Sync*in: I didn't mean to confuse you, hmm..maybe I did..hehe, but I can't answer your questions here 'coz I don't want to spoil anything.
Kero-chan's friend (sorry she didn't mention your name) and Rurouni Baka: Thank you so much for telling your sister and friend to read this fic. I was really flattered.
Nemo: Bout the lingerie, I don't know, I think Kaoru won't be using that anytime soon. Ok, and about Kenshin giving his real name, I debated about that too. But I figured it would be risky if he gave a fake name and Makoto bumps into him while he's talking to the other school people; that would cause a major problem. Besides, James Bond practically gives his name to every person he meets doesn't he? And he's supposed to be this super top secret agent, don't you think word would have gotten around about him? Okay…I'm drifting away from the question. ^_^;;
Susan: Thank you so much for reviewing each chapter!! Wow, thanks again! That was really nice of you.
Thank you soooo much to LittleDragon5, MP, TigerWolf, Tanuki Dono!, dementedchris, rebecca, Koneko-dono, Gypsy-chan, and Mistress of All Worlds.
I'm really surprised that everyone thought the last chapter wasn't boring at all (except for some people…harhar..just kidding Mistress of All Worlds). Anyway, on with the story…
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. This fic is entirely fictional and Japan did not have a Project Messiah nor a Mission Messiah as far as I know. The makers of Weiss Kreuz own the song 'Other Side of the Moon'. I'm just borrowing it as the fic's title.
Other Side of the Moon
Little White Lies
Chapter 10
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"What's the point of being able to talk if you have to keep secrets?"
--Donkey (from Shrek)
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"What is taking him so long?" Misao said for the tenth time. "Were his injuries that bad?"
Misao, Kenshin and Ryo were waiting outside the school clinic for Sano. According to one of the students, who saw what happened earlier, Sano was busy demonstrating one of his best moves in Tae Kwon Do when Sano slipped. He needed to make a few steps backward for the said move when he didn't notice the towel lying on the floor. His left foot stepped on it, which caused him to slip backward and instantaneously lose balance.
"I hope not Misao, but I don't know," answered Kenshin. "He's been inside the clinic for quite some time now."
Just then, the clinic's door opened revealing a nurse with long black hair shoving Sano out of the room.
"Ouch kitsune! That hurt!" complained Sano.
"Go back to your class Mr. Sagara. You weren't badly injured. And please, do not call me kitsune again!" the nurse said then promptly closed the door.
The three, who were worriedly waiting for Sano, all had puzzled looks printed on their faces. Kenshin broke the silence by asking, "Oro? What was that about Sano? Were you just kicked out of the clinic?"
"Err..that was nothing. Thanks for waiting for me," he answered.
"Nothing? Then, what took you so long to get out? All I see are a few bandages on your wrist," noted Misao oddly as she curiously poked on Sano's wrist.
"Well, I was trying to buy some time to be with kitsune there. Man, I didn't know the school has a new nurse, and boy is she hot!" exclaimed Sano.
'Kitsune? Megumi and Sano?' Kaoru suppressed a giggle. 'Now I can finally get back at Megumi,' Kaoru thought as the scarlet present came into mind. "Kitsune?" Ryo asked innocently.
"Yup, that's the nickname I gave Nurse Takani, though she doesn't seem to like it very much," Sano replied.
"Nooooo… you think? She literally drove you out of the clinic," Misao scoffed.
"I'm sure she was just playing," he replied cockily.
"Anyway, so what happened Sano?" Kenshin asked.
"I just slipped during training. I used my hand to reduce the impact, so I kind of bent my wrist a little, but it feels fine now," Sano said casually. "So, why don't we go eat now. I'm starving," he said brushing the incident off.
**
"Sano, isn't Nurse Takani older than us?" Ryo said before taking a bite on his sandwich.
Sano munched on his food for a while before replying, "Well, she's only a few years older, besides she could pass as a student, so it doesn't really matter." And then Sano's plan began. "How about you Ryo? I bet you've been attracted or have gone out with a slightly older woman before."
Kaoru nearly choked on the sandwich she was working on. After grabbing the bottled water and gulping a substantial amount he invented, "I don't really date much. The only one I've gone out with had the same age as mine."
