Chapter 4: Time to protect

A fanfiction by Kyo

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Kenshin tied his long red hair on a low pony-tail and went out of his room, grabbing his books and car's keys as he went by. On the kitchen, looking very smug and proud with his long black hair flowing freely on the chilly morning air, was Hiko, Kenshin's Shishou and father, reading the newspaper as usual, drinking coffee. It was still too early for sake.

"I'm going to school shishou. I'll be back in the afternoon, before dinner."

"You better be, baka deshi. It's your turn to cook dinner."

Kenshin fumed at the nickname but tried his best to ignore it. "Ja na!"

"Ja!"

He started the engine of his Audi TT making it roar gently in the quiet morning. In less than a minute, he was where he wanted to be: In front of Kaoru's house. Ever since Kenshin had gotten his car, he was the one to pick up Kaoru from her apartment, which was not too faraway from his own. He honked twice and leaned peacefully on his seat. He could hear Kaoru talking to her brothers as she opened the door.

"I'll pick up Yahiko-chan after school!" She called.

"Chan ja ne yo!!!" The voice of a young boy, halfway through his teens shouted.

Both siblings ignored him. "Okay, Kaoru-chan. See you at Jounan at two."

"Okay! Ja ne!"

""Ja!"" Two male voices answered.

Jounan Elementary School was a sister school to the College she attended to. There, Kenshin and she taught the basics of kendou to some dozens of kids, varying from six year-olds to twelve year-olds. It was a fun job, it helped them pay for their studies, and it had some other facilities, too.

"Hi Kenshin!" Kaoru greeted happily and full of energy despite the ungodly hour.

"Hi Kaoru!" He greeted as she jumped inside and tossed her school bag where the backseat would be. "You studied?" He asked. Kaoru nodded. They had a quiz today.

In a matter of minutes they arrived to school. Hisakata University of Tokyo was one of the world's most known universities. It also had two school sisters, also well known in their own category. Jounan Elementary School had over a thousand students and had awesome installations, including its own dojo, two Olympic sized pools and an incredible running track. Kaoru had attended to that school when she was little, as Aoshi and Yahiko had. In that school she had met Misao and Soujiro, and later on, Megumi and Tsubame, since Misao was a cousin of theirs.

Then there was Seiji High School, which included Junior High and High School, where she had met Kenshin and Sanosuke. They had been transferred from Kyoto and already knew each other. Being both of them really cute bishounens they had attracted a lot of attention. Kaoru still remembered Kenshin's wide and innocent violet eyes as he gazed over the flock of girls trying to get a date out of him. They became friends the very first day he arrived there.

Kenshin opened the door for her and helped her out. He handed her her bag and then grabbed his own books.

"Misao told me that she had a lot of things to tell to me." Kaoru commented as they walked inside the building, walking to their first class.

"Really? Sure it's something about her beloved Aoshi-sama." Kenshin said with a stifled giggle. Kaoru elbowed him but smiled nonetheless. "Mou! Kenshin! You know how she is! Don't tease!"

"Maa maa, Kaoru. I promise I won't."

"Kaoru-chan!" A voice from behind called. "Himura!"

"Misao-chan!" Kaoru greeted while she shot Kenshin a warning glance not to say anything.

"Ohayou to you two. I need to talk to you!" Misao shouted in a whisper while she took Kaoru apart. Kenshin shot Misao a frustrated glance but said nothing.

"I know! But I have class right now. At lunch?" She suggested.

"Okay, at lunch."

"Kenshin can come too?"

"Mmmm yeah, why not. Bring him too."

Kaoru nodded. "Okay, then, see you at lunch. At the usual place."

"Alright. Goodbye, Kaoru-chan, Himura." And with that she was gone behind a corner.

Day went by as usual. Kaoru was a pretty girl. But most of all, she was a pretty available girl. She had a few problems with some male specimens that just wouldn't go away, no matter what. Between them there was a strange man with white spiky hair and an odd smile. He, like almost every male in the classroom, tried hitting on her. She could only smile politely and refuse his offer. He wanted to go out tonight.

Good thing was, when she was with Kenshin, no one dared ask her out. That's why she desperately wanted to get out of that boring History of Psychology class real soon and go find Kenshin, who had the same class but in a different classroom not far from hers, and go to lunch. She went out practically running when the teacher said they could go. But before she could go outside the classroom a boy her age whose name she thought was Zou stopped her by the arm.

