A/N: I've been having doubts about this fanfiction. I don't know why I do not feel satisfied with the story, usually when I am not satisfied I delete them. However, a lot of you are reading this story so I have no intentions of deleting it.

Previously:

"Himura, I will give you a few weeks to learn who the real Kaoru is…if by then you cannot see for yourself, your mistake-" Aoshi pointed a finger to Kenshin's chest. "I will take her from you before your game is over."

Were the gods against him? "You'll ruin a friendship, that you certainly will." Kenshin argued.

"I probably will and probably will not," Aoshi moved away from the shadows. "But I will protect Kaoru's happiness…"

A Bet Gone Wrong: Chapter Ten

The wind danced through the trees. A leaf snapped from the cherry tree and landed on Kenshin's shoulder as he stood still. The shadows around him grew darker, despite the brightness around him. His squeezed his hands tightly, the nails digging through the skin and causing blood to land onto the sand. Kenshin felt like an animal trapped in a cage. There was no escape. He had an urge to give up, but if he did he would lose his captain position to Shishio. Shishio was on the same level of technique as Kenshin. He was also very sadistic which prevented him from guiding the others. As for Sano…Kenshin was not really fond of the idea of buying Sano's meals. That guy did not know when to stop eating. If he continued the bet- he could not temper with Kaoru's emotions or Aoshi would take her before the game was over.

Kenshin set on the ground, the leaf that was on his shoulder, fell onto his knee. Kenshin's eyes flickered. He reached for the leaf.

"Ken-san…"

Kenshin's fingers froze, barely inches away from the leaf. He brushed the leaf aside and turned his attention to Megumi. She was alone and walking toward him with two bentos in her hands. One of them he noticed as his. Megumi set next to him and placed the bento over his lap.

"You disappeared from class for quite a while. Your fangirls were fighting for who can give you your bento," Megumi explained. She pressed her back onto the bark of the tree and stared up into the clear blue sky.

Kenshin took the bento and placed it aside. All this drama made his stomach queasy; eating would only make it worse.

"You aren't hungry?" Megumi asked. "Are you feeling sick?" She placed her hand on his forehead.

Kenshin lightly moved Megumi's hand away.

Megumi dropped her hand to her knee. "Something is bothering you, is it not?"

"I've been regretting this bet the moment it started, that I have," He confessed.

Megumi had a feeling something like this would happen to her friend. "It is not like you to do something stupid, Ken-san. You should feel some shame," She scolded slightly. "Even you know, it is not right to mess with a girl's heart, even if that girl is strange."

There was more than regret growing in his soul…that he dared not admit…As the game started he saw sides of Kaoru that contradicted the rumors. Her stubbornness, kindness, and smile made him want to tease her, hold her, but he fought those feelings. This bet was supposed to make it easy for him. It was far from easy. He could not push Kaoru a way…

"Aoshi-san said…"Kenshin began. The tree's shadow grew darker around him. "…That if I don't get to know Kaoru, he would take her before the bet is over." It bugged him partly, because Aoshi never showed an interest in girls. It made no sense to him that he would want Kaoru.

"Would it hurt to get to know her?" Megumi asked. She tugged at the cloth that held her bento, took off the lid, and grabbed the chopsticks that were resting on the side. "Maybe she is not like Tomoe or those fangirls who claim to be loyal." Megumi grabbed Kenshin's bento and before he could say anything she placed the bento on his lap again. "You still need to ask her out on a date, don't you?"

"Meg-"

"Kaoru did not return to the classroom after that spider incident. My guess would be that she is in the nurse's office," Megumi interrupted.

Kenshin's grip tightened on the bento. Yes…it was time he stopped allowing his guy friends to control his life. He would decide on his own if the money was worth this bet? He got up from his spot, waved a casual goodbye at Megumi, and went straight toward the nurse's office.