"How come? I don't think you have a problem on getting a 'yes' as an answer from girls," joined in Misao.
'This is so bad. Such a bad topic!' Kaoru's mind screamed. "Umm.." Ryo started his explanation lamely.
"What was the name of the girl you went out with Ryo?" inquired Kenshin, as he took part in the conversation.
'Name. Name. Can't think of a girl's name,' Kaoru thought desperately. 'Kaoru??? That is just wrong. Err…ummm..'
"Aya. Her name was Aya," he finally said.
"Aya? Sounds like a pretty name. What does she look like?" Misao probed.
"She had short black hair and violet eyes," Ryo supplied as he recalled her fourth identity.
"Sounds pretty," Sano commented after giving out a small whistle.
Ryo just smiled and focused his attention on his food, which suddenly became so interesting. He terribly hoped they'd drop the topic soon.
However, luck was against him that day, 'coz a few seconds later Kenshin asked, "How did you meet?"
"Our parents knew each other," he lied.
"So why'd you break up?" Misao quickly continued.
"We were young and all. My family moved, her family moved. Stuff happens," Ryo vaguely answered hoping that it'll satisfy the group's curiosity.
"How old were you then?" a curious Misao asked again.
"Around 14 I think," he recalled.
"And you haven't dated since then??? Man, what happened?" Sano said.
"As I've said, my family moves a lot, so I can't really go out with someone right now." 'This conversation is just plain awkward.'
"Is that so? How about your friends from your former school? Do you still keep in touch with them?" Sano asked while mentally pleading, 'Come on, mention names!'
"Ah, well, not really. Besides, I wasn't really close with any of my former schoolmates."
"How come?" Kenshin asked concernedly.
"Umm..I just can't…" he quietly said, with his eyes, cast intently on his sandwich. The three friends, who were intrigued by the gesture that accompanied his reply, stared at him peculiarly. Ryo, who felt their inquisitive gaze, lamely added an explanation, "'Coz you see, I was really involved with extra-curricular activities plus I have to maintain my grades."
Quickly thinking of a way to change the topic and to get even with all the personal interrogation he has been receiving, Ryo asked, "How about you guys? Well, ok Sano flirts every now and then, and Misao's still dreaming about Shinomori-sensei, but what about you Kenshin?"
"Oro?" he answered, obviously trying to avoid the question.
"Are you seeing someone, or who were your past girlfriends or something?" Ryo expanded.
"Ah. I'm not seeing anyone right now," he said which made Kaoru's heart jump for a sec.
'What was that for? Kaoru no baka,' she thought to herself.
"And I've never had 'girlfriends,' only one," he added.
"What was the name of the girl you went out with Kenshin?" Ryo said as he imitated Kenshin's earlier question.
"Tomoe," he said shortly.
"Yeah I remember her, a total babe," Sano said slyly which earned a hot glare from Kenshin. "I'm just kidding man," Sano quickly added.
Kaoru, who saw the glare Kenshin gave, instantly presumed, 'She must have been a great girl. Wonder if Kenshin still loves her?' "Was she your friend?" Ryo asked the group.
"We knew her, mere acquaintance, not really a friend. Don't you know the first rule of dating? Never date a friend, especially a close friend," Sano said then added playfully, "So if you have plans of asking Misao out, then forget it. Though, I certainly don't know anyone crazy enough to ask a weasel out."
"Why you little!!" erupted Misao, as her fist automatically aimed for the tall boy's head.
"Kidding! Kidding!" Sano said in quick surrender, both his hands raised up.
Kaoru's heart was slightly tugged by the rule Sano mentioned. She zoned out for awhile thinking about the feelings she has for her 'close friend,' while the other two were busy squabbling.
"So what happened?" Ryo asked after returning back to earth.
"Her old boyfriend showed up, swept her off her feet, and stole her from Kenshin," Misao said sarcastically after calming down from Sano's 'joke.'
"It wasn't like that Misao," Kenshin said defensively. "We both decided things would work out better if she stayed with Akira," he explained quietly.
"But you were still in love with her when all that happened, weren't you?" Misao asked concernedly.
