Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Unexpected ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Aoshi sat patiently as Kaoru went to make him a cup of tea. It had been over a year since they saw each other. He had sent Kaoru numerous emails detailing his latest research assignment in the Middle East. Ever so often, he would send her souvenirs from local merchants. At first glance, the tall athletically inclined young man was the last person one would expect to be doing graduate research on ancient matriarchal civilizations. His gender alone was enough to pique the interest of the head of the anthropology department. Aoshi was just grateful for the opportunity.

 

Kaoru soon returned with a steaming cup of Aoshi's favorite brew, green tea. Though she was grateful to see him, Kaoru wondered what brought the wanderer back to her neighborhood. As she set the cup down, she looked into his face, a face that betrayed nary an emotion. She audibly huffed. He hadn't changed a bit during the course of his travels.

 

Kaoru watched intently as Aoshi drank his tea. She knew that green tea always put him a good mood. For that reason, Kaoru strived to make the best tea possible.

 

“Are you going to stand there and breath on me or are you going to say what's on your mind?” Aoshi sipped his tea slowly, savoring it. He soon realized that his efforts would be wasted on what Kaoru tried to pass off as tea. How could a Japanese woman not know how to make a decent cup of tea? Suppressing the urge to regurgitate the liquid concoction, Aoshi reminded himself that Kaoru was void of culinary skills.

 

“Well now that you asked,” Kaoru sat across from the emotionless man, “why are you back? I thought you weren't coming back until late spring early summer.”

 

Aoshi sighed. Just thinking about what happened annoyed him greatly. “Hiko-san forgot to send in the paperwork to renew our funding.”

 

“You guys ran out of money?” Kaoru started giggling. She was well aware that Aoshi's academic advisor, Hiko Seijuro was more interested in researching which restaurant served the best sake than doing what he considered menial paperwork.

 

Being a man of few words, Aoshi simply glared at Kaoru. Between his advisor and the fool that he shared an apartment with, it was a wonder that Aoshi was still sane.

 

“I don't care how it happened. I'm just glad that you're back.” Kaoru dashed behind the counter to grab a cookie to munch on.

 

“So, how long are you going to be in town?” Kaoru was rummaging through a glass jar trying to find her favorite chocolate chip biscotti. They were in such demand that Kaoru had taken to hiding a couple in the jar with the scones. Triumphant, she returned to the table.

 

Aoshi contemplated ingesting more of Kaoru's tea just to avoid a conversation. There were more pressing issues at hand, like how he was going to provide for himself. He still received a stipend from the foundation that backed Hiko-san's research, but that was temporary. He would need to find other financial sources to survive.

 

Kaoru did not like being ignored. And Aoshi was doing just that. She banged her fist on the table, nearly up-ending the very same cup of tea she painstakingly made a few minutes earlier. Kaoru knew that she would get no response from the man sitting across from her. It just felt good to hit things every once in a while.

 

“Aoshi, are you going to answer me? First I make you a cup of that blasted tea that you love so much, and you don't even think enough to say thank you. Now, you are playing the I'm-too-deep-to-speak role. I don't know why I bother with you anymore!”

 

A tear had made its way to the outer corners of Kaoru's eyes. It delicately balanced on her lower lashes, like a jumper trying to decide if this would be the day that he ended it all. Just as the tear was about to plummet to its doom, Aoshi caught it. He loved her too much to be the reason that she shed a single tear.

 

Kaoru cheeks began to warm due to the contact with Aoshi. So much time had passed since he last reached out to her in that way. It was all too easy to forget that beneath the stoic façade was a passionate man who loved deeply, recklessly. She looked at Aoshi's face; it remained as it always did, uncommunicative. However, one glance into his ice blue eyes revealed all. He hurt because she did. It was then that she heard it.

 

“August.”

 

Kaoru was confused. First, Aoshi was drying her tears and now he was randomly naming months. After all this time, she still could not wrap her head around how his mind worked.

 

“I'll be here until August.”

 

Kaoru blinked repeatedly. Her Aoshi was going to be here for the better part of a year. She fought back the urge to jump into his arms, knowing that he frowned upon such open displays of affection. Kaoru simply smiled. This was one gift from the gods that she was ever so grateful for.

 

“So what are you going to do until then? I mean, there aren't many jobs for someone with a Master's degree in anthropology.”

 

Aoshi pulled a familiar section of newspaper from the back pocket of his jeans. “I'll find something.” Aoshi began perusing various help wanted ads. There had to be something that a professional student was qualified to do.

