Part One: A promise broken...
Kenshin took a deep breath. He didn't want to trouble Aoshi. However, he wanted to talk to someone. Sano and Yahiko are the worst people he could talk to. For now, he just needed someone to just listen. He knocked the door before opening. He almost smiled when he heard Aoshi's curse. "Free?" He asked politely as he entered the office knowing very well that Aoshi wouldn't turn him away…
Thank God today Aoshi showed no signs of chasing him off. He heard a chuckle and thought that Aoshi was okay until he saw that troubled look on his face. Aoshi always prided himself of being 'unreadable'. However, he was one of the few who could read his mood, expressions and feelings. And this guy was totally in deep crap! "How is Misao-chan?"
He watched Aoshi raised one eyebrow and remarked back. "Fine. She is okay."
"Hung up on your past still? It's obvious, for it's written all over your face!" Kenshin said, ignoring Aoshi's shocked facial expression. "An advice for you. Don't let the past hold you down. It is a heavy burden that need not be carried."
"Since when are you so philosophical?" Aoshi fired back. Oh that was so like him when he was at the defensive mood. He would have laughed if he wasn't so troubled.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
Kenshin shook his head and broke eye contact, staring outside of the office. "I met one of my old childhood mates I shared with you last time."
"Kaoru-chan?" Aoshi said.
He nodded, continuing the story. "It is horrible to see how the past comes between a friendship and a relationship." Kenshin said, drifting back to the past once more. "You could learn a lot from the past. But if you are stuck in it and can't move on Aoshi, you not only hurt yourself, but also everyone who is close to you."
"Kenshin…" Aoshi said in a worried tone.
Kenshin's violet eyes met Aoshi's blue ones for a second before he started laughing. "Right and you need to hand in THE report by five today." Kenshin effectively changed the subject. "I shouldn't be disrupting your work." Aoshi wasn't ready to listen to him, especially if he was having his own trouble. He wasn't that cruel to trouble him.
"Kenshin…"
"The report Aoshi, at five! No buts!" Kenshin reinforced as he left the room immediately, before he gave in to his wish and told Aoshi everything. He glanced at his watch. It was about time he met up with Tomoe and friend. He just hoped that everything would go alright.
"For Kaoru-dono's sake as well as mine…"
Kaoru sat in Tomoe's car, thinking of the exchange she had with Kenshin last night and smiled. She just couldn't believe her luck that Kenshin still loved her. It was definitely unbelievable.
Both of them lost contact for years and then by a strange twist in fate, they met in the book shop. It was just…
"Hello! Back to earth!" Tomoe said as she parked her car. "I cannot believe that I can finally get the two most important people in my life to meet each other."
"Mmm…" Kaoru absently said as her mind drifted back to the kiss.
"Kaoru! We are here, in the restaurant." Tomoe said as she unlocked her car. "I don't know why he desperately wanted to meet up today. I mean, he just saw me last night…"
"Love is a wonderful thing." Kaoru said softly as she glanced at Tomoe. "When one is in love, one do crazy thing."
Tomoe frowned. "Perhaps. But my instinct tells me that something is wrong." She said soberly.
Kaoru sighed. "Don't tell me you are suffering bride's jitters?"
Tomoe was silent for a moment before laughing. "Don't think so!" She said as she got out of the car. "Come on, it's about time to meet my fiancé."
Kenshin stirred his cup of coffee and frowned. What if he screwed up this meeting today? What if Tomoe would never want to see him ever again? Even though they were engaged, they were first best friends. He couldn't predict a lady's mind for they can be outright unreasonable.
"Kenshin-san?"
Kenshin blinked once, trying to put his thoughts back into his secret place. That would be settled later. Now, he had to put up a false front for Tomoe's friend, for her sake. "Hey." He said as he rose, giving her a peck on the cheek while glancing over her shoulder, surprised to see no one. "Where is your friend?" He asked calmly.
"Oh, she saw the shop next door and wanted to buy something, as a 'congrats present'. Or so she says…" Tomoe frowned as she took a seat opposite Kenshin's. "I think she is just nervous to meet you." She placed her handbag on the table and smiled. "So, what's with the sudden urge to see me Kenshin-san?"
Kenshin took in a deep breath. "Tomoe. I will tell you about it another day. It isn't a news I want to break it in front of your friend."
"Nonsense… She has been my friends for years. Kaoru-chan is almost like my sister…" Tomoe carried on, not realizing Kenshin's shocked look. "What you can say to me, can be heard by her as well…"
"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin whispered as he quickly got up. "Tomoe," He raised his voice. "Get her out of here! Just bring her away!"
"But Kenshin, she is my bridesmaid." Tomoe started before being cut off by Kenshin.
"Damn Tomoe! Didn't you realize that you never told me your bridesmaid's name before!" Kenshin cursed vulgarly before he could control his anger. Because of that careless slip, he might not be able to convince Kaoru that he loved her for all these years. She would think he was a liar and a cheater who backed out of their promise years ago….
Kaoru smiled as she entered the café, with Tomoe's wedding gift in her hands. It would be right to get a token to give to Tomoe's and her fiancé. The big present would come later, after the wedding night. She waved as she saw Tomoe standing up at one of the tables. "Tomoe!"
Kaoru watched her friend froze as Tomoe turned around, with a puzzled look on her face.
"Kenshin…." Tomoe started to speak, but nothing registered except that her Kenshin was standing with Tomoe.
"Kenshin!" Kaoru said, with a shaky voice, not wanting to betray her worst fears. "I didn't know that you knew Tomoe…"
"Kaoru.." Tomoe said softly. "This is Kenshin, my fiancé…."
NO! The words flashed through her mind as she looked at Kenshin, her eyes begging him to contradict what Tomoe just said. When she saw sadness and guilt in his eyes, she screamed as she threw the gift on the table and turned.
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin immediately shouted and grabbed hold of her hand. "Listen to me…" He said before her fist connected with his cheek, throwing him off balance. He loosen his hold on him, allowing Kaoru to flee from the café, away from him… No! He cannot let her walk out of his life without hearing his explanation.
Her tears started flowing as she pushed opened the door and rushed out on the pathway. Kenshin lied to her! He loved her. So he claimed. How could he love her when he is going to get married to Tomoe! Oh how she hated Tomoe at that point, for forgetting to tell her who her fiancé was…. Fury burned through her as she brushed her tears away. No way was she going to be made a fool by Kenshin again!
"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin shouted as he chased after her. This isn't happening! He thought as he tried to make his way through the crowded pathway. Kaoru can't walk out of his life again. It would kill him if she disappears again… He finally made it through the crowd, only to see Kaoru making her way across the road. He glanced at the road and to his horror, he saw a car speeding down the road, directly at Kaoru.
"Kaoru-dono, get out of the way!" He yelled as adrenaline rushed through him, allowing him to pick up speed and rushed to Kaoru, pushing her out of harms way, only to blank out soon after.
Kaoru felt someone pushed her as she lost her balance and stumbled into the other lane. Fortunately, there wasn't any car driving on that lane. She was about to turn around when she heard a loud bang and heard gasps from the pathway. She turned, only to find Kenshin lying on the ground, with a stream of blood flowing from his forehead.
"KENSHIN!" She screamed as she rushed to him. "Call the ambulance… please! Anyone call the ambulance!" She shouted at the crowd, as she kneeled down next to him. "Please, Kenshin… don't die! Please!"
Okay.. the last line is quite clique. And yes, the ending is there.. for now, i would have to plan to see what to do with those two bakas! So please give me your reviews and help me improve my work! Thanks!
God Bless
Joyful-x
