Oh there's a third part?!!!
Please note that this is post "The Final" movie. This happened around 2 months after Kenshin and Enishi's fight.
An Unexpected Invitation
Part III
There was no letup in the heat, which unfortunately had gotten worst the moment they arrived at the burning warehouse. The air simmered as flames licked and climbed through walls and roof. They could hear the woods creaking and groaning before finally collapsing with a loud crash, like the sound of booming thunder moments before the storm hit. It didn't take long before feathery-light as snow but dark and acrid soot started to rain down on them.
They were told to move back and Kenshin and Yahiko, shifted with the small crowd that had gathered to watch the conflagration, the largest they've had this summer. There were whispers of apprehension that the warehouse used to store gunpowder, but fears of a possible explosion was allayed when Police Chief Uramura assured them that the old building had been unused since spring and was definitely empty when it had caught fire.
The police around them grumbled about ruffians who were last seen loitering around the vicinity, though it was still unclear how or who started the fire. The day was thankfully saved by the quick and able response of Tokyo's fire department, but the building alas, was unsalvageable.
There really was no need for them to stay behind but they waited until the fire had been completely put out; better be safe than sorry. They kept watch of everyone, particularly looking out for possible suspects. Arsonists are almost always caught observing their crime, finding some sick sort of pleasure in watching that which they have turned turn into ashes.
Frowning, Kenshin moved his head for just a fraction of an inch, confirming that Saitou was among the curious onlookers, standing just a few feet away from them, and as always, smoking a cigar. The Mibu Wolf was consistent at least when it comes to his nasty habit, regardless of the weather or the place. He'd probably still be smoking while trapped in a blizzard. Kenshin gently nudged Yahiko and nodded over at Saitou's direction.
If he hadn't known any better, Kenshin would have thought him the guilty pyromaniac; the dour expression on his face and the usual dangerous air about him made for a perfect suspect. Of course, burning empty old buildings would be too boring for Saitou, who thrived in the quiet kind of chaos. He liked the mental games and the manipulations, which was how he undoubtedly secured his position as a government spy.
As though feeling their eyes on him – not that they were trying to be discreet anyway – Saitou glanced over at them, sneered and rolled his eyes before carelessly tossing his still lit cigarette. He let out a satisfied smile, lips curling to bare his teeth, as Yahiko yelped in surprise, frantically trying to brush the cigarette out of his hair.
Narrowing his eyes, Kenshin glanced down to find that it had fallen right in front of him. He quickly squashed it, its embers winking out underneath his sandals. When he looked up, Saitou was already gone, disappearing with most of the nosy town folks who were already dispersing, bored now as the police started clearing away the debris that littered the streets.
What are you doing here, Saitou? Kenshin didn't particularly liked that last sneer sent their way. He had a feeling it was directed at him and not at Yahiko. He hadn't seen Saitou since last winter, when he had still been recuperating from his wounds. Under the wrathful eyes of Kaoru, Saitou had come to the dojo to ask him what he knew about Yukishiro Enishi before he had become a smuggler of weapons and battleships.
It had shocked Kenshin to find out that Enishi had sold the ironclad Rengoku to Shishio. That some sort of transaction had transpired between the two had sent a chill down his spine. He had tried to hide the shiver that went through him, but sharp eyed as always, Kaoru had caught it and had immediately proceeded to kick Saitou out of their house, official police investigation be damned.
"Come back when he's all healed. Or maybe just do you job and not come back at all!"
For a moment, Kenshin had actually been worried that he'd have to try and physically restrain Kaoru from punching Saitou when he had arrogantly replied that his job would be so much easier if people like Kenshin didn't do stupid things that would eventually come back to bite them in their ass.
And anyway, it wasn't like he could give Saitou helpful information. He had barely known Enishi. He'd been a quiet boy who skulked every time they were together in the same room, fiercely glaring at him from the fringes of his dark bangs (back then his hair was as dark as Tomoe's). Kenshin had been slightly bothered by the blatant dislike of his young brother-in-law; they weren't so terribly far in age and he had harbored some secret hope that one day, they could become a family. Him and Tomoe and Enishi. That he all but abandoned him when Tomoe had died shattered that hope.
