WHEN THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND YOU
By: Chiki Yumeshisa
Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin...all original characters/ideas are mine to claim.
AN: I REPOSTED THIS CHAPTER AND FIXED SOME ERRORS - I´M LATE IN POSTING! I´M SO SORRY! – yes, I know, evil cliffhanger, and of course, short chapter. I hope this one will be longer. Ah, gomen, I know things kinda seemed rushed at the end there…….however, I hope this chapter explains a few things.
SIDE NOTE
(IMPORTANT!) SUPERSTITIONS:
In Japan, Omens are very common.
Well, okay so in my school they are. The number 4 "Shi" means
'death´ and therefore, it is not a surprise that some of the
hotels/inns don´t have the room number 4, or even a fourth
floor! Bad omens are usually: a chopstick breaking, (good omen –
chopsticks splitting perfectly down the middle) sneezing (someone is
talking about you) and if glass breaks before you touch it. Or if
glass breaks when you touch it. (Not when it falls over, or when you
squeeze it. Just touch it). I´ve left out a few, but the last
one will be important for this chapter. ONTO THE STORY!
SIDE NOTE#2:Also words in italics are when characters Reminisce of the past! This should help those people who became confused last time I posted this - I wasn't sure how to make it into an HTML file. Arigatou Shou-kun for your help: and remember, anything that has (0-0-0-0) is the past too. Sorry so much switching in this chapter. Please enjoy.
WARNINGS: THIS CHAPTER JUMPS FROM PAST TO PRESENT A LOT (rated pg13) You have been warned. No flames please.
Chapter 12:
Bad Omens
"Shredded Shrimp." He looked up at Kenshin, whose eyes were wide. Realization washed over Soujiro's features. "Himura-san...what's this all about?"
Kenshin opened his mouth to explain, and then realized that the whole club was looking at him, confused. None of them were aware of Kaoru´s misfortune with the allergic reaction. Everyone had been told she was in the hospital without further explanation. They looked on with interest.
Kenshin mentally kicked himself. He had forgotten he had kept the bottle intending to throw it out. It had flown from his mind when Kaoru had been rushed to the hospital. He just wanted to disappear.
Kaoru on the other hand, went incredibly pale. Her raised bokken lowered and she staggered back a step. Soujiro cried out her name, jumping to his feet.
Kenshin´s mouth was dry and his tongue stuck to the roof of it. He watched as Kaoru´s face went from shock to pure rage.
All those hours of pain………the itchiness, the rashes, the long endless nights in the hospital, the embarrassment……….worry, hurt, and confusion………….was all because of HIM? She felt her blood boil , and she lost any control she might have had on her emotions. Her hands tightened around the hilt of her bokken.
"Bastard!" She screamed, bringing her weapon down furiously. He blocked it, knees trembling from her anger alone. She continued to swing the bokken angrily, screaming at him. "I can´t believe you would go that far! You immature, stupid, conceited, spoiled brat!" Seeing that her attack wasn´t getting through, she dropped the bokken, tossing it to the side and bringing her hand up.
SLAP!
The sound of flesh whipping flesh reverberated through the entire dojo, followed by gasps from the students.
The slap stung like anything, and Kenshin recoiled from the pain, head ringing. She had one powerful arm. He closed his eyes, feeling his cheek swell – it was his fault after all……….
She slapped him again, this time on his other cheek. "Why?" – Slap. "You idiot!" – Slap. "You irresponsible………." –Slap. "Baby!" –Slap. Kenshin stood still, welcoming the pain, letting her slap him. Each word hurt him more than a slap ever could. Her slaps stopped, her hands clutching at his yukata. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pounded on his chest. "I don´t understand….." She sobbed. "I won´t understand." Her pounding ceased too, her hands still clenched tightly into fists. Her forehead touched his chest as she cried.
"What have I done to make you hate me so much?" She asked tearfully.
Kenshin opened his eyes to look down at her, her hold on his clothing the only thing keeping her upright. He couldn´t answer. What had she done? His mind flew to all the things they had gone through, all the way to their first encounter: the beginning of this mess. She had accidentally bumped into him and he had dropped his cigarette in the process. Yet, he knew, that that one incident would never amount to what he had done to her.
What was worse: he had done it to her willingly.
Everything was silent.
Realizing that Kenshin would not answer her, Kaoru looked up into his violet eyes which held guilt. She began to back away slowly, her fingers going numb, and continued to back up, watching his eyes in a trance. Her chest was constricting painfully; she found it difficult to remember to breathe.
'Don´t walk away, Kamiya………´ Kenshin thought, watching her back away. 'Please, let me explain…….´ But Kaoru turned and ran out of the room, her ponytail trailing behind her.
Kenshin finally made his feet move, dropping his bokken as well, hoping to catch up to her.
Kaoru, however, continued to run blindly down the hall, tears flowing down her cheeks. Somehow, it hurt more knowing that Kenshin had been the one to do this to her.
She felt herself collide into someone and realized with a start, that it was Kiyosato. She fell into his embrace.
"Oh Akira…………." She sobbed, clutching at his blazer.
Strong arms enveloped her. "What´s the matter, Kaoru?"
She sobbed harder, shoulders quaking. "Take me home, please? I don´t want to stay here any longer……….."
He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong again, but then decided not to. "Okay, Kaoru. I´ll take you home."
From a small distance, Kenshin watched them, frozen into place. He heard the whole conversation between the two and realized darkly that they had become intimate. The shattered pieces of his heart were upturned once more, and there was nothing he could do about it.
