AN: Sorry it took so long to update; I recently found out that college is indeed harder than high school. Nonetheless, in this chapter more characters are introduced and of course the situation between Aoshi and Misao develops. Please review, but above all else ENJOY!
Chapter 2
"I've faced college registration and Miss Leiko's wrath yet now I can't deal with a stupid rumor?! What the hell has gotten into me?!" Misao spewed to no one impaticular as she fumbled in her over stuffed purse for her keys in the deafening silence of midnight, her apartment was becoming increasingly inviting. "Damn keys!"
"Maybe you're afraid." whispered a voice from behind Misao. Stunned she spun around to find Karou, whom she hadn't seen since high school graduation. For it being nearly midnight she seemed eerily chipper, her ever present smile hadn't faulted due to the late hour.
"Karou! When did you get here?!" Misao couldn't believe her eyes, if ever she needed a friend to converse and compare thoughts with it was now. The events of the past few weeks replayed in her mind like images from an 8 mm film reel, she definitely needed a sane mind to make sense of it all.
"A few hours ago but you weren't here so I went down the street to get some coffee; haven't been able to stay off the stuff since I started college." she laughed as she pulled out a cup she kept in reserves to ensure she got the necessary caffeine kick. Three years of pulling all nighters and the consumption of gallons of coffee hasn't shown itself one bit on Karou's smooth and fair face; always something Misao was, to say the least, jealous of. Karou had always had a more feminine overtone to her aura, where as Misao was always "just one of the guys."
"I'm so glad you're here. I have so much to tell you!" Returning to her quest for her keys, she gave a disgruntled growl as if to frighten the mischievous keys into her hands. "A HA! Success." With that she promptly unlocked the door and opened it allowing Karou to see all. "Welcome to my humble abode." bowing in mock respect, she waited for her friend to enter.
"I wouldn't have expected anything less from you Misao." Commented Karou laughingly as she slowly stepped inside taking everything in, especially the grey carpeted floor littered with boxes and shoes. The second hand couch complete with an old blanket and pillow for late night television fests.
Shutting and locking all three deadbolts, she turned to Karou, "What is that supposed to mean?" slightly offended, Misao attempted to pick up dishes left near the couch from last night's dinner.
"Nothing." chuckled Karou as she found Misao's actions futile, she'd already seen the damage of college life in Misao's apartment. Folding the blanket that sprawled on the couch, Karou sat down and admired the art gracing the walls. For having an apartment in such a condition finding replicas of European art was highly unexpected. The picture of Eros and Pysche particularly intrigued her. "Misao, what rumor is driving you so crazy?"
"Well, its complicated. There is this guy named Aoshi, and well there's this....." Misao was cut short by Karou's look of recognition.
"Aoshi Shinomari?" Misao dropped the black tennis shoe she held in her hand, apparently giving up all attempts to further clean her apartment she took a seat next to her friend on the couch that often doubled as a bed. Sinking in she gave Karou a look that demanded an explanation.
"How do you know his last name?" Leaning in close so as not to miss a single breath.
"I chatted with a man named Aoshi Shinomari while I was at the coffee shop. He complained that his usual restaurant, Burger World, had already closed for the night. I asked him if he had ever met a girl with long black hair there. Instantly he said yes."
"You asked him about me?! Karou how could you?" Retrieving some distance Misao had stolen, Karou merely stared back utterly perplexed.
"Why shouldn't I?" It was then that Karou took note of Misao's Burger World uniform with spots of grease and her braided hair that by now was littered with loose strands.
A look of fear was plastered on Misao's face with the realization that she had almost come face to face with the very man she's been trying desperately to avoid. Karou didn't understand the reason for the expression but it was impossible to miss.
"Misao? Is everything al.." Concern filling every intonation of her voice didn't deter Misao one second as she ferverrently cut in leaving Karou no room to argue.
"Karou, he's not what you think. He's....he's....a killer." However, her last few words were mentioned barely above a whisper.
"What?!" Not the man Karou had met, not possible. "Where did you hear such none sense?"