It was a constant guilt that nagged at him: why hadn't he tried to find Enishi? If only he had – but he hadn't been in the right frame of mind; his grief had prevented him from even thinking about anything else. And Enishi had hated him and Kenshin had hated himself – and two boys (because he had been a boy back then) living together filled with hatred – it would have been impossible even back then, for him to have taken Enishi under his protection. How could he, when he couldn't even protect his own wife?
Kenshin felt Yahiko sharply elbowing him, pulling him out of his own dark reflections. He hadn't given Enishi any thought since last winter, odd to suddenly start thinking of him now. But yes, Yahiko was trying to catch his attention. Plastering his usual smile, Kenshin realized that some of the police were giving them small nods of thanks, in obvious acknowledgement of their effort to come and check if they needed any help.
This was a common enough occurrence, assisting the police and they have always been appreciative. It made up for, well not exactly bother – more like an inconvenience that he did actively sought out. After all, it was something that Kenshin he had sheepishly looked forward too.
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There wasn't anything wrong with finally settling into the peaceful, daily rhythm of the dojo. It soothed him like nothing else; he loved how mundane his life had become of late. A welcome blessing, truly. But a small part of him still harkened for some way to help, no matter how unexceptional it may be. Indeed, he rather preferred assisting in the more common struggles of their small community as opposed to the much more dangerous tasks of trying to save Tokyo or as before, the whole of Japan. Those involved too much politics and he hated becoming a part of that, even if it was for just a little while. Politics felt too dirty.
Helping out their neighbors was highly fulfilling and best of all, it didn't endanger the person most precious to him. And this was something he was certainly tired of. Having to constantly worry about the threats from his past coming to drag him and everyone else into a fight for whatever reason they have: vengeance, to right a perceived wrong, a quest to best a legend. The list of his transgressions and his victims are endless and there was no telling what would motivate any of his enemies to kill him. Kenshin had long ago accepted that this will be a frequent occurrence in his life, given his past. It troubled him to a certain point but what he couldn't find acceptable was that it also meant that the people he cared for were also threatened, turned into targets. A pawn to draw him out.
It made him angry. The kind that he could quietly hide, but the burn of it, the sting of it, could not be completely extinguished. It was a worrying realization but he understood that it was part of who he is: that deep seated rage, always just below the surface. He just needed to control it – not fight it, not deny it, not be ashamed of it, but harness it – as best as he could. That understanding didn't come so easy but he had, over the years, learned this lesson. He had to treat it just like every other emotion that he was capable of feeling.
Sadness. Fear. Pain. Love. Joy.
His thoughts immediately drifted and he could feel his lips curling up in the smallest of smiles.
Kaoru.
She would sometimes help out too, mostly when the police needed to stop some petty criminal or drunkard making trouble, much to his silent dismay and the loud complaints from Sano and Yahiko – which was done mostly for his sake, because he'd always have that tense look whenever Kaoru insisted on joining in on the fray. Surprisingly perceptive, Sano and Yahiko would use it to redirect Kaoru's annoyance and help alleviate the tension-filled moments of stare down between the two of them.
It was fine if Kaoru and Yahiko fought. It was amusing when Kaoru and Sano argued. But it was different when it was the two of them. It made everyone else uncomfortable and everything was done to try and diffuse the situation.
He didn't want to fight with Kaoru but it was inevitable, they were both too stubborn for their own good. He didn't think it could ever truly be called as a fight anyway as he would never explicitly tell her of his disapproval; would never be vocal about his displeasure. Kenshin would make non-committal grunts whenever Kaoru dared him to make her stay at home and do nothing while they were out helping the police. He'd long since memorized her arguments, all of them valid: she is a capable fighter; could easily and effectively hit the more harmless offenders without permanently injuring them. She was definitely the most level headed, the least hot-tempered and wasn't prone to doing foolish things. She'd fought with the Oniwabanshū in Kyoto and they had let her.
