Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ To Love Again ❯ chapter fifteen ( Chapter 15 )
[ 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: 06.10.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 488 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.10.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.4K | Visits: 488 | Status: Completed
Title: To Love Again
Chap: 15
I forgot to thank YetAnotherCatGirl for proofreading the last chapter. I'm so sorry! :(( Hopefully she'll proofread this one for me as well. :)
-
Kenshin sat in a corner of the bar. He had never been in one before. He wasn't impressed with what he saw now. But, he supposed that if the only purpose of frequenting such places was for the alcohol, then the atmosphere didn't matter.
If Kenshin had been asked a month - or even a week -ago if he would like a drink, he would have flatly refused. It wasn't that he had made a vow never to drink again. But after that night, Kenshin couldn't stomach even the smell of alcohol. Yet here he was sitting in a dingy bar with the sole purpose of getting drunk.
Kenshin looked down at his empty glass then set his head on the palm of his hand. 'Enough, this isn't like me.' Kenshin finally pushed away from the table and staggered to the door.
"Hey!" A well-built man wearing a shirt with the bar's logo on it walked over to Kenshin. "It looks as if you've had too much to drink. The law says I have to take your keys."
"Oh." Kenshin dug into his pocket and dropped the keys into the other man's hand. "I wasn't planning on driving anyway."
Kenshin stepped out of the bar and into the San Francisco fog. The drizzle that had lasted all day was now trying to turn into a steady downpour. Kenshin jammed his hands into his pockets and shuffled along the sidewalk. He knew he should call a cab and that he might get sick in this weather, but right now, Kenshin felt like the rain was his only companion.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Thank you," Kaoru thanked the children for cleaning up their dishes. "I borrowed a popcorn popper and Suzume brought Candy Land. So, I can make some popcorn and then we can play a game." Kaoru looked over the group of frowning faces and didn't know what to do. "I know this is your first time away from home, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun."
"I was having fun, but I want to go home now."
"Me too," Kozuke agreed with his cousin.
Kaoru wrapped her arms around the boys' shoulders. "We talked about this Kozuke. I'm watching you and your sister so your parents could have some alone time. Kenji, I asked if you wanted to spend the night with Kozuke and you said yes. I'm sure your father has already made plans for tonight."
"Please?" Kenji managed to make his eyes look even bigger than usual.
"Well, I guess we could at least give him a call," Kaoru finally relented. Kaoru punched in Kenshin's number then handed the phone to Kenji.
Kenji opened his mouth to speak, then frowned. "Here," he handed the phone back to Kaoru.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru held the phone to her ear, only to hear silence.
"I thought it was daddy, but it was just his voice on the machine." Kenji's head drooped for a moment before his manner brightened.
"We could call him on his cell phone!"
Kaoru looked doubtful. "Kenji, I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Let's just play the game, and we can try again before you go to bed."
Kenji scrunched up his face.
"Throwing a tantrum won't change my mind," Kaoru warned.
Kenji stomped across the room and pouted.
"If you don't want to join us, that's your choice. When you're in a better mood, you may join us if you want to.”
"I don't want to play your silly game!" Kenji shouted. "I want my daddy!"
Kaoru sucked in a breath and pressed her lips together. "There's no need to shout," was all Kaoru said before attending to the other children.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Megumi giggled as Sano whispered kisses along her neck. "I feel like a teenager who is sneaking behind their parents back."
Sano smirked at his wife's comment. "More like a parent who is trying to steal a few moments with their spouse before their children come running into the room," he teased his wife in the hopes that she would laugh again.
Sano loved to make his family laugh, it was such a beautiful sound. Unfortunately, Sano's words had the opposite effect and Megumi's features drooped slightly.
"I was trying not to think about my babies."
"Meg, Kaoru's watching them. They'll be fine."
"I know. I trust Kaoru. But I can't help worrying a little."
Before Sano could respond, there was a sound at the door. "I'll go see who that is."
"Be careful," Megumi warned her husband.
Sano flicked his forehead in frustration. "Stop worrying so much!"
Sano opened the door to see his brother-in-law sitting on the porch.
"Kenshin what are you doing here?" Sano sat next to Kenshin when the other man shook his head in response.
"Kenshin, I know this day has bad memories for you, but you do remember it's Meg and my anniversary tonight, correct?"
Kenshin moaned a little, but said nothing.
Sano turned so that he was facing Kenshin. "Have you been drinking?" Sano was shocked. Even before the accident, Kenshin hadn't been much of a drinker. Now he smelled as if he had been dipped in alcohol.
"Kenshin what has gotten into you? I hope you didn't drive over here!"
