Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ When Push Comes To Shove ❯ Slip ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I can't even get a decent grade in math and you actually expect me to claim that I came up with something like RK? Look, Mr. Lawyer. I'm only borrowing, ok? So please, don't sue. Ok? Ok? Ok?

Note: As you see, I didn't finish typing this the night I encoded chapter 3. So, that answered the last teaser question. No, I didn't fall asleep. I was sidetracked. Anyway, since the big entrance exam is nearing and a whole lot more tests are following (@.@), I guess should post the next chapters before I disappear under the books. The problem is, I already am under them. Hmmm….

Chapter 3

Slip

Kaoru had awakened this morning rather gloomy, thinking it would be another of those boring uneventful and supposedly restful days. Yahiko goes off to the Akebeko for his part time job. Sano drops by to coax some money out of her then heads to the gambling halls. Kenshin putters about doing nothing in particular since she prohibited doing laundry on rest days. She ties to read, do some little chore she has put off for longer than she cares to remember, or anything else she manages to dig up. When all else fails, she resorts to watching the redhead scuttle here and there. And you have no idea how awkward that gets for both of them.

That was before. Nowadays, she goes out to town as much as possible on their rest days for the sake of Kenshin's nerves like today. She, Tae and some of their other girlfriends are going shopping. Err… Let me rephrase that. Due to budget constraints, they are shopping, she is window-shopping. By midday, she was almost desperate, still undecided on what she'll spend the few measly bucks she saved for the occasion.

Tae treated them to lunch and after the meal, Kaoru felt much better. It wasn't only due to the appeasement of her growling tummy. Yahiko had a part in it.

Yahiko? That juvenile quasi-delinquent kid? They almost maimed him when they thought he was trying to crash their little excursion. It was actually the letter, or rather note, that lifted Kaoru's spirits and saved his life.

"Here's your stupid letter, busu-sama," muttered Yahiko, caressing the hand-shaped welt forming on his left cheek, a mark of one of the few slaps he received prior his explanation.

Kaoru snatched it rather angrily. "I left the dojo to escape you guys for once and you, of all the people, follow me," she barked. "You better not have read this Yahiko."

"I didn't." Yahiko crossed his arms over his chest almost regretfully. "Sano threatened me."

"Sano?" Kaoru frowned. "I thought this was from Kenshin."

Yahiko scratched his head. "Well, Kenshin warned me not to peek either. In fact, he was a little severe."

Kaoru looked surprised. "Severe? Kenshin?"

"He kinda look agitated like something's bothering him. Not like Kenshin at all."

"I wonder…" She quickly opened the letter, a worried crease on her forehead. Her eyes scanned the familiar scrawl of the rurouni. They widened as she read silently, and her jaw fell on her chest. She remained that way a very long time.

"Kaoru-chan?" said Tae. "Is anything wrong?"

Kaoru didn't answer, a look of disbelief lingering on her sweet face. Tae took that as a favorable sign on the progress of Sanosuke's plan. But of course, she feigned innocence.

"Kaoru-chan?" she repeated.

"T-tae," said Kaoru. Speaking took a lot of effort on her part. "Y-you w-wouldn't believe this…"

She hesitantly handed Tae the letter. The latter read it aloud.

"Kaoru-dono,

"It would give this unworthy one great honor and pleasure if you could join him for dinner at Seiyo no Kage restaurant. I shall pick you up by carriage exactly seven in the evening should you decide to say yes.

"I anxiously await your affirmative reply. Please relay your response through the trustworthy bearer of this humble entreaty.

"Himura Kenshin"

Tae suppressed a peal of excited laughter. Yes! The plan was inching along well enough.

"Kaoru-san," she said breathlessly. "This is…"

"I know," said Kaoru in a swoon. "I can't believe it!"

"You and Kenshin-san in the Seiyo no Kage restaurant! Alone…."

"I know!"

Yahiko was unruffled.

"What about it, busu-sama?" He said insolently. "It's not as if you and Kenshin have never eaten alone together."

"What do you know, Yahiko-CHAN?" Kaoru snapped, furious at her ruined moment. "You don't understand anything at all about this things!"

"Che," snorted Yahiko. "Women and their whims."

Kaoru stuck her tongue out at him. "I didn't say anything about you," she said with a vengeance.

"As if I care, tanuki. It would be an embarrassment to be seen with such an unsightly animal as you in that place."

"Why you-"

"Well?" Yahiko cut off her outburst. "What should I tell them?"

Kaoru remained silent, a ruminative expression on her face.

"Oi!" He nudged her. "You don't have forever!"

"Kaoru-san?" Tae touched her shoulder as well.

"No," mumbled the shihondai. "I can't accept."

Tae gaped at her in horror. "Why not?!" she demanded.

"Well…. I can't," she said, voice filled with self-disparaging venom. "Look at me! I'm boorish, rumbustious, unrefined. And that place is grand and stately and so… so un-me…"

"Oh, Kaoru-chan!" said Tae comfortingly. "It'll be alright. You'd be great."