Kaoru found it deeply insulting that she would not be allowed in any of their adventures. It wasn't that he didn't trust her or her abilities. He just couldn't stand the thought of her being hurt – he could bear any kind of pain and for her, he would – all except for her pain. It was maddening sometimes how couldn't say 'no' to her, despite his better judgement. To not agree with her would be to disrespect her and Kenshin would rather swallow glass. He just had to allow all the fear and worry settle at the pit of his stomach, take hold of his heart and steal his breath and then do everything he can to protect her.
I'll let you come with us, Kaoru. I'll let you fight but Kami help anyone who would dare hurt you.
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Kenshin always made sure that she was well within his line of sight and if any idiot ever got close enough to touch her, well – bodies flew, as promised. He had had enough of men taking her. Jin-eh. Soijuro. Enishi. Once was already unbearable, but for it to have happened three times was just down right unacceptable. No more. Never ever again.
In complete contrast to his quiet temper, Kaoru expressed her exasperation by running the opposite direction of wherever he was. It never failed to stir in him equal amounts of trepidation and admiration and sometimes – sometimes, there was a strange hint of eroticism in the way Kaoru would fearlessly charge at members of the yakuza; her battle scream and ki something he could almost taste and this, he secretly savored.
He would, of course, pivot to follow her, sending death glares ahead so that by the time Kaoru had faced their opponents, mindless thugs mostly but the smarter ones at least had enough sense to run away from her, out of sheer terror at the red-haired demon just idly standing behind the screaming girl carrying a bokken.
Kenshin knew that it made Kaoru feel more like a child and oh, how she hated the constant, worrying attention that he couldn't help but shower her. That he still called her Kaoru-dono seemed an even greater sting to her pride. Even though, in truth, in his mind he had learned to call her just by her name. Or at times, even beloved.
Kaoru beloved, I understand. I do.
It all came back to being repeatedly taken against her will. She wanted it made clear that she was not a weakness but a source of strength. That she was his equal and together, they can move forward and face the future. He could see it so clearly in the proud way she'd tilt her head, chin jutting out in defiance.
Kaoru wanted to prove that she would be a suitable partner for him. Homemaking skills aside, she could take care of him and protect him too. And really, Kenshin didn't mind the housework. It made him happy doing the little things for her. It meant that she could find time to rest or indulge in the things that she liked. It mattered little to him that she wasn't the typical Japanese wife who stayed at home doing wifely duties. He wouldn't be a typical Japanese husband to be certain, what with his tainted past and its shadow always looming down on him. What right did he have to demand that of her?
She was strong willed and modern and knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it. He admired that in her. And she had as much right as all the men to pursue her interests and dreams. It was the kind of life that he had wanted, dreamed and fought for. This world, this era where anyone could freely aspire to become better versions of themselves.
And it touched him to the very core of his heart that this girl – no, no this woman, so strong and so filled with light, found him worthy enough to want to share the warmth of her home and her future, so bright with possibilities, with him.
Kaoru really didn't need to prove anything; his heart already belongs to her. All of him belongs to her. Kaoru is his home now and will always be, but Kenshin was also aware that trying to show her worthiness wasn't really for him but for her. After all, he felt exactly the same way, this need to be worthy of her kindness, of her devotion, of this life of joy that she was offering him, his to take.
Not that their relationship had significantly progressed enough for Kenshin to initiate anything other than taking her hand and holding it clasped inside his or to even stop calling her Kaoru-dono. Frankly, he didn't think he could ever be so bold as to call her just by her name in front of other people, but there has been a silent understanding between them that eventually, it will happen.
It wasn't a question of when he would be brave enough to tell her with words and not just with actions. Kenshin will always find courage in her smile, in the way she'd look at him: all fierce and gentle and promising. It was that he rather enjoyed this time they had together, this gentle unfolding of their affection.