"Of course not!" Kenshin snapped.
Sano sighed, "Well that's a relief. How did you get here, then?"
"I walked."
"In the rain?"
Sano looked up at the grey sky, then back down at his hands. "I'll take you home. I guess you can sleep it off."
"I don't want to be alone," Kenshin quietly protested.
Sano set his head in his hands and massaged his temples. "I don't know . . . I'll talk with Meg. At any rate, you need to come in and dry off." Sano helped Kenshin walk inside and sit at the kitchen table, then returned to the living room.
"Meg?" When his wife didn't answer, Sano walked up to the couch to find her sleeping. Sano sighed, "Oh well. I guess it doesn't really matter now."
Sano grabbed some towels from the downstairs bathroom so Kenshin could dry off. On his way back, he heard Kaoru's voice on the answering machine. "Hello?" Sano answered the phone.
"Hello Sagara-san. I'm sorry to disturb you, but the boys wouldn't go to sleep without saying good night. I was wondering if you know where Kenshin is? I can't reach him at his house."
"He's here at my house." Sano paused briefly as an idea occurred to him. "Actually, would you mind coming over and helping me out?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Carting along four cranky toddlers and a baby on a bus after dark was not Kaoru's idea of fun. Nevertheless, she was pleased it only took half an hour longer than usual to reach Sano's house.
"You brought the kids," Sano's voice was surprised.
"I'm sorry," Kaoru apologized, "I didn't know who to leave them with. What's wrong anyway? Why is Kenshin here?"
"Let's help the kids out of their coats and then I'll tell you."
Kaoru gave Sano a weird look, but complied with his wishes.
"Kozuke, why don't you all go up to your room and play quietly?" Sano told his son.
"Ok."
Sano watched as Kozuke walked up the stairs to his room, then turned to Kaoru. "Kenshin's drunk." Sano's voice was so casual, Kaoru wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly.
"Did you say he is drunk?"
Sano nodded.
"How can you be so casual about it?" Kaoru demanded. "Where is Kenshin? He's not hurt is he?"
"He's fine. He's in the kitchen."
Before Sano could say more, Kaoru ran into the kitchen. "Kenshin-san, I thought you were more responsible than this. And why are you so wet?"
Kenshin mumbled an answer but all Kaoru could make out were "Tomoe" and "walked."
"Sagara-san, we need to get him into something dry before he becomes sick!"
"That's why I wanted you to come over, so you could help me take him home and dry him off."
"Where is Megumi-san?"
Sano ran a hand through his hair. "She fell asleep on the couch when Kenshin came over. She's been so tired lately, I didn't want to disturb her."
Kaoru made an exasperated sound. "Ok. Hurry and take him out to the car, I'll get the children."
Sano helped Kenshin out to the car, strapped him into the passenger seat, then returned to the kitchen to write a brief note to his wife.
"Ok. We’re all ready!" Kaoru hurried the children into the garage. "Let's go!"
Kozuke tugged on his father's hand. "I tried to pick up my toys, but Kaoru told me to leave them."
Sano realized his son was worried about being punished and wanted to defend his case early. "Don't worry about it, son." Sano patted the boy's head. "Taking your uncle Kenshin home is more important."
Kaoru and Sano installed Taki and Kozuke's seats before they realized they didn't have enough for all of the children. Sano scratched his head. "Now what do we do?"
Kaoru wanted to suggest they drive the short distance to Kenshin's house without the car seats, but knew that was wrong. "Well . . . " she struggled to find an appropriate solution. "I suppose . . . we could just take Taki and Suzume and leave the others for now."
Sano shrugged, "I guess that works." Kaoru and Sano explained the plan to the children, warned them to behave, then left after promising to return.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"You know," Kaoru commented as she hurried the children through the door, "I don't understand why you wanted me to come along. I have to dry off the children. You will have to care for Kenshin-san on your own."
"The little girl can dry herself, can't she? It shouldn't take too long to care for Taki."
"I don't know." Kaoru was in a sour mood. Her disappointment over Kenshin's drunk ness had grown into resentment and although she usually enjoyed the rain, now it was only irritating her. Kaoru stomped up the stairs to Kenshin's room.
"Where does Kenshin-san keep the towels?" she yelled. Crossing her arms, Kaoru scowled when she heard no response. She hurried out to find Sano at the bottom of the stairs, trying to encourage Kenshin to walk up them.
"I didn't realize you needed help," Kaoru apologized as she supported Kenshin's other side.
"I doubt Kenshin wants to be carried, so yeah, we have to do this the hard way."
