CHAPTER 8
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin......all original ideas/characters are mine to claim.
AN: THIS IS A KENSHIN AND KAORU FIC! PATIENCE MY DEAR REVIEWERS! Nothing makes me happier than to see this couple together. They're my favorite, as a couple of you already know from my reviews. Every story needs a conflict. I just decided on several of them! I can never leave you guys hanging. It's not fair. So here you go, the next chapter. A quick recap: Kaoru and Megumi get into a....cat fight?
WARNINGS: OOC - if you are a fan of Megumi, and are insulted by her character in this story, I apologize. I like Megumi a lot too and I don't have anything against her, but in this fic, I am using her as an antagonist. No flames, as you have been warned. Rated PG13 for language and violence.
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- The Problem Called Lunch -
Kenshin was so surprised to see an enraged Megumi storm up to Kaoru and shove her roughly against a locker.
Kaoru, on the other hand, had just finished parting with her friends and had been going to her locker for her text book for the next class. She hadn't been expecting the sudden attack.
Upset that she had let her guard down, she shook her head to try and clear it from the bright splotches she began seeing. Her head had been whacked so hard she wondered if there was any blood. Seeing Megumi scowling up at her, she asked groggily, "What.....?" Only to have a rough shove against the locker again, much to her dismay.
Other students in the hallway cried out, seeing such a violent display of behavior. It wasn't often that fight happened in the actual school, and even if one did, it hardly ever happened to a girl.
Kaoru grit her teeth as Megumi banged her head against the locker again and again. Trying to gather her bearing, Kaoru clumsily shoved Megumi off her quickly. Down the side of her face ran a small trickle of blood.
Kenshin was frozen into place. He couldn't believe his eyes. What on earth had caused the ever so refined Megumi to get out of control like that? Despite the fact that he wanted to go help, he also wanted to see what would happen.
"You stupid little bitch!" Megumi screamed. "Taking advantage of Ken- san like that!"
"A-advantage?" Kaoru cried. "What are you talking about?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about - Sanosuke told me how he saw the both of you all over each other on his bedroom floor the other day! How spiteful!"
Kaoru's face went bright red as the students around them began to talk amongst themselves.
"Look, Sano just......he doesn't even know what happened......" Kaoru tried to explain. "You see....."
Megumi waved off the explanation, her eyes blazing with fury. "I've told you before, tanuki, you can't be intimate with Ken-san without my knowledge. Don't even try to lie to me!" She slapped the smaller girl.
Kaoru turned her face at the smack, her left cheek stinging. She wouldn't stand for that. "I'm the bitch? Look at you, you jealous over- bearing IDIOT! At least if I ever had the courage to go after Kenshin I would tell it to his face. And what do you do? You hide behind your measly friends and try to act big and tough. Well touch this out!" She didn't slap back; she punched back.
Megumi reached out to pull at her hair, but Kaoru was quick: she had after all, undergone training. She backhanded the taller girl so hard, that she stumbled back a few paces, but charged at Kaoru who dizzily watched as the enraged girl locked her into a hold.
She felt a stinging pain course through her body, making all her limbs freeze. "Thought I couldn't fight, huh? Well, I am not practicing to become a doctor without knowing something about the body. I can break your spine into two if I wanted to."
The smaller girl summoned all her strength and used it to back flip leaning against Megumi to be able to do so, and managing to kick her in the jaw. Blood ran down Megumi's chin.
"I take your challenge Takani-san! I see that you're so headstrong there's nothing else that will work if I don't pound some sense into you."
They went full at each other, kicking, punching, scratching - only.....Kaoru looked a bit out of it. The continuous whacking on the head must have done something to her. She could have won, had that one problem not been in the way. While she was reflective and quick, Megumi was strategic and smart, having the poor 'tanuki' in her trap quickly.
As she pressed a nerve and was about to dislocate her arm, Kenshin came running up. Things were getting out of hand. Students were already starting to squeal listening to the sickening strain of muscle against bone, and had gone to get some teachers.
Sanosuke ran to the scene too, accompanied by Soujiro, Okita, and Aoshi. They cried out for the two to stop.
Kenshin merely threw Megumi off Kaoru, seeing that the poor girl could not struggle under her hold. "What do you think you're doing?!" He yelled.
