Chapter 2-Stepping Stones
Notes: '…' are thoughts. I trust you can figure out who is thinking what. If not, just let me know. Also sorry for the delay, but I think that some parts in this story are weak, like the end and I don't have anyone to pre-read for me. If anyone would like the job just e-mail me or review. Thanks! Enjoy!
As I finished lunch, I slowly began putting my lunch box away. I wanted to find out if I was allowed to tell anyone about the fact that we are siblings or if the term, "the less, the better" meant no one. If I was going to try and have any kind of friends around this place they needed to be able to know the truth about me. "Ne, Aoshi?"
"Umm? What Kaoru?" He looked up from his fried shrimp to answer me.
"Can I tell anyone? I mean, it's just weird that we're not going to tell at all." I fingered my hair nervously and waited for his answer.
"I guess, but check with me before you tell anyone. I know more people here and I can help decide who might tell or not." And as soon as that was done he resumed eating. "Thank you Aoshi. I think I'm going to head back to class now so I'm not late."
"Okay Kaoru-chan. Wait for me and I'll pick you up after class." I stood up to go and on my way out the door was accosted by a girl with long black hair and extremely killer red lips. She stood right in my way. I tried to walk past her, but she did that thing where she moved to whichever side I did.
"Excuse me please. I would like to get passed."
She grabbed my arm and said, "I would like to know how you get invited to eat with Aoshi-sama after only a day at this school?"
"What do you mean? If you want to eat with him, ask him to eat with you." I endeavored to jerk my arm out of her grasp, which only caused her to grab on tighter.
"That's not what I wanted to know. My name is Megumi Takina and I want you to know that you don't get to date the cute boys at this school without my knowledge. Aoshi-sama is a special circumstance; he is who I want to date so hands off." She finally let go of me and I sped out of there.
'Oh my gosh. What a psycho. And how did Aoshi forget to remind me about her? I will have a 'small talk' with him once we get home.' I walked to my class with ease since I had time to read the numbers on the class doors. Once I set foot in my class room I was approached by the girl I had seen earlier that day in class.
"Hi, my name is Misao Makmachi. I wanted to talk to you during first period, but then you sat next to Himura-san and talked all class period long, then continued into second, third, and then fourth. Boy you sure did find a lot to talk about. But forget that. I'm talking to you now and that's what I wanted right?" She didn't even give me the chance to answer, she just continued. "Say, would you like to be friends? Then we could eat lunch together and go shopping and have sleep-overs and all that fun stuff. So what do you say?"
I stared at her and crossed my arms. "Hmmm… Don't you want to know anything about me before we become the greatest of friends? Like how do you know I'm not a secret agent or serial killer or someone who can't be trusted?" This girl was interesting to say the least. I could already tell we were going to be friends; I just wanted to test her.
"Let's just say I have a feeling about you. Plus you weren't imitated by anyone in our class so I think I'll go with the feeling. I know that makes no sense, but it will when we learn more about each other." She looked directly into my eyes then, with her hands clasped together in front like she was going to pray. "Would you introduce me to Aoshi-sama?"
'Aoshi. So that's it.' "No. If that's the only reason you want to be my friend forget it." I can't tell you how mad I was. Aoshi's stupid plan wasn't even working. I didn't want to be the gullible sister that was just a stepping stone into her brother's heart. I walked away, and sat in my seat.
"Wait Kamiya-san." Misao caught up with me. "Please forgive me if I offended you. I shouldn't have asked that of you. How insensitive of me, asking to be introduced to your boyfriend. It's just…"
"No that's not it. You just want to be my friend so you can get close to him. What ever you said before was it all a lie?" Now I was hurt.
"Actually, no. I thought that since you were with him, then you must be a completely, ultimately, ultra cool girl. Meeting Aoshi would just be a bonus. He's like my idol."
I looked at her dumbfounded for a moment. "What do you mean? You don't have a huge crush on him like the rest of the female population at this school?"
It was her turn to look at me with a dumbfounded look on her face. "Not really. I have no reason to be into boys right now. I'm trying to prefect my martial arts skills. He leads the kendo club, didn't you know?"
"Yeah I knew, but he normally practices with kodachi at-," I cut myself off before I said "at home." "So how can kendo help your martial arts skills?"
"Wait before we start a whole new topic, are you okay with me now, and is the Aoshi-dating thing cleared up? I'm not after your man and I do want to be your friend. Because of you, not him." She took a stance that would suggest she was trying to get the upper hand, but I laughed and broke her concentration. "What?"
