A Date with a Senpai

Chapter 9

Author's note: minna! Hi! It's been a while. Well, I'm back, hopefully with something that you will all enjoy. I'm really sorry that it took me this long to post the chapters. Our computer is now fixed and in good condition, but unfortunately, all my existing files have become non-existent and I lost the chapters. So anyway, this is chapter 9. I hope that it's no as bad as I think it is. Anyway these are just rough drafts. Please send me your flames, comments, suggestions and reviews. They are real big help in the making of this fic. Thanks again.

A Date with A Senpai

Chapter 9

The sound of chirping crickets filled the air. The group in the middle of the deserted street gawked at each other for the longest possible time. If one was good at sensing chi, he would have shuddered mildly at the intensity in the air. Someone was going to get hurt. They are quite lucky that there were no possible audience for this showdown.

Kaoru began to tap her foot impatiently at the gravel. "Well?" She asked staring pointedly at Sano and the back to Megumi.

Sano searched for Kenshin and Yahiko's face. He wasn't sure he wanted to speak first. He had a terrible feeling that one word from him and he would be history. He turned to Megumi for help but immediately ducked his head. Megumi was practically throwing him the most vicious glare he had ever received since birth. He could almost but feel it pricking at the back of his head. Shit! That woman has the weirdest effect on him.

Megumi was trying to arrange her thoughts. 'What to tell first?' She asked herself. She hesitantly glanced at Tae who had her head bowed almost resembling a turtle, ready to hide her head on her neck. She was obviously not going to get any help form Tae-san and so she proceeded glaring at Sano, which for some particular reason felt unbelievably placating.

The silence was making Kaoru crazy. If they had known about this fact, they would have readily chatted with her. She could swear that the wind was whispering in her ear. 'Engaged to Ichiro...Engaged to Ichiro...' it seemed to be saying. "CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE SPEAK UP?" She shrieked.

The singing of the crickets instantly stopped, even the wild hooting of the owls that was slowly rising halted to a stop. And one can actually hear the soft mixed breathing of everyone involved. Then within a flash of a second, everyone cleared their throat and began speaking simultaneously

"Oro! Kaoru-dono, sessha...sessha...Oro!"

"Oh, Kaoru-chan, I'm truly sorry for starting the rumor...."

"As you can see, Chicken Head had this bright idea from the very beginning and I only told Ken-san..."

"Shit Jou-chan, c'mmon, I was just trying to help, I only wanted for you to be happy...."

"Busu...I mean Kaoru, I don't know how Sano did it but he convinced me to..."

"SHUT-UP!" Kaoru screamed. Everyone snapped their mouths closed. "Alright. One by one. We start with Yahiko." She said looking at Yahiko straight in the eye.

Yahiko gulped. Well, he didn't do anything wrong, technically speaking. And if he did, he was sure he could deal with Kaoru's punishment, he just finished doing 1000 swings and falling of a tree in one day. There was nothing Kaoru could ever think of to top that one. "Well, for starters I kinda stole the love letter from Ichiro to get the, um...classified information on your date and then from Sano's idea, I basically told Kenshin that you left your kimono and he was supposed to bring it at Tae-san's house while Sano told you to go home." He paused and frowned, "What did he told you anyway that you went home in a snap?" he asked.

"Shut-up. That's none of your business." Sano said.

"Well, that's interesting. Was that why you were flirting with Kaoru at the Akabeko?" Megumi asked arching her eyebrows.

"You were flirting with Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked Sano.

"Fine! So I was, but that has got nothing to do with my plan." Sano said defensively.

"And what was your plan Sano?" Kaoru asked advancing at him.

"I'm injured." Sano blurted out giving Kaoru his famous puppy-eyed-pleading look, that never really gets him off the hook, but he does it always nevertheless.

"Yeah, I notice." Kaoru replied easily, "Never stopped me though. So, what was the full plan Sagara? I want the details."

He sighed. He had no way out of this. Maybe if he fainted…nah, that's not the 'macho' thing to do. Left without any choice he rolled his eyes and started talking. "I wanted Kenshin to see you looking like...well...like a girl...." Sano quickly clamped his mouth with his hands when Kaoru narrowed her eyes dangerously. "I mean...you know, you're all dressed up and so I figured if Kenshin saw you that way, it would make him realize that he was missing on something. You know?"

"Oh. Is that so? Well, let me tell you Sano" Kaoru sighed heavily and then dramatically put her hand on her chest, "It was brilliant!" She said letting her voice drip with sarcasm.