-:-

Aoshi didn't bother returning to the classroom, it was only seconds away before the lunch hour. He set down in his main chair in the Student Council office. It was near the school window and facing the school field. He closed his eyes and allowed the quietness of the room to ease the tension in his bones. At first after this whole ordeal, he had no intentions of getting involved with the bet, but after learning about Kaoru and her health he had to protect her. Three months was enough to break a soul-and it could worsen Kaoru's health. 'Don't think I will let you get away with this Himura…you will not hurt Kaoru,' He glared at Kenshin through the window.

"AOSHI-SAMA!" The door burst open; a petite looking weasel came barging in.

Peaceful, tranquility…gone. "What is it?" He asked Misao.

Misao kept her smile, ignoring the annoyance that she could hear in her crush's voice. She placed a bento in front of Aoshi and set down next to him. "I only want to eat with you, my dear Aoshi-sama."

"You do know only student council members are allowed in this room," Aoshi glared at Misao.

"Let us pretend for once I am a council member," Misao sang. She tossed a sliced carrot into her mouth. Her lips turned into a bigger grin. "So I've been making plans for our trip…and there are a few places I really, really want to go."

"Misao-"Aoshi scolded. "Leave the office; I have a meeting in a few minutes."

"But, Aoshi-sama, don't you want to make plans?" Misao pouted.

"We still have one more week,"

Misao huffed. She picked up her bento and wobbled out of the office in disappointment. She bumped shoulders with a few of the student council members. She felt bits of envy, because they got the opportunity to spend time with Aoshi. She stopped a few steps from the student council's office. She peeked over her shoulders.

"If only Aoshi-sama was excited as me to spend time together on this trip," Misao frowned. Did he really only chose this trip to avoid the fangirls, but Misao was a bit of fangirl herself…scratch that…she was a fangirl, but she was more than a fan. She loved Aoshi for years, since elementary school. It was not only because of his handsome looks or personality…okay it was mostly his handsome looks and personality…he was hot. Misao squealed loudly. "Aoshi-sama," her face turned pink.

"You look silly, weasel," Sanosuke said as he walked passed Misao.

Misao snapped. "What did you say?" She marched after Sanosuke angrily.

"I said you look ridiculous. Now tell me where that friend of yours is?"

Misao blinked, when was Sanosuke interested in Kaoru's whereabouts? Misao didn't like the idea of Sanosuke being alone with Kaoru. He was one of the top ten students that bullied Kaoru. As Kaoru's only best friend she had to keep her away from idiots. "She went to the restroom in the girls' locker room, you know…to avoid mean people like you."

"I'm not going to make fun of your weird friend," Sanosuke rolled his eyes.

"How can I believe what you say?" Misao crossed her arms over her chest –the cloth of her bento held by the tips of her fingers- and glared at Sanosuke. "You make fun of her every chance you get!"

"Look, my relationship with my girlfriend is in danger if I don't get to spend some time with the Missy,' Sanosuke explained.

"Really?" Misao asked in disbelief.

"Tell me where she is and I promise I won't tease her okay."

Misao sighed, Kaoru would not be fond of the idea of Sanosuke knowing her location, but the girl could use friends like him. "Well-she is in the nurse's office." Misao pointed to the nurse's door.

Sanosuke ruffled Misao's hair which made her angry. He chuckled at her short temper then went over to the nurse's office. He slid the door open and was greeted by the school nurse.

"What brings you here, Sagara-san?" Aika asked.

"I'm looking for a friend…Kaoru Kamiya."

"Oh," Aika turned her head to the direction of the two beds in the nurse's office. Sanosuke followed the direction of her stare. Kaoru was asleep on one of the beds. The covers were pulled over her body –covering her from the neck down- "She fell asleep the second she came in."

"Is that even allowed?" Sanosuke pointed to Kaoru. Why was it when he wanted to sleep he was kicked out.

"Well she told me about the incident in the classroom. I don't understand why people make fun of her," Aika shook her head disapprovingly. "Don't they see that she is barely able to fight them off?"

"Is that even allowed?" Sanosuke asked again.

"She has permission from her doctor to rest when she is tired," Aika explained.

"So all I need is a doctor's note to be able to sleep whenever I want?"

Aika glared at Sanosuke. "She has her reasons. I hope you have your own before you feel the need to ditch your class again."

