The Devil Wears a Pinstriped Suit

Chapter Nine

Kenshin walked back into the dark house, almost scared to make a sound. His tennis shoes creaked against the hardwood floor, causing a light in one of the back rooms to turn on. Damn. He was hoping she had fallen asleep and he could just slide into the bed without much a-do. No, now he would have to face her, face his wife. He felt out of place, out of place in his own home. A part of him began to wonder how he got himself into this mess...then he remembered how. He also remembered the words of his vixen. Indecisive he was, very much so. He was torn, as any man would be, he imagined. A loving wife and a lusty lover. Was the choice really so hard? Was it really impossible to have both? No, it’s not impossible...but could he do it without his conscience eating him alive.

“Kenshin,” a soft, sad voice whispered out to him. His heart stopped as he broke out into a cold sweat. He didn’t know what to say...how to say it.

“Yes, dear,” he replied, trying to calm his wavering voice.

Tomoe stepped into the light a few feet from her husband. She wore a little nightshirt that made her look more like a college girl than a middle-aged woman. Her demeanor, usually very cool and mature seemed almost childlike. She was unsure, uneasy. So was he.

“Do you need to tell me anything? You know you can tell me anything, right, my love?” she pleaded with him, hoping to hear the truth. Kenshin swallowed hard, contemplating his lie.

“Work is just stressing me out. I’m sorry I haven’t been giving you the attention you deserve. How about I warm up the water in the hot tub and I give you a long massage,” he offered. Tomoe smiled ever so slightly at first, as if she wanted to toss his attempt to sooth her aside, but she quickly gave in.

“Oh, alright. I know you have a stressful job at your new firm. I shouldn’t be so worried, but you have been acting so strange lately,” she told him. Kenshin, finding his front easier to put up by the second, walked over swiftly to his wife and took her off her feet and began to carry her to the hot tub located in the back of their large house.

“I know you only worry because you love me. I promise I’ll be more mindful and won’t shut you out,” he said, kissing her on the forehead.

“You always were a smooth-talker,” she said, laying her head against his shoulder.

“Yeah,” he thought to himself, becoming more and more confident that as long as he kept his cool, he would be able to have his cake and eat it, too. After all, cake was meant to be eaten, right?

At least, that’s what I always thought. No one makes cake just to let it sit there and go stale. It is meant to be enjoyed...and I do enjoy my cake. But, as of late, my cake has not been that tasty. Kenshin angered me greatly tonight. To think he would bring up morals to me, as if I were so sort of child. Let me tell you, if he didn’t get his act together, I’ll make his decision very easy for him. I’ll drop him on his ass. So what I am madly attracted to him, mentally and physically? So what if his sex is the best I’ve every had? So what that nearly every time I see him, I feel as hot as his hair his red? Oh, who am I kidding. I’m a drug addict and he’s my opium. I am completely hooked...and Kayima Kaoru does NOT get hooked on ANY man, but he was obviously different. Perhaps I would have to make him a permanent toy. Keep in mind that is NOT the same as a relationship. If I see something else I want, I will take it...but I’ll always keep him around if I possibly can. He is irreplaceable.

Hmmm, did I just say that? I’ve never said that about a man before. Not since...

Anyway, I wanted to keep him around.

Just like my little sister wanted to keep that hunky friend of Kenshin’s around. You know, after Kenshin went home and made whatever excuse he had to and I climbed in my bed and pulled my covers up to get some shut eye, my phone rings. You know the damn thing never rings until the find that perfect spot where you sink in the bed and you feel like it is hugging you...and you feel yourself drifting away. You can’t ignore the ringing...it’s already disturbed you and you answer it out of futility.

“Yes?” I asked in a very irritated tone.

“Kaoru, I’m so sorry if I woke you up but I had to tell someone!” Misao yelled through the phone.

“Whoa, whoa. Slow down. What happened?” I asked as I sat myself up in the bed, concerned and interested.

“Guess who I ran into tonight?” she teased. I rub the bridge of my nose, trying to be patient.

“I don’t know, Misao. Who?” I asked, trying to get the details out of her so I can try to go back to sleep.

“Aoshi! You know, your co-worker’s friend. We bumped into each other while I was walking home and we grabbed a bite to eat. Kaoru, he is so nice! I think he likes me,” Misao squealed through the phone in a high-pitched tone so deafening I had to move the receiver away from my ear.

“That’s very nice,” I said in a slightly sarcastic tone. Ok, ok. I knew I should have been happier, but I was tired as hell and I really didn’t feel like talking. But, Misao was unfazed by all of that.

“And guess what else,” she beaconed.

“What, Misao?”

“We exchanged numbers! Oh, I can’t wait to talk to him again!”

“I’m very happy for you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Ok, Kaoru. Well, that’s all I had to say. Talk to you later.”

And then, there was sweet silence. She was too excited to let me say goodnight, and I didn’t mind in the least. I laid the phone down on my nightstand and plopped my head down on my pillow. I was so very tired and sleep was approaching fast. I knew I would be sleep within moments as long as the phone didn’t...