Kenshin bowed instinctively and scratched his head. And tried to avoid the look form everyone, which he knew and felt, ranged from disbelief, pity and exasperation. He couldn't blame them. He felt exactly the same way.

"And how about the two of you?" Kaoru asked turning to Tae and Megumi who both looked at each and blushed. "Oh, let me guess." Kaoru said cheerfully. "Tae-san, you have the best intentions in mind ne? But you had to start a rumor...to...I don't know, spice things up?"

Tae smiled, "Well, you got that right Kaoru-chan. You sure are smart!" She said her hands clasped. When she saw Kaoru's stormy look, she sighed and looked down at her toes wriggled them a few times and glanced up at Kaoru, "I'm so sorry." She said pleadingly.

Kaoru sighed. She could never really get mad at any of them, but it was nice to see them squirm for a change. They had always, in someway or another played on her insecurities. It was almost like...karma! She hid her amused smile and turned at Megumi. "And you? Oh, I know what you did." She enjoyed the flash of panic in Megumi's face and the quickly followed by her masked calmness. "You probably heard the rumor first and then told it to Kenshin and Sano and Yahiko, which then lead them to look for me."

"You got me there Tanuki." Megumi said, "But I was just worried about you. I mean I heard that you were engaged for Kami's sake! What was I to do? Go home and daydream about your wedding? I had to tell them. We had to stop you from making a mistake." Then immediately realizing that, her date and rumored fiancé was just silently standing there, she turned to him and tried to give him a friendly smile. "You know Ichiro-chan, that you are too young ne? So it's not really about you that got us worried." She finished the explanation and gave a knowing smile at the perplexed look on the younger girl's face. 'Ha! Got you there!'

Kenshin knew that she wasn't going to question her and he was glad, he tried to catch her eyes and thank her but she never looked his way. He wished there was something he could do to take back what had happened tonight. If he hadn't been so hardheaded this would have never had happened. The night was still young though, and he had made up his mind that he would fix this mix-up. His way. No more foolish ideas from Sano and Yahiko. And from now on, he had learned the lesson of never going up a tree. Not ever. Unless of course if he would do it all his own.

She lost. Kaoru knew that she had no right to even interrogate them. They all just wanted what her happiness. She couldn't blame them. It was really difficult to be so forgiving and nice and sweet and pretty at the same time. But one has to do the job. And anyway, it wasn't their fault their plan backfired and bit them in their ass. She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I give up. You win ok." She wasn't going to ask Kenshin about this one. At least not in front of everyone.

"No punishment?" Yahiko asked brightening up.

"You wish!" She turned at Ichiro and gave him a winsome smile. "Quite a date ne?"

Ichiro nodded slowly, returning the smile. After istening to Kaoru's friend, he understood how much Kaoru felt for Kenshin and well, he was almost sure that Himura-san also had the same feelings towards her. If not, then why would everyone try to interfere and push him to her? "It sure was Kaoru-chan. But we do have to get Yahiko-san and Sagara-san to the clinic, ne?"

Kaoru tilted her head and smiled at him thankfully. It was a weird situation and Ichiro just knew how to handle it. Who ever will have him would surely be lucky. She would tell him that later. Maybe that would make up for their lousy date and for the fact that this was their first and last.

"Speaking of which," Megumi said walking towards Yahiko, "what the hell happened to them? What's with the injury?"

"You don't wanna know." Yahiko said making a face.

"Sure she would." Kaoru countered with a smile walking ahead with Tae-san with Yahiko still pressed to her side. She could hear him lightly cursing. "It wasn't so bad Yahiko." She said merrily. She turned to Megumi, "Go ask Sano." Which Megumi promptly did.

"We were...um....trying to spy...I mean - save a poor little....little...." He looked at Yahiko for help and then smiled widely as he saw a street cat that hurriedly passed in a dark alley, "kitten. That's right a kitten, who was... up the tree....crying for his mom and as perfect gentle men we all went up and tried to save her...I mean him. Yeah and then unfortunately the branch broke and we all fell." Sano provided the answer. "End story. Shall we go now, I really feel...uh...tired and all."

"Kitten?" Megumi said glancing at Kaoru. "That's so sweet. So where the poor dear?" She watched from the corner of her eye as Sano scratched his head and muttered a few obscene language.

"Safe and sound. Uh, Kenshin, can we start walking NOW?" Sano said almost limping on his own, not waiting for Kenshin and Ichiro who were trying to hold on to him. He passed Megumi who was silently smiling at him and he knew he what he was going to get and damned that woman, because even if she says the most vile and humiliating words, there was nothing left in him to make her shut-up.

