Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love Again ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Thank you, thank you, thank you all! You helped me reach my second goal of fifty reviews. Thank you! =Hugs everybody= Now on to the story.

Because ff.net can no longer process stars, =..= will be used to denote emphasis.

Thank you Brittanie Love for being my beta-reader. :)

Title: To Love Again; Chap:6
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Kaoru ran into her apartment slamming the door behind her. 'Drop the lunch, feed the bag, eat my cat. Arrgh! No that's not right! Its drop the bag, feed the cat, eat my lunch.'

After dropping a whole can of food into Misty's food dish, Kaoru grabbed a sandwich and her keys and ran back out the door. Kaoru jumped when she felt a hand come down on her shoulder.

"Kaoru, how are you? Its so hard to catch you at home lately."

"Oh, hi Ryuuzaburo-san. Sorry I can't talk now. I have to go to work."

"So you got that job? Wonderful!" Ryuuzaburo cleared his throat. "Umm, uh, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming over to my apartment this Saturday. I wanted to show you my paintings."

"Yeah sure, whatever Ryuuzaburo-san. I'm sorry but I really have to go now."

"Thank you so much Kaoru! You have just made me the happiest person alive."

"That's nice. Ja!"

Kaoru ran off leaving Ryuuzaburo with a silly grin on his face.
...............................................

Kaoru pushed the crosswalk button repeatedly, trying to get the signal to change. Since Himura-san had been so adamant about her not taking Kenji on her motorcycle, Kaoru decided to walk to his school and back. Now she was trying her best to refrain from kicking the pole into submission. 'Come =on=.' After pushing the button several more times (and mentally threatening it) the signal changed, indicating that Kaoru could now cross the street. 'Finally!'

Kaoru ran across the street to the elementary school. Scanning the sea of children she spotted red hair. "Kenji! Kenji!" She waved trying to get his attention. (a/n: Yes, I'm ashamed to admit I do this.)

Kenji sighed when he heard Kaoru's voice. What did he do to deserve such a dorky baby-sitter? Maybe he could ditch her? He shook his head. Nah, his daddy would get mad at him.

"I'm here Kaoru."

"Kenji, don't you look cute today." He was wearing jeans, a pikachu shirt with matching shoes, and his hair was in a high ponytail.

Kenji scowled. "Cute is for girls."

"Right. Sorry. I meant to say you look very handsome."

Kenji sighed loudly. "I guess that'll do."

"So, ano, who's your friend?"

"Kozuke. Can we go now?"

"Yes, of course. I want both of you to hold my hand alright?"

"Daddy doesn't make me hold his hand."

"Well I'm not your daddy, but I am in charge so I'm afraid you're going to have to hold my hand."

"Fine." Kenji lerked down on her had and Kozuke did the same.

Kaoru cleared her throat. "Soo Kozuke, you're the boy I met the other day, right?"

"Yep."

"Should I take you home, or is someone going to pick you up?"

"Yep."

Kaoru wondered how long she would be at this job before she started to pull out her hair. "'Yep' to which?"

"You can take me home."

"An honor I'm sure." Kaoru remarked dryly. "Alright, where do you live?"

Kozuke shook his head. "I'm not supposed to tell strangers where I live."

"But you do know me, I'm Kenji's babysitter."

"I don't know..." Kenji smile was entirely too self-satisfied.

'Oh I see. This kid is trying to give me the run around.'

Kaoru crossed her arms. "You know, the longer you play these games, the longer we're going to stand here doing nothing." She looked at both boys to gauge their reaction. They still looked pretty smug so she continued. "You're losing valuable playtime. Right now you two could be running around and playing pretend. Instead your standing here watching the cars go by." Kaoru could see their will starting to crumble. Perfect. Now it was time to go in for the kill. "And if we stay here too long the other kids might start to think you like school. They might even call you a geek."

"All right! All right! Its 16004 King St. Let's go now!" Kozuke dragged Kaoru forward as he looked around to make sure nobody saw him staying so late at school.

"Aww Kozuke, what's your rush?" Kaoru smirked.
............................................

Kaoru was about to knock on the door when Kozuke pushed ahead of her and opened it.

"You don't have to knock, I live here." He reminded her.

'I guess that was kind of stupid of me.'

"Go ahead and come in." Kozuke held the door open for Kaoru.

"Thank you Kozuke. That's very kind of you."

He beamed at Kaoru's praise.

"I'm going to go find my mom."

Kaoru bent over to remove her shoes.

"What are you doing?"

Kaoru looked up to see Kenji looking at her quizically.

"I'm taking off my shoes."

"I can see that. I meant why?"

"Its customary where I came from to take your shoes off before you enter a building."

"Thats stupid."

Kaoru's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"I said I think thats stupid."

"Why?"

"Because nobobdy else around here takes there shoes off unless they're dirty."

"So because I'm different that automatically makes me stupid?"

Kenji fidgeted. "Well...when you put it that way.."

Kaoru sat down and motioned for Kenji to come forward. "Kenji come here." When he came over she patted the area in front of her. "Sit down if you please."

