Now That You've Returned - 6/?
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2004 9:37 pm
Disclaimer: I don?t own Rurouni Kenshin, it is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuke.
Doozy chapter.
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Now That You?ve Returned Chapter Six
By Gundam Girl
There was always something about festivals that warped the senses. Colorful kimonos and a dark sky confused all sight, smells of food both healthy and not tantalized the stomach, an endless buzz of conversation and music swamped a pair of ears, and an arid night or a chilly one could ripple along the skin.
Kaoru experienced all of it and felt a little dizzy. Derekai?s treatment of her had made her inevitably delicate. Sometimes, if she allowed her to think of it, she could recall the festivals she had gone to before her marriage. She had reveled in the excitement, had never been exhausted from it.
Tonight, at least, exhaustion was absent. She felt keenly alert, more so than she had in years. The brief contact of her fingers lightly rested on Jeisuro Kotada?s forearm sent points of wariness spearing through her. It was simpler when Derekai escorted her; the woman in traditional dress and the man in Western-style clothing was becoming a more familiar sight in Tokyo. It signified money, something that was admired whether you stood in Japan or on the other side of the world.
She kept her head down and watched Kotada?s shiny black shoes so that she could follow them with her own sandal-clad feet. Was it her imagination, she mused, or did her escort seem uncomfortable in his suit and other non-Asian garments? Perhaps he was just disliking his lack of familiarity now that he was in a town not his own. Kenshin had taken a little while to get used to large groups of people again as well?
God! His hair was black! Black! That alone should have been enough to restrain any thoughts of Kenshin whatsoever when looking at Kotada. It was maddening, or would have been if she could go any less sane. She had been thinking about the red-haired samurai more in mere hours than she ever had in six months. Perhaps Kaoru?s behavior had been triggered by seeing Aoshi and Misaou. Kaoru wished there was a logical answer for these types of situations?
She was beautiful. Pale, sad-eyed, and fatigued, Kenshin thought ? but beautiful. She always had been. Always would be. But the emotions, or maybe lack thereof, that Kenshin could sense inside her made him feel an invisible fist curl around his heart.
?Have you and Mr. Takeda been married long, Mrs. Takeda??
Kaoru flinched, but only Kenshin noticed it. ?Six years,? she murmured. ?And you may call me Kaoru, sir.?
?Kaoru-san, then.? He longed to refer to the dono honorific he had always used, but he could not. It was too risky. Kenshin set his mouth into a firm line. ?Six years. You must be a very happy woman.?
Her only emotional response to that was to blink rapidly. ?I am expected to be content.?
?Expectations can be misplaced.? Shut up, he told himself. Not yet. You can?t speak to her like this yet.
?Perhaps,? she answered in a whisper. ?But what I have I must be grateful for.? She looked back over her shoulder, saw Sano and Megumi smile at her, but she also saw Derekai pull the geisha-like woman behind a food stand to carry on their business hidden.
?As must we all,? Megumi put in from behind. She squeezed Sano?s hand and shot Kenshin a worried look. Kenshin only cleared his throat and smiled. ?Is anyone hungry??
?Let?s go to the Akabeko,? suggested Megumi. ?I?m sure Dere?ah?Takeda-sama can meet up with us later. And Kotada-san has never been to Tae-san?s restaurant before.? Releasing her fiancee?s hand, she discreetly nudged Kenshin away and motioned behind her back for him to walk with Sanosuke. ?Kaoru-san, did you pick out your kimono?? she asked conversationally as they headed for the Akabeko, knowing that Derekai gave her no choices.
?How?s it look, buddy?? whispered Sano, tilting his head down so Kenshin could hear him well.
?She doesn?t recognize me.? Kenshin didn?t know for certain if he was relieved or hurt by this.
?Okay. Neither did Takeda. Dammit.? Sano clenched a fist. ?You sure you don?t want me to just kick his ass??
?Yes. Sano, I have no money,? said Kenshin. ?How were we going to pass me off as a businessman again??
?Don?t worry about it, I?ve got enough. I?ll pay for the jerk too, once he gets back from betraying his wife.? Sano smirked. ?It?ll be on the ruffian.?
