A RIVAL FOR KENSHIN

Chapter II: Of Memories and Rude Awakenings



The moon was full and shining brightly and for some reason, there seemed to be more stars sparkling in the sky than usual. The night breeze was warm and almost comforting as we re-enter the scene in the front yard of the Kamiya residence, where four of our Kenshin-gumi waited for the stranger's response to Yahiko's interrogation.



Now our mystery man didn't seem to be bothered much by the intensity of the atmosphere. He smiled slowly, almost sheepishly as he took his eyes off the three men and concentrated on Kaoru. "My, my" he thought, "what a beautiful woman she has grown into!"



Kenshin on the other hand was distracted by something wet and sticky on his hand. He glanced at it and saw fresh blood on hi palm. This came as a great surprise to him, as much as the raw, savage emotion that the young unnamed man evoked in him as he stared, no, more like leered at Kaoru.



The blood came into our Kenshin's hand when he unconsciously clenched his fist so tight into a ball that his fingernails actually dug into his flesh and wounded him. This was about the time when the newcomer's eyes swept over Kaoru from head to foot, lingering over some few curves and bulges along the way.



"Why doesn't she do anything, or say anything?" Kenshin thought, confused. He's seen that look from other men before, and Kaoru would glare at them or just ignore them and walk away. That's why Kenshin never felt threatened by any of them.



"Wait a minute!" Kenshin thought and he took a sudden intake of breath as he realized what had just happened. Kaoru never showed any interest towards men who openly display their desire for her before. But the way she studied this man definitely threatened Kenshin, and stirred some primitive anger within him. (Actually, it stirred primitive JEALOUSY but our battousai is not that sharp when it comes to these things).



Anyways, Kaoru was oblivious to the rest of the world as she rummaged through her memory bank and took a trip back to the past. She remembers him now, this handsome young man before her, or at least the boy he once was.



He was two years older than Kaoru, but he was skinny and klutzy that's why his mother thought it was a good idea for him to learn kendo. He and Kaoru trained together here in this very dojo. He left for England with his father when he was ten though, and Kaoru never heard from him again. But now Kaoru remembers it all. How innocent, and happy they both were in those days.



"Yujiro!" Kaoru whispered and the man's smile broadened. "What gave me away?" He asked, as he stepped closer and held both of Kaoru's shoulder. Kenshin was new to this jealousy thing and his first instinct was to pry Kaoru away. But he was stopped dead on his tracks as he saw Kaoru smiling up at him. "Your smile" she said, "it was your smile that gave you away." And then, Kaoru did something unthinkable(well to Kenshin anyway) she closed the gap and, gave Yujiro a hug…..

…….to be continued(c",)