CHAPTER 5
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin....all original characters/ideas are mine to claim.
AN: Ah, well, I read somewhere that Soujiro was just another way of depicting Okita. Kinda like Okita's "reincarnation". ^^; I hope I didn't get it wrong. Mail me if ever! [email protected] okay? I love e- mail!
Warnings: Rated PG13
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- Pictures -
Sano cocked his head in confusion. "So what did you do?"
Kenshin shrugged innocently. "Nothing!" He paused. "Well, okay, so I had a little arts and crafts escapee."
His friend raised an eyebrow. "Arts and crafts?"
"A little cutting and pasting."
"May I ask what exactly it was you cut and pasted?"
Once again, Kenshin feigned innocence. "Pictures."
"Of?" Sano prodded.
"Myself."
It was true: When Kaoru had recovered from her shock at Kenshin's sudden kindness, she thought that perhaps they could at last be the friends she had hoped them to be. When she opened her textbook though, she was mortified.
He had made a collage on almost every single page. He had cut and pasted numerous photos of himself onto each page and although she had to admit he looked really good - they were glamour shots and must have cost a bundle - she was very unhappy with the way he had decorated her textbook. And of all the pictures to stick in - how conceited!
(AN: Those things DO cost a bundle! A friend of mine got them done, it cost her almost $700 US - and for a bunch of pictures! Jeez!)
Her shriek had pierced through every hallway in the school. She was pissed - so he had played her for a fool - she'd get him back, she promised.
Kaoru flung the book into her locker, grabbed her coat and bag and stormed out of the school. In her brooding, she missed the bus. Her father would get mad again, all due to that jerk.
She cursed beneath her breath and hoisted her bag a little higher onto her shoulder. A polite cough made her freeze. A familiar voice spoke. "A good afternoon. Again."
She turned to see Akira smiling at her. She wanted to melt under that gentle smile. "It's quite late Kamiya-san. The sun is already setting."
Kaoru found her voice. "I know. I had...something I had to do."
"I see."
"How about you, Kiyosato-san?"
Kiyosato smiled. "I had track, then the council committee."
Kaoru was surprised. "On the council committee? That means you're exceptionally smart."
Kiyosato flushed. "No, I'm nothing compared to you - you did manage to get into this school with flying colors on your exam after all." He smiled down at her, as she was a good foot or so smaller than he. "Why don't you join the committee? It may be a lot of work, but it's fun and worth it."
She thought it over. "I'll see about it." She promised. "I was actually thinking of joining the Kendo team."
Akira nodded. "You'd excel in that field. I used to be on that team, but I quit."
Kaoru didn't press the subject because Akira seemed more than upset about it. It was his business and it wasn't her place to go poking around it. She mustered up the courage to give him a smile.
At that moment, the bus came to a screeching halt in front of them.
Ever the gentleman, Akira allowed Kaoru to go first. She gracefully went ahead, and took the only available seat next to a sour-looking woman and a drunken man, whom she could smell from where she sat. She wanted no more than to hold her nose, but that was rude.
But she did jump when she felt the drunk man's arm encircle her shoulders. His putrid breath was disgustingly warm on her cheek and she tried to shy away, suppressing her want to smash the guy in. Before he could speak to her, Akira was there - he was bristling.
"Excuse me sir, what do you think you're doing?"
Gratefully, Kaoru looked up at him. She was amazed at his politeness, despite the fact that he was upset.
The drunkard quickly retreated his arm, scowling. "What's it to you boy?"
Akira took Kaoru's hand gently, ignoring the man and helping her out of her seat. "Come Kamiya-san."
When her stop came, she was surprised to see him get off too, once again taking her hand and helping her down the steps. Her blue eyes met his questioningly. His smile made her feel warm. "I'll walk you home." He offered. She nodded, liking the feel of his hand in hers.
The sun had already sunk low into the sky, casting a sullen look to the town below it. It was an average town, where most students from the local high school lived. The houses were small, inches apart in their lots. Laundry hung from lines in various backyards, some lingerie hanging outside in various others' windows.
Akira took this all in, wondering what Kaoru was possibly doing going to such a drab part of town. It looked so....homely. He held his lips together though, not wanting to offend her by his question. He was surprised again when she stopped outside of a common house, whose front bushes were so overgrown, the house could hardly be seen.
