No Way Out
by Akane


Part 3


  Yahiko made his way back to the dojo slowly, dragging his feet all the way. He had just
spent the entire day helping Megumi out with her patients. Kaoru had called it special training to
help him learn to care for other people. After all, the whole basis of Kamiya Kashin-ryu was
protecting people. What a load of bull. He knew as well as she did that she just wanted him out of
the house for some reason or another. He stopped a little ways from the dojo entrance and
stretched his hands over his head. This had not been exactly the best day. He had expected at
least a little action. Life and death situations. Blood. Tears. Stuff the news is made of. But no, it
had been just a regular day by the hospitals standards. Megumi had him run back and forth
retrieving various medicines, bandages, and what-not. He was just glad to be home. Yahiko
yawned silently and started walking again only to stop once more. There was someone walking
towards him. Judging from the outline of the shadow it was Kenshin, but he couldn't be sure. He
took a few steps forward until he was under the street light and waited for the figure to do the
same. Lately there had been a lot of strange men snooping around for Kenshin, and he didn't
want to take any chances. He posed his hand over the hilt of his bamboo sword cautiously and
waited as the figure stepped into the light. To his surprise it was a female! An awfully pretty female
at that. She wore a long white dress and her red-orange hair hung softly around her shoulders.
The question was, what was she doing out alone at this time of night? Yahiko stepped out of his
fighting stance and took another step forward so that he was only a little ways away from the lady
and cleared his throat.
  "Good evening, ma'am. May I help you?" Yahiko cocked his head to the side as a sweet
warm smile appeared on the ladies slightly red lips. This was a strange lady, indeed. There was
something about her that seemed so familiar...
  "Good evening, Yahiko," the lady replied in a quiet familiar voice. Yahiko blinked several
times, confused.
  "Um... have we met before?" Yahiko asked cautiously. If she knew his name, she could
be an enemy, which would mean that she could also know other things as well...
  "Yes, we have," the lady sighed. "Let's go inside and I'll explain."
  Yahiko considered this for a moment. He was always taught to be kind to ladies, but if this
one was an enemy... but then again, she didn't look so tough. He shrugged and opened the gate,
then stepped aside to let the mysterious lady in first. The lady only stared at him for a minute,
puzzled, and then figured out what Yahiko was doing. She chuckled softly as she passed by. That
was odd... wasn't she used to being treated like a lady? Yahiko shrugged and followed her inside,
shutting the door behind him. He stared at the lady in front of him for awhile. She seemed to be
testing the air, as if she was checking for danger. What was going on?
  "Um, excuse me.... but, um..." Yahiko cleared his throat again.
  The lady turned, blinked at him once or twice, and proceeded to smile once again. She
then reached up and figured the pale bandage on her cheek. She closed her eyes, hesitating a
moment before pulling it off in one swift movement revealing a prominent X shaped scar. Yahiko's
eyes widened.
  "K-K-Kenshin?!?" Yahiko stuttered. He wasn't sure whether to faint or burst out laughing.
Kenshin nodded slowly.
  "Let't go inside and make some tea," Kenshin replied as he carefully reapplied the
bandage over his scar. He regarded Yahiko's stare. "It's a long story, come on, let's go" he started
towards the kitchen, and Yahiko soon followed.

*-*-*-*-*

  "So Kaoru made you do this?" Yahiko stared into his tea at his reflection.
  "Mmhmm..." Kenshin took a sip from his own cup and sighed. "She says she feels safer
this way, but I'm not so sure this'll help."
  "Of course it's not going to help!! I can't believe you got talked into this!" Yahiko spat back
at him.
  "Now now, Yahiko, calm down. It's really not that bad of a plan. It'll work for a few days as
a distraction, at least."
  "All you're doing is running away, though!" Yahiko pouted.
  "Maybe so, but if this dojo get attacked one more time in it's present state there's not
going to be anything left," Kenshin stated plainly, staring at Yahiko through his violet eyes.
  "I suppose," he grumbled. It was strange. It was like he was talking to Kenshin, yet he
wasn't. Was it really possible for Kenshin's looks to change this drastically with make up and a
new hairstyle? "So how long to you have to wear that get up?"
  "For a few days, I guess," Kenshin shrugged.
  "Well, you're safe at home now, so couldn't you take that stuff off?" Yahiko had to admit
he was a tad uncomfortable around Kenshin when he was dressed like this.
  "No, there's no rule that says they can't attack at night..." Kenshin frowned. "Kaoru-dono
doesn't want to take any chances..."
  "Where is Kaoru anyway? I thought she was making dinner tonight..."
  "She at the market getting some tofu. She should be back soon though."
  "You let Kaoru go shopping by herself??"
  "No, Sano is with her..." Kenshin took another sip of his tea.
  "Does he know about this?" Yahiko raised an eyebrow.
  "Yes, he was there..."
  "How does he feel about it?"
  "Well..." Kenshin paused, thinking about his answer. I don't really think he's comfortable
around me... when I'm dressed like this..."
  Yahiko sighed. So he wasn't the only one then. It wasn't exactly the crossdressing that
bugged him as much as the fact that he was able to pull it off so well! He sighed and slumped
down in his seat. This was going to be an interesting couple of days