Megumi, absolutely bitter, rushed to take her on again, ignoring the fact that Kenshin was shielding the girl protectively. His eyes had turned to a sort of amber color, his face set in a deadly calm. Sanosuke reacted quickly and grabbed her arms to pin her safely from Kaoru.
"Oi, Megumi, what's wrong with you?" He demanded harshly.
Megumi struggled against his hold. "Let go of me, you moron!"
Surprised, Sanosuke asked in hurt tones, "I thought you said that I was the only person you've been....."
"Well, you're a fool to have believed me!" Megumi snapped. "You're nothing but a boring, stupid, ugly-looking rooster, who can't do anything! You have nothing in that big head of yours except for a bunch of weeds and you stink! You smell like smoke all the time. You've got the dullest eyes I have ever seen, and I don't think you ever shave!" She spat. "If anyone is stupider than you, I have yet to see it! You actually fell for what I told you?" She laughed. "Oh, this truly is comical."
His face was crushed. Her spiteful words bruised him more than anything, and it was to the surprise of all when Kenshin came and slapped her. Nobody insulted his best friend like that. Nobody.
The whole hall fell quiet. Kenshin looked at his hand: the first time he hit a girl.......
Kaoru watched from the floor, dazed. Blood ran down her cheek, staining her uniform's white collard shirt. She wanted to get up, but her knees wouldn't let her: Megumi's first nerve-pinch had finally taken effect.
"I don't care if you're the daughter of the principal or not," Kenshin hissed, "but you are out of this school upon my word Takani. Nobody messes with my friends without coming to me first. You've just stepped on a rich man's toes: if I can wipe out the Tokyo Tech with one word, I can wipe you out just as quickly without having to say one."
Sanosuke was bristling. He had been played for a fool, and he had believed it: well, of course he would have: he was madly in love with her, and had been ready to believe anything she told him. But now, it broke his heart. He tried everything in his power not to cry.
Okita came up from behind him. "Let her go, Sano. Come on." He took the dazed Sanosuke out, leading him by the arm. "Come on, away from this place. I think you need a cig." He was saying, trying to get Sanosuke to forget what just happened. The boy reluctantly followed under his coaxing.
"Get out of my face" Kenshin whispered venomously, "and get out of my school."
Megumi turned paler and walked stiffly away, doubled over in pain: Kaoru sure knew how to deliver those punches.
As Kenshin turned to check on Kaoru, he was surprised to see a crowd of people around her already. He was about to push through them, but then he saw Akira, already doing so, frantically calling out her name. In the distance, he could hear locker doors begin smashed in: no doubt Sano.....
He decided to check up on his best friend, following the direction they had left, feeling absolutely horrible about leaving Kaoru alone with Akira.
Kiyosato picked Kaoru up gently. "Kamiya-san, I'll get you to the nurse's room quickly. Stay conscious on me."
"Should we call the police?" Misao asked worriedly, running along beside him.
"No, it isn't necessary at the moment." Akira told her.
"Kiyo...sato-san..." Kaoru mumbled. "I'm....f....fine."
"As if!" Misao cried. "Don't be stubborn, Kaoru, you have to get some ice." Akira couldn't have agreed more. She wasn't exactly the lightest, but he didn't really mind; he would carry her to hell and back if he had to.
Reaching the nurse's office, the young proprietress that owned it stood up. Seeing Kaoru in Akira's arm and the blood running down Kaoru's face, she quickly had them place the girl on the bed. "What happened?" She demanded, as he set her down on the white linen sheets next to an open window.
"There was a little misunderstanding, but it's not that important." He informed her, motioning to the bumps. "Please take care of this quickly. I hope she will not be in need of stitches?"
The nurse looked her over. "Stitches will not be necessary. She needs ice, bandages and some rest."
Throughout their administration, Kaoru had fallen into a shallow sleep, her consciousness fading from her grasp. She came awake to a slight stinging feeling that ripped through the fog of sleep.
Akira stood over her, watching her carefully, as he turned to replace the towel on her injured forehead. Her bright blue eyes looked upward and she winced.
"I'm glad to see that you've come to." He said, smiling.
"I....where am I? What happened?" She asked, raising herself onto one arm jerkily. Akira paled at her confusion.
"You don't remember anything? Is it amnesia?" He demanded. "If you don't remember, Takani-san and...."