The front walkway had cracked cement, and a few weeds poked here and there in the small garden. A few broken flowerpots were flung precariously on the front steps. The house was badly in need of paint.
Kaoru turned to face him, her face glowing. "Thank you, Kiyosato- san." She hesitated, seeing his bewildered expression, before asking uncertainly, "Would you...like to come in?"
He felt as if something had hit him in the back of his head. "Ah...no thank you Kamiya-san. I wouldn't want to intrude today without future notice. Perhaps some other time."
Kaoru couldn't help but feel secretly relieved. "Okay....um...please take care on your way home. And thank you again."
He gave her a small courteous bow, not the exaggerated ones Kenshin liked to give, but a friendly one. "You're welcome." And with that, he retreated back down toward the bus stop.
She, on the other hand, went into her house. Her father was in the back room, training.
"I'm home." She called.
She welcomed the little ones into an embrace as they came out to give her hugs. Yahiko looked up from his books briefly before burying himself into them again.
Her father came out, a stern look on his face. "You were to come home early." He reprimanded.
Kaoru winced. "Forgive me, father. I had some business to attend to."
Her father had always been strict, especially to the girls. He felt it his place to keep all his children in line and obedient. Although she found him suffocating at times, she loved him nonetheless. She found dinner was already made, ready for eating.
It was at dinner time that she proceeded to tell her family about lunch at a classy restaurant. She left unsaid the walk home with Akira.
"Just do your best." Her father was telling her. "Someday, we'll be out of this town. When I get students again, we will move."
Kaoru nodded. She made herself a promise this time: she'd work hard in school to help her family out. They badly needed it.
Their meal that day: Miso soup, rice, pickled vegetables and fish....
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Kenshin slammed his chopsticks down on the table. "You call THIS a meal?" he cried, shoving the full plate of Yakisoba (thick noodles fried with vegetables) and Ishikari-nabe (salmon and vegetable stew with miso and butter) away.
"I don't want a bunch of grease! Give me something else and throw this disgusting array of STUFF out!"
The butler standing next to him merely bowed and whisked the plate away.
Kenshin sat down with a huff, running his hands through his flame red hair. Lately he had been picky about the food he ate, and even more so now that he had committed himself back into kendo. He couldn't understand why he could never get a decent meal.
Things that satisfied him were few, and he was constantly looking for something new to latch onto. But after a while, even that seemed boring. He planned to take a vacation to Florida at the semester break and try some surfing. He had only done it once and he was eager to do so again.
The thought alone soothed his edgy nerves and he began to eat the new plate of food, hastily swallowing every bite. Right afterward, he hopped up the stairs two by two to finish some homework.
As he flipped open his chemistry textbook, he was reminded of Kaoru. He snickered to himself. She deserved it for all those nasty comments she made of him. She thought she was everything in his presence. He would show her she was nothing.
He picked up his pencil and began to write down the first equation when someone opened the door.
"What is it?" Kenshin asked, not bothering to look up from his work.
"It's time to train." His uncle's deep voice commanded.
Kenshin sighed. "Can't you see I'm busy?" He demanded.
"Get your ass over here right now." Hiko growled. "Whether you like it or not, you must."
Kenshin sighed again. "Fine." He answered smugly. He got up and picked his sword, which hung by his desk, up.
His father had been from a long line of samurai, and had undergone training with his Uncle. It was his dying wish for Kenshin to learn as well - to keep the tradition. His Uncle had taken the responsibility to teach him. Kenshin liked the art, but at the present moment, his mind was focused elsewhere. He almost missed his Uncle's attack and dodged it just in time, trying to parry it.
"Too slow." Hiko murmured. "What's wrong with you today?"
"I'm tired." Kenshin replied. "I can't think straight." Actually, he wanted a cigarette.
The elder man shook his head. "You had better start thinking straight because I'm not going to go easy on you."
He delved into another attack, and Kenshin smoothly parried it, countering with one of his own. They continued their little training session for almost two hours before Kenshin disgracefully ended up as a heap on the floor.