"He killed my manager's brother, his best friend." She stared into Karou's eyes for any sign of a reaction, however all she found of was laughter. "Why would she lie about something so serious? Karou if you could've seen the anguish in her eyes you wouldn't be laughing."
"I'm sorry Misao but I just find it hard to believe that a man like Aoshi, the man that smiled at the mere mention of your name, could be a killer." Taking a drink of her coffee, she calmed down and looked at Misao with urgency and seriousness not commonly found. "Have you asked him?"
"What?! No! What am I supposed to say? Hi sorry I've been avoiding you, I heard you were a murderer; any truth to that?" Misao's eyes quickly darted throughout the room, anything to avoid Karou's mocking gaze; her eyes finally stopped on the familiar picture of the young Pysche holding a candle over the sleeping god Eros.
"Nothing, get to know him. See if the man you meet is truly a killer." Satisfied with sounding like a wise sensei instructing her young student, Karou took another sip of coffee.
"Karou? I've never met a killer, what would I compare him to?" Damn her valid questions thought the now frustrated Kaoru, looking around for inspiration.
"Misao, you know the legend of Eros and Pysche. She wasn't allowed to see Eros for mortals aren't allowed to see gods, she merely had to trust that it was indeed Eros. However, Pysche's sisters convinced her it was a mere mortal taking advantage of her; consumed with doubt Pysche held a candle to Eros' sleeping form. As punishment for not TRUSTING, Eros left Pysche forever. In short Misao, you've got to trust your instincts, trust that they would not lead you to a killer."
"But what about Miss Leiko? Who killed her brother then?" Karou couldn't, nor did she try to, deny the fact that this woman's brother is dead and presently blames Aoshi.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Misao, although not fully satisfied, felt immensely relieved. Karou always had a way of putting things into perspective for her. With new found determination to prove Leiko wrong, Misao remembered that she hadn't talked to Karou in months.
"Karou, weren't you seeing a guy last time we talked?" giving Karou a sly look letting her know that she had to tell Misao everything. Karou gave in with a sigh, college may have ravaged her apartment but nothing would deter her friend's unquenchable thirst for gossip.
"Uh....yea. We're still together and he's such a great guy, but I'm not sure anymore; he's changed." The look of sadness in Karou's stare pained Misao, the hell she'd sit ideally by and watch some jerk hurt her friend.
"Honestly Karou, how is you can come up with a million solutions to my problems, but speak of Kevin"
"Kenshin"
"Fine, Kenshin, and you clam up!" The once caffeine confident Karou was now slouching back into the couch, as if hoping it would swallow her.
"He's still Kenshin, but sometimes he becomes someone completely different, someone dark." Concentrating on the now forgotten tennis shoe; Karou spoke softly and cautiously, as if each word could condemn Kenshin.
"What do you mean dark?" Misao had long since stood up, she was now leaning over Karou demanding answers, demanding explanations, demanding this Kenshin to treat Karou right.
"Its hard to explain; I think it has something to do with his past." Shifting still further back into the couch at Misao's unnerving closeness.
"Past?"
"He was in the hospital for nearly a year before I met him." Hoping Misao would be satisfied with that, Karou finally looked up from the shoe to Misao, her green eyes were unrelenting. Sighing she decided she had no choice, she was going to have to tell Misao everything. "Hospital for the criminally insane."
*********
Running, endless running; through forests, edging dangerously close to cliffs that seemingly fell into eternity. "Murai! No! Wait don't go!" Why was his best friend leaving him? Where was he going? Fear and panic overtook Aoshi's body, only gravel, pine trees, and mysterious scrapes were there to console him. Utterly alone, no one for an explanation, no one for comfort, just himself and a friend who isn't as he appears. "Wait Murai! What's happening? STOP!"
