WHEN THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND YOU
CHAPTER 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin....all original characters/ideas are mine to claim.
AN: WAI WAI! THANK YOU ALL! I never thought that I would get such a huge response. It makes me so proud and so happy. *Sweatdrops* I didn't mean to make it sound like Hana Yori Dango. I decided to model Kenshin after my arrogant cousin. *Shh! Don't tell her I said that!* The school Kenshin goes to is a real school, only that it's a middle school and it's public. I should have used the name to my own school cuz it's private, but....it sounds ugly. *makes a face* THANKS AGAIN MINNA! This chapter is for all of you. (That is one LONG AN.....)
Warnings: Rated PG13
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- The First Day -
Kaoru hurried away, her cheeks heated with anger and embarrassment. Anger because of that arrogant jerk, and embarrassment because she had literally messed up on her first day.
The boy she had bumped into had been such a hunk. She had never seen anyone with his hair color before, and she most certainly had never met anyone who was as stuck-up. He did have the most peculiar eyes...if he hadn't been so pissed, she would have lost herself in them.
He had the strangest scar on his cheek too - cross shaped. She wondered how he had gotten that.
'Aaarrgh! What are you thinking about Kaoru? Who cares! He's such a loser!' She brushed a few strands of her black hair over her shoulder again. She hurried down the cobblestones toward the main gate.
As it was her first day at school, she would have thought that the students would have been friendlier. She hoped that not all of them would be like him. Come to think of it, she didn't even know his name. She sniffed in disdain: she found she didn't care. It was better if they never met again.
She had gotten all her textbooks and her schedule. She would start her first official day tomorrow.
The school halls were huge, and sparkling clean: well of course - it was a high-class private school, she should have expected as much. But she couldn't help but marvel at the cleanliness and the rich feeling. She wasn't used to that. She felt slightly out of place.
She finally found her locker, and managed to open it. She opened her book bag and proceeded to empty it of its contents. She froze when she realized: she was missing a book. She groaned. She probably dropped it accidentally when she bumped into him! With a sigh, she closed her locker and retraced her path to the front steps of the school where she had had her encounter with him. To her dismay, she found that her book was not there. That meant that that JERK had it.
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Kenshin closed the report, a slight smile on his lips.
How very interesting indeed!
Kamiya Kaoru was the eldest girl in her family at the age of 17, she had three siblings: Yahiko, Ayame, and Suzume. Her mother was gone, divorced from her father. Her father had lost his job as a kenpo teacher, due to some false rumors that had spread. They now lived in a simple house, close to town.
Being a poor family, Kaoru had gotten into Kojimachi Private High via grades, not money. That impressed him. Not only did she have a pretty head: she had a smart one too. He knew for a fact that transferring to Kojimachi was next to impossible with the type of exam they were asked to write.
Kenshin had gone there straight away after attending Kojimachi Middle Private High, so he hadn't had to go through that. As his uncle told him: you didn't have to be smart to get through life, it was better to be clever.
He yawned, stretching. His eyes wandered to her textbook. It was chemistry, the one class he hated the most. He had already failed it, and he hadn't been looking forward to taking it again.
The want for a cigarette pulsed through him suddenly. With a kick of his feet, Kenshin got out of the chair, jogging quickly to his Uncle's study again. "I'm going out." He called. "I'm gonna grab a pack of cigs."
"I thought you were going to stop." Hiko asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I am. When I feel like it."
"Hnn...."
It had been Kenshin's habit to tell his Uncle where he was heading. Not that his Uncle really cared, but he felt it was right to do so.
He stopped by the dining room on his way out, the long table laid ready and waiting for food to be served. "When I return, I want a traditional Chinese meal on the table!" He called. "And if I find one noodle burnt, tell the cook he's fired!"
With that, he exited the house, and the maids jumped to do his bidding.
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Kaoru came home late that day. She was tired. Not only had she had to walk because she stupidly forgot her bus fare at home, but she had had to go to work. It wasn't easy to survive on just her father's savings.