0-0-0-0-0
Kaoru walked into her house wearily. It was past 5:00 so it meant that the kids were back from their grandfather´s Dr. Genzai, and Yahiko was home from school.
Upon returning from the hospital that morning, she hadn´t seen them. She had been too exhausted to do anything else and had collapsed on her bed, asleep in seconds.
She was eager to see them now, but at the same time, she didn´t want them to see her like this; red eyes from crying, and a tear-stained face. Kaoru washed her face first before entering the living room, where Yahiko sat, poring over his books. The little ones sat no far off, playing quietly together.
Hearing the shoji slide open, all three looked up and the girls squealed in delight, running to give Kaoru a hug. Even Yahiko smiled hugely, and it must be said that it was unlike his character to do so.
Kaoru hugged them both tightly, squatting to their level. "I´m home." She informed them.
"Welcome back!" Ayame said happily. "Is Kao-neechan okay?"
Kaoru smiled. "Of course. Don´t worry."
Ayame frowned. "What happened?"
The elder fell quiet, not wanting to remember the incident and forcing back tears when she remembered exactly who was responsible. "Nothing, honey. It doesn´t matter now." She finally said.
Suzume seemed oblivious to the concern of Ayame. She was just happy Kaoru was back. Kaoru was her most favoritist person in the world, after all. She climbed into her arms. "Kao-neechan, look." She held a gorgeous doll up to Kaoru´s face. "Isn´t it pretty?"
"It is." Her sister agreed. It was small, the head made of plastic as well as the arms and legs. Its middle was soft and it was dressed in an elegant kimono. "Wherever did you get it?"
Suzume hugged it to herself. "Ken-nii gave it to me."
"A friend?" Suzume nodded, busying herself with toying with the doll´s hair. "He´s the nicest."
Kaoru set her down on the floor. How sweet – Suzume had a crush on someone in her school. Her little sister returned to playing in the corner with Ayame.
Yahiko leaned back as she sat down at the low table as well.
"I thought you were Kenshin." He told her.
A cold feeling ran down Kaoru´s spine. Had she just heard right?
"K-Kenshin?" She asked, dreading the answer.
Yahiko nodded. "Yeah – he told us yesterday he´d be here today, but I guess since you´re back………….."
Kaoru stared at her brother, confused. "What?"
"Kenshin! He - "
Kaoru cut him off abruptly, demanding, "What´s his last name?"
"Himura….." Yahiko answered, "Himura Kenshin. Why? Do you know him?"
Kaoru couldn´t believe her ears. She had hoped that maybe there had been another Kenshin that Yahiko had been talking about. Her cheeks warmed: he had hurt her enough; now he planned on hurting her family too?
"Himura……." She repeated, dazed. Her little brother noticed her eyes flashing indignantly.
"Do you know him?" Yahiko pressed.
"Of course I know him!" Kaoru snapped angrily. It caused the little ones to jump in surprise. "He´s a jerk! Stay away from him! It can´t believe he came to my house!"
Yahiko had trouble figuring out if they were talking about the same person. The Kenshin he knew was certainly no jerk – and most definitely no one to be afraid of. The Kenshin he knew was kind, gentle, and a great cook. Someone who did the laundry and a great sparring partner. He had grown fond of the fiery-haired boy and had formed a tight bond in friendship with him.
Suzume looked mortified. She hugged the doll to herself tightly. "I love Ken-nii." She said passionately, her lower lip trembling.
"What´s wrong with him?" Yahiko asked, his voice gaining a defensive edge.
Kaoru glared back. "What´s wrong with him? Everything! He´s a good for nothing conceited jerk!"
Yahiko gave her the same confused look. "I don´t understand……..he´s really different from what you say – he cooked and cleaned – he even did the laundry!"
Kaoru blinked. Cooking and cleaning? Doing laundry! That was so unbelievable, she had to blink twice, in a daze. "I don´t believe you………" She whispered.
Suzume´s smug look deepened, taking her sister´s hand in hers and leading her to the laundry area. Sure enough, the piles of laundry she had left two weeks before were gone. Instead, fresh clothes hung on the linens outside, being blown by the winter wind, and the rest were neatly folded and separated into five tidy stacks.
She couldn´t believe her eyes. The whole room was scrubbed and smelled clean. It was dusted of the dirt and rid of all the cobwebs. Hand settling on the open shoji, Kaoru looked out at the garden that had once been cluttered. Now the flowerpots that had been lying about precariously, were set in a small bundle near the fence that separated their garden from their neighbor´s.
Overhead, she hard a tinkling sound – so, he had gone out and bought a wind chime. Her eyes then fell on a white sweatshirt. On the front was the word "HOT" written on it in fire. There was no doubt: this was Kenshin´s shirt; the same one he had been wearing when he had visited her in the hospital. It even smelled like him; rich with the cologne he used against his golden skin.
She turned to face the younger ones, who were looking up at her expectantly. She clutched his sweatshirt in her hands and asked,
"Did he have long red hair?"
The three nodded. "He even had a boo-boo on his left cheek," Ayame piped up, "like a cross."
She felt something sink into the pit of her stomach. It was Kenshin after all. Something in the back of her mind just didn´t want it to be so.
Kaoru looked up when Suzume happily said, "He´s the nicest – he always played with me and never got mad."
"He was handsome too." Ayame put in.
She took it all in. Kenshin being nice and playing with children was just too far-fetched in her opinion. The Kenshin she knew was a spoiled, self conceited brat who threw tantrums whenever he so chose.
She hugged the sweater to herself pensively.
Did she really hate him, or…?
