Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Ruruni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.


Author's notes:

I have neglected this fic so far.....damn! It's so hard to pursue a fic when part of your thoughts and inspirations fade away - just like that! Damn!

got to paste the rest in here so that I could update it. I hope. I just wish I could finish this one as soon as possible.



All you comments are welcome. Excuse for the grammar thing. I'm suck on it.





Then again, I don't own Ruruni KEnshin.







Chapter 5



Walking with the rest of the `family' at the back makes Kokoro felt

very unease. Just by looking at them made her wish to fade away from

the crowd or escape back to her own reality. In her mind, endless

naggings to herself are repeatedly done. The way the girls smiles to

her sensei seemingly having him as a father they long to have, so

goes with Megumi-san. Megumi could play a good role to be their

mother. And by the looks of it, she looks at Aoshi with very much

amazement and endearing. Damn! All of these thoughts were hovering in

her pesky mind, trying to move on from the present scene at her front

sight. Just wishing it all to stop.



"Are we there yet?" Suzume excitedly asked.



"We are nearing, Suzume-chan. Don't worry." Megumi stated then stared

momentarily at Aoshi's face tuning to the path silently.



After 10 long minutes walking around the neighborhood, they were able

to arrive to the designated place – Tae's Restaurant. Aoshi held down

the girls to the ground from his arms. The girls happily went inside

the restaurant then followed by Megumi. Kokoro just stood their,

making amends on what decisions she has to do. Aoshi stood their,

waiting for Kokoro to enter – again, without looking back.



"Sensei."



"Nani?"



"I should go now." She shyly stated. She was making her way out

through the streets, ready to leave them for their own privacy. But

suddenly, Aoshi make amends to the situation.



"Do you want to disappoint the girls just like you did to me last

night?" Aoshi's voice mellowed a bit Kokoro's actions to get away

from them. She stopped then instantly glared him, blushing.



"Last night is different! And," She was almost giving her way with

her sensei, irritably.



"Whatever reasons you have there, forget it. I'm your sensei and I

know what's best for my student. Understand?" He finally ceased their

argument and entered his way to the premise.



"Now he dictates my diet." She sighed. She doesn't know what to think

about her sensei, what's going onto his mind. He sure is very

different from the rest of the teachers she had encountered. This one

is stricter and very demanding. She, then, follows him inside.



Inside the restaurant, Megumi and the girls are waiting. Megumi was

quite a bit anxious of what's happening between Aoshi and Kokoro. She

thought of maybe the two are known each other long time ago. Aoshi

isn't a type of guy to tell all of his stories in life, his secrets.

He never talks anything of it which make her feel a bit depressed on

knowing the limitation of their relationship. And with this girl

outside with him, she could possibly be what he's hoping for. Hoping

for, for what?



A woman appeared at the dining table of the girls. "Can I take your

orders?"



Megumi hadn't noticed the woman asking their orders. Suzume and Ayame

were puzzled at Megumi, who continuously staring impassively right at

the front door of the restaurant.



"Hello?! Ohayo ma'am. Can I take your orders please?" Bowing down.



"Doctor-sensei! Doctor-sensei! The lady asks for our orders." Ayame

thumps gently Megumi's right arm.



"Wha..What?" She snapped out to her ordeal.



"You must have been very hungry, Doctor-sensei!" Suzume giggled.



"Sorry girls. Something came through my mind." She smiled at looked

at the waitress. "Pls. come back after a minute to us. Our other

companions are still outside."



"Hai." The waitress walks to the other table of customers.



*******



Aoshi approaches the table, so as Kokoro behind him. They position

themselves without minding the people around them who are seemingly

eager to know what kept them so long outside the restaurant.



"What took you so long, Sensei!" Ayame questioned.



"We are very hungry." Suzume massages her belly.



Aoshi smiled while Kokoro took her seat and never laid a single stare

on him.



"Oh yes. What took you so long outside the restaurant, Aoshi-san?"

Megumi looked close to Aoshi then to Kokoro. "Kokoro-san?"



Kokoro didn't react, minding other things besides from answering

questions from a suspecting member.



