Subject: [KFFDisc] Better than Chocolate, Part 2 Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 18:43:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Kristin Olson Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com To: kenshinfanfics@makelist.com The cutsey-ness continues.... Note: those of you who have seen manga vol. 21 may recognize the 'Kaoru-in-a-dress' thing. ^-^ I actually have a colored picture of that, for anyone who wants to see it. ^_^;; Oh, and plum candy is really tasty, too. If you ever get a chance to try it, do. ^_- --------------------------------- Better than Chocolate, Part 2 --------------------------------- The shop windows of Yokohama glittered in midday sunshine as the five visitors wandered down bustling streets. Tsubame promptly spent all her money on a set of Western-style nishiki-e called 'postcards,' little printed pictures that featured idealized seascapes and images of local landmarks. "I wanted to bring back something for Tae-san," she said. "Don't you think she would like one of these? They're so pretty." "But Tsubame-chan, we've only just arrived," Kaoru said. "You might find something better later." Sure enough, later offered its own torments, in the guise of a dazzling confectionary shop. Tsubame whimpered in agony over a bagful of sweet plum candies. Kaoru attempted to console her by pointing out that the postcards would last much longer. "Quit acting like a know-it-all," Yahiko growled to his teacher. "Why shouldn't she have both?" One grubby hand closed around the bag, and the two girls blinked in astonishment as he marched up to the store clerk, demanding service. Tsubame glanced uncertainly at Kaoru, who, after recovering, merely winked. "I'll wait outside," she said, and left Tsubame turning pink as she went to rejoin the men. Kenshin eyed her empty hands with mild surprise as she emerged from the shop. "Yahiko's buying some for her," she told him, beaming. "It's so sweet." "But none for Kaoru-dono?" She laughed. The sound made him think of sunshine, of birds taking wing. "I'd hardly expect him to buy me candy." "That's not what I meant," he said gently. "Did you want some?" Kaoru shook her head. "I'm saving myself," she replied. Her eyes met his playfully. "For later." Kenshin shut his mouth on a number of wicked responses that occurred to him. After all, Sanosuke was still in earshot. "Chocolate, hmm?" "Exactly." Her glance strayed to the window of a shop across the street, and she sucked in a breath. "Dresses!" she cried. "Oh, look, Western dresses!" Just then, Tsubame and Yahiko appeared, their mouths full of plum candy. "Tsubame-chan, look! We have to go see." Seizing Tsubame by the sleeve of her kimono, Kaoru made a beeline for the clothing store. Kenshin exchanged a wry glance with Sanosuke, and Yahiko glowered. "Sometimes Jou-chan really is like a little girl," Sanosuke observed, as they followed across the street, pausing to let several carriages pass. He watched the swordsman sidelong, feeling mischievous. "A cute little girl, though, na, Kenshin?" Kenshin ignored the pointed nudge with as much dignity as he could muster. "Kaoru-dono is just enjoying herself," he said. "As she deserves to." A pause, then, more quietly, "People who lose parents at a young age don't have much of a chance to be children themselves." Somber violet eyes met Sanosuke's surprised brown ones. "You and I should both know about that." Kenshin turned back toward the dress shop. "Come on. I think I want to see her in one of these things." At the doorway, Yahiko balked. "I'm not going in there," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "It's all girly stuff." Sanosuke hid a grin. "You know, Yahiko, if Jou-chan tries on a dress, I bet Tsubame-chan will, too." "But you can stay out here if you like, of course," Kenshin added. "We'll be inside." A bell jingled in welcome as he opened the door and went in. Inside the shop, he could scarcely see past his nose for the racks of bewilderingly lacy conflagrations that confronted him. "Oro," he murmured, gingerly lifting what he assumed to be a sleeve. "Can these things really be worn?" "Irasshaimase!" The proprietor, a plump, middle-aged lady dressed in a perfectly normal kimono, stepped forward. "Can I help you, sir?" "Ah, actually, I was looking for someone--" "Oh, you must be with the pretty young ladies who just came in!" The woman smiled and clapped her hands together. "They're already in the back, trying things on." When her eyes fell on the sword at the man's side, she pursed her lips slightly, but said nothing more than, "This way, sir." Kenshin followed, endeavoring