Change of Heart
Chapter 3
The Other Meeting
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Disclaimer: Well, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Do not sue. Me poor. ;_;
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AN: I love Kenshin. He's so cute, plus he's my height!! Hehehehehe… Anyway, this chapter is a bit sad, yet cute. Let's just say that she meets two new people... O_O The end is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute and thoughtful. You've got to read to find out though… Not like I'll tell you right here and now…@_@
Glossary:
gomen nasai de gozaru yo- Very sorry, Kenshin version.
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Kaoru presumed the rest of her summer, always on the lookout. If she saw the Disbit again, she might blow her mind. But, fortunately it didn't show up again. She worries died down. She would be starting school again. Although she looked forward to it, she had no idea what the people would be like.
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Kaoru woke up early the first day of school. She slipped into her new uniform and tied her hair up into her traditional ponytail. She looked normal. She eyes burned with excitement. Her only hope was that no one rejects her like her last school. Once rejected once, her reputation went down in flames. She dared not think of that but to be optimistic. She rushed down for breakfast. She made a glimmering entrance.
"Wow! You look wonderful for the first day of school." Her mother commented. Her father walked up to her mother and pecked her cheek. "I always looked forward for the first day of school to see you." Her mother blushed a vivid shade of pink.
Kaoru ignored the remark and continued to sit at the table. Breakfast was served as usual. She ate hastily and went to gather her things. She placed them in her cat designed bag and headed for the door.
"Mother, Father! I'm going to leave!" she shouted in the direction of the kitchen.
Her parents shuffled over to her small figure, gave a small lecture and fixed up her white shirt. She rolled her eyes. Every year was the same. Don't be rude. You're the best the way you are. Don't listen to people, they don't know you. And various other statements. She shifted her weight to her right side and waited for them to finish.
"Ok honey. You can go…" her mother let her go. Her parents stood at the door and waved. She turned to wave back. She started her walk to the school. Barely being out all summer, she took a small map with her.
She gazed around at the scenery and passing by houses. She reached the town and found a park. She decided to stop by after school if everything didn't go alright. She looked at the map and took a few turns and found the tan building. She entered to find many people passing in the hall. Some turned to stare at her as they walked. The inside was quite nice for a junior high. She expected double bullying for being a freshman.
She walked down a corridor and slid open the classroom door. A few people looked to see who had come. She entered and took a seat in the second row. She placed her bag near the desk's leg and waited for instruction.
A few more people continued to enter the room. The bell was to ring soon. A girl entered the room. Her brown hair swayed in a mysterious wind that slept through the room. All the guys stared in awe. Kaoru took a mental note. Must be the most popular girl.
Kaoru began to worry as she peered around the room and locked her eyes on Kaoru. She walked over to her and threw her books on Kaoru's desktop.
"You're in my seat!" she roared.
Kaoru quietly grabbed her bag and hugged it to her chest. She got up and blushed a bit. "Sorry." Kaoru muttered. She looked around. Many students were softly laughing and whispering. She headed to the back of the room and sunk into the nearest chair. She saw the girl glanced back at her and laugh with some other girls. The teacher tapped the board with a pointer and Kaoru began her day of dread.
Between classes, people would stare and laugh at her. She felt so pitiful. There was no one to turn to. She piled sadness and pain on her shoulders. She hurried to each of her classes and sat near the back. She took detailed notes. She listened to the teacher intently, no matter how boring they droned on.
**
On the way to her last class, she met the girl in the hall again. She intentionally stuck out her foot. Kaoru didn't see this and tripped. Her things went flying across the floor. She sat helplessly on the floor. She blushed a bright shade of red. She held back all of her tears. She heard close by voice say, "Good one Matoko-chan!"AN: Matoko is Fruits Basket. Needed a character, so I used her! Don't own Fruits Basket. _
"Matoko." Kaoru muttered. A girl rushed up to her when Kaoru started to gather her stuff.
"Hi. Can I help??" her peppy voice piped in.
Kaoru, almost in tears, remarked, "Yes. Would you??"
The girl was in a short skirt, her black hair in a braid. AN: Can you guess who?? She helped gather up her papers. Glancing at a few, she commented, "Wow. You're really good at taking notes! Can I borrow them sometime??"
"Sure." Kaoru sniffed.
"Are you ok?? That was Matoko. She always rude. Don't worry." She tried to cheer Kaoru up.
"No, you don't get it. You might as well leave now. Thank-you for all your help." Kaoru stood up and bowed at the black haired girl.
