Lost and Lonely

Hint! If you see text in “ “ they are spoken words if text is in ‘ ‘ than it is thought!


Sorry but I don’t own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters or make money from this story. The idea for the story however is all mine! If you like this story PLEASE review! I would really like to know if I’m taking it in the right direction.


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Crashing on her bed Kaoru yells into her pillow. It had been a hectic day from the minute she stepped foot out of her apartment. And it had just gotten worse after the ordeal with Misao and Sano running off and leaving Kaoru to take care of her not-so favorite little-spiky-haired pain in the butt. After she had convinced Yahiko to stay at the Aoiya and that Misao would take care of him for the rest of the evening, she still had to finish her rounds at the Aioya. Unfortunately for Kaoru the day isn’t going to any easier when it came to the customers. Trying to juggle her thoughts about the red-haired stranger but keep her mind focused on her customers proved to be harder than one might expect. When it came to certain customers over the course of the day she simply had to grin and try to be as cordial as possible. One small family of four had insisted that the traditional style in which the guests were to sit and eat was barbaric and refused to be told that there were no “normal” tables at the restaurant. Another couple told her that there food isn’t cooked properly. When she had told them that it was sushi and was supposed to be served in that manner they ordered it be taken back and “fully” cooked. Poor Tsubame and Tae had to re-cook food about five times for people that night. When Tae heard this particular couple complained Kaoru thought it was just about Tae’s braking point. The normally sunny disposition of Tae had decided that enough was enough and in the true sense of vengeance she decided to burn their food, smiling as she handed it to Kaoru. Needless to say when Kaoru re-served it they complained and walked out without paying their tab.




(Later that evening)




As she lay on her bed all Kaoru can think about, other than the pounding headache she has and her aching feet, was the mysterious red-head, Kenshin. “I swear if Misao ever does that to me again…” strangling her pillow imagining that it is Misao’s neck; Kaoru calms down long enough to look at her clock and see that it is only 7:30. She had gotten off of work at 6:30 but because she had to take care of the brat and then walk the few blocks home, Kaoru was a little later than she had expected.


Laying there Kaoru tried her best to relax and work out her over-stressed nerves. Sighing because she was getting nowhere rubbing her head she decided that some food and a good nap would do her wonders right about now. And so she went into the kitchen to heat up a frozen dinner, one of the few things that she knew how to cook without burning. It was no small coincidence that she was a waitress and not a cook at the Aioya.


Once the food was in the microwave she went to her phone to listen to her messages. There was only one and it was from Misao. Apparently she felt really bad about the stunt she had pulled a few hours earlier and wanted to make it up to Kaoru. Unfortuantly for Misao she wasn’t in a very forgiving mood so instead Kaoru simply erased the message and went to heat up her bath.


She had just gotten the water started when the microwave dinged. Stopping the water in the tub she got up and went to retrieve her food. Setting it at the counter she grabbed a fork, a napkin and a drink and sat down to eat quietly. The only problem that while the house was quite her mind wasn’t. She couldn’t help but to think of the Red-headed man she had met earlier in the day.


“Misao may have stuck her nose where it didn’t belong but in a way…I’m sort of grateful that she did. I doubt I would have actually called him.” Shaking her head and sighing Kaoru finished her meal and went to take her bath.


*Misao*


“I can’t believe she’s still mad at me!” Sighing Misao lay in bed. “Maybe tomorrow she’ll actually answer phone and then we can go to the gym in the morning.”


*Kaoru*


Stepping out of the tub and wrapping a towel around herself Kaoru smiled. The bath had done wonders for her and she was finally relaxed enough that she thought she might be able to get some sleep. Looking at the clock Kaoru noticed that it was almost 9 o’clock. “Mmm…sleep sounds good right about now.” Stepping over to her closet Kaoru pulled out a pair of old and tattered sweatpants and a paint stained and well worn out t-shirt.


“Tomorrow I’ll call Misao and let her know that I’m not all that mad at her. Although I wouldn’t mind smacking her for her little ‘prank’, sometimes she just doesn’t know when to stop.” Curling up in bed Kaoru fell asleep her dreams filled with a certain red-head.