not to upset any of the clothing racks as he walked. The door jingled again behind him, and he glanced back to see Sanosuke and Yahiko filing in, only to stop short as he had, wearing equally poleaxed expressions. Intruding into the realm of the exclusively feminine was rather indimidating, he reflected with amusement. At the back of the store, an arrangement of free-standing screens partitioned separate dressing areas, and a full-length mirror stood off to the side. Mysterious rustling noises emerged from behind the screens, whetting his curiosity further. Then Kaoru spoke, her voice bubbly with excitement. "Ne, Tsubame-chan, have you gotten yours on yet?" "I--I think so, but I'm not sure I did it right." "Me neither. This feels so funny! And it's sort of tight across my--" Kenshin reddened. It occurred to him that perhaps he ought not to be eavesdropping, but with the way the store was laid out, there was no other decent place to wait. He settled for shifting from foot to foot and letting his gaze roam vaguely about, careful to let it fall anywhere except on the nearby screens. Then motion caught his eye, and he turned to see Kaoru at last sally forth. "Mou," she was murmuring, "you'd think they could put a mirror inside the--oh." She blinked at Kenshin, and her mouth shut swiftly as pink spread across her cheeks. The dress was not at all what he'd expected, given the specimens in the storefront window. The only lace about it fringed the cuffs of her delicate white gloves, while the rest was of lavender satin. A trim, almost military-style jacket, edged in dark stripes and fastened with three smart buttons, fit over a white blouse beneath. The sleeves looked quite backwards, he thought, big at the top and tiny at the bottom, although the effect was not displeasing. Almost bell-shaped, the rippling skirt billowed out from a tiny waistline to drape gracefully to the floor. A rose-colored ribbon tied in a bow nestled in the small of her back, trailing behind her like an obi. She might have been a princess, he thought, some Western dignitary's bashful daughter. He smiled, thinking that she ought to have a prince to match. Kaoru tugged at the fabric uncertainly. "I hardly know how to walk in this," she said. "I'm not even sure it's on right." Floating toward the mirror, she turned first to one side, then the other, then began to giggle. "Ne, Kenshin, what do you think? Is it me?" "It's pretty," he murmured. "Very different from that lacy monstrosity at the front door." "Oh," Kaoru said, "yes, that one's a wedding dress, for a bride to wear." Her eyes met his, and her color deepened. Nervously she smoothed the satin skirt with her hands. "I--I mean, that's what the shop lady said." "Isn't she a vision?" asked the proprietor, appearing out of nowhere and unnerving them both. "My, what a figure! I ought to have you model for me, dear. If nothing else, the young men would come running from miles around." The woman nodded with satisfaction, heedless of Kaoru's rising embarrassment. "Oh, no," she protested, "I'm just a kenjutsu instructor--I could never be a model--" Sanosuke sauntered up, with a fidgeting Yahiko in tow. "Oi, where's Jou-chan?" he asked, scanning the store as if puzzled. "Did we go in the wrong shop?" A sly grin. "You know, Kenshin, you shouldn't be flirting with foreign girls, even if they do look good in dresses." "Sanosuke!" Kaoru's righteous wrath was stilled by a small voice from behind the other screen. "Kaoru-san? Should I--should I come out now?" "Of course, Tsubame-chan! The mirror's right here. I want to see, too." She hammered the men with a relentless glare. Behave, the glint in her eyes threatened, or else. Sanosuke and Kenshin stood at attention, and Yahiko's twitching subsided at once. With painful slowness the little girl crept out from behind the screen. Finding all eyes on her, she nearly panicked, but at Kaoru's reassurances allowed herself to be drawn forward to the mirror. The dress was daffodil-yellow, the skirt ruffled and ankle-length. Embroidered flowers laced around the collar and sleeves, with tiny green ribbons trailing from each cuff. Tsubame shyed from her reflection, looking away. "You look so pretty, Kaoru-san," she whispered. "Mine isn't nearly as pretty--" "Don't be silly," Kaoru chided, leaning down to her ear. "I bet Yahiko disagrees with you." Gently she tilted the little girl's face back toward the mirror. "I know I do. Just look. All we need now is a ball to attend." "What an elegant pair," the shopkeeper sighed. "Are the two of you sisters?" Kaoru shook her head while Tsubame blushed. Yahiko, who had until