Whispered Megumi to Kaoru, ?How do you find Kotada-sama??
?He seems nice,? answered Kaoru honestly, but shortly. Megumi frowned.
?How,? she asked instead, ?do you find yourself??
Kaoru wanted to sigh. Megumi was always concerned for her. So was Sano. But that truth was, she thought wryly, there was no longer a person to be concerned about. She had stopped feeling human years again. She could fault Derekai for that by treating her as he did, or she could fault herself for letting him.
Either way, she felt nothing. No jealousy for Derekai?s unfaithfulness, no warmth in response to Sanosuke and Megumi?s kindness, not even very much fondness at the memories of Kenshin that Kotada seemed to bring up. She was that detached now.
?Kaoru-san!?
The four of them stopped walking as Yahiko and Tsubame joined up with them, followed by Misao and Aoshi. ?Going to dinner?? the ruby-eyed youth asked. ?Care if we join you??
Sansokue shrugged. ?I can?t pay for you all.?
?We have money,? Misao said to him. Aoshi nodded once.
?It?s on me,? Yahiko said to Tsubame as they continued on their way.
?Are you sure?? Tsubame?s quiet voice said. ?I can??
?Don?t worry about it.?
When they all entered the Akabeko minutes later, Tae was bubbling with excitement. ?I love the festivals,? she announced. ?I get so many customers, and I get to see so many friends. Follow me, I?ll find you a large table. Hi, Tsubame!?
The two co-workers chattered briefly as they all sat at a round table on the provided pillows.
?I should probably go find Derekai,? Kaoru murmured. ?He won?t like that I came in here without his permission.? He would scold her, she knew, but it might save her from a bout of harsh abuse from the evening. If he had enough sake, he might get too drunk to do anything to her. But such was a hope that would probably be best if put down now.
?His permission,? repeated Kenshin, his tongue deliberately tense.
?He just likes to know where I am,? she began, automatically defending Derekai?s name as he always demanded she do.
?I have no doubt,? he replied. Suddenly uncomfortable again, he turned to Sano.
?Uhhhhh,? said the tall fist-fighter, ?Tsubame, you haven?t met Kotada-san, right??
?I?ll introduce you,? Yahiko said, standing up and offering his hand to Tsubame so she could do the same. ?Kotada-san.? He felt bad that he couldn?t use his old mentor?s real name, but he had to play the game they were using to help Kaoru. ?I would like you to meet Tsubame, my fianc?e.?
?WHAT?!? blurted Sano. There would be no stunned silences for this group, save two.
?You?re engaged?? Megumi exclaimed. ?Well, why? Why didn?t you give us some warning??
?Seven years of close friendship and admiration isn?t warning enough?? giggled Tsubame. She turned to Kenshin and bowed. ?It?s wonderful to meet you, Kotada, san.?
?Likewise, the future Miyojin-dono,? Kenshin smiled. One way or another, when he was Himura again, he would have to talk to Tsubame again and tell her embarrassing stories about Yahiko.
Tsubame blushed prettily, as Kaoru looked at them with something close to wonder. Her pupil, her brother-like friend, was going to be married. It wouldn?t be for two more years of course, but there was nothing wrong with claiming a girl early.
The good moment was ruined when the Akebeko door was suddenly shoved open. Turning, everyone saw Derekai storm in and approach Kaoru. His hair was mussed, there was a powder stain on his tie, which was wrinkled horribly.
He stretched out a pale, bony hair and gripped her chin, pinching the skin and forcing her lips to purse as his angry face went very near to hers. ?Did I tell you to come here? Did I say you could??
?Derekai,? she whispered, her blue eyes wide. ?Please?not here??
?Then where?!? he demanded. ?Am I only to control you at home? Am I to let you roam free out in public? You are my wife, you wench! You listen to me!?
Kenshin had a hand reaching for the hilt of his sword, but alas, it was not to be found in the pocket of his damnable suit. He felt a hand on his wrist and he whirled on Megumi, mouth silent, but Megumi withdrew her grip at the glow of his burning amber eyes.