(0-0-0-0-0)
Kenshin winced, as Suzume pulled another lock of his hair roughly. She stood behind him, happily playing with his hair as he washed clothing. For some reason, he felt at ease doing the mundane task.
He winced again as Suzume repeated the tug, pulling harder and giggling. He suppressed the urge to growl at her in annoyance. He didn´t want to yell at her – she was, after all, a kid.
"Suzume-chan, do you mind being more gentler?" He asked kindly, struggling to smile down at her. Obediently, she nodded, patting his hair in apology, before asking her sister to help find some flowers: she wanted to make a wreath for his head.
The smile on his face became more genuine, seeing the girls laughing freely as if there weren´t a care in the world. It surprised him that such poverty did not faze their young minds at all, and that with so little, they could make so much.
Old boxes that had been discarded by neighbors served to make a pretend dollhouse for the girls, and the dolls were made of sticks from the garden, fastened in place by pins and string.
Kenshin remembered his childhood. He had expensive toys that lit up and moved with a push of a button. He had gotten his own cell phone when he was 7 and his own laptop when he was 8. How different the two worlds were! And yet, he had been unhappy……..but the little girls were exactly the opposite, pleased with what little they had. It surely was a puzzlement.
Come to think of it, he was still unhappy…………..
Pulling his sweatshirt off because the sleeves were constantly getting soaked, Kenshin shivered in the chilly air. He plunged his hands under the hot, soapy water once more, resuming the chore.
He jumped slightly as the little ones put the wreath on his head.
"Ken-nii is so pretty!" Ayame squealed in delight. Suzume clapped her hands in agreement.
"Mou! Ken-nii, play with us!" She complained, tugging on his arm.
"In a while you two." He said gently, "I must first finish this and then clean a little. Why don´t you two take a short nap?"
Their little fists pounded his back and arms in protest, their voices upset, noting the fact that a nap was not welcome. He promised them that when they woke up, he would have a surprise for them, and if they were extremely good, he would make them a delicious dinner. They excitedly agreed, and in minutes, they were sound asleep.
Draining the bucket of its soapy contents, Kenshin hung the clothing and began to arrange the rooms. The smallest one belonged to Kaoru, and reminded Kenshin of no more than a closet.
Books upon books lined her floor; some in wobbly stacks, others arranged from biggest to smallest. A couple were strewn out across the small wooden table that stood next to her bed.
He was amazed, and wondered just how many of those thick books she had actually read. He decided not to touch anything, afraid she might have her books in a particular order.
He decided instead to go buy the little ones a gift…
0-0-0-0-0
The events of the last few weeks flew out of his mind as Soujiro stepped forward. He pulled himself from the past and back into the present. His purple eyes fell on the orange plastic container Soujiro held in his hand.
"Why, Himura-san?" He asked.
Kenshin reached out and curled his long fingers around the cylinder, plucking it out of the boy´s hand. He looked at it for a long while. "It was an accident………"
"An accident?" Soujiro cried. "You could have killed her!"
"It was unintentional! I had no idea she was allergic." He gripped the bottle so hard until it creaked. "God, I had no idea……….."
Soujiro heard his voice was heavy with regret. "Kamiya-san is a dear person to me. I would not forgive you if you hurt her in any way again."
Kenshin looked at him blankly, and realized that Soujiro´s gaze was unblinking. He was dead serious. He tried to soften his expression. "I thought that Kiyosato-san was the one that did it……and I wrongly accused him of doing so too." He paused. "But……we can´t turn back time." He murmured.
"Unfortunately." Kenshin moaned.
A long silence passed.
"What are you going to do?"
"Do? I´ve gotten my punishment already and served it well. What else do I gotta do?"
Soujiro shifted. "Her reaction upon seeing that bottle told me clearly that she did not know it was you. She knows now………..what will you do?"
Kenshin shrugged. "I´ve already had things taken care of."
"The M.R.I could suffer……….."
"The M.R.I will be fine!" Kenshin snapped. "What is she going to do? She knows she has no power in the situation. Besides, I´m not lying……..you believe me don´t you?"
Soujiro nodded. "Still, I don´t approve of your joke." He watched as Kenshin took his back pack out of his locker. "Why did you do it anyway?"
Kenshin stopped, and then resumed placing his books into his bag. "I wanted to put her in her place for choosing Kiyosato over me – I guess I made it worse, huh? They´re together now it seems." He hoisted the pack onto his shoulders. "Aw, who cares – I´ve got Tomoe………….."
Soujiro watched as Kenshin exited the building. So……Akira and Kaoru were together. No! That pairing was wrong! He could see in both Kenshin and Kaoru´s eyes that they liked each other. It was a spark that was quickly missed, but had been seen by the attentive Seta. He had planned to get them together, but that everlasting Akira had been in the way.
Didn´t he see? Kaoru´s heart rightfully belonged to Kenshin.
0-0-0-0-0
Second period, and already everyone wanted to go home. It would be their last session in chemistry before the exams, so everyone took their places quickly. They were all worried and had begun to form study groups within the class.
Kenshin didn´t care. He sat at his desk facing the front with dull eyes. He was eyeing the cigarette pack he had placed on Saitoh-sensei´s desk with much interest. It had been pure torture to have a full pack in his blazer´s pocket and not be able to get one. The spells of nausea hadn´t left him, and he was slowly starting to break under the craving´s demand.
Surely one or two wouldn´t hurt………….
He could see Tomoe´s disapproving eyes, and the thought went clear from his mind.
