Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love Again ❯ chapter fourteen ( Chapter 14 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Silent Tears of Agony 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.04.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 513 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.04.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 513 | Status: Work In Progress
Title: To Love Again
Chap: 14
I can't believe it's almost April already. :( This chapter doesn't really deal with just one issue, instead I tried to tie up a few loose ends. (:
I AM USING MY BROTHER'S COMPUTER. IT DOESN'T HAVE SPELL-CHECK. I WILL CORRECT THIS CHAPTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU! (:
-
"Well?" Soujiro expectantly eyed the emaciated man in front of him. Sojiro had never cared for Henya, there was a kind of constant nervous quality about him that grated on Sojiro's nerves. Henya was like an obedient little puppy, the kind that is always licking people's hands and practically pee all over themselves in their excitement to please their master.
It reminded Sojiro of how he had acted when he was a child.
"I'm afraid I missed them. But," he added hastily when Sojiro's fists tightened, "I was able to find out where they were headed." The harsh light in Sojiro's eyes lessened fractionally.
"And...?"
"They either went to Germany or California in the United States."
A muscle in Sojiro's jaw started working overtime at this bit of news. "Well, what are you still doing here?" He snapped at Henya. "Start searching for them!" After Henya left Sojiro sat down at his desk and placed his head in his hands.
"Either, or" didn't provide them with much of a game plan. Sojiro shuddered, his father would not be pleased.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Yahiko sighed as Aoshi and Misao continued their petty arguing. "Remind me again why we're here?"
"Because we're family and we can't escape them," Kaoru answered. "You know they'll be back to their usual selves once everything is settled. If you keep that in mind it should be easier to deal with the situation."
"Wanna bet?" Yahiko grumbled under his voice. After a long day of unpacking boxes and moving furniture, everyone's nerves were frazzled.
Aoshi's over-protective attitude toward his pregnant wife and said wife's loud mouth weren't helping matters.
Kaoru finally had enough of their constant bickering and marched over to the two of them. "That's enough!" Kaoru ripped the box from Aoshi's grip and tested it's weight before shoving it into Misao's hands. "It weighs less than five pounds, it won't hurt the baby. Aoshi go ... lift something heavy or do some other macho thing to make you feel better about yourself."
Kaoru didn't mean to be malicious, but when she was mad her mouth often spoke without her mind's consent.
"Kaoru!" Misao chastised her. "You should know better than I do that Aoshi isn't like that!"
Kaoru turned and left without saying a word. Aoshi held Misao back when she started to storm after Kaoru. "But she just insulted you!" Misao protested. "She insulted both of us!"
"I know," Aoshi replied as he watched his cousin's stiff movements. "She's embarrassed right now. She'll apologize when she's able to." He gave his wife a wry smile. "I guess I'll go do something 'macho' now."
Misao made a face. "Don't say things like that, it's just doesn't suit you."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
As Aoshi predicted, by the end of he day Koaru had apologized - profusely. She even convinced them to let her treat everybody to supper to further ease her concsense. Misao agreed after she found out the restaraunt they were going to was where Tsubame worked.
"So you're the Tsubame I've heard so much about," Misao cheerfully greeted the young woman. "I must say, I'm glad to see Yahiko in a lasting relationship. Especially with such a nice girl." Yahiko shot Misao a wary glance as Tsubame started to look a little unsure of the other woman's intentions.
"Oh?"
Misao nodded in response to Tsubame's question. "Yes, he's just too high maintenance for most women. Why, I remember one time he told a girl he didn't approve of women working and that his wife would be good and stay home taking care of his babies."
"Oh really?" Tsubame sent her boyfriend a heated glare. "If you'll all excuse me, I have to keep working. After all, I don't have a husband to support me while I take care of his babies." That said, she stormed off to wait on her other tables.
Yahiko jumped up to chase after her. "Baby!" Tsubame sent him a frigid gaze.
Yahiko gulped, "Tsubame ... Misao was just joking."
"I have other tables to wait on," Tsubame informed him cooly. "If you don't stop harrassing me, sir, I will ask for you to be escorted from the premises of this restaraunt."
Yahiko's face crumpled when he realized she was serious. He couldn't believe his sweet Tsubame had actually given him the cold shoulder! "Thanks for nothing!" He hissed at Misao. "What did you do that for?"
"I was just teasing. Don't tell me you can't take a joke anymore, Yahiko-chan!" Misao was now suffering from the same embarrassment that Kaoru had earlier. It was the kind that continued to make a fool out of one until they were so overwrought with guilt all ambition was ignored, save making amends. "But perhaps I did go a bit too far," she conceded after noticing her companions reproving glares.
Misao waved Tsubame over when the girl walked by their table. "I forgot to mention that Yahiko was only eight years old when he said that. I also didn't mention that he didn't have any strong female role models while growing up." Kaoru looked as if she wanted to protest to the last part of Misao's apology but didn't say anything.
Tsubame melted instantly. "That's right, you told me your mom died when you were very young." She started to blush in guilt. "Oh Yahiko, I'm sorry! I should have known better! You've never treated me that way."