Before anyone could do or say anything rash, the quiet voice of Aoshi came up like a soft wind. ?Mr. Takeda, we were just going to eat. Would you care to join us?? Only Misao noticed his tight fists, which rested on top of his folded legs.
Derekai?s head snapped up to look at him. ?Why would you want to eat with me, Shinomori-san?? he snarled. ?Surely you resent me.?
?I resented a Takeda once,? Aoshi lied (for it would be surely a lie to say he did not dislike this Takeda as well), ?but my quarrel was with the father, not the son.?
Derekai was still a boy, but he was smart to understand when to be civil. ?I understand.?
?Then surely,? Aoshi continued, ?you understand it would be rude to turn down Sagara-san?s offer to buying a meal for you and your wife.?
Derekai?s eyes flicked to Sanosuke, and Sano nodded, his eyebrows arched. ?I see,? he said mildly. ?I suppose it will be good for Kaoru to see some old friends. And of course, for both of us, to meet someone new.? He nodded to Kenshin.
?Indeed,? Kenshin said sharply.
?Well then,? Misao said loudly. ?It?s decided. Join us, Takeda-san.? Her fingers itched for her daggers.
?Very?well.? Still miffed, Derekai gave Kaoru a hard shove as he sat down. Kenshin had to close his eyes and wait for his blood to cool. Then Derekai laughed and smiled at ?Kotada.? ?We have to keep our women in line, of course, Mr. Kotada.?
His eyes narrowed against his role. ?Of course, Mr. Takeda.? His glanced at Kaoru; her head was faced downwards and she kept it that way throughout the rest of the night, as they shared two hot pots and the others tried to keep amiable conversation with Derekai.
When they all emerged and the festival was starting to wind down, Sano took Megumi?s hand. ?That was a disaster,? she murmured.
?At least Yahiko had some good news,? Sano offered, but he too was dejected.
?Nothing is good in this city,? Megumi seethed, ?as long as that little bastard lives here.?
Derekai was fuming himself, but with he couldn?t afford to direct all his rage on Kaoru when they got home. The marks, he was sure, would be permanent. And he was feeling too drunk to focus the way he needed to. It was still before one, he thought as he looked at his watch. Kyoko would still be around. If he looked in the right place?
?Kotada,? he called out before Kenshin could walk away.
Kenshin stopped and took a deep breath before turning to give him a cool smile. ?Takeda??
?I have urgent business that I just remember.? Gripping Kaoru?s forearm, he half-pushed her at the mustached man. ?Would you mind taking my wife home for me? She can tell you the way.?
?I?? Kenshin paused. ?I don?t know if??
?You are a businessman, Kotada. You understand urgencies.?
?Yes, but??
?Thank you!? The man sounded sincere, for one who was such a dislikeable person. Placing Kaoru?s hand hurriedly in Kenshin, he practically ran off in search of his favorite street whore.
Sometimes, Buddha was not on your side. Kenshin quickly released Kaoru hand and instead held his own outward. He smiled at her, but it was warily. He would rather face Shishio again than have to look into the ghost-like eyes of this emotionless Kaoru. ?Shall we go then??
?My house is this way,? Kaoru said softly, walking to the left. She waited for him to walk in front of her. He did, and she clenched her fingers together against the skirt of her kimono. ?Thank you, Kotada-san.?
?It isn?t a problem, Kaoru-san.? Except for that I?m nervous, and frightened of being with you. ?I will believe your home is beautiful.?
?It is.? Her tone was soft and revealed nothing; not how much she despised the house Derekai expected her to call home, how she hated every moment she was there.
?Why are you not open to conversation, Kaoru-san?? Kenshin slowed his steps so that they were side-by-side, walking beneath the starry Tokyo sky. ?A woman of few words, perhaps??
That made the corner?s of her mouth soften. She could faintly recall the days when she spoke 8,000 words a day. Now she spoke 300 at most. ?A woman is preferred silent, is she not??
?Depends on the man.? He nearly muttered it, and his eyes flashed amber again, but Kaoru?s eyes were downcast and did not see. ?I prefer a woman of high spirit.?
?You should speak further with Tae-san.?