He propped his head up with his hand, his elbow on the desk. He stuck his pen in his mouth and began to chew on the end of it lazily. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at the clock. Today´s class would be long………….
He hadn´t gotten much sleep the night before. It had taken him a while to sleep, tossing and turning in bed. He had been thinking of little girls like Suzume and Ayame, who slept on dirt rags and played with makeshift toys. It made him feel guilty that he had so much.
In desperation, he had called Tomoe, who had answered the phone sleepily. He had let her go at 2:00 am, but even then, he had been unable to sleep.
When sleep finally claimed him, it was almost 4:00 am, and it had been fitful and uneasy. His dreams had been clouded with images of poverty, and the sound of someone sobbing. When he had turned around to see who it was, he was surprised to see Kaoru.
"What have I done to make you hate me so much, Himura?"
He took a step toward her. "Kamiya……….I………….."
"Whatever! I hope I never see your sorry face again!" She screamed. The words ripped at Kenshin´s soul.
"It was all my fault………" He admitted. "I should never have……….."
"I hate you……….." She whispered. She was in the hospital again, her face full of rashes, her blue eyes with tears. "I hate you so much………………" She turned away from him.
Then he was alone in the darkness. He heard her whisper. "Why?" It echoed all about him and he couldn´t tell from where her voice was coming from. "I hate you….so much."
Kenshin had come awake with a strangled cry, a pain in his chest. It hurt like nothing he had ever felt before. It wasn´t physical, but………..the words, "I hate you….so much." Were still fresh in his memory, and he had put his hands up to his face and wept.
He did so for a long time, shoulders shaking – he didn´t remember when he had last cried – until Nakamura had entered worriedly and comforted him.
Now he laid his head on his desk, pen still in his mouth. A few moments of rest wouldn´t hurt. He was dimly aware of someone sitting next to him and then became aware of someone shaking his arm. He sat up, dazed. His pen had fallen from his mouth, and he blinked to clear his vision. He turned to see who was nudging him and wake fully when he saw Kaoru.
"Hey, hey wake up!" She was saying, "Saitoh-sensei is calling you."
Hearing that, Kenshin shot to his feet. "Yes, sir?"
The class giggled.
"What a lovely imprint of your arm you have on your face, Himura." Saitoh said, smirking. He watched as Kenshin´s hand flew to his right cheek, and turned beet red. "How generous of you to fall asleep in my class. I hope you had a good rest."
"Y-yes sir." He murmured. He was dimly aware of the giggles that sounded again. He was so tired!
"I hope to God you can pass my exams because I sure as hell don´t want you in my class again next year."
"No sir." He answered tiredly. Saitoh raised an eyebrow. He was surprised to see that Kenshin wasn´t answering back. Usually he would throw an insult back just as quickly as it had been given. With a growl of distaste, Saitoh motioned for him to take a seat, to which Kenshin was more than happy to comply.
Upon entering the class, Kaoru had noticed Kenshin had fallen asleep. She didn´t want to wake him, seeing that he was very tired. A slump was on his shoulders and he breathed deeply. She wondered what had happened to cause him to fall asleep in class.
'Why should I care?´ Kaoru thought angrily to herself. She couldn´t help but think though….he looked so adorable when he slept.
Just as he slumped back into the seat next to her, the bell ran, signaling the next class. She got up, ready to leave class, but then turned to see Kenshin slowly putting his books away. He wasn´t himself at all.
She waited for a few moments, before speaking, everyone else had quickly left the room. "Are you okay?"
His eyes snapped up to meet hers. "Why do you care?"
She felt her cheeks heat, and mentally, Kenshin kicked himself. He hadn´t meant to sound so rude. "I don´t care." She answered stiffly. "I just want to make sure what I say will register through your thick skull."
The words, "I hate you….so much……." Rang through Kenshin´s mind, and he was afraid she´d say it again. Thankfully she didn´t, instead informing him that they had to finish the chemistry assignment that had been due two weeks before, but couldn´t be handed in because of her situation.
"I can´t come over to your place because I have to take care of my brothers and sisters." She paused, and began to rummage through her backpack. "Which reminds me, I do believe this belongs to you." She produced his white sweater, handing it to him.
He took it from her wordlessly, and Kaoru began to speak again. "So we´ll have to finish it at my house; or are you too good to come to a poor girl´s place?" She finished scathingly.
He tried not to show his wince. "I´ll be there."
Their eyes met. Hers were an ice blue; his a soft purple.
She waited for a moment before her face fell.
Kenshin´s tongue was thick, and he swallowed, lifting his head up proudly.
It was hard to say, "I´m sorry"……
She turned around angrily, and exited the room, leaving him sitting at his desk. Saitoh smirked.
"Himura, get your ass out of my class."
So he did, stepping out, feeling sick. He was contemplating whether or not to go to gym class, when he saw Kaoru walking down the hall, hand in hand with Akira, who was by her side.
His insides roiled at the sight, and he decided not to go to class. Why it bothered him so much, he didn´t know but it just did. He could hardly wait for the second semester to come, where he hoped he would have no classes with Kaoru; he couldn´t stand it if he saw her – it was for the best if they didn´t see each other as often.
He made his way outside, where he found Shishio with Yumi, making out, and Okita leaned against the railing, smoking. Seeing the stalk and smelling the substance, Kenshin held his breath. He flew down the steps and began to vomit behind the shrubs, into the snow. His insides heaved with his retching, and when he could vomit no more, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Hey, Kenshin, you all right?" Okita asked, leaning against the railing to have a better look.
"Put the cigarette out, you idiot." Kenshin growled.
