Matchmaking-Gone-Bad Aoshi & Kaoru Writing Challenge
Mini-fiction, AU

Disclaimer: Neither Rurouni Kenshin nor its characters belongs to me.

Note: Thoughts are in italics.

Hiten University is one of the most prestigious schools in the region, boasting not only excellence in academics, but also athletics. In particular, the kendo team is nationally ranked, having taken first at the Intercollegiate Championships last spring. Now it was August and Kaoru Kamiya, vice captain of the kendo team, stood in front of Ryuu Hall, the largest building on campus that served as Hiten University's main gymnasium. Inside, the giant gym was compartmentalized into four smaller (but still quite large) rooms, each home to a specific sport. The kendo team had the first room on the right, just inside the front entrance.

Happily, Kaoru shoved through the heavy main doors and saw that the room was open. Kenshin Himura, their faculty advisor/team coach, and Aoshi Shinomori, team captain, were inside, with someone Kaoru had never seen before. Smiling, she waltzed right in.

"Hi guys! It feels like I haven't seen you in forever!" Kaoru executed a little bow before enveloping first Kenshin, and then Aoshi, in bear hugs. Kenshin smiled indulgently while Aoshi, ever stoic, briefly returned the hug.

"Miss Kaoru, we're glad you're here," Kenshin said. "This is Soujirou, an incoming freshman, and he'd like to join the kendo team. Aoshi was just going to spar with him, but it would be better if you could so Aoshi and I can observe."

"Do you mind?" Aoshi asked, eyeing her street clothes. Kaoru grinned cheekily.

"Not at all! I just so happen to have a spare uniform in my bag!" Kaoru reached into her bag, and, like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, brandished a gi.

"Liar," Aoshi smirked. "You always carry a uniform around."

Kaoru's answer was a loud raspberry as she went off to change. Aoshi's mouth quirked up at one corner slightly. Soujirou tilted his head towards Aoshi, his gaze speculative. Catching the look, Aoshi's face fell back into its usual emotionless state, but he said nothing.

A few minutes later, Kaoru returned, dressed and ready to spar. Instead of performing a typical match with resets after each point, Kenshin decided to let them spar freely to gauge Soujirou's tenchniques. As soon as Aoshi gave the signal to start, it was clear that Soujirou was amazingly fast and precise; but Kaoru wasn't vice captain for nothing. Attack, block, strike, parry, dodge; the two fighters moved fluidly and quickly, as if they were choreographed. After a few minutes, Kenshin nodded and Aoshi stopped the spar.

"Well done. I've seen enough; welcome to the team, Soujirou," Kenshin smiled. "I'll get you the necessary uniform and equipment. Let me go get the order forms."

Kaoru pulled off her protective mask and smiled at Aoshi. He simply stepped closer and took her mask. "Whew! That was a bit of a workout." she cried. She turned to Soujirou. "You're pretty good. I'm going to have to watch my back if I want to stay vice captain."

Soujirou pulled his mask off as well, smiling broadly. He offered his hand. "No worries, Miss Kaoru. You are quite good as well."

Kaoru shook Soujirou's hand. He clasped both his hands around hers, squeezing slightly. Aoshi stood behind her, his expression inscrutable. Soujirou glanced at Aoshi, then let Kaoru's hand go. Kaoru stepped back, and Aoshi placed a hand on her shoulder. Soujirou raised an eyebrow.

"Come on, Kaoru. You should change and then we can catch up. I'll even buy you lunch," Aoshi subtly steered her towards the door.

"Oh, awesome!!" Kaoru exclaimed.

Aoshi looked at Soujirou briefly. "We'll see you at the first practice, Soujirou. Coach Himura will give you the necessary information."

"Later, Soujirou!" Kaoru called over her shoulder, waving.

"It was a pleasure, Miss Kaoru, Aoshi. I'll see you soon." Soujirou waved, smiling.

After Kaoru had changed, she and Aoshi left Ryuu Hall and headed towards the heart of campus, Tsurugi Circle, where the university's eateries and main library were located.

"All right, Aoshi. What was that all about? You never offer me free food…at least, not without a struggle." Kaoru poked Aoshi in the ribs.

Wincing a little, Aoshi replied, "I wanted to discuss recruiting tactics."

"Like we couldn't do that with the newbie?" Kaoru shot back, poking again.