Waking long before the sun now seemed almost customary for Aoshi; for years now deep and restful slumber eluded him. He had never able to finish that dream, never able to understand its meaning. Slowly adjusting to the darkness of his room, the troubled man casually glanced at the red light emanating from the clock that read 4:17 AM. Pushing back the blanket, Aoshi promptly folded up his traditional japanese futon; something he'd become accustomed to during his days of training. His master insisted the luxuries of modern society merely hindered the fighting spirit buried within.
His bare feet lightly hitting the hard wood floor was the only audiable sound in the vacant house. It was hard for Aoshi to remember a time when he hadn't lived on his own. Having never really gotten along with his parents Aoshi moved out as soon as legally possible, a move which both sides found equally suitable. Preferring to be a quiet man of thought and purposeful action than adopting the devil may care attitude donned by most people his age; Aoshi found few companions, none of which he felt particularly close to. His thoughts often seemed to drift back to the exuberant girl, the first person in ages that he'd felt a real connection to. This wasn't like him, enthralled with some girl he'd just met, but she's different, she's not like the others. He felt the battle within himself beginning to consume his thoughts again; however, he had to admit it was nice to think of something other than Murai.
What if she knows? What if she heard? What if she finds out? All the insecurities he withheld so well spewed forth in his mind in a deluge of emotion. What did he care? She's just some college girl. But she gave me a reason to smile. Aoshi needed a release, he had only one option, meditate. Donning a black gi he purposefully walked to the spacious living room, pushed aside the brown leather sofa, moving the table big enough for six to the corner and set the matching leather chair near the rarely used fireplace. It was then he commenced his morning ritual; training had begun. Yet, Misao remained.
Glistening with sweat, Aoshi stopped practicing to watch the sun slowly rise into the morning sky. He always loved this time of day, everything was fresh, untouched. Only among the first rays of sunlight was Aoshi able to think, think of horrid things, of wondrous things, of her. Allowing himself to sit, he knew he could never reveal his true feelings, his instant attraction, his sense of freedom she gave him; not to his self and not to her. Turning from the new sun and vibrant orange clouds, Aoshi denied himself the joy of thinking of things he could never have and the pain of acknowledging it all; his thoughts returned to those monotonous matters of no real importance.
After routinely showering, shaving, and dressing, Aoshi routinely ate a simple breakfast; all was routine until he arrived at the university. All was monotonous until he saw her, saw Misao, saw her look of fear when their eyes met, saw her running away for the second time.
*****
It had been weeks since Karou decided to "drop by" and Misao still couldn't face Aoshi. Nothing had changed except every free thought was captured by Aoshi, she had to face him, not yet, I can't face him yet was the best she could tell herself. She longed for his presence, killer or not, in the end it didn't matter; so what is holding me back?
Desperately trying to keep her mutinous papers and books within the grasp of her arms, Misao found it futile to be mentally and physically overburdened and collapsed on the ground. Demanding order from her papers and expecting no such thing from her mind, she looked up seeing that the blue sky of earlier was slowly being consumed by grey clouds that threatened rain any moment. "Of course."
Looking for the nearest shelter she found the coffee shop Karou spoke of earlier, it should be quiet there surmised the frazzled college student. No sooner had she decided than it started to rain, then pour.
Muttering curses as she attempted to gather her papers and overpriced text books, Misao rushed across the street to the rundown coffee shop. She recoiled a bit as she opened the door and was overcome with the smell of coffee; the most loathed bean in the world she grumbled. Scanning the small caf, for a table, she found it surprisingly full of students, business men, and Aoshi. Had the man dressed in black, which suited him nicely she mused, looked up to see the scared little girl standing in the door way he would have not believed it was the same Misao he met a month ago. Misao looked like a lost twelve year old, not the college freshman in search of refuge from the rain.
You're just gonna have to trust you instincts, trust that they would not lead you to a killer. Damn Karou and her trust speech. Misao knew what she had to do but never knew how; now presented with the opportunity she knew. Regaining the look of her age, she confidently wobbled over to where Aoshi was sitting alone with his newspaper.
"Hey, mind if I sit here?"