Okita frowned, startled. "What? What are you talking about? I just finished lighting it."
"I said put it out!" Kenshin commanded. Okita opened his mouth to protest, but never did, dropping the stalk to the ground and crushing it with his foot.
Shishio smirked. "Hmmm…can´t take it?"
Kenshin made his way to stand next to Okita. "I can get through this………"
Yumi wiped her lip, pressing her body to Shisho´s. She gave him a teasing smile.
Kenshin looked away, cursing.
Damn it…….what did Akira have that he didn´t?
(0-0-0-0-0)
Kaoru stared dumbfounded at Akira´s sudden statement. The only sound in the room was the beeping of the machine monitoring her heart. She wondered why he had suddenly confessed.
The antiseptic smell was still in the room, but she was used to it by then. She was even used to the continual pinpricks that the needles gave her. She was not, however, used to people confessing their feelings to her.
She wondered vaguely if she were dreaming.
She knew Akira was nice to her, and had thought that he was merely being a gentleman, by visiting her daily. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, her heart began to flutter.
Kaoru had dreamed that he would become close to her, but she had never imagined it coming to pass. Now that it did though, it was too good to be true.
He was handsome and polite, strong yet gentle. She had never heard him utter a dark word against anyone, unlike SOMEONE she knew. He had managed to bind her wounds, and lift her with his smile alone.
The world crashed around her, when Akira spoke again. "Ah……….I´m sorry……….I guess I´m being insensitive. I don´t wish to burden you………..forgive me……..forget what I just………."
Kaoru reached out and touched his hand. He stopped himself, looking up at her. "I´m glad…." She whispered.
He gave her a small smile, full of warmth. He took her hand in his. "If I can make your day better for even just one second, Kaoru, I´d be more than satisfied. Just seeing you makes my day complete."
She blushed. "Akira………I´m not the best at expressing what I think……….at times like this……..so I don´t know what to say…….."
He put a finger on her lips gently, to silence her. "…….Then don´t say anything at all Kaoru, I know what you mean to say in here." He held his hand over his heart.
Kaoru fidgeted with her sheets, crumpling them in her pale hand that Akira was not in possession of. "Um………could we try that date again? Perhaps in a different restaurant?"
Akira nodded. "After all," she continued hopefully, "it will be our first official date being together."
0-0-0-0-0
"Kaoru?"
Kaoru blinked, looking up at Akira who was watching her worriedly. She snapped out of her musings.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay? You just went all quiet on me. Are you thinking about the hospital again?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No, I´m not."
He frowned, "Well, I was asking whether you would like to go to a movie with me next Sunday, and then afterwards, to the mall, to help you relax after exams. It would be my treat of course." He added, knowing her situation.
Kaoru inclined her head. "I´d love to."
"Are you sure you´re okay?"
She squeezed his arm reassuringly. "I´m fine, Akira. I was just thinking about the time when you told me you loved me, that´s all. As for the movie and the trip to the mall, I´d love to – it will be a great start to the winter break."
"Oh yes………winter break!" Akira said pensively. "I hope we can spend time together then, too."
She returned a small grin. "I´m certain we can. I´d love to introduce you to my father – and for you to meet my siblings."
As she spoke, she pushed open the oak doors, ready to go to gym class. Just as she did so, she encountered Soujiro, who gave her a startled smile. Okita stood behind him smirking.
"Kenshin´s right; you are dangerous with that door."
Soujiro shot him a baleful look, and then turned his attention to Kaoru once again, who was scowling at Okita. "Good morning, Kamiya-san!"
"Good morning Sou-chan!" She answered.
"Good morning, Seta-san." Kiyosato said politely.
Soujiro turned his eyes to him. They fell on the two linked arms. "Yes………..good morning." He said, rather disdainfully. He returned his gaze to Kaoru, rudely brushing Kiyosato off. He brooded inwardly – Akira wasn´t the one for her! Kenshin was! He wanted only what was best for Kaoru, whom he had come to love as a sister.
"I´m glad you are well." Soujiro said, nodding.
"Yes, I am better, thank you." Kaoru told him. She sensed the tension between the two, and finally said, "Akira, we´ll be late for class."
He made a sound of acknowledgement, and followed her as she led him away by the arm.
As he passed Soujiro, he heard him say, "You´re lucky, Kiyosato-san. Had it been you, you would have had to answer to me."
0-0-0-0-0
At lunchtime, it was the usual at the table: Misao, Tae, Okon, Omasu, Magdaria and Kaoru. But this time, Akira sat by Kaoru´s side. He was busy talking to Tae in a polite conversation, so he wasn´t paying attention to Misao´s ranting.
"Oh my God! He asked you out! You´re so lucky, Kaoru!" Misao whined. "I wish Aoshi-sama would ask me out!"
Omasu giggled. "Oh, so now it´s 'Aoshi-sama´ huh?"
Misao stuck out her tongue. "It sounds better than 'Shinormori-san.´ Besides, I can fantasize – calling him by his first name makes it easier to feel as if we´re familiar with each other."
Kaoru smiled, taking out her chopsticks. She was glad that nothing had really changed during the last two weeks she had been gone.
Misao had glomped her that morning, welcoming her back loudly. Kenshin, who had been sitting behind her, hadn´t even noticed, staring blankly at the blackboard as if she didn´t exist.
Omasu and Okon began to bombard her with questions. "So, tell! What happened to put you in the hospital?"
Kaoru sighed. She really didn´t want to go into that topic, but their continuous pestering was almost unbearable, so she answered, "I had an allergic reaction to shrimp in my food, at Kisoyas."