"Oh yeah." Kaoru hissed. "I remember now." She winced again as Akira pushed her back into a lying position.
"Don't worry about her, Himura-san was able to tell her off. If it wasn't for him, you'd have......."
"He helped me?" Kaoru demanded, her cheeks flushing. "I didn't need his help! Now he's going to gloat over this for days!" She pushed off the white covers. "I'm fine now, thank you very much, Kiyosato-san. If I stay in here any longer, everyone will think I'm weak."
Akira nodded, liking her flair and her boldness. He took her hand, helping her out of bed. "I'll accompany you to class then."
He held her books for her, and they entered Hyougo-sensei's class together. He was in a bad temper and gave the whole class extra homework because of their tardiness. Tiredly, Kaoru took her seat next to an anxious Soujiro.
"Kamiya-san, are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm fine, Soujiro. Don't worry about it." She said, forcing a smile. Actually, she wasn't. Her head was throbbing so hard, she had to bite back tears of pain. Megumi sure had strength in those spindly arms of hers. She couldn't help but wonder what Kenshin had said and done to her.
Soujiro shook his head. "I heard what happened, and I just couldn't believe it....poor Sagara-san. I think he broke one of the oak doors in his anger."
Kaoru remembered that he had been upset, though vaguely. Soujiro was continuing. "Oh but how Kenshin was upset...." He caught himself before he could say more. He didn't want Kaoru to hear what he had been saying. He leaned closer to her.
"Na, Kamiya-san......could you help me?" He asked.
Kaoru turned her attention to his open text book. "Sure." She then realized that the book she was looking at wasn't biology: it was Physics. "Ano...Soujiro..."
He put his hands together in a gesture of apology. "I know. But that make-up assignment is due, and I am at a loss of how to figure out some stuff. You said that I could count on you, and therefore....."
"Let me guess, you'll pay me right?" She asked sarcastically.
Soujiro actually frowned. "Of course not. If you can't help me then that's fine."
"No, it's okay, I'm sorry." Kaoru said quickly, realizing she had hurt his feelings. "I'll help you. When would you like to work on it?"
His face brightened into its usual smile. "I'm so glad. How about tomorrow at lunch?"
"L-lunch?" She stuttered. She remembered she had a date with Akira the next day. "Lunch will be sort of...well, impossible....." She told him, shifting nervously. His anxious look fell, disappointment clouding his features. She hated seeing that look.
"I understand." He said quietly. "Maa, it's okay. I'll just try my best."
"Isn't there some other time.....?" Kaoru asked hopefully, "Like say, after school or....."
He shook his head. "After school, I have a couple of meetings to go to. I'm afraid I won't be able to work then, and that is why I was hoping to do so at lunch."
'Why can't you be selfish for once?' she thought to herself angrily, as she reached out and touched his arm. "Okay." She heard herself say. "We can do it tomorrow at lunch then, in the cafeteria."
His face broke into the disarming smile, genuine and pleased. She sighed inwardly. She'd have to cancel the date for the restaurant the next day.
Akira had been forgiving enough. He was always so kind. Instead of being disappointed, he nodded understandingly. "If you must work on something, then perhaps, we can go the following day at lunch?"
She grinned. "Thanks so much, Kiyosato-san. I'm really sorry it has to be pushed back, but I just wanted to help a fellow classmate. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience of everything, and I hope......."
He touched her cheek. "It is fine." He said gently. She closed her eyes. She found there was a warm feeling in her chest when he took her hand or carried her books for her, and when he spoke to her. It had changed from the queasy feeling she got around him to the peaceful feeling she had with Soujiro. Now it was changing into something else. Could it be: love?
"The Kimono is beautiful and I'm sure you'll grace it splendidly. I can't wait until I see you in it, Kamiya-san. You'll be stunning."
Kaoru blushed, looking up into his eyes. He bent down slowly and was about to give her a light kiss when Soujiro came up from behind him, coughing politely. "Kamiya-san," he said, darting Akira a glower, "if we don't hurry, we'll be late for Algeo."
She looked back at Akira, who straightened and bid her farewell, trudging off to his next class. She nodded. "Uh....sure, Soujiro." Good heavens, what in all the goodness of the earth had that been about?
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"Hey Sano, you okay?" Kenshin asked, tapping his best friend on the shoulder. His hands were red and swollen from having punched the wall too hard, too may times. His right hand was severely damaged, his skin cracked and bleeding having been used much more often than the left.