He laughed; he had to. The suggestion was so outrageous. But then he noticed Kaoru?s tense posture. ?I?m sorry. I?m not laughing at you. But I do not think I would be compatible with Tae-san.? He became serious again. He had only been compatible with two women in his life, and the second one had been stolen from him by a psychopathic boy.
Kaoru could hardly believe her ears. With every word, and now, his laughing, Jeisuro Kotada sounded more and more like Kenshin. ?This is my house,? she said suddenly when they came to a gate. In her confused state of mind, they had almost passed it.
Kenshin looked up at the stately white house with its Victorian style. ?It is beautiful,? he remarked. He had to smile. ?A beautiful sheltering for a beautiful wife.?
She inhaled sharply, her knuckled going white.
?I?m sorry, Kaoru-san,? Kenshin told her hurriedly. ?That is not in my place to say.?
?I will dismiss it. Mr. Kotada??
?Kotada-san is fine.?
?Kotada-san,? she corrected. She hesitated. Could she be so bold as to?? But she had to. ?Did you ever know a Kenshin Himura??
He froze. Nothing could have prepared him for this. What would summon up that question? To her, Kenshin Himura was dead and had been for six years. What could he say? What could he do?
And then? Why not?
?Kaoru-san??
His tone effected her more than she cared it to. ?Yes??
?Do you have a cloth I could use?? Kenshin watched as a line appeared between her eyebrows.
?A cloth? A washing cloth?? she specified.
?A damp one,? he nodded. ?May I come in??
Kaoru gripped the gate. ?I?m? I don?t believe my husband would agree with??
?Just for a moment,? Kenshin said. He was so calm he surprised himself.
She studied him. He didn?t look dangerous, but of course, neither did Kenshin when they first met, and he had ended up being the strongest samurai in Japan.
But his eyes sought trust, and though there wasn?t much of that left in her, she felt like she needed to prove to herself that there was still something?
?Very well,? she replied, opening the gate for him and bowing her head. ?But you can not stay long, sir.?
?I won?t.? I can?t. He couldn?t bear to look into her face when it was so smooth without any feeling.
But chances were, it wouldn?t stay smooth for long.
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Review please!
Doozy chapter.
-------------------------------------------------
Now That You?ve Returned Chapter Six
By Gundam Girl
There was always something about festivals that warped the senses. Colorful kimonos and a dark sky confused all sight, smells of food both healthy and not tantalized the stomach, an endless buzz of conversation and music swamped a pair of ears, and an arid night or a chilly one could ripple along the skin.
Kaoru experienced all of it and felt a little dizzy. Derekai?s treatment of her had made her inevitably delicate. Sometimes, if she allowed her to think of it, she could recall the festivals she had gone to before her marriage. She had reveled in the excitement, had never been exhausted from it.
Tonight, at least, exhaustion was absent. She felt keenly alert, more so than she had in years. The brief contact of her fingers lightly rested on Jeisuro Kotada?s forearm sent points of wariness spearing through her. It was simpler when Derekai escorted her; the woman in traditional dress and the man in Western-style clothing was becoming a more familiar sight in Tokyo. It signified money, something that was admired whether you stood in Japan or on the other side of the world.
She kept her head down and watched Kotada?s shiny black shoes so that she could follow them with her own sandal-clad feet. Was it her imagination, she mused, or did her escort seem uncomfortable in his suit and other non-Asian garments? Perhaps he was just disliking his lack of familiarity now that he was in a town not his own. Kenshin had taken a little while to get used to large groups of people again as well?
God! His hair was black! Black! That alone should have been enough to restrain any thoughts of Kenshin whatsoever when looking at Kotada. It was maddening, or would have been if she could go any less sane. She had been thinking about the red-haired samurai more in mere hours than she ever had in six months. Perhaps Kaoru?s behavior had been triggered by seeing Aoshi and Misaou. Kaoru wished there was a logical answer for these types of situations?
She was beautiful. Pale, sad-eyed, and fatigued, Kenshin thought ? but beautiful. She always had been. Always would be. But the emotions, or maybe lack thereof, that Kenshin could sense inside her made him feel an invisible fist curl around his heart.