Yahiko crossed his arms defensively. "Yeah, you should have known better." He yelped when Kaoru and Misao pinched him on either side. "But I guess we should forget about it instead of blaming each other." Kaoru was impressed with her little brother's maturity.
"Tsubame-san, my apartment supervisor was accepted to submit some pieces of art to a local gallery. We're all going this weekend, would you like to join us?"
Tsubame's usual shy smile readorned her face. "That sounds like fun. Thanks for inviting me."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Misao sighed in dissapointment when Kaoru showed up at the gallery with Ryuzaburo. "He's ... not quite what I was expecting." Misao tried to catch Kaoru's attention in the reflection of the restroom's mirror.
Kaoru narrowed her eyes in return. "It's not what you're thinking. Misao I already told you I'm only here with him as a friendly gesture. When I told him I wasn't comfortable being in his apartment with him, he was kind enough to wait until we could meet in public among friends. So please just accept what I've told you and don't make a big deal out of it."
"Oh alright. Like I said, I wasn't very impressed with him anyway. He seemed a little too friendly." Misao ran a critical eye over her friend's outfit. "I was hoping you would get rid of those horrible clothes when you left Sojiro's influence."
Kaoru looked down at her clothes. "What's wrong with them? These aren't stained or ripped and they match."
"What's sad is that you actually have a good sense of fashion combination but you never use it!" Misao sighed and shook her head. "I forgot how lazy you are when it comes to dressing up. I guess Igot my hopes up for nothing."
Kaoru threw her hands up in the air and walked out. "I have more important things to do than spend an hour or more primping!"
The first person Misao saw when she went back to the gallery was Yahiko. He didn't look happy and Kaoru wondered what was upsetting him. She found out when she joined him and Ryuzaburo. "That's my mother," she whispered in shock. "Along with Yahiko and me." She gasped in shock when she finally understood what had happened.
"You were the one who kept breaking into my apartment. Do you realize how scared I was that someone was trying to hurt me? I could press charges against you, you know! In fact I should press charges! Why would you do something like that?"
"I - I just ..." Ryuzaburo looked at a loss for words. "I felt my worked lacked beauty. you inspired me, but when you told me you couldn't come over to my apartment I assumed there was no point in asking yo uto pose for me. I used my key to get into your apartment. I didn't steal anything and I swear I didn't have any malicious intentions. I - I apologize for my actions."
Kaoru looked to the others for support, but found none. "I don't ... I just can't deal with this right now. You guys can stay if you want, but I have to leave."
Kaoru hurried out to the busy sidewalk and rested a hand over her eyes as she tried to sort through her emotions. "Kaoru?" Yahiko touched his sister's shoulder. Kaoru looked around to see everybody, save Ryuzaburo had come out with her. "Kaoru you don't want a creep like that to have access to your apartment, or any apartment!"
"Yahiko's right Kaoru, you should turn this guy in."
"I don't know, like he said, he didn't steal anything. He is the supervisor so I guess that gives him the right to enter my apartment, doesn't it?"
"Thinking like that is a bad idea. Tell her its a bad idea Aoshi!"
"I agree. I don't know everything about the rules here just yet, but it doesn't seem like he should be allowed in your apartment for no reason."
"Maybe I should talk to him first. I'm sure he won't do it again if I ask."
"Kaoru." Everybody turned to find Ryuzaburo standing before them. Aoshi and Yahiko sub-conciously stepped in front of Misao and Kaoru.
Ryuzaburo started to raise a placating hand, then thought better of it. "I didn't come out here to hurt anybody, I just ..." Ryuzaburo looked as if he was carefully considering his next words. "Somebody just offered to buy that painting. I'm asking 200 dollars for it but I think it's only fair that you collect the money. Or I could give you the painting to do what you want with it."
Kaoru seriously considered taking Ryuzaburo up on his first offer. 200 dollars may not be much, but she could use the money. "I need to see the painting again."
"Of course," Ryuzaburo agreed.
Kaoru went back inside to stand in front of the painting. Ryuzaburo had unknowingly painted Kaoru's favorite picture. It had been taken on her mother's last day, Kaoru and Yahiko had helped her dress her best for it. Somehow seeing her mother in the large portrait rather then the small picture made it seem as if she was alive again.
Kaoru had to put her hand to her mouth to keep from touching her mother's face. "What did you title it?"
"A Mother's Love."
Kaoru's lower lip trembled, she didn't know how much more of this she could handle. "It's very fitting." She sighed. "Yahiko you should have a say in this as well. You were her son too."
Yahiko shook his head helplessly. "You spent more time with her than I did. I think you are the best one to make a decision."
Kaoru smiled as she finally gave in to the temptation to gently touch her mother's face. Finally she sighed and turned to Ryuzaburo. "I can't stand the thought of one of my most precious memories hanging in a stranger's house." Kaoru only felt a twinge of guilt at the dissapointment on Ryuzaburo's face. Even if Kaoru had decided to keep the money, selling this painting would have publicized his name. But he was the one that started it, so Kaoru told herself she had nothing to feel bad about.
"However," she continued, "my mother did enjoy helping people. So ... you may use it to advertise your skills, if you wish. But if a time comes when you plan to no longer keep it, then I want it." Kaoru turned to leave but after pausing, turned back around to step closer to Ryuzaburo.