"Come on, I was really tired and Hoji-sensei's lecture on Feudal Japan was boring."

Aika shook her head once again. She got up from her seat. "I'm going to go buy myself something to eat. Don't think about waking her up." Aika grabbed her purse and car keys. She walked out of the room-part of her was hoping it wouldn't be a bad idea to leave her alone with that student. However, she doubted Sanosuke would do anything. She knew from the other students that he had a girlfriend.

Sanosuke glared at the sleeping Kaoru. "You just had to be asleep, didn't you? Are you plotting to ruin my relationship or something?" He demanded angry.

There was no respond from Kaoru-instead she turned around on the bed. She pulled the covers closer to her chin and sighed.

"Sano…what are you doing here?"

"Huh?" Sanosuke looked over his shoulder. Kenshin was stepping into the nurse's office when he had spoken.

"Yo," Sanosuke greeted.

Kenshin walked over to Sanosuke. He noticed Kaoru sleeping peacefully on the bed.

"If you think of advancing your relationship with her good luck," Sanosuke took a step toward the door. He did not want to wait for Kaoru to wake up-it was not worth it. "Let's go eat on the roof."

"You go," Kenshin placed his bento on the side table between the two beds. He grabbed the nurse's chair and set down facing Kaoru. He studied her features as she continued to sleep. He already admitted that she was beautiful-but still he couldn't stop admitting she was pretty. Her pouty pink lips were seeking atten-Kenshin quickly snapped out of his thoughts. It was too soon for him to think that way about her.

"You serious…look I get this is a bet and all, but you don't have to go this far," Sanosuke protested.

"If I am to win this bet," Kenshin looked over at Sanosuke. "I have to give it my all don't I?"

He did not want to tell Sanosuke about the situation between him and Aoshi. It wasn't that he did not trust or have faith in his friend; he didn't want others to know he was losing.

"Suit yourself," Sanosuke shrugged and left.

How was he to know Kaoru if she was asleep? Kenshin wondered. Come to think of it he did hear once from the other students that Kaoru often spent her time in the nurse's office. The rumor was that she was having a fling with the nurse. Kenshin did not believe it, because if it were true the nurse would have been fired. Was there something else-some other reason she kept coming here? Did she have asthma?

Kaoru shifted once again on the bed. Her fingers were curled on the side of her head.

Kenshin reached for it and held it in his hand. He careful uncurled her finger checking to see if the spider bite had been treated. There were two small ban-aids on her upper and lower palm.

'Good it wasn't dangerous,' Kenshin thought relieved then gasped. Was he worrying over Kaoru? Dam this bet and all the mess it brought with it. He loosened his hold on her hand and was about to let it go when he heard her call his name.

"K-Kenshin…"

His violet eyes met Kaoru's blue. She blinked a few times- trying to adjust her eyes to the light in the room.

"Did I wake you?" Kenshin asked. He quickly released her hand.

Kaoru shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "No…when did I fall asleep?"

"Probably after the spider bit you."

Kaoru yawned. "Why are you here?"

"I was looking for you so we could eat together," Kenshin answered.

A hint of pink formed on Kaoru's cheek. "My bento isn't here…"

"You can have mine," Kenshin took hold of his bento and placed it on Kaoru lap. He didn't trust his stomach to keep the food.

Kaoru smiled. "Thank you." She took the lid off the bento and peeked inside. It had white rice, slice omelets, mixed vegetables, and noodles.

"You spend a lot of time here," Kenshin noted. "Why?"

Kaoru froze before she could eat. "Um…it is an escape from everyone."

Kenshin lifted a brow, why was she lying to him? Weren't they boyfriend and girlfriend? "Is it bad?" He asked.

Kaoru quickly shook her head. She wasn't going to let Kenshin know that she was suffering from a heart defect-no one was allowed to know besides her family and Misao. She had no choice, but to let Aoshi in on her secret as well. She didn't want people to know, because she did not want to be pitied. But-

Kaoru picked up some noodles and took a bite. It would be difficult to keep the secret now that it was getting worse. What was she to tell Kenshin? He might end up suffering…Kaoru frowned. She did not want to be responsible for hurting him.

