Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Crossing the Line	By : HauntedReality Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5367 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
CROSSING THE LINE - Chapter 4: Inner Strength

DISCLAIMER: Of the many things that are mine to possess,
Rurouni Kenshin and his companions are not among them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

With an audible gasp, Kaoru had escaped the wicked dream�s
hold upon her. Strangely, instead of being upset at reliving all the loss from
her life she was fixated on the end of her dream.

�Was that real? Did Sano really stay with me while I cried?
And why did him holding me feel so right? What about Kenshin?

�Shouldn�t I be more upset about what happened? He left me
again.�

But instead of thinking of Kenshin her mind took her back to
the glistening chocolate eyes of her friend Sano as he held her to his chest.

�Kami! What is going on with me?�

She went to her mirror, and looked at her puffy eyes. They
were still red from all the tears she had shed the night before.

�So I�m back where I started, am I? Another loss--another
breakdown. It is all just part of a larger cycle of pain. Somewhere the fates
are laughing at me. Poor little Kaoru got her heart stepped on again. Maybe
they are taking bets to see how long it takes me to get out of bed this time.�

With a determinedly clenched fist, Kaoru stared proudly back
at her reflection. �Not this time!

�Kenshin can be gone one day or one year, but I will not
cease being me just because he is away!�

�I am the assistant instructor of the Kamiya Kasshin dojo. I
will not let this defeat me!�

She regarded her reflection for a moment. �Well, I certainly
look the part of a strong young woman with her whole life in front of her. Now
I just need to convince my emotions that I�m not really falling apart on the
inside.�

After allowing her new resolve to sink in a bit more she
realized it was still very early, and no one else would be up yet. So Kaoru
decided to get a head start on breakfast. She knew she would need all the time
she could get if she wanted to make something that didn�t cause the typical
negative reaction.

After putting on her practice gi she quietly made her way to
the kitchen. She carefully measured out each ingredient, and paid special
attention to the process--making sure not to let anything overcook and spoil.

When she was finished she had quite the breakfast spread,
considering they would be one mouth short. But she had enjoyed getting wrapped
up in the art of cooking. It helped to take her mind off other more painful
things.

Looking everything over, she was quite proud, but she had
learned the hard way many times before that what you see wasn�t always what you
got. Taking a small bite, she prepared herself for the worst, but somehow, it
wasn�t bad.

She took another bite, this time more excitedly. Certainly,
it was not the cooking of the Akebeko, and it didn�t live up to Megumi�s meals,
but it was just as good as anything Kenshin had made for them.

Yahiko and Sano awoke to the smells of breakfast. Each were
very confused, and thought that perhaps Megumi had brought them something since
Kenshin was gone, and Kaoru certainly wouldn�t feel up to cooking.

But when they entered the kitchen they stopped in their
tracks. At the table Kaoru was happily beaming with pride over the massive
spread of food.

�I think I�m still sleeping,� Yahiko said while trying to
pinch himself awake.

�Don�t be silly Yahiko. I just made breakfast. I do that
from time to time, you know,� Kaoru replied trying to keep the annoyance out of
her voice.

�Yes, but it never looks this much like food when its done,�
he replied, still too much in shock to realize he should be holding back on the
insults.

Kaoru responded by chasing him around the table with a
nearby spatula. �Don�t make me use Kamiya Kasshin style�s infamous filleting
move on you!�

Sano was speechless at the sight. It was as if nothing at
all had happened yesterday. He expected her to be the same devastated girl he
watched drift away after Kenshin left for Kyoto.

Instead, she was as alive as she had ever been.

Once Yahiko was served his just desserts the two seated
themselves at the table. Sano was still awkwardly standing in the doorway.

�Sano? Aren�t you going to eat?� a concerned Kaoru asked
him.

�Don�t bother with him. This is better than usual, so I�ll
take his share if he doesn�t want it.�

�You wish kid,� Sano said, finally able to take his eyes off
Kaoru.

�Don�t call me KID!�

The three ate, and teased each other. From the outside it
seemed nothing had changed, but on the inside that was, clearly, not the case.

�Every time I look up Sano is watching me, and then instead
of smiling back, I blush and turn away. What is this? Why does having him look
at me make me feel so�different, all the sudden?

�This is Sano after all. He is the same man who has been
known to sponsor burping contests, and to run out on paying his bills. How
could he be making me blush?�

Kaoru picked at the remainder of her breakfast. She wasn�t
ready to leave this perfect little scene quite yet.

Sano�s thoughts weren�t any less confused than Kaoru�s, �I
am looking at the same Jou-chan, but I don�t see the same person I did. This
woman is strong, beautiful, and compassionate. I guess she was all those things
before too, but it all just feels�enhanced now. I don�t want this breakfast to
end. I don�t want to leave her.

�How could I be feeling this way? Is it that I want to
protect her while Kenshin is away, or is it something more? It isn�t like I can
just follow her everywhere she goes from now on. I think she might start to
notice something is off if I try to follow her into the bathhouse.�

Sano�s lips turned up into an involuntary smile at that
thought. Then he realized Kaoru was looking at him, and he turned his head away
quickly so she wouldn�t read his thoughts.

