Subject: [kffdisc] Stranger From the Past: Pt 4 Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 09:11:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Herald-Captain Kerowyn Reply-To: kffdisc@onelist.com To: kffdisc@onelist.com From: Herald-Captain Kerowyn WOOHOO! I finally managed to work on this fic... I was so bored out of my mind and had forgotten my homework at home... so ^_^ I realize it's been a long time Since any of the previous parts... You can find those parts here: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/7494/Kenshin.html And now Here's Part 4 ^_^ Stranger from the Past: Part 4 by: K. C. "Kaoru-Sensei" Hulsman Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction, rights for characters go to Watsuki, Jump, and Sony. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda *********************** "Yahiko, like this..." Kaoru guided his hands, and with a slight pressure on his back managed to correct his stance and position for the stance. "Think you got it?" "Yeah." Kaoru nods her head and smiles softly. "Ok, then try again." This time Yahiko managed to complete the kata quite well. Kaoru was well pleased and smiled. "Ok, now go ahead this time, and I'll do the counter kata, and we'll see how well you learned." Yahiko nodde his heads "HAI!" Clack, whack, tap... their bokens connected well in their choreographed dance. "Good job Yahiko!" Yahiko smiled, and the two of them began to redo the kata going faster and faster as he caught the hang of it. * * * * * * * Kenshin smiled softly at the scene of the two working hard with no yelling either. He turned away from his silent observation of the lesson, and turned into the yard to do the laundry. Kenshin's world ebbed and flowed with the motion of the soap and water, his hands and arms, and the dirty laundry. He was midway through the washing when he felt someone hovering by the gate. Kenshin looked up, his eyes narrowed ever so slighlty when he recognized who it was. Kaoru's betrothred. "Ohayou Gozaimus de gozaru, " Kenshin spoke softly drying his hands off as he greeted the man. "Ohayou, is Kaoru-chan here?" "YAHIKO!!!!" Kaoru screamed, and then in a few seconds was followed by a resounding thwack. "Do the kata 100 times, then I want you to clean the dojo till it shines!" Kenshin smiled with an ironic twist to it and replied to the man "Hai.. she's in." Kaoru stormed out of the dojo sopping wet, and muttering under her breath. "Ohayou Kaoru-chan." Kaoru's head snapped up and looked at him in shock and then her eyes turned downcast with both embarassment and the dilema before her. "Ohayou..." her voice trailed off. He looked at her and sighed softly. "ne, Kaoru-chan. I was wondering if you would like to go to a new restauraunt for lunch. I can wait while you get cleaned up. That is if you're free this afternoon." Kaoru looked at him and then down and in a far more subdued voice that usual replied "I.... I have cleaning I need to do." Kenshin did not want to interfere, especially not in this. He did not want to think that he might loose her to this other man, but at the same time he knew she had to make an informed decision and delay was cruel to all three of them. "Kaoru, I can do the cleaning today, that is if you think on your way back from the restaraunt you can pick up the groceries?" Kaoru looked at Kenshin surprised and then nodded slightly. In a way she was both mad at him and also grateful that Kenshin was not pressuring her. She could not help but be touched as she looked at him and heard the echoes of her mother's voice love is when you can let the other person be free. She smiled softly. "Arigato Kenshin." She returned her attention to Aoi "I'll go get ready, please make yourself at home." "Sumiyo-san if you would come with me, we can have tea as you wait de gozaru." Kaoru smiled at the two men, and left for her rooms to pick up her kimono on the way to the bath. * * * * * * * They sipped their tea admist tense glances at one another, neither one speaking, until finally Aoi broke the silence. "Why are you at this dojo?" "It is my home." "NANI!? You mean you and Kaoru are married!" "Iie..." "You mean Kaoru and you... I can't believe that of Kaoru! How could you disgrace her!" Kenshin's eyes narrowed to slits a slight amber hue glowing through. "Kaoru is friend and family to me, I would nor have I ever disgraced her. She has a generous heart and has given those without homes and family, one with her. Yahiko is her student and also lives here. I help out around the dojo, and help her and the rest of my "family" when the need arises. Hurt Kaoru and you'll regret it." Kenshin glared daggers at the man, and relaxed slightly when he saw the shock and embarassment on his face. "I'm.... I'm sorry. Forgive me for being rude. It's just... Kaoru is important to me." The two men looked at each other. "I can understand your concern. Apology accepted." Kenshin spoke as his eyes softened to their usual size, shape, and color. Aoi nodded his head and the two resumed their quiet appreciation of the tea. * * * * * * Kaoru looked at herself in the hand mirror as she checked to make sure that her hair was tied back evenly, and the bow looked right and sighed. What am I doing... Mother, Father, what should I do? She sighed as no answers were forthcoming and stared at her troubled reflection, her visage was disturbed by the spalttering tears that distrubed the calm mercurial surface. She stifled a sob, and quickly splashed some water on her face as she breathed deeeply. I can do this. I have to. I owe it to Kenshin if you can do this, so can I. She wiped away the tears, dried away the streaks, and resolved herself to the situation at hand. With a confident smile, she put the handheld mirror down, tightened her obi a little more, and emerged from the bathing room, clean, fresh, and as ready as she would ever be. She walked softly yet sure towards the room they usually dined in, and found the two men quietly drinking tea. "I'm ready." Both of the men's head turned towards her, and they both smiled at her. Aoi came to his feet and walked towards her. He turned around to look at Kenshin. "Arigato for the tea," he spoke softly as he reclined his head ever so softly then turned his attention to Kaoru. "Shall we be off then Kaoru-chan?" "Hai." She smiled, and the two left together walking side by side. Kenshin looked after them and closed his eyes as his head now heavy fell towards his chest. his ears heard their footfalls down the stone apth to the gate and then they were gone. Together. A slow tear trickled from a corner of his eye and fell down his face, becoming caught by the textures of his scar and led down it until it finally, pendulously in air hung for a brief moment on his chin, between disappearing into the cloth of his top. Kaoru... to be continued. === Wind to thy wings, Herald-Captain Kerowyn "Why does everything come back to haunt me in my head?" http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/1276 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You can now easily share photos and documents with your fellow list members http://www.ONElist.com Check out our homepage for details on how to use our new shared files feature!