Ring...

FUCK! DAMN! SHIT!

I sat up and picked up the phone, without looking at the caller ID.

“WHAT?!” I yelled, hoping whoever was on the other end would spill it and let me be.

“Kaoru, what’s wrong with you?” I heard Megumi’s voice ask. I rolled my eyes scratched my head.

“I’m trying to get some sleep. It better be important,” I warned.

“Well, I just found out that it’s a small world,” Megumi said, her tone sweet, knowing I would want the information.

“What?” I asked, wondering what the hell she was talking about.

“Well, Sanosuke’s probation officer, Saitou Hajime. It seems he and Kenshin went to college together. They were members of rival Greek organizations. Your boy has a really sorted past that might rival your exploits,” she explained.

“Oh, is that all? I must say that’s pretty interesting. Your hoodlum is connected to my Kenshin,” I teased.

“Sano is not a hoodlum!” Megumi yelled, defending her man. Jesus Christ...couldn’t she have done better?

“Ok, whatever. How did Sano ever find out Saitou was acquainted with Kenshin?” I asked calmly.

“Well, I did mention you were tagging Kenshin, but only that much. Sano said something about it to Saitou and Sano said his cold face lit up in the most peculiar way...as if he enjoyed the rivalry or hate between them. That Saitou is a very strange man.” she finished.

“I can only imagine. So, that’s all you called me for?” I asked, hoping she would get off the phone and I could finally get to sleep.

“Yeah, just thought it was interesting,” she said.

“Good for you. I’m going to sleep,” I said, hanging up the phone and drowning my face into my pillow. Now, I was beginning to feel groggy. You don’t want to be around me when I’m groggy. At least no one else would be calling me at this hour. I should had just turned off my phone, but what if it’s something important? Wouldn’t know about it until the morning. So, I left it on. And when someone needed me, the phone...

Rings...

Ok. Now, I was pissed. I was prepared to chew out whoever it is on the other side of the phone and tell them to leave me the fuck alone so I can sleep! I picked up the phone and looked at the caller ID. I was immediately taken back.

Himura, Tomoe
(248) 313-5590

Tomoe? Kenshin’s Tomoe? How in the hell did she get my number? Why was she calling? For some reason, I felt very uneasy. But, no need to feel that way. I would answer the phone and let her explain herself.

“Hello?”

“Yes...I apologize for calling at this hour. My name is Tomoe...Kenshin’s wife. Is this Kayima Kaoru?” the voice on the other end asked in a tone befitting a child.

“Yes it is. I have heard much about you. Can I help you in some way?” I asked rather coolly.

“Well, I know we have not met, but I have been wanting to me you. Kenshin speaks so highly of you. You seem like a wonderful person. It’s just, you spend so much time with him...I was hoping you could answer something for me?”

Ok, this was getting weird.

“Yes, Tomoe. Of course,” I said.

“Kenshin has been acting so strange lately. Has he been acting strange at work? I mean...is he really stress?”
I could tell her question was only a small fraction of what she was thinking. She really wanted to ask me did I know if her husband was cheating, and if that was the real reason he was acting so strange. To think this woman would be so forward to call me and ask. Some would argue it to be a smart move, while other would gauge it as stupid. I chalk it up to her being desperate.

“Yes, this case is unlike any other he has worked on. He hasn’t fully adjusted yet. I suggested he take some time off, but he is very determined. May I ask if there is anything else bothering you?” I asked, opening the door up for her to just come out with it. I could hear her shuffle about on the other end. I had made her uncomfortable.

Good.

“I shouldn’t have called you like this. You don’t even know me. I’m afraid I may have ruined any chance of a friendship with you. I must be paranoid,” she began to mutter, as if thinking out loud. Good, I was making her doubt her actions and intent. That’s what she gets.

“No, you have not ruined anything. Granted, this is not how most acquaintances start out, I don’t see this as a problem. You are a wife concerned about her husband. Don’t worry, I will look after him and take care of his needs,” I purred, my double-meaning dripping from my words. But, I knew she wouldn’t pick up on it. She had a good sense of intuition...but I could tell it wasn’t that good from her track record. The far-fetched lies she had been fed before that she believed. She was gullible.

“Alright. Well, it is late and Kenshin is already asleep. Thank you for talking to me, Kaoru-san,” Tomoe said, her tone calmer, more relaxed.

“No need to be so formal. Goodnight, Tomoe-chan,” I said, hanging up the phone.

Now, I put my head to my pillow, and quickly fell asleep, as most of the people in my life did. Now, Tomoe was in my life in the oddest way. This was new. She was completely oblivious and desired to befriend me. How I would handle this one, I did not know. But I knew that if I acted cold to her, the seed of doubt would be planted into her head. Usually I didn’t care, but I cared in this case...because Kenshin was more to me than just a temporary toy. He was a permanent toy to be used at my discretion.