"She found her happiness, and I'm happy for her for finding that. Anyway, I've moved on haven't I?" Kenshin said with a forced chuckle, which was followed by uncomfortable silence. "Anyway, what was her name again, Ryo? Aya---" Kenshin asked.
"Kajiyama. Kajiyama Aya," Ryo completed.
**
Misao clicked on some more files of the Takeda Enterprise until she encountered a folder simply labeled as File489542. Misao doubled clicked the folder, broke the codes and started reading the contents.
'I can't read this. These are all codes, numbers.'
'Wait a sec."
At the bottom of the file, four words were written--- Project Messiah: Kamiya Kaoru.
Misao hurriedly typed the words Project Messiah in a search engine.
"Any progress?" Sano asked as he and Kenshin came back from the kitchen. Both were holding bags of chips and a couple of sodas.
"I think so. Give me a sec." Misao scanned through the 'hits' the engine found, randomly clicking on the ones, which she thought, might be useful.
"Nothing. I guess we'll have to look harder. I'll try Kamiya Kaoru in the meantime," she spoke after awhile.
In the screen appeared a few shops, schools and personal web sites, all with either the name 'Kaoru' or 'Kamiya' in their page. On one of the first hits was a site for missing children. Misao decided to check it out.
"What's this?" she thought aloud. The two boys looked closer at the window Misao was referring to, and read through the material.
"Kamiya Kaoru, reported missing after an escaped convict murdered her family," Misao read aloud.
"Man, that was just cruel. Look at the year she was missing and her age then," Sano pointed, as the other two looked at the indicated year 1996 and the age 12. Sano continued, "She'd be as old as us now."
"She would be," Kenshin agreed as his eyes darkened a bit.
"Think Takeda has her?" Misao asked.
"I don't know, but I don't see what Ryo has to do with any of these," released Sano exasperatedly.
"I'll try Project Messiah again," Misao volunteered.
"Yes!!!" she screamed after half an hour or so.
The two men who were busy with the chips looked at the once again perky Misao, both waiting for her to continue.
"I found it!" she said ecstatically. She continued, "According to this, Project Messiah was a government funded research led by a certain Dr. Kamiya."
"And…?" Sano asked, prompting Misao to continue.
"That's it," she said.
"What?" Sano burst. "That's all?? Let me see," he said as he stooped down to see the computer's monitor and started speed reading the file.
"I can't believe this! We've been looking for this 'Takeda business' for hours and all we get is this?" Sano released his frustrations.
"Correction," Misao answered bitterly. "I have been working on this for hours while the two of you were working on your chips."
"Try looking up for Kajiyama Aya," Kenshin said.
"Who?" Sano asked, as Misao quickly typed the name.
"Ryo's old girlfriend," Kenshin reminded the taller boy.
"What for?" he asked.
"I just want to check if she'll link into this case somehow, wouldn't hurt to try." Kenshin answered.
"Ok man. Whatever, but I sure don't follow the logic of that one," Sano said.
"Here I found it," Misao informed after she opened a class home page.
"Yokohama High," Kenshin read the heading.
"They have a little info page for each student, I'll go look for hers," Misao informed the group before she started clicking on the mouse again.
"It even comes with a picture," she said as they waited for the page to finish. The group waited anxiously for the picture to show even Sano, who suddenly showed interest once the word 'picture', was mentioned.
"Pretty cute. Although a more recent picture of her would have been greatly appreciated," Sano said.
The picture revealed a seemingly cheerful young girl with short black hair and a pair of violet eyes, as Ryo described. She was also wearing a pair of eyeglasses and a small smile.
'That smile. It's the same smile again,' Kenshin noted.
"Nothing connected to the Project Messiah nor Kamiya Kaoru here," Misao confirmed.
'Kamiya Kaoru?' Kenshin echoed as an outrageous idea crossed his mind. 'Is it possible that Ogata Ume, Kajiyama Aya, and Hirameshi Ryo are all Kamiya Kaoru?' he wondered. 'Am I actually making sense? A picture, I need to see a picture of the missing girl.'
"What was the address of the site for missing children again, Misao?" he asked.
"Hmm..I can't remember, I'll go check again," she said.
"Thanks, that'll be great," Kenshin said.