Yahiko looked up from his books as she walked in. She was nearly knocked over by the two little ones as they fought over who was to be the first to give her a hug. She scooped them both up, however weary she was, she didn't care: she loved them both so dearly.
"Kaoru, it's late." Her father said, his tone was disapproving.
She bowed slightly. "Yes, I know father. I won't do this again."
"See to it that you don't."
She hurriedly made dinner and put it out on the table, where the children instantly began to devour their food, squabbling over who got the biggest piece. She ran to take a nice long shower.
Her mind went through the day - she was up to the challenge of a first class school.
Her mood darkened when she remembered him.
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The next day dawned clear and bright. Instead of the cold bite to the air, a warm breeze blew. Kaoru walked with a spring in her step: so long as she could pass the day without any problems, she would be fine.
She found her first class, and poked her head in nervously.
The teacher looked up from his lecture and gave her a wide grin, beckoning her in.
The room hushed as she stepped to the front. All pairs of eyes were on her. She hated it when that happened. She especially disliked being the center of attention.
"Class, I'd like to introduce to you Miss Kamiya Kaoru. She is a transfer student here."
'Please don't make me say anything, please don't make me say anything.' She thought desperately. She wasn't all that thrilled to tell her new classmates about her life and their struggles. If she could keep that quiet, she'd be more than happy.
A few murmurs broke through the class. She heard some comments on looks, and other snide comments by boys. It made her cheeks heat. What made her angry was a voice that called out:
"So the wench has finally crawled out of her hole."
Who could mistake that voice! Her eyes instantly fell on the red haired cutie she had seen the other day. He gave her a smooth smile that would originally have melted any other girl. Unfortunately, Kaoru was not 'any other girl.' She glared.
The teacher continued, as if Kenshin hadn't made the remark. Instead, he coughed dryly and motioned for her to sit next to a wide-eyed, grinning girl. She was the cutest thing - she looked almost 12. Kaoru took the seat next to her, smiling back, as it was the only thing she could think to do.
"Hiya! My name's Makimachi Misao!"
"Well, I'm....I'm Kamiya Kaoru." Kaoru offered lamely. How stupid! Of course Misao would know: She had already been introduced to the whole class.
Misao didn't seem to care. "I hope you like it at this school. I wish it were lunchtime. I'm hungry."
Baffled by her constant whispering and switching from subject to subject, Kaoru offered another watery smile before turning her attention to the front of the class. The teacher had resumed a monotonous tone. She knew instantly that she'd have to drink more than one cup of coffee to make it through this man's class. She wondered if her love for history would die. The teacher was sure killing it.
She felt a poke at her right shoulder. Blinking, she turned around to see who it was. It was HIM. She nearly pulled out her hair.
"What do you want?" She hissed.
"I don't like you in my class." He answered.
"Big deal. Sue me." She retorted.
He glanced at his nails. "I could do that." He agreed.
"You're such a big headed freak, you know that?" Kaoru demanded, turning fully in her seat to face him. "I wished to God that I'd never see you ever again, but it looks like the fates are not on my side."
This girl really was strange. How dare she call him a big headed freak! He returned a frown. "The fates were never on my side - look, I met you."
She growled. "Idiot."
Kenshin leaned forward in his seat, but before he could get any snide comment out, the teacher walked by. "Pay attention you two." He snapped. Kaoru felt her cheeks heat again. That moron! She called down every curse she could think of, silently, and turned to face the front of the class as rows and rows of heads turned to look at them with curiosity.
Misao followed her out, chatting happily, and offering to help her find her next class. Kaoru shyly agreed, glad to have made a friend. They chatted for a while, about subjects and classes. It was a relief to find out that they even had the same lunch.
"So, who is that arrogant loser who kept bugging me?" She asked. "He should honestly get a reality check. It's as if he thinks the world revolves around him."
Misao paled. "His name is Himura Kenshin. He's the richest guy in this school." She flipped her long braided hair casually. "He is very popular among the girls. He's got quite an attitude."
"I'll say!" Kaoru readily agreed.
