Disclaimer: Don't own Rurouni Kenshin nor the plot.
Author's Notes: I've been getting some complaints about my lack of origionality. I'm not usually nasty about these things, but please spare me? If you've seen the series, you know it is hard to make a parody with much leeway for your own events. I need things to happen this way. My own plot will come later. This is also true for the first few chapters of Part Two.
Aside from that, I posted a contest in the last chapter, sort of a brain teaser and I was disappointed to see that no one had tried. Maybe if you missed it, go back and see. It's in the ending notes.
Next to that, I'm very grateful for all the reviews! I didn't expect half as many, actually. I'll get around to answering them personally eventually. I promise! You all made my day!
Oh and one more chapter left of Part One after this! ^_^ And yes, (although I'm sorry to see it happen) Battousai will have to die. Enjoy his presence while you can, ne? Tons of fluff in this one!
* * * * *
Winter
Part One: Overcast Skies
~ III ~
* * * * *
Right after Enishi ran off, Battousai had run into the cabin in search for another flashlight. As soon as he found one, he ran off in the opposite direction as Enishi had, ignoring the questions Misao and Megumi threw at him. He ran in the direction that his instincts told him. He found Kaoru almost instantly.
When he saw her, she was sitting by the trunk of a tree, crying. He shone the light in her direction and she squinted up at him. For the first time in days, he gave her a genuine smile.
"Looks like I finally found you, Kaoru."
She got up immediately and ran towards him, burying her face in his shirt. She began to cry all over again while apologizing incoherently between sobs. Battousai put his arms around her and ran a hand through her hair soothingly.
"Don't be sorry," He said gently, "I shouldn't have gotten so angry at you."
"No," She made a slight indication of shaking her head from where it was still buried in his neck, "It's my fault." At that, a fresh wave of sobs wracked her body and Battousai hugged her even more tightly. After finally calming down, she pulled away.
"I'm sorry about that." She tried to laugh, "I got your shirt all wet."
"Small price to pay for a hug." Battousai shrugged and grinned. Kaoru blushed and looked away.
"Should we get going now? The others are probably worried."
"Sure." Battousai took Kaoru's hand and began leading her towards the direction he came from. Kaoru looked down at their linked hands and back up at him. Sensing her confusion, he replied.
"I just don't want to lose you again."
Kaoru was about to retort that she wasn't a child that needed to be babysat, but then realized the double meaning in his words. She smiled and let herself be guided through the woods. Once they reached a clearing, Battousai stopped in his tracks and looked up.
"In the future," He began, eyes still on the sky, "Just remember that star always points in the same direction." He pointed towards a particularly bright star with his free hand.
"It's a pretty star."
"It's the Polaris."
"It's supposed to help me?"
"Basically," Battousai shrugged, "If you follow the direction of it, you'll always know where you're going."
"Well," Kaoru said shyly, "I don't think I'll need it."
"Why not?"
"Because you'll come find me if I get lost."
Battousai smiled down at her and squeezed her hand.
"You're right. I will."
* * * * *
When they arrived at the cabin, only Enishi was still up. He opened his mouth to ask of Kaoru's wellbeing but stopped when he saw her hand in Battousai's. He just gave them a curt nod and retired to the cabin, inwardly cursing his luck. The couple looked at each other and then at their hands. Kaoru's eyes saddened guiltily.
* * * * *
The next morning, Kaoru was up early, an unprecedented act on her behalf. She stood outside and stretched for a minute before sniffing the air carefully. She followed the smell to the kitchen where Battousai stood cooking.
"Hey," He called without turning, "It'll be done in a few minutes if you want some."
"You know how to cook?" Kaoru asked incredulously while sitting down at a nearby chair.
"I try." He shrugged and looked somewhat embarrassed. She smiled as the wonderful aroma filled the air.
After a few minutes, a plate was set in front of her and she forked a large portion into her mouth, expecting it to be as good as it smelled. Instead, she nearly gagged. Battousai looked at her sheepishly.
"I said I try to cook. I didn't mean I was good at it."
Kaoru swallowed with some difficulty and gave him a smile.
"Don't worry. I can't do much better myself."