"I want you to know that you have completely lost my trust. If my apartment is broken into again, you will be the first person I suspect. You might want to consider that if you are tempted to take such actions again."
When Kaoru walked out of the gallery with her family, she left behind a very contrite Ryuzaburo.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Despite Kenshin's threats to Shishio, Kenji had remained in the same school. This was due largely to the fact that Megumi felt transferring Kenji and Kozuke to another school wouldn't address the problem and so refused to transfer her son. Kenji refused to go anywhere without his young friend.
And so it was, Kaoru found herself walking the familiar path to Kenji's school. Her class had been cancelled so she was actually early for once. She was on her way to the office to sign in and wait for Kenji when she spotted him being marched down the hall by a teacher.
Kaoru's heart sank; it was apparent the boy had been in another fight.
"Hello," Kaoru addressed the teacher. "May I ask where you are going with Kenji?"
"I'm sorry but I don't think I should give you that information."
"Oh, well you see I'm Kenji's nanny. It should be okay."
The frazzled teacher gave Kaoru a speculative look then turned to Kenji. "Is what she says true?" When Kenji remained silent, the teacher gave his arm a little shake to gain his attention. "Is it?" The teacher asked again. Kenji nodded his head wordlessly. The teacher started walking again.
"I'm taking him to the principal's office. I'm sure you can guess why. Since you are the only caretaker present, I don't see why you can't come with us."
Kaoru was worried by how quiet Kenji was. It wasn't uncommon for the boy to be sullen, she had seen him in that mood many times. But this seemed different, he seemed almost spiritless. "I'll take him." Kaoru picked him up and carried him in an attempt to comfort him. He immediately wrapped around her and buried his head in her neck. Kaoru squeezed him extra tightly when she realized the wetness she felt on her neck was more than just blood.
"What happened?"
The teacher sighed. "A grade schooler started to tease Kenji about that toy he always brings with him. I've warned Kenji not to bring it with him as it seems to start many fights between the two students. But, Kenji wilfully refuses to listen to me and this is the result."
Kaoru decided she didn't like this teacher. "And where were all the teachers when this happened?" Kaoru barely kept from asking where this teacher was during the fight.
The teacher turned and looked her squarely in the eye. "Miss, I know what you are thinking. The fight occurred out in the hall, and it was already finished by the time I found out about it. I wish there were enough teachers to keep a proper eye on all of the students, but we don't have the funds. I know this must sound like a cop out to you, but it's the truth. And before you ask why I'm not escorting the other student to the principal's office as well, it's because he had to be sent to the nurse's office."
Kaoru blushed a little in embarrassment; that had been her next question. While they waited to see the principal, Kaoru cleaned Kenji up as best as she could with a tissue. "Kenji, what happened? The last few weeks you haven't gotten into any fights or lied. I was glad to see you behaving better."
Again, Kenji didn't say anything. He merely shrugged and kept his head down. Before Kaoru could question him further, Yumi announced that Shishio was ready to see them.
"I apologize for the delay, I have been trying to reach Kenji's father," he explained.
"I know this probably sounds like a bad idea, but I wonder if you would be kind enough to let me take Kenji home for today. I'm sure both his father and this other's boys parents would be willing to meet on another day." Kaoru would make sure Kenji wasn't the only one held responsible for his actions.
Shishio considered his answer for quite some time, his eyes trained on Kenji's dejected form. Enough time had started to pass for Koaru to start pondering random thoughts - such as how long it took Shishio to put all of his bandages on in the morning - when the principal finally spoke.
"That might be for the best. If we allow some time to pass, everybody might be in a less accussing mood." Shishio's voice was casual enough, but Kaoru felt the last part was a reprimand meant just for her.
Kaoru thanked him and walked outside, barely remembering to look for Kozuke and his mother. Megumi had started working again in the morning - leaving Taki with a nearby daycare center. She only worked half days, stopping in time to pick everybody up and drive them to her house.
Kaoru smiled her relief when Megumi took some of Kemji's things from her hands. "Thanks for waiting."
"Of course I wouldn't leave you and Kenji here. I was startign to worry a bit though, when Kozuke told me Kenji had gotten into another fight. How is he?"
Megumi patiently waited as Kaoru struggled to detach Kenji's limbs from around her body. "Kenji, you have to go into your car seat now. I wish I could keep holding you, but I can't while we're in the car."
Kenji started to cry harder, practically throwing a tantrum in the parking lot. His screaming had started the baby to cry and both women had a hard time calming them down. Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief when everybody was finally ready to leave.
"You know," Kaoru commented to Megumi, "I'm almost more relieved that he had a fit. He was far too quiet until then. It was scaring me." She looked back to check on Kenji and saw him holding a damaged stuff toy to his face.
A very familiar stuffed toy. It looked a lot like the same one he had nearly bit her head off about on the first day. Things were starting to click in place for Kaoru.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Megumi had helped Kaoru patch up Kenji, then made sure the two of them were left alone in the nursery. She felt it was the best way Kaoru would be able to get Kenji to talk.
