I don't own these characters at all. They belong to there rightful owners, so don't sue me! I live in the desert!
STOP AND READ THIS PLEASE!! If you don't like looooooooooooong stories, then don't read this. And why isn't anyone reviewing huh?!? I can see you guilty people out there!! Anyway what ever ya do, if you review (all you nice people out there) don't say its long! I know its long! I wrote it! Okay have fun…I placed it in chapters by the way…
IT'S THROUGH THE EYES WE SHOW EMOTION…
I took a deep breath and starred at the large doors in front of me. I couldn't believe I was standing here. One minute I was talking with Mia about training and education and then the next couple of days I had ended up in Kyoto. My eyes narrowed in annoyance. This was insane and so unfair. 'You really should finish your last school year in a proper school just like other teenagers your age Aoshi'. I couldn't believe Mia could do this to me. She's ditched me in some city I have never even been to before and I haven't even found out where exactly I am staying yet. I didn't even know how the hell I was going to get to school tomorrow as I had only been dropped off here as soon as I left the airport. I looked down and seethed even more as I was dressed in the boy's school uniform complete with tie. I hadn't worn the usual dress jacket and replaced it with my trench coat. I had left my bags in a locker at the airport and was only caring my backpack. This only contained a change of clothes and some snacks. How could you do this to me Mia! I mentally screamed in my head. My thought's stopped when I heard the bell and I looked down at my watch and realised it was lunchtime. I could hear running coming from inside the building and quickly jumped up on top of the brick wall of the stairs that led down into the schoolyard. I watched aimlessly as a horde of students from many different grades run outside to have lunch. I was still standing on the wall; my hands tucked in my trouser pockets, while my coat blew around in the breeze. I starred in the direction the students went as they formed into their usual groups and sat in different areas of the yard. From the corner of my eye I saw another five students walking, but they soon stopped to look at me.
"Are you lost?"
There face expressions curious as to why I was standing up there. The guy that had spoken had long red hair that was held back in a ponytail. His eyes were violet and held gentleness and kindness yet there was always a flash of violence in them. I discarded the thought and turned my gazes to the others. Another man stood there as well as three young women. The young man had spiky brown hair, which fell around him quite amusingly. I notice that the two women standing together looked like sisters, one with her hair in a high ponytail while the other wore hers down. The third female was not looking at me like the others and soon began walking down the stairs, unnoticed by the others, and around the building.
"Actually I'm new here"
I had stated to them when my gaze finally returned to their faces. The guy with red hair smiled gently like the girls while the other guy absently brushed his bandaged hand.
"Oh…Well why don't you join us for lunch and then I can show you to the administration office?"
"Ah…sure, thanks"
They began walking down the stairs and I soon followed. I turned my gaze to the red head as he had begun talking.
"I'm Kenshin Himura by the way. This is Sanosuke Sagara, but just call him Sano…"
"Or Roosterhead or Chickenhead or…"
"Hey shutup FOX!"
The red head was named Kenshin and Sano was the other guy who was yelling at the taller female student and calling her "fox". I soon turned my gaze back to Kenshin as he began talking while trying to ignore the conflict happening between the other two.
"Oh…He's referring to Megumi Takani as "Fox". This is Kaoru Kamiya here and this is Mi-. Where did she go?"
Kenshin had turned around to obviously introduce me to the other girl that was standing with them moments ago but had left.
"Misao went ahead like she always does Kenshin."
Kaoru had replied to him and then kept walking dragging Megumi along to try and stop the argument that had formed between her and Sano.
"Misao?"
I had asked intrigued.
"Oh yes, lovely girl but she never really likes talking much. Don't worry we'll introduce you to here when we get there."
I silently nodded at Kenshin's reply. We have soon arrived at a large grassy area at the back of the school furthest away from all other students. They all sit down in a circle and rest in the shade and begin to eat their lunches.
"Misao doesn't seem to be here Kenshin."
Kaoru had replied and just before Kenshin could reply to her I had spoken up.
"Yeah she's here. Just up in the tree to be exact."
I had stated while rummaging through my pack for some food. I looked up to see all eyes looking at me surprised. Now I felt self-conscious. I cleared my throat as if to snap them out of being so quiet all of a sudden. Kenshin soon piped up and began talking again.
"You can sense the presence of another quite easily. You must know some martial arts?"
He had replied quite interested.
"Of course."
I had stated firmly and then a figure dropped to the ground scaring Kaoru and Megumi.