"You don't want to mess with him though. One word can get you kicked out of this school if he wanted to."
"I've no intention of talking to that loser ever again!" Kaoru exclaimed, pushing open the twin oak doors leading outside roughly. She heard a thump and a moan. In surprise, she went to check what it was she hit. It wasn't a thing: it was a person.
Kenshin had just finished parting from Sano, who offered him yet another cigarette.
"I'm telling you, Sano, if you continue to give me cigs I'll never be able to break my habit."
"Aw, shit man. You know you want one. Just take the whole damn pack if you want." He held out a long arm, offering the box.
How tempting. Kenshin wanted nothing more than to reach out and stuff them in his pocket, but he turned his head. Despite what Sano said, he craved them, but he didn't want them. "Nah, it's okay. I'll take one. I'll be late for Saitoh-sensei's class for a bit though. I hope he doesn't rave on me."
"It's Saitoh-sensei. Of course he will." Sanosuke pointed out. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of someone. "Hey Kenshin, I'll hook up with you later. I gotta go talk with someone." He hurriedly excused himself and ran to catch up to a certain long - haired girl who had been dismissed from class.
"Hey Megumi, wait up!" He heard him cry. Megumi paid him no mind. If anything, she looked as if she wanted to break into a run.
Kenshin turned on his heel and made his way outside. His next class was in building C, where all the math and sciences were held. Knowing all the other students had gone to their respective classes, he leaned casually against the brick railing, behind the twin oak doors, and propped his foot up. He took a long pull, this time relishing in it. His mind was on what he was going to do to that Kamiya girl. It amused him to no end to bother her.
Just as he was about to take another pull, he looked up to see the big oak door coming at him at full speed. In his hazy mind, due to the cigarette, he didn't react fast enough and was hit so hard, he almost fell over the railing. He dropped his cigarette, moaning.
"Oh my god!" He heard. He shook his head, trying to clear it. He swore he could see little stars.
"Are you oka - " The voice paused. "Oh, it's you."
Through the fog in his head, and the searing pain, Kenshin recognized that voice. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He cried, trying to get to his feet.
"Himura-san, are you okay?" Misao cried, helping him up. Kenshin felt his throbbing forehead, and felt a sticky fluid. When he glanced down at his hand, he saw blood. This enraged him.
"Why the f**k are you barging all over the school for?!" He cried.
Kaoru saw the blood and felt instantly bad. Even if he was a jerk, she had hurt him enough to bleed. "I didn't know you were behind the door." She protested, taking out her handkerchief. She stepped forward to wipe off the blood, but Kenshin stumbled away, turning his head.
"Don't touch me you bitch." He growled. "This is the second time you've pissed me off."
Feeling a bit miffed, Kaoru argued. "Well, it's your fault too you know!"
Kenshin turned around slowly. "What did you say?" He demanded. How dare she! He wanted to throw a tantrum. "I was not the one who slammed the door into you. The least you could have done was apologize!"
"I'm trying to help you, you freakin' moron!" She yelled. "But you won't let me touch you."
Misao watched the whole argument with big eyes. She felt so out of place. She didn't know whether or not to side with Kenshin or Kaoru, so she decided to keep quiet.
Kenshin rubbed at the bump morosely, shooting her a glum look. "Look what you did, you made me lose another cig."
"I told you before - you shouldn't be doing that anyway. And who's stupid enough to smoke behind a damn door? And you call me an idiot!" She spat.
Kenshin snarled. "That pretty head of yours doesn't go well with you attitude."
"And your big head matches yours pretty well!" She flung back.
"I swear to Go - " Kenshin started to say, but Kaoru hunched her shoulders, and straightened her books.
"IF you will excuse me Himura-san, I am going to be late for my class." She rigidly walked away, her head held up high, her ponytail swishing. "I have no time to argue with a stupid jerk like you."
Stupid jerk! What did she mean? Kenshin groaned, feeling his head spin. He nearly stumbled and fell, but Misao caught him. "Himura-san, are you okay? Let me help you into the nurse's room."