 

A backwards glance toward the door showed Kaoru that there were people waiting outside. A downward glance at her watch showed that it was three minutes to one. “Stay as long as you need Aoshi. I'm going to open the doors now.”

 

Aoshi merely nodded his head, though he was disappointed at having to share Kaoru with the café's patrons. He cast a longing look at the back of Kaoru's head. In recent times, he had let her down one time too many. When Aoshi left for his latest research assignment, he hadn't bothered to even tell her that he was leaving. Kaoru awoke to a note taped to the refrigerator saying that he'd be back in a year. Granted, Aoshi attempted to make it up to her, but he wasn't sure that it was effective. Since Kaoru did not bring it up, he was hesitant to say anything.

 

Aoshi found that skimming the attention lines of the classifieds was proving to be an exercise in futility. Aoshi needed a position that paid well, but was not expecting a long-term commitment. Jobs like that were few and far between. If he were looking to be a waiter, short order cook or truck driver, Aoshi would easily be accommodated.

 

He tossed the paper onto the table. Frustrated, Aoshi ran his fingers through his hair. His stipend would only get him halfway through the winter. There had to be something somewhere. Reluctantly, he reviewed the help wanted notices once more.

 

Wanted: Strong, inconspicuous individual to do surveillance and security at an upscale nightclub. Must be able to work competently around beautiful women. No experience necessary. Salary well above average. If interested, please come to 1515 Kobayashi Lane between the hours of 9 and 11 p.m. Serious inquiries only.

 

Aoshi studied the ad carefully. It couldn't hurt. He was a talented martial artist and a remarkable judge of character. Certainly those skills could prove useful in such a position. He circled the ad repeated so it would stand out later. Folding the newspaper back into its original rectangle, Aoshi put it back in his pocket.

 

Kaoru flitted about the coffee shop effortlessly. Every once in a while she would look over at Aoshi. It was nice having him around. She missed him so much and she knew he missed her, though he would never admit it. This time when Kaoru stole her glance, she noticed that he was no longer deeply engrossed in the classified ads. In fact, it looked like he was about to leave. She threw her apron behind the counter and made a beeline for her important person.

 

Kaoru tapped Aoshi on the shoulder. “Where ya headed?”

 

He looked into navy eyes. “I was going to get some rest before I check out this job I saw in the paper.”

 

“The professional student plans on working like the rest of us.” Kaoru giggled until she saw Aoshi's scowl appear. “Sorry, sorry. Where is this job?”

 

Aoshi pulled the paper from his pocket. He took a look at the address and returned it to the very same pocket.

 

“1515 Kobayashi Lane.”

 

“Did you say 1515 Kobayashi Lane?”

 

Aoshi nodded.

 

Kaoru felt laughter traveling up from her gut. She tried to suppress it. She tried to stem the waves of amusement that were threatening to crash through her lips. Kaoru was willing herself to keep it in.

 

“Would you care to enlighten me?” Aoshi was not pleased with Kaoru's excessive enjoyment of the situation.

 

Kaoru took slow deliberate breaths. She knew Aoshi well enough to know that he did not like being laughed at. Kaoru shook her head many times before she found her voice.

 

“It's…nothing.” Kaoru inhaled deeply for the last time. “I was just surprised that you found something so quickly.” She rummaged through her pants pockets until a single key emerged.

 

“You probably don't have a place to stay yet.” Kaoru placed the key in Aoshi's hand.

 

He stared at the molded piece of metal. Aoshi never thought that she would open up her home to him, especially after the way that he left. The tiniest of smiles appeared on his face briefly. He was so grateful to have her in his life. Kaoru stood by him, believing in him when everyone else thought he was a lost cause. She never forsook him.

 

“I can't,” Aoshi attempted to return the key to its rightful owner.

 

“Shinomori Aoshi take the damned key! What, did you plan on pending the rest of the day trying to find a place? Just go to my flat and rest.” As much as Kaoru loved Aoshi, his stubborn streak left much to be desired. Before he could object further, Kaoru shoved Aoshi, still holding the key, out of the café.

 

Aoshi looked back to see the door rapidly close behind him. Fingering the key, he contemplated his next move. Taking Kaoru up on her offer would definitely make things easier. His luggage was still in Hiko's office and Kaoru's flat was close to the university. Aoshi figured that should retrieve his things before Hiko traded them for sake.

