Disclaimer: Not mine in any way. But if Watsuki-sensei gave me Shinomori, I'd be ecstatic. Wouldn't you be? ;)

My first try at fanfics…enlighten me with feedbacks! Hugs and Thanks:)

Blue and White

Chapter 1

At a Loss

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She lay on her bed, silently playing her delicate fingers around her long ebony hair. Her serene blue eyes were gently fixed on an elegant white gown she put out from her closet before she went to bed last night. It was a gift from Megumi. The doctor herself is as elegant and as graceful as a woman can get, and certainly her gift was much akin to her sense of style. She chose well. The exquisite blue design of orchids over white silk was beyond beautiful. It was definitely expensive. Why Megumi gave her such a thing was a shock to her. She turned 21 that day and half expected to receive some snooty remark from the older woman. Perhaps something regarding tanuki's and old maids, she thought with much annoyance. And yet, she was presented with this surprise.

As she continued to admire its beauty, she tried to think why the kitsune did such a thing. She was always teasing her about how ungraceful she was. That she couldn't, unlike her, wrap her little finger around any man's heart. This never affected her. She knew Megumi didn't mean it. But the doctor would occasionally hit a sensitive spot by flirting endlessly with...She stopped her thoughts.

Her mind was drifting towards him. Again. "Kenshin…" She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, turning to face away from the gown. She was confused. She didn't know how to feel. She didn't know how to describe their relationship. She loved him, and yet, she was unsure. It was frustrating that she herself couldn't understand her own feelings. It was even more frustrating that she didn't know how Kenshin felt. She knew he cares for her, but as what? A friend? A sister? Perhaps a lover? I highly doubt that. She sadly thought.

"Kaoru-chan! Wake up!" Someone noisily rapped at her door. Kaoru inwardly sighed.

"Kaoru-chaaaaaaaaaaaan! Wake up! If you ain't getting up, I'm gonna have to kick your butt!"

"Alright alright! I'm up already!" she shouted back. The door opened and in came an eager girl a few years her junior. "Ohayou!" she cheerfully said.

Kaoru smiled weakly. "Good morning Misao"

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Didn't you sleep well last night? Are you sick or something? You feeling alright? Don't you have a final exam today?..."

Kaoru shook her head, laughing inwardly. The incessant barrage of questions would compel other people to desperately want to shut the darn tomboy up. But not her. Her friend was quite amusing. And definitely funny. Unintentionally. Her hyperactive nature would normally wear other people out, but to Kaoru, it made spending time with her best friend much more fun.

A hand waved frantically in front of her face. "Hellooooooooooo? Kao?"

Kaoru looked up at her friend. A wide grin was plastered on the younger girl's knowing face. "What?"

"Ooooohhh…you were thinking about him again weren't you?" Misao teased. "Oh Kenshin! Hold me! Hug me! Kiss mm…….Owwwww! Hey! That hurt!" Misao laughed.

Kaoru had hit her on the face with a pillow. "No I wasn't! You little weasel!" Kaoru laughed.

Misao retaliated by tickling her by the ribs. It was, most unfortunately, Kaoru's ticklish spot. "Mi…hahahha….Misao! hhaahha…no…hihhaiahaa…STOP!"

"No way! Not till you admit it!" Misao laughed.

"Oooo no…hahahah…I tell you….heheaha…I wasn't..hehhehahha….heck..hahaha..ok!.I give up!"

Misao wasn't satisfied. "Say it! You know what I want to hear!"

Kaoru gasped for air. "Hahaha…darn…heahah…Ok! Ok! I WAS THINKING ABOUT KENSHIN!"

"Oro?"

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Needless to say, it was quite embarrassing for Kaoru that Kenshin had heard what she had said. Who didn't? She practically shouted it out for the whole world to hear. Misao is sure as hell going to pay. Of all the times, Kenshin just had to stop by at our apartment! But one important fact Kaoru told herself not to forget was: the moment Misao entered Kaoru's room, she should have said that Kenshin was in their apartment. But she didn't. The incident had left Kaoru red-faced and bent on getting revenge.

Plotting my revenge will have to be sidelined. For now. I have to get past this final exam. Now what the heck was that syndrome called? Drat.

It was Kaoru's first year as a medical student at the Tokyo University. One more exam to pass and then it's two months of summer vacation! For some reason, the incident with Kenshin was disturbing her concentration. Ugh! Concentrate damnit! Kao, focus! You'll fail this exam and its bye bye to 2 months of R&R!

It wasn't as if Kaoru was going to fail. She was an exceptionally bright student, but her grades seem lower that what she could potentially achieve. She put little dedication and passion into her studies. Give her a passing grade and she'd be satisfied. Just as long as I don't fail. It seemed she has forgotten why she chose to study Medicine over the much obvious choice: Business Management.

Her father, Kamiya Tetsuro is a prominent business man in Tokyo. The highly respected man was quite skeptical of his daughter getting into Medicine. He would have much preferred that she divulge herself in his world. In his business. Much to his dismay, his daughter's deviation from his plans left Kamiya Corporation with no successor. But he wasn't going to stop her. After all, she always wanted to be like her mother.

