DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.
Author's Notes: This story is an a/u comedy/romance about Kenshin and Kaoru falling in love. Chibi-angel and Gypsy-chan co-authored this fic. We had a lot of fun working together on it. Hope you like this fic! ^_^
Written by Chibi-angel and Gypsy-chan
Part One
A new modern Western restaurant named the "Indulgence" has opened in Tokyo. It is not located in the main streets; it's rather secluded, providing escapism to its customers. There is ample parking space for the patrons. Its perimeter is surrounded by sakura trees with capiz lights hanging on them.
Upon entering the restuarant, you will find a high dome ceiling with a huge elegant chandelier falling from the center. The walls are made of glass and the floor is finished using the finest marble.
The tables, decorated with flowers and candles, are arranged to the side to make room for the dance floor. It has a bar on the left side and a grand piano up front for the nightly performance. The stained glass door on the right leads to the restaurant's garden. A beautiful fountain is placed in the middle of a magnificent landscape of sakura trees and other flowers. It is an elegant restaurant perfect for spending the evening with your love one.
Inside the restuarant, sits its proud owner, Sanosuke Sagara. While reviewing the monthly expenses, Sano became enraged. "I can't believe this!" he yelled while pounding his fists upon the desk. "We've been opened for six months and the revenues are still down!"
His sudden burst of anger caused his staff to jump. One person muttered, "It must be that time of the month."
"Yes," replied the other staff member, "the boss always get that way when he reviews the monthly statements. We better hide."
As two of his staff members quitely snuck past his office, Sano continued to ramble on over the finances.
"How can this be happening to me? I should be swimming in money by now! What am I going to do? Think Sagara, think," he said while tapping his pencil upon the desk. "I need to find a way to turn this place into a gold mine."
After a few moments of thinking over his money problems, he slumped down into the chair and muttered, "My head always hurts when I think. I really got to stop doing that."
While still slumped in his chair, he cast his eyes over to a picture hanging upon the wall. He smiled fondly as he gazed at the picture of his college football team. Standing next to him in the picture was his college buddy Kenshin Himura.
"Hmmm... Now there's a guy who used to think a lot when we were in college. He always got hit in the head with the football as he stood on the field in deep thought. In the end, all that thinking really paid off. Our team won the championship because of his great ideas and strategies. I wonder what he is up to now a days. Maybe I should check him out."
One week later, Kenshin was sitting in his apartment sipping a cup of tea. Suddenly, the door of the apartment burst open and a high-pitched, not so female voice called out, "Tadaima!"
"Orooo!?" Kenshin's jaw dropped as he looked at the door where his guest was standing. "Has it been that long? Masaka!"
Without hesitation, the guest ran into the room with outstretched arms, throwing them around the neck of the surprised red-head. "Oh Kenshin! I've missed you soo much! Didn't you miss me?"
"Orooorooorororo!!" The swirly-eyed Kenshin struggled but still managed to spat out. "Sano… you've changed! You've changed a lot since college!"
Sano immediately shoved him to the floor. "Chikuso!!! I was just messin' with you baka!!!"
As Sano prepared to use his Futae No Kiwami, Kenshin thought, "Thank Kami-sama! If he turned… masaka! Better stop thinking about that. Not a psychologically healthy image."
"Maa, maa, suman," replied Kenshin while waving his hands. "I'm just not used to those kinds of jokes. Please, come sit down."
As Sano sat next to his friend, Kenshin turned and asked, "So, what brings you to Kyoto? Do you have a problem?"
"Oi, that's cruel Kenshin! I don't need to have a problem to come and visit my best bud. Hadn't it crossed your mind that maybe you have the problem"
"Oro?"
"Don't give me that oro shit, Kenshin. You know damn well what I'm talking about."
"Gomen Sano, but I still do not understand what you mean."
"Well it's been two years since Tomoe's death. I've heard you have become a total recluse. Just like that arrogant professor we used to have back in college.
Kenshin arched an eyebrow, "Oro?"
"Come on Kenshin, you remember, the one who used to call you baka deshi all the time."
"Oro, I remember. Professor Hiko Seijuro. How could you compare him to me? I thought we were friends."
"We are, I just want to help you buddy, that's all."
"Arigatou Sano, but there's no one that can help me like Tomoe could. She was the only one who truly understood me. I miss her so much. I wish she were still here. But..." A tear drop trickled down his cheek as he continued, "But I know that she's gone for good. It's all my fault. I should have never given in to the guys with that foolish drinking challenge.
At the time, Tomoe begged me not to drink. She knew that I couldn't hold my liquor, but I didn't listen to her. I let my foolish male pride take over. Sure, I won the drinking challenge but with what results? Tomoe being killed in a car accident. If I hadn't been drinking and driving, she would still be alive today." More tears began to fall down his cheeks.
"Sorry Kenshin, I didn't mean to bring up old memories but it's just that it's been over two years since her death and you haven't done anything with your life yet. I'm sure Tomoe wouldn't have wanted you to sit around being depressed all the time."