"Is something wrong?" Kenshin asked-for some reason he did not like that her smile had altered.

"No" Kaoru nibbled on more noodles. "This is really good- did your father make it?"

"You'd be asking for suicide if he did," Kenshin admitted, smiling, which made Kaoru laugh.

"I think my cooking would be suicide."

"It can't be as bad as his"

"It is…it is," Kaoru admitted. It was usually something she wasn't fond of speaking about, because it showed that she lacked a necessary skill. Kenshin placed his arms-crossed- over the edge of the bed. He leaned a little and continued to chat about random things with Kaoru. He found himself enjoying her company and hearing her laugh.

"This Sunday," Kenshin switched topics. "What do you think about the amusement park?"

Kaoru's finger twitched on the chopsticks. She wasn't allowed anywhere near the amusement park. Most of their regulation prohibited people like her from getting on their rides. It was also a rule she had to follow for her own health. "Is the zoo, okay?" Kaoru asked. She prayed that Kenshin would not find her weird for suggesting it. "I'm not…really fond of rides."

"It is a date."

This made Kaoru blush. "Hai…"

-to be continued

A/N: I know, I know you all want long chapters, but this is all I could think of it. I truly apologize for making you all wait. I was struggling with the chapter and I'll be honest I am not happy with it. I had a brain fart with this story. I am not going to abandon it though…I promise. I think there will be five to ten more chapters left. Anyway now that the hard part is out of the way I think chapter eleven won't be hard to write. I might start it either Sunday or Monday…I have homework so it is going to be on hold, and I also want to write the next chapter for my guilty story.

REVIEW RESPONSE

ngan truong- Thank you so much and I am sorry for the long wait.

Guest- Aoshi is something isn't he?

Euchihadighi- Thank you, thank you. That is a secret.

Guest- Well I do ship Misao and Aoshi, but it is fun to mess with a couple isn't it? Kenshin has got to pick up his game don't he? I wonder if he is jealous…

Asuka-chan- I was thinking there has to be an explanation why Kenshin isn't fond of girls. I sort of took the idea from a manga and thought maybe I could add a similar one to the story. Yes, Kaoru will be dropping off many hints about herself that Kenshin hasn't picked up on…yet. You make very good prediction.

Oyuu-Saramoto14- Thank you. We can hope

Angelica chibilua- Yes, when she was talking about the spider she was comparing it to herself. It is one of the reasons she talks about how life is special, because she wishes she could live long. Aoshi became a main character…hehe. Thank you

Anna- He kept his spy skills…lol. I was thinking of having a little AxK. The irony is, what would it do to Misao? Bullies tend to make something seem unwelcomed, I believe. Yeah…

Saki-Hime- Thank you

Guest- Thank you, thank you. Lol, I'm glad it gave you that reaction. Who cares what people think, right? I've seen people sing in public while listening to music.

Kokoronagomu- Sometimes I like writing high school stories. I try not to make them seem too childish though…shhh! There is a reason and yes you'll have to wait.

G- Thank you so much…there is some good AUs for Rurouni Kenshin. I was like you with the mm…should I read, but there are some good ones here. Maybe…if I find a part for Soujirou in the story.

CupofTeaforAliceandHatter- I will not make any promises. We will see where the story leads us. Thank you for loving the story still.

Hani- Yes, yes he should and thank you

Karupin13- Maybe, I'm thinking about it. Thank you for the review. I'm sorry this chapter is short, it is because I don't want to spoil the next chapter. The next chapter might be long…might though and thank you

Hapiflower- Thank you so much, I think people are the way they are because of their past. Kenshin has to have a reason for not wanting Kaoru so I gave him a past that made him not trust in girls. That is a secret. Thank you

CiaoKawaiirina- Who knows if he is. Thank you

THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR THE REVIEWS, FOLLOWS, AND FAVORITES. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG WAIT. I HOPE I CAN REGAIN MY JAM WITH THIS STORY, BUT I WILL NOT DROP IT. I WILL WARN YOU IF THAT HAPPENS.