From: The Fox Those Days. A Kenshin & Kaoru Story. by the Fox. The day has been rather cold even with a bright sun hanging in the sky. The clothes are dry, anyway, and Kenshin retires and folds them, preparing to start the laundry of today. The dojo is really quiet. Sano was sleeping with Ayame under and arm and Suzume under the other, he tired for a party of gambling last night and the girls trying to forget the stomachache from Kaoru's cooking. Yahiko has accompanied Tsubame to a shopping day. Megumi was visiting Aizu, but she will come back the Tuesday. And Kaoru was giving classes in Murasaki-san's dojo. So much peace. Steps? Kenshin lift his head from the tube, being greeted for Kaoru's vision entering the dojo with slow steps. - Kaoru-dono?- isn't a bit early? - I'm going to be n my room, Kenshin.- she says softly and goes straight to the house. Kenshin jumps in his feet, because she looks deathly pale, and her eyes was surrounded for violet pools. - Kaoru dono, daijobu ka?- he asks, feeling uneasiness in his stomach. And not because her food. - Hai - she closes the panels of her room behind and let Kenshin wonder. Is she sick? Maybe the food finally ... no. She had eaten worst things. Or she is mad at him? No, her paleness has nothing to do with that. Maybe she had caught a cold? Surely. His politeness had stopped him from insist, but he is worried. She had been a bit serious and she had yelled to them less that the usual quote, the last days. But she had looked ... uneasy. Well, surely she would like that I wash his kendo outfit... and that will prevent she keep practicing today, being the cloth wet... He opens the panels a little bit. Kaoru is in her futon, and seems asleep, curled under the blankets. Kenshin silently took the hakama and gi and rushed out. The gi almost isn't dirty, but the cloths feel cold. He sinks the both in the tube, and then, pales. The water is turning pink. He recognizes that shades perfectly. With a no very firm hand he lift the clothes. The hakama have a red stain, big as a fist of blood slowly fading... Fresh blood. He runs to Kaoru's room, his violet eyes turning yellow as wood lighting with flames. She is hurt. She is bleeding... ... and she prefers to not tell him about it... - Kaoru-dono.- even if his tone where soft, is deep serious. Her face surprises him. She is so pale! Her eyes look blue wet gems in that violet shadows. But her pained expression is like a sword blow to him. - Kenshin...- - Kaoru-dono, you are hurt, neeh? What happened? Will let me see the injury, please...? I will cure you.- Kaoru open wide eyes, and then ... smiles. - You can't heal it, Kenshin...- she starts giggling weakly as she see his face panicking. - Nani KA? Is so serious? Let me call Genzai-sensei...!- Kaoru takes hold of his hand before he starts running. Then she smiles again, and shakes her head. - I will be okay, don't worry... I just have a little cold...- her pained expression was still there, and then grimaced.- Kenshin, is just I'm very cold...- - Kaoru-dono...- he whispers, his face fearful, as he touches her face, feeling it so cold.- What I can do..?- His hands feel so warm! Kaoru enjoyed his touch, so kind. She would like to curl herself around his heat, now, and forever. When she open her eyes again, and caress his bangs, Kenshin almost gets the heart failure of his life when she whispers, opening the futon and making room for his slender frame: - Come here to my side, onegai?.- He just can nods and slid himself in the futon. Kaoru hugs him tight and then falls asleep over his shoulder. He, for his part, is pretty secure he is dreaming. Her body was so cold! But in someway, his closeness seems to help her... - Kaoru-dono?.- Asleep. Smiling a little bit and less pale. Good. Kenshin lets himself relax. Her breath is so soft, the magical caress of her hair in his cheek. I will take care of you, Kaoru... ... In everything. But I have laundry to do now. **************************************************************************** **************** --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU! Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons! Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------