Kendo no Go
In the Language of Kendo:
A Fanfic in 100 Chapters
by Akai Kitsune
78: Water
~*~
The water is red.
Kenshin plunged his hands into the laundry tub, scrubbing each article of
clothing with firm care, smiling softly in the morning light. Already several
kimonos hung on the bamboo rack in front of him, and a small pile of unwashed
clothes lay at his feet. He finished the yukata in his hands and placed it on
the rack, absently flicking water from his hands before returning to the
bucket. His smile never faltered.
Kaoru watched him silently from the doorway
of the house.
Again he scrubbed at the smooth, soggy
material, soaking it with water and mixed soap, his hands brushing together
between the wet cotton. Nearby, Kenji chased a butterfly in the garden,
giggling each time the fluttering creature evaded his touch.
Another yukata. Scrub, scrub, rinse, hang.
Smile.
"Kenshin," Kaoru said
quietly, approaching him, "I'll finish those for you, if you like. I'm not
expecting the students for another hour or so."
He turned to her, his face bright. "It's all
right, Kaoru. I'm nearly done."
She looked uncomfortable. "But-"
"And as soon as I'm done," he interrupted
gently, "I'll get started on lunch. How does that sound?"
Kaoru frowned, her lips pursed, yet finding
no further argument. "I suppose that's fine..."
He smiled again, returning to his work
without hesitation. He shoved his hands deep into the clean, clear liquid,
which was thick, so thick with suds and clothes and blood.
The water is red.
She watched him, but he continued to work,
blissfully smiling as he did so.
~*~
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