Aoshi slowly looked up from his article, instantly recognizing the voice, his piercing blue eyes staring at her void of emotion. Suddenly, a small smile crept onto his face, she was soaked. "Sure."
Chapter 2
"I've faced college registration and Miss Leiko's wrath yet now I can't deal with a stupid rumor?! What the hell has gotten into me?!" Misao spewed to no one impaticular as she fumbled in her over stuffed purse for her keys in the deafening silence of midnight, her apartment was becoming increasingly inviting. "Damn keys!"
"Maybe you're afraid." whispered a voice from behind Misao. Stunned she spun around to find Karou, whom she hadn't seen since high school graduation. For it being nearly midnight she seemed eerily chipper, her ever present smile hadn't faulted due to the late hour.
"Karou! When did you get here?!" Misao couldn't believe her eyes, if ever she needed a friend to converse and compare thoughts with it was now. The events of the past few weeks replayed in her mind like images from an 8 mm film reel, she definitely needed a sane mind to make sense of it all.
"A few hours ago but you weren't here so I went down the street to get some coffee; haven't been able to stay off the stuff since I started college." she laughed as she pulled out a cup she kept in reserves to ensure she got the necessary caffeine kick. Three years of pulling all nighters and the consumption of gallons of coffee hasn't shown itself one bit on Karou's smooth and fair face; always something Misao was, to say the least, jealous of. Karou had always had a more feminine overtone to her aura, where as Misao was always "just one of the guys."
"I'm so glad you're here. I have so much to tell you!" Returning to her quest for her keys, she gave a disgruntled growl as if to frighten the mischievous keys into her hands. "A HA! Success." With that she promptly unlocked the door and opened it allowing Karou to see all. "Welcome to my humble abode." bowing in mock respect, she waited for her friend to enter.
"I wouldn't have expected anything less from you Misao." Commented Karou laughingly as she slowly stepped inside taking everything in, especially the grey carpeted floor littered with boxes and shoes. The second hand couch complete with an old blanket and pillow for late night television fests.
Shutting and locking all three deadbolts, she turned to Karou, "What is that supposed to mean?" slightly offended, Misao attempted to pick up dishes left near the couch from last night's dinner.
"Nothing." chuckled Karou as she found Misao's actions futile, she'd already seen the damage of college life in Misao's apartment. Folding the blanket that sprawled on the couch, Karou sat down and admired the art gracing the walls. For having an apartment in such a condition finding replicas of European art was highly unexpected. The picture of Eros and Pysche particularly intrigued her. "Misao, what rumor is driving you so crazy?"
"Well, its complicated. There is this guy named Aoshi, and well there's this....." Misao was cut short by Karou's look of recognition.
"Aoshi Shinomari?" Misao dropped the black tennis shoe she held in her hand, apparently giving up all attempts to further clean her apartment she took a seat next to her friend on the couch that often doubled as a bed. Sinking in she gave Karou a look that demanded an explanation.
"How do you know his last name?" Leaning in close so as not to miss a single breath.
"I chatted with a man named Aoshi Shinomari while I was at the coffee shop. He complained that his usual restaurant, Burger World, had already closed for the night. I asked him if he had ever met a girl with long black hair there. Instantly he said yes."
"You asked him about me?! Karou how could you?" Retrieving some distance Misao had stolen, Karou merely stared back utterly perplexed.
"Why shouldn't I?" It was then that Karou took note of Misao's Burger World uniform with spots of grease and her braided hair that by now was littered with loose strands.
A look of fear was plastered on Misao's face with the realization that she had almost come face to face with the very man she's been trying desperately to avoid. Karou didn't understand the reason for the expression but it was impossible to miss.
"Misao? Is everything al.." Concern filling every intonation of her voice didn't deter Misao one second as she ferverrently cut in leaving Karou no room to argue.
"Karou, he's not what you think. He's....he's....a killer." However, her last few words were mentioned barely above a whisper.
"What?!" Not the man Karou had met, not possible. "Where did you hear such none sense?"