"Hi Kaoru."

Kaoru broke free from his grip. "Umm hello Zou."

"So you know my name, after all."

"Well, yes." Kaoru said with a confused frown. By her side, her classmates went outside one by one or two by two, until the classroom was completely empty.

"There are rumors around the school that you are going out with that boy or girl, Battousai. Tis true?"

Kaoru's anger flared. She knew Kenshin could be confused with a girl, mainly due to the long red hair, but she didn't like the way he talked about Kenshin. He glared at him.

"And what if it's true?" She started to think that the man was a complete jerk, she didn't need to be polite anymore.

"You could be with someone manlier than him, like me. The guy can be confused with a girl."

He stepped closer to her and gripped her arm painfully. "Stay away from me." She hissed. "And don't you ever dare talk about Kenshin that way." Her voice dripping with rage, she pushed him away and stepped out of the classroom, only to find Kenshin just about to step in. He sensed her unease and rage immediately.

"Kenshin!" She cried, surprised.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes roaming through the room. Only a man with black eyes and hair was inside.

Kaoru nodded. But that did not convince Kenshin. "Did he hurt you in any way?" If he did, he's gonna wish he was never born. Just then, she saw her rapidly bruising arm. His eyes flashed amber and stayed amber.

He pushed Kaoru away gently and stepped forward, only a few feet away from the man. "Did you hurt her?" He asked in a low, deadly hiss. Zou's eyes widened in fear. Apparently, he didn't know of Battousai's ability of changing his eyes' color.

He shook his head frantically. Battousai was not convinced of that answer. Despite the fact that he was almost a head shorter than Zou, he made the larger man step backward. Battousai's hand shot from his side, clutching the man's throat, applying enough strength to choke him and hurt him, but not to kill him.

He was about to repeat his question when Kaoru's voice stopped him. "Kenshin! No! He did not hurt me. I'm all right." She ran to him and stopped right beside him. Battousai's amber eyes looked at her. He was surprised to find an angry frown dancing on Kaoru's eyes. She placed her hand on his arm. He was snapped out of his rage.

He immediatly let go of him and looked at Kaoru. She took his hand and led him away, leaving a coughing and choking Zou on the floor.

"I'm sorry." Kenshin apologized when they were outside of the building and leaving for the Akabeko.

Kaoru had always known Kenshin was protective of her, but she had never known to what extent he was. She didn't know what to think, she didn't know if she should be mad at him for hurting the man, even though he was not innocent, or being grateful to him for protecting her, even if there was no real danger.

She just nodded.

"I'm sorry." He repeated quietly. "I shouldn't have lost control like that. I'm sorry for scaring you." He walked with his head bowed as they walked to his car.

Kaoru walked by his side. She hated seeing him like this, so full and guilt and pain. "It's okay Kenshin, I know you just wanted to protect me."

He nodded miserably. She didn't know what ot do to make him feel better. Without really thinking, she took his hand in hers, giving him a gentle tug to get him look at her. They were in front of his car by then.

"Thank you for protecting me." She said firmly, but he refused to see into her eyes.

"Look at me." She demanded. When he did not obey, she repeated, tugging firmly at his hand. "Look at me." He raised his head and looked into her sapphire eyes. They ere full of concern, for him. "You always say that you don't like to see me sad, that I should smile. You say it hurts you when I'm sad. Well, it is the other way round too!" She said, shouting in a whisper.

"It hurts me, badly, to see you sad. Especially when you shouldn't. You did the right thing, Kenshin. You protected me." He swallowed slowly.

"Will you smile for me?"

He nodded.

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The usual place was a corner booth at the Akabeko, a restaurant just outside school, where they usually went for lunch and to hang around. The Akabeko was also the place where Yahiko and Tsubame worked a few hours in the afternoons and on weekends.

Sekihara Tae was the owner of the restaurant. She was a gentle and nice businesswoman whose husband had died some years ago. She was a very dear friend to all the other girls. In her free hours, she amused herself playing matchmaker for some couples. Kenshin and Kaoru had been her little project for some time now, but she didn't seem to be able to get them together.

Kenshin opened the door for Kaoru as they entered. Tae greeted them with a smile and told them that Misao was already waiting for them at their usual table. They thanked her with a bow and went to join their friend.

"Hi there guys!" Misao greeted.