"I had to cook for myself while growing up." Battousai grinned, "I've grown used to the horrible taste. I wasn't expecting you this morning."
"Like I said, don't worry!" Kaoru forced a smile, though her heart pained thinking about him as a young boy trying to support himself, "We'll just wait for someone else to come cook."
From there the conversation turned to lighter things. Unbeknownst to them, Enishi stood from the far door and watched as the two interacted. He growled and stalked off.
* * * * *
The rest of the morning passed unceremoniously. Before they knew it, it was time to catch the afternoon train home. This time, the ride wasn't as tense. Misao babbled as always, but with the addition of Kaoru and Battousai's voices and the absence of Megumi's.
The group parted happily, for the most part. Megumi left in a huff and Enishi glared with silent rage as he stomped off. The others left on lighter terms and went to prepare for the following day of school.
* * * * *
Monday rolled around the corner and passed fairly well. Kaoru's high spirits only sank at the end of the day when Hiko handed her a rake while cackling. She sighed and trudged off into the school yard and watched longingly as the rest of her classmates started for home.
"Why the long face?" Battousai appeared beside her.
"I just wish I didn't get detention." Kaoru replied without looking at him. She had gotten used to him suddenly appearing.
"Are you regretting going to the park with me that day?" He asked, a bit hurt.
"No," She smiled at him, "I just regret saying 'trees.'"
Battousai grinned in response and the two of them set off to work, clearing the carpet of leaves from the school grounds. About halfway through, Kaoru stood by her large pile of leaves and looked into the sky.
"You know, we wouldn't have this problem if it snowed."
Battousai looked at her curiously. She didn't notice this and continued.
"It hasn't really snowed here for a while. We'd always get a few little flurries, but nothing that'd last over a day."
Kaoru sat down by her pile with the rake in her lap and sighed.
"The last time we had snow, my dad took me to the riverside and we spent the day playing." She smiled sadly, "I wish it snowed more."
"Well," Battousai sensed the need to change the subject, "I could make it snow if you want."
"Hm?" Kaoru snapped out of her reverie and looked up, "You can make it snow? How?"
Soon after the words left her mouth, he ran and dove headfirst into her pile of leaves, sending some of them flying into the air. His head popped out from the pile and he grinned.
"See? It's snowing."
Kaoru smiled and picked a few stray leaves out of his hair. His hand caught hers and he pulled her into the pile as well. She shrieked with laughter and threw a handful of leaves at his face. Battousai batted a few of them away and threw another handful back. They continued back and forth until there was no pile of leaves left to grab from. Exhausted, they both lay, covered in leaves, on the ground. Battousai put his hands behind his head and stared into the sky.
"I have a feeling it'll snow this winter."
"You mean like it did just now?" Kaoru looked at him, leftover laughter present in her eyes.
"No," He grinned back, "I mean real snow."
"Care to make a wager?" She threw his own line back at him. To her surprise, he said,
"Fine."
She looked at him strangely. He really thought it was going to snow? He caught her look of bewilderment and grinned.
"Same as last time. If I win, you have to come meet me at the park the day it snows."
"And if I win?"
"I can be your personal slave." His grin widened, and he turned back to the sky, "I'm beginning to hope it doesn't snow."
"Pervert." She slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Hey, don't beat your potential slave now," His amused amber eyes flicked back in her direction. "When the time comes, you can do whatever you want." He winked at her. Kaoru blushed and stood up.
"I think we'll have to finish clearing the yard tomorrow," She began to dust herself off, "We'll just tell Hiko that the wind blew everything over."
"As you wish, Master." He feigned sincerity and bowed down.
"Stop that!" Kaoru tugged at his hair. He looked at her and their eyes met for a minute before the two of them burst out laughing.
* * * * *
It was over two weeks before the weather had gotten any colder. Over that period of time, controversy began over how much time Kaoru and Battousai spent together. The two subjects of gossip didn't notice, however, nor did they care. The only things they were aware of were each other and perhaps their recent bet.
It was a Saturday afternoon when Kaoru glanced outside her window from reading and realized that there was over half a foot of snow on the ground.
How on earth