"MISAO! Don't do that!" They had both yelled simultaneously.
"Misao this is…Oh I'm sorry we don't know your name" Kenshin soon replied to me.
"Aoshi Shinomori" I stated plainly while opening up a packet of chips.
"Misao this is Aoshi. He's a new student here." Kenshin replied to Misao. I looked up to see her starring at me silently. She had the most beautiful ocean-blue eyes I had ever seen. I silently nodded my head at meeting her and she just starred not showing any emotion. We were both snapped out of our "starring" contest when Sano piped up.
"So Aoshi, why did you come here?"
"SANO!" Megumi had replied annoyed at his blunt question. It didn't bother me though so I just waved it off and replied to all of them.
"Actually Mia said it would be best for me to attend a proper school because it is my last year. Before I knew what was happening my stuff was backed up and I was on a plane here. She said she was ringing the school later this afternoon so they could pass a message to me saying were I was staying."
"Who's Mia? OW! WHAT?" Megumi smacked Sano over the head for being so blunt again.
"Megumi it's alright. I know you are wandering the exact same thing anyway." She lightly blushed and softly apologised to Sano who looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Obviously this was normal between them but it seemed she never apologised. So I began again.
"She's like a companion really. Always there for me, took care of me and raised me so I love her dearly for that. I think she's done a pretty good job" I smirked at what I was saying. Soon Kaoru spoke her question.
"What about family? Brothers and Sisters?" I eyed them silently and realised they were all interested. I soon figured that I'd better tell them sooner rather then later.
"Actually I'm an only child…"
"Did your parents not want any other children?" Megumi had interrupted me.
"I'm sure they would have but they were killed a long time ago." I starred around the circle that we had formed and saw the emotions run through their eyes. All showed sadness except Misao. Her head was bowed as she still munched on some food quietly, so I couldn't see her eyes.
"How?" I was a bit shocked that Kaoru had said this to me but I was unable to reply as Misao began talking angrily at Kaoru.
"KAORU! It is none of your business what happened to his family!" Her eyes had not flickered over to me as they stayed on Kaoru's. She soon rose silently and walked off. I watched her leave and then turned my gaze asking a silent question towards Kenshin.
"Misao doesn't seem to like us talking about family things. I'm not sure why though."
"She doesn't have any." Kaoru stated quietly to all of us. The others had surprised looks on their faces as this was obviously the first time they had heard about this. We all silently waited for her to continue.
"Haven't you guys ever wandered why she would clam up everytime we asked her how she was going or how her family was or the fact we were never invited over? So one day I asked her what was up. After about a couple of months when I first met Misao she finally told me. Her parents had been killed when she was 4 years old. They hadn't even found out who had done it. Misao wasn't there when it happened and the person didn't know that they had a daughter. Misao and I soon became the best of friends and when we got to junior high, we stuck together like glue. Then-"
"Kaoru if I'm thinking about what you are just about to talk about, you don't have to continue you know. I mean this is private stuff." Megumi placed a hand on her shoulder. I looked confused for a moment and turned my gaze towards them.
"You all know about it because you are my friends. Aoshi is one of our friends now so I think he should know." I was about ready to speak, but soon closed my mouth when Kaoru continued her story.
"About three years ago there was all these murders and rapes of young women happening around Kyoto. These men would find all this information about their next victims. They had found out everything about Misao, where she lived, who her friends were and what school she went to. I was with her at the time and that's when we were kidnapped. Misao and I were both 14. They tied us up and began beating us. I could never tell you what Misao went through, no one could. She was tied up and placed against a wall, striped, beaten and raped numerous times. I saw it all happen as I was in the same room. I was only beaten and not as much as Misao. I only have the memories of what happen but never the nightmares anymore. As for Misao she will forever bare the physical and emotionally scars of what they did to her. Before they could actually kill her we were finally found by the cops, who killed them all, and taken to hospital. We both made a promise to each other that we'd get through this and we are. I have no nightmares anymore but when Misao stays over I can hear her constant crying and she begins to speak in her sleep. It's been three years and that still happens. No one can help her because they don't know how much she has been traumatized because she doesn't say anything. She has the most beautiful smile and the way she laughs and speaks just fills the entire room with peace and yet she's never been the same since that day."
