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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The Blanket Scenario

Aoshi & Kaoru

Fanfic By:  Chiruken

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

 

 

                Aoshi watched the Battousai and waited with barely contained impatience for his answer.  Aoshi knew full well that appearances could be deceiving, so this display of overwhelming grief could very well be something else.

 

            Kaoru, momentarily forgetting her current state of undress, leaned forward to place her hand on Kenshin’s shoulder.  She gasped when she felt his trembling.  “Kenshin?”  She whispered softly, concern lacing her tone.

 

            Kenshin couldn’t breathe.  Amusement had finally won the emotional battle warring within him and he was shaking with the effort to hold in his laughter.  Unfortunately, that didn’t leave him much opportunity to breathe.  Finally, at the concern in Kaoru’s voice, he straightened, tears flowing freely from his barely contained laughter.  One look at his companion’s faces had him falling sideways, clutching his stomach.

 

            Aoshi stared at the Battousai numbly.  He felt…terrible.  It had been unforgivably callus of him to blurt that out without consideration for the other man’s feelings.  The Battousai, he knew, was more sensitive than most and Aoshi’s unthinkingly cruel question about a son who’d likely died had obviously wounded him deeply.

 

            Kaoru turned on Aoshi furiously, her protective instincts rising up.  “That was so…so…heartless, Shinomori Aoshi!  How could you be so cruel?”

 

            Kenshin gasped, trying desperately to catch his breath.  “K-Kaoru-dono…“  He stuttered on his laughter and slowly sat up, wiping the tears from his face.  “It isn’t…“  He stopped as the laughter bubbled up again and drew in a quick breath.  “It isn’t like that at all.”

 

            “It’s all right, Kenshin.  You don’t have to…“  Her words trailed off when she saw his grin and the laughter in his violet eyes.  “Kenshin?”

 

            “Shinta…“  He stopped and ducked his head as he was assailed by an attack of unmanly giggles.  How embarrassing!  He thought ruefully.  “Shinta is…m-me!”

 

            “You?”  Kaoru turned and glared at Aoshi.  “See?  Don’t you feel ridiculous now?”

 

            Aoshi snorted derisively.  You knew as much as I did, Kaoru-chan.”

 

            “Don’t call me ‘chan’.”  She snapped automatically, averting her gaze as a blush worked its way up her neck into her face.

 

            “Why ever would you think…“  Kenshin shook his head with a chuckle.  “How did you draw the conclusion that I…“  He stopped again and cleared his throat.  “Aoshi, explain.”

 

            Aoshi held up his hand and began counting off the reasons for his assumptions.  “Your fascination with children.  The discovery of this toy with the name Himura Shinta engraved on it.  The villager’s tales of a young apothecary and his wife.  The rumors of a great tragedy in this area.  Shall I continue?”

 

            Kenshin shook his head quickly.  “You’ve been busy, Aoshi, that you have.”

 

            Kaoru cleared her throat nervously.  “But Kenshin…I don’t understand.  Your name…it’s Kenshin, right?”

 

            “Shishou gave me that name, Kaoru-dono.  The name my parents gave me was Shinta.”

 

            “Ha!  See?”  Kaoru smiled smugly at Aoshi.  “The genius of the former leader of the Oniwabanshu isn’t infallible.  See what you get when you jump to conclusions?””

 

            “You were jumping right beside me, Kaoru.”  Aoshi glanced at her irritably then blinked and quickly averted his gaze.

 

            “Whatever.  You’re the one who accused Kenshin of…“  Her voice trailed off when she saw Kenshin’s blush and hastily averted gaze.  “What is it?”

 

            “Um…Kaoru-dono…“  Kenshin cleared his throat.  “Your…ah…your blanket…“  Kenshin quickly covered his eyes lest he be tempted to sneak another peek.  Oh temptation, your name is Kaoru, he thought a little giddily.

 

            Kaoru gasped and scooted back under the blanket.  “You could have said something sooner, you jerks!”  She glared at each of them in turn.  “Is my kimono dry yet?”

 

**To Be Continued…**

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Author’s Notes:

 

1.Almost done!  Almost done!  One more chapter left to go!

 

2.Under the original draft of this story, there were only ten chapters, but since I altered chapter 7 to become two chapters, well, the end product will be 11 chapters.

 

3.Extremely short.  Sorry.