"Nothing, Megumi-san. Nothing." Aoshi suddenly responded.



Megumi held back to her own chair and felt aggravated. To Aoshi,

perhaps. To Kokoro, could be a lot. Kokoro smells a feisty war on a

breakout and she doesn't want to get involved with it.



The manager of the restaurant came to their table. "Ohayo minna! My

name is Tae and I own this restaurant. Feel free to order, and of

course, pay later." She giggled.



Kokoro looked at the woman and suddenly recognizes her physical

features – close enough to her…to her…to her…sister! Sister Omasu!



"Tae-oneesan! It's me Kokoro." Kokoro happily stated.



"Kokoro? Kokoro! What a surprise!" Tae went close to Kokoro's side.

Others were also felt surprised from the woman who rushes towards

Kokoro.



"So. What are you doing here? I thought you are in Tokyo. It seems

you have moved."



"Half. It's kind of a branch of my original one back in Tokyo. So how

are you and your sisters?"



"We're fine. We own a cyber café near the park. Visit us whenever

you're free. By the way, these are my friends." She stood up. "This

is Takani Megumi, a soon to be doctor; Ayame-chan and her sister

Suzume-chan; and Shinomori Aoshi, my…"



"Nice to meet you." Aoshi stood up and shook Tae's hand. He then goes

back to his seat.



Tae whispered to Kokoro's ears.



"He's damn good looking, Kokoro-chan. Is he your boyfriend? If you

ask me, he is too mature for someone like you. He should have been

mine." Tae teased.



"Baka! The idiot isn't my boyfriend, Oneesan. He is my," Kokoro

drastically explains, trying to lower her voice.



"I know. I know. Your secret is safe with me." She suddenly

interrupted Kokoro, mumbling, leaving the others doubting for her own

right sanity.



"But, but, but it isn…." Kokoro tries to explain her dearly.



Tae turned to the rest of the people in the table and announced

something.



"Since my cousin is here, I would like you all the taste my special

delicacies in the house. All is free, a sign of welcoming and," Tae

viewed back to confused face of Kokoro then to Shinomori-san. ", it's

my gift for the couple. Ja ne!" Tae went to the counter.



"A couple?" Megumi asked.



"Ha eh…couple?! Couple! Oh yes! The girls. Ayame-chan and Suzume-

chan!" Kokoro sat down nervously.



"Oh I see." Perceived a doubtful look.



"Wow! All is free! All is free!" Ayame and Suzume rejoiced, playing

all the utensils at their reach.



"What now, Kokoro?! You had been charged a crime that you didn't

commit. Nice! Nice going Kokoro!" She rebukes.

Special delicacies from the restaurant were served at their table.

All were look delicious and the group wanted to start the feast. The

smell of steaming beef, one of the morning specialties of Tae's,

entices the mouth of every member of the group except Aoshi. He just

sits still and waiting for something light to eat. The children are

very happy on feasting such mouth watering meals – the beef pot, the

sukiyaki and a platter of sushi. Megumi starts to prepare the dishes

to them, as for the girls, they could wait any longer for it. Kokoro

watched Megumi how she gently equally divides the food among the

people in the table especially to Aoshi. She glanced at Aoshi,

unbothered to what she's been doing. Megumi does it all perfectly – a

sign of a woman of a house – a complete opposite of her. She then

remembers Omasu preparing meals for the family. Omasu has such great

dedication to what she's been doing – every detail of it from cooking

the food up to the packaging. And now, Kokoro completely understands

what her sisters been telling her long ago. A woman should learn to

cook or perhaps to any related works from the house chores.



"Kokoro-san. Would you like to have some sushi on your plate?" Megumi

waits for Kokoro's responds.



Kokoro snapped out from her trance, looking directly at Megumi's

questioning eyes. "Oh! Um… Pls. do!" She held the plate towards

Megumi unintentionally surprising the rest from the table.



Megumi smiled and grab her plate.



A woman, about Megumi's height and body, entered the premise with

such great self-confidence that could almost blow any person away

from her path. She wears a black jogging pants and sweater, looks

like she's gone from a morning exercise. She accidentally perceives

Kokoro dining. As she wipes her excess sweat from her face and neck,

she walked slowly towards them.