Kaoru had taken a look at Kenji's toy and decided she was capable of sewing it back together. "After I finish sewing it, we can wash it and it will be practically as good as new." Kaoru waited for Kenji to say something, but he remained silent as he sat next to her.
"Of course, it will be rather delicate so it might be a good idea to leave it home from now on."
Kenji shook his head violently. "I can't!"
"Oh." Kaoru cleared her throat nervously. "Would you mind if I asked why?"
Kenji turned his face to stare up at her for a long time before answering. "Mommy gave Enishi to me before she died. Daddy told me, they were going on a trip and I had to stay home so she gave him to me to keep me company. It isn't right to leave him alone then, is it?"
"No I suppose not." Kaoru was surprised to see dissapointment form on Kenji's face. Perhaps the toy had become more of a burden than anyone realized? "I wonder if ..." Kaoru spoke slowly as she thought out loud.
"Do you remember that I told you my mother died when I was little?" Kenji nodded. "Well," Kaoru continued, "right before ... that happened, she gave me a toy to keep me company too. But I had to store it away to keep it safe. But he's probably very lonely too. Maybe if we brought the two of them together, they could keep each other company and Enishi could stay home then."
"Is um ... what is his name?"
Koaru smiled, "Kenji."
Kenji gave her a skeptical look. "You're lying to make me feel better."
Koaru shook her head. "No, it's true. I've always liked that name."
Kenji didn't look like he was totally convinced. "Well would Kenji be a good friend to Enishi?"
"Oh yes. He was my best friend for a very long time."
Kenji looked as if he was considering the matter deeply before finally nodding. "Alright, I want to try it."
"I'm glad, see you helped me out too!" She knotted off the last stitch and cut the thread. She ran a critical eye over Enishi. The poor thing was so dirty it was pathetic. "This poor is practically begging for a bath. Why don't you help me give him one, hm?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
For about a week, Kaoru had noticed that the nervous flutter she felt whenever Kenshin was around had morphed into a somewhat pleasant anticipation. She was getting that feeling now and so knew the body that had just sat next to her could only be Kenshin.
"I heard about what happened at school." Kenshin smiled at her. "Thanks for taking care of Kenji."
"Oh well -" Kaoru had been about to say it was her job to take care of Kenji, but that seemed to demean how she felt about the boy." "Well, he's just such a good boy what else could I do?"
Kenshin let out a half-laugh, half-snort. "You can help me figure out why he is getting into so many fights."
"Oh, I already beat you there."
"Really, might it have anything to do with the bunny drip-drying in my sister's shower?"
A fit of giggles escaped Kaoru before she sobered back up. "Yes, but I think there's more to it than that."
Kenshin's lips twisted inot a frown. "Me too." He drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around them. "Everybody has been telling me that Kenji should leave the toy at home, at least for school. I'm ashamed to admit it, but Kenji's even hinted that he wants to do the same only I pretended I didn't understand." If Kenshin noticed Kaoru's surprise, he gave no indication; he merely continued to gaze forward unseeingly.
"Kenji feels a sort of duty to protect the toy, even if that includes bringing it to school. I ... guess I was afraid that if he became unattached to the toy, he would forget Tomoe all the more quickly. But I think I did more harm than good."
Kaoru hesitated before speaking. "Physical reminders of loved ones are nice. But they have their place." She hoped Kenshin didn't notice the darting glance she gave to his wedding ring.
Kenshin shifted in a way that made it seem as if his back was turned to her when it wasn't. Kaoru had been at the recieving end of this move more than she cared for and knew it meant he was angry. After a little more shifting and some heavy sighing, Kenshin finally stayed in one position.
"My mom's been telling me the same thing for the past year. She said she went through the same thing when dad died and she's worried about me."
"Well, isn't that what mother's do? Worry about their children?" Kaoru smiled trying to lighten the mood but it seemed to have the opposite effect on her boss.
His hands started to fidget and he kept looking away from her, but Kaoru didn't think he was mad again. If Kaoru didn't know better, she would say Kenshin looked kind of shy. Kaoru had seen Kenshin when he was uncomfortable, and even when he was embarrassed, but never had she seen a shy Kenshin!
"Are you okay?"
Kaoru's eyes widened when Kenshin's ears turned red.
"Yeah, I was just remembering something Kenji's prinicipal said when he called earlier." Kenshin gave an uneasy chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck. "He said you stood up for Kenji so well today, if he didn't know better he would have thought you were his mom."
Kaoru's face flamed red and she gave a tense laugh. "Oh wow, really? That's - that's kind of funny." They both continued to laugh in embarrassment.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Kenshin agreed. Amidst the tense chuckles, neither of them knew they were both wondering why they were so embarrassed over such a simple observation.
-
An anonymous reviewer asked me some questions and I thought I would answer them here. K&K will definitely progress more in their relationship. (In fact they are right now!) I'm sorry, but not all can be as we hope... And as for the answer to Tomoe's death, I'm hoping to bring that issue up in the next chapter. So stay tuned! (: (I don't think Megumi schemed all that much in the anime or the manga. It seems to mostly be a fan thing. But it does kind of suit her personality. :D)
I would like to thank: Hanabi jou, Nette JP for reviewing!