"Hi Misao. What is that you wanted to talk me about?" Kaoru asked once they were all seated around the table. To Kaoru's left was Kenshin, and to her left was Misao, who was sitting on the end of the table.

Just when Misao was about to tell her, Sano and Megumi decided to make an appearance.

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He lowered her head a brushed his lips against hers. She could feel his warm breath against her skin, sending a shiver up and down her spine. He couldn't keep away the smile that tugged at his lips when he felt her skin jumping through the cloth at her waist.

She smiled too, and pushed his head with her hand toward her lips for another kiss. This time, it was not only a gentle brush of the lips, but a real lip lock.

"See kitsune? Told you I would repay the favor."

"Sure thing tori-atama." She said, mock annoyed. Actually she thought he had done so, and pretty well, but she wasn't about to tell him that. She had been helping him to study for a exam he just had to pass, that was the favor he was paying back. "Since I don't consider fully repaid back, I want you to take me out for lunch. The Akabeko will be fine. C'mon rooster-head, if we hurry up, the gang is bound to be there."

Sano groaned, but either way, followed her out of the library. He tried to push away the thought of him on a leash, seeing he was so henpecked.

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Misao groaned in frustration. She really had to talk to Kaoru, but there was just too many people. She could bring Kaoru apart, but that would make them suspicious and they would want the whole story and she couldn't afford that. She tried to smile through her frustration just as the couple sat down, giggling and chuckling about some private joke.

"Konnichiwa!" Megumi said happily and Sano nodded in greeting.

"Hello." Kaoru replied for the three of them. "We were about to have lunch, want some?"

Megumi and Sano shook their heads. "No, is okay. I just want some ice cream." She said calmly while Sano called one of the waitresses.

"I would like to stay, but I really have to go." Misao said as she stood up.

"Why so soon, Misao? You don't want ice cream?" Kenshin asked sweetly with one of his best smiles. Misao was unfazed by it. "No, thank you, Himura. I need to look for someone. See you at Jounan at two."

All of them nodded and she parted quickly. Just then, the waitress walked to them. Kaoru and Megumi noticed with some amusement that the older girl was looking at Kenshin and Sanosuke like she wanted to eat them with her eyes. Kenshin seemed not to notice as he asked for two chocolate sundaes, but Sano did notice. He smiled that smile that only appeared when he was flirting and asked for two caramel ones.

Megumi frowned at him and elbowed him on the ribs.

Kaoru chuckled when Sano looked at her with the most innocent smile he could muster. Megumi did not buy it. She decided to ignore him for the next ten minutes.

Kaoru couldn't help but laugh. Kenshin looked at her with confused eyes, having missed all the exchange. He blinked at the giggling Kaoru a few more times before finally asking what was that all about.

She just shook her head and kept laughing. This caused Kenshin to take other measures to make her talk. He poked her ribs, where he knew she was ticklish.

"Tell me what you are talking about." He close to pleaded, threatening to poke her again. She shook her head and moved away from him, giggling. "It's not my fault that you are such a baka." She murmured, trying o keep the smile showing on her face.

He poked her again, causing another giggle to force itself out of Kaoru's throat. "Don't poke me!" She whined. Kenshin ignored her protest and demanded an answer from her.

"C'mon! Tell me what you were giggling about!"

"I won't tell you! It's your fault if you are a baka!"

"I'm not a baka!"

"Yes, you are!

"Oro! I'm not!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

Just then, the waitress cleared her throat. They sat straight on their seats and stared at her. Megumi and Sanosuke stared at them, apparently amused.

"That would be two chocolate sundaes and two caramel sundaes." She said as she placed the ice cream on the table. Kaoru grabbed hers immediately.

Kaoru and Kenshin tried to stand Sano's and Megumi's endless flirting and kisses, but when they started feeding each other spoonfuls of ice cream, they knew it was too much.

"Guys!" Kaoru called them, trying to get their attention. She got none. "Guys!" She repeated, with the same results. She turned to Kenshin. "It's useless!" She near screamed.

"Maa maa, it's okay. I'll leave the money for our ice creams here and take off for Jounan early. It's okay."

Kaoru nodded, shooting a last death glare to the couple who were making out yet again.

Kenshin coaxed her outside with a hand to the small of her back. They arrived to Jounan Elementary School just when an apparent commotion was at the gates.

Fifty or so children were gathered around an announcement of some sorts. They neared in curiosity.

Two people they knew very well were in the center of the tight circle of children.

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