The image of Sano carrying his brother-in-law up the stairs lightened Kaoru's mood. "No, I don't think he would," Kaoru giggled.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
After Kenshin, Taki and Suzume were cared for, Sano drove back to pick up the other children.
"What's wrong with daddy?" was Kenji's first question when he arrived.
Kaoru was at a loss for words. She didn't want to tarnish the good relationship Kenji had with his father over one act, but Kenji wouldn't believe her if she told him not to worry.
"Your father isn't feeling well," Kaoru settled for the most obvious truth.
Kenji studied his father with serious eyes. "Because he walked in the rain?"
"I'm sure that didn't help."
Kenji nodded sagely. "I could have told him the rain makes you sick."
Kaoru laughed and ruffled his hair. "Yes, if he had asked you, you could have warned him." Kaoru ran a hand through his hair. "You need to go to bed. Don't worry," she cut off his protest, "I'll stay and watch over your father." She leaned forward to kiss his forehead. "Go to sleep."
Kaoru's attention turned back to Kenshin who was shifting restlessly and groaning.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel -" Kenshin paused to swallow. "I feel -" When Kenshin paused to swallow again, Kaoru realized what was bothering him.
"Hold on!" Kaoru ran into the bathroom to grab the trash bucket. "Ok!" Kaoru shoved the bucket under his chin just in time. Unfortunately for Kaoru, she wasn't as fast closing her eyes. 'Oh, gross!' Kaoru screwed her eyes shut.
Kaoru peeked one eye open when she no longer heard retching sounds. Once she was sure he was finished, Kaoru set the bucket down and filled a glass with water so Kenshin could rinse his mouth out. "Here," Kaoru supported the back of his head with one hand and tipped the glass toward his mouth with the other.
Kenshin groaned and opened his eyes. His vision was too blurry to make out more than the dark shape of a woman. "Tomoe?"
Kaoru's breath caught in her throat as she considered how to answer.
The decision was made for her when Kenshin frowned and rested his head back down on the pillow. "That's not right. You're dead. I killed you."
-
Oh! I've probably left you with more questions than answers. :) I'm sorry this chap is so short, the last few months I feel as if all of the energy has been sucked right out of me.:(
I created a site for red-headed bishonen. So if you like redheads, please visit! The link is on my profile page. And if your favorite redhead is missing, feel free to submit a character profile.
I would like to thank Nette JP for reviewing!
Chap: 15
I forgot to thank YetAnotherCatGirl for proofreading the last chapter. I'm so sorry! :(( Hopefully she'll proofread this one for me as well. :)
-
Kenshin sat in a corner of the bar. He had never been in one before. He wasn't impressed with what he saw now. But, he supposed that if the only purpose of frequenting such places was for the alcohol, then the atmosphere didn't matter.
If Kenshin had been asked a month - or even a week -ago if he would like a drink, he would have flatly refused. It wasn't that he had made a vow never to drink again. But after that night, Kenshin couldn't stomach even the smell of alcohol. Yet here he was sitting in a dingy bar with the sole purpose of getting drunk.
Kenshin looked down at his empty glass then set his head on the palm of his hand. 'Enough, this isn't like me.' Kenshin finally pushed away from the table and staggered to the door.
"Hey!" A well-built man wearing a shirt with the bar's logo on it walked over to Kenshin. "It looks as if you've had too much to drink. The law says I have to take your keys."
"Oh." Kenshin dug into his pocket and dropped the keys into the other man's hand. "I wasn't planning on driving anyway."
Kenshin stepped out of the bar and into the San Francisco fog. The drizzle that had lasted all day was now trying to turn into a steady downpour. Kenshin jammed his hands into his pockets and shuffled along the sidewalk. He knew he should call a cab and that he might get sick in this weather, but right now, Kenshin felt like the rain was his only companion.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Thank you," Kaoru thanked the children for cleaning up their dishes. "I borrowed a popcorn popper and Suzume brought Candy Land. So, I can make some popcorn and then we can play a game." Kaoru looked over the group of frowning faces and didn't know what to do. "I know this is your first time away from home, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun."
"I was having fun, but I want to go home now."
"Me too," Kozuke agreed with his cousin.
Kaoru wrapped her arms around the boys' shoulders. "We talked about this Kozuke. I'm watching you and your sister so your parents could have some alone time. Kenji, I asked if you wanted to spend the night with Kozuke and you said yes. I'm sure your father has already made plans for tonight."
"Please?" Kenji managed to make his eyes look even bigger than usual.
"Well, I guess we could at least give him a call," Kaoru finally relented. Kaoru punched in Kenshin's number then handed the phone to Kenji.
