Chapter 3I Fall Every TimeBy: Sakura's Shadows
Disclaimer- I don't own Rurouni Kenshin!
I know it's short but it's an important chapter. I promise the next one with be longer! I hope you'll enjoy it.
We all stood there in silence for what seemed like forever. I don't know why he and I keep meeting like this, but...
I tried to walk forward.
There was a paper on the floor.
I stepped on it.
The next thing I knew was that I was staring up at the ceiling.
Once again, I fell when I saw Kenshin. It's odd; every time we meet it's by chance that something makes me fall. Maybe he's cursed. I saw Misao's grinning face and Kenshin's worried one.
"Are you OK?" Misao asked, putting out her hand.
I took it and she helped me stand. "Yeah," I muttered, brushing off my bottom. "I don't get it..."
"Get what?" Misao asked, scratching her head.
"Oh, nothing," I replied. Nana, Misao, Megumi, and Kenshin were all staring at me now. Megumi was holding back a snicker.
"Tell me," Misao argued.
"Later," I told her. She huffed, "Whatever."
There was a slight silence again. Kenshin made an ahem noise and we all gazed at him. He pointed toward the line of people waiting at the cash register, complaining for no one taking their order. Megumi rushed over to her spot. Nana and Misao ran to the back and Kenshin and I were left.
"So how long have you been here?" Kenshin asked me.
"A week," I replied.
"Oh. Well, it's nice to have you here," Kenshin said and went to the back when Nana called.
A week had gone by and, as usual, every time Kenshin walked near me I would do something to fall. It was getting old really fast. I swear he's jinxed me! I swear it!
On Saturday I found myself going to the beach with Misao and Sano. Misao's 'friend' she met at the bar the on New Year's also tagged along. They sat by the pier on their towel. Sano was busy staking out watching all the girls. He told me to go do something else, which I was happy to do. He was so embarrassing sometimes.
I found myself over at the rock cliff on the opposite side of the beach. It was nice and secluded away form every one. I liked to come here to just think about everything that has gone on in my life up to now. Sometimes I find myself wondering about the stupidest things.
I breathed in the salt air as I stood on the highest rock and peered out at the ocean. I felt at peace. I haven't felt like this in a while. I've been trying to keep myself busy so I won't think about Enishi, but at times like this I can't help it. I don't get why things turned out like they did. Sometimes I find myself wondering and then I remember that stupid woman... Then I remember the day I walked into the apartment and found them there together, sitting on the couch holding hands, staring into each others' eyes.
It makes me sick. He told me her name once. It was the day he left.
He was packing the last bit his suitcase could fit.
"Tomoe will come for the rest later," He told me.
"I won't let her in," I told him.
"You will do as I say and let her in to get my things!" He shouted, grabbing my chin in his hand.
I spit in his face. "Get out."
"She'll find your stuff in boxes outside the door." I told him.
"Everything better be there, then." He said and walked out the door. I slammed it shut.
It made me sick just thinking about that day. It made me want to kill the wretched woman for stealing my Enishi. I hate them both with a pure passion.
I heard a footstep behind me; then a soft voice.
"I didn't mean to bother you," I heard someone say as I turned around. There was someone standing at the base of the rock that I was standing on.
"What are you doing here Kenshin?" I asked.
"I come here to think sometimes. It looks like I'm not the only one, "He smiled at me, and I smiled back.
I noticed a camera around his neck. "Do you like photography?" He peered down at his camera and back at me.
"It's a little hobby I do to get my mind off of things."
"Oh," I sat down and patted the spot beside me. "Can I see some of them?" He looked at me.
"I don't know." He hesitated before he sat down. "There not that good." He took the camera from around his neck and handed it to me. The little screen showed a small sample of the picture. I started flipping through them. "These are great."
I stopped at one. It was of a woman in a black dress sitting on a bench with her head in her hands. She looked absolutely beautiful. I then recognized the shoes that sat by her feet and the purse beside her.
"It's me," I whispered.
Kenshin peered at the screen. "Is it really?"
"I would recognize those old shoes anywhere." I said. I peered at it. It was a beautiful picture. It really was.
"I'm not a stalker or anything, but I was shooting pictures of people out for New Year's and I saw this woman, I mean, you sitting there. You're beautiful when you cry."
I blushed, "Thanks."
"You know that night was horrible." I said interrupting a falling silence. I handed back his camera, and he put it back around his neck.
"Why?"
"Well all these bad things kept happening. Before I got to the bar I got stuck in the rain. When I got there Sano took me in the back and told me he wanted to me someone. He just doesn't understand that--"
Kenshin interrupted me, "Did he tell you who he wanted you to meet?"
"No he said it was one of his friends, but it was probably some stupid guy he found wondering ar--"
Kenshin interrupted me again, "Sanosuke Sagara?"
I nodded, "Yeah. Why?"
"I was the one he wanted you to meet." Kenshin gazed out at the ocean. I looked at him while he talked.
"I showed up there right after Sanosuke got there. He wanted me to meet one of his best friends. I told him no, and I left." He explained.
"Is that where you were headed when you found me right after I fell?"
"Yes," He laughed a bit at the thought.
"So we live in the same apartment complex then?" I asked.
"Guess we do. I just moved there though."
"That's why I never saw you around. Why did you move there though?" I was talking more to myself.
"My wife and I were going through a divorce," He whispered.
"I'm sorry." He looked at me with sad eyes.
"Love can be cruel." He glanced at his watch. "Well I better be going Kaoru."
"Okay." We stood and he hopped off the rock with ease. I on the other hand, did it again.
Just as I took my first step, I slipped. I shut my eyes, waiting for the impact. It never came.
"You need to be more careful." I looked at Kenshin. He face was lit up with a smile. His arms were around me as if he were giving me a hug. I blushed, and he let go when he saw my reaction.
"Bye Kaoru."
"Bye." I watched him walk away with a soft smile on my face.