"Well, well, well. Look who's here?" The woman apparently ceased,

nearing to the right side of Kokoro. "They said you are my new

contender to the upcoming Kempo competition."



Kokoro glanced at the woman. She looked at her from head to toe,

intentionally mocking her. The girls were again surprised, so as

Megumi. Aoshi continues to mind his own business – at the food.



"Oh I see. I never thought that I could become this famous. And your

name is…."



"You don't know me? Oh my! How pity! You never tend to research on

things you have to know my dear. Knowing your opponent dearly – its

abilities and weaknesses – is a golden rule in winning."



"Thanks for the tip. Your name?" She smirked.



The young woman chortled like she owns the place, so goes with the

whole world. Too confident and far more obnoxious than someone she

already knew. Another individual approaches the table where the

argument starts to fume. A young man, close to Kokoro's age, has a

good built and fine manner to be reckoned with.



He bowed tenderly towards Kokoro's group, greeting them a silent

hello from a stranger like him. He turned to the arrogant

woman. "Ohayo Misanagi! What brings you here in this restaurant? You

never said to me that you're fond hanging with these kind of places."

He smiled.



"Seta-san! What a surprise!" She embraced tightly the man who greeted

her. Every one on the table was totally clueless to the couple who

had arrived, disturbing their breakfast. "It happened to be that I

decided to dine in this new opened restaurant, then unexpectedly

saw someone…..Oh well, since you are here, we better find another

place with much more ambiance to dine with , Seta-san." Then she

released him from her arms.



The young man nodded as he glances back to Kokoro. With his silent

stare, he bid her many deep apologies from what his boasting friend

told them, especially to her. Kokoro understand and took the message.

The two immediately went on their way outside the restaurant. She now

hopes for the best that no other bad incident will follow. Twice is

enough!



*******



"I'm full!" Suzume gently thumps her belly.



"Me too. Arigato Kami-sama!" Ayame folded her hands while closing her

eyes, thanking someone – or some unseen being.



All finished their breakfast. Aoshi took his black wallet from his

rear pocket on his jeans. He signaled one of the waitresses near the

counter for the check, for the bill. But a waiter from the other

table approaches.



"Sir, our manager told us not to accept any payments from this table.

All were free to dine." He glances at Kokoro.



"Well I don't. I insist to pay anything we ate in this table. Do you

understand me clearly?" He stared coldly at the frightened waiter.



Megumi wasn't shocked at what Aoshi did to the poor food server.

Kokoro was a bit angered but trying not to show it at front of Suzume-

chan and Ayame-chan.



"Demo…"



"Nani?!" A hoarse voice prompted.



"Hai! Hai sir!" The waiter quickly went to the counter, computed all

the food they ate and sloppily searched for a receipt.



"Sensei doesn't want to take any chances of debt." Ayame whispers to

Kokoro's left ear then giggled.



The waiter unhurriedly approaches the table, looking scared at the

demanding man. Aoshi received the receipt, checking if all were

calculated correctly. He opened his wallet and took a large bill,

giving it to the waiter. Kokoro accidentally saw a picture – picture

of a young girl's half portrait but it is kind of blurry. Aoshi

closes it and put it back to his rear pocket.



"Megumi-san."



"What, Aoshi-kun?" Megumi glances blissfully at Aoshi, a thing that

made Kokoro now felt a bit jealous.



"Could you pls. take these little angels back to their home?"



Suddenly, Megumi's phone rang. She answered the call and it was her

father, telling her that she is, indeed, very much needed at the

clinic. Someone came in their clinic, wounded dreadfully by a

gunshot. She quickly stood and looked at the children then to Aoshi.



"Gomen Aoshi-kun. Something came up. It's an emergency call from the

clinic and I need to go there immediately." Megumi directly ran

towards the door, waving her hand to them for a good-bye.



"Sensei." Kokoro called the attention of her sensei. "If you want,

I'll take them home. Just tell me were they lived."



Aoshi glances at Kokoro.



"Yes! Oneesan could take us home, Sensei. Don't you worry." Ayame

went close at the side of Aoshi.