"Wait! My name is Misao. I didn't quite catch yours." Misao stated.
"Oh, Kaoru. Good-bye." Kaoru turned and walked away. Misao stood there, perplexed, as Kaoru walked to her last class.
**
The last bell rang. Kaoru slowly walked out of the classroom, getting behind Matoko to avoid any further embarrassment. She scuffed her shoes down the rioting hallway. No one noticed nor cared she even existed. They all were around someone and talking about their day. Kaoru stood in the back, scuffing her brown uniformal shoes. Thinking she remembered her mental note to stop by the park. She hurried her pace, squeezing through groups as she made her way to the front door. Some fresh air and falling leaves always calmed her down.
She burst through the doors and felt the cool, crisp breeze kiss her cheek. A shiver ran down her spine. She continued to walk down the road.
She eventually reached the park. She found a bench near so colorful oak tees and sat down, placing her bag next to her. She rethought her day. Being the new kid all the time was hard. Her family moved often, but she had no reason why. Matoko had been awfully spiteful. Was it was just the fact that being herself that everyone picked on her?? What did they want?? Was always the question. Tears began to sprout from her eyes. She covered her eyes. Was she a failure??
Suddenly, a shower of acorns fell to the ground, a few hitting her. The branch in front of her shook viciously. Her eyes widened. That couldn't have been a squirrel. The thought of her little messenger coming popped into her mind. She saw a foot appear near the visible part of the trunk. Her mind calmed a bit. Slowly and delicately, a body came into view. Then, a bushel a red hair and a face appeared. AN: Can you guess this person. ::wink wink::
He climbed down the trunk and jumped to the ground. Brushing himself off he looked up, seeing a tear struck girl. He stood awe struck. The red head came to his senses and rushed over to her.
"Are you all right??" he placed a caring hand on her shoulder.
Still staring, Kaoru replied, "H…Hai."
"You look sad, what's wrong??" the boy studied her face.
Kaoru wiped her eyes and said, "Oh, I'm fine. It's nothing…"
"No, no… Something's troubling you. What is it??" he moved her bag over and sat next to her.
"I said I was fine!" Kaoru jumped up. She poured tear into her hands.
"Oro??" Kenshin muttered. "Why won't you tell me??"
"You're a complete stranger! How can I trust you??" Kaoru cool stated.
"Do I look harmless??" he said, pointing to himself.
Kaoru looked up at him in disbelief. Who does he think he is?? "Just leave me alone!!!" she frantically tried to call him off.
The red head mentioned, "My name is Kenshin. What's yours??"
"Kaoru. Now can you just go!!" she practically yelled. A flock of birds arose from the tree and flew away. She shed more tears. She felt up to no good.
"Ok, then! I'll be on my way!" Kenshin stood up and strode off to the tree.
Kaoru looked up and saw him head to the tree. Being curious, she asked, "What are you doing in that tree??"
Kenshin stopped trying to grab a branch and looked back. "Oro?!?"
"I said, what are you doing in that tree?!" she persisted to know.
"Oh, heh. I was just ummmmm… getting some acorns for the squirrels! It is almost winter you know. Save them a few trips." He lamely said.
Kaoru was about to burst out in laughter. Squirrels?? Was he that stupid?? Cheering up her mood, she offered to help. "Let me help you collect acorns! It'll give the squirrels a better chance to find them all."
"Oro…. Oh, well I guess you could…help." Kenshin wasn't sure what to make of her sudden mood swing.
Kaoru rushed over to him and bent down to start to collect the small brown nuts. Kenshin hesitantly squatted down and reach for a handful of acorns. He somberly scooped up the acorns in a big pile. How could he lie like that?? The truth lie inside him, struggling up his throat. Something reached his mouth and he said it before he could stop himself. "Why are you so cheerful all of a sudden??" He sighed, nothing to worry. A mere question.
"Oh, well, it's nothing… Just something you did. Nothing to worry about." She smiled softly at him, eyes still red from tears.
Kenshin cocked his head to the side, "Oro?!?"
Kaoru let out a giggle but restrained herself. She moved away to another section of fallen acorns. Kenshin shortly followed. Silence struck them in an instant. Nothing to do but pick up acorns… Kaoru's mind struggled to think of something to say.
"I didn't see you at school?? Did you miss it or something??" Kaoru pathetically came up.