"That's all for today's lesson, you stupid pupil." His Uncle called over his shoulder. He just loved to end lessons by embarrassing his nephew, and to his greatest delight, his nephew was always irritated by it. Already he saw Kenshin's face was red with both anger and embarrassment, matching his red hair almost perfectly.
Already sore from the kendo training earlier, Kenshin groaned, getting to his feet. Humility was just not his stuff. Feeling drained and very tired, he ignored his want for a cigarette and returned to his chambers, ready to flop on his bed.
His personal maid would not hear of it though, pushing him into the shower and telling him to relax.
The hot water was on, filling his elaborate tub with steaming liquid. Kenshin cursed in his mind - they wanted to scald him! He felt like his skin would melt as he slipped in after showering, until only his head remained unsubmerged. After a while, his body numbed, and his muscles uncoiled themselves in pure bliss. The hot water made him want to fall asleep, and he almost did, had not the maid walked in.
"Young Master, you have been in here for quite some time."
Kenshin's eyes snapped open. "What are - " He sputtered, cowering away as she came over with a towel. He did his best to cover himself. Reaching out, he grabbed the towel from her, rising and wrapping it around himself quickly.
The shock in the change of temperature made his knees wobble and he slumped forward slightly. The maid cried out and held up him.
Recoiling from her cold touch on his still-warm skin, he growled. "What do you think you're doing, walking in on me like that?"
She ran her fingers nervously through her hair. "You've been in here for more than two hours." She told him. "I was worried."
"I know better than to drown myself." He said irately. He chided himself - he would have had she not come to his rescue. How embarrassing! He was blushing furiously as he grabbed another towel and began to towel himself dry, all the while keeping an eye on her.
She smiled, noticing his blush. "Sir, I've been with you since you were a boy. It's not like I've never seen - "
"-Don't even start!" Kenshin said menacingly, turning a deeper shade of red. She giggled as he stormed past her, and into his bedroom. He hurried into his pajamas before she could enter the room after him.
A butler walked in 5 minutes after, handing him a tall glass of milk and a few pills, reminding him that the vitamins were very important. Kenshin took the vitamins and the milk wordlessly, plopping down into a chair before swallowing the two, as the maid began to comb out his hair.
He leaned back, closing his eyes. He felt like he had never been so tired in his life. His head was spinning and it was all he could do not to fall asleep in the chair. "Nakamura-san...." He mumbled. "....I want a cigarette."
"Those things aren't healthy. You should quit while you can." She told him, pulling at a red strand roughly. She had never been happy when he started the habit two months ago. "You told me you would quit."
"I'm trying." He managed to sigh. He winced when she tugged viciously at another strand of hair. Irritated, he tried to turn his head. "You'll give me split ends!" He cried.
"It's too long anyway. You should cut it." Nakamura told him.
He took his hair out of her hands and pushed away. "No thanks. I'll keep it the way I want it. You and that damn Kamiya girl - thinking you can tell me what to do. Get out of here!" He cried.
Nakamura stared at him, shocked. He was glaring at her, his face flushed with fatigue and his eyes fierce with anger. "All you people treating me like I was some kid - well I'm not! You can all just rot in my face because you're nothing more to me than mere servants! And I - I'm a somebody!" His hands were clenched tightly at his sides as he jumped up from his chair. "So watch what you tell me, because I control what will happen to you!"
She slapped him, making his head ring. He stumbled backward, almost as if he were drunk, and dizzily clutched onto his bed. He was more than upset; he was very confused. It wasn't the first time Nakamura had hit him, however, she had never before slapped him across the face. His eyes stung with tears as he turned to face her.
"You've become nothing but a spoiled brat Young Master! You deserved that. I hope you will think about what you just said." She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
His first thought was to throw a temper tantrum, but he was just so tired, even the pain from her slap seemed to be coming from far away. His vision swam again and he fell onto his bed, curling himself into a small ball, tears falling down his face. He hated everything. He hated everyone. Sleep claimed him, and blackness took over.
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The next morning, his body felt cramped. He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease his muscles out. His face was stiff with dried tears and he found himself tucked comfortably under the covers. With a gasp, he sat up in bed.
The last night was still fresh in his mind, making him feel both guilty and upset. He wanted to apologize to Nakamura-san for what he had said, and he blamed that all on Kamiya. Things had been much better before she walked into his life. After knowing her for 2 days, it was torture.