They all stared at her.
"Oh, you poor girl." Magdaria murmured, fingering the cross at her neck. "You did know you were allergic did you not?"
Kaoru nodded. "Yes, I told them specifically."
Misao pounced on that. "Yet they still put it in there!" She growled. "How stupid can they get!" She demanded. "They´re……….."
"It wasn´t their fault." Kaoru interrupted quietly. Misao stopped.
"Then who´s fault was it?"
It was a while before Kaoru could answer. She looked away. She would rather not say, only she would never be able to keep it from Misao, she knew.
"………Himura………."
"WHAT?" Misao cried, slamming her palms on the table.
Magdaria jumped. "Misao!"
Misao ignored her, and leaned toward Kaoru, her face angry.
"But why would he do that?" She demanded.
They all turned around to a high-pitched laugh. "Why indeed!" Megumi said, in a careless sigh. She stood with Shura at her side, and Yumi, who was preening herself thoughtfully. Megumi met Kaoru´s eyes.
"What business of yours is it to listen in on our conversations?" Kaoru demanded, angrily.
"Oh silence, tanuki!" Megumi commanded, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. "It is quite obvious that Ken-san has no interest in you. Do you not see? You have no place at this school."
"I don´t give a damn if that loser has no interest in me! I most definitely have no interest in him."
"As if!" Megumi scoffed. "Anyway, he´s found himself a REAL girl – not as good as me, I must admit, but she´s an actual woman compared to you."
Kaoru was taken aback. She hardly heard Megumi´s insults. He had a girl? It was a surprise. Megumi continued talking, answering Kaoru´s unasked question. "Her name is Yukishiro Tomoe – she doesn´t go to Kojimachi. She´s one of the middle class citizens." She sniffed disdainfully. "Ken-san should have at least chosen someone who was of his own class."
Kaoru suppressed the urge to punch her pretty face in. It wasn´t like her to be violent, so she swallowed her pride and decided to walk away from the whole situation. "I have no further business with you, Takani-san. Now kindly get out of my face, before I ruin yours."
Before Megumi could answer, Shura put a hand to her shoulder, restraining her. "Megumi, let it go. It´s not worth it."
Megumi angrily shrugged her hand off. "Bitch." She spat, walking away. Kaoru watched her go, thinking that she had not gotten the last word.
She felt sorry for Megumi. She wondered what had made her so upsetting.
Megumi walked away stiffly. Although a girl other than Kaoru or herself took Kenshin, she still felt a sore spot toward Kaoru. Kenshin had, after all, sided with Kaoru and even threatened her never to hurt Kaoru physically ever again. That he would do that had sent bolts of jealousy ripping through her.
She exited the cafeteria, despite the catcalls that the boys were giving her and the shouts from the girls to come have lunch with them.
"Megumi, aren´t you going to eat?" Yumi called.
"Girls, I´ll be right back." She answered. "Go on ahead without me."
The other girls at their table nodded as well, happily talking about the latest style of clothing and trying out the latest brand of makeup.
Most of the hallways were deserted, the others had a few study groups scattered in them, all busily working hard to prepare for the exams.
She had almost forgotten about them, and she hadn´t even begun to study.
She brushed past Sanosuke on her way to the lavatory. She froze in her steps, before slowly turning around. Her mind was screaming at her to forget him, but her conscience was telling her otherwise. If it wasn´t for this airhead, she would be out of the school and her father would be out of a job.
Sano watched as she made her way up to him.
"Yo, Kitsune." He greeted, rolling his toothpick in his mouth with his tongue lazily.
Megumi reddened, and held her tongue. "Sagara-san, about the other day, I wanted to thank you."
Sano felt the strong urge to just hug her. He had told himself though, to forget about her. She would never return his feelings and that hurt him more than any Kendo match would. He had to forget about her.
"Yeah, whatever. I feel sorry for things like you."
Megumi stood frozen into place. Things? She was baffled. His cold and uncaring tone was very different from the one he always used to ask her out. He walked away, stuffing his hands into his pockets and whistling loudly.
It was as if someone pulled a plug from Megumi.
Something was missing.
And he walked away…
0-0-0-0-0
The end of another long week.
The day had been long as well, but it wasn´t quite over for Soujiro, who had been assigned to clean the biology class because he had been late again, and Hyougo-sensei hadn´t been very forgiving. It had been a long tiring week, cramming the semester´s lessons back into the students´ heads. Thus, he was cranky.
Soujiro had to muster up the will to understand. It may have been a hard week on the teachers, but it was an even harder week for the students.
He cleared the dissecting tools from the counter, putting them in the disinfecting liquid.
As he stacked the petri dishes and the glass measuring cups, the door was slid open.
He never looked up, still lost in his thoughts. He was aware that the door opened, only he never thought it necessary to look up. He figured it was just the teacher come back in.
He was wrong.
"Excuse me!" A girl´s voice called out. "Hyougo-sensei asked me to bring these here……….where should I put them?"
Soujiro snapped out of his thoughts. "Ah, pardon me." He said, quickly trying to still the wobbling piles of glass containers. "I´ll be with you in a moment - " He turned around and in his surprise, he knocked over all the containers, sending them crashing to the floor and smashing into tiny pieces.
" - Makimachi-san!" He cried.
Misao jumped out of the way of the flying glass. She gave him a confused smile. "Um………sorry to startle you." She said. In her arms, she was holding a pile of lab coats.
Soujiro´s face reddened with embarrassment. He knelt on the floor and began to gather up the big pieces of glass, putting them into a nearby bucket.