Kenshin pulled his arm out of her grasp. "I'm fine. Don't touch me." He snapped. He walked away, muttering. If that bump grew bigger, he'd have to kill her. She had done it again: this was the second time that she had made him drop his cigarette, and he once again, had not been able to take another pull. He grumbled, and made his way to the nurse's room.
Kaoru on the other hand, walked away rapidly. So she had made a mistake, and she had admitted to it. He didn't have to act so high and mighty. She remembered Misao's words, "You don't want to mess with him though. One word can get you kicked out of this school if he wanted to." She sighed. She wished they hadn't gotten off on the wrong foot.
She pushed open the door to her chemistry class. At this rate, she'd never be able to get her book back from him. Her teacher was a tall man, thin and gangly with the eyes of a wolf. From where she stood, she could tell he smoked. The smell was suffocating. His eyes, however, scared the wits out of her, as they glared. "Late on your first day, Kamiya-san?"
Kaoru bowed slightly. "I'm sorry sir, I had trouble....."
"That's what your first day was for." The teacher rudely interrupted. "You were supposed to have found your classes yesterday."
"Yes, Sir, I know, but that's not what I - " She didn't have the chance to finish her sentence.
"Look, you've wasted time as it is, so don't waste it any more. Unless you wish to introduce yourself, then take a seat."
Pissed, Kaoru scanned the room. Misao didn't have that class, so unfortunately, she could not find a soul to sit beside. Every other seat was taken. She got a few sympathetic looks from other girls, and finally a boy with thick glasses motioned for her to sit down in one of two empty desks. Gratefully, Kaoru took the proffered seat and took out her pencils and pens.
It took a few moments for the class to settle down, before the teacher could resume his lecture. Chemistry, being one of Kaoru's favorite subjects, was much more interesting than history. At least this teacher had her full attention. Her attention was disrupted when the door to the room flew open a couple of minutes later.
"Himura! This is the second time this week you've been late for class!" The teacher snapped.
"Oh I'm so sorry." Kenshin retorted sarcastically.
"Take your seat!" He ordered.
Kenshin actually clammed up and made his way.....to the seat next to Kaoru. He paled, and then he flushed with anger. "What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"Same thing you are, stupid! I'm in this class for chemistry."
He seemed to ignore her as he frantically cried out, "Saitoh-sensei, I refuse to have her in this class!"
"You refuse, eh?" Saitoh asked, raising an eyebrow over one of his yellow eyes.
Kenshin glared at Kaoru who glared right back. "If she stays here, then I'm leaving!" he announced.
Whispers began again.
"Would you just take your seat Himura!" Saitoh bellowed. "As much as I don't like you, you've failed my class once. I don't want to have you in my class next year!"
Kenshin breathed heavily. He didn't like Saitoh either, and was dying to finish the course so he'd never see his sorry ass again. But now...he reluctantly took his seat. How very uncomfortable.....
He couldn't help but glance at her. She paid him no mind whatsoever. All the other girls were staring at him as usual, but she pretended he didn't exist.
Not liking the way she brushed him off so easily, and used to having all the attention, he swore beneath his breath. He decided that two could play that game.
He couldn't help but notice though....
She smelled like Jasmine....
Kenshin snapped back to the real world as he heard Saitoh say, "Now, pair up with the person next to you: you have a major assignment to work on and hand in. It's due in two weeks."
Shocked, Kaoru and Kenshin looked at each other.
There was no way.
No way in the world.
To Be Continued.....
AN: Well, there you go guys! The next chapter! Hee hee... I wanted to portray Kenshin as an arrogant ass only cuz he's such a pushover in the actual anime. I also wanted to experiment with it. Please tell me if I should continue. I absolutely loved your reviews guys. The next part will go up if I get the same response. I have been in and out of the hospital this past week. I'm glad to have come home to your reviews and I wrote this right away. See what reviews do? *grins* I'll be back at the hospital on Monday - I am only hoping for the same response.
CHAPTER 3
(Home)
(WTWRAY)