"I think I know why that boy from the other day picks on you, but why don't you tell me anyway."

He turned away from her and huffed. "Its-its becuase I'm so small!"

"So then, that boy picks on you because your different, ne?"

Kenji's chin dropped down to his chest. He could see where this was going. "Y-yeah."

"It hurts when he does that, doesn't it?"

Kenji rolled his eyes. "Duh."

Kaoru stifled a giggle. "I meant it hurts your feelings."

"Yeah."

"But he knows nothing about you. He doesn't know about your past, or your family, or your abilities. Just like you don't know those things about me...yet." Kaoru moved her head so she could look Kenji in the eye. "I'm not mad Kenji, but when you pick on someone just because they're different in some way, it hurts them. Not only that it can be dangerous."

Kenji looked down at his lap and fiddled with his fingers.

Kaoru stood and held her hand out to him. "Why don't we go find Kozuke and his mom?

Kenji got up but didn't take the offered hand. "They're probably in the kitchen."

Kaoru followed Kenji into the kitchen where Kozuke was talking to a woman whom Kaoru assumed was his mother. The woman was strikingly beautiful and, Kaoru looked down at her stomach, obviously pregnant.

The woman turned to greet them when they entered the room. "Kenji sweetie, how are you?"

"Aunt Megumi, can Kozuke and I feed your dog now?"

"Sure. I'll have a snack ready for you two when you get back."

The two boys ran out of the kitchen leaving Kaoru and Megumi alone.

Kaoru bowed. "My name is Kaoru Kamiya. I'm Kenji's nanny."

"Yes, Kozuke told me. Thank you for picking him up, Sir Ken had been picking him up for me since he had to go for Kenji. I didn't know he had found a nanny yet."

Koaru wrinkled her brows. "Sir ken?"

Megumi giggled behind one elegant hand. "Ah, an old joke. My name is Megumi Sagara by the way."

She stuck her hand out to shake Kaoru's hand. Kaoru noticed with a twinge of envy how Megumi's slender fingers tapered off into long sculpted nails. Kaoru always tried to get her nails to look like that but eventually one would chip or tear (or grow at a funny angle) and she would wind up cutting them all off.

Kaoru smiled politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Sagara."

"Please call me Megumi." Megumi gestured toward a tea and some cups set on a tray. "I was just about to have some tea, would you like to join me?"

"That sounds nice, thank you very much."

"My goodness you're polite."

Kaoru blushed. She got that alot, but she never knew how to take it. "Ano..thank you?"

Megumi laughed at Kaoru's hesitation. "I meant it as a compliment Kaoru. Not to many people your age are so polite."

"My..age?"

"Yes, you're what...18? 19? Honestly you look younger, but I know Sir Ken wouldn't hire someone any younger than that."

Kaoru clenched her teeth in an efforet to stay calm. "I am 22."

"Oh, OH I'm so sorry. You're just so short, and those clothes you wear are so baggy they cover up any figure you might have."

Kaoru's face burned with humiliation and anger. 'If she's trying to make me feel bad, she's doing a great job.'

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound rude. I'm just not a very tactful person."

Koaru nodded. "That's okay."

"Why don't we go over to the table and drink the tea before it gets cold." Megumi started to pick up the tray when Kaoru interrupted her.

"Would you like me to carry that for you?"

Megumi shook her head. "No thank you, I've got it."

Megumi carried the tray over and started to pour the tea. "I hope you don't mind decaffienated. I can't have caffiene for obvious reasons." Megumi patted her stomach.

Kaoru smiled as she lifted her teacup to her lips. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

"We don't know, but my husband insists its another boy. I love my son Kozuke very much, but, I do hope it will be a girl. I'm hoping she won't get in as much trouble."

Megumi winced when her words were followed by a large crash and Kenji's shrill cry of "Bad dog!"

Kaoru jumped up and ran outside the back door to find Kozuke wailing next to a broken ceramic planter; but no sign of Kenji or the dog.

"Oh, baby what happened?" Megumi slowly knelt down and akwardly held her son. Kozuke answered but his words were too garbled to understand. Megumi lokked over at Kaoru and motioned for her to leave.

"I think he'll be okay, why don't you go look for Kenji?" Kaoru nodded and ran off.

"Kenji!" Kaoru ran around to the other side of the house.

"Kenji! Where -" Kaoru stopped when she saw Kenji curled up on the ground crying. The dog that had started the whole thing was calmly standing by Kenji, panting and wagging its tail. Kaoru hated dogs.

"Shoo! Go on! Get out of here!" Kaoru waved her hands at the dog causing it to scamper away with its tongue hanging out of its mouth.

"Kenji, what happaned?" Kenji shook his head and just kept crying.

"Can you sit up?" No response.

Kaoru tried to lift him into a sitting position, which caused Kenji to cry even louder.

"I want my daddy!" Kenji sobbed.

"I know you do Kenji, but he's not here right now. But I'll try to help the best that I can okay?"

Kenji hicupped and nodded.

"Can you tell me where it hurts?"

"Everywhere."

"Ookay. Why don't you show me where it hurts?"