"Well, perhaps I also wanted to see how you were over the summer." Aoshi gave Kaoru a little half-smile, so she stopped poking him.

"Gotcha! Honestly, I don't know why you can't open up around other people." Kaoru smiled. "Oh, wait until you meet my new roommate. She's super hyper, but seems pretty nice. She's going to be a reporter for the campus newspaper, so I think I've got a real nosy one this year. There's no way you're going to be able to stay so quiet around her."

"Really? Remind me to steer clear." Aoshi frowned.

Kaoru laughed. "That's going to be hard, if you plan on hanging around with me. She's a freshman, so she's decided to stick like glue to me to learn the ropes."

"Heaven help me." Aoshi looked around. "Well, what would you like to eat?" There were the usual culinary offerings: Mexican, classic American, Chinese, and Japanese.

"Hmm…let's get some burgers. I haven't had one in a while." Kaoru led the way to the A&W booth. "Besides, I love the root beer floats!"

Aoshi and Kaoru ordered, got their food and found a place to sit. Kaoru always left her food on her tray, but Aoshi liked to take his items off and put his tray aside. Chatting amicably, they were interrupted when a tiny girl with a long black braid rushed up and flung herself onto Kaoru's back. Kaoru choked, spitting root beer out of her mouth. Aoshi quickly shielded himself with his empty tray.

"Kaoruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!"

"Misao?" Kaoru grabbed some napkins from Aoshi's proffered hand, glaring his smirk. Misao was currently rubbing her face on Kaoru's shoulder as she hung off her back.

"Now you know why I leave my tray empty." Aoshi teased.

"How does that even make any sense?" Kaoru snarled.

"You never know what can happen." Aoshi replied. He gestured to the girl still clinging to Kaoru. "I take it this is your new roommate?"

"Aoshi, this is Misao." Kaoru pointed at the head attached to her shoulder. "Misao, this is Aoshi, captain of the kendo team."

Misao looked up. When she saw Aoshi, she leapt to her feet, blushing furiously.

"Hello! I'm pleased to meet you!" Misao leaned over the table and offered her hand.

Aoshi looked at her hand, then at Misao's face. He nodded in greeting. She dropped her hand back to her side. When Aoshi still didn't say anything, Misao decided to join them at their table, sitting down next to Kaoru.

"So, it's totally great running into you on campus, Kaoru! This place isn't as big as I thought it would be." Misao turned at Aoshi. "So, what year are you? I'm a freshman."

"Senior," Aoshi responded.

"Oh, that's cool! Now I know a senior! Oh, I met a freshman on the way here; he had to tell me where the eateries were since there isn't a cafeteria on campus. Oh man, I totally left him somewhere when I saw Kaoru. I'll be right back!" Misao jumped up and hurried off.

When he deemed her out of earshot, Aoshi said, "Good luck with that girl as your roommate. Why didn't you move off campus like I did? If you have to have roommates, at least you can pick your own."

"Oh come on, she's not that bad." Kaoru defended. "She's just…energetic."

"Annoying."

"Well, you thought I was annoying at first, too." Kaoru replied.

"You had a crush on Himura when you first joined the team." Aoshi took a sip of his water. Kaoru blushed scarlet. "Of course it was annoying."

"It was just...! I wasn't…! I got over it, anyway, once I found out he was married." Kaoru hated the fact that Aoshi remembered her little crush.

Aoshi merely raised one supercilious brow in response. Kaoru tossed a French fry at him. Soon enough, Misao returned, with Soujirou in tow, carrying two trays of food.

"This is the guy who helped me get here!" Misao exclaimed. "This is…"

"Hey Soujirou, fancy meeting you here." Kaoru smiled.

"Wait…you know each other?" Misao asked.

"Yup. We just met a little while ago. He's the newest member of the kendo team." Kaoru stated.

"Hello again Miss Kaoru, Aoshi. Thank you for inviting us to sit with you." Soujirou set the trays down on the table. Misao plopped down in the chair next to Aoshi, so Soujirou took the seat next to Kaoru.

"Just call me Kaoru, would you? Coach Kenshin always calls me Miss Kaoru. It's so weird." Kaoru laughed.

"All right then." Soujirou smiled at her. Both Aoshi and Misao noticed.

Awesome! I think Soujirou likes Kaoru. If I set them up, I can have Aoshi to myself! Misao thought. This will be great.