Sanosuke didn't answer, his face downcast. Kenshin didn't have to have Sano look up to see tears; they had been friends for so long he knew the taller boy by heart. He leaned next to the broken oak door, heaving a sigh.
"Megumi had no right to say that....." Kenshin murmured sympathetically. "I can't believe she said that about you....and used you so....I'm so sorry."
Sano still remained quiet, his breath coming in labored pulls. He had loved Megumi since middle school when he had first laid eyes on her. The whole world seemed to revolve around her for him, and he had wanted to be someone special in her life. To Kenshin, she had played hard to get for quite a long time, and it was time for Sano to move on.
His best friend didn't seem to care, continuing to pester her and try to get on her good side, and although they always ended up fighting, Sano still found it in his heart to forgive her. "I've just got to file in a report saying I don't wish her at this school anymore and you'll see the last of her. She'll be out of here in no time."
"I don't want that." Sano said quietly. He still didn't look up.
"But why?" Kenshin demanded. "That's the worst thing anyone can do - toy with emotions like that. You don't need that Sano. You deserve so much better. She didn't return your feelings - she used them!"
Sanosuke shrugged. "I don't care. If I can't see Megumi any more, I won't be able to live Kenshin. Despite what she's done to me, I still love her......"
Kenshin was about to respond, but he closed his mouth. After all, he had been willing to get rid of Megumi for Sanosuke, but if his friend didn't want that, then he couldn't disagree. He admired Sano for his strength. "All right Sano, she'll stay, but how can you ever trust her again?"
"I'll never give up." His friend said harshly. "She'll be mine one of these days."
Kenshin smirked. "Yeah, whatever. You're a nice guy, Sano. Had it been me, she'd have been gone."
"I know." Sano readily agreed. "It takes a lot more than what she said to break my heart, buddy. I'll show her who the man in charge is." He punched his fists together. Kenshin gave him a light shove playfully.
"That sounds more like you."
"And Kenshin....."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
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The cafeteria was bustling with students, laughing, talking or lining up for food. It looked like a colony by the way they were dressed the same.
The girls and boys sat huddled in their own separate groups, and sometimes, they were mingled with each other. The girls chatted about the guys, and the guys chatted about the girls. It was gossip city.
Kaoru and her own friends stayed in one little corner, talking about the events of the day.
"Kaoru-san, are you sure you're okay?" Magdaria asked gently. "I was so worried when I heard you were put in the nurse's office today on an account of a fight."
"I'm fine." Kaoru assured her. "Takani-san got it in her head to attack me. She thought I was playing around with Himura yesterday at his estate."
Tae blushed furiously. "Were you really?" She asked.
"NO!" Kaoru screamed. "Why would I? With him of all people? He's such a creep!"
"Oh but that means you met Hiko-sama.....isn't he just the greatest?" Okon asked dreamily.
Kaoru scratched at her cheek in annoyance. "Actually, he was so....arrogant. He may look cute, but he's the one that raised that annoying brat of a child, and for that, I can't forgive him!"
Omasu clapped her hands gleefully. "I have never met anyone who hated so fiercely before! But deep down, we know you like Himura-san."
Kaoru went bright pink. "I do not!" She protested.
"Suuure you don't." Misao rubbed in. "The way you two argue is positively adorable."
Tae smiled. "Oh, but Himura-san has competition for her heart: Seta- san and Kiyosato-san are after it as well."
Okon, Omasu and Misao grinned from ear to ear. They were pleased to see that Kaoru was getting along well with the boys at school, but were nonetheless jealous. They had to admit she was one gorgeous girl, but they wished that their dream men would notice them. Misao thought of Aoshi especially.
He had spoken with her only once, and that encounter had been a mistake. She mistook him for Magdaria's elder brother whom she had had to pass a message to for her. Amakusa hadn't been where Magdaria had promised he would be. Instead, she found the ice-cold Aoshi, casually looking over the school's fields nonchalantly.
She had grasped his arm, and turned him to look at her, and she had fallen completely in love. His startled look and amused smile captivated her heart. She had nearly died of embarrassment when Magdaria had informed her that it wasn't her brother at all.....how embarrassing indeed!
"T-they're just friends." Kaoru was insisting. "I don't understand why they would bother with me anyway. I'm just....."