 

* * * * *

 

Misao sat, randomly changing channels, in search of something worth watching. How could there be so many channels and nothing on television? She threw the remote to the empty side of the bed. Flopping backward, Misao lost herself in the large down pillows that decorated Enishi's king-sized bed. The cream comforter with matching pillows made for a tranquil scene, quite the opposite of the place she was headed.

 

Misao got out of the bed and walked over to the mirror. She silently winced as she got a real good look at the bruise Enishi left on her cheek. The swelling had gone down, but it was still a colorful mess. Dabbing a bit of concealer on it, Misao shrugged. She had to leave soon if she wanted to make it to work on time. She already called out at Tia Maria; she could not afford to blow off Blu Flayme as well.

 

Gathering her clothes, Misao knew that she could not stay there forever; she didn't want to. It didn't matter that she was sleeping on a mattress in an apartment without electricity. The drafty rattrap was her solace, her home. The wind may have gotten in through the shoddy windows, but the thick wooden door blocked thoughts of Enishi. Allowing Misao to stay the night was just Enishi's way of making up for hitting her the night before.

 

She looked about the apartment, making sure she left nothing behind. Enishi was always particular about that. Misao never understood why he was so anal about it. She remembered the last time she left someone behind. Enishi had gone into the bathroom to get his glasses and that's when he saw it, a thin black hairpin. Misao had spent the night there after work. Opting for a messy bun that evening, her glossy black hair was home to many a hairpin. Apparently one decided to make Enishi's sink it's new home. The seemingly insignificant item sent him into a frenzy. Enishi stormed into Tia Maria ranting about personal space and Misao's lack of respect for it. He called her every kind of worthless loser imaginable. Kaoru was about to jump over the counter and let Enishi know who the real loser was. Misao simply shook her head, allowing Enishi get it all out. It was better for her when there was an audience. All he did was yell when other people were around. As long as no one provoked him further, yelling would be all he did. The outburst ended as quickly as it began, with Enishi making a swift exit to avoid the numerous sets of eyes that were glued to him and Misao.

 

Sure that nothing had been left behind, she walked out the door making sure to lock it behind her. Misao walked down the hall to the elevator. She gave it a quick glance and realized that there wasn't time to wait for it. Misao dashed down the stairs.

 

Azusa heard the commotion in the stairwell and immediately knew what to do. He walked over to the door and held it open. True to form, Misao came barreling out of the stairwell and through the front door. Azusa shook his head and laughed. It was like this every time Misao spent the night.

 

* * * * *

 

Aoshi turned the collar of his black leather jacket up. It was only mid-November, but it was unseasonably cold. He walked down the street, following the detailed directions that Kaoru had given. Aoshi wondered what was so amusing about this job interview. She had been snickering while she wrote the directions. He made a mental note to ask her about it once he got back.

 

Aoshi stood at the corner of Sakura Boulevard and Hiromi Avenue, trying to figure out which way lead to Kobayashi Lane. Kaoru's directions weren't as clear as they should have been. Most people were at home enjoying family time before going to bed, so there wasn't anyone around to ask for directions.

 

Aoshi cursed under his breath. It was already a quarter to nine. Even though the ad said to come between nine and eleven, Aoshi did not want to have to be there all night waiting for an interview. Standing at the intersection, he looked to his left and then to his right. Neither end of Hiromi Avenue seemed familiar. The night was turning out to be a big waste of time. He decided to head back to Kaoru's flat; the neighborhood in which he was wandering didn't seem all that safe.

 

Walking back up Sakura Boulevard, Aoshi re-read Kaoru's instructions. Certainly they were not so convoluted that he could not decipher them. He had translated ancient Aramaic. A set of directions should not pose such a problem.

 

“I must have angered some deity for this to be happening now.” Aoshi tossed the useless paper away.

 

“Excuse me, I think you dropped something.”

 

Aoshi turned around slowly, with his fists clenched, startled that someone spoke to him. As he prepared to thrash the person behind him, Aoshi noticed that a woman, a really short woman, was holding his crumpled directions in her hand.

 

“Sorry.”

 

Misao shook her head. She had been watching him stare at buildings on the street trying to find his way. Part of her wanted to help him. Another part warned that if Enishi was anywhere in the vicinity, she could be in serious trouble. Another look at the man was all she needed. Tall, strong with broad shoulders and coal black hair. His eyes were shrouded by overgrown bangs, but that did not diminish his striking looks. Enishi be damned, she was speaking to this one. Misao would worry about the backlash later.

 

“You look lost. Where ya headed?” Misao began closing the gap between her and Aoshi.

 

Aoshi removed the paper from her hand. “Supposedly, I'm going to 1515 Kobayashi Lane.”