He had only ever experienced this once in his life and it had been sudden and abrupt. The swiftness of his romance with Tomoe had been borne out of his own impetuousness; he had been young and desperate for warmth and companionship. Being a shadow in the dark, a dreaded secret, a rumored monster – it made him feel cold and inhuman. And maybe, that it had stared out so quickly was why it had ended the way it did, with the silver arc of a sword and violence of death.
He wanted to savor it this time: the shy glances, the soft look in her eyes, the tenderness in her smile, the way her cheeks would turn dusty pink whenever they caught each other's eyes, the way the smallest, lightest of touches could send his heart racing like he had just performed a Ryūtsuisen. That thrill of launching himself up to air and then free falling - it was getting all the blood pumping exhilaration from a fight without the fight.
It was all so new to him and even in his age, he found himself feeling as though he had reclaimed a part of his youth he thought he had lost so long ago.
Just moments before the alarm for the fire had sounded, Kenshin remembered feeling so utterly relaxed and clamed, just quietly sitting by the engawa, Kaoru's presence always a soothing balm to his weary heart. He had his eyes closed, inhaling the subtle scent of jasmine, listening to her breathing and smirking at the annoyed snort she'd let out as she tugged at the collar of her kimono. The heat made him feel almost drowsy, on the verge of falling asleep and dreaming wonderful dreams of Kaoru and the warmth of her skin, the slide of her hair against his calloused fingers -
But damn that fire for breaking that spell.
Kenshin was looking forwards to coming home and finding Kaoru right where he had left her. He hoped she had gotten a nice afternoon nap and now that he had spent so much of his time thinking of her and their burgeoning relationship, Kenshin thought perhaps he was taking things a little too slow.
Later, after dinner he'd invite Kaoru to sit with him at the engawa, just as they had done earlier. But this time, no matter what kind of alarm would sound through the night, he would not leave her side.
Tonight, he will choose her.
It was time that they moved forwards and Kenshin was ready to tell her everything that he has been keeping inside of him.
Tonight, will be the night of tender confessions.
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It was nearing twilight when they rounded the corner towards the dojo, the summer sky the color of over ripe oranges and peaches, streaked with the same shade of dark blue that reminded Kenshin of Kaoru's midnight colored hair. And as though his thoughts had the power to conjure her, they spotted her standing just outside the gates, clearly waiting for them.
Kenshin frowned. Even from a distance, he could tell that she was not in the best of her moods. Her hands were resting on her waist; back rigidly straight, her shoulder a tense and angry line. He stretched out his senses, like a net being thrown into the ocean and felt only the spark of annoyance from Kaoru and just a hint of fear – small enough to not make him worry. They had been gone for a while and he could understand her anxiety, it was just like her to -
Wait.
There was no other ki that he could sense but - there -right there! Kenshin tensed, coming to a sudden halt, Yahiko almost stumbling beside him. A blankness. Deliberate. Like small punched hole against a span of blank canvass. Someone was trying to hide their own ki. The effort to smother it, to prevent its detection was barely palpable. It can only be done by someone who was like him. Someone as strong. Maybe even stronger.
He lengthened his stride, hurrying over to where Kaoru was standing, already feeling the familiar sharpened claws of fears sinking into his chest. And with that, the ever-present anger stirring inside of him, enough to wake up the coiled, slumbering dragon.
"Kenshin! Wait, what's going on?!" Yahiko shouted after him and Kenshin fought the urge to turn his head and glare at the boy, whose yell would have undoubtedly alerted their presence to whoever was trying to hide from him. He warily glanced at the ginko trees that lined the streets. (Where are you hiding, you bastard? No matter, we will settle this.)
"Hey, slow down!"
This made him do just the opposite. He had to bite his own tongue so as not to yell at Kaoru. He wanted very badly to tell her to go inside, bar the doors and wait for him. She probably wouldn't understand him, he was still too far, so he kept his mouth shut, sending a silent prayer that Yahiko does the same.
Yahiko could not have known, Kenshin reminded himself. Clamping down at the frustration that he felt, he only quickened his pace yet again, now practically running towards Kaoru who had turned her head towards them, no doubt having heard Yahiko's voice. Kenshin grimaced. He wanted to get to Kaoru now and drag her back inside the dojo. Hide her away from everyone who wished him harm, who wanted to steal and ruin the precious happiness that he had found after years and years of misery and loneliness.