See you in June! :D
Chap: 14
I can't believe it's almost April already. :( This chapter doesn't really deal with just one issue, instead I tried to tie up a few loose ends. (:
I AM USING MY BROTHER'S COMPUTER. IT DOESN'T HAVE SPELL-CHECK. I WILL CORRECT THIS CHAPTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU! (:
-
"Well?" Soujiro expectantly eyed the emaciated man in front of him. Sojiro had never cared for Henya, there was a kind of constant nervous quality about him that grated on Sojiro's nerves. Henya was like an obedient little puppy, the kind that is always licking people's hands and practically pee all over themselves in their excitement to please their master.
It reminded Sojiro of how he had acted when he was a child.
"I'm afraid I missed them. But," he added hastily when Sojiro's fists tightened, "I was able to find out where they were headed." The harsh light in Sojiro's eyes lessened fractionally.
"And...?"
"They either went to Germany or California in the United States."
A muscle in Sojiro's jaw started working overtime at this bit of news. "Well, what are you still doing here?" He snapped at Henya. "Start searching for them!" After Henya left Sojiro sat down at his desk and placed his head in his hands.
"Either, or" didn't provide them with much of a game plan. Sojiro shuddered, his father would not be pleased.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Yahiko sighed as Aoshi and Misao continued their petty arguing. "Remind me again why we're here?"
"Because we're family and we can't escape them," Kaoru answered. "You know they'll be back to their usual selves once everything is settled. If you keep that in mind it should be easier to deal with the situation."
"Wanna bet?" Yahiko grumbled under his voice. After a long day of unpacking boxes and moving furniture, everyone's nerves were frazzled.
Aoshi's over-protective attitude toward his pregnant wife and said wife's loud mouth weren't helping matters.
Kaoru finally had enough of their constant bickering and marched over to the two of them. "That's enough!" Kaoru ripped the box from Aoshi's grip and tested it's weight before shoving it into Misao's hands. "It weighs less than five pounds, it won't hurt the baby. Aoshi go ... lift something heavy or do some other macho thing to make you feel better about yourself."
Kaoru didn't mean to be malicious, but when she was mad her mouth often spoke without her mind's consent.
"Kaoru!" Misao chastised her. "You should know better than I do that Aoshi isn't like that!"
Kaoru turned and left without saying a word. Aoshi held Misao back when she started to storm after Kaoru. "But she just insulted you!" Misao protested. "She insulted both of us!"
"I know," Aoshi replied as he watched his cousin's stiff movements. "She's embarrassed right now. She'll apologize when she's able to." He gave his wife a wry smile. "I guess I'll go do something 'macho' now."
Misao made a face. "Don't say things like that, it's just doesn't suit you."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
As Aoshi predicted, by the end of he day Koaru had apologized - profusely. She even convinced them to let her treat everybody to supper to further ease her concsense. Misao agreed after she found out the restaraunt they were going to was where Tsubame worked.
"So you're the Tsubame I've heard so much about," Misao cheerfully greeted the young woman. "I must say, I'm glad to see Yahiko in a lasting relationship. Especially with such a nice girl." Yahiko shot Misao a wary glance as Tsubame started to look a little unsure of the other woman's intentions.
"Oh?"
Misao nodded in response to Tsubame's question. "Yes, he's just too high maintenance for most women. Why, I remember one time he told a girl he didn't approve of women working and that his wife would be good and stay home taking care of his babies."
"Oh really?" Tsubame sent her boyfriend a heated glare. "If you'll all excuse me, I have to keep working. After all, I don't have a husband to support me while I take care of his babies." That said, she stormed off to wait on her other tables.
Yahiko jumped up to chase after her. "Baby!" Tsubame sent him a frigid gaze.
Yahiko gulped, "Tsubame ... Misao was just joking."
"I have other tables to wait on," Tsubame informed him cooly. "If you don't stop harrassing me, sir, I will ask for you to be escorted from the premises of this restaraunt."
Yahiko's face crumpled when he realized she was serious. He couldn't believe his sweet Tsubame had actually given him the cold shoulder! "Thanks for nothing!" He hissed at Misao. "What did you do that for?"
"I was just teasing. Don't tell me you can't take a joke anymore, Yahiko-chan!" Misao was now suffering from the same embarrassment that Kaoru had earlier. It was the kind that continued to make a fool out of one until they were so overwrought with guilt all ambition was ignored, save making amends. "But perhaps I did go a bit too far," she conceded after noticing her companions reproving glares.
Misao waved Tsubame over when the girl walked by their table. "I forgot to mention that Yahiko was only eight years old when he said that. I also didn't mention that he didn't have any strong female role models while growing up." Kaoru looked as if she wanted to protest to the last part of Misao's apology but didn't say anything.
Tsubame melted instantly. "That's right, you told me your mom died when you were very young." She started to blush in guilt. "Oh Yahiko, I'm sorry! I should have known better! You've never treated me that way."
Yahiko crossed his arms defensively. "Yeah, you should have known better." He yelped when Kaoru and Misao pinched him on either side. "But I guess we should forget about it instead of blaming each other." Kaoru was impressed with her little brother's maturity.