He started when Nakamura entered, holding his ironed uniform and put it on the bed. "I see you're awake." She told him stiffly.
He licked his lips nervously. "Ano...about the other day...." He fumbled with his blanket. "I'm really sorry." He finished quickly. He didn't know what else to say. He couldn't look her in the eye.
"I'm glad you are." She told him. "Now hurry and dress. You'll be late for school."
He did so obediently, ate a quick breakfast, and was driven to school. He was one of the first to arrive, and was greeted cheerfully by some fellow students and teachers. He greeted them back, not with the amount of cheer but with his usual haughtiness. He had made up his mind never to talk to Kamiya again. She wasn't worth his time, even if he hadn't paid her back fully for his bruised pride.
He met up with Amakusa, who was leaning against his locker, waiting.
"Took you long enough." Amakusa said getting up. He smirked. "The bump has gone down I see."
Kenshin shrugged, fingering the tiny lump on his forehead. "Yeah, I got her good for this." He said.
"What will you do next?" His friend asked.
"Nothing." Kenshin told him. "I just can't stand her. I won't bother to waste my time."
"Nothing?" Amakusa practically choked. "You're not the type to let things hang loose."
Kenshin shrugged. "I guess it's because I can kick her out whenever I please to." He said tiredly. "If she pisses me off some more, you can be sure I'll do that."
Amakusa was about to slump against the locker once more, when he caught sight of Aoshi and Sano, entering the building. They were so totally opposite of each other. Before Kenshin could say anything to either of them, Sano began.
"Don't look now, guys. Kiyosato's coming in with Jou-chan." He jutted his thumb over his shoulder, to reveal a laughing Kaoru, holding onto Akira's arm. He was poised gentlemanly, as he even carried her schoolbag for her.
"That's awfully familiar of him to do so." Amakusa said thoughtfully.
Kenshin brooded. He had no idea why he was so suddenly jealous. So what if Kaoru was hanging all over Akira......
So what.....
So what....
Sano passed a hand in front of his best friend's face. Kenshin seemed almost like he was stoned. His eyes had suddenly changed into a blue that was colder than Aoshi's. This was the first time Sano had ever seen him that pissed.
"Oi - are you okay?" He demanded.
Kenshin snapped out of it. "What?"
"Are you okay? You just spaced out on us."
Kenshin forced a smile. "I was just thinking that Kiyosato's going to have a hard time if he decides to date that girl."
"They do look good together." Aoshi murmured.
Kenshin almost hit him. "I don't care if they look good together or not!" He cried. "I want Kamiya to suffer the most do you hear me! I'm going to do everything I can to make her life here a miserable hell."
Amakusa raised his eyebrow at the boy's sudden reaction. "I thought you said you weren't going to waste your time on her."
"Well I changed my mind!" He cried, "I'll see to it that she falls for me, and when she does, I'll leave her stranded in the middle of nowhere."
With that, he stormed away, his friends closely following behind him.
They rounded the corner in time to see what happened.
Kaoru had just finished saying goodbye to Akira, thanking him for walking her to school. What a surprise it had been to meet up with him again that day in the bus. He had so graciously offered to carry her backpack too, and she just couldn't resist his politeness. She marveled over how Kenshin and Akira could be so....different.
Her morning had started off so good, she hoped that the rest of the day would be the same.
She shouldn't have had such high hopes.
She opened her locker, tugging at the lock that had decided to be stubborn. As she finally managed to get it off, the locker door swung open and a book fell, hitting her sharply on the head before it clattered to the floor.
Kaoru stumbled back, gasping in a moan and clutching her head with her hand, she paused for a second, before going to retrieve her fallen book. It was the chemistry textbook that had been returned to her the previous day.
It had opened to the front pages, Kenshin's pictures making up the whole page. She reached out to close the book, disgusted at seeing him again. Although she rather liked his image, she hated his guts.
She looked up when someone else picked up the book, taking it away from her reach. She heard a disgusted sniff and saw a rather tall girl, with jet black long hair that fell down almost reaching the end of her skirt, standing over her, the book in her hands.
She flipped through the chemistry text, looking at all the pictures. Her friends looked over her shoulder with her. Suddenly, she slammed the book closed.