Kenji pointed to various scrapes and scratches, but what really worried Kaoru was when he pointed to his elbow; it was starting to swell. Kenji yelped when she started to touch it.

"I'm sorry Kenji but I have to feel your elbow." Kenji clutched his elbow closer and shook his head.

"I want to make sure it isn't broken. I need you to be brave for just a few minutes okay?"
Kenji hesitantly started to hold out his arm.

"Thank you Kenji."

Kenji whimpered slightly when Kaoru gently pressed her fingers on his elbow. Kaoru smiled after a few minutes.

"Well nothing feels out of place. You're such a brave boy Kenji." Kaoru a hand out to wipe the tears from his eyes but Kenji jerked away violently. Kaoru's eyes saddened, but she forced herself to keep the smile on her face.

"Would you like me to carry you in Kenji?"

"No." And with that he got up and walked away.

.....................................

Kenshin looked up when Sano entered his office.

"Nice of you to knock Sano." Kenshin commented dryly.

"Kenshin we're buddies, I don't need to knock."

Kenshin rolled his eyes. "So did you actually come in here to tell me something or do you just want to bother me again?"

"Meg wanted me to tell you that you and Kenji are having dinner with us."

Kenshin grunted. "Tell her I said thank you for giving me a choice."

Sano grinned. "Yeah well, you know the fox."

Sano was halfway out the door before he turned around suddenly remembering something. "I forgot, Meg also wanted me to let you know that Kenji and his nanny are already there."

Kenshin's head shot up and his eyes narrowed. "What?" He winced slightly. His voice sounded sharper than he meant it to.

Sano shrugged. "Don't look at me. I'm just the messenger."

Kenshin forced a smile on his face. "Yeah, sorry Sano. I'll be a little late. I want to stop by my house and get changed first." Sano nodded and left Kenshin to his brooding thoughts.

Kenshin pushed away from his desk and stood looking out the large window. It was quite a ways from Kenji's school to Sano's and Megumi's house. He hoped Miss Kamiya hadn't gone against his wishes and taken Kenji riding on her motorcycle.
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I want to thank =everybody= (reviewers and non-reviewers) for taking the time to read this story. Without you, there really wouldn't be any point in writing now would there?

I'd also like to thank my brother for pre-reading this to make sure everything flowed correctly. Wasn't that sweet? (It made up for him saying 51 reviews was too many. =angry glare=)

I was going to make this chapter longer =buuut= it was getting =too= long. So I'll finish it in the next chapter.

Some people have interpreted ff.net's new rule of no "keyboard dialogue" to mean we can't reply to reviews, which it very well might, I don't know. However, I think its a stupid rule so I'm going to still reply to reviews. Besides, I'm to sweet to make anybody want to report me, right? (Right?) ;>

I'm going to break another rule now. (gasp) Apparently your not supposed to ask reviewers questions, but since I've already broken one, I might as well break another. What I want to ask is: Does anybody now of a website or book that has the meaning of Japanese names? I know of a website that has Japanese names, just not there meaning. Any help would be much aprreciated. :)

RECOMMENDED FANFIC: "A Massage for My Lady" by Mz. Amber Eyes. Yes, so far its only one chapter, but its a very GOOD chapter. :)

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Kaoru, The wondering samurie -- Thank you for being reviewer number fifty! =Hands out shirtless Kenshin. Or would you prefer Sano= ;) Well, thanks for the nice review, but I don't think its award worthy. I have to work a little harder for that. :) (But thanks again) And I'm glad you think so highly of it.

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alex -- Thank you. I will don't worry! (And there'll be some more fluff next chapter! yay!:)

Britty1633 -- Yeah, I think right now he's mostly just confused. He's getting these feelings that have been dormant for awhile.... Well, I passed and thats all I care about. I'm much better now that schools out. Thank you. :)

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Zerianyu -- Hello again! I'm sorry about that flame you recieved. It amazes me how mean pople can be, there are nicer ways to say you don't like a story. (Or you could just not say anything at all). Your the second (third?) person to say this is original. I'm surprised no one has come up with this plotline before. I'll let you in on a secret. Even though (and maybe because) I too have never seen this plotline before, I'm afraid that someone is going to come along and tell me its too similar to one of their stories and then request that I stop this one. :( I guess that silly. I didn't think you sonded mean at all, and its rated 'R' for rape. (in the far, far future) I told myself that I would =never= write a story with a real plot in it, and yet this story is getting more and more complicated in my head. I'm going frickin' nuts!! Sorry for that outburst. I've been holding that in for awhile. Well, here's more now. :) (And don't let me get to you. It's been a bad week.)

I'd like to thank the following people for putting me on their Author Alert list:K1dgey, TanukiGirl22, CEEGEE, gaby (hyatt, Selena Maxwell, Koorime-princess12, sataness-ov-desire, dacrayZblaze1, Story Weaver1, Zerianyu, glasclach, sabella/pan, The Monster in your Dreams, Angel of the Deaceased, are-en1, Koneko Maiden, th-dd-dmd-mnky, chmsweety, XxSilentxDreamerxX, Kitsune-Tenshi-16, Dark Thorn White Rose

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