?Have you and Mr. Takeda been married long, Mrs. Takeda??
Kaoru flinched, but only Kenshin noticed it. ?Six years,? she murmured. ?And you may call me Kaoru, sir.?
?Kaoru-san, then.? He longed to refer to the dono honorific he had always used, but he could not. It was too risky. Kenshin set his mouth into a firm line. ?Six years. You must be a very happy woman.?
Her only emotional response to that was to blink rapidly. ?I am expected to be content.?
?Expectations can be misplaced.? Shut up, he told himself. Not yet. You can?t speak to her like this yet.
?Perhaps,? she answered in a whisper. ?But what I have I must be grateful for.? She looked back over her shoulder, saw Sano and Megumi smile at her, but she also saw Derekai pull the geisha-like woman behind a food stand to carry on their business hidden.
?As must we all,? Megumi put in from behind. She squeezed Sano?s hand and shot Kenshin a worried look. Kenshin only cleared his throat and smiled. ?Is anyone hungry??
?Let?s go to the Akabeko,? suggested Megumi. ?I?m sure Dere?ah?Takeda-sama can meet up with us later. And Kotada-san has never been to Tae-san?s restaurant before.? Releasing her fiancee?s hand, she discreetly nudged Kenshin away and motioned behind her back for him to walk with Sanosuke. ?Kaoru-san, did you pick out your kimono?? she asked conversationally as they headed for the Akabeko, knowing that Derekai gave her no choices.
?How?s it look, buddy?? whispered Sano, tilting his head down so Kenshin could hear him well.
?She doesn?t recognize me.? Kenshin didn?t know for certain if he was relieved or hurt by this.
?Okay. Neither did Takeda. Dammit.? Sano clenched a fist. ?You sure you don?t want me to just kick his ass??
?Yes. Sano, I have no money,? said Kenshin. ?How were we going to pass me off as a businessman again??
?Don?t worry about it, I?ve got enough. I?ll pay for the jerk too, once he gets back from betraying his wife.? Sano smirked. ?It?ll be on the ruffian.?
Whispered Megumi to Kaoru, ?How do you find Kotada-sama??
?He seems nice,? answered Kaoru honestly, but shortly. Megumi frowned.
?How,? she asked instead, ?do you find yourself??
Kaoru wanted to sigh. Megumi was always concerned for her. So was Sano. But that truth was, she thought wryly, there was no longer a person to be concerned about. She had stopped feeling human years again. She could fault Derekai for that by treating her as he did, or she could fault herself for letting him.
Either way, she felt nothing. No jealousy for Derekai?s unfaithfulness, no warmth in response to Sanosuke and Megumi?s kindness, not even very much fondness at the memories of Kenshin that Kotada seemed to bring up. She was that detached now.
?Kaoru-san!?
The four of them stopped walking as Yahiko and Tsubame joined up with them, followed by Misao and Aoshi. ?Going to dinner?? the ruby-eyed youth asked. ?Care if we join you??
Sansokue shrugged. ?I can?t pay for you all.?
?We have money,? Misao said to him. Aoshi nodded once.
?It?s on me,? Yahiko said to Tsubame as they continued on their way.
?Are you sure?? Tsubame?s quiet voice said. ?I can??
?Don?t worry about it.?
When they all entered the Akabeko minutes later, Tae was bubbling with excitement. ?I love the festivals,? she announced. ?I get so many customers, and I get to see so many friends. Follow me, I?ll find you a large table. Hi, Tsubame!?
The two co-workers chattered briefly as they all sat at a round table on the provided pillows.
?I should probably go find Derekai,? Kaoru murmured. ?He won?t like that I came in here without his permission.? He would scold her, she knew, but it might save her from a bout of harsh abuse from the evening. If he had enough sake, he might get too drunk to do anything to her. But such was a hope that would probably be best if put down now.
?His permission,? repeated Kenshin, his tongue deliberately tense.
?He just likes to know where I am,? she began, automatically defending Derekai?s name as he always demanded she do.
?I have no doubt,? he replied. Suddenly uncomfortable again, he turned to Sano.