Misao deposited the lab coats onto the nearest desk she could find, and began to help him, carefully squatting to pick up the glass.
"Oh man………." Soujiro groaned. He was so embarrassed! He had to be so clumsy – and in front of her too! He tried to make his blush go away, but it only resulted in him blushing harder.
He picked up another broken piece of glass. "Bad omen." He murmured. Seeing her look at him strangely, he blushed again. "Ah, my cousin, see, is superstitious. He believes in bad omens."
She placed a piece of glass into the bucket thoughtfully. "This isn´t a bad omen, don´t worry. Glass breaking without touching it, or at a single touch is I guess. But knocking it over isn´t."
Soujiro sighed in relief. If it had been a bad omen………
Misao jumped up. "I´ll get the broom."
He eyed her petite figure skip happily to the corner.
He wondered if there were such thing as a love omen.
0-0-0-0-0
Kaoru sat rigidly in the back seat of Kenshin´s limo. He had told her it was the fastest way to get around, and that he flatly refused to take the bus.
She had given him a resigned look and had wordlessly gotten into the car.
She entered the house first, kicking off her shoes.
Kenshin entered after her, loosening his tie. Everything was just as he remembered it. The kids tumbled out of the room at her call, and he was satisfied to see that the two girls had their dolls in hand.
They fell into her embrace, chatting happily about their day in rapid sentences, often cutting themselves off in a middle of a thought to turn to a new one. Suzume caught sight of him, and grinned.
"Ken-nii!" She jumped into his arms, causing him to nearly lose his balance. His backpack had been pulling him down as it was, and her glomping him did not make the situation any better.
"Hi Suzume." He said, patting her awkwardly under Kaoru´s scrutinizing eye. At Suzume´s cry of glee, Yahiko came rushing out.
"Yo, Kenshin!" He cried eagerly. "You said you´d come yesterday……….."
"Your sister is back." Kenshin explained. "I thought there was no need……."
"Oh, you will play with us?" Suzume asked, tugging on his hand. "Come play dolls!"
Kenshin flushed slightly, still feeling Kaoru´s eyes on him. "Afterwards little one." He promised. "I have something I must do first."
He ushered the children into the room, and then shut the door behind him. Kaoru waited with her hands on her hips, she had an amused look on her face.
"What?"
"Hnn………….." She said, turning around. She walked toward her bedroom. "I´ll take a moment to get comfortable, then I have to make the kids dinner, and afterwards, we can work on our assignment."
Kenshin nodded. He felt very uncomfortable there, and he wanted to go home. He squat next to Suzume and Ayame and began to play with them, and they ended up in a giggling fit.
"No, Ken-nii! The doll is a girl, not a boy! Talk with a girl´s voice!" Ayame scolded.
Yahiko looked up from his books for a moment, and Kenshin blushed. "Ah, well……let´s pretend that the doll is a guy, okay?"
The girls refused, and they were in the middle of arguing with him, when Kaoru entered. She was wearing a purple yukata, and her hair was tied up with a pink ribbon. Even if it was simple, it looked grand on her. She carried it with grace.
"Let´s eat guys!" She called.
She caught Kenshin staring at her, and waited for a moment, before following her all too eager siblings to the table. Kenshin trailed close behind. He wanted to reach out and touch her hair, but didn´t dare do so.
He took his place next to Kaoru and Suzume, who had already begun digging in. Their meal was the usual: rice, pickled vegetables and fish. Kenshin couldn´t help but make a face.
"Is this what you always eat?" He asked, eyeing the meager portion with distaste.
"It´s all we have, and we´re grateful for it." She snapped.
He winced. "I´ll let the little ones have my share." He offered. They pounced on it immediately, as they had done before.
Kaoru glared at him. "Just because I cooked it!" She cried.
Kenshin held his hands up in defense. "I wouldn´t want to die early!" He protested, and Yahiko laughed loudly.
She was about to say more, and leaned over to hit him with her spoon, but then Suzume asked, "Are you and Ken-nii going to get married, Kao-neechan?"
She froze, her spoon half an inch from Kenshin´s head. She was so startled by the question she lost her footing and toppled forward, her foot catching the hem of her yukata. She fell – right on top of Kenshin, who caught her to ease her sudden drop.
The others cried out and jumped out of the way.
Noses inches apart, the two stared at each other. Everyone else was forgotten.
From his place under her, Kenshin could smell her perfume. It was probably some cheap flimsy thing bought at the flea market or something, but it accented her perfectly. In their position, he could see her full lips come into view, and remembered, all too suddenly, the passionate kiss he had shared with Yumi.
If only he could share it with Kaoru………….
She saw surprise clearly written all over Kenshin´s face, but then, it turned into something else. When he put his hands up to her waist to help her off him, he paused. A blush crawled to her cheeks.
"SO!" They turned their heads to Suzume, whose arms were crossed expectantly. "Kiss already!"
0-0-0-0-0
Kaoru´s thoughts wandered again, as she opened her books to study. She had watched the whole encounter Kenshin had with the children, and they were right: he was warm, kind and sweet to them. She couldn´t help but marvel at his different personality.
That had been days ago though, and now she was studying for her exams. But as she read through her chemistry notes, she found her thoughts wandering to Kenshin once more, how it always seemed like fate that she ended up falling on top of him.
Still, she had no doubt liked the contact. His hands on her waist……….had they pulled her closer, she would have lost all semblance of control.
She remembered how he had exited the room of Suzume and Ayame, having tucked them in bed and saying goodnight.
