Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic

Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version ©N. Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment

 

All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.

 

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On Second Thought

Fanfic By:  Chiruken

 

 

Part 3

 

 

            His expression brightens instantly as he nods.  “I can prepare the tea if you’d like to get comfortable, that I can.”  Before I can form a protest he’s hurrying towards the kitchen.

 

I sit on the engawa, modestly arranging my sleeping yukata…or at lest trying to.  I frown down at the material and tug my braid in irritation.  I should purchase a new one.  I’ve had this yukata for a while and I seem to be out growing it.

 

            A short time later Kenshin returns balancing a tray with cups and pot on it.  He looks up and halts in mid step and looks at me with wide-eyes, a faint blush creeping into his face before he looks away again.  He clears his throat almost nervously before speaking, keeping his eyes averted as he sits beside me, carefully maintaining a more than modest distance from me.  “It is  lovely night, is it not?”

 

            I frown at him and take the cup he’s holding out to me.  “Yes, it is.  Is something wrong?”

 

            He shakes his head.  “Oh no, Kaoru-dono.”  My frown deepens.  He sounds too innocent and he’s still avoiding looking at me.

 

            I look down at myself and feel a humiliated flush rush into my face.  My too small yukata isn’t leaving much to the imagination.  I set my cup aside and press my hands to my flaming cheeks.  “Oh dear.”  I whisper the words wishing the ground would open up and swallow me, putting me out of my misery.

 

            He coughs into his hand and stands abruptly, turning his back to me.  A moment later he shrugs out of his gi and hands it to me.  “Perhaps it’s a little cool still, is it not?  The chill of spring still lingers despite the warmth of the days, that it does.”

 

            I arrange his gi over myself, hiding my unintentional immodesty.  “Thank you.”  He resumes his seat and smiles at me quickly before retrieving his cup.  I take a deep breath and turn to face him fully.  “I’m sorry, Kenshin.”  He looks a little uncertain and remains silent, offering me a hesitant smile.  “For hitting you earlier today and attacking you tonight.”  I clarify when he continues to look confused.”

 

            His smile widens and he shakes his head emphatically.  “You don’t need to apologize, Kaoru-dono.  It was an accident, that it was.  I should not have startled you as I did.”

 

            I scowl at him peevishly.  “Are you always so polite?”

 

            He looks surprised and bewildered.  “It is not to your liking?”

 

            I sigh in exasperation.  “It’s frustrating, that’s what it is.  Kenshin, you did nothing to provoke…“

 

            “I know that, Kaoru-dono.”  He quickly interrupts, breaking his usual pattern of infuriating politeness.  “However, what’s done is done with no lasting damage.  Why dwell on something so harmless?  Everyone must vent their frustrations some how.”  His smile widens into a grin.  “I do admit your methods are surprisingly unorthodox, but if that’s your way to alleviate your tension, who am I to argue?”  He rubs his head with a slight grimace.  “However, if that is how you work off your anger, I must humbly request that you use something a little less solid than the water bucket.  It left a nasty little bump, that it did.”

 

            Is he saying he doesn’t care if I hit him?  I scratch my head, puzzled by his odd behavior.  “Um…what would you suggest then?”

 

            He looks up at the sky, a pensive expression on his face.  “In truth I would suggest using an inanimate object as a target.  However, if it’s more…um…satisfying to use me for your target, might I suggest something softer?  Your damaged bokken perhaps?”

 

            I press my lips together in an attempt to hold in my amusement, but a giggle escapes despite my efforts.  “You’re the only person I know who wouldn’t be angry about what I did.  Why is that?”

 

            “Why should I be angry, Kaoru-dono?”  He shrugs and more tea into my cup.  “We all have odd quirks.  You hit things when you’re upset and I was things to relieve my tension.”  I blink in surprise.  In that case, he must be very tense.  He gestures at me vaguely.  “You choose to sleep in a small yukata and I choose to sleep fully dressed.  You sleep in your futon and I choose to sleep sitting up.  We each have our own ways of doing things, that we do.”

 

            “You sleep sitting up?  Isn’t that uncomfortable?”

 

            He shakes his head.  “Not really.  I’ve been doing it for years, so I’m used to it.”  He looks into his cup, frowning slightly.  “Kaoru-dono, why did you ask me to stay?”

 

**To Be Continued…**

 

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Author’s Notes:

 

1.All righty!  I’m on a role!  Part 3!  Yippee!

 

2.This takes place some time between when Kenshin first comes to live at the Kamiya Doujou and when Yahiko enters the picture.

 

3.Still a bit more…nearly finished though.  Thanks for bearing with me!