�What am I thinking!? This is Kaoru--KENSHIN�S Kaoru.
Sh-she�s like a sister to me.� He thought the words, but they had no meaning
anymore. He wasn�t sure if he had ever thought of her as being as platonic as a
little sister, but he was sure that if he had, that time was long past. And the
guilt of seeing his best friend�s girl as someone he was attracted to, was too
much for him.

�I�ve got to get out of here. I�ve got to get some distance
so I can think about all this rationally.�

Sano stood up more quickly than he would have liked. A
startled Kaoru looked up at him. �You aren�t leaving are you?�

The sunny disposition she had been working so hard to
enforce faltered for a moment, and Sano peered through to a more vulnerable,
insecure Kaoru.

�She looks so sad. Maybe I could just stay. I can keep
myself under control. Kenshin has been there for me since I�ve met him, and I
could never betray his loyalty and faith in me.

�Have her lips always been so pink? OH, KUSO! Must leave
NOW! Think of an excuse.�

�Uh�I need to do things. Things�in town. Where the things
are�to be done.�

At his stuttered reply, Kaoru couldn�t help but smile.
�Well, if there are things to be done in town then I won�t stop you.� Sighing
in relief, Sano turned to flee, but before he could reach the door she
continued. �But I need supplies. So if you wait until Yahiko and I are done
sparring I would like the company.�

She looked at him expectantly as he fumbled for an answer.

�OK--now I just need to say no. Go ahead, Sano. Just open
your mouth, and say no to the woman your best friend loves! Even if he won�t
admit it, and spends all his time solving other people�s problems while
ignoring her�s. SAY IT!�

�NO�problem, Jou-chan. Just let me know when you are ready.�

�Way to go baka!� he flinched when his ears heard what his
mouth had said. Not only had it been the wrong thing to say, but also he sounded
like a fool saying it. Kaoru, for her part, accepted his awkwardness without
comment.

Sano watched her leave the kitchen with Yahiko, who was
shaking his head and mumbling, �Baka rooster-head.�

Sano remained standing in the kitchen thinking about Kaoru�s
recent behavior. �I can�t believe how strong she is. It is obvious she loves
Kenshin. Last night�s trauma is enough to prove that.

�And yet, after all that hurt, today she continues
living--and not just the going-through-the-motions-of-her-daily-routine kind of
living. It is the real kind, where she might laugh, or she might cry, but she
doesn�t give up.

�I think she might actually be the toughest fighter in this
group.�

Looking around, Sano realized he was alone in the kitchen
with all the dirty dishes. �Ah, now I�m the one who misses Kenshin,� he thought
sadly as he gathered the bowls.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Awkward silence filled the air between them.

Kaoru and Sano had a history of teasing each other amongst
the larger group, but they had very seldom been alone together. And for the
past few LONG minutes of their journey nothing had been said.

�So, how about this weather? No. Do you like to gamble? Of
course, not. How is it going since Kenshin stood you up to go save the world?
Sigh. Why can�t I think of anything to say to her?�

Sano glanced over to Kaoru, who immediately dropped her eyes
and blushed. �She has been doing that all day. I wonder if she can tell how
strange I�ve been feeling lately.�

�He keeps looking at me, and I keep turning away. I hope he
doesn�t think I�m upset with him. I really want to say something, but nothing
feels right. What I want to say is inappropriate. I can�t just thank him for
holding me. What would he think? What would Kenshin think?�

�OK, I have to say SOMETHING,� Sano thought fiercely as he
could no longer bear the silence.

�Would you like to go to the Akebeko?!� he asked with far
too much pent-up energy.

It was difficult to say who was more stunned by the
question. They had both stopped in their tracks. Kaoru�s mouth was slightly
agape, and Sano�s eyes were far larger than normal.

If he hadn�t already been used to his current string of odd
behavior, he would have sworn someone else had posed the question. �Did I just
ask her on a date?�

�Did he just ask me on a date?� Kaoru�s cheeks turned a
darker shade of pink, and she exhaled loudly when she finally realized she had
been holding her breath.

�Uh, that is, you already cooked a huge meal today, and you
shouldn�t have to cook dinner too, so I thought we could go to the Akebeko
instead, as long as we were in town, and all, so that�s why I asked, but we
don�t have to if you don�t want to--its no big deal either way,� Sano finished
his run-on speech in one labored breath.

�Oh�sure Sano. That sounds nice,� she smiled, but inside she
was a little disappointed. �Did I want it to be a date? No, this is better. I
shouldn�t think about things like that.�

�Good, good�we�ll do that then. When we get to town,� Sano
relaxed. The tension had been broken. And although it hadn�t been ideal, or
even pleasant, it was better now.

�Don�t you have things to do first?�

�What?� a very confused Sano asked.

�You said there were things you had to do in town today,�
she replied, still amused by the memory of the way he had stumblingly told her
he would be going to town.

�Oh, right. Well, after that then.�

�OK Sano,� Kaoru smiled mischievously and added, �race you
to that gate!� And she was off like a shot before she even finished the
challenge.

