Legacy

An RK Fanfic

 

Chapter 4- Get the party started!

 

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Some girls try too hard.

 

 Blink 182

 

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The next morning, Kaoru dragged Hideki into the dojo under the guise of having a bit of sparring practice to catch up on old times. What she really wanted to do was lay some ground rules for the party.

 

"No mischief Hideki."

 

Hideki looked almost hurt, "Don't you trust your own flesh and blood Kaoru-chan?" she asked.

 

"Nope."

 

"Don't you have any faith in me at all?!" she squealed.

 

Kaoru raised an eyebrow.

 

The blue-haired woman huffed and folded her arms, "Oh fine," she sulked, "I know when I'm not wanted, I know when I'm not appreciated, I know when I'm…"

 

"Good evening, ladies." a husky voice interrupted.

 

"In love…" Hideki trailed off, staring.

 

"Good evening Aoshi-san," Kaoru replied cheerfully.

 

"Gomen nasai for interrupting Kamiya-san," the Oniwanbanshuu ninja apologized, "but I was looking your husband."

 

"Kenshin went out on a few errands, but he should be back shortly," Kaoru replied, "would you like to wait for him?"

 

"I wouldn't want to intrude on your…discussion?" Aoshi said tentatively.

 

"Oh that?" Kaoru said casually, "this is my cousin Hideki, we were just…catching up on old times, weren’t we cousin?"

 

Hideki smiled brightly at the man in the doorway, "That's right!" she said cheerfully, "Kusokube Hideki desu." she said bowing politely.

 

"Shinomori Aoshi." Aoshi replied just as politely.

"Aoshi…" Hideki repeated, trying the name on her tongue.

 

Kaoru looked from her cousin to Aoshi and back again, clearing her throat she addressed Aoshi again.

 

"You can wait for Kenshin in the house Aoshi-san, I will make you some tea while you do."

 

Aoshi focused his luminescent blue eyes back on Kaoru, "Thank you Kamiya-san, I would like that."

 

Kaoru smiled and led the way back to the dojo's living area, but not before she cast a warning glance back to her cousin that clearly meant just one thing.

 

Hands off hotshot.

 

Hideki pouted and looked away from her cousin's eyes for a moment. When she was sure Kaoru was no longer watching she stole a glance of her own in the direction of Aoshi's receding nether regions.

 

Her eyes narrowed and her seashell-pink lips turned up wickedly at the corners as a particularly naughty thought crossed her mind.

 

"I wonder…" she mused, "If he's coming to the party too?"

 

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The old dojo probably never had had that many people inside of it at once. Besides the regular Kenshingumi members, the Oniwanshuu members, Kaoru's friends from in and around Tokyo were there. Tae, Tsubame and the other waitresses from the Akebeko, even the great Hiko Seijuro himself had come to celebrate with his "baka deshi" and his young wife.

 

Thanks to the combined efforts of Tae, Kenshin, Soujiro and Megumi, the feast that was served was like no other ever prepared in that area. Tempura, sukiyaki, sweet rice-cakes the list went on and on. And what Japanese shindig would be complete without sake, and sake and more sake.

 

"Thizis da bezt pawty evah buzuu…" a very drunk and very happy Yahiko declared to his foster sister.

 

Kaoru pressed her lips together in mock disgust, "I told you to lay off the joy juice Yahiko-chan." Kaoru chided while trying to keep the chuckle out of her voice.

 

"I keen handle iht…" Yahiko declared taking another swig. Then he looked at Kaoru again with a look of what could only be described as puzzlement.

"You look pweddy t'night Kwaoru," he said, "what happind?"

 

Kaoru's expression darkened. "I don't believe it! Even when he's drunk he's annoying!" she thought.

 

"Mmm vewy pweetty…" Yahiko drawled resting his head against Kaoru's shoulder, "yor a gweat sis Kwaoru," he said happily, "luv you lots…"

 

Surprised, Kaoru looked back down to where Yahiko's head rested against her shoulder, only to find that he had fallen asleep there with the same silly smile still pasted on his face. Her eyes softened as she planted a gentle kiss on his forehead.

 

"Love you lots too." She whispered affectionately.

 

Kenshin who had been watching the exchange between the two, walked over to where Kaoru held the young boy cradled in her arms. As he drew near, Kaoru looked up and smiled at him. "He's all partied out I'm afraid," she said looking back down at her young charge.

 

Kenshin knelt down before her and stroked the boy's temple affectionately, "I'll take him to his room, " he said, helpful as always.

 

"Arrigatou." she said as she handed Yahiko over.

 

As Kenshin left with Yahiko, Kaoru made her way to the other end of the room where Hideki and the other women were having quite a time with some sake of their own.

 

"Muwahaha!!! Datz a good one Hidekey!"

 

Hideki smiled at the woman who had addressed her, "I godda million of 'em." She declared proudly, looking up just in time to see her cousin approach the group. "Hey Kaoru!" she beamed, "What about you have a little sake with us?"

 

Kaoru gave her cousin a despairing look before she sat down, "No thank you Hideki." she sighed.

 

"Aww spoilsport." Hideki huffed raising the cup to her lips again.

 

Over the brim of her sake cup Hideki watched predatorily as Aoshi Shinomori talked with the hunk that had introduced himself as "baka deshi" Kenshin's teacher.

 

"Hmm…" she thought, "he's alright too, but a little too full of himself for my tastes…shy guys on the other hand…" her eyes drifted back over to Aoshi's almost painfully handsome face, drinking in every gorgeous detail.

 

"Just right." she said aloud.

 

Kaoru raised an eyebrow and followed Hideki's eyes to the quiet Oniwabanshuu ninja's visage and back again.

 

"Forget it." she snapped.

 

Hideki made a whimpering noise.

 

"No way." Kaoru insisted.

 

"Aw, I never get to have any fun!" she wailed.

 

"Hey Kaoru!" Misao called from further down the group, "C'mon over here and tell these ladies how me and you kicked Kamatari's butt back in Kyoto!"

 

Kaoru smiled at her brash friend; "I'll be right there!" she called.

 

Leaning toward her cousin, she lowered her voice a couple of octaves. "I mean it Hideki," she growled, "No mischief."

 

Hideki looked sheepish, "I promise." She said.

 

Satisfied, Kaoru got up and made her way over to where Misao sat with the others.

 

Hideki pouted some more as she continued to steal glances at the former Okashira. Then suddenly the bigger man got up and walked outside leaving the younger man alone, Hideki's smile was brighter than a sky full of New Year's fireworks.

 

 

Stealing a glance over her shoulder to make sure her cousin wasn't looking her grin widened even more. "I promise to treat him like the prince that he is Kaoru-chan." she declared before slinking her way over to him.

 

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Japan speak

 

Tempura- yummy batter fried stuff with veggies inside

Sukiyaki- someone told me this literally means "on the blade of a plow", meaning that peasants actually did cook it on their tools originally, I guess it's kind of like the ultimate one-pot stir-fry.

Sake- the official alcoholic beverage of the Meji era.

Baka deshi- stupid student (catchy no?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 

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