*The next Day*


Kaoru woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. “What the…what time is it?” Glancing at her clock she noticed that it was almost 10am. “Ugh! Well at least I don’t work today.” Her phone continued to ring and she groaned picking it up from her nightstand and answering it gruffly.


“Hello?” And who of course would be calling her? Well it just simply has to be none other than her favorite hyper-active best friend.


“Kaoru?”


“Yes Misao?” She begins with an exasperated tone in her voice. “Is there something that I can help you with?” While her tone was very sarcastic and a little annoyed she knows that there has to be a reason for Misao to be calling. ‘She’s probably just worried because I slept in and didn’t call her back last night.’


“Well…I knew you were kind of mad at me…” she can practically see Misao’s little fists wringing as she talked. Kaoru sighs as she gets up and starts to get ready for the day. “And so I was just wondering” She continues slowly hesitation dripping from her voice, “if you wanted to come to the gym with me. I thought maybe we could spar or something. I’m sure you wanna beat me up right about now huh?”


Grinning Kaoru looks at herself in the mirror. “I don’t know about beating you up but I know that sparring and a good work out would be fun.” Hearing a high-pitched squeak she can tell her friend is glad that she isn’t too mad at her.


“Oh by the way,” Kaoru starts, “has Sano come by yet to help out with Yahiko?”


“Uh well…” Misao begins obviously uncomfortable with the change of subject. “He was here for about 15 to 20 minutes but then he left saying he had a really important appointment that he simply couldn’t miss and well…he kinda took off…” Misao sighed knowing that this would upset Kaoru even more.


“Stupid rooster. I should know better than to trust him. The next time I see him he’s gonna get an earful!” Kaoru was once again fuming and Misao decided that this would be a good time to hang up.


“Ok well I’m going to go get changed!” She could hear Misao riffle through her clothes on the other end. “I’ll meet you there in 30 minutes?”


Still irritated Kaoru asks Misao to give her a little more time to get ready since she just woke up. Settling on a new time they say their goodbyes and Kaoru hangs up. “Well I guess if I’m going to go out of the house, even if it is just to the gym, I should put on something with less…holes.” Fingering a hole in the top of her t-shirt and looking at the stained garments she begins to look for her nicer workout clothes. Finally finding a pair of dark black pants, that she often wore when she would spar with Misao, and a light purple tank top she ties up her hair and looks in the mirror. ‘Well it’s not prefect…but then neither am I.’ Chuckling to herself she tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear and grabs her bag that has her towel, water bottle, and Bokken in it. She will be damned if she used someone else’s Bokken, even if it is just for practice. She thought fondly of the day her father had given it to her.


It had been a gift for her tenth birthday. All of that year Kaoru had worked and studied hard the ins and outs of Kamiya Kashin Ryu, but the one thing she desired most in the whole world, besides her father’s love and approval, was a Bokken of her own so that she could stop using the Bokken that her father had purchased from the Riyoia dojo when they closed their doors ten years prior. While the Bokken was usable it was well worn and Kaoru had always feared that one good whack and it would break in two.


On the morning of her birthday Kaoru was awoken by her father and asked to join him in the dojo for early morning meditation. Kaoru reluctantly had dragged herself out of bed wishing nothing more than to sleep in just this one day of the year. Once Kaoru was dressed she met her father in the hall and they had silently walked side by side to the dojo. When her father opened the sliding door the first thing Kaoru saw was a long parcel wrapped in pink and yellow cloth laying in the very center of the floor. When she looked up at her father all he did was smile and say “Happy Birthday my dear Kaoru.” Running as fast as her legs would carry her Kaoru had run to the middle of the floor and ripped open the gift to find the Bokken that she now treasured more than any of her other possessions.


Smiling she grabs her keys, turns off the lights in her small apartment and leaves to walk the 20 blocks to the gym she and Misao frequently attend.


