Author's note: About the chapter: Koniko-chan, thanks for helping! I
actually did some of my own research out of respect for Japanese society,
although it put a bit of limitations on my imagination. I discovered that
the school year really starts in April with short breaks in between, so I
kind of messed up with that, but you guys can overlook that, right? It's
still their first day back from vacation. Oh well, here goes.
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine, never was and never will be. *sobs*
The Love of Life
Chapter 4: A Promise Kept
By CrismHeart
August 18, 2003
As soon as Kaoru woke up in the morning to the ringing of her alarm clock, she knew that it was going to be a terrific day. She was fully awake and on a school day no less. Kaoru was so proud of herself because she was not going to be late the first day back. She got out her school uniform and ran her finger along the cotton material. She admired the way the white and navy blue ensemble brought out the color of her eyes. Kaoru then ran a brush through her hair and after a couple of yanks, disentangled all previous existing knots. She pulled her hair up into her customary ponytail and secured it with a white ribbon.
Kaoru ran downstairs and hummed to herself as she prepared breakfast for herself and her brother. After waking Yahiko and ordering him to eat, she ran out the door before he could grumble about her cooking and call her "Busu."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin barely got any sleep. He had been tormented by nightmares; they were always the same ones that plagued his mind: death, blood, remorse, and the constant trepidation he sensed in his victims before their life was taken from them enveloped him. Only this time, he was the victim. Even awake, the nightmares would never be over for him. Kenshin was nervous about attending a new school, but perhaps living the life of an ordinary seventeen year old would be beneficial to him, especially since he was so eager to get away from his past. Kenshin swung his brown school bag over his shoulder and closed his apartment door shut. He was about to set out for school when a tall, spiky-haired teenager donning an awfully familiar looking uniform stopped him. "Oi, you must be new around here. Sagara Sanoske at your service, but you can call me Sano. You going to Konouenai High too?" "Aa, it's nice to meet you, Sano, that it is."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Upon setting foot in her designated classroom, Kaoru whipped her head around as she recognized a faint voice and saw a flash of red moving in the opposite direction through the hallways. For some odd reason, it reminded her of Kenshin. "Mou," she muttered, "School is supposed to distract me from thinking of him, not the other way around."
Kaoru shook her head violently as if she shook hard enough, the image of him would eventually disappear from her mind. And with that, she walked into her homeroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
While Sano and Kenshin walked to school, they became better acquainted with each other. Sano had told him what to expect from certain teachers. Because they were both in the same class, Sano introduced him to his friends. He gestured towards the students nearby them, "Over there is Katsu, my best bud, we go way back. The one standing off to the side is Shinomori Aoshi. And that's the Kitsune." Sano lowered his voice, "She's in love with me."
"What was that, Sagara Sanoske?! Who could love a tori-atama like you!" the "kitsune" remarked.
"Ouch, kitsune, that hurts, but I know you love me anyways." Sano retorted.
The "kitsune" scoffed before glancing towards the quiet redhead standing beside Sano, "Ohohohoho! Who's this?" She smiled seductively at him.
"Oro!" Kenshin was bewildered at how the bickering had quickly shifted to a sudden interest in him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru smiled as she spotted Misao sitting at a desk chatting away with their good friend Seta Soujiro. Misao was as animated and cheerful as usual, although Kaoru was in constant awe of her best friend for being so energetic all day, much less in the morning, but that was Misao for you.
For Kaoru, the first half of school had been long. Having to sit in the same seat and trying to look focused while having to listen to the monotonous drone of their teachers' voices was beginning to tire her out. When their last class before lunch was dismissed, she seemed to come back to life. It was refreshing to finally be able to stretch her limbs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin had adapted well for a new student. He was probably one of the few who could stay awake throughout the classes and concentrate on his studies, but this was because he had not always had the privilege of education and wanted to learn as much as possible.
Regardless of his fascination with history, he was relieved that it was time for lunch.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru and Misao always met Megumi, Sano, and Aoshi outside to eat lunch since they would not get to see each other otherwise because they were in different grade levels. (Megumi, Sano, and Aoshi are all in their last year while Kaoru and Misao have another two years of school before graduation.)