Never again. He reminded himself. Never. Again. It was a silent chant that kept his anger in check. He was close enough now to see the alarm in Kaoru's face and his momentum almost made him run right into her, but he turned just slightly to his right, grabbing Kaoru's hand and nudging her to her to his left side, where she would be safe if he needed to draw his sakabatou. He started wordlessly pulling her inside, but she tugged back, feet firmly planted on the ground, effectively stopping him from moving forwards.
Yahiko had caught up with them breathing heavily. "Wha—" he started but this time, Kenshin silenced him with a look. Understanding finally dawning on him and Yahiko quickly took out his shinai.
Kaoru glared at both of them. "What is going on?!" She hissed; her wrist still caught inside his grasp. He could feel the jumpiness of her pulse and when he glanced down, he saw it: a faint blue-violet bruise. A circular band around her wrist, someone who had held on too tightly. And it was fairly new. It had not been there this morning. He was certain of this because he had been discreetly admiring her hands and how strong it looked, not at all bird-like or easily broken. But now, it was marred by the slight discoloration on her skin and he was angry.
"Who did this to you? Are you hurt elsewhere?" He questioned, his voice hardening. Kenshin searched her face, the wonderful shades of sunset that he had admired earlier cast an almost eerie color on her skin and he swallowed hard. "Kaoru-dono, please –" He wasn't sure what he was begging from her: to come inside with him and be safe, to tell him who had hurt her, but before he could ask anything more, he was suddenly surprised by the color that rose from her neck, spreading up to her cheeks.
A deep dark flush of embarrassment.
She bit her lip and turned away. That she wouldn't meet his eyes, it hurt in a new, almost physical way. Like a pinch inside his chest. She had never been evasive, had never tried to hide her feelings. It had always been him who would place the rurouni mask on every time he had to withhold information from her, for her sake mostly – but also really, his. But this was not the time to be thinking these thoughts! He couldn't sense any danger right now (how strange!), but that blankness was still ever present. Swallowing down his panic, sliding his hand from her wrist, he pressed her fingers together. Firm enough to get her attention back to him. He needed – was desperate for her to look at him. To see her face and her eyes.
She seemed to have read something in the expression he was wearing and she squeezed his fingers back. "I'm fine Kenshin, really. I just –" She shook her head and took a deep breath. "I'm not hurt. I'm more," she paused, muttered something dark, too low for him to hear. He could feel his frown deepening. He thought he heard what sounded like, 'so humiliated' but he couldn't figure out why she'd be so.
"I'm not hurt. I promise." She insisted and this was spoken with clenched teeth, her eyes suddenly flashing. "I'm actually really, really, pissed off." And then as though having chosen that emotion, she grabbed on to it and shook her head, snorting with surprising disdain. "You are not going to believe who is inside, visiting me – us."
An unexpected visitor, then. Having realized that Kaoru wasn't in any immediate danger, she wasn't acting like it anyway, Kenshin reluctantly dropped her hand and faced her. "It is Shishou?" He asked with growing trepidation.
Kaoru puffed up her cheeks and let out a soft, 'pfffft' of what sounded like regret. "I wish."
Yahiko rolled his eyes, "Well spit out already, busu. The suspense is killing me."
Kaoru narrowed her eyes at Yahiko before taking another deep breath and then looking alarmingly apologetic, eyes filled with worry, she winced and murmured softly, "It's your brother-in-law, Kenshin. Yukishiro Enishi."
Kenshin felt everything inside of him freeze, like he had suddenly been submerged into an icy lake and he had swallowed lungful of cold water. He couldn't breathe. "Oro?!" He sputtered hopelessly. That would explain the suppressed ki. He didn't know Enishi was capable of doing that. Kenshin didn't want to be impressed by it, but it was a skill not very many could accomplish. What had Enishi been doing all those years in China?! This was a terrifying revelation, one that his mind still couldn't quite grasp.