"What's up Kenshin?" asked Sano, who was once again lost on whatever Kenshin has in mind.
"I just want to check something."
"Here," Misao said after uploading the page.
"Thanks," he said as he tried to memorize the address.
**
"The rumors are confirmed to be true sir," Aoshi reported. "The kidnapping proposal was offered about a week ago according to our investigation."
"Who did Takeda conduct business with?" asked the captain.
"A certain underground agency. Not much information is known. Informants say that top influential people and corporations strictly contact the agency. They are said to finish the job swiftly, efficiently and cleanly."
"I want to know who this mystery agent is, as soon as possible. I want you to start tonight. While you're at it, tell the Mission we will meet at Kaoru's apartment tomorrow night. I think it's time we introduce Kaoru to Miyuki."
"Yes sir."
**
Kaoru quickly put on her robe before answering the door. Whoever's standing at the other side has been standing for quite sometime now since Kaoru did not hear the bell ring while she was in the shower.
"Wait a minute," she said as she was unlocking the door. Then she said, "Come in" once she saw whom the late visitor was.
"Thanks. Were you already sleeping?" he asked.
"Nope. I was in the shower. Sorry about that," Kaoru answered.
"I see. Well, I just dropped by to tell you about the meeting we'll be having here tomorrow," Aoshi said.
"A meeting? Here? What for?" she asked consecutively.
"We have information that Takeda already knows your current identity," he replied flatly.
"What? You mean, I can't be Ryo anymore?" Kaoru asked worriedly.
"As you and I both know, these reports usually indicates that the current situation is not working. Officer Megumi and Tae are working, or rather polishing up your new identity as we speak. If it will make you feel better, it'll be a girl," he said hoping to lighten her mood, which unfortunately didn't have any effect.
"But, I'll be graduating soon. If I leave now, I might not get my diploma," she said sadly.
"Don't worry. I'll speak with the principal. I'll try to convince him to give you a special consideration. It wouldn't be so hard, based on the grades you've received," he reassured.
Kaoru remained quiet, her eyes cast to the floor.
After a few minutes of silence, Aoshi stood up and motioned to leave. He said as he was walking out, "I'm sure they'll miss you too."
That caught Kaoru's attention, and made her rapidly move her eyes towards the man's retreating figure. She starred at him flabbergasted.
"They were nice kids," he simply added before shutting the door behind him.
**
[KAORU]
Tomorrow may be my last day as Ryo for all I know. Mou. This really sucks. I love this school. I love my classmates, friends, and heck, even my teachers. The event I've been dreading for the past couple of months, is finally happening. I'll be leaving them soon. Even though, I've kind of expected this to happen from the beginning, why do I still feel this way? Why did I let myself become too close with them? We'll only part anyways.
Kaoru no baka. Falling for your 'bestfriend.' A 'bestfriend' who doesn't even know you're a girl. Just think of his reaction when he finds out--- finds out that you're a girl and that you're in love with him. I can just picture him saying "yuck." Hmm..maybe not yuck, "Eeew?" That's just not Kenshin. Kenshin's sweet, polite, cheerful and ignorant, if I may add. Hail the clueless oro one!
…That I've secretly fallen in love with for the past couple of months.
Mou. Why did that always have to creep in between my thoughts? Honestly, I've never thought I'll fall for an all-nice guy like Kenshin. Sure, I've always had fantasies of my fearless knight riding his white steed and coming to sweep me off my feet. A perfect gentleman, my prince charming, yet the one I imagined also had this dashing dark side, which made him even more 'droolish.'
Kenshin. Oh Kenshin. Ken---
But then there's that stupid rule. Never date a friend. Although for the rule's defense, that's not an irrational rule at all. Relationships can certainly ruin friendships. Granted that there's always a possibility that they can be friends again afterwards even if things do not turn out perfect, but of course, things will be different. It will be impractical to say that nothing will change after an intimate relationship has transpired. I guess the only valid reason one may have to bend the rule, is if you're sure that you and your 'close friend' will be together forever, that he's the one; that the two of you are meant to be together!