Kenji opened his mouth to speak, then frowned. "Here," he handed the phone back to Kaoru.
"What's wrong?" Kaoru held the phone to her ear, only to hear silence.
"I thought it was daddy, but it was just his voice on the machine." Kenji's head drooped for a moment before his manner brightened.
"We could call him on his cell phone!"
Kaoru looked doubtful. "Kenji, I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Let's just play the game, and we can try again before you go to bed."
Kenji scrunched up his face.
"Throwing a tantrum won't change my mind," Kaoru warned.
Kenji stomped across the room and pouted.
"If you don't want to join us, that's your choice. When you're in a better mood, you may join us if you want to.”
"I don't want to play your silly game!" Kenji shouted. "I want my daddy!"
Kaoru sucked in a breath and pressed her lips together. "There's no need to shout," was all Kaoru said before attending to the other children.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Megumi giggled as Sano whispered kisses along her neck. "I feel like a teenager who is sneaking behind their parents back."
Sano smirked at his wife's comment. "More like a parent who is trying to steal a few moments with their spouse before their children come running into the room," he teased his wife in the hopes that she would laugh again.
Sano loved to make his family laugh, it was such a beautiful sound. Unfortunately, Sano's words had the opposite effect and Megumi's features drooped slightly.
"I was trying not to think about my babies."
"Meg, Kaoru's watching them. They'll be fine."
"I know. I trust Kaoru. But I can't help worrying a little."
Before Sano could respond, there was a sound at the door. "I'll go see who that is."
"Be careful," Megumi warned her husband.
Sano flicked his forehead in frustration. "Stop worrying so much!"
Sano opened the door to see his brother-in-law sitting on the porch.
"Kenshin what are you doing here?" Sano sat next to Kenshin when the other man shook his head in response.
"Kenshin, I know this day has bad memories for you, but you do remember it's Meg and my anniversary tonight, correct?"
Kenshin moaned a little, but said nothing.
Sano turned so that he was facing Kenshin. "Have you been drinking?" Sano was shocked. Even before the accident, Kenshin hadn't been much of a drinker. Now he smelled as if he had been dipped in alcohol.
"Kenshin what has gotten into you? I hope you didn't drive over here!"
"Of course not!" Kenshin snapped.
Sano sighed, "Well that's a relief. How did you get here, then?"
"I walked."
"In the rain?"
Sano looked up at the grey sky, then back down at his hands. "I'll take you home. I guess you can sleep it off."
"I don't want to be alone," Kenshin quietly protested.
Sano set his head in his hands and massaged his temples. "I don't know . . . I'll talk with Meg. At any rate, you need to come in and dry off." Sano helped Kenshin walk inside and sit at the kitchen table, then returned to the living room.
"Meg?" When his wife didn't answer, Sano walked up to the couch to find her sleeping. Sano sighed, "Oh well. I guess it doesn't really matter now."
Sano grabbed some towels from the downstairs bathroom so Kenshin could dry off. On his way back, he heard Kaoru's voice on the answering machine. "Hello?" Sano answered the phone.
"Hello Sagara-san. I'm sorry to disturb you, but the boys wouldn't go to sleep without saying good night. I was wondering if you know where Kenshin is? I can't reach him at his house."
"He's here at my house." Sano paused briefly as an idea occurred to him. "Actually, would you mind coming over and helping me out?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Carting along four cranky toddlers and a baby on a bus after dark was not Kaoru's idea of fun. Nevertheless, she was pleased it only took half an hour longer than usual to reach Sano's house.
"You brought the kids," Sano's voice was surprised.
"I'm sorry," Kaoru apologized, "I didn't know who to leave them with. What's wrong anyway? Why is Kenshin here?"
"Let's help the kids out of their coats and then I'll tell you."
Kaoru gave Sano a weird look, but complied with his wishes.
"Kozuke, why don't you all go up to your room and play quietly?" Sano told his son.
"Ok."
Sano watched as Kozuke walked up the stairs to his room, then turned to Kaoru. "Kenshin's drunk." Sano's voice was so casual, Kaoru wasn't sure if she had heard him correctly.
"Did you say he is drunk?"
Sano nodded.
"How can you be so casual about it?" Kaoru demanded. "Where is Kenshin? He's not hurt is he?"
"He's fine. He's in the kitchen."
Before Sano could say more, Kaoru ran into the kitchen. "Kenshin-san, I thought you were more responsible than this. And why are you so wet?"
Kenshin mumbled an answer but all Kaoru could make out were "Tomoe" and "walked."
"Sagara-san, we need to get him into something dry before he becomes sick!"