"It's taken her 3 years to trust Kenshin and I, but mainly because Megumi and Kaoru clearly stated positively that we could be trusted. So if she acts cold around you, then you know why." I silently nod at what has been said to me. I couldn't believe this. I was actually mortified that some asshole could actually do those things to 14-year-old girls, or to anyone for that matter. '…parents had been killed when she was 4 years old.' Just like mine, only I was a little older and I saw what happened. The bell was about to ring and Kaoru had left to find Misao while the rest of us walked back into the school. Kenshin and I left to go to the Administration Office and Sano and Megumi went to their lockers. We soon arrived and I thanked Kenshin and walked inside.
* * * *
School was finished and I didn't even get to the last classes. The principal was that slow in talking and it took his secretary about half an hour to find my information, enrollment forms and payment. I was given the address of were I was staying as Mia had called when I was having a meeting with the principal. I seethed as I had worn this stupid uniform for no reason. I had stayed late to gather my textbooks and threw them in a locker I was given. I was descending the steps and heard some muffled talking near a row of trees. I thought this odd as no other students were around as it was 3:30pm.
I silently walked around the trees undetected and found three guys about my age picking on Misao. I stood frozen at the site in front of me and fisted my hands when I heard how weak she sounded but yet her voice still held determination.
"No matter how many times you hurt me, you'll never win." Her eyes glistened with tears but she bravely kept them from shedding while some blood fell from a cut just below her left eye. In answer to what she had said one of the guys bunched her in the stomach. I immediately cut in before anything else could happen to her. In a blink of an eye all three guys were unconscious and lying on the ground. I walked in front of Misao and my heart clenched as blood spilled from a corner of her mouth and she fell to the ground unconscious. I reacted without even thinking about what I was doing and picked her up in my arms and raced to try and find where I lived.
* * * *
Hours passed and Misao was lying asleep in the bed at the unit Mia had set me up in. She had obviously got a hold of the airport to send by bags here as they were in the main room. I sat in a chair and waited for Misao to awaken. As if on queue she began groaning and I leaned over her to see how she was. Her eyes snapped open and quicker then I could react I felt her hand slap my cheek. I sat down in front of her and placed my hand over the red mark she had created.
"Shit! What was that for?" I had asked angrily.
"Shi-Shinomori? I-I'm sorry" My anger faded when she sat up quickly and placed her hands over her face to cover her embarrassment. I smirked at how cute this was.
"Misao don't worry about it. I'm okay."
"Really?" She had let her hands fall but her face was still bowed apologetically.
"Really!"
We sat in silence for awhile and I watched Misao's hand press on the wound below her eye and wince. I took a deep breath and began to speak to her quietly.
"How long have they been doing that to you Misao?"
"About 3 years I guess." She had replied back to me softly.
"Why didn't you do anything about it?"
"I was 14 when it started for god's sake! What was I supposed to do? I was raped a week ago and was hoping that they'd go a little too far and kill me to put me out of my misery!" Her hands being placed over her lips as she had just told me her deepest secret as she closed her eyes tightly muffled her gasp. I left the bedroom and came back with some more cleaning supplies for her and sat back down in front of her and spoke quietly.
"I know Misao." Her eyes were focused on my face and frowned in sadness.
"So why are you here?"
"Ah…this is where I live" I stated confusedly at her.
"No I mean why aren't you trying to torment me like the others? Why aren't you calling me a freak or disgusted with me for not being "pure", as that's the way they state it, like all the other females at school?"
"Let me get this straight, the guys at school are blaming you because you were defenseless and kidnapped by men, as in plural, and taken to a place were you'd never been before. Not only that you were tied up, striped, raped and beaten nearly to death at the age of 14 and this is why they say you are not pure?"
"Yes"
"What a bunch of assholes!" I had stated firmly. Her surprised gaze has turned to mine and I answered her silent question.
"Do you actually think I'd be that shallow Misao?" I had stated this quite sadly but then realised what Sano had said. It took her three years to trust them so why would I be any exception then. She probably thought I was like those bastards before.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"You're the friend of my new friends and I'd like to be your friend if you'd let me. I am not like them Misao, I'd never do that to you or the others, I promise." She silently nodded her head and we fell silent once more.
"Would you like to stay Misao?"
"Why?"
"It is quite late to be going home and besides I have no clue as the quickest way to get to school tomorrow. It took my about an hour to find this place. I had to ask so many people for directions and they just looked weird at me because I was carrying you." I had laughed to ease the tension that was building up in the room. I was silently shocked when she nodded her head. I got up and was at the door, but turned around when Misao called me back.
"Shinomori…I-" It must be difficult for her to say thanks so I let it go by replying before she could continue.