"That was such a bad lie Sagara. Are you really losing your one and only talent?" Megumi asked her eyes glittering with silent humor.

"Nope. Just tired. Let's see how you do if get the chance to play match maker with these two." He said looking form Kaoru to Kenshin.

"Fortunately for me, I don't have the same I.Q. as yours. Let's all get to the clinic and see if these two morons broke something trying to...well, what were you trying to do on the tree anyway?"

"Trying to see Busu kiss Boy Wonder." Yahiko mumbled and in the quietness of the night made it seem to be heard in all four corners of Tokyo.

Kaoru smacked him in the head, which prompted Sano to laugh out loud.

"Well, it ain't over yet Kenshin." Sano said winking at him.

Megumi had finished putting the bandage on Sano's ankle. She would have broken it if Sano mentioned the rumor that she was his woman. Actually, she did probably broke it in the process of putting the bandage. Well, from the dirty looks Sano was throwing at her, she figured that she had unwittingly added a few injuries.

It was Yahiko's turn and the poor kid had suffered from a swelling at his back and his bottom. When she asked him how in the Kami's name he got that, it took a full ten minutes for the boy to get a hold of himself and stop laughing like some crazed lunatic. And for that matter, had also started a tongue lashing from Sano. When Yahiko answered that it was because off hitting a very hard headed chicken, it was her turn to laugh like a crazed, opium overdosed doctor.

"Well, it's a good thing that Chicken Head had soft spiky hair that cushioned your fall, if it those spiky hair turned out to be as sharp as they look...I'm not sure what would have happened to you." Megumi said winking at Yahiko.

Yahiko nodded gravely. "Yeah, I never though of that." He turned at Sano with an accusing glare. "Yah heard that punk? Better get those spikes of your off people if ya don't wanna hurt someone else."

"What? You said something? I thought I heard you talking Yahiko? Hey Fox, did you check my ears? I must have broken my ear drums, after the way Yahiko shrieked like a six year old baby...I think I might be deaf...."

"Yup. They're back to normal alright." Kaoru said with a sigh. "I'm not sure if I should be happy? What do you think Ichiro?"

"I'm just glad no one was seriously injured." Ichiro said nervously. They were seated outside the room Megumi had used to check on Yahiko and Sano. Kaoru was seated in between him and Kenshin and she hadn't spoken to the red-haired guy for sometime now. He felt that she was doing it on purpose but he wasn't sure. Himura-san had also been very quiet all the way. Tae-san had went ahead to help out at the Akabeko. They were the only ones left and he felt extremely out of place even though Kaoru-chan seemed to be making an effort to make him feel comfortable. He cleared his throat, "I should probably be going now Kaoru-chan" He said standing up. Kaoru and Kenshin stood up at the same time. He noticed how perfect they look for each other. "It's already late and I promised sensei that I would get home early."

"Oh. I understand. I'll walk you out." Kaoru offered and knowing that she would insist, Ichiro let her without any arguments. It was probably the only time he can talk to her, privately. Away from the peering eyes of her friends.

Outside, the crickets have resumed their singing and it filled the quiet night. Most of the people have retreated inside their houses and were already presumably sharing a late dinner or were readying to sleep. The full moon had risen and gave a golden yellowish glow across the street and shone in the spot they were standing at. He turned at Kaoru with a sheepish grin. "So." He said taking a deep breath.

"So." Kaoru echoed, suddenly uncertain of what to say. She started to say something as soon as Ichiro opened his mouth to say goodnight. They both laughed. "Interesting date ne?" Kaoru said after catching her breath.

"It was. But I'm happy that I got the chance to get to know you better." He said, shoving his shaking hands inside his gi. He had to try. Just this one last time. "Care to have dinner with me again?" He asked shyly.

"And have another night like this? I don't think so. Who knows what Yahiko and Sano would think of next time." Kaoru answered playfully. "You know the answer to that Ichiro. I already told you."

"I know. I just had to ask. Anyway, I just want to thank you. And I hope that you'll be happy with..."

Kaoru put a finger on his lips. "Sssshhh. It's ok. Thank you too."

"For what?"

"For this night. I know, it had been a disaster but it was also nice for a first date. I hope when you look back, you'll remember it with a smile." Kaoru said her blue eyes shining fondly.

"I will Kaoru-chan." He said, his lips still touching Kaoru's fingertips. "I...about the um...the ki..."

"I know. A date isn't a date without a kiss...." Kaoru said her voice dropping, her blue eyes twinkling merrily. She could feel four pairs of eyes watching them. It was time to give them a show and hopefully put an end to this whole engagement thing. She stood on her tiptoes and almost laughed out old when she heard the sharp intake of breath from Ichiro and the rest of her avid spies. Closing her eyes, she kissed Ichiro softly on his cheek and then stepped back.