(At the Gym):


Sano stands over the bench spotting his friend as he lifts the heavy weights. “So? Are ya gonna tell me why you seem so cheery today? I had thought that my being late to our weekly work out session would have ya grouchy as heck, but ya seem to be happier than a kid in a toy store. What gives? Did you finally get that damn boss of yours Katsura to let you switch departments?”


Putting down the weights and turning to his tall and quite ignorant friend, Kenshin sighs and shakes his head, the slightest hint of a smile in his purple eyes. “Sano, how many times must I ask you not to talk of work? You know I don’t like discussing such things when we are in public.”


“Yeah yeah yeah. I just figured…well if it isn’t about work than what? Did you finally find a girl or something?” Kenshin just grins at his friend and moves on to the next piece of equipment that catches his eye.
“No way!” Sano is running to catch his friend as he walks to the training room. “The great Kenshin Himura finally grew up and found a girlfriend!” Glaring at Sano Kenshin says nothing. “Ya gotta be joking me man! And how come I didn’t find out about this sooner?”


Sighing and turning to Sano before entering a small private training room Kenshin glares at him his purple-amber eyes sending imaginary daggers straight at Sano’s head. “For one you are not my Mother, and two she isn’t technically my girlfriend…yet.” At this Kenshin sighs so lightly that Sano can barely hear it and walks into the room. Leaving behind a mystified Sanosuke.


“Wait” Sano grins, he just had to push this and find out what is going on, “but you did meet a GIRL right?” Sano runs into the room determined to beat more information out of his friend.


Just as Sano disappears into the room, Kaoru walks into the gym and scopes the room out for her rambunctious best friend. It didn’t take long for the minute Misao sees her, her hands began to wave frantically for Kaoru’s attention. After Kaoru signs in she goes over to Misao and gives her a reluctant hug. “Hi Misao.”


“Hi!” Speaking fast so that Kaoru doesn’t hurt her mid hug lets go of her friend and speaks up. “Ok so before you kill me for yesterday I just have one thing to say in my defense.” She grins as Kaoru raises an eyebrow.
“Which is…?” She puts down her bag and crosses her arms looking at her friend.


“This Kenshin guy obviously likes you and he sounds really hot” Misao grins even more, is that’s possible, and hurries on with her little speech before Kaoru can cut her off. “So if it weren’t for me you’d be out on an awesome potential for a boyfriend! Oh and did I mention that he sounded so hot on the phone?”


Bopping Misao over the head Kaoru picks up her things and walks to one of the private rooms that they normally train in. She can faintly hear Misao’s protests as she runs into the room closing the door behind her. Kaoru simply takes out her Bokken and begins warming up paying no mind to her friend.


‘This is defiantly a good idea. And unfortunately the weasel’s right…Kenshin is pretty hot…but I can’t help but wonder if I’d really want to date him. While he seemed amazing at the restaurant there was something odd about him. Something almost haunting about him that I just can’t seem to shake off.’ Lost in her thoughts Kaoru spends a half an hour just warming up. After sparring for a while with Misao and forcing her to promise never to pull a stunt like that ever again, the girls decide to take a break and go into the small cafe that is connected to the gym.


As Misao bounces out of the room Kaoru can hear Misao talking a mile a minute. In an attempt to catch at least one word out of the weasel’s mouth Kaoru has to grab her ponytail and pull the girl slightly backwards. “Ouch! Kaoru that hurt and I’m Starving!” Misao clutches at her stomach. “If I don’t eat I’ll die!” Kaoru lets go of the girl’s hair and Misao simply continues to walk a head of her friend grinning as she hears Kaoru “promise?” undoubtedly an answer to Misao’s proclamation about starving to death. Running to catch up with her friend Kaoru follows her into the small café.


Once they get into the room they look for an empty booth to sit at. Finding one that seems to be good they walk over to it and begin to get comfortable. Sitting down opposite Misao Kaoru looks around. Most of the people in the café Kaoru does not know which isn’t surprising due to the fact that the two women only frequent the gym once maybe twice a week, but when she looks to the left of her and across the room to one particular booth she sees a familiar face. Scowling she gets up, completely ignoring Misao’s faint cries at her sudden departure from the table and in such a fowl mood none-the-less. Walking over to the booth she puts her hands on her hips and glares at spiky-haired man the man in front of her.