"WHAT?!" It was Yahiko who screeched this, breaking Kenshin's thoughts. "Where is he?" he demanded, pausing to look at Kaoru up and down, clearly noting that she was still wearing the kimono from earlier. "What are you doing here outside? Is he inside the dojo?!" Yahiko was nothing but spluttering rage, now. "How could you invite him here? I'm going to smash his face in." He made a move to enter the gate, but Kaoru was quick to snatch the collar of his gi, pulling him roughly back.
"I didn't invite him. He just showed up, kicked the gate too! He's going to pay for that and just - I woke up and found him staring down at me! Almost gave me a heart attack. Mou! I'm too young to die of a heart attack!" Kaoru complained, miserably.
Yahiko sent her a look even Kenshin couldn't decipher.
"Anyway, I threw my favorite tea cup at him." Kaoru continued, ignoring the bewildered look that Yahiko was giving her, "He crushed it inside his hand and you can bet your ass, he's going to pay for that too. Damn him." Kaoru ended her rant by angrily shaking her fist in the air.
Yahiko didn't look too impressed. "Please tell me he's inside only because you knocked him unconscious and you need help moving the body."
"I tried, okay. He broke my bokken." Kaoru clenched her face, eyes glittering in rage, "He broke all of the bokken inside the dojo, the stupid fucking bastard. He's doing to pay for all of that as well! I am definitely making a list!"
Kenshin had to wince at her language, mentally blaming Sanosuke for teaching her all of the swear words known to man. Thank Kami, Sano hasn't gotten out of Japan yet, because he could just imagine their friend writing Kaoru letters just to tell her how to say "fucking bastard" in six different languages. But he was getting distracted. "He didn't hurt you, Kaoru-dono?" He asked again, remembering the tiny bruise inside the tender flesh of her wrist.
Kaoru sniffed. "I kind of – he was asking me I was – if I wanted to – and I just - I punched him in the nose. He briefly lost his mind after that. The dojo is a mess. I swear to Kami, by the time I'm finished making him pay for everything he would be as poor as Sanosuke!"
"But he didn't hurt you?" This was important. Kenshin needed to know.
"He grabbed me by the wrist when I tried to pick up his eyeglasses. Jerk." Kaoru grumbled. "Bu no. He couldn't really hurt me anyway. Even if he wanted to." The reminder was more for his benefit than anything else and Kenshin recalled that day so long ago when Kaoru had told her what happened when after she'd woken up inside Enishi's mansion and had attempted to escape. He tried to shake the vision of Enishi's hand wrapped around Kaoru's neck, squeezing and squeezing…
He couldn't do it. Kenshin reminded himself. He couldn't. Kaoru's fine. She's fine. She said so herself. But still - Enishi, what can you possibly want?
"Let's go and bash his stupid head in." Yahiko suggested rather gleefully.
Kaoru winced. "I -" she let out another great big sigh. "We can't. I mean," she blinked realizing her apprentice's proposal. She glowered down at him. "Yahiko! We don't just beat people up for showing up uninvited."
Yahiko looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "Well, we should. And we do, if it's that bastard." He said this with the casualness of someone stating a mere fact.
Kaoru looked aghast. "There will be no bloodshed in my house. I just had that floor mopped!"
"You're worried about your stupid floor? I'll mop it again, then. What is wrong with you? This is the guy that hurt Sanosuke. That hurt you and took you. The guy who wanted to kill Kenshin? Did you forget about that?! This is the guy who bombed the Akabeko and hurt Tsubame!" There was a note of hysteria in Yahiko's voice and Kenshin couldn't help but cringe.
Kaoru let out a scream of frustration. "I know that! I remember all of that! I'm sorry but I already told you, I tried to make him leave. You think I want him – just sitting there, like a complete ass – like he belongs here and he has all the right in the world to ask me dumb questions! What exactly do you want me to do, you brat?"
The argument was increasingly becoming loud and Kenshin winced, knowing fully well that Enishi who was apparently inside the dojo, could probably hear everything. "Ano I think we should –"
"Don't call me brat, Ugly!"