Tae stuck out her tongue playfully. "Well, you're a very pretty girl, Kaoru."
"You should thank god that you have so many boys falling for you." Magdaria piped in.
Kaoru shook her head. "Mou! Would you guys please....."
"What's wrong with Kenshin?" Omasu demanded.
"He smokes." Kaoru said quickly. "I hate a guy who smokes."
"That's it?"
"And he's the most conceited, arrogant, insensitive jerk I've ever met. I meant what I said: if I ever find out that his company goes broke, I'll laugh. He needs the embarrassment."
Misao nodded. "Talking about embarrassment, I feel so sorry for Sagara-san. At least you won't have competition anymore Kaoru: Takani-san is no longer going to be at this school."
"That's good." Kaoru breathed, choosing to ignore the word competition.
"Think again, girls." A voice said, interrupting their musings. They all looked up to see Megumi glaring at them. "I'm not going anywhere."
They all swallowed.
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The next day at lunch, Kenshin nervously stepped out of his limo. Kamatari, his personal fashion designer had the sick thought of sticking him into a magenta colored yukata, with matching tabi. He wore a white hakama along with it. Kamatari had insisted that the color went well with his eyes. (Tabi = socks with split toe)
Kenshin had never felt so out of place before, and hadn't let Kamatari even touch his hair. Usually, his designer's clothing would be well chosen, complementing his beauty, but today...he could only wonder what Kamatari was thinking. If he let him touch his hair, it would be the end of the world.
The restaurant looked formidable from the outside, a low building with a traditional Japanese garden outside. There was even a koi pond, and a little bridge leading into the building.
Sakura trees that were not yet in bloom, surrounded the area, and it would have looked beautiful had the petals been falling.
He had never been there before, and so, felt a bit awkward. He wished he had gotten his friends to come along, but if he did that, then for certain they would tease him. He had told them that he wished to stay at home and eat, and he hadn't told them he'd be meeting with Tomoe.
He stepped nervously into the restaurant, taking a glance around. It was totally decked traditionally, including the sliding paper doors and the tatami. He even had to squat on the floor to eat! Wondering if he could pull this off, he stepped up to the attendant.
"Welcome to Kisoyas." He said formally. "How may I help you?"
Kenshin cleared his voice. "I have a reservation." He said.
The man eyed Kenshin's clothing before nodding. "Name please?"
"Himura Kenshin." He answered.
"Ah, yes, Himura-san. What an honor to have you here. Please, follow me." The man picked up a menu on his way and brought Kenshin to a room overlooking the garden. A woman opened the shoji for them, on her knees subjectively and bowed as he entered. Kenshin smirked: it was only right for women to grovel before him. (shoji: doors made of paper, or paper walls)
"Please enjoy your stay." She was saying.
The man led him to sit down at one of the low tables, where Kenshin sat down inelegantly, eyeing the chopsticks and the sake cups with distaste.
"Would you like music, Himura-san?" The woman asked.
Kenshin jumped. "Music?" He asked. The woman nodded. "No, thank you." He said, waving his hand. The woman left.
"Very well, are you expecting a visitor?" The attendant asked, politely.
Kenshin knit his fingers together. "Yes, actually I am. When Yukishiro-san gets here, can you please let her know I have arrived and have her escorted in?"
"Of course Master Himura." The attendant said, bowing. He left the room, and another two girls entered.
He felt so stupid sitting there cross-legged. He'd never done this except for in Kendo training, but even in that, he hadn't had to do so for very long. He was embarrassed as they eyed him from their position at the door, and giggled. How he wished he were in something different.
He was glad when they were interrupted by the sounds of feet approaching. "He's right in here." A voice was saying. "Please enjoy your stay."
The two girls opened the door and bowed low as Tomoe poked her head in. Her black hair was pulled back into its loose ponytail at the back of her head, and from the moment she entered, Kenshin could smell the white plums. Her black eyes fell on him, and she smiled softly.
He jumped to his feet. "Yukishiro-san!"
"Good afternoon Himura-san. It is good to see you again."
They bowed formally. She was wearing an off white kimono, a purple shawl hanging off her elbows loosely. A few patterns of yellow flowers were scattered here and there on the fabric and her simple obi made her look even more elegant. She carried herself with grace and practice.
