A Bet Gone Wrong: Chapter Eleven

It was Sunday morning. Kamiya Kaoru was in her room. Her computer was on iTunes and playing a variety of Japanese and American pop music. Kaoru was humming to the beat and getting dressed. She choose a simply baby pink sweet dress that almost reached her knees. A jean cropped jacket hung over her shoulders. She pulled her hair into a low side ponytail. A straw hat with a baby pink ribbon set over her head. She stared at her reflection that rested in her closet mirror. She was hoping Kenshin would like her outfit.

She grabbed her brown cross shoulder bag.

-:-

"Okay, papa," Kaoru said as she stepped down the last stair. "I'm leaving now."

"Wait," Koshijirou placed his hand in front of him. Kaoru was about to bump into his hand. She halted herself in a funny walk position. Koshijirou took hold of Kaoru's hand and placed something inside. "Do whatever you like with it."

Kaoru peeked into her hand. It was money-lots of it. Once in a while Koshijirou would give his daughter a crazy amount of money. She used to protest about the money, but as time flew she grew to get used to it. She jumped on her dad, giving him a tight hug, and a thank you.

"Make sure you carry your medicine," Koshijirou said after letting his daughter go.

Kaoru smiled. She reached in her bag and took out a bottle of pills to show her dad then placed it back inside along with her money.

Koshijirou allowed a sigh of relief to escape his throat.

Kaoru grabbed her white converses that were resting in the shoes holder. She placed them on, waved at her dad, and left the house. She was hoping during her date nothing would happen. After receiving news of her life nearing an end, she hasn't had any problems. It made her believe that she would pass Dr. Gensai's expectation and live through another year.

"I only have to hope," Kaoru ran to the train station.

-:-

Kenshin was waiting for Kaoru at the station near the school. He was leaning against one of the pillars with his phone in hand. He was playing a game called Crossy Road.

Kenshin was wearing tight skinny blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a brown hoodie jacket. A chain necklace hanged around his neck, his red hair was held in a sloppy bun, however, some strands managed to sneak away and brush the corners of his cheek.

It may have seemed as if he had no care in the world, but truth be told he was looking forward to his date with Kaoru. Kaoru was so different from Tomoe…so different from the girls that clung to him. He still held his doubts about welcoming another girl into his heart, but he really liked spending time with Kaoru. This date might let him see other sides of her. He was curious to know.

"Hello, Kenshin."

Kenshin slowly looked up from his phone. His phone almost slipped from his hand. He was tongued tied at the sight of Kaoru standing in front of him with that smile. She looked like a doll in her baby pink sweet dress and white shoes. Her pouty lips were painted with a light pink color lip gloss. It was the only make up she wore on her face and that was enough to make her sparkle.

A hint of pink formed on Kaoru's cheeks. Kenshin hadn't said anything- and his stare was making her heart react. She tapped her own chest lightly. 'Be good for me…please,' she said to her heart although she knew it wasn't because of her condition.

"You look…" Kenshin was lost for words.

Kaoru blushed even more. "Is it too much…"She reached to take off her hat to dim down the attire, but Kenshin caught her wrist.

"No, leave it," Kenshin slid his fingers until they clasped around her fingers. "It looks good on you."

Kaoru lowered her head. The shadows of her hat hid her red cheeks.

"Shell we go?" Kenshin asked.

Kaoru nodded.

Kaoru and Kenshin got on the first bus that made it stop. It was crowded with people (due to the fact it was Sunday). Kaoru and Kenshin were nearly split apart as the crowd shoved and pushed.

"K-kenshin," Kaoru cried as she was shoved away from him again. Kenshin tightened his hold on Kaoru's hand. He pulled her into his arms and held her closely-so close that he could feel the beating of her heart through his clothes. It had an odd uneven rhythm. Was this because he was holding her or-

"Your heart?" Kenshin questioned.

Kaoru fingers tightened on his shirt. "I-it, it's because we're-"

"Hey is that you, Kenshin?"

Kenshin and Kaoru turned to the direction of his name being called. Both Sanosuke and Megumi were on the same train-Sanosuke was holding Megumi in a similar way as Kenshin held Kaoru.

"Sanosuke…Megumi," Kenshin wasn't expecting to see any of his friends today.

"Ken-san…" Megumi greeted. "Kaoru-chan…"

"Hello, Megumi," Kaoru mumbled over Kenshin shirt.