Having not seen Aoshi in such a long time, Misao sprinted ahead of Kaoru and launched herself at him, "Aoshi-sama!!!! I missed you so much. I haven't seen you in four hours, twenty three minutes, and eight seconds!!"
Aoshi remained impassive, his rigid stature and ice-blue eyes normally devoid of emotion did not show that he even noticed that Misao's arms were tightly wrapped around his waist.
Kenshin, not used to seeing Misao's routine display of affection, almost burst out laughing. She was so lively in contrast to Aoshi's cool expression. Aoshi made him uncomfortable and it was not his tall build that made him intimidating, but the way he gave off the impression that he could see something deep within Kenshin- something he struggled to hide.
Misao had not been aware of the presence of a new person and glanced over Aoshi's shoulder, "Himura!"
Kaoru could not believe her ears. She picked up her pace and saw that it was true. He was really here.
Kenshin and Kaoru were in their own little world, oblivious to the ongoing activities surrounding them. It was Kenshin who broke the silence, "I'm glad to see you again, Kaoru-dono, that I am. And here is your ribbon, as promised."
His hand reached inside the breast pocket of his shirt, but Kaoru prevented him from doing so, "Iie, there's no need for you to give it back to me now." She blushed, knowing full well that she wanted him to keep it so he would think of her from time to time.
Kenshin beamed at her for he had become quite attached to it. Sometimes he found himself unconsciously reaching for it to make sure it was still there. He had stored the ribbon in his pocket for a reason, to keep it close to his heart. Even at a distance, the indigo ribbon gave off her distinct scent of jasmine.
_______________________________________________________________________
Author's notes: Yay! More reviews! *jumps up and down*
Mercses: Thanks for the awesome review! You're such a great friend! I can't believe you really advertised for me. (I would put a smiley face here if I knew how.)
Kitsune KeNsHiN: I'm glad you like the story! And it's okay if you can't tell me much about Japanese schools, just as long as you keep those reviews coming.
Koniko-chan: Thank you so much for the review! You make me feel so special! I do write for myself, it's just that I'm disappointed that my story's not interesting or attention-grabbing enough for others to read. (Sorry, I am a perfectionist.) Thanks again for the information on Japanese schools!
Brittanie Love: It's great that you're still reading!
Amish/Ames.lol: You finally reviewed, you and Mercses are so awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine, never was and never will be. *sobs*
The Love of Life
Chapter 4: A Promise Kept
By CrismHeart
August 18, 2003
As soon as Kaoru woke up in the morning to the ringing of her alarm clock, she knew that it was going to be a terrific day. She was fully awake and on a school day no less. Kaoru was so proud of herself because she was not going to be late the first day back. She got out her school uniform and ran her finger along the cotton material. She admired the way the white and navy blue ensemble brought out the color of her eyes. Kaoru then ran a brush through her hair and after a couple of yanks, disentangled all previous existing knots. She pulled her hair up into her customary ponytail and secured it with a white ribbon.
Kaoru ran downstairs and hummed to herself as she prepared breakfast for herself and her brother. After waking Yahiko and ordering him to eat, she ran out the door before he could grumble about her cooking and call her "Busu."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin barely got any sleep. He had been tormented by nightmares; they were always the same ones that plagued his mind: death, blood, remorse, and the constant trepidation he sensed in his victims before their life was taken from them enveloped him. Only this time, he was the victim. Even awake, the nightmares would never be over for him. Kenshin was nervous about attending a new school, but perhaps living the life of an ordinary seventeen year old would be beneficial to him, especially since he was so eager to get away from his past. Kenshin swung his brown school bag over his shoulder and closed his apartment door shut. He was about to set out for school when a tall, spiky-haired teenager donning an awfully familiar looking uniform stopped him. "Oi, you must be new around here. Sagara Sanoske at your service, but you can call me Sano. You going to Konouenai High too?" "Aa, it's nice to meet you, Sano, that it is."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Upon setting foot in her designated classroom, Kaoru whipped her head around as she recognized a faint voice and saw a flash of red moving in the opposite direction through the hallways. For some odd reason, it reminded her of Kenshin. "Mou," she muttered, "School is supposed to distract me from thinking of him, not the other way around."