"That's why I wanted you to come over, so you could help me take him home and dry him off."
"Where is Megumi-san?"
Sano ran a hand through his hair. "She fell asleep on the couch when Kenshin came over. She's been so tired lately, I didn't want to disturb her."
Kaoru made an exasperated sound. "Ok. Hurry and take him out to the car, I'll get the children."
Sano helped Kenshin out to the car, strapped him into the passenger seat, then returned to the kitchen to write a brief note to his wife.
"Ok. We’re all ready!" Kaoru hurried the children into the garage. "Let's go!"
Kozuke tugged on his father's hand. "I tried to pick up my toys, but Kaoru told me to leave them."
Sano realized his son was worried about being punished and wanted to defend his case early. "Don't worry about it, son." Sano patted the boy's head. "Taking your uncle Kenshin home is more important."
Kaoru and Sano installed Taki and Kozuke's seats before they realized they didn't have enough for all of the children. Sano scratched his head. "Now what do we do?"
Kaoru wanted to suggest they drive the short distance to Kenshin's house without the car seats, but knew that was wrong. "Well . . . " she struggled to find an appropriate solution. "I suppose . . . we could just take Taki and Suzume and leave the others for now."
Sano shrugged, "I guess that works." Kaoru and Sano explained the plan to the children, warned them to behave, then left after promising to return.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"You know," Kaoru commented as she hurried the children through the door, "I don't understand why you wanted me to come along. I have to dry off the children. You will have to care for Kenshin-san on your own."
"The little girl can dry herself, can't she? It shouldn't take too long to care for Taki."
"I don't know." Kaoru was in a sour mood. Her disappointment over Kenshin's drunk ness had grown into resentment and although she usually enjoyed the rain, now it was only irritating her. Kaoru stomped up the stairs to Kenshin's room.
"Where does Kenshin-san keep the towels?" she yelled. Crossing her arms, Kaoru scowled when she heard no response. She hurried out to find Sano at the bottom of the stairs, trying to encourage Kenshin to walk up them.
"I didn't realize you needed help," Kaoru apologized as she supported Kenshin's other side.
"I doubt Kenshin wants to be carried, so yeah, we have to do this the hard way."
The image of Sano carrying his brother-in-law up the stairs lightened Kaoru's mood. "No, I don't think he would," Kaoru giggled.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
After Kenshin, Taki and Suzume were cared for, Sano drove back to pick up the other children.
"What's wrong with daddy?" was Kenji's first question when he arrived.
Kaoru was at a loss for words. She didn't want to tarnish the good relationship Kenji had with his father over one act, but Kenji wouldn't believe her if she told him not to worry.
"Your father isn't feeling well," Kaoru settled for the most obvious truth.
Kenji studied his father with serious eyes. "Because he walked in the rain?"
"I'm sure that didn't help."
Kenji nodded sagely. "I could have told him the rain makes you sick."
Kaoru laughed and ruffled his hair. "Yes, if he had asked you, you could have warned him." Kaoru ran a hand through his hair. "You need to go to bed. Don't worry," she cut off his protest, "I'll stay and watch over your father." She leaned forward to kiss his forehead. "Go to sleep."
Kaoru's attention turned back to Kenshin who was shifting restlessly and groaning.
"What's wrong?"
"I feel -" Kenshin paused to swallow. "I feel -" When Kenshin paused to swallow again, Kaoru realized what was bothering him.
"Hold on!" Kaoru ran into the bathroom to grab the trash bucket. "Ok!" Kaoru shoved the bucket under his chin just in time. Unfortunately for Kaoru, she wasn't as fast closing her eyes. 'Oh, gross!' Kaoru screwed her eyes shut.
Kaoru peeked one eye open when she no longer heard retching sounds. Once she was sure he was finished, Kaoru set the bucket down and filled a glass with water so Kenshin could rinse his mouth out. "Here," Kaoru supported the back of his head with one hand and tipped the glass toward his mouth with the other.
Kenshin groaned and opened his eyes. His vision was too blurry to make out more than the dark shape of a woman. "Tomoe?"
Kaoru's breath caught in her throat as she considered how to answer.
The decision was made for her when Kenshin frowned and rested his head back down on the pillow. "That's not right. You're dead. I killed you."
-
Oh! I've probably left you with more questions than answers. :) I'm sorry this chap is so short, the last few months I feel as if all of the energy has been sucked right out of me.:(
I created a site for red-headed bishonen. So if you like redheads, please visit! The link is on my profile page. And if your favorite redhead is missing, feel free to submit a character profile.
I would like to thank Nette JP for reviewing!