*-*-*-*-*

  The clock chimed off the hour, drawing Kenshin's attention away from peeling the
vegetables. He frowned slightly. Kaoru and Sano were later then he had expected. Maybe
something had happened after all. He set the cutting knife down carefully and stepped outside into
the cool night air. Yahiko had fallen asleep on the floor not too long ago, so all was quiet. Just
then, the silence was interrupted by the sound of the dojo gate opening. Kenshin sighed in relief
and stepped down onto the ground to greet his awaited friends, cursing the confinements of the
female clothes as he went.
  "Oh! Kenshin!" Kaoru waved as she greeted him. "You startled me... I'm still not used to
those clothes."
  "I'm not used to the either," Kenshin mumbled. He slumped his shoulders a little and
pouted.
  "You'll live." Kaoru grinned. Kenshin seemed to be in a better mood now and Kaoru took
note of this. She hoped it was in her favor. "Hey, let's get dinner started. I have something I have
to talk to you about." Kaoru smiled as she carried the now filled tofu tub to the kitchen.
  "Oro...?"
  "Just come one! I'm starving."
  As if in response, Kenshin's own stomach growled. He decided to surrender and follow
Kaoru back into the house. He glanced over his shoulder momentarily at Sano, who lagged
behind. No, it wasn't his imagination. He could tell by Sano's uneasy facial expression that he
wasn't comfortably around Kenshin. But why? Nothing had changed, he was still the same old
Himura Kenshin... only in a dress, that's all. Could it be that...? No, it couldn't be. Kenshin
shrugged the idea off and proceeded into the kitchen.

*-*-*-*-*

  "A DINNER PARTY?!" Kenshin was on his feet now. Kaoru just nodded as she took
another bite of her fish.
  "Yes, tomorrow night. Tae invited us. That's why we were late," Kaoru replied plainly.
"There will also be a dance."
  "A DANCE?!" Kenshin spat. "But... but I can't go to a dinner party... let alone a dance!!"
  "Don't worry," Kaoru looked up at Kenshin calmly. "I told her you couldn't make it."
  "Oh, thank God," Kenshin sighed in relief as he sat back down and picked up his glass of
water. That had been close.
  "But I told her Kiyone would gladly come instead!" Kaoru smiled and busied herself with
her fish, but was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass as Kenshin's water fell from his hands
onto the floor.
  "You don't mean..." Kenshin's eyes were wide.
  "Yup, you're going. Tae's a very good friend! I can't say no to her."
  "But I can't..."
  "Sano's going too, so it's only fair."
  "I..."
  "Wow..." Yahiko grinned. "How's you get talked into that?" He turned to Sano, who had
remained quiet throughout the entire meal so far. "I feel sorry for you."
  "Free food," Sano shrugged and went back to eating.
  "I wouldn't start laughing yet, Yahiko," Kaoru stated sternly. "You are going as well."
  "NO WAY!" Yahiko gasped. "You can't make me!"
  "I can and I will!" Kaoru glared.
  "Give it up," Sano spoke up. "There's no way out of it and you know it."
  "But..." Yahiko's jaw fell open. Why was he agreeing so easily? He decided to try
something else. He turned to Kenshin. "You're not gunna let her get away with this, are you? She
already has you dressing in drag, you're not gunna let her push you around as well, right?"
  Kenshin remained still and silent, numb from the brain down. He stared blankly at the
broken pieces of glass on the ground in front of him.
  "I'll be in my room..." Kenshin trailed off as he stood up and walked out of the dining area,
his feet making soft thuds on the wood floor as he went. Even those faded eventually and all was
silent once again.
  "Well," Sano broke the silence abruptly, "I think that went well." He smirked as he took a
sip from his own glass of water.

 

--End of Part Three--

 


Author Notes: What will happen at the dance? Will anyone find out Kiyone's true identity? What
will happen to Kenshin's and Sano's relationship (or lack thereof)? Will Kenshin put up with Kaoru
ordering him around for much longer? Will the enemies ever attack? Will I ever do my math
homework again (instead of working on this fanfic)? All these questions will be solved...
eventually. Stay tuned! ^.^x