"What is this?" She asked Kaoru.
Kaoru scrambled to her feet, smoothing out her uniform as she did so. "That's uh.....my chemistry textbook." She said rather pointedly. Wasn't it obvious from the front cover? She reached out to take it, but the tall girl kept it out of her reach.
"It doesn't look like one to me." She flipped the book open again to the first page, indicating the rows upon rows of pictures. "Why do you have pictures of my Ken-san in your book?"
Confused, Kaoru noted the way the girl possessively said "my". It was almost as if she owned Kenshin, and no one else had the right to even glance at him.
"I didn't put those in there." Kaoru tried to word herself properly.
"Reeaally......" The girl asked, stretching out the word. "Well, it looks like you have." She flipped another page, feasting her eyes on yet another picture of Kenshin, his top off, but he was hugging his torso from the camera. "Tell me," She paused, glancing at the name, "Kamiya-san, are you very familiar with Ken-san?"
Kaoru felt herself blush. What kind of a question was that? "No! Of course not!"
"It seems like it."
Kaoru felt her anger burn. This girl was pissing her off, accusing her without letting her have a chance to explain herself. The girl carried herself with grace and authority, looking down on her as if she were someone smaller than her. A sweet smell of perfume enveloped the figure, and she used a carefully manicured nail to turn the page again.
"Look, you have no right to go through my things. Would you please just give - "
"-Oh, on the defensive side all of a sudden are we?" The girl sniffed. She suddenly slammed the book closed. "Who do you think you are slapping pictures like this in here?" She cried. "And you aren't even familiar with him!"
"I told you already." Kaoru growled. "I didn't." It took everything she had to control her patience. She wanted nothing more than to rip her pretty face off.
Her friends frowned. "Kamiya-san, you sure think you're something, coming into this school and taking such daring photos of him." One said. "You better be careful."
Kaoru was shocked. Of all the things to be accused of! Heat made a tinge of color flush over her pale cheeks and nose. "What are you talking about!!!! I have no interest in Himura-san at all! He's the most pompous arrogant jerk I've ever met!"
The girl stiffened at her comment. "Never make fun of my Ken-san like that do you hear me!"
"Or else what?" Kaoru asked.
"Or else you'll regret it." The girl said. "I, Takani Megumi will not allow you to take him. If Ken-san belongs to anyone, it's me."
Kaoru wanted to slap her silly, and she was about to say something snide but Megumi turned her heel, "Watch out, Kamiya-san. If I find out you make any moves on him, you'll answer to me." She gave a high pitched annoying laugh, dropped the book to the floor again, and left, her friends casting Kaoru dirty looks.
'Rich people are officially strange.' Kaoru thought, picking up the book. She'd have to buy herself a new one, since he had ruined it enough. She sighed. That would make a nice hole in her pocket.
Misao came running up to her. "G'morning Kaoru!" She called.
Kaoru turned around with a confused look on her face, placing the book securely back into her locker. "Oh, hi Misao."
"I see you've met the slut queen." Misao said sourly, glancing over her shoulder at the disappearing figure of Megumi with contempt. Her hair was done in a single black braid, falling down her back. "I don't like her at all. She just thinks she's everything."
Kaoru offered her a watery smile. "It seems that I can do nothing more than make enemies in this school."
"Cheer up!" Misao offered. "It's only your second official day at school. You'll make more friends, trust me."
She nodded, pleased with her friend's enthusiasm.
Sanosuke narrowed his eyes. "Megumi still has the hots for you?" He demanded of Kenshin.
Kenshin shrugged. In all honesty, he thought Megumi was the slut queen that Misao called her. He had done everything he could to stay away from her, but she was more than a leech, sticking herself to him whenever she could. He didn't hate her, but he like her either. Unfortunately, he couldn't kick her out of the school - she was the daughter of the principal.
He knew Sano liked her, and felt sorry for him; she treated him so badly. More than once, he had tried to help him out by suggesting his name to her, but Megumi acted as if the poor guy didn't exist.
However, Kaoru's little 'fight' with her was rather interesting. He had never seen catfights before. He wondered how good a fight Kaoru would put up. He walked to class, tucking his history book under his arm and bidding his friends goodbye.