�Oh no you don�t!� Sano yelled as he chased her.

Sano�s incredible strength was little match for Kaoru�s
speed, but running in a kimono slowed her down just enough for him to catch up.
Just before her hand reached the gate Sano grabbed her at the waist, and they
both tumbled into the grass laughing like children.

�Hahaha, no fair! I was so winning!� she accused.

�Heh, well, maybe you would have if you hadn�t been so
clumsy and tripped!� he shot back.

�Tripped!? Is that what they are calling cheating these days
in the gambling houses?� she retorted playfully before they both broke out into
renewed laughter.

As the laughter subsided Kaoru became very aware of his arm
still wrapped around her waist. Everything felt like it was slowing down. She
couldn�t hear the birds singing, or the crickets chirping anymore. The only
sound left was her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she felt herself slowly
leaning towards him.

�Hey! We are going to be late!� Sano exclaimed as he quickly
jumped to his feet, while pulling her up with him.

�Late?� Kaoru asked while trying to hide her embarrassment
at the compromising situation.

�Yeah�for that�thing�in town. Sorry. Um�for not mentioning
it sooner, but I should really be getting there.�

�I am the lowest form of life on the planet. How could I be
thinking about kissing her? How many times has Kenshin risked his life for us?

�But she looks so dejected. Could she tell what I was about
to do? She couldn�t have wanted me to kiss her�could she? No, she must hate me
for trying.�

�That�s OK,� she said very quietly.

�My mission was to make things better for her, and now she
looks sadder than she has all day. I am a bad matchmaker, and an even worse
friend. Still, there must be something I can do.�

�We should split up so you can run your errands, and I can
take care of that thing,� He flinched each time he said �thing� now. �Then lets
meet at the Akebeko. It will be my treat.� He said the last part while shooting
her his most winning smile.

�Great, I�ll be sure to thank Tae for the meal,� she smirked
as the spark began to resurface in her eyes.

A bead of sweat rolled down Sano�s forehead, and he replied
through clenched teeth, �I will pay my tab.�

Enjoying the game, Kaoru walked ahead of him trying to look
nonchalant. �Sure you will,� she said with mock sincerity.

�Hey, I�m no free loader!�

�Oh no, of course not,� she added extra sweetly, and flipped
her hair innocently.

�I�m not!�

�Don�t you have some �things� to be doing somewhere?� Kaoru
teased pointedly, while going into a nearby fabric store.

�That went well,� Sano thought sarcastically as he watched
her disappear within the store. �So what am I going to do for an hour?� He
passed one of the places he frequently gambled, and slowed to a half step. �No,
I should probably stay as far away from that as possible, at least for the time
being.� He sped up, and continued past the door.

�Oh sure, now I�m being responsible. Where was my conscience
when I was ready to betray Kenshin? And after everything he has done for me.�

Sano�s eyes dimmed as he thought about the night he tricked
his friends into having a party so he could have one last good time with them
before embarking on a life of crime against the government. He thought about
the way he had goaded Kenshin into a sake-drinking contest, so the redhead
would be unable to fight him later.

�Kenshin came anyway. He seems so clueless at times--like
with this Jou-chan situation--but sometimes, I think he sees more than any of
us. He knows me better than I know myself. He knew the only way to really stop
Katsu and myself was by fighting me.

�I could see how much it was killing him to hurt me.
Attacking him, was killing me too, but we both knew we had to go through it.

�Katsu and I have a bond from our days in the Sekihou Tai,
but the friendship Kenshin and I have is tighter somehow. It is like we�ve
always been friends. We just hadn�t met yet.

�I�ve never respected anyone more in my life. Even that
first day when I met him, and challenged him to a fight I could tell he was a good
man, who could easily be a close friend. I�d gladly die helping Kenshin in any
way I could. And yet, there I was holding Kaoru next to me--breathing in her
sweet sakura scent--just wanting to be closer to her.

�Forgive me Kenshin!�

Sano was walking down the street aimlessly, still trying to
kill the allotted hour before meeting Kaoru. He was getting more regretful of
his recent actions with each memory of his friend.

�That�s it! I just need to get back on track. I should
concentrate on cheering up Jou-chan, and getting her and Kenshin together, when
he returns. It was a good idea before, and it still is. And once I see that
they are happy, I will be too. And I can put all these feelings behind me.�

Following the epiphany, he realized he was just outside the
home of his friend Katsu, which gave him an idea to brighten Jou-chan�s day.
�One quick stop, and then I should be getting back to the Akebeko.�

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Wow, this site is by far the best when it comes to
reviewing. And because of this, and to answer one of the questions I received,
I think I might write a lemon for this story. However, I don�t want sex to be a
factor in Kaoru�s choice of Sano or Kenshin, so it would be something that
occurred in an epilogue or maybe a one-shot sequel with the same background.
But on this point I am very open to everyone�s opinions. If it isn�t wanted
then that�s cool too.

BTW: Tomorrow is my birthday! Yea me for aging!
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Crossing the Line