Megumi smiled at the girl- even she thought the girl looked absolutely beautiful. She slightly glared at Kenshin. 'I hope he realizes it himself,' she thought.

"So where are the two of you headed" Sanosuke asked curiously. The bus made it seconds stop and a crowd of people got off. It was one of those locations filled with shopping malls. It left the two couples with seats. Megumi and Sanosuke set on one side and Kenshin and Kaoru on the other.

"We are headed to the zoo," Kenshin answered and the bus made its move again.

"The zoo," Sanosuke lifted a brow. "I thought you were taking her to the amusement park?"

Megumi smacked Sanosuke on the shoulder at the same time Kenshin shot him a quick glare. Lucky for him Kaoru had not been paying attention. She reached in her bag for her medicine. She wasn't sure if her heart was beating unevenly or rapidly because of her date with Kenshin or because of her health. She didn't want to risk it, but she didn't want Kenshin and his friends seeing her take the medication. She dropped the bottle and placed her hand over her lap. 'It's because I am with Kenshin,' she told herself.

She turned to listen to the conversation between Kenshin and his friends.

"The zoo is a wonderful place," Megumi said to Kenshin.

"It's a boring place," Sanosuke argued. "Why aren't you taking her to the amusement park?"

"Kaoru wanted to go to the zoo," Kenshin answered. He peeked at her over the corner of his eye. She had this worry look on her face. He reached for her hand and squeezed it and that pink formed on her cheeks. He liked it.

"What are you?" Sanosuke glared at Kaoru. "A loser?"

Kaoru frowned…this was supposed to be a wonderful day.

Megumi smacked Sanosuke on the face. "She probably chose it because she has a less chance of waiting in line for a ride."

"That is the best part about an amusement park," Sanosuke rubbed his cheek. "You take that half hour to make out with your partner." He touched Megumi on the chin and kissed her lips to prove a point to Kaoru, but Kaoru wasn't looking and Megumi hit him again.

"Idiot," Megumi scolded.

"What, Foxy," Sanosuke smirked. He brushed her nose with his own.

Megumi was about to slap him again, but he caught her hand this time. He growled in desire.

Kenshin turned his attention away from his friends.

"Maybe we should go to the zoo," Megumi suggested to Sanosuke before his lips could make contact with hers.

Both Kaoru and Sanosuke froze. Kaoru froze because she did not want Sanosuke to be there. She knew he would say some nasty remark. Sanosuke froze because he found zoos boring.

"Come on, Foxy, I thought we were going to the movies," Sanosuke protested.

"I haven't been in the zoo in a while and I think it's a better date than the movies," Megumi argued. She also wanted Sanosuke to learn a bit about Kaoru on this trip. "Will it be okay if we join, Ken-san…Kaoru-chan?"

Kaoru bit her lower lip. She wanted to say 'no'. The knowledge that Sanosuke was Kenshin's friend prevented her from saying so. She felt a squeeze. She looked up at Kenshin.

"I won't let him ruin our date," He whispered in Kaoru's ear.

Kaoru once again felt herself blushing. She nodded her head. "Okay."

"You'll have to pay your own tickets, that you will," Kenshin told the couple.

"Wait!" Sanosuke face dropped. He did not know the price of the zoo's tickets and he knew Megumi would make him pay.

"I guess I might end up alone by tomorrow," Megumi murmured so only Sanosuke could hear. She stared at her manicured nails.

A groan escaped the back of Sanosuke's throat. "Fine…but I'm expecting a reward tonight," He told Megumi.

Megumi pecked Sanosuke on the cheek. "You got yourself a deal."

Kaoru watched Megumi and Sanosuke. She wondered if she'd be able to snatch a kiss from Kenshin by the end of the date, part of her doubted it. Even though she was happy to have Kenshin as a boyfriend she kept her guard.

Two hours passed. The bus made its final stop at the zoo. Kaoru, Megumi, Sanosuke, and Kenshin followed the crowd out of the bus. Kenshin and Kaoru used a separate line from the other two to get their tickets. They met up at the zoo gate. Sanosuke was grumbling random words as he stared at his half empty wallet. Megumi laughed. This was more fun than the movies.

As they all entered the zoo the first animals to see were the variety of primates and birds. Kaoru ran toward the chimps and stared in awe at all of them. There were four and one of them was a newborn.

