint with was the same one he had employed.”

 

Kaoru's head was starting to spin. She wasn't sure if she had gotten down all the facts straight. She still didn't understand Tae's source of concern.

 

“Uhm... alright..., so, what's the problem now? You still own some parts of the restaurant, right?” Kaoru asked cautiously.

 

Tae shook her head.

“It doesn't really matter much since it's basically been taken over by the other company.”

 

“Have you talked to them yet?” Kaoru looked furious. It seemed as if though someone had just turned a dirty trick to her friend.

 

“I've been trying to contact them but it doesn't seem as if though I'm worth the attention.” Tae's lower lip trembled. “I've tried calling my sister for help but I'm not sure if she can handle this. The Yukishiro Corporation wants to sell off the restaurant for a new name.”

 

“But the Akabeko has been in your family since forever!” Kaoru fumed.

 

“I'm sorry for troubling you, Kaoru-san.” Tae tried to pry the file away from her but Kaoru's fingers wouldn't budge. “But this is my problem and I should...”

 

“Yukishiro Corporation, huh?” Kaoru looked down at the file and stormed out of the Akabeko.

 

Tae hurried after her, looking worried.

 

“Kaoru-san! Where are you going? I need that file!”

 

“Don't worry, Tae,” Kaoru smiled reassuringly as she hailed down a cab, “I'm gonna *make* whoever's up at that corporation listen to me.”

 

TBC...

 

---

 

Part 6: Collapse of Air

 

Notes: Well... I suppose you can guess what's gonna happen next. *cheeky grin* Weeeeeee!! I get to write Enishi again! *swoons* He's such fun to write... *goes off to contemplate next chapter*