Kaoru shook her head violently as if she shook hard enough, the image of him would eventually disappear from her mind. And with that, she walked into her homeroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
While Sano and Kenshin walked to school, they became better acquainted with each other. Sano had told him what to expect from certain teachers. Because they were both in the same class, Sano introduced him to his friends. He gestured towards the students nearby them, "Over there is Katsu, my best bud, we go way back. The one standing off to the side is Shinomori Aoshi. And that's the Kitsune." Sano lowered his voice, "She's in love with me."
"What was that, Sagara Sanoske?! Who could love a tori-atama like you!" the "kitsune" remarked.
"Ouch, kitsune, that hurts, but I know you love me anyways." Sano retorted.
The "kitsune" scoffed before glancing towards the quiet redhead standing beside Sano, "Ohohohoho! Who's this?" She smiled seductively at him.
"Oro!" Kenshin was bewildered at how the bickering had quickly shifted to a sudden interest in him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru smiled as she spotted Misao sitting at a desk chatting away with their good friend Seta Soujiro. Misao was as animated and cheerful as usual, although Kaoru was in constant awe of her best friend for being so energetic all day, much less in the morning, but that was Misao for you.
For Kaoru, the first half of school had been long. Having to sit in the same seat and trying to look focused while having to listen to the monotonous drone of their teachers' voices was beginning to tire her out. When their last class before lunch was dismissed, she seemed to come back to life. It was refreshing to finally be able to stretch her limbs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin had adapted well for a new student. He was probably one of the few who could stay awake throughout the classes and concentrate on his studies, but this was because he had not always had the privilege of education and wanted to learn as much as possible.
Regardless of his fascination with history, he was relieved that it was time for lunch.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru and Misao always met Megumi, Sano, and Aoshi outside to eat lunch since they would not get to see each other otherwise because they were in different grade levels. (Megumi, Sano, and Aoshi are all in their last year while Kaoru and Misao have another two years of school before graduation.)
Having not seen Aoshi in such a long time, Misao sprinted ahead of Kaoru and launched herself at him, "Aoshi-sama!!!! I missed you so much. I haven't seen you in four hours, twenty three minutes, and eight seconds!!"
Aoshi remained impassive, his rigid stature and ice-blue eyes normally devoid of emotion did not show that he even noticed that Misao's arms were tightly wrapped around his waist.
Kenshin, not used to seeing Misao's routine display of affection, almost burst out laughing. She was so lively in contrast to Aoshi's cool expression. Aoshi made him uncomfortable and it was not his tall build that made him intimidating, but the way he gave off the impression that he could see something deep within Kenshin- something he struggled to hide.
Misao had not been aware of the presence of a new person and glanced over Aoshi's shoulder, "Himura!"
Kaoru could not believe her ears. She picked up her pace and saw that it was true. He was really here.
Kenshin and Kaoru were in their own little world, oblivious to the ongoing activities surrounding them. It was Kenshin who broke the silence, "I'm glad to see you again, Kaoru-dono, that I am. And here is your ribbon, as promised."
His hand reached inside the breast pocket of his shirt, but Kaoru prevented him from doing so, "Iie, there's no need for you to give it back to me now." She blushed, knowing full well that she wanted him to keep it so he would think of her from time to time.
Kenshin beamed at her for he had become quite attached to it. Sometimes he found himself unconsciously reaching for it to make sure it was still there. He had stored the ribbon in his pocket for a reason, to keep it close to his heart. Even at a distance, the indigo ribbon gave off her distinct scent of jasmine.
_______________________________________________________________________
Author's notes: Yay! More reviews! *jumps up and down*
Mercses: Thanks for the awesome review! You're such a great friend! I can't believe you really advertised for me. (I would put a smiley face here if I knew how.)
Kitsune KeNsHiN: I'm glad you like the story! And it's okay if you can't tell me much about Japanese schools, just as long as you keep those reviews coming.
Koniko-chan: Thank you so much for the review! You make me feel so special! I do write for myself, it's just that I'm disappointed that my story's not interesting or attention-grabbing enough for others to read. (Sorry, I am a perfectionist.) Thanks again for the information on Japanese schools!
Brittanie Love: It's great that you're still reading!
Amish/Ames.lol: You finally reviewed, you and Mercses are so awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!