"Look, Kenshin," Kaoru pointed to the baby chimp. "She looks just like her mama."

"Are you sure it is female?" Kenshin asked.

"It says so here," Kaoru pointed to the description of the chimps. Kenshin read the description of the baby chimp, then returned to staring at the baby.

"It looks like a fur ball," Sanosuke interrupted. He and Megumi were standing behind the two.

Kaoru made a face of annoyance.

"I'd say she looks like you," Kenshin smirked, not letting Sanosuke's words faze him.

Megumi giggled.

"Hey, that isn't true," Sanosuke argued.

"You are right, she looks better than you," Kenshin tugged Kaoru to the next animal.

"Dam him," Sanosuke cursed.

"idiot," Megumi mumbled.

The next animals Kaoru and Kenshin saw were the lemurs. Kaoru made comments of the beauty of their tails and Kenshin listened. The way she spoke of every detail made him appreciate the animal. The lemurs weren't the only ones Kaoru talked about. She kept taking her cell phone out of her bag to take pictures of the variety of animals. Sanosuke on the other hand was hating the zoo. He bit his tongue to keep his remarks, because if he did Kenshin would say something to make him regret saying it or Megumi would pull his ear.

"Ah, my favorite animal," Kaoru reached in her bag for her cellphone and ran toward the lions. Kenshin chuckled at Kaoru's desire to see the lions. Her behavior at the sight of the animals reminded him of an innocent child. She really was attached to anything living.

"She is so childish," Sanosuke grumbled to Megumi.

"I think you are the only one thinking that," Megumi said. She was about to follow when her foot tapped something. "Huh." She glanced down at her feet. There was a bottle of pills on the floor. Megumi knelt down and grabbed the bottle. She turned the bottle around and read the name.

'This is medicine for a weak heart, what is it doing here?' Megumi wondered. She was seconds away from reading the owner's name when Sanosuke called her.

He was a head of her. When he noticed she wasn't at his side and stopped. "What are you doing, Foxy?"

Megumi slipped the bottle of pills into her purse. "Nothing."

"Did you find money?" Sanosuke asked hopeful.

Megumi glared at him. "Is that all you think of, Rooster?"

"If it is free, yeah."

Megumi did a facepalm. Why did she have to fall for a jerk? She walked passed him. Her hand was in her purse clasping the bottle of pills. The smart thing would be to send it to the lost and found, but she had a feeling the owner for the bottle was close.

Kaoru was reading the description for the lions. Each one of the lions shared a story of their own, their own history. Three of the lionesses were rescued from poachers. One of them was taken from the wild due to not being able to survive on his own, but the last lion…a cub caught her attention. Her eyes widened when she read the description about this baby.

"How kind," Kaoru whispered.

"Hm? What is it?" Kenshin asked curiously.

Kaoru moved away from the description so Kenshin could read it.

"They should have just ended its misery," Sanosuke was reading a similar description about the cub.

"What makes you think it is miserable?" Kaoru snapped.

"Come on, having to live with lungs that can't support the body is asking for suicide," Sanosuke rolled his eyes. The answer was too obvious.

Kaoru clasped her hands together. "People that are born with defects value their life more than anything."

"How would you know, Missy?"

Kaoru froze. "I don't know…"She touched the glass that separated the lions from the humans. "But I think…when someone is given a second chance…animal or human they value every morning and night that comes. That cub may have his struggles…and he will be dealing with them a lot…but in the end…in the end he will roar."

"I still think they should end its misery."

Kaoru huffed. Another word from Sanosuke and she was certain she'd end up beating him."I need a break…I'll be back." Kaoru stomped toward the nearest girl's restroom.

"You must get tired of this huh, Kenshin?" Sanosuke asked once Kaoru was out of hearing range.

Kenshin sighed. "Sano, once Kaoru is done using the restroom…I want you out of our sight."

"Come on, dude, didn't you say you wanted her not to like you?"

"I can do that my own way, that I can," Kenshin answered, though he had no desire to build a distance yet.

"Consider me doing you a favor."

"Sano, I don't want you ruining this date, that I do not."

"Don't tell me you are falling for her?"

There was a long pause. It couldn't be…he wasn't falling for Kaoru. They barely started dating. He couldn't deny that he found her attractive, but he wasn't in love. "I want to enjoy this bet. That is all."

"Man, you are probably weirder than she is," Sanosuke tsked. "Hey," Sanosuke began looking around. "Where did my Foxy go?"