“This…is your important thing that you just had to go out and do?” Now he would get it Kaoru was fuming and it was evident all over her face. By this point in the conversation Misao is craning her neck and practically standing on the bench to see who was currently earning Kaoru’s wrath. “You leave poor little Yahiko all alone with Misao so you can go to the Gym? What would make this place so special that you would abandon the child you are supposed to be caring for to come here?” Sano looks up at Kaoru and scratches the back of his head smiling sheepishly.


“Umm…well when you put it that way missy it doesn’t sound good for me at all now does it? Ya know I kind of figured that the kid would be ok with you there and all. So many people over there I thought that you and the kid wouldn’t even notice I was gone and all.” You could almost see the animated sweat drop from on his head as Kaoru begins to fume.


“You would leave a hurt little boy who is your responsibility all by himself for this?” Waving her hand once in a sweeping motion around the café Kaoru continues to berate him. “What is the matter with you?”


Sano chuckles softly and then looks beyond Kaoru and perks up. “What are you smiling at Rooster-head?”


“Is there a problem Sano?” Hearing the familiar voice coming from behind her Kaoru turns around pale faced and sees Kenshin standing behind her. He looks very different from when she had seen him earlier that day. He has on a dark blue tank top and gray sweat pants and she can see the slight shimmer of sweat from his obvious work out. His eyes have that gold glint to them that she had seen at the Aioya that make her want to run and fear and stare into for hours. In the bright lights of the gym his hair almost seems to be the color of orange/red fire. When he realizes who is berating his best friend Kenshin’s somewhat hard tone softens and his eyes turn a miraculous shade of purple with only a few golden specks were left dancing in his eyes.


“Kaoru, how nice to see you again.” Taking in her appearance Kenshin keeps himself from smiling. She looks so foreign to him in the outfit that she has on. Her hair is slightly a mess and her outfit in some way seems fitting to her. She looks like a slight tomboy in the fact that she looks strong and able to take care of herself easily. He had seen the fire in her eyes as she was berating Sano but it would appear that in the instant that Kenshin had spoken the glare turned into that of a frightened school girl being caught spying on her crush.


Biting her lower lip Kaoru smiles and tucks a stray hair behind her ear. “Hello Kenshin.”


“Oi Kenshin, I would introduce you to the missy here but it seems like you two have already met.” Staring at his friend he grins that all knowing smile. ‘So this is the one he was talking about. Heh, Kenshin and the missy…kind of seems fitting though.’


Sitting down, Kenshin nods. “Yes we met earlier at the Aoiya.” Kaoru nods her agreement simply standing there staring at Kenshin her furry at Sano momentarily forgotten. “Would you like to join us Kaoru?”
Blinking and taking herself out of her daze Kaoru sighed. “I would but Misao…”


Just then the bundle of energy herself pops up. “Somebody call me?” Grinning she looks at Kaoru and sees her toss a quick glare her way. “Hey Sano, what are you doing here and who’s this?” Eyeing Kenshin Misao takes her place beside Kaoru.


Sighing, Kaoru says the inevitable. “Misao…this is Kenshin Himura, Kenshin this is Misao Machimachi my best friend.” The last part she says through slightly gritted teeth.


Leaning into Kaoru, Misao whispers in her friend’s ear. “This is the same guy from earlier right? He’s is hot…now aren’t you glad I called him?” Ignoring her friend Kaoru sighs and hangs her head rubbing her temples.
“I was just saying to Kaoru that you ladies are welcome to join us.” Kenshin offers with a polite smile.
Grinning Misao promptly sits down next to Sano leaving the space next to Kenshin for Kaoru to sit in. “Let’s order I’m starving!”




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I haven't decided yet if I want there to be any lemon in the next chapter or not. Please let me know what you think/what you'd like to see happen. Please review and let me know if you like the story or hate it. If you have any suggestions or comments feel free to leave them. I don’t care if you love the story or hate it feed-back is still feed-back! ^_^x