"Really? I mean, Kenshin and I have gone out to eat dinner by ourselves a few times before but-"

"YOU HAVE?!?!?" spat out (more like screamed it) Yahiko.

"But we - I- have never been to such lofty places. I mean, that restaurant is one of the most expensive one around; the type upper crusts go to. What I'm saying is-" She blushed. "Well, for one thing, how are we going to pay?"

Tae smiled. "Kaoru-san, just trust Ken-san."

Kaoru sighed. "All my life, I've never even stepped on the threshold of such a place. I'm sure every other girl daydreams about it. We could only watch it from a distance, those of us who can't afford it. It's so beautiful at night. The lamps of the restaurant reflecting on the water. I used to wonder how would it be like to eat dinner there by candlelight, starring out into the water and the starlit sky, breathing in the saltiness of the sea air and feeling the soft caress of the wind." She sighed again, this time a little more deeply. "It's so romantic. And to think Kenshin and I-" She stopped again, blushing a deep crimson.

"Kaoru-san," said Tae suddenly, a smile peeking at the edge of her mouth. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Kaoru turned even redder as she clasped her face between her hands and shook her head.

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, I don't want to get my hopes up."

"Do you know why every girl dreams about that place? Do you know why they daydream at all?"

Kaoru giggled. "You don't think he would?"

"There's no reason he wouldn't"

The both laughed.

Yahiko watched the tittering ladies uneasily. A sweat drop was forming on his temple.

"So does that mean I'll tell Kenshin yes?" he asked.

Kaoru, startled by his voice, was reminded of his presence. Blood flooded her face again in mortification.

"Y-yahiko?!" she asked. "You're still here?"

Yahiko sighed. "Would you mind just telling me your decision so I can go on with my little errand?"

"Um, ok," said Kaoru. "Tell him I'd be ready."

"Okay," said Yahiko. "I'm going then."

They waited silently as the boy left the restaurant. As soon as he disappeared from view, Tae nudged Kaoru, giving her a meaningful look.

"What is it, Tae-san?" asked Kaoru.

Well?" said Tae.

"Well what?"

"Aren't we going to prepare now?"

Kaoru pushed back laughter. "This early?"

"Kaoru-chan, there's much to do and little time to do it."

"Well, it is a very formal place, that restaurant…" She looked doubtful. "I don't think I'll…."

"Don't worry. You'll be smashin'!"

Under her meticulous ministrations, Tae proved herself correct. Kenshin's reaction was indication enough. Or so Sano said when he recounted his tale to Tae.

Sano and Kenshin went to the dojo promptly, arriving five minutes before the arranged time. They waited for Kaoru in the yard as she finished the last of the female vanity (self-esteem?) cult.

A minute or so later, she emerged from her room reluctantly. Behind her, Tae prodded and fussed.

Wait. Is the lovely mature-looking lady really the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu dojo's resident tomboy of the sweaty hakamas? If it wasn't for her familiar complaining voice and the exasperated, "Mou!", none of the guys waiting for her would have recognized her.

Kenshin, with the quick observant eyes of a hitokiri, took in everything about her before anyone else. Her ebon tresses were piled neatly on top of her head held in place by a string of white pearls courtesy of Tae. Her big eyes, further accentuated by a touch of cosmetics, sparkled with nervous anticipation in the dimness of the nearing sunset. Her lips, made fuller and desirable by its red shade contrasted sharply against her lightly powdered face. Her kimono was breathtaking, too. The blue silk, a little brighter than the shade of her irises, had metallic teal dragons and delicate white lilies brocaded on it.

Of course, having observed earlier than everyone else, his brain produced a swifter reaction. Completely panic-stricken, Kenshin leapt up the roof in one bound. Sano saw him in time to attempt to follow him in a clumsier manner.

"Yahiko," he hissed as he hung precariously at the edge of the roof. "Stall Jou-chan."

"What?" asked the puzzled kid. Sano no longer had time for clarifications for Kaoru has already reached them. With one last pull, he managed to hoist himself beside his friend and thus disappear from sight.

"Yahiko?" said Kaoru.

The boy turned to her. O, bus-" he started. Oh, man! He eyed her from head to foot. No way he could call her busu-sama now. "I mean, Kaoru." He flushed.

"Kaoru?" she repeated in amusement. "Are you sick?" She felt for his temperature in genuine concern.

Chagrined, Yahiko swatted her hand away from his forehead.

"I'm fine, busu-sama," he snapped, apparently changing his mind about not calling her ugly as retribution for his embarrassment.

"I'm letting that slip, Yahiko-chan." She gave him a not-so-pleasant smile. "After all, I do know the difference between fact and fiction."

In spite of that line, she still wanted to smack the insolent fool. That name he always called her with only sucked the tiny amount of self-confidence she managed to call op for tonight. Of course, she had no intention of letting her student know that by losing her temper. Not to mention fighting would mess up Tae's three-hour long work.

"At least, you're acting lady-like to match your get-up," muttered Yahiko.

Kaoru's smile widened and warmed. "Is that a complement?" she taunted her student.

Yahiko snorted. "You wish."