"She went with Kaoru to the restroom," Kenshin answered.

"Are you kidding me?" Sanosuke groaned.

-:-

Kaoru rested the palms of her hands over the restroom sink. She dug her nails into the iron. She was fighting back tears that threatened to escape. This was the worst date ever…it was hard to ignore Sanosuke when he found something to say about every animal. Kenshin managed to stop his nasty remarks…it helped, but the lion cub comment got to her. What did Sanosuke know about people and animals like her?

"I would do anything to switch my life with you," Tears dripped from Kaoru's eyes and landed onto the sink. "I want to live too…live and get old."

"Did you lose something?"

Kaoru jumped- she quickly turned around. Her back hit the back of the sink. "Meg-"Kaoru gasped when she saw her bottle of medicine held in Megumi's hand. She was standing near the exit of the restroom.

"My family has been in the medical force for centuries," Megumi began. She tossed the bottle to Kaoru.

Kaoru caught the medicine.

"And this medication I know is meant for the heart."

Kaoru gulped. "Please don't tell anyone."

"I understand your situation pretty well," Megumi went over to the sink next to Kaoru's. She adjusted the makeup on her face as she continued to speak. "I've met a lot of patients like you. They don't want to worry others so they keep their situation a secret. I give you credit for keeping it for so long."

"I only want to live a normal life…" Kaoru mumbled. Her voice was a bit raspy.

Megumi frowned. She and Kaoru knew that was a faraway wish. "Have you not thought about transferring schools? I do not think a school filled with bullies is a best place for your health…it could worsen it."

"I can't…I have a good friend and-…and now Kenshin."

Megumi's eyes darkened even more. What would happen to Kaoru once she discovered the bet? She knew too much stress could lead to her death. If Kenshin broke the relationship after the bet was over she feared it would kill her. She needed to tell Kaoru now-for her sake. "There is something I should tell you."

"What is it?"

Megumi wasn't sure how to tell Kaoru the truth. Should she tell her? What if it only made the situation worse? She couldn't…she couldn't tell Kaoru yet…maybe, maybe before the bet is over Kenshin would come to the truth.

'I know Ken-san is not an idiot…he will learn the truth eventually,' Megumi thought.

"Megumi?" Kaoru waved her hand in front of Megumi. "What is it you want to tell me?"

"Ah…I only want you to know if you need anything…medicine…money for surgery I'm here to help," Megumi offered.

Kaoru smiled a little. "Thank you…but surgery won't be enough."

"What?"

"I don't have a year…and surgery won't save me."

Megumi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Kaoru's life was coming to an end? "I'm sure there are other ways to save you, Kaoru-chan."

"If there is, let me know," Kaoru smiled hopeful before it disappeared. She felt the tears falling once again. She wiped them away. "I'm sorry…It's seems it is all I can do."

"No...It is okay to cry. I'm sorry for Sanosuke's nasty remark. He doesn't know how to shut up and he thinks by making fun of others it will make him better."

"I'm used to it," Kaoru lied.

"I doubt it. I see it a lot…you pretend it is okay, but if you look closely it is eating you." 'And it is probably what is killing you,' Megumi thought. 'And Kenshin might only make it worse…should I tell her?'

"We've been in here too long," Kaoru stepped toward the exit. "They are waiting for us."

Megumi sighed. She couldn't tell her yet. "Wait…do you mind giving me your medical records?"

Kaoru stopped by the door. "What?"

"My family are the best doctors in the world. We might be able to save your life."

-to be continued

A/N: This was totally not what I planned. Hey but there is hope for Kaoru it seems. I don't know how this chapter turned out. It was difficult for me to concentrate on all four characters at once…but I hope you all enjoyed. I will try to those who wants Soujirou and Yumi/ Shishio moments to know I will try to find a way to add them. You can help by giving your own idea and I might be able to add it.

REVIEW RESPONDS

karupin13- I honestly do not know how Aoshi feels about Kaoru. I think at the moment he wants to protect her because she isn't in good condition. He could be falling for her because she isn't as bad as the rumors claim. There might be, but who knows how Misao will take it. You're welcome

kokoronagomu- I have an idea on how Kaoru is going to find out and what is going to happen to Kenshin. We will see what happens to them…thank you for your review.

Saki-Hime- Who knows how she will take it…thank you. I will try to make the others better though, promise.