Kendo no Go
In the Language of Kendo:
A Fanfic in 100 Chapters
by Akai Kitsune
37: Rest
~*~
There were some nights where Kaoru simply
could not sleep. She tossed and turned, moaning at the
uncooperative weariness that refused to give in and send her into
the bliss of unconsciousness, where Kenshin was already blithely
visiting, unaware of her difficulty. She was grateful of this,
despite her envy; he usually slept so lightly, and nights in
which he was not disturbed by her wakefulness were rare and
appreciated. His comfort was welcomed, but not at the expense of
his own rest.
During any particularly long bouts of insomnia, she liked to
leave their room and wander the house, soon making her way to
Kenji's room. She sat beside his futon and watched him as he
slept, his breath slow and deep, mouth wide open, often babbling
inconsistencies and the spattering of words he was slowly
learning, though most of the time content to simply snore. She
wondered briefly where he had developed that habit; Kenshin
didn't snore at all, and she had never received any complaints
from him about her own sleeping habits - not that he would,
anyway. She hoped Kenji wouldn't grow to be very loud, either
way. Yahiko and Sanosuke had been bad enough.
The gentle snores of a toddler were somehow soothing, like a
secret, foreign lullaby, known only to the sleeping deliverer of
the song. It helped, sometimes, to clear the weary reluctance of
sleep, though never completely. Just watching him, innocent,
peaceful - and so well behaved - was enough to keep her awake.
If she was gone for a long time, Kenshin usually followed her,
making her wonder if he ever really slept at all, or simply
half-dozed until morning. She supposed it was an old habit,
running deeper than she could ever understand, however morbid
that thought might be.
His excuse was simple enough. "I woke up and found you
gone," he smiled sympathetically, kneeling behind her to rub
her shoulders in a way that always made her feel better.
"So you followed me, you nosy little
rurouni," she purred, mischievous and without anger.
He chuckled softly in response. "Aa, I suppose I did. But
since I am the wanderer, I must ask - why are you
wandering the house this time of night?"
It was a pointless question, but she was not easily bothered
by his feigned ignorance; not after so long. "I couldn't
sleep."
"Ah, I was snoring again."
"Kenshin!" she scolded with a
broad smile, leaning back into his arms and nestling there, her
head rested in the crook of his shoulder. "When do you ever
snore?"
His lips were tugging themselves upward, musing. "When I
dream about my master. He was as loud as a horse in his
sleep."
She had to be careful to hide her giggle, to avoid waking
Kenji. "Oh? And what is my husband doing dreaming about
another man?"
"Oro?"
Caught between confusion and denial, Kenshin was left
wordless; Kaoru decided to be merciful. "Oh, you know I'm
only teasing." As the humour of the moment faded, she was
drawn back to the reason she had remained awake, her eyes falling
to watch their child again.
He caught her sudden change from playful to serious, and sat
in silence for a time before asking the expected question.
"What are you worrying about?"
He hated it when she worried about things, she remembered.
Especially when she was worrying over him; it was one of the
traits she felt badly about placing on his conscience. Another
thing for him to feel guilty about. Another thing for her to tell
him to forget, when forgetting is impossible.
"Nothing," she murmured in
response, a small, protective lie. Everything.
He knew she was lying. He always did, it seemed. But he also
knew she was trying to protect him in the only way she could. He
was quiet again, his hands still at her shoulders. Finally, they
moved again, wrapping loosely around her neck, resting his chin
upon her neck.
"I love you," he whispered into
the darkness, his eyes unreadable. "Do you know that?"
She did not respond at first, closing her eyes and allowing
his presence to comfort her. Finally, she turned her head into
his arm, her words muffled in his summer yukata.
"If I ever forget... I know that you'll
always be here to remind me."
'Thank you, anata. Thank you...'
He kissed her cheek, soft and lingering close to catch the
faded scent of her perfume. "You're welcome," he said
with a brief smile, making her wonder if she had voiced her
thoughts. But, no. It didn't really matter. He understood.
~*~
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