Kenshin motioned for her to sit. "It's good to see you again too."
She faced him, as a menu was given to her. As they were selecting their meals, she looked up. "How were you able to get my cell phone number......?"
Kenshin blushed. "Ah, I looked it up, after you gave me your name....." He hoped she wouldn't think he was a stalker. "I-I wanted to talk with you again, and so...."
She returned her attention to the menu. "I see." She showed the waiter what she wanted and Kenshin hurriedly did the same, all the while keeping an eye on her.
"It is a beautiful place." She breathed in the fresh air coming from the garden. "I do like it so."
Kenshin grinned. "Really? I mean, that's good......"
"You are the son of?" She asked suddenly.
"Actually, I'm not the son of anybody. My parents passed away." She gasped.
"Oh I'm so sorry.......I did not mean to....."
"It's okay!" He waved it off. "I live with my Uncle. He - he owns a company."
Tomoe reached out and began to play with the leaves to the flowers on the table. "Which company?"
Kenshin swallowed. "The Mitsurugi Ryu Inc."
"Ah." She didn't seem to care, finishing with the flowers until the arrangement suited her taste. She leaned back to admire her handiwork. "You are wealthy then."
Once again, Kenshin feared to ask. "Does that repel you?"
"Not at all." She answered with that ghost of a smile. Heaps of food began piling in and the two began their meal.
Tomoe would start small amounts of conversation, and Kenshin found he had to answer her truthfully on every one. He was on his best behavior - if only his friends could see him now!
At the end of the meal, they had become good friends, and once or twice, he had managed to get a soft giggle from her. She was a well- refined, well-mannered person. Even the way she had held her chopsticks made him think so.
"Thank you for the meal." She told him, when he was ready to pay the bill. She had insisted to let her pay for at least half, but Kenshin would never dream of having someone else pay for him. It was almost an insult to even suggest it.
"I'm glad you liked it." He said, peeling the bills out of his fat wad of money. He placed it on the table. He reminded himself that he didn't have to give a tip this time. He excused himself, telling her he'd be signing out, and she promised she'd be with him in a moment: being a woman, she insisted she should at least help to put the room back into some semblance of order.
As Kenshin stepped out of the room, he walked toward the restaurant's front door to the main desk. He was full and very satisfied. Being with a girl like Tomoe was so different. He hoped they would be able to go out again.
Upon reaching the front desk, he was surprised to see Akira. He was talking to the attendant.
"Yes, I'll be here with a partner for lunch tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir. Her name please?" The attendant asked, brush ready to write her name down.
"Kamiya Kaoru." He said. "If you would please make us a reservation."
"Most certainly." The man answered.
"Thank you."
With that, Kenshin watched with amber eyes as Kiyosato left the building.
So, Kaoru was going to lunch with Kiyosato, huh? He didn't know why, but he felt strangely jealous.
Tomoe exited just then, coming up to him. "What is wrong?" She asked, seeing his upset face. He covered it quickly.
"Oh nothing. Everything's fine." He offered an arm to her, which she gladly took, and escorted her to his limo, having offered to take her back home and then back to school.
When he returned back to school, he saw the thing that annoyed him the most:
Kaoru holding onto Akira's arm while he held her books.
He'd have to do something about that.
Really soon.
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"What?" Misao asked, giving her a blank stare. "You mean you can't come over today because....."
"Because I have work, Misao." Kaoru repeated.
"What?" Her friend asked again. She looked positively horrified.
"Work! A part-time job! Do you have a problem with that?" Kaoru exploded.
"No, not at all....only, it surprises me that someone our age actually have to work. Especially in this......school, if you know what I mean."
Kaoru huffed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. She had never wanted to bring up the fact that her family was struggling.
Misao pressed on. "Tell me it's only for experience or something."
"What if it wasn't?" Kaoru asked.
"It's just wrong." Misao said. "I mean, to work while one is in highschool.....in our class.......I mean......"
She had lost Misao to the upperclass society also. She guessed it couldn't be helped, seeing how they were raised and what they were taught. The word money meant nothing to them, and the word work was a dreaded one in their vocabulary, chosen not to be said, and if said at all, with great contempt. To Misao, it was almost a sin.
"Well, for your information, I'm not going there for experience. I'm actually going there for some money."
"Why on earth would you need money for?" Misao exclaimed.