"I'm sorry I'm such a fool. It's just I'm so tried, with this being my first day and all-," The bell rang and class began. Misao just smiled and went back to her seat. I spent the rest of the day talking to Kenshin during class and Misao between periods. Together, those two are so funny. Misao as it turns out comes from a long line of ninjas and wants to honor her family name by keeping the old traditions alive. So she's aggressive and Kenshin is really passive so when we got on any topic that they disagreed on, the argument (that would have taken place between me and my cousin Yahiko) was over before it began. As the final bell rang Misao bounced over to my desk.
"Are you going to come to practice today? Do you know any kind of martial arts?" Misao, it seemed could never stand still, which she demonstrated by switching from her left to right foot.
"Well, I do know some. Probably not enough to join the club. I haven't been able to practice for about a year. I'll stop by though." I placed my homework assignments and books in my bag.
"Please join us Kaoru-san. We are always in need of another member in the Kendo/Martial arts club. I'd love to see you spar with Misao. I'll bet you are better than you think you are."
"Thank you Kenshin. But if I do come, I don't think I'll be sparing anyone."
Aoshi stuck his head in at that moment and frowned. "I see you make friends fast Kaoru-chan."
I turned my face away from my friends and stuck my tongue out at Aoshi. "As you well remember. Remember everyone in Tokyo?"
"Yes. Now let's get you home before your father begins to worry."
"Oh hush, Aoshi-kun. I've been invited to visit the kendo club and that's what I'm going to do." I stared him down until he sighed in resignation and then turned to Kenshin and Misao. "Come on let's go. What weapons do you two use?" Then we walked out of the class room to the gym, chatting all the way.
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We entered the building and I saw that there were about six people waiting for the club lessons to begin. I joined Kenshin and Misao as they sat in the back and Aoshi walked to the front.
"Today I would like to test an applicant to this club. Her name is Kaoru Kamiya." If Aoshi was going to say more it was muffled by the chattering of the other members. As I stood up I was stopped by two of the members.
"Kaoru-chan?" The buffer one asked as the taller one just looked at me.
I just looked at them blankly before, "Shikijou…Hannya? Oh my goodness! Guys!" I was jumping up and down now, and then I gave both of them quick hugs. "I haven't seen you guys since… I don't know, but how did you guys wind up here?"
"Well we decided to follow your stupid-," Aoshi came up at that point and covered Shikijou's mouth with his hand.
"Will you stop this happy reunion?" He leaned down and whispered in his hear then turned and did the same with Hannya. Probably telling them about our secret. I just couldn't believe they were here and that Aoshi hadn't told me. "We need to test our applicant."
"Aoshi-kun," I stressed the kun to let the two know that I knew they knew. "Who said I even wanted to join."
"Kaoru-chan, just join. He won't let you refuse."
I looked at Hannya; he spoke only when he was giving information or giving orders. "Fine. What do I do?"
"Challenge one member to a match and if you perform well enough you can join."
"All right. Seems fair enough, I challenge," I made a dramatic pause and looked around at the club members. I saw Misao and Kenshin, a young boy with brown hair and strange sandals on his feet and then I saw the jerk from earlier that morning. Sagara-san. "I challenge…you Shinomori-san."
Aoshi nodded and Hannya threw me a bokken. I took a defensive stance and he rushed at me. I lifted my wooden sword high as I anticipated a head shot from my brother. He switched his attack and went for the ribs. I hit him on the back just before he tapped my side. Backing off, we started again. This time I initiated the fight. I ran at him then maneuvered to the left as he came at me with his bokken. As I used my momentum to turn around I stuck my foot out to sweep him off his feet. I was flabbergasted when I heard his body connect with the ground. Quickly I pointed my sword tip to his neck, and then I noticed that his was pointed to my heart.
"So what's the verdict?" My voice sounded strange to my ears. It was calm and collected the opposite of how I felt. I helped Aoshi to his feet. This was the first time I had ever gotten close to holding my own, not to mention almost beating him, I felt like my body had moved without me and I was amazed.
I become aware that Aoshi was looking at me strangely, as well as the rest of the club members. I smiled and shook my head; I'd talk to him later.
"Nice job, Kaoru-chan. All in favor of including her in this club raise your hand."
I watched as everyone's hand appeared in the air. "Welcome to the club Kaoru-chan." I bowed my head and took a seat with the rest of the group.
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Notes: Sorry that this is jammed packed with the introduction of characters and the hint of others, but the idea was just too good to pass up. Any questions, comments or general bits of information, feel free to leave me a line. Thanks for reading!!! Love ya!!!