"Tsubame-san, my apartment supervisor was accepted to submit some pieces of art to a local gallery. We're all going this weekend, would you like to join us?"
Tsubame's usual shy smile readorned her face. "That sounds like fun. Thanks for inviting me."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Misao sighed in dissapointment when Kaoru showed up at the gallery with Ryuzaburo. "He's ... not quite what I was expecting." Misao tried to catch Kaoru's attention in the reflection of the restroom's mirror.
Kaoru narrowed her eyes in return. "It's not what you're thinking. Misao I already told you I'm only here with him as a friendly gesture. When I told him I wasn't comfortable being in his apartment with him, he was kind enough to wait until we could meet in public among friends. So please just accept what I've told you and don't make a big deal out of it."
"Oh alright. Like I said, I wasn't very impressed with him anyway. He seemed a little too friendly." Misao ran a critical eye over her friend's outfit. "I was hoping you would get rid of those horrible clothes when you left Sojiro's influence."
Kaoru looked down at her clothes. "What's wrong with them? These aren't stained or ripped and they match."
"What's sad is that you actually have a good sense of fashion combination but you never use it!" Misao sighed and shook her head. "I forgot how lazy you are when it comes to dressing up. I guess Igot my hopes up for nothing."
Kaoru threw her hands up in the air and walked out. "I have more important things to do than spend an hour or more primping!"
The first person Misao saw when she went back to the gallery was Yahiko. He didn't look happy and Kaoru wondered what was upsetting him. She found out when she joined him and Ryuzaburo. "That's my mother," she whispered in shock. "Along with Yahiko and me." She gasped in shock when she finally understood what had happened.
"You were the one who kept breaking into my apartment. Do you realize how scared I was that someone was trying to hurt me? I could press charges against you, you know! In fact I should press charges! Why would you do something like that?"
"I - I just ..." Ryuzaburo looked at a loss for words. "I felt my worked lacked beauty. you inspired me, but when you told me you couldn't come over to my apartment I assumed there was no point in asking yo uto pose for me. I used my key to get into your apartment. I didn't steal anything and I swear I didn't have any malicious intentions. I - I apologize for my actions."
Kaoru looked to the others for support, but found none. "I don't ... I just can't deal with this right now. You guys can stay if you want, but I have to leave."
Kaoru hurried out to the busy sidewalk and rested a hand over her eyes as she tried to sort through her emotions. "Kaoru?" Yahiko touched his sister's shoulder. Kaoru looked around to see everybody, save Ryuzaburo had come out with her. "Kaoru you don't want a creep like that to have access to your apartment, or any apartment!"
"Yahiko's right Kaoru, you should turn this guy in."
"I don't know, like he said, he didn't steal anything. He is the supervisor so I guess that gives him the right to enter my apartment, doesn't it?"
"Thinking like that is a bad idea. Tell her its a bad idea Aoshi!"
"I agree. I don't know everything about the rules here just yet, but it doesn't seem like he should be allowed in your apartment for no reason."
"Maybe I should talk to him first. I'm sure he won't do it again if I ask."
"Kaoru." Everybody turned to find Ryuzaburo standing before them. Aoshi and Yahiko sub-conciously stepped in front of Misao and Kaoru.
Ryuzaburo started to raise a placating hand, then thought better of it. "I didn't come out here to hurt anybody, I just ..." Ryuzaburo looked as if he was carefully considering his next words. "Somebody just offered to buy that painting. I'm asking 200 dollars for it but I think it's only fair that you collect the money. Or I could give you the painting to do what you want with it."
Kaoru seriously considered taking Ryuzaburo up on his first offer. 200 dollars may not be much, but she could use the money. "I need to see the painting again."
"Of course," Ryuzaburo agreed.
Kaoru went back inside to stand in front of the painting. Ryuzaburo had unknowingly painted Kaoru's favorite picture. It had been taken on her mother's last day, Kaoru and Yahiko had helped her dress her best for it. Somehow seeing her mother in the large portrait rather then the small picture made it seem as if she was alive again.
Kaoru had to put her hand to her mouth to keep from touching her mother's face. "What did you title it?"
"A Mother's Love."
Kaoru's lower lip trembled, she didn't know how much more of this she could handle. "It's very fitting." She sighed. "Yahiko you should have a say in this as well. You were her son too."
Yahiko shook his head helplessly. "You spent more time with her than I did. I think you are the best one to make a decision."
Kaoru smiled as she finally gave in to the temptation to gently touch her mother's face. Finally she sighed and turned to Ryuzaburo. "I can't stand the thought of one of my most precious memories hanging in a stranger's house." Kaoru only felt a twinge of guilt at the dissapointment on Ryuzaburo's face. Even if Kaoru had decided to keep the money, selling this painting would have publicized his name. But he was the one that started it, so Kaoru told herself she had nothing to feel bad about.
"However," she continued, "my mother did enjoy helping people. So ... you may use it to advertise your skills, if you wish. But if a time comes when you plan to no longer keep it, then I want it." Kaoru turned to leave but after pausing, turned back around to step closer to Ryuzaburo.