"Yes Sano, I know you're right, but it's hard to forget her. She was my high school sweetheart, the only woman I ever loved. Our anniversary was last month. It would have been four years of marriage. I just can't…" his voice began to tremble.
Sano places his hand upon Kenshin's shoulders. "Kenshin, you once told me that Tomoe's last words were for you to live. I've tried to give you some time, but it's enough already. You're my best friend Kenshin and I don't like seeing you down like this. Why don't you come back with me to Tokyo."
"Tokyo?"
"Yes. I started a new restaurant in Tokyo and I was wondering if you'd like to help me run it. You know, put your college education into action. You didn't finish your M.B.A. to be a bum and shit. So, what do you think?
"I don't know Sano. Starting a new life seems like a good idea, but…"
"Come on, it'll be fun. Just like the old days, ne Kenshin?" Sano nudged and winked at Kenshin.
"Oro! Something tells me that after this, nothing will be the same again."
"That's right. You'll lead a brand new life," replied Sano as he headed for the kitchen. He looked on the counter and found a plate of food. "Hmmm... leftovers," he mumbled while stuffing his face. "Kenshin was always a pretty good cook. Let's see what I can find to wash this down with," he mumbled again while opening the refrigerator door.
As Sano continued rummaging through the refrigerator, Kenshin slumped on the sofa and began pondering over their conversation.
"Start a new life in Tokyo, eh? Not a bad idea. Tomoe had been dead for some time now. She would want me to move on and be happy. But… do I deserve happiness after everything that has happened?"
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Sano throwing around his clothes in the bedroom.
"Sano, what are you doing?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, we're leaving tonight. I'm just helping you pack," replied Sano as he stuffed Kenshin's clothes in a suit case. "...and don't worry about where you'll stay. I've already arranged that."
"Oroo!"
Back at the restaurant, Misao and Kaoru had just finished wiping the tables. They took the dirty plates into the kitchen to be cleaned. As Kaoru put the plates into the dishwasher she said to Misao, "I'm glad it isn't too busy tonight. But still, if business doesn't pick up, I'll have to find another job."
"Who cares about that boring stuff? I couldn't wait to get back in here to gossip," replied Misao in a hush tone. "Did you see that couple at table 10? The guy just proposed to his girlfriend! That was sooo romantic! You should have seen the look on the girl's face… she was estatic! I wonder when Aoshi will propose to me? I hoped it would be soon."
Misao started to space-out almost drooling. "I can see it now… Aoshi will go down on his knees, say the most romantic prose ever, and then we'd gaze into each other's eyes and then…" Misao looked up and noticed that Kaoru was trying to sneek away.
"Kaoru Kamiya! Get back over here!" she demanded. "I'm not finish talking about my Aoshi yet!
"Misao, you know I don't like listening to all that silly love stuff. I just don't believe in it."
Misao wide-eyed at Kaoru. "How can you say such a thing? Being in love is wonderful."
"Yes it's wonderful for you. You've found someone really nice. As for me... well, forget about me."
"What are you talking about? I've set you up with guys plenty of times. Its not my fault you keep dumping them. Shheesh! I don't know what kind of standards you have but its too high I tell you." Misao waved her hand in protest.
"Come on Misao, do actually think I'm going to like those guys you introduced to me. I mean, seriously, Udo Jin'eh? That guy had such big eyes! I mean he looked like all eyes where a face happened to grow.
And Shishio Makoto? Geez! That guy looked like a walking mummy. Besides, he alread has a girlfriend. Her name is Yumi. Whenever I see those two, she's always hanging all over him. Phew!" Kaoru pinched her nose in disgust. "Misao-chan, its not that my standards are too high, its just that I haven't found the right guy yet. It's not that I'm looking, but I…"
"Still believe in that meant-to-be fate sort-of thing, eh?"
"I don't know… I guess I wouldn't know until it happens, ne? So Misao-chan… please, don't set me up again. I would like to run my own non-existent love-life you know. And besides…"
"Oi ugly raccoon! Weasel! Don't just stand there! Move it! Move it! People are waiting, this is a busy restaurant!"
"Yahiko-CHAN, I would rather that you be polite and not interrupt me when I'm talking," Kaoru replied through gritted teeth. She and Misao abruptly left the kitchen and returned to where the customers were.
"Kaoru, he's loving every minute his brother Sano is away," whispered Misao. "He gets to be the boss."
"Boss, eh? I'll show him who's boss tomorrow during training!" smirked Kaoru. "I'll give him a whack or two he won't forget!"
"I heard what you said ugly!" remarked Yahiko as he trailed behind them. "Until Sano returns, I'm your boss! Now get back to work you slaves! Heh! heh! heh!"
Kaoru and Misao glared daggers at Yahiko before getting back to work.
"I really like bossing them around," smirked Yahiko. "It's a lot of fun. Hmm.... let's see what else I can make them do, heh, heh."
GO TO PART TWO