She was always told her mother was a person with great heart. Kaoru knew it was true. Everyone spoke highly of her mother. But it has always been a pain to her that she was the cause of her mother's death. Kamiya Michiko died in childbirth. Her father had always told her that it was of course not her fault. But to Kaoru it was always a difficult thought. Ever since she was a small child, stories about her mother, her kindness, her service, her beauty, compelled her to want to be just like the mother she never had a chance to hold.

Kaoru knew she wanted to be a doctor since she was 5 years old. But since the 1st day of her year as a freshman, she wasn't too happy with the way things were going. Perhaps the long boring lectures took a toll on her. Or perhaps it was the endless nights of burying her nose into 5-inch thick medical books. For goodness' sake! She didn't even have any more time for fun! She even dejectedly decided to move into an apartment much closer to the University, just so she could save more time for studying. Time which she occasionally wasted by partying with Misao, or shopping with Megumi. She needed to have time to relax and have fun without having to feel guilty about not studying. It has been difficult. To say the least.

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"So how was the exam?"

Kaoru made a face. "Exhausting! It was sooooo long, I don't think I have energy left to get into that gown you gave me."

Megumi smiled slyly. "Why would you need much energy to get into a dress? I made sure it was your size. My, my…come to think of it Kaoru dear, you have been eating quite a lot. I do think you've gotten a little, shall we say, fat? Maybe you should think twice before eating that blueberry cheesecake you have on your plate. Ohohohoho!"

The tanuki turned red with anger. "Nani! I'm NOT fat! I'm perfectly slim! I'll have you know I haven't packed a pound over a hundred! Not like you. You weigh over 120 kilos, don't you!"

"It's 120 pounds. Not kilos. Get your units straight." Megumi smiled arrogantly. "Besides, I'm a lot taller than you. And, I am much…endowed…up here that you will ever be." Her eyes went down to her chest.

"Whatever, Barbie." Kaoru rolled her eyes. She sighed deeply. She and Megumi have been eating in a popular café just blocks away from her apartment. Both girls weren't the best of friends, but each considered the other much like a sister they never had. Sure, they bickered constantly, but they also looked out for each other. They've known each other since they were kids. Megumi's mother was, after all, Kamiya Michiko's best friend.

Megumi looked at her watch. "Oh drat. We have only a few hours to dress up for the party tonight. Rooster-head doesn't like to wait."

Kaoru frowned. "I don't understand why we have to go to that snooty Takahashi Yoriko's birthday party anyway. She thinks she's above everyone else!"

"Now, now Kaoru. Your father and Mr. Takahashi are in business together. It may be a formal event, but businessmen can't pass up the opportunity to socialize and make deals. Perhaps even show off their wives or sons. Or daughters, in your case."

Kaoru frowned even more. "I don't like the sound of that. Well, nevermind. Thank god you're going too. I didn't know you and Yoriko were acquainted."

"She admires me." Megumi smugly said.

"W-what?" Kaoru sputtered.

"She wants to be like me."

Kaoru just stared at her friend incredulously.

Megumi sighed. "Forget it. It's useless talking to you…"

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Ring Ring Ring…

"Hello?" Kaoru answered her phone. "Oh, hi Dad! What's up?...Yes. I'm ready……………………10 minutes? Ok, see you then! Bye luv ya!" She hang up and looked at herself in the mirror.

She looked absolutely stunning. The strapless white silk fabric hugged body perfectly, showing off her curves, and the intricate blue design matched her beautiful eyes very well. Wow. It's beautiful! Too bad I'm just gonna mess it up. She took a deep breath and walked out of her room.

Misao was sitting cross-legged on the couch watching the television. When she saw Kaoru, she jumped up from her position and squealed. "Oh my god! Kao! You look fantastic!" She ran towards her best friend and hugged her.

Kaoru laughed. "Thanks Misao. There must be a great difference since you've never reacted like this before."

"Oh don't be modest! Kenshin should see you right now!" Her eyes glittered mischievously.

"Oh no, we're not getting in that Kenshin thing again. And don't you think that I'd forget about that incident this morning. I'm still getting back at you!" Kaoru smiled. "Oh, I think my dad's waiting outside. Better go now!" She hugged Misao back and headed towards the door.

"Have fun Kao! Oh! And be careful with your heels! You might sprain your ankle again!" Misao laughed.

Kaoru jokingly glared at her friend. "Jeez, thanks a lot! Bye!"

She quickly walked out of their sleek apartment and towards the black limo waiting for her. The chauffer opened the door for her with a smile. "Good evening Kamiya-san. You look lovely tonight."

"Thank you Heisuke" She smiled back.

Once inside the limo, she sat beside her father and kissed him on the cheek. "Hi dad!"

"Kaoru, you look beautiful!" her father smiled warmly at her and gave her a big long hug.

"Yes. She looks absolutely breathtaking…"

Kaoru froze in her father's hug. She turned her head towards the familiar voice.

Who she saw caught her completely off-guard. She was definitely not prepared for this surprise.

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End of chapter 1

Who the hell could it be? Hmmmm….who do you think it is? Oooooh….past lover? Hehhehehe ;)

Well, this is my first attempt to write a story. I've never written fanfics before. It's just that I love aoshi/kaoru and the lack of such fics frustrated me. I'm just trying my hand at writing so please…mercy! I need all the help I can get. So if you have some pointers or comments or violent reactions, feel free to say so. Hehe:) I myself don't know how the story is going to progress but it'll definitely by aoshi and kaoru in the end!