"He killed my manager's brother, his best friend." She stared into Karou's eyes for any sign of a reaction, however all she found of was laughter. "Why would she lie about something so serious? Karou if you could've seen the anguish in her eyes you wouldn't be laughing."
"I'm sorry Misao but I just find it hard to believe that a man like Aoshi, the man that smiled at the mere mention of your name, could be a killer." Taking a drink of her coffee, she calmed down and looked at Misao with urgency and seriousness not commonly found. "Have you asked him?"
"What?! No! What am I supposed to say? Hi sorry I've been avoiding you, I heard you were a murderer; any truth to that?" Misao's eyes quickly darted throughout the room, anything to avoid Karou's mocking gaze; her eyes finally stopped on the familiar picture of the young Pysche holding a candle over the sleeping god Eros.
"Nothing, get to know him. See if the man you meet is truly a killer." Satisfied with sounding like a wise sensei instructing her young student, Karou took another sip of coffee.
"Karou? I've never met a killer, what would I compare him to?" Damn her valid questions thought the now frustrated Kaoru, looking around for inspiration.
"Misao, you know the legend of Eros and Pysche. She wasn't allowed to see Eros for mortals aren't allowed to see gods, she merely had to trust that it was indeed Eros. However, Pysche's sisters convinced her it was a mere mortal taking advantage of her; consumed with doubt Pysche held a candle to Eros' sleeping form. As punishment for not TRUSTING, Eros left Pysche forever. In short Misao, you've got to trust your instincts, trust that they would not lead you to a killer."
"But what about Miss Leiko? Who killed her brother then?" Karou couldn't, nor did she try to, deny the fact that this woman's brother is dead and presently blames Aoshi.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Misao, although not fully satisfied, felt immensely relieved. Karou always had a way of putting things into perspective for her. With new found determination to prove Leiko wrong, Misao remembered that she hadn't talked to Karou in months.
"Karou, weren't you seeing a guy last time we talked?" giving Karou a sly look letting her know that she had to tell Misao everything. Karou gave in with a sigh, college may have ravaged her apartment but nothing would deter her friend's unquenchable thirst for gossip.
"Uh....yea. We're still together and he's such a great guy, but I'm not sure anymore; he's changed." The look of sadness in Karou's stare pained Misao, the hell she'd sit ideally by and watch some jerk hurt her friend.
"Honestly Karou, how is you can come up with a million solutions to my problems, but speak of Kevin"
"Kenshin"
"Fine, Kenshin, and you clam up!" The once caffeine confident Karou was now slouching back into the couch, as if hoping it would swallow her.
"He's still Kenshin, but sometimes he becomes someone completely different, someone dark." Concentrating on the now forgotten tennis shoe; Karou spoke softly and cautiously, as if each word could condemn Kenshin.
"What do you mean dark?" Misao had long since stood up, she was now leaning over Karou demanding answers, demanding explanations, demanding this Kenshin to treat Karou right.
"Its hard to explain; I think it has something to do with his past." Shifting still further back into the couch at Misao's unnerving closeness.
"Past?"
"He was in the hospital for nearly a year before I met him." Hoping Misao would be satisfied with that, Karou finally looked up from the shoe to Misao, her green eyes were unrelenting. Sighing she decided she had no choice, she was going to have to tell Misao everything. "Hospital for the criminally insane."
*********
Running, endless running; through forests, edging dangerously close to cliffs that seemingly fell into eternity. "Murai! No! Wait don't go!" Why was his best friend leaving him? Where was he going? Fear and panic overtook Aoshi's body, only gravel, pine trees, and mysterious scrapes were there to console him. Utterly alone, no one for an explanation, no one for comfort, just himself and a friend who isn't as he appears. "Wait Murai! What's happening? STOP!"
Waking long before the sun now seemed almost customary for Aoshi; for years now deep and restful slumber eluded him. He had never able to finish that dream, never able to understand its meaning. Slowly adjusting to the darkness of his room, the troubled man casually glanced at the red light emanating from the clock that read 4:17 AM. Pushing back the blanket, Aoshi promptly folded up his traditional japanese futon; something he'd become accustomed to during his days of training. His master insisted the luxuries of modern society merely hindered the fighting spirit buried within.