Kaoru gave him a death glare as he walked past her. He could practically feel her aura coming out to touch him.
"What's your problem?" he asked, unable to help himself.
"MY problem!" She cried, turning in her seat. "Why do you have to make my life a living hell?"
Kenshin blinked innocently. "I did no such thing!"
"Yes you did!"
"I believe you started the arguing today Kamiya-san." Kenshin pointed out.
"You're the cause behind it!" She cried.
"I am not!" He protested.
"You are too!" She shot back.
"Do tell me why." He said, a smile lighting his face.
Kaoru scowled. "You're so arrogant, sticking your pictures in my book."
Kenshin smoothed his hair back. "I know. I like them, don't you?"
Kaoru made a face. "N-no. I don't." She said. So she did, but still.....
He caught her falter and his smile grew bigger. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist him. "Oh, that's too bad." He said, sticking out his tongue. "Every other normal girl would."
"Are you saying I'm abnormal?" She demanded.
"And ugly." He pointed out.
Her face reddened. "Look who's talking ugly! I thought I'd die when I saw your face."
Hurt, Kenshin swallowed. First, she had called him a girl, then she had openly admitted that he was ugly. His fist clenched, and he wanted to hit her, but the bell rang, and the teacher walked in, telling them to stand for roll call.
She ignored him for the rest of the class, and he brooded silently. He would have to figure out her weak points to really get to her.
In chemistry, she sat down next to him without a word.
"So nice of you to say hi." He muttered.
"I'm not talking to you." She told him.
"But you just did." He pointed out.
"Shut UP Kenshin!" She yelled. Saitoh-sensei stopped his lesson, his hand half-way raised to the board, chalk in a clean white gloved hand. He had half a mind to throw it at the couple.
The whole class stared at them, wide eyed.
Kaoru caught the reason why and gasped.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the friends who were with Megumi start talking behind their hands. Almost simultaneously, the class began to do the same. Whispers on how Kaoru was so familiar with Kenshin on her second day spread like wildfire.
Saitoh smirked at her bewildered, embarrassed look. He spoke up, his voice amused. "Kamiya-san, do keep your.....intimacies outside of this class."
She couldn't believe her ears. "Sensei!" She gasped.
"We're not like that!" Kenshin protested.
"Sure." Saitoh nodded, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now if you'd both just shut up, I'm teaching. Himura, you stay after school."
"ME!? What for?!" He cried.
"Because I don't like you." Saitoh answered indifferently. "If you don't show up, then it MIGHT affect your grades." He shrugged with a smirk on his face.
Kenshin glared, as the class began to whisper amongst themselves again. Kaoru snickered under her breath at his predicament, and he heard it. Yet another wound to his pride. He knew he should have kept his mouth shut.
He was quite surprised to see Kaoru in his gym class as well. Why did this always have to happen to him? The sensei was positively beaming when he saw his best student walk into the class.
"Oh, Himura! I'm so glad you're here today. I would like to ask you to teach some moves to the class."
Kenshin nodded, arrogantly picking up his bokken and striding to the front of the class. He loved it when all eyes were on him, and he especially liked the sighs coming from the girls.
Kaoru watched him, hating the way he thought he was everything. She wanted to tell all the girls to be quiet - didn't they see what a jerk he was? However, when he executed the first move, she watched in fascination. He was good. No...he was more than just good. He was awesome.
She found herself getting swept away by his graceful movements, his red hair flying and his actions smooth like water. She found that he was serious when it came to the art of the sword, and his aura drew her in, dancing with her, hugging her close. She felt her heart begin to beat wildly.
It was as if no one else was in the world, except for Kenshin and herself. He was so different from the arrogant jerk that she knew. Instead, he carried himself with honor and a gentleness that was firm, but strong. Protecting...caring....
When he stopped, the whole world came crashing in around her. The waves of clapping were loud in her ears, and she was confused. What on earth had happened to her? He was back to the Kenshin she knew, and she felt like crying. Why.....?
She heard the teacher congratulating him and heard him answering boldly and nodding. She heard her own teacher call her name out, and felt her hands break out into a sweat. 'Oh no.......' she thought desperately. 'I can't go up there now.....not after he did that.......' Nonetheless, she picked up her own bokken, trying to calm her jumbled nerves and stood up.