"I want you to know that you have completely lost my trust. If my apartment is broken into again, you will be the first person I suspect. You might want to consider that if you are tempted to take such actions again."
When Kaoru walked out of the gallery with her family, she left behind a very contrite Ryuzaburo.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Despite Kenshin's threats to Shishio, Kenji had remained in the same school. This was due largely to the fact that Megumi felt transferring Kenji and Kozuke to another school wouldn't address the problem and so refused to transfer her son. Kenji refused to go anywhere without his young friend.
And so it was, Kaoru found herself walking the familiar path to Kenji's school. Her class had been cancelled so she was actually early for once. She was on her way to the office to sign in and wait for Kenji when she spotted him being marched down the hall by a teacher.
Kaoru's heart sank; it was apparent the boy had been in another fight.
"Hello," Kaoru addressed the teacher. "May I ask where you are going with Kenji?"
"I'm sorry but I don't think I should give you that information."
"Oh, well you see I'm Kenji's nanny. It should be okay."
The frazzled teacher gave Kaoru a speculative look then turned to Kenji. "Is what she says true?" When Kenji remained silent, the teacher gave his arm a little shake to gain his attention. "Is it?" The teacher asked again. Kenji nodded his head wordlessly. The teacher started walking again.
"I'm taking him to the principal's office. I'm sure you can guess why. Since you are the only caretaker present, I don't see why you can't come with us."
Kaoru was worried by how quiet Kenji was. It wasn't uncommon for the boy to be sullen, she had seen him in that mood many times. But this seemed different, he seemed almost spiritless. "I'll take him." Kaoru picked him up and carried him in an attempt to comfort him. He immediately wrapped around her and buried his head in her neck. Kaoru squeezed him extra tightly when she realized the wetness she felt on her neck was more than just blood.
"What happened?"
The teacher sighed. "A grade schooler started to tease Kenji about that toy he always brings with him. I've warned Kenji not to bring it with him as it seems to start many fights between the two students. But, Kenji wilfully refuses to listen to me and this is the result."
Kaoru decided she didn't like this teacher. "And where were all the teachers when this happened?" Kaoru barely kept from asking where this teacher was during the fight.
The teacher turned and looked her squarely in the eye. "Miss, I know what you are thinking. The fight occurred out in the hall, and it was already finished by the time I found out about it. I wish there were enough teachers to keep a proper eye on all of the students, but we don't have the funds. I know this must sound like a cop out to you, but it's the truth. And before you ask why I'm not escorting the other student to the principal's office as well, it's because he had to be sent to the nurse's office."
Kaoru blushed a little in embarrassment; that had been her next question. While they waited to see the principal, Kaoru cleaned Kenji up as best as she could with a tissue. "Kenji, what happened? The last few weeks you haven't gotten into any fights or lied. I was glad to see you behaving better."
Again, Kenji didn't say anything. He merely shrugged and kept his head down. Before Kaoru could question him further, Yumi announced that Shishio was ready to see them.
"I apologize for the delay, I have been trying to reach Kenji's father," he explained.
"I know this probably sounds like a bad idea, but I wonder if you would be kind enough to let me take Kenji home for today. I'm sure both his father and this other's boys parents would be willing to meet on another day." Kaoru would make sure Kenji wasn't the only one held responsible for his actions.
Shishio considered his answer for quite some time, his eyes trained on Kenji's dejected form. Enough time had started to pass for Koaru to start pondering random thoughts - such as how long it took Shishio to put all of his bandages on in the morning - when the principal finally spoke.
"That might be for the best. If we allow some time to pass, everybody might be in a less accussing mood." Shishio's voice was casual enough, but Kaoru felt the last part was a reprimand meant just for her.
Kaoru thanked him and walked outside, barely remembering to look for Kozuke and his mother. Megumi had started working again in the morning - leaving Taki with a nearby daycare center. She only worked half days, stopping in time to pick everybody up and drive them to her house.
Kaoru smiled her relief when Megumi took some of Kemji's things from her hands. "Thanks for waiting."
"Of course I wouldn't leave you and Kenji here. I was startign to worry a bit though, when Kozuke told me Kenji had gotten into another fight. How is he?"
Megumi patiently waited as Kaoru struggled to detach Kenji's limbs from around her body. "Kenji, you have to go into your car seat now. I wish I could keep holding you, but I can't while we're in the car."
Kenji started to cry harder, practically throwing a tantrum in the parking lot. His screaming had started the baby to cry and both women had a hard time calming them down. Kaoru breathed a sigh of relief when everybody was finally ready to leave.
"You know," Kaoru commented to Megumi, "I'm almost more relieved that he had a fit. He was far too quiet until then. It was scaring me." She looked back to check on Kenji and saw him holding a damaged stuff toy to his face.
A very familiar stuffed toy. It looked a lot like the same one he had nearly bit her head off about on the first day. Things were starting to click in place for Kaoru.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Megumi had helped Kaoru patch up Kenji, then made sure the two of them were left alone in the nursery. She felt it was the best way Kaoru would be able to get Kenji to talk.
Kaoru had taken a look at Kenji's toy and decided she was capable of sewing it back together. "After I finish sewing it, we can wash it and it will be practically as good as new." Kaoru waited for Kenji to say something, but he remained silent as he sat next to her.
