Undercover Geisha
Chapter two: Reminisce
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"Otousan, you're going to be alright." cried the ebony-haired girl as she drew her knees to the ground, ignoring the mud soiling her pink kimono. A gush of cold wind swept past and the girl; a mere five years of age; shivered as the cold prickled like icicles through her spine.
The man lying on the ground besides her made a move to sit up but failed as the pain of his wounds proved too much to bear.
"Hime-chan…" He stopped as a surge of coughs erupted from his mouth.
Not bothering to wipe the trail of blood trickling down at the side of his mouth; the man continued with great difficulty.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't such a good father to you."
The girl shook her hand furiously; tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.
"No! You're wrong!"
She grasped her father's hands with hers; biting her lip as she gazed down at them. Her father's large calloused hands, once deeply tanned, now seemed ghostly pale and limp.
Gathering her courage, the girl let go a hand to gently brushed aside her father's jet-black locks.
Sapphire blue gazed deeply into electric blue as the girl looked at her father in the eye.
"You're not a bad father."
She said this with a determination and assurance that no ordinary five year old could possess.
"Kaoru…"
The man's voice trailed off and a slight smile played at his lips as electric blue eyes closed forever; never to be seen again.
A few drops of water fell down at the two's clasped hands. Kaoru didn't know if the drops came from the tears escaping the corner of her eyes or from the clouds above that darkened; signaling the coming of the rain.
An anguish cry echoed throughout the night. Those who heard it shivered in the comforts of their bed and the wild dogs howled as a full moon peeked itself in sight.
"Otousan!!!"
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Kaoru snapped her eyes opened; shoulders tensed. She glanced warily at her surroundings. She was in a compartment occupied with only a few people aside from herself; an old couple and a woman and her child.
Kaoru let out the sigh she was unconsciously holding and leaned back on her seat.
That's right. She was on the train heading for Yokohama.
Kaoru gazed out at the window at her left. The sun was shining and the sea glittered with white sparks that reminded the ravenous-haired woman of the stars at a cloudless night.
The nineteen-year-old smiled at the marvelous scenery; though it didn't quite reach her eyes which remain a dull blue; so unlike it's real sapphire blue depths.
Something in her eye stung just then and Kaoru reached up a hand and wiped her eye in reflex.
Her fingers came in contact with something wet and Kaoru; knowing what it is; quickly drew out a handkerchief and wiped her hand with it.
She couldn't cry. Not now. She still had a job to do.
Sapphire blue eyes darkened into a stormy blue as Kaoru's mind crossed a past memory.
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Five-year-old Kaoru placed a bouquet of flowers at her parents' graves. Through Dr. Gensai's; the family doctor and a close friend of her father's; generosity, Kaoru was able to obtain enough money to give her father a decent burial right beside her mother.
Kaoru got down to her knees and clasped her hands together in prayer.
As her eyes closed, her other senses picked up a notch. Soon, Kaoru head soft footsteps approaching her. Kaoru paid no heed; not caring.
Not long after, a tapping sound vibrated from the soft earth. Still, Kaoru was determined to finish her prayers and tuned the irritating sound.
But the tapping persisted and it was only a matter of time before Kaoru's temper was worn out. The girl snapped her eyes opened in frustration and craned her neck to look behind her.
The morning sun's rays reflected on something bright and orange and Kaoru had to blink her eyes a few times to prevent herself from turning blind.
"Kamiya Kaoru, I presume?" a soft, crooning voice asked.
Kaoru nodded her head as she stood up to her full height. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness, Kaoru could see that the voice belonged to a young woman standing before her.
The frown pasted on the young child's face dissipated slowly as Kaoru studied the stranger who seemed to know her.
The woman was petite; even from Kaoru's outlook; but devastatingly beautiful. A halo of inky black hair was brushed and pulled up into the traditional split-peach hairdo with a variety of orange-gold combs holding it in place. The woman's face was slender and oval-shaped. White powder was caked flawlessly in every part of her face with just the smallest of blush added to highlight her high cheekbones. Bowed lips were painted a blood red; contrasting well with the white powder.
Kaoru realized that what had made her blinked was the woman's kimono. It was a vibrant orange color; adorned with small golden ornaments that seemed to reflect tiny rainbow colors whenever the light hits them. A beautifully crafted orange and gold obi was tied securely around the woman's slender waist.
Kaoru was awed by the woman's beauty but can't help but wrinkle her nose in slight distaste at the woman's choice of color.
She reminded Kaoru of the goldfish she won at Tanabata(sp?) night when she was four.
Kaoru sniffed at the memory of her goldfish, Sparkly. She named it because of its' shiny scales.
Too bad Sparkly ran away. One night she just placed his bowl at the window in her room and the next day he was gone. He didn't even say goodbye.
The woman's brown eyes gazed on the ragged-looking young girl before her with a look of slight disgust etched upon her face. Kaoru; being too young to comprehend such emotions; didn't noticed.
"I am Kirei Tokito. You may not have heard of me but I am your aunt."
Tokito said the last part with a scrunched-up nose. Her voice had a bitter tone in it as she continued.
"Moreover; as your last living relative; I am now your official guardian and you are in my care as of today."
Tokito glided her way over to Kaoru; the tapping of soft wooden geta sandals muffled by the green grass. She reached out a delicate hand for the child to take.
Kaoru merely stared at Tokito's outstretched hand; wonder clouding her sapphire blue eyes.
"But I thought Gensai-san was supposed to be my guardian," she said cutely.
Tokito's brown eyes gleamed with an indescribable darkness.
"Is that so?"