?Uhhhhh,? said the tall fist-fighter, ?Tsubame, you haven?t met Kotada-san, right??
?I?ll introduce you,? Yahiko said, standing up and offering his hand to Tsubame so she could do the same. ?Kotada-san.? He felt bad that he couldn?t use his old mentor?s real name, but he had to play the game they were using to help Kaoru. ?I would like you to meet Tsubame, my fianc?e.?
?WHAT?!? blurted Sano. There would be no stunned silences for this group, save two.
?You?re engaged?? Megumi exclaimed. ?Well, why? Why didn?t you give us some warning??
?Seven years of close friendship and admiration isn?t warning enough?? giggled Tsubame. She turned to Kenshin and bowed. ?It?s wonderful to meet you, Kotada, san.?
?Likewise, the future Miyojin-dono,? Kenshin smiled. One way or another, when he was Himura again, he would have to talk to Tsubame again and tell her embarrassing stories about Yahiko.
Tsubame blushed prettily, as Kaoru looked at them with something close to wonder. Her pupil, her brother-like friend, was going to be married. It wouldn?t be for two more years of course, but there was nothing wrong with claiming a girl early.
The good moment was ruined when the Akebeko door was suddenly shoved open. Turning, everyone saw Derekai storm in and approach Kaoru. His hair was mussed, there was a powder stain on his tie, which was wrinkled horribly.
He stretched out a pale, bony hair and gripped her chin, pinching the skin and forcing her lips to purse as his angry face went very near to hers. ?Did I tell you to come here? Did I say you could??
?Derekai,? she whispered, her blue eyes wide. ?Please?not here??
?Then where?!? he demanded. ?Am I only to control you at home? Am I to let you roam free out in public? You are my wife, you wench! You listen to me!?
Kenshin had a hand reaching for the hilt of his sword, but alas, it was not to be found in the pocket of his damnable suit. He felt a hand on his wrist and he whirled on Megumi, mouth silent, but Megumi withdrew her grip at the glow of his burning amber eyes.
Before anyone could do or say anything rash, the quiet voice of Aoshi came up like a soft wind. ?Mr. Takeda, we were just going to eat. Would you care to join us?? Only Misao noticed his tight fists, which rested on top of his folded legs.
Derekai?s head snapped up to look at him. ?Why would you want to eat with me, Shinomori-san?? he snarled. ?Surely you resent me.?
?I resented a Takeda once,? Aoshi lied (for it would be surely a lie to say he did not dislike this Takeda as well), ?but my quarrel was with the father, not the son.?
Derekai was still a boy, but he was smart to understand when to be civil. ?I understand.?
?Then surely,? Aoshi continued, ?you understand it would be rude to turn down Sagara-san?s offer to buying a meal for you and your wife.?
Derekai?s eyes flicked to Sanosuke, and Sano nodded, his eyebrows arched. ?I see,? he said mildly. ?I suppose it will be good for Kaoru to see some old friends. And of course, for both of us, to meet someone new.? He nodded to Kenshin.
?Indeed,? Kenshin said sharply.
?Well then,? Misao said loudly. ?It?s decided. Join us, Takeda-san.? Her fingers itched for her daggers.
?Very?well.? Still miffed, Derekai gave Kaoru a hard shove as he sat down. Kenshin had to close his eyes and wait for his blood to cool. Then Derekai laughed and smiled at ?Kotada.? ?We have to keep our women in line, of course, Mr. Kotada.?
His eyes narrowed against his role. ?Of course, Mr. Takeda.? His glanced at Kaoru; her head was faced downwards and she kept it that way throughout the rest of the night, as they shared two hot pots and the others tried to keep amiable conversation with Derekai.
When they all emerged and the festival was starting to wind down, Sano took Megumi?s hand. ?That was a disaster,? she murmured.
?At least Yahiko had some good news,? Sano offered, but he too was dejected.
?Nothing is good in this city,? Megumi seethed, ?as long as that little bastard lives here.?
Derekai was fuming himself, but with he couldn?t afford to direct all his rage on Kaoru when they got home. The marks, he was sure, would be permanent. And he was feeling too drunk to focus the way he needed to. It was still before one, he thought as he looked at his watch. Kyoko would still be around. If he looked in the right place?
