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The one whom you love?
"Oro?"
Kenshin looked up at the man standing in the entranceway
of the kamiya dojo. He was about Kaoru's age, maybe a little older.
He didn't even use an honorific when he mentioned her name.
Kenshin tried to keep his composure, yet this was all
too strange; if 'strange' is what you could call what was now happening.
Abruptly he turned his attention to the patient, dark haired stranger.
He had allowed his thoughts to run wildly long enough and he didn't
want to seem impolite.
"uh, Kaoru's not here right now." he blurted out "She went with Ayame
and Suzume to the market place. She should be back later... Would you
like to come in?"
"Iie." the stranger hastily replied "I'll come back later then.
Arigatou gozaimasu.". He then bowed politely, and turned to leave.
This was too wierd. Kenshin shook his head and returned to the kitchen.
*********
"Jou-chan, are you sure you can handle all of this?"
Kaoru continued to march forward balancing Suzume, some boxes, and paper
wrapped parcels. Ayame continued to tug at her brand new Kimono but she
didn't seem to notice.
Sano sighed as he shoved his free hand deep into his pocket.
"Have it your way."
They finally reached the gate of their home. Kaoru struggled to open
the latch as Sano gently ushered her aside.
"Let me get that."
He encouraged her, his tone tinged with worry and frustration.
"geez Jou-chan. At the rate you're going, you'll pass out before you even
get to rest."
Kaoru stood still for a while. Sano continued.
"You worked hard today. We'll finish up the rest tomorrow... now let me
have those."
As he relieved Kaoru of her bundle, his hand brushed hers.
He then noticed how hot her skin was.
"Jou-chan!"
"Sano-dono, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru's eyes snapped open as she recognized the voice.
"Kenshin..."
The world around her began to spin. Before she knew it, she blacked out.
Sano sighed as a startled Kenshin rushed over.
"I knew it."
**********
"Does this hurt?" Megumi questioned the drunken man in front of her.
"No."
"Does this?"
"No." The man smiled lazily.
"Does this?"
"No."
Megumi immediately dropped his arm in frustration.
"I should have known not to let you in here? Why do you always
come in here and fake an injury?"
"I love it when you get angry."
Megumi removed the white cloth that bound her long black hair.
She began to wash her hands.
"Gotan-san If you come in here one more time without having a real injury,
I promise You will leave with one. This IS a clinic."
"But Megumi I..."
It was then Sano burst into the room.
"Megumi, You gotta come quick!"
"Sano?"
"Follow me... Don't ask questions!"
"H-hai?"
**********
As Kaoru lay unconscious, She dreamt...
~It was a beautiful day. The clouds drifted airily in the blue sky.
They seemed to melt even in the clear blue of the horizon. She stood outside
of the dojo, coincidentally in her best Kimono. She felt the wind pass her
face, brushing her loosened hair away from her face. She then
turned around slowly, sensing someone coming towards her. She knew who it
was, and soon she saw her scar-faced prince coming towards her. He
was still dripping from washing the laundry for so long. But now he
stood directly in front of her. The wind passed again, carrying a few
petals from the cherry tree behind them. She couldn't bring herself to look
at him. She wanted to look, but she had long since been frozen by his intense
gaze. "Kaoru-dono." She trembled at the clarity of his voice. She then
felt his fingers under her chin. He lifted her head to his. When he smiled
lovingly at her, her cheeks became flushed. "Kaoru-Dono... I love you...
What'd you get me for my Birthday?"~
**********
Kenshin touched Megumi's shoulder.
"Is she going to be alright?"
Megumi noted the worry in his voice. She watched as his beautiful violet
eyes sparkled in distress... he was a good man.
"The fever's finally down. She'll be fine now. She was just exhausted...
What was she doing anyway?"
Kenshin shook his head.
"Sano was with her all day."
Megumi turned to Sano who was overcome with relief. He noted how
peaceful Kaoru looked.
"Well?"
Sano continued to smile.
"I told her not to push herself." he sighed. "She's just too stubborn"
Megumi watched the way he eyed Kaoru. He seemed so peaceful.
"So it's *your* fault, I presume?"
Sano nodded sheepishly.
"I guess. I'm just glad she's okay."
Megumi arched her left eyebrow... they should've been arguing by now...
"You're so irresponsible."
Megumi packed away her things and headed for the door.
"Megumi-Dono?" kenshin prodded as he watched her awkward, jerky motions.
"Well, no need to thank me. She'll be fine"
At that Megumi left. There was nothing left to say.
*********
Making her way swiftly down the path, Megumi headed towards the clinic.
All she could think of was the way Sano watched over Kaoru.
::::
Sano: She's too stuborn
::::
Megumi re-played the softness in his tone.
::::
Sano: I told her not to push herself
::::
Mou! Megumi ran as fast as she could in her kimono.
What was happening? Was that jealousy...No way... He was never hers to
begin with... and they argued so much... He could never love a woman like her.
Never... a woman like her.
**********
Kenshin and Sanosuke watched Kaoru began to stir.
~"Kenshin..." she whispered breathlessy. She hadn't heard what he said,
but she was happy nonetheless. Tears of joy threatened to
well up from her eyes. They gazed at eachother for a while. She saw him
move towards her and now he went for the clinch...WOW...Kenshin held her
closely and hugged her. The wind blew more petals off the cherry tree, it
was like a dream... it was a dream...but that didn't change the mood...
Kenshin then whispered in her ears.
"I said what'd you get me for my birthday??!?"~
Kenshin and sano watched Kaoru's eyes snap poen...
Bursts of light showered her vision. She closed them again only to
open them more slowly.
Kenshin and Sano loomed above her.
Sano then patted kenshin on the back as he turned to leave
the room. Winking, he said "I should leave you two alone then..."
Kenshin grinned as he began to speak
"kaoru-dono are you okay..."
"nani?" probed Kaoru as she sat up.
"Are you okay?"
Kaoru nodded.
"Yes."
"Well someone came by for you today and..."
Kaoru's eyes widened in recognition.
"Did he say anything?"
Kenshin was slightly confused.
"No... he didn't even leave a name."
Kaoru seemed relieved. Kenshin eyed her suspiciously... could he ask?
There was a knock at the door.
"Jou-chan someone's at the door for you!" interupted Sanosuke.
"for me?" Kaoru questioned.
"Yeah it's for you! He says his name's Seigaku Ryu... Should I tell
him to leave?"
Kaoru's eyes widened again and Kenshin watched her...
She rose hurriedly out of the futon she lay in. She passed Sano and
ran towards the front entrance. Kenshin swiftly followed, partially worried,
partially angry... or was that jealousy...
He grabbed her hand loosely.
"Kaoru-dono... I think you should slow down... i don't think..."
"Kenshin i'm fine!"
She wrenched free of his hold before continuing.
*********
Kaoru paused when she saw the tall dark-haired man. He was older and more
mature, but other than that, he hadn't changed.
Kenshin slit his eyes at the stranger.
It was the same man who had come earlier... The same man that asked
for Kaoru.
"Ryu-san" she whispered...
kaoru inched into his open arms holding him tightly, hesitantly.
Sano then turned to Kenshin who stood there... unreadible...
"I'm glad you came."
"Oh... I came earlier and you weren't even home."
"Sorrry!" she pulled away "Can you wait here... I'll be ready in a while."
"I guess."
TO BE CONTINUED!
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NOTES:
1. Megumi is OOC in the middle ;_; ... I need her that way for the drama to
unfold... things will get SOAPY.