 

Misao smirked, and Aoshi noticed. He was growing weary of this reaction every time he mentioned the address. Misao grabbed the paper back from Aoshi. The directions weren't wrong, but they weren't right either.

 

“What you need to do is go back to the corner of Sakura and Hiromi. Make the right and go up two blocks. At the fish market, make a left. Look for a metallic gray sign with a neon blue flame in the upper left corner. That will be 1515 Kobayashi Lane.”

 

Aoshi was fervently writing the directions that Misao dictated. He looked at his watch. It was only five minutes after nine. He would not be as early as he planned, but at least he'd make it there.

 

* * * * *

 

Misao kept her eye on Aoshi until he was well out of sight, wondering why he was going to the Blu Flayme. He obviously was not a patron. He did not even seem like the type to frequent such an establishment.

 

Recalling her dark stranger grumbling about the time, Misao knew that she did not have much time to get to work. In fact, she was already late. Misao decided that the shortcut through the back alley, though not the safest, was the fastest route to the club.

 

Misao surveyed the area before she headed back there. The last thing she wanted was for some random person to attack her. The only people that were in the area were shop owners closing up for the night and straggling restaurant customers. Adjusting the straps on her backpack, Misao took gave the street one last look. She began sprinting through the shadows, careful not to make a sound. As the shadows dissipated, Misao knew that she was but a stone's throw from the Blu Flayme. Misao's backpack prevented any further advancement. Without looking back, she gave the bag a good tug attempting to free herself.

 

“What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Misao suddenly found herself free to move again. She slowly turned to face her attacker.

 

“Enishi, I'm already late for work.” She resumed her walk to her place of employment.

 

Enishi pushed his glasses up on his nose. “It funny how you had more than enough time to talk to that awkwardly tall guy.”

 

Misao lost her breath. He had been watching her. How long had it been going on? Was there anyplace that she could escape his reach?

 

“You… were watching me?”

 

Misao started slowly walking backwards, increasing the distance between she and Enishi while decreasing the distance between she and the Blu Flayme's bouncers. With each step Misao's resolve grew stronger. She had accepted much while involved with Enishi, but this was too much. Wasn't it enough that she had put her search for stardom on hold because he was afraid of how fame would change her? Wasn't it enough that she rationalized his erratic mood swings? Wasn't it enough that she endured the beatings and public humiliation without so much as a word? She withstood it all for the sake of misplaced love and loyalty. All Misao had, all she treasured was her solitude. But, Enishi defiled that as well. She simply shook her head as she turned away. There were about thirty yards to the door and a group of bouncers in Misao's line of sight. Enishi would not risk a confrontation with Shikijo and Hyottoko at the door. Misao remembered the last time Enishi tangoed with Shikijo. That was not an experience that Enishi would like to repeat anytime soon.

 

“Misao” Enishi's voice sounded hoarse, though he hadn't said much. He reached out to touch Misao.

 

“No, not this time. I have to go to work.” Misao knew that this display of strength would not last much longer. If she did not get away from Enishi soon, she'd be sucked back in.

 

Enishi grabbed Misao's shoulder preventing her from taking another step.

He spun her around so he could look in her eyes, so he could see the lies forming.

 

“You're fucking him, aren't you?”

 

“What the hell are you talking about?”

 

“I saw you. You were touching him.” Enishi ran his fingers through his hair, a move reserved for when he was starting to panic. He had seen how Misao looked at that guy, the way that she moved closer to him. She hadn't made a move like that toward him in months. Enishi could see what was happening, even if Misao would not acknowledge it.

 

“Enishi, I was just giving him directions.” Misao could her the desperation in Enishi's voice. Her compulsion to soothe overtook her need to leave. The cycle had started again. Misao wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled him close.

 

“Misao!” Shikijo yelled. In his opinion, Misao had spent more than enough time with Enishi. On top of that, she was fifteen minutes late.

 

Misao gave Enishi a quick peck on the cheek. “I have to go. I'm late as it is.” Brushing his bangs from his eyes, Misao wondered how things always ended up like this.

 

Enishi ran his hand down Misao's side. “Will I see you later?” She nodded and released Enishi from her embrace.

 

“MISAO!!” Shikijo yelled her name with more fervor than before.

 

“Enishi” Misao looked over her shoulder, but Enishi was nowhere to be seen. It was then that she saw him. From a half a block away she could tell it was the same guy to whom she had given directions. He was scanning the buildings for a neon sign with a blue flame in the upper left corner. The night was looking better.