?Kotada,? he called out before Kenshin could walk away.
Kenshin stopped and took a deep breath before turning to give him a cool smile. ?Takeda??
?I have urgent business that I just remember.? Gripping Kaoru?s forearm, he half-pushed her at the mustached man. ?Would you mind taking my wife home for me? She can tell you the way.?
?I?? Kenshin paused. ?I don?t know if??
?You are a businessman, Kotada. You understand urgencies.?
?Yes, but??
?Thank you!? The man sounded sincere, for one who was such a dislikeable person. Placing Kaoru?s hand hurriedly in Kenshin, he practically ran off in search of his favorite street whore.
Sometimes, Buddha was not on your side. Kenshin quickly released Kaoru hand and instead held his own outward. He smiled at her, but it was warily. He would rather face Shishio again than have to look into the ghost-like eyes of this emotionless Kaoru. ?Shall we go then??
?My house is this way,? Kaoru said softly, walking to the left. She waited for him to walk in front of her. He did, and she clenched her fingers together against the skirt of her kimono. ?Thank you, Kotada-san.?
?It isn?t a problem, Kaoru-san.? Except for that I?m nervous, and frightened of being with you. ?I will believe your home is beautiful.?
?It is.? Her tone was soft and revealed nothing; not how much she despised the house Derekai expected her to call home, how she hated every moment she was there.
?Why are you not open to conversation, Kaoru-san?? Kenshin slowed his steps so that they were side-by-side, walking beneath the starry Tokyo sky. ?A woman of few words, perhaps??
That made the corner?s of her mouth soften. She could faintly recall the days when she spoke 8,000 words a day. Now she spoke 300 at most. ?A woman is preferred silent, is she not??
?Depends on the man.? He nearly muttered it, and his eyes flashed amber again, but Kaoru?s eyes were downcast and did not see. ?I prefer a woman of high spirit.?
?You should speak further with Tae-san.?
He laughed; he had to. The suggestion was so outrageous. But then he noticed Kaoru?s tense posture. ?I?m sorry. I?m not laughing at you. But I do not think I would be compatible with Tae-san.? He became serious again. He had only been compatible with two women in his life, and the second one had been stolen from him by a psychopathic boy.
Kaoru could hardly believe her ears. With every word, and now, his laughing, Jeisuro Kotada sounded more and more like Kenshin. ?This is my house,? she said suddenly when they came to a gate. In her confused state of mind, they had almost passed it.
Kenshin looked up at the stately white house with its Victorian style. ?It is beautiful,? he remarked. He had to smile. ?A beautiful sheltering for a beautiful wife.?
She inhaled sharply, her knuckled going white.
?I?m sorry, Kaoru-san,? Kenshin told her hurriedly. ?That is not in my place to say.?
?I will dismiss it. Mr. Kotada??
?Kotada-san is fine.?
?Kotada-san,? she corrected. She hesitated. Could she be so bold as to?? But she had to. ?Did you ever know a Kenshin Himura??
He froze. Nothing could have prepared him for this. What would summon up that question? To her, Kenshin Himura was dead and had been for six years. What could he say? What could he do?
And then? Why not?
?Kaoru-san??
His tone effected her more than she cared it to. ?Yes??
?Do you have a cloth I could use?? Kenshin watched as a line appeared between her eyebrows.
?A cloth? A washing cloth?? she specified.
?A damp one,? he nodded. ?May I come in??
Kaoru gripped the gate. ?I?m? I don?t believe my husband would agree with??
?Just for a moment,? Kenshin said. He was so calm he surprised himself.
She studied him. He didn?t look dangerous, but of course, neither did Kenshin when they first met, and he had ended up being the strongest samurai in Japan.
But his eyes sought trust, and though there wasn?t much of that left in her, she felt like she needed to prove to herself that there was still something?
?Very well,? she replied, opening the gate for him and bowing her head. ?But you can not stay long, sir.?
?I won?t.? I can?t. He couldn?t bear to look into her face when it was so smooth without any feeling.
But chances were, it wouldn?t stay smooth for long.
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