Disclaimers apply yet again! Okay! Ages! Kenshin's been famous since he was 18 and his career's been going on for 2 years. So that makes him 20. A three year difference between him and Kaoru ain't bad, ne?
Some questions posed on the reviews will be answered in this chapter, so Seychella and Jason M. Lee, there's no need for you to worry and get confused. ^^;;
Kori-san! Gomen! I didn't mean to keep you from your homework!!! *grovels*
Can somebody please review Destiny's Call by me and Liv? *whines*
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Kaoru signed her name enthusiastically as soon as she read every word of her contract, as Kenshin so advised her to do. "This is so surreal..."
"I know," Misao smiled. "Himura was pretty much in the same state when he signed up."
"Orooo..."
"Ignore my baka deshi," Hiko Seijuro, Kenshin's agent, huffed. "Now, Kamiya, you're 17 years old, right?"
"Hai," she smiled, her excitement not the least bit dampened.
"It's policy here in Hiten Mitsurugi Records that young talents who come under our wing have private classes to complete their secondary education. Baka deshi here has just finished his last month with his tutor, Shinomori Aoshi."
Misao blushed at the mention of Aoshi's name.
"I get to go back to studying?" Kaoru asked, her eyes taking a shine. Kenshin chuckled. It was so easy to please this girl.
"Aa," Hiko said gruffly. "Since Shinomori has just been relieved of his duties as Himura's tutor, he'll take the responsibility of educating you, Kamiya. I'll need to know what school you went to before you came here."
Her eyes glazed over. "Ano... Otosan passed away a year and a half ago, and Okaasan's been gone since I was born. I kept going to senior high school until six months ago when Ojiisan died as well."
"So you've been in high school for two years before you were forced out of it due to financial strains," Hiko said.
"H-Hai..."
"That won't be a problem. Shinomori can provide you with the best education there is."
"She's brilliant, Himura," Aoshi told him as soon as his tutorial with Kaoru ended. "Very smart and bright, picks up ideas easily. It's just too bad about her parents."
"Aa," Kenshin nodded. "Arigatou, Aoshi."
He went into the room Kaoru and Aoshi had their session, finding Kaoru with her nose in a book. "Kaoru-dono."
"Kenshin-san," she greeted him with a sweet smile.
"Am I disturbing you?"
"Iie," she shook her head. "Ne, Kenshin-san?"
"Aa de gozaru."
"Nothing."
"Sounds like something."
Kaoru flushed. "It sounds silly..."
"Just tell me."
"You remind me of someone I met long ago."
"Really? Would you be shocked if I tell you I feel the same way?"
Kaoru giggled. "I don't know. All I know is a boy, on the swings..."
Kenshin smiled back. "His mother was calling him, then he saw a little girl trip and fall..."
"She started crying, so he came over to try to help..."
"Her dad then came to help her, and he ran back to his mom..."
Kaoru closed her eyes. "He had fiery red hair, and violet eyes..."
Kenshin's smile turned wistful. "She had raven black hair, and the most soulful blue eyes..."
Kaoru opened her eyes to look at him, then gasped. "Shinta?"
Kenshin opened his eyes in surprise to look at her. "You remember me?"
Kaoru nodded. "I knew you looked familiar when your first single came out! Only..." she traced the scar on his cheek. "The boy I met did not have one of these."
Kenshin grinned. "You've certainly grown from the 3-year-old I remember..." he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I never forgot you, Kaoru..."
"Nor I you," she whispered back. "Ne, what happened to the name Shinta?"
"Kenshin's a stage name," he shrugged. "Shishou thought Shinta was too soft for a pop star."
"Kenshin... it's nice," she murmured. "But I like Shinta better..."
Comfortable silence ensued, and Kenshin's gaze locked with hers. The same feeling swept through him again, telling him that he missed those eyes. The sapphire orbs darkened with intensity and Kenshin found his eyes focused on her soft lips. He drew closer, as if he was being drawn, bidden. Her eyes half-closed, her mouth opening slightly, his face only inches from hers.
He was close... so close...
"Yoo-hoo! Ken-san! It's time for our duet!"
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Onna: ........
Kenshin: She's... gone quiet!
Kaoru: Hallelujah!!!
Onna: .................................