Now, that's just wishful thinking. Besides, who gave me the authority to talk about these things? I haven't even had a single boyfriend before! And here, I'm talking about how it will affect friendship. My theories are so not based on evidences, heck even personal experiences.
I am so weird. This is just weird. What would he think? Umm..hi Kenshin, sorry if I didn't tell you sooner but I'm really a girl and I really love you.
That would certainly freak anyone out.
Besides, he'll never know who Ryo really is, or what Ryo really is. He'll never know. Why should he know? Or how could he know? Ryo will be gone the day after tomorrow.
I'm confused. I've been babbling all night, and why?
To hide my true feelings.
I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to leave school, and it's not just because I'm worried about not being able to finish high school this year.
Stupid Kenshin.
**
Kenshin was busy typing away on his laptop, working on the case again. He revisited the web site he memorized earlier and looked if there were any pictures available. He patiently waited for the page to finish completely and saw the picture of the missing girl. Next, he downloaded the program, which enables you to develop and infer how a person will look years later by the mere use of a picture.
"70% completed," he read. 'Just a few minutes more.'
Kenshin patiently waited till the new picture was completed.
"File done," he heard the computer say. He then clicked on the ok button on the pop up window, which was asking if he would like to locate the file now. Slowly, an image replaced the blank page on the screen. As expected, the image shown looked like Ryo's missing twin sister. The same shape of face, same nose, lips, ears, eyes and hair.
Identical.
Kenshin rushed towards his Shishou's bedroom door and knocked loudly. Shortly after the loud banging, his uncle opened the door in a not so pleasant mood, "What?" he asked grouchily.
"I've confirmed it. I've proven Hirameshi Ryo is really a girl, and not just any girl, but the girl indicated at the bottom of Misao's search. The girl named Kamiya Kaoru," Kenshin said in incredible speed. "I'll go tell Sano and Misao right away," he quickly added before he turned around. However, his action was paused when he felt his Shishou's firm grasp on his shoulder.
"Don't, not now. We'll tell them tomorrow. Go to sleep," he simply said before banging the door shut.
"Oro?" Kenshin automatically said, totally clueless on what's going on inside his uncle's head. 'Why wait till tomorrow?' he asked himself as he made his way to his own bedroom and plopped onto his bed, his adrenaline slowly lowering back to a safe level.
[KENSHIN]
Ryo's a girl. I knew it from the start, but still, I continued to treat her as one of the guys. Of course, that's just the sensible thing to do isn't it? If she was indeed a tomboy or a lesbian, then I'll accept her for who she is, even if competition among girls might be tight.
Man, that statement's just weird.
But with whom will I be competing against if that was the case? With Ryo, or with the girls after Ryo?
Now that things are all tying up, maybe I don't have to push my feelings aside anymore. Would it be so selfish if I tell her how I feel? How will she feel if she finds out that I've liked her a short time after we met. I hope she understands that I like her, and not him. If the rule about dating ever comes up, to hell with the rule! I will not let that rule govern my life. I love her. I really do.
This is not the best time to reflect whether to confess or not! Takeda wants her for some reason. I don't know if Shishou would want to work with her or not, but I sure hope it's the latter one. I don't want anything to happen to you Kaoru.
I swear I'll do my best to protect you.
A/n: Whew! This definitely is my longest chapter ever, 8 ½ pages, not counting the author's notes of course.
Investigation's finally over. The two groups meet in the next chapter. About the dating rule thingie, I just invented it to be the first rule of dating, don't know if it is or even is.
If you're wondering who Miyuki is, she's the new identity the Mission is creating for Kaoru. If you're wondering where Kajiyama Aya was first mentioned, it was in the prologue.
About the program Kenshin used, I totally don't know if that one exists. I just based it on the programs I've seen on movies and stuff.
This chapter was supposed to come out last Friday (06/14/02), but well I presume you already know, ff.net encountered problems which caused this very late update. Sorry about that. Anyway, I think you'll be glad to hear that I used the 'waiting period' wisely by writing the next chapters. The next chapter's done, just have to proofread it one last time.
I'll post Chapter 11 once I reach a hundred reviews, so please leave a review! I only need 5 more reviews to reach a hundred! It'll be my first time to receive a hundred reviews, if ever. Make me happy! Yey! Thanks!
