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Geez, it's been FOREVER since I updated. My apologies, really, if it hadn't been for kenshingumi#6, I would've never gotten to writing this next chapter. And I've actually planned out what's gonna happen in the next one! Anyways, high school has been slowly killing me, but it's not THAT bad. I finally have time now to write because it's winter break! So here, a chapter! Hope it doesn't seriously suck, it's sorta short...

Last time:

Stumbling into my room and falling onto my bed, I touched my lips, which had, just a few moments before kissed his.

Feeling the tingling sensation due to the aftershock and I knew, right then and there that Tomoe was one stupid girl.

When I woke up the next morning, bleary-eyed and dreading the math test that I was guaranteed to fail, I was certain that the night before had just been a dream. A wonderful and flawless one, but nonetheless, not real.

That was, until I came downstairs and saw Aoshi nervously drinking tea next to my grandpa, who was still holding his baseball bat in a threatening position.

I sighed; at least he hadn't killed Aoshi when he was sleeping. Taking the seat in between the two, I grabbed a box of cereal and poured an ample amount of milk over it. Needless to say, the conversation was limited.

Eager to get out of the house, I all but dragged Aoshi out the door, even though the school bus (which was about a quarter mile's walk away) wouldn't arrive until 7:45, almost half an hour's worth of waiting time. Anything was better than staying in that house any longer.

Surprisingly, waiting at the bus stop, were Kaoru AND Kenshin, the former looking ready to go homicidal and standing a good ten feet away from the latter, who was looking his usual oblivious, happy self. In fact… he was even HUMMING! Talk about adding insult to injury…

Abandoning Aoshi for a few minutes, I hurried over to my best friend, who all but collapsed with relief. Giving her some time to rant her heart out, I half listened and half plotted. Seeing as how my "Get Aoshi" plan was going just fine, I was starting another one. I called it, "Getting Tomoe to Dump Kenshin".

Bet you thought it was going to be "Get Kaoru and Kenshin Together", huh? Well I'm not THAT predictable. This isn't some low budget romantic comedy!

Anyways, I just figured that if Tomoe dumped Aoshi, who was the epitome of the perfect man, for Kenshin, who was… well KENSHIN, it was just a matter of time before yet another break-up ensued. So really, I wasn't really MEDDLING… I was just, um, speeding up the process a bit!

I broke out of my scheming state of mind long enough to realize that Kaoru was quickly running out of steam and that Aoshi was looking a tad bit lonely. At least, I'd have liked to think he did.

Giving my friend a hug and a few words to calm her down, I tried my best to inconspicuously edge over to Aoshi. I was almost close enough to wrap my arms around his waist, and my eyes were on the verge of closing as my cheek almost came in contact with his jacket, but then I caught a glimpse of Kaoru, sneaking tearful glances at a completely unaware Kenshin, still humming, and I knew I had a job to do.

After giving my head a quick shake and tearing myself away from the magnet that was Aoshi, I did my best to casually saunter towards Kenshin. Being sure to wink at Kaoru, who was staring at me with widened eyes, I bumped into him, not too hard, but enough to jolt him out of the sickingly happy condition that he was in.

"So… Kenshin, heard about you and Tomoe…" I said, giving him a little nudge, nudge, wink, wink, which might've worked better had I been a guy.

"Eh?"

Talk about giving me absolutely nothing to work with! I had nothing prepared. I always adlib everything… which might explain how I manage to find myself in the most awkward of situations… but really, if this was any other guy, I would've found myself bombarded with all sorts of stories.

Of course, this wasn't just any other guy; this was Kenshin, who was so effeminate sometimes I think I wouldn't even blink if he decided one day to start using the girls' bathroom. I'd just ask him for some lip gloss and be on my way.

But, getting back on track, I realized that I had some serious digging to do.

"I mean, seeing as how it's all over the school about that little situation a few days ago…" I said, hoping to see a reaction, ANY reaction.

All I got was, "I don't… understand."

Oh, you can imagine how much I wanted to smack him. How could Kaoru fall for such an ignorant idiot! And one with bleached spots in his hair…

I could see the bus approaching in the distance and decided I had time for one last attempt, and I had to make it count. It had to be something that he would ponder for the entire ride and then some… but what?

And then I had it.

"Oh, well, it's just that it was all over the school that Tomoe wants you to be the one to… well…," I lowered my voice to just a whisper, "take her virginity."

On cue, the bus slowed to a stop and I left Kenshin looking much like a suffocating goldfish. Perfect!

After years of knowing Kenshin, I knew that he was the ULTIMATE prude. You know, one of the few guys that are going to wait until after marriage. Which is very sweet, I'm not saying that it's not, but his values played perfectly into my hands.

Next time Tomoe came onto him, he'd freak out and a break-up would be in the near future.

But then, almost immediately afterwards, I felt... bad! My conscience was quickly catching up and it was killing me.

I mean, who was I to trick one of my friends like that? What kind of a bitch was I? Who does that? Uses someone's morals against them? I mean, it's not like I'm not going to wait, I probably will!

Feeling like a Grade A asshole, I felt like crawling into a hole and hiding. My conscience was really milking the situation. The whole day seemed to be slipping down the drain.

And then I felt a hand against the small of my back, gently pushing me forward and I just knew that it was Aoshi. If there hadn't been other people on the bus, I'd have fainted... no joke!

Granted, I did almost squeal, more out of surprise than anything else, and I stiffened visibly for a moment, but this action managed to banish my pesky conscience to the far corners of my mind.

Sliding into an empty seat, I was happy to see Aoshi follow in suit, looking as good as I had pictured.

I was even happier when he clasped his hand together with my slightly clammy one.

And when he quickly looked around to check for nosy passengers before gently brushing his lips against mine, well, screw Kenshin and Tomoe, I was in heaven.

Yes, that's it, I'm sorry. I'll try my best to have another chapter out before break ends...

Edit 12/20/05:

Due to my long long long disappearance from fanfictiondotnet, it just recently came to my attention from a reviewer that really saved my behind, that I'm not allowed to thank the reviewers. Seriously, WTF! So, in my best attempt to STICK IT TO DA MAN! I've decided to post all thanks on xanga. Just replace a period with every dot. And slashes with... well actual slashes and underscores with actual underscores.

www dot xanga dot com slash malicious underscore cranberry

You guys are the reason I write fanfictions. You are what inspires me. Without you, this would've ended after chapter three or earlier! So really, thank you. LOLLIPOPS FOR EVERYONE!

Edit Fifteen or so minutes later:

OR, and this is so much easier, just got to my profile and click on my link to my homepage. MUCH easier! And you don't even need an account, all you have to do is write in the chatter box. My gosh, STICKING IT TO DA MAN is a lot harder than expected...