"Of course, it will be rather delicate so it might be a good idea to leave it home from now on."
Kenji shook his head violently. "I can't!"
"Oh." Kaoru cleared her throat nervously. "Would you mind if I asked why?"
Kenji turned his face to stare up at her for a long time before answering. "Mommy gave Enishi to me before she died. Daddy told me, they were going on a trip and I had to stay home so she gave him to me to keep me company. It isn't right to leave him alone then, is it?"
"No I suppose not." Kaoru was surprised to see dissapointment form on Kenji's face. Perhaps the toy had become more of a burden than anyone realized? "I wonder if ..." Kaoru spoke slowly as she thought out loud.
"Do you remember that I told you my mother died when I was little?" Kenji nodded. "Well," Kaoru continued, "right before ... that happened, she gave me a toy to keep me company too. But I had to store it away to keep it safe. But he's probably very lonely too. Maybe if we brought the two of them together, they could keep each other company and Enishi could stay home then."
"Is um ... what is his name?"
Koaru smiled, "Kenji."
Kenji gave her a skeptical look. "You're lying to make me feel better."
Koaru shook her head. "No, it's true. I've always liked that name."
Kenji didn't look like he was totally convinced. "Well would Kenji be a good friend to Enishi?"
"Oh yes. He was my best friend for a very long time."
Kenji looked as if he was considering the matter deeply before finally nodding. "Alright, I want to try it."
"I'm glad, see you helped me out too!" She knotted off the last stitch and cut the thread. She ran a critical eye over Enishi. The poor thing was so dirty it was pathetic. "This poor is practically begging for a bath. Why don't you help me give him one, hm?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
For about a week, Kaoru had noticed that the nervous flutter she felt whenever Kenshin was around had morphed into a somewhat pleasant anticipation. She was getting that feeling now and so knew the body that had just sat next to her could only be Kenshin.
"I heard about what happened at school." Kenshin smiled at her. "Thanks for taking care of Kenji."
"Oh well -" Kaoru had been about to say it was her job to take care of Kenji, but that seemed to demean how she felt about the boy." "Well, he's just such a good boy what else could I do?"
Kenshin let out a half-laugh, half-snort. "You can help me figure out why he is getting into so many fights."
"Oh, I already beat you there."
"Really, might it have anything to do with the bunny drip-drying in my sister's shower?"
A fit of giggles escaped Kaoru before she sobered back up. "Yes, but I think there's more to it than that."
Kenshin's lips twisted inot a frown. "Me too." He drew his knees up and wrapped his arms around them. "Everybody has been telling me that Kenji should leave the toy at home, at least for school. I'm ashamed to admit it, but Kenji's even hinted that he wants to do the same only I pretended I didn't understand." If Kenshin noticed Kaoru's surprise, he gave no indication; he merely continued to gaze forward unseeingly.
"Kenji feels a sort of duty to protect the toy, even if that includes bringing it to school. I ... guess I was afraid that if he became unattached to the toy, he would forget Tomoe all the more quickly. But I think I did more harm than good."
Kaoru hesitated before speaking. "Physical reminders of loved ones are nice. But they have their place." She hoped Kenshin didn't notice the darting glance she gave to his wedding ring.
Kenshin shifted in a way that made it seem as if his back was turned to her when it wasn't. Kaoru had been at the recieving end of this move more than she cared for and knew it meant he was angry. After a little more shifting and some heavy sighing, Kenshin finally stayed in one position.
"My mom's been telling me the same thing for the past year. She said she went through the same thing when dad died and she's worried about me."
"Well, isn't that what mother's do? Worry about their children?" Kaoru smiled trying to lighten the mood but it seemed to have the opposite effect on her boss.
His hands started to fidget and he kept looking away from her, but Kaoru didn't think he was mad again. If Kaoru didn't know better, she would say Kenshin looked kind of shy. Kaoru had seen Kenshin when he was uncomfortable, and even when he was embarrassed, but never had she seen a shy Kenshin!
"Are you okay?"
Kaoru's eyes widened when Kenshin's ears turned red.
"Yeah, I was just remembering something Kenji's prinicipal said when he called earlier." Kenshin gave an uneasy chuckle as he rubbed the back of his neck. "He said you stood up for Kenji so well today, if he didn't know better he would have thought you were his mom."
Kaoru's face flamed red and she gave a tense laugh. "Oh wow, really? That's - that's kind of funny." They both continued to laugh in embarrassment.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Kenshin agreed. Amidst the tense chuckles, neither of them knew they were both wondering why they were so embarrassed over such a simple observation.
-
An anonymous reviewer asked me some questions and I thought I would answer them here. K&K will definitely progress more in their relationship. (In fact they are right now!) I'm sorry, but not all can be as we hope... And as for the answer to Tomoe's death, I'm hoping to bring that issue up in the next chapter. So stay tuned! (: (I don't think Megumi schemed all that much in the anime or the manga. It seems to mostly be a fan thing. But it does kind of suit her personality. :D)
I would like to thank: Hanabi jou, Nette JP for reviewing!
See you in June! :D