"Well," he said, his voice in a whisper, "I´d better get going."
"Yes." Kaoru whispered back. She liked his image. His loose tie and his open blazer. He had unbuttoned the top of his shirt, exposing the golden skin beneath. His red hair was awry, very different from the image he displayed at school – the well-bred, well dressed and preened student. Now he looked like he had just woken up.
He brushed past her, and she touched his arm tentatively. He turned around.
The whole day had been very awkward for Kenshin. He had been exhausted from the beginning and he was ready to drop right then and there at the present moment. He knew Kaoru was hurt by what he had done, but he was too proud to say anything about it. They were polite and civil to each other for the most part, and at dinner, even joking.
But now, he didn´t want to hear her lecture. He didn´t want to hear her pain, knowing he caused it. Nevertheless, he met her eyes.
"Thanks for taking care of the kids in my place when I was sick." She told him, omitting her thoughts that if it hadn´t been for him in the first place, she would have been able to take care of them herself.
She noticed though, that Kenshin was tired. She fussed with his hair for a moment. "Well then…………."
He liked the feel of her hand against his forehead. He closed his eyes, briefly, letting the feeling run through him. "Kamiya………….."
Kaoru´s hand paused. She eyed him as he opened his eyes and looked straight into hers, as if searching her soul. He took her hand from his forehead. "…….Yes……….?" She felt herself moving closer to him, liking his warmth. The way he held her hand was very different from the way Akira did.
She let her eyes slide shut, as he moved forward, taking her lips in his, in a timid kiss. Emotions rushed up, charging through the pair as they shared the brief kiss which lasted for almost an eternity for the both, but ended all too quickly.
"I´d better go." Kenshin said quickly, after realizing what he´d just done.
"Yes. It´s late." Kaoru said just as quickly, her chest rising and falling with her labored breaths. What the heck had just happened? He had grabbed his backpack and left, and she stood there, looking after his figure as it got into his waiting limo, and drove off.
She brought her hands up to her lips, where days later, she could still feel the kiss. He had taken her very first one, and it puzzled her when she remembered his lips against hers.
"Mou! Kaoru!" She slapped herself slightly. "Concentrate on your work!"
However, the thought stayed on her mind.
Kenshin on the other hand, pored over his chemistry. He would show Saitoh!
"Young Master, it´s a surprise to see you working so hard on your studies. Are you sure you´re okay?" Nakamura asked.
"I´m fine…………." He said, taking out a fresh pencil. He paused, suddenly remembering Kaoru. "Um………..Nakamura-san………"
She looked up. "Yes?"
"………No……..nothing."
He couldn´t ask. He just couldn´t.
0-0-0-0-0
Examination week had been a killer, and Kenshin was more than happy that he had passed all of his courses, including Saitoh´s, even if it had just been by a mere 5. He didn´t care! It was off to Florida for him the very next week, and he could hardly wait.
As he stared at the rest of the marks, he saw one name that stuck out at him – Kamiya Kaoru. She was at the top of the list. The overall student of the school was her, and she stood staring at the chart a few paces away. Her face was one of clear surprise, and he couldn´t help but feel surprised as well: even if she had been in the hospital, she had managed to get the highest mark in the school.
It was only a wonder how she got in.
The crowds of people rushing to congratulate her had been overwhelming, and he had no chance to even get within a meter of her. Finally, he gave up, going to find Sano and his group, who were waiting outside.
Winter break was about to begin.
Kaoru stared at the charts in shock. How she had managed to do it again, she had no clue. She should have been used to it by now, having been the top of the school since as far back as she could remember. She had a habit of reading everything she got in her hands, and instead of retaining it all in, she devoured through every letter in each textbook.
Still, she was surprised to see that her name was at the top of the lists, and was even more surprised when she heard the cheers coming from her fellow students. Misao had been very impressed, and almost immediately, Kaoru was begged by students to help them on the next exams.
Akira had saved her from the mobs, and had congratulated her as well. He hadn´t done so bad, his scores up in the high grades, and he was satisfied with that. He was sure proud of her though.
As promised, they went to the mall, and they watched "Maid In Manhattan." Although he wasn´t very fond of chick flicks and J.Lo, he had taken Kaoru there in her request to see the film.
Then afterwards, he took her through the mall, and stood next to her as she admired glass figurines.
"Isn´t that one cute?" She asked, pointing at a mother owl who sat next to her baby.
Akira nodded. "Would you like to get it?"
Kaoru´s eyes caught sight of another one though. It was a dolphin that was jumping. It was intricately designed, each curve made artistically. It was a light blue in color, and it reminded Akira of her eyes.
She reached out to touch it, but before he fingers could make contact with the glass, it crumbled into pieces.
Her face went pale, and she looked up at Akira.
"It´s a bad omen……….." She whispered. "Something must have happened!" Her heart seemed to constrict in her chest at the mere thought. Her mind immediately turned to her father.
She grabbed his arm. "We must get to the hospital! Quickly!"
TO BE CONTINUED...
AN: It´s really REALLY late right now! But I just had to finish this for you! I´m so awful for being late and for that I´m so sorry. I´ll update next Sunday, promise, but you will all have to be patient. This was my longest chapter yet . I hope you are all pleased……..
Side note: Japanese children clean their own classrooms. Soujiro however, was punished and although it is not his homeroom, he still had to clean it.
I had another side note, but I seem to have forgotten it. Anyway, THANKS TO ALL MY REVIEWERS –there´s no time to do individual thanks but you know who you are.
Please review for me again! Thanks!