She sighed. "It's almost seven. Has he come?"

"Who? Kenshin?"

"Yeah."

Yahiko scratched his head, unsure of what to say. "Um…. He's here, actually."

"O-ohhh." Kaoru tried her best to hide the shakiness in her voice. "Um, where-"

Yahiko mumbled something incoherently.

"I didn't catch that." She bended near him to hear better.

"He's up in your stupid roof."

Meanwhile, up there, Sano had been shaking his friend out of his stupor.

"Oh, Kenshin," he said. "Snap out of it!"

"Ororororo…."

"You can't lose your nerve now, you moron!"

"Sano," Kenshin muttered wretchedly. "I can't go. I have to get out of here. Let go of me!"

No way, man. You are not gonna blow this!"

"Kaoru-dono… She's so beautiful. Sessha is so unworthy of her de gozaru."

"You know, I would love to resurrect the Futae no Kawami except that I don't want to trouble sekushi na Megitsune to travel all the way here to murder me."

"Well, look at me, Sano!"

Sano reflected for a moment. "You're right. Sometimes, you're even prettier and more girlish than her."

"That was not what I meant." Kenshin was starting to steam.

"What? You look great. She looks great. In fact, I never realized she's one hot chick till now."

"Sanoooo…"

"Alright." He held up his hands. "Paws off."

"I mean, I'm so unworthy of-"

"Stop! You are not gonna start on that again. If you do, I'll push you and you do not want that to happen."

"I don't care! I'm going."

"Oh no you're not. Geeze you're like a three year old."

"Try me."

"What if you leave and Enishi attacks?"

"I don't think you'd ever let that happen, Sano."

"Of course not. But Enishi is not under my control, bub. It's possible."

Kenshin growled. "You put this on his head."

"Oh, yeah? This is your dead wife's idea remember?"

"Tomoe…." groaned Kenshin. Then he scowled at Sano. "If anything happens to Kaoru-dono you'd be partially responsible."

"Hah! And you'd be fully responsible!"

"Orooo!" Kenshin tried to bolt again.

"Now stop fussing. And don't sweat too much. You'll smell awful before your date even begins and you don't want that."

"I can't control my sweat!"

"Then all your training under Hiko is useless!"

"Oro!"

"Now, go."

"My roof?" Kaoru strained her eyes staring at where her student pointed. There was no one there.

"Kaoru-dono."

She spun around and came face to face with the own she is seeking.

"Oh, you're here," she said in perfect calm.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he answered with equal serenity.

"Oh, no! You're just in time."

"Shall we go?" He offered an arm to her.

Kaoru linked hers with his. "Let's."

They started walking out the dojo compound. Tae, Sano, and Yahiko watched in awed silence.

"You look beautiful, Kaoru-dono."

"I should be after all the work Tae-san did." She giggled, blushing a little.

"Hai de gozaru." He smiled as she smoothened an invisible crease.

"Well, you look great, too." She reached out with her freehand and patted his ponytail. "I like your hair."

"Aa. And I like everything about you."

The conversation was effectively cut off from their hearing range as the gates closed behind the couple. The three people left behind looked at each other. Sano was first to speak.

"Did I just see Himura Kenshin escort Kamiya Kaoru out without a single jitter or oro?" he demanded.

"Did I just here him say Kaoru-san is beautiful and that he liked everything about her?" Tae asked next.

"Oh please," moaned Yahiko, clutching his tummy. "Don't remind me of that. They're so sweet I want to puke."

"Since we all saw it, then it must be real. YES!" Tae whooped triumphantly.

"I really don't think I understand…."

"Of course," said Sano. "The wild card really worked!"

"What the hell is going on here?!"

"The plan's working but there's still work to do. Tae-san, Yahiko. I'll walk you to the Akebeko then I'll be on my way."

"Where to?" Yahiko is clueless.

"Important business." Sano winked at Tae.

"Right, Sano-san." Tae winked back.

"Alright, Somebody better explain right NOW!"

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Now that Kaoru and Kenshin has left for the big date, what awaits them in the restaurant of the elite?

Will they be able to act cool and collected as they did in the dojo?

Will Kaoru be able to adapt to the art of fine dining?

Will Kenshin manage to court and to become engage with her before the night ends?

Will Yahikoo ever find out what's going on?

Is Megumi really having a long distance relationship with that blackmailing schemer Sanosuke?

Is Enishi lying in wait somewhere, ready to pounce and slaughter the two?

Will Melpomene survive all the tests she's doomed to take soon?

Find out!

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Well…. That was not good. Not good at all. Hmmm…. Gomen.

Disapponted? Hated it? Despised it? Complaints, suggestions, corrections, wasabe-flavored cake bombs are all welcome. Honesty and openess will be very much appreciated.

Oh yeah. Like I said before, I am no good in fashion so… please suggest something better for Kaoru's attire. And a better name for the restaurant, too. ^_^

"Kage" means shadow and if memory serves me right, "seiyo" means west.

"Sekushi (na)" means foxy according to the Japanese Dictionary at the school library.

Feedbacks and reviews please!