then been distracted with admiration, snorted. "Those two? No way. Kaoru looks okay in that, but usually she's mean as sin and just as ugly. Nothing like Tsubame." "Y-Yahiko-kun!" "That's it," Kaoru gritted, shedding one lace glove, then the other. "You will die now." Kenshin swallowed. He had known her long enough to recognize murder in her eyes. "Maa, maa, Kaoru-dono--" "Miss, please! No fighting in the store!" The group shortly found themselves back on the street, their shoulders hunching under the shopkeeper's reprimands. "I knew you were no good to start with," the woman hissed, sparing a final glare for Kenshin. "Carrying a sword is illegal, you know. I ought to have called the police at once." The door slammed with a resounding jingle. "Oro." Kenshin winced. He glanced over at Kaoru; she stood stiffly, her arms folded, her back to the rest of them. Yahiko looked sulky, Tsubame looked miserable, and Sanosuke looked bored and hungry. Well, he thought, sighing, it had started out innocently enough. Time for a distraction. "Sano," he said quietly. "I believe there are some public gardens over by the waterfront. Why don't we head over there? It's a pity to spend a day like this indoors, anyway." "Aa," Sanosuke agreed. "How about Yahiko and I grab a snack, and meet you there?" He nudged the boy with his elbow. "You're hungry, aren't you, Yahiko?" "N--I mean yes." "All right. We'll see you soon." Kenshin watched them retreat in the direction of a soba stand, then went to Kaoru and gently put a hand on her arm. "Shall we go for a walk? The gardens should be more peaceful, I think." She nodded, not trusting her voice. After a moment she turned to Tsubame, her head bowed in remorse. "Gomen ne, Tsubame-chan," she said. "It's my fault we got thrown out of the store. I shouldn't have let Yahiko get to me like that. I'm supposed to be the mature one." She lifted a hand to her brow, rubbing it as if from a headache. "Iie," Tsubame whispered. "I would have been angry, too. He shouldn't say things like that about you, Kaoru-san. They're not true." "He's only teasing," Kaoru sighed. "I know that. Usually I'm fine with it. Then again, that remark was really uncalled for." She let Kenshin's light hold on her arm steer her in the proper direction. Eventually she managed to lift her eyes to his, biting her lip in silent apology. He merely drew her a little nearer to him, the warmth in his expression unchanged. "You just wanted to try on more dresses," he said mildly. "Sou, ne." She started to smile a little. "I really did. Although that lady probably would have thrown us out anyway, once she found out we couldn't afford any of them." "We could look for another shop." At that she laughed. "I think the gardens are a better idea." They walked along quietly, letting the afternoon sunshine warm them. Passersby smiled at the sight of the charming young couple and the little girl trotting along beside. After a time, Tsubame spoke. "Ne, Kaoru-san...do we really look like sisters?" Kaoru smiled down at her. "I don't know," she answered. "Kenshin, what do you think?" They presented themselves side-by-side for his inspection, and he dutifully played judge. "You could be," he said at last. "The eye and hair colors are different, but your faces are alike." They accepted this with satisfaction. "And, of course, you both look stunning in dresses," he added. This resulted in much giggling and many halfhearted protests, from which he determined that he had answered correctly. "I wish I had a big sister," Tsubame said, after the giggles subsided. "If I had one, I'd want her to be like you." Kaoru nearly stopped walking in her surprise. "Like me?" She was about to deny it, to recite the litany of her faults: I'm loud and improper and I have a terrible temper and I can't cook to save my life... Then out of the corner of her eye she caught Kenshin's expression. It might have been her imagination, but he almost looked faintly gratified, faintly smug. The litany of faults suddenly vanished from her mind, leaving no traces. "Arigatou, Tsubame-chan," she said, reaching down to take the other girl's hand. "You can be my little sister anytime." Tsubame smiled back, and agreed that now was as good a time as any. ------------------------ Notes: irasshaimase = welcome (to a store/restaurant) maa, maa = placating noises made to calm someone down, rather like "now, now" iie = no _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________ List Site: http://www.findmail.com/list/kenshinfanfics/ To unsubscribe, send to kenshinfanfics-unsubscribe@makelist.com FREE group e-mail lists at http://www.findmail.com