"Don't you want us around the play center, Sensei?" Suzume asked

subtly.



The little girl was sad on knowing that she and her sister will be

brought back to their home, leaving suddenly their sensei. She made a

great effort on finding their way to the place yet their Sensei

didn't notice it. Aoshi picked her up, embracing her well.



"Sorry but I have other plans to do. Maybe next time." The child

embraces Aoshi more firmly, wanting not to let go from his neck. He

smoothly brushes the small back of the child.



Kokoro was touched from what she sees – the interaction of the child

and her sensei. She began to see the another self of her sensei,

opening inadvertently. She wondered if Aoshi could stay as that when

she's on training with him. It would be likely her best benefit to

the game.



"Okay. Kokoro-san and I will take you two back home, alright?"



"That will be great!" Suzume instantly faces Aoshi then gave him more

intense hugs. Ayame followed, grasping lightly his jeans.



Aoshi and the children went on the way out of the restaurant. Kokoro

also followed without any arguments or contradictions like what she

did earlier. Few moments after, Tae rushed outside, hoping she could

talk to Kokoro about returning the money to Aoshi-san. But they were

nowhere to be found.



"Mou! Where are they? Oh well….at least, I saw Kokoro-chan once again

after so many long years. She really grew up into a fine looking

young woman. And about the guy…..I hope she had chosen the right one."



*******



Nearing to the place where the girls live, Kokoro silently watched

how they interact with each other. Aoshi, her sensei, wasn't that

much bothered on carrying them at his arms, feeling at more peace –

Suzume and Ayame – while busy playing of some sort pre-school game of

hand clapping. As long they are happy and safe in his arms that would

be enough for him to know. Safe and sound in his arms. Kokoro

assures that Aoshi will be a good father someday. He will be. Just

listening to the laughter and giggles of the two little girls on his

arms made Kokoro felt serene, wishing of something….. Suddenly, she

remembered her sweet childhood. She was with her sisters, running in

the park where Sakura trees starting to shed. Truly, it was an

awesome experience. All the laughter and giggles they created,

playing impassively to the real world they are walking with was the

best thing they had ever done when she was a little – too innocent to

what beholds. The faces of her sisters dictate her delight at that

specific moment. For whatever reason, they are smiling genuinely.



"Oh no. We are almost there." Suzume covered her eyes with her

palms. "Don't want to go home yet."



They finally arrived. Kokoro was surprised seeing such huge Tudor

house – kind of a European architectural design. Gates were painted

in silver. Their garden is so huge, full of ornamental hanging

flowers. Three cars, all are Ford cars, park at the cave-shaped

garage. 4 servants are waiting near the security house.



"Arigato Shinomori-san for taking them home safely. Everyone in the

mansion was very much insanely worried to you two. I almost called a

police because of this. Your big brother will surely fire us out in

our jobs if he knows this." The old head maid scolded the two young

ladies.



"Sorry. It will never happen." Ayame tries to calm the old woman.



"We have to go. Pls. excuse us." Aoshi turned away without saying

goodbye to the girls. Kokoro also bid them farewell though she wasn't

introduced by the children and Aoshi.



"See you in Monday, Sensei!" Suzume rushes towards the gate, followed

by one of the maids.



Aoshi and Kokoro continue to depart the place. Kokoro looked back,

seeing the children's' gloomy faces. With these kind of reactions and

emotions towards their sensei seems projecting much amount of need on

seeing him more. They already had the `boding', rare seen from the

people of today. To family, perhaps but to this kind of relation is

different. Kokoro assumes that Aoshi and the children share emotions

they both only knew within themselves, needed to sustain to live

everyday.



Aoshi stopped from walking, seeing the sunshine above his lovely

head, and faces Kokoro. "As I had said last night, do your training.

See you tomorrow at the gym." He walked again towards to outskirts of

the city then vanished.



He's back to his old ways again; never interact to the people besides

the two little angels they left a while ago. When will he learn to

open his heart up to other people? When will she see the truth behind

those icy blue eyes from the man who just left? She wanted to know

more of him but she's afraid that he might reject her, treat it all

non-sense. What now?





tbc....