Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin

One in the Same

Chapter Three:

Kaoru sprang forward, and rubbed her eyes. Slowly she touched the blind and pulled it upward, revealing the new morning, and the bright sun. Her feet landed on the ground, and Kaoru could feel herself adjusting to being awake. She rubbed her eyes, and stumbled toward her dresser.

"I must've fallen asleep after my conversation with Megumi last night." She mumbled to herself and tugged on the handles of the drawers showing clean clothes waiting to be worn. Kaoru picked the outfit for today, and quickly dashed to the joining bathroom.

After a few minutes Kaoru came out. Her clothes were now on her body, and her hair was neatly pulled into a ponytail. She walked over to the mirror, and glanced at her reflection, fixing what she thought was a problem. When everything seemed okay, she slipped her shoes on and trotted down the stairs.

Her stomach was growling a little, but Kaoru didn't want to bother with the mess this morning. So she took the next plan, and decided on a cereal bar. She grabbed for one within the cabinets and greedily unwrapped it stuffing the food into her mouth. One piece was sticking out at the side, but Kaoru swerved her tongue around all possible edges. When it seemed finished, Kaoru was debating on wither she should drive, or walk and take advantage of the beautiful day. She thought about walking and the brought the point up about how late she was already and received her keys. Kaoru's bag was by the door leaning against it from the day earlier, and she swung it around so it fit her back properly, though to her it weighed more than a ton.

Once she was in the garage, she lifted the opener and pushed the button, which reacted to the door, lifting it above her head. Her mind ran wildly not wanting to forget anything, but everything looked like it was here. She hopped in the front and started to back out of the driveway, and soon enough she was on the road to school.

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The wind was tossing her hair back and forth, and the leaves swirled around the car until the wind pushed them back. The blocks that seemed to go on forever, stopped when her school came into view. Students were outside blocking entrys, talking, and doing whatever they could fit in before classes started. Kaoru drove around, trying to find an available space to leave her car. Nothing was showing up as she drove by a few times, but luckily someone was pulling out just as she was about to give up.

When everything was settled, she snatched her bag, and quickly hustled to the stairway which she pushed herself through. The crowds were almost as bad inside, but her locker wasn't being touched.

"Misao!" Kaoru called as she almost reached her locker. Misao looked around to hear who was calling her and gave her approaching friend a smile. Kaoru then searched for Megumi and found her where Misao had been looking. The older girl was once again by Sanosuke and his group. "I've been trying to get Megumi over here but it's like she's locked out everything when she's by him." Misao rolled her eyes.

"Did you hear what happened?"

"Yes! Megumi called and told me. Wow, that's surprising, he's an odd one isn't he?" Misao said excitedly. "I wouldn't be caught with him around here though." Kaoru bit her lip, he was so nice to her and she couldn't return the kindness here unless she was sure they weren't being watched.

"We'd better get to class." Kaoru changed the subject quickly. "I was afraid I'd be the last one to school today, I forgot to set my alarm." "Same thing can happen to me all the time." Misao bent down and got up carrying all of her books.

Kaoru slammed her locker shut, and began walking along with Misao. Megumi was still fluttering with the boys, when they were down the hall and looking back at her. Kaoru chuckled, and knew she would only snap out of it when the bell rang.

Their feet carried them to the corner and Kaoru hastily moved faster, and turned to see someone bump into her. Her books flew down, along with her notebook and papers. The person had been a boy, one she had met only yesterday.

"I'm sorry about that Miss. Kaoru." Kaoru forced her head to look down, and saw a red haired boy bending down and lifting the papers off of the ground. He smiled up at her. Kaoru blushed but hid it from her loose hairs dangling down.

"Thanks Kenshin.do you need any help?" Kaoru asked in return. Kenshin nodded slightly, and explained that he lost his list showing his classes and was on his way to the office for a new one.

"Well, for first hour we have." Kaoru stopped and looked at Misao, who was backed against the wall. "Whats wrong Misao?"

She turned around and saw Sanosuke, and some followers staring at them. They all started to laugh, and made their way in their direction.

* * *

Kaoru froze and hoped they would walk right on by, but she was wrong. Sanosuke stopped in front of the three, and made a movement to hush his group. "So, you're Himura Kenshin? The new boy aren't you?" Kenshin nodded looking in the taller man's eyes. "You know you aren't suppose to talk to those above you." Sano continued.

"No, I didn't know that." Kenshin said innocently. "I was asking Miss. Kaoru-"

"-You were asking her a question obviously." Sanosuke turned to the two girls. "Were you talking to him?" Kaoru nodded obediently answering his question, Misao looked forward mumbling a 'yes'. "I was telling him what classes he had Sanosuke." She told him.

Sanosuke smiled, and grabbed Kenshin by the collar. "I can answer that!" The group started laughing behind him. "Would you like me to tell you?"

"I would like that very much, that I would. But would you tell me if my feet were on the ground?" Kenshin calmly replied.

"Don't be such a wise guy!" Sanosuke snapped back, as he banged his knuckles against the nearest locker making such noise some students stopped what they were doing to stare and watch. Sanosuke seemed to enjoy the attention. "We have Math.I'll teach you some numbers right now. On the count of three, you'll get your lights knocked out."

Kaoru looked horrified, but stayed quiet, not wanting to be in Kenshins position.

"Ready? One, Two," Sanosuke's fist clenched, and made it's way to Kenshin's face but was stopped in the nick of time.

"Mr. Sagara! We shall have no fighting in the morning! If you have something to settle with Mr. Himura settle it out of school grounds!!!" A teacher had heard the commotion and came out of his classroom. Sanosuke dropped Kenshin's collar, He, his group and students looked disappointed. Kenshin rubbed his neck, while Kaoru, Misao, and Megumi who had watched the scene all took a sigh of relief.

"How can she like that guy?" Misao whispered to Kaoru.

"I don't know." Kaoru said.

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I always love reading peoples opinions on these stories, and I always appreciate it. I hope this chapter is a little longer than the ones previously, and I understand that everyone likes long chapters. Thank you again, and stay tuned!