"I have my reasons." Kaoru sighed. She remembered her sick father. "In any case, I'm really sorry I can't come over today. Perhaps some other time."
Misao gave a sullen nod of her head. She was just busting with 101 questions to ask, but Kaoru didn't seem in the mood to be giving them. She respected her friend and decided not to press the argument further.
"So where exactly is it that you'll be working at?" She asked.
"At a restaurant called the Akabeko."
"I've never heard of that one. Is it classy?" Misao asked.
"No. It isn't. It's down the street from where I live." Kaoru told her stoically. She had been working there for the last two months already, the store owner, Sae, taking a great liking to her. What little wages she was able to save went to her family. Although it didn't help much, it helped enough to get them through the day.
Kenshin was suddenly there, his face calm, breaking into a sneer. "So the little wench has to grovel on the floor for money."
"I don't grovel you fool - I work. There's a difference." She pointed out.
He brushed back his bangs. "What a pity. We rich people don't have to stoop so low."
She slammed her locker shut. "Look, I don't have time to waste on an oaf of air like you. I'm going to be late."
Kenshin sidestepped as she pushed by him. "Oh, Kamiya." He called.
She turned around angrily, and saw him reach down and pick up a fallen textbook. "Would you like another bundle?" He asked teasingly, holding the book up by its spine.
She made a grab for it. "Give me that!"
He pulled it away from her. "Say please."
She stopped. "Please then."
That was sweet! He liked the way it was so easy to make her beg. "I couldn't hear you." He said grinning. "Say, 'Please Master Himura, would you give your humble servant back her book.'"
"What?" Kaoru cried. "I am not your servant. Give it back or I'll......"
"You'll what?" He asked, licking his lips lazily.
"Or I'll.......I'll bite you." She said desperately.
Most of the students overhearing their conversation began their annoying whispering behind their hands again. At least if they were going to talk about them, do it in private!
Misao went totally red, and she fell back, stunned. Kenshin pushed the book toward her in mock fright. "Oh no, please here, take the book. No more rabies. I had to get my shots after the other day's incident."
Kaoru snatched it from him, making a face. "I think I caught fleas too." He drawled, "I can only wonder if you take a bath."
He was getting over the line! She raised her book to hit him, but then she stopped. She held her head up high. "I won't hit you today, you freak." She informed him. "I wanted to......thank you........"
"Thank me? Well, you're welcome. It was the truth after all." He said.
She tensed. "NO you ass! I wanted to thank you for your help yesterday, when Takani-san suddenly attacked me."
He paused. "Oh. Well, that. I wasn't helping you, I was helping Sanosuke."
His face had gotten a light pink to them, playing over his perfect features. His eyes gleamed with happiness, and he put an embarrassed hand up to the back of his head casually. "Anyway....."
"What?" Kaoru asked, glowering.
"Go to lunch with me again tomorrow?"
"Huh?" What was it with all the guys asking her to go to lunch together?
"I said, I want you to go to lunch with me again."
"What for?" Kaoru asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, I just wanted to show you my world." Kenshin said with a flourish of his hand. "Tokyo's best restaurant is having a special tomorrow, and I was invited. I was allowed to bring an escort, so I decided to bring you."
Kaoru was tickled by the thought. But then she remembered she had a date with Kiyosato. She backed up against the locker. "I'm sorry Himura. I can't....I've already got plans."
He frowned, knowing exactly what 'plans' she had in mind.
"Well, think on it." He pressed. "It's only for tomorrow anyway. And besides, when else would you have the opportunity. Think of it as a thank you for me saving your life. That's the least you can do for me."
The way he stood before her, asking gently mad her heart race.
She put her textbook to her mouth thoughtfully.
"I'll see about it....." she promised. "I'll give you my response tomorrow."
"I need it by tonight." He said quietly. He was watching her steadily. He reached out and put a piece of paper in her hand, leaning close. She smelled so nice. "Don't hesitate to call me." He said in her ear, letting his hand run through her raven black hair for a moment before walking off down the corridor.
She looked at the phone number in her hands.
What was she going to do?
To Be Continued......
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AN: I'm really losing it here people! LOL! I guess I need some inspiration. What do you guys think? Should she, shouldn't she? I'm hoping I can get some response. I hope I can come to a good decision! Please review!
Chapter 9
(Home)
(WTWRAY)