Kaoru almost lunged at the boy whose anger perfectly matched hers. Kenshin had enough sense to restrain Kaoru, keeping a hand on her shoulder as he finally turned to Yahiko. "That's enough."
But Yahiko didn't seem to hear him. The kid was just too worked up now. "Kaoru, how could you?!" He wailed at her.
"He didn't want to leave." Kaoru repeated almost desperately. "What am I supposed to do?! I've no weapon left. He didn't want to fight me! He just sat there and - and-he-"
"And what, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked, feeling his gut clenching in sudden fear.
For a moment, Kaoru seemed like she was in pain, her blue eyes watering. She looked slightly, inexplicably guilty. "And said he was hungry." Her voice was small and sad.
Oh no. Not that. Kenshin thought, shoulders slumping. Kaoru had a penchant for feeding the hungry. It was one of those things that she just couldn't allow to happen. Of all the things that Enishi could have said, why did it have to be that?! Now he could understand why Enishi was still inside the dojo.
"So you poisoned him, then?" The hopeful tone in Yahiko's voice wasn't loss on Kenshin, who winced at how incredibly inclined Yahiko was too violence. At least concerning his brother-in-law, which he also could understand. It had traumatized Yahiko to not have been able to stop Enishi from taking Kaoru. It had clearly wounded his pride more than he had let on.
"What? No, Yahiko. I - I invited him for dinner."
Kenshin watched as Yahiko's jaw dropped. "You what?" He staggered backward as if Kaoru had physically struck him. "I must be dreaming." Yahiko announced, not waiting for Kaoru's response. He stood very still and then nodded his head in confirmation. "This is a dream and I just need to wake up and everything will make sense again." He then proceeded to close his eyes, grimacing and then snapping it open after a few seconds, "Wait. Should I be closing my eyes to wake up?" He asked out loud and from beside him, Kenshin heard Kaoru's own gasp of surprise.
"Kami-sama." She murmured wretchedly.
"I am not having dinner with that freak! You can't make me!" Yahiko told her, crossing his arms against his chest.
Kaoru mirrored him. "Fine. Go to the Akabeko."
Yahiko gave her a look of pure disgust. "And eat what? I don't have any money."
"Then you can stay here and act like a civilized human being."
"I refuse." Yahiko all but screamed, stomping his foot. He whirled around and turned towards him. "Kenshin, do something!"
Kenshin swallowed hard. What could he do?! "Ano," he glanced at Kaoru who was a picture of misery and regret and anger and something else entirely that he'd never seen before. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly, "This is Kaoru-dono's home, Yahiko. If she, if she has -" he glanced back at Kaoru who was refusing to look at them, her eyes blankly gazing straight ahead, jaws silently working. "If she says that – that is, if she has told Enishi," he couldn't help but choke a little. He cleared his throat, "That he could - that we should-"
"Ah, goddammit!" Yahiko interrupted. "Let's just fucking get this over with." He proceeded to go inside, but stopped midway and slowly turned to look at Kaoru, eyebrows arching up. "You did cook, right? Please tell me that you at least cooked."
Kaoru made a face, understanding what Yahiko was saying and quick as lighting, she made a grab for Kenshin's sakabatou. Never been so thankful for his god-like speed, Kenshin moved his sword out of her reach. He tried taker her hand, but she slapped his fingers away and without another glance at him, followed Yahiko inside, both of them grumbling what sounded like a list of painful ways to die.
Kenshin closed his eyes, counted to ten and when he was certain that the urge to hurt someone had passed, he let out a huge sigh.
This was going to be long, long, long night.
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Author's note:
Ahhhh! I had fun writing this and now I want a Yahiko POV. HAHAHAHA. Ugh. For the nth time: what have I gotten myself into?!
This has also totally messed up this whole One-Shot Repository thing I have going on. Should I just like, move this story?! Or move the one shots somewhere else?! But then the comment section is going be so messed up if I do that. I guess we'll have just to stick this story here. Anyway, comments please :)