He was rooted to his spot. Staring at Kaoru with wide saucer-like eyes. He could feel the loud thumping of his heart and could feel it banging against his rib cage. He was almost afraid that it would jump out of his body. It took him a few seconds to realize that he had stopped breathing. Embarrassed, he let out a loud sigh and took in deep calming breath.

She kissed him.

On cheeks but, hell, it was a kiss. A frigging kiss that had left him breathless. He had to fight off the urge to get down on his knees and thank the gods above that he didn't piss on his pants.

They all let out huge sighs of relief the same time Ichiro did.

"Whew." Yahiko sighed. "That was something." And then realized what Kaoru had just done, he made a face "Eueeew! I can't believe he let Busu kiss him! Yuck!" He hissed.

"Quiet brat." Sano said pushing him further back to get a better view at Kaoru and Ichiro. "She's still saying something. I hope you're paying close attention Kenshin."

Megumi elbowed him sharply and he let out a yelp which she immediately cut off by placing her hands on his mouth and leaning towards his face to whisper in his ears. "You better not mess things up again Sano. Let Kenshin decide on what he'll do. You got that?" She said softly, ignoring the warmth in his brown eyes and hoping that he won't notice how nervous she was feeling right now.

Sano nodded, his forehead firmly pressed at Megumi. He could smell her lemony scent, mixed with a sweet tang of the medicine she had given to him to ease the swelling in his ankle. She looked so pretty and he knew that she saw it in his eyes because she looked down and took her hand off his mouth trying to hid the blush creeping from her neck up to her face.

If Megumi had known that it only made Sano want to kiss her long pale neck, she would have fled to her room to clam her crazed, palpitating heart. She inched away and loudly gasped as Sano grabbed her wrist. She looked into his eyes expectantly....questioningly.

"Just let me try to un-mess things up Foxy." He said, his voice hoarse.

Electricity ran through her spine at his muted voice. "What's the plan Sano?"

Sano smiled and savored her closeness and the warmth of her body pressed closed to him as he whispered Plan D.

"Well, I guess this is it. I know that next girl you'll ask out would be really lucky." Kaoru said after Ichiro seemed normal again. For a brief moment she got real scared that he had turned catatonic.

"I hope so. I...I should really go now." Ichiro said and watched Kaoru as she gracefully bowed and said good night. He felt a little sad that this wonderful girl would never be his and yet there was a fleeting moment of almost surreal happiness as he remembered her warm lips softly touching his cheeks and the nervous flutter in his stomach as he tried to imagine a future with someone so much like her and yet, maybe a little different. Hopefully less violent. He smiled and walked away, the image of Kaoru waving at him with her sweet smile stayed in his mind and was permanently imbedded in his memory.

His first date.

His first kiss.

Boy, everyone in the dojo would be talking about him for week and even years to come. Perhaps even be an anecdote for the new students next summer. Suddenly, he couldn't wait to get home and tell everyone about it. They'll sure love about the spike-haired and his younger look a like falling off the tree.

Kaoru entered the clinic and heard the wild scramble inside as they tried to get to their original positions and pretend to be totally clueless about the whole thing. She smiled, she wasn't exactly sure if this day had been successful or had been one big nightmare. It seemed to be a combination of the two. She passed Kenshin, who was silently sitting by the door. She knelt down and touched his shoulder.

He looked up at her, drowning in her turquoise eyes. He could still see the blush in her cheeks and he tried to hide the jealousy that flared inside him when he saw her kissed Ichiro. He knew it wasn't even a real kiss, but how he had longed to be the one to receive such an delicate form of affection from her. "Daijobou Kaoru-dono?" He asked instead, slipping into his rurouni mode.

"We should get home too ne?" She said softly. Tilting her head, watching him intently. Her blue eyes soft and bright. He hoped that she had forgiven him for spying on her and for the way he acted that afternoon.

He stood up. "Hai. I'll go tell Yahiko and Sano." He said, taking her up as well. He didn't let go of her hands, like he always does. He could feel her pulse and smiled at her softly. Her heart was beating in complete sync with his. He opened his mouth to tell her something when Megumi emerged from the door with an announcement.

It was Kaoru who shyly took her hands from Kenshin's strong grasp. She felt suddenly weak at the intensity of Kenshin's violet eyes looking at her. And she was sure that Megumi would tease her about it. She never really understood how Megumi can easily read her emotions. Perhaps because she had felt it too. With whom? Kaoru had no idea. She turned to Megumi and recognized the teasing look on the doctor's face. "What is it Megumi?" She asked a little too defensively.