"Misao you don't need to thank me, It-"
"How'd you know I was going to do that?" She cut me off to ask her question and I replied honestly.
"I can see it in your eyes."
"Huh?" I smirked and sat cross-legged on the bed in front of her and explained what I meant.
"All people show emotion from their eyes. You see when I look into Kenshin's eyes I know he is gentle and kind but yet he still displays a flash of violence in them. I believe he is like this because he feels obliged to protect you and Kaoru and the others from anyone that tries to hurt his friends. Sano's are deep in colour, which tells me he doesn't like showing his true feelings as others may take this as a sign of weakness. He may act all tough and rebel-like but deep inside he's just afraid that people won't like him if he shows his true emotions. Megumi is the same though, that's why I think they bicker all the time. They are afraid to actually tell each other that they care deeply for one another as well as telling their other friends. She too acts tough and won't take crap from anybody but deep inside she is just a young woman who wants friends, family and love. Kaoru on the other hand shows a lot of emotions, which is good. It truly shows how much she cares deeply for all of you. When she is sad her eyes darken and her voice begins to quiver even though others don't realise this. As for you Misao you are quite good at not showing emotions. I was actually unsure of how to describe you until I found out why you are like this. You show emotion sometimes and it makes me think that what Kaoru said is true, but now you have completely shut everyone out, becoming cold and isolated. You se-"
"What the hell would you know about me? You have no idea what it was like, so don't tell me you know what I am going through."
"Maybe, but I know about death Misao. I have seen it with my own eyes. Don't tell me that I have never felt pain before either. You don't know what my life was like were I used to live. You don't know anything about my parents!" I walked out of the room annoyed. I felt guilty for being so rude and walked back in minutes later and found her dressed in the shirt I had supplied for her.
"Misao I'm sorry for being so rude." She nodded and placed the covers back over herself and leaned on her side. I sat in the chair beside her and turned the lamp on so the room would shed some light. Misao soon spoke but hadn't looked at me.
"What was your life like before you came here?" Maybe this is what she wanted. What if she needed to know about peoples lives before she could consider them a friend. My eyes are guarded by my long bangs and so I closed them and began to tell her about my parents and I.
"I will always remember the way my mother would speak to me. She'd tell me she loved me everyday. Even though I was a real messy kid always getting myself into some trouble my parents never punished me. They would say it wasn't right to do this or that gently to me. They'd never be mad or disappointed no matter how much I messed up my clothes, my room or the entire house. My mother smelled like all the flowers in bloom, and she would often place many flowers around the whole house. My father always had a gentle smile and would often stare at my mother for hours on end just thinking about how lucky he was. I would wake up in the middle of the night and race to their room and find my father awake starring at my mother who was blissfully sleeping. In the end we'd watch her together and talk about how much we loved her. She would always wake up to find us still starring at her with the same face expression and she'd become all embarrassed and blush while jokingly hiding under the covers waiting for me to go under and fetch her out. Her beautiful laugh would fill the house like the breeze. All the men where envious of my father as he and mum were still in love as much as they were in high school and she only had eyes for him. Then one night everything changed. My mother told me to hide away and not come out. Evidently the room I hid in was were I saw my parents killed. What was I supposed to do for them. I was 5 when it occurred. This crazed man was in love with my mother. He had said that if he couldn't have her then nobody could. I can still hear my father scream for my mother. She fell limply to the floor and her own blood covered her beautiful face. Soon after my father too fell covering my mother with his larger body. They died together still loving one another not wanting to be apart, even in death. They had left without taking me with them or even saying goodbye. I sat there for ages and then ran from the house in a daze and grew up by myself. I was scared, alone and unloved. My family was dead and so was I. I used to collect cans so I could make enough money to have something to eat once a day. Sometimes there weren't enough cans so I would have to wait a few days. I was ten when I met Mia. She was pretty young herself and she took me to her house and they let me in, cared for me and loved me dearly. Her family soon moved away but Mia stayed with me, that's why I love her so much. I was craving for so much attention and love and I soon received it from her. I had vowed that once I got older no one would ever hurt the people I loved and so I began training in Martial Arts again. My father taught me but I soon forgot everything because of what had happened. I ended up back in my hometown but I've never gone back to the house since that day."
"Do you think one day you might go back?"
"Maybe…"
"I'm sorry about your parents and about before too" I shook my head at Misao telling her she didn't need to apologise.
"You should get some rest, it's late and we've got school tomorrow." I rise from the chair and walk to the door and close it behind me.
* * * *