Without waiting for a reply; the older female grabbed Kaoru's hand in hers. Kaoru cringed at the tightness of her aunt's grip.
"Well we shall see about that."
Tokito turned her back on Kaoru and tugged the girl's hand; mentioning her to follow behind.
"I'd like to have a word with this Gensai-san."
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A slight tug at her kimono's sleeve broke Kaoru out of her reminiscing. She looked down to find a pair of big brown eyes looking up innocently at her. "Anno, Big Sister…will you play with me?"
Kaoru felt the beginning of a smile twitching at her lips.
"I don't know…" she finally replied.
The owner of the brown eyes; a boy about five years of age; pouted.
"Please? I'm bored and Okaasan's asleep so I can't play with her."
Kaoru couldn't help but let out a giggle. The boy was just too cute.
Her sapphire blue eyes brightened as she gazed down at the child.
"Alright. Fine…As long as you tell me your name."
Happy that the nice lady agreed to play with him; the boy pointed a finger to himself.
"My name's Hibiki Takeshi. What's yours' Big Sis?"
Kaoru smiled.
"I am Kamiya Kaoru."
Takeshi twisted his small mouth, trying to pronounce her name slowly.
"Ka..mee..ya Ka…ooo…reee…"
Kaoru let out a soft laugh.
"Well not quite. But it's close." She commented.
Takeshi pouted once more. "Can I just call you Big Sis instead?"
Kaoru smiled. "I don't see why not."
Takeshi's eyes brightened. "Cool! You can call me Shi-chan!"
Kaoru gave another smile. This time, it was a meaningful one.
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"Oro…I sure hope Miss Kaoru's enjoying herself, that I do." said Kenshin as he stirred the miso soup; a worried frown etched on his face. "Don't worry Kenshin," assured Yahiko as he entered the room; bokken slung over his shoulder.
"If I know Busu, she's probably sleeping during the ride; snoring loudly as always."
Sano, who'd just came up from behind Yahiko; whacked the fourteen-year-old on the head with his fist.
"Itai! What was that for!?" exclaimed Yahiko as he rubbed the sore spot where Sano hit him. It was starting to form a bump. Just great.
Sano smirked. "Well since Jou-chan won't be here with us for a while, she appointed me as your torturer in her place."
The tall former-gangster cracked his knuckles, a wild grin plastered on his lips.
"First, I'll teach you the basics of hand-to-hand combat. You need it badly since you punch like a wimp."
Yahiko's face turned a pretty shade of red. "I do not hit like a wimp Rooster-head!"
Sano smirked. "Do too, Yahiko-CHAN."
Yahiko gritted his teeth. "That's it!"
He held up his bokken and tightened his grip on it. "Prepare to eat dirt, Rooster-head!"
"Bring it on, Yahiko-CHAN."
"Oroorooro…" groaned Kenshin as he tired to separate the two and prevent the kitchen from collapsing into rubbles at the same time.
The miso soup lay atop the stove; forgotten.
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"Shi-kun, it's time to go down." called out Takeshi's mother as she stood on the hallway near the exit door.
Takeshi groaned in disappointment as he glanced at his mother before he turned to face Kaoru.
"I got to go now, Big Sis. I really hope we'll get to play again sometime."
Kaoru smiled with affection at the young boy.
"Don't worry Shi-chan. I have a strong feeling we'll see each other once again."
Takeshi's whole face brightened. "Really?"
Kaoru ruffled the boy's dark brown hair fondly. "Really."
"Pinky promise?"
Kaoru laughed but shook pinkies with Takeshi nonetheless.
"Pinky promise."
Takeshi smiled and turned around to run towards his awaiting mother down the aisle.
Turning back at Kaoru one last time, Takeshi cupped his mouth and shouted.
"Remember, you promise!"
Kaoru merely shook her head in amusement as Takeshi turned to face his mother and took her hand as they both stepped down from the train.
Was she like that when she was five?
Kaoru smile turned into a small frown as began to pick up her things.
Yes she was but not after Aunt Tokito took her to her house at Kyoto.
The ebony-haired woman shuddered at the thought of her aunt. Those were part of her life she rather wished she wouldn't remember…or hadn't happened at all.
Kaoru frowned deeper.
Truthfully, not all of those times were horrible. A few good things did come out of her ordeal.
Kaoru's mind wandered off to yesterday when she'd mentioned to Saitou that geishas were no better than prostitutes. She wanted to take that comment back.
Not all of the geishas she'd encountered during her training were like that; some of them were dignified and nice…like Miyuki-san.
Kaoru grabbed her luggage and headed for the exit.
Miyuki-san…are you still alright? I hope your life's more peaceful now.
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Kenshin groaned as last night's memory of him kissing Kaoru then running away crept into his mind. What had possessed him to do it? Was it because…he was afraid that she would find someone else during her stay in Yokohama?
The redhead shook his head feverishly. He shouldn't think of such things. Miss Kaoru doesn't even love him…who would love a man who has a dark past and blood-tainted hands?
Amber sparks gleamed across violet depths. Any other male who would even think of touching his Kaoru will feel the Battousai's wrath.
RIPPPED!!
'Oro!' thought Kenshin as he glanced down at the creamy gi he was washing. A large rip could be seen, nearly separating the gi into two.
He groaned. Miss Kaoru's going to kill him. This was her favorite gi.
The tinkle of the entrance bell ranged; causing Kenshin to look up from the ruined gi.
Saitou was leaning against one of the pillars of the dojo; a cigarette tucked between his fingers.
Kenshin could barely hide the surprised look on his face.
What was Saitou doing here? What could he possibly want from them?
To be continued
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