"Nothing. Why are you suddenly jumpy?" Kaoru was about to answer but she immediately cut her off. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that it would be best if Yahiko and Sano stayed here at the clinic." She said her voice serious, losing all the humor hidden in her eyes.

"Naze? Is everything all right?" Kaoru asked, barging in. She looked at Yahiko who was lying on his stomach. She approached him and knelt down to get a better view of his face. "What's wrong?" She asked not masking her concern.

"I'm fine Busu!" Yahiko said and swallowed down a curse as Sano kicked him in his side. "I mean, my back, it still hurts a little and I don't think I can get up and walk to the dojo." He said in a small voice.

"Megumi, I thought you said he was fine and ready to make 1000 swings again?" Kaoru asked smoothing the hair from Yahiko's face.

It took all of Yahiko's concentration to try and not bite at Kaoru's hand. '1000 swings, eh Busu?' He silently asked himself.

"I'm a doctor, not a god. I make mistakes Tanuki!" Megumi said exasperatedly. "He should stay here, so I can check up on his back and you could fetch him early in the morning. I'm sure he'll better then and would be ready for whatever torture you have concocted for that day. And as for Sano...." Megumi sighed and looked into his direction, smiling slyly at his wink. "I know he already have a incurable disease...."

"Nani? Incurable disease?" Kaoru asked standing up, frowning at Megumi. "What are you talking about? Sano never mentioned about this before." She could hear the muffled laughter of Yahiko behind her. Something was wrong here. She just didn't know what.

"Oh, don't worry Tanuki, nothing serious. Of course, he wouldn't tell you about it, he just lacks a working brain. But other than that, he's fine really. Except that letting someone walk around without a brain is hazardous to everyone in the community. He better stay here until I can find a way to fix his attitude problem." Megumi said smiling at Sano's scowl. "I'm not promising for any result though." She said somberly before Sano could think of what to say and ruin their plan. He has a knack of thinking up the best-laid plans and failing to make it work. This time, she was sure that it would be full proof. Trust an intelligent woman like her, she could pull this off without any problem.

"And his ankle?" Kaoru asked glancing at Sano who looked like he was about to jump off the bed and strangle Megumi. She gave him a weird look, frowning as he settled down and started glaring at Yahiko. She turned to Kenshin who looked as clueless as her and then averted her attention back to Megumi.

"Well, it's still swollen. It just need a few ointments, you know, whatever. Beside, I don't want Ken-san to get tired trying to help Sano walk to his roach-infested home. So I think it would be best if they stay here instead." Megumi finished, ushering Kenshin and Kaoru out of the room.

"But...but...."

"I know you're worried about them. Frankly I don't see why, but trust me Kaoru, this is all for the best. Now go along you too. It's getting really late."

Kaoru sighed. "Fine, we're leaving. Geesh, why don't you just kick us out of the house?" She asked a little irritatedly.

"I will if you don't get going now." Megumi warned.

Kenshin took Kaoru's hand and led her out. "Let's go home Kaoru-dono. Megumi-dono is right. It's getting late and I know that you're already tired." He said softly, steering Kaoru away from Megumi and the clinic.

"Alright, alright. Oyasumi nasai Megumi-san. Oyasumi Yahiko and Sano!" She called out. "Get well soon ok!"

"And do 1000 swings tomorrow? No thanks!." Yahiko muttered to himself and then smiled almost fondly, "Oyasumi Busu! Don't do anything stupid with Kenshin ok?" He said loudly then collapsing in the bed with laughter which Sano readily joined in.

"Nice one kid! Nice one!"

"Don't call me kid!" He snapped.

"Yeah? why not? BRAT! BRAT! Oyasumi nasai YAHIKO-CHAN!"

Kaoru watched as Megumi closed the door and through the her shadow, knocked Yahiko and Sano's head together. "Megumi would sure have a busy night." Kaoru said out loud then turned to Kenshin to smile at him. "Well, let's go home Kenshin."

Kenshin smiled back and nodded.

With the soft wind ruffling their hair and the stars shining down on them they walked side by side through the night.

notes: Ok, that's chapter 9. We are so near towards the end of this fic ::SIGH:: and I just don't know what to do with the next chapters! Obviously I have to do a lot of thinking for the next part, because this would deal with Kenshin and Kaoru alone... I haven't done any waff between them yet, so I guess now is the time. Any suggestions on how this fic should end? Reviews please! Thanks! To chapter 10...