Kenshin looked up surprised. Why was she trying to be nice?? She rejected him just 10 minutes ago. "I'm umm… home schooled."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know…" Kaoru felt bad for asking.
"It's ok! I'm not that sorry. From what you go through, I'd rather be home schooled." Kenshin said without thinking.
Kaoru looked up, astonished. What I go through?!?! Who does he think he is?? The almighty home schooled?? "Well… well you don't know what I go through!" Kaoru jumped up, spilling the acorns all over the ground.
"Gomen nasai de gozaru yo! I had no idea that would offend you! I'm such a sessha…" Kenshin tried to apologize, punished himself in the process.
"I don't care if you apologize! You have right to speak to me like that!" Kaoru ran back to her bag, grabbed it and stormed off.
Kenshin sat there, petrified. How could I be such a sessha?? Was all he thought. He turned his head to the ground as her figure faded in the distance. The acorns sparked an idea. He would have to ask around first.
**
Kaoru walked on through the town, teardrops slowly trickling from her eyes. She pasted out and broke into a run for her home, where she could cry in private with no red head boy to remind her about it. She slowed down for lack of breath. Crying tremendously, she continued to walk.
It seemed to take hours but she finally reached it. Her tears had stopped and eyes dry. She stuck on a phony smile and walked into the house.
"Mother! Father! I'm home!" she yelled into the big empty house. She heard whispers and footsteps from above. She proceeded to take off her shoes and leave them by the door. Her mother and father appeared by the stairs.
"Hello honey! Why were you so late! We were getting worried!" her mother tentatively said.
"Oh, I just stopped by a nearby park. It's such a wonderful day outside!" Kaoru sweetly stated.
"Oh, ok." Her mother accepted her answer. "Well, how was school??"
Kaoru had totally forgotten about that. Her mind was on getting to her bedroom a.s.a.p. "I don't want to talk about it." Kaoru pushed her way to the stairs and raced to her bedroom. Before she made a dash for it, she saw her mother's smile fade.
She made her way up the stairs and slid open the door to her bedroom. She threw her things aside and lay onto her bed. She buried her head in her pillow and let the tears stream out like never before. Why did everyone hate her and think she was so meek?? They always did this. No use to try to fight. They'll win anyway. This thought just made her cry more…
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The next day wasn't any better, or any worse. Matoko kept up her act when she found out Kaoru got, lets say, upset after that trip. Kaoru watched her step that day. She was very self-conscious. But yet, they managed to embarrass her more. How could this happen??
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That day, she ran straight home, no stopping at some park to get tortured by. She thought about how stupid she was. She let the details slip by which lead to catastrophe.
She emerged in her home, kicked off her shoes and ran upstairs. She glided open the door when her mother called.
"Kaoru?!? Is that you??"
Between sobs she replied, "Yes, it's me!"
"A nice boy came by and left this basket for you. Will you like to come get it??" she shouted.
Basket?? Who would leave me a basket?? She wondered as she stepped down the stairs again. "Coming!" she stated.
Her eyes swollen with tears, she popped into the kitchen. "Where is it??" she graciously asked.
Her mother turned around to see the teary eyed girl. She opened her mouth to ask of the problem but quickly pulled back, knowing she couldn't help no matter how hard. "On the counter." She replied, disappointed of herself.
"Thank-you!" Kaoru perked up a bit and headed over to the counter. She took the cloth covered basket by the handle and speedily walked up to her room. She set it down on her desk and looked at it.
Who could it be from?? She cautiously edged over the wood floor to the basket. Her hand touched the cloth, a silky type of feeling. Her hand moved upward to uncover the contents. Acorns. Her eyes widened. Could it be?? Did Kenshin actually send her these acorns?? She saw a note lying on top of the brown nuts. She looked at the surface.
'Miss Kaoru' is what it said. She unfolded it to see the five words she never thought she'd hear or read again.
'Gomen nasai de gozaru yo.' Was written neatly inside. She flipped the note to the back. No signature. She thought sincerely of Kenshin, if it was him anyway. But why would he do such a kind and thought act like that?? She truly didn't hate him, only mad… Did this really mean there was someone out there who really cared??
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R/R peas…
I worked hard on this chapter. It took a looooooooooong time. Man, I mean I split it in two so I wrote it all at once. Sorry if it took a while. ^_^; I'm trying hard to speed this one up a bit. Its goin a little slow…
Me like Kenshin and Kyo lots more. Don't know why. Both veryveryveryveryveryveryvery cute. ^^;;
-s.w.i