Kenshin turned around when he heard Kaoru's name get called. He didn't even have time to sit down before she began. His heart leapt to his throat for some reason. She was different from him when she began to execute her kata - she had a different style he noted.
Grace, strength and determination were compressed around her slim body, radiating from her and contesting with his aura. She spoke of boldness, not fear, calmness, and firmness. Pride and loyalty spoke to him, calling out to him to be close and to caress. His instinct did, liking the feel of her against him.
When she stopped, he realized what had happened. It was almost as if his very soul touched hers. Could it be.....that he liked her? No! He refused to believe that, and it churned his competitive juices when he heard the boys fawning over her and the girls clapping loudly for their fellow classmate.
Their eyes met.
A challenge.
As if the teachers could sense their need to face off, they began to insist that they spar. Now it really was just the two of them in the same world. Kenshin, however, dropped his bokken. For some strange reason.....he couldn't fight her.
"Himura?" His teacher called out.
"I'm sorry Sir, I'm not feeling well." He lied, not understanding his emotions.
"What are you, chicken?" Kaoru demanded, walking over.
"I said I'm not fighting okay." Kenshin answered evenly. She backed up when she saw his eyes turn to an ice-blue. What the heck was that about? "I don't feel well."
Kaoru shrugged, testing the dangerous ice. "When you do feel better, you have an obligation to me. We'll see who's better."
"It's obvious it is I, but very well, I will when I feel better." Kenshin answered haughtily.
She stuck her chin out smugly.
After school, she signed up for the kendo team, but she couldn't attend that day's practice. The sensei had been more than happy about the new recruit - and surprised as well - the first female student! This would make records in the school history of Kendo sport.
She made her way to her locker again, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of Akira. He had spoken with her again that day in biology, and she had made an agreement with him to meet him again the next day to walk to school. He must have been busy since she didn't catch him in the hallways or outside by the bus stop. She did however, bump into Kenshin.
Well, it was more like, Kenshin bumped into her. He seemed in a hurry to get from building C to building A after his detention from Saitoh- sensei.
"Watch it!" He cried, and then saw it was her.
"It was your fault this time Himura!" She scolded. "Honestly! Blaming me again!"
He paused. "Yeah well.....you're so fat, you always get in my way!"
Kaoru froze. FAT? So she didn't have the greatest body, but how dare he call her fat! "Why you stupid....."
Kenshin was pleased. So that was one sore spot, he'd have to touch on that some other time. He interrupted her. "Look, I'm in a rush, so I can't spend my time with a loser such as yourself, and a poor one to be exact." He said, turning around.
She actually hit him with her book. "Don't think I'm going to let you get away with that!" She cried.
"Oro!" he turned around, his eyes wide with surprise. It hadn't been a hard hit, but enough to make him flinch. "You just hit me!"
"Yes, I did, to knock some sense into you!" She told him. "I've got a lot on my mind already as it is, I don't need you crowding my head with other things. Trust me, killing you is at the top of my list."
Kenshin lifted his backpack higher onto his shoulder. "How interesting." He answered dryly.
"I'd kill you now had we not that project to do in chem." She pointed out. "However, we've got to finish it first. Let's finish that quickly so I can get around to slitting your ugly head off that neck, okay?" She asked.
He frowned. "Hmm.....we'll see who's head gets cut off first." He answered, rising to the challenge. "After school tomorrow, meet me by my locker." He said.
"Huh?"
He gave that annoying flourishing bow. "We'll go to my place, aren't you pleased?"
"Your place? Why on earth would I be pleased about that?"
Kenshin met her eyes. "When else would you have the honor to step into Japan's richest estate?" He asked.
Japan's richest estate.......she ended up going there the next day.
It was nothing compared to what she thought she'd find.
To Be Continued.....
AN: Hai! Done! Wow, that one took me long. Talk about a hard ending. A horrible cliffhanger again. I'm sorry. But anyways, Kaoru going to Kenshin's house - what new problems will happen now? *winks* Thanks to all my reviewers! Look for you name below okay? *takes a deep breath* here we go!
CHAPTER 6
(WTWRAY)
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