His bare feet lightly hitting the hard wood floor was the only audiable sound in the vacant house. It was hard for Aoshi to remember a time when he hadn't lived on his own. Having never really gotten along with his parents Aoshi moved out as soon as legally possible, a move which both sides found equally suitable. Preferring to be a quiet man of thought and purposeful action than adopting the devil may care attitude donned by most people his age; Aoshi found few companions, none of which he felt particularly close to. His thoughts often seemed to drift back to the exuberant girl, the first person in ages that he'd felt a real connection to. This wasn't like him, enthralled with some girl he'd just met, but she's different, she's not like the others. He felt the battle within himself beginning to consume his thoughts again; however, he had to admit it was nice to think of something other than Murai.
What if she knows? What if she heard? What if she finds out? All the insecurities he withheld so well spewed forth in his mind in a deluge of emotion. What did he care? She's just some college girl. But she gave me a reason to smile. Aoshi needed a release, he had only one option, meditate. Donning a black gi he purposefully walked to the spacious living room, pushed aside the brown leather sofa, moving the table big enough for six to the corner and set the matching leather chair near the rarely used fireplace. It was then he commenced his morning ritual; training had begun. Yet, Misao remained.
Glistening with sweat, Aoshi stopped practicing to watch the sun slowly rise into the morning sky. He always loved this time of day, everything was fresh, untouched. Only among the first rays of sunlight was Aoshi able to think, think of horrid things, of wondrous things, of her. Allowing himself to sit, he knew he could never reveal his true feelings, his instant attraction, his sense of freedom she gave him; not to his self and not to her. Turning from the new sun and vibrant orange clouds, Aoshi denied himself the joy of thinking of things he could never have and the pain of acknowledging it all; his thoughts returned to those monotonous matters of no real importance.
After routinely showering, shaving, and dressing, Aoshi routinely ate a simple breakfast; all was routine until he arrived at the university. All was monotonous until he saw her, saw Misao, saw her look of fear when their eyes met, saw her running away for the second time.
*****
It had been weeks since Karou decided to "drop by" and Misao still couldn't face Aoshi. Nothing had changed except every free thought was captured by Aoshi, she had to face him, not yet, I can't face him yet was the best she could tell herself. She longed for his presence, killer or not, in the end it didn't matter; so what is holding me back?
Desperately trying to keep her mutinous papers and books within the grasp of her arms, Misao found it futile to be mentally and physically overburdened and collapsed on the ground. Demanding order from her papers and expecting no such thing from her mind, she looked up seeing that the blue sky of earlier was slowly being consumed by grey clouds that threatened rain any moment. "Of course."
Looking for the nearest shelter she found the coffee shop Karou spoke of earlier, it should be quiet there surmised the frazzled college student. No sooner had she decided than it started to rain, then pour.
Muttering curses as she attempted to gather her papers and overpriced text books, Misao rushed across the street to the rundown coffee shop. She recoiled a bit as she opened the door and was overcome with the smell of coffee; the most loathed bean in the world she grumbled. Scanning the small caf, for a table, she found it surprisingly full of students, business men, and Aoshi. Had the man dressed in black, which suited him nicely she mused, looked up to see the scared little girl standing in the door way he would have not believed it was the same Misao he met a month ago. Misao looked like a lost twelve year old, not the college freshman in search of refuge from the rain.
You're just gonna have to trust you instincts, trust that they would not lead you to a killer. Damn Karou and her trust speech. Misao knew what she had to do but never knew how; now presented with the opportunity she knew. Regaining the look of her age, she confidently wobbled over to where Aoshi was sitting alone with his newspaper.
"Hey, mind if I sit here?"
Aoshi slowly looked up from his article, instantly recognizing the voice, his piercing blue eyes staring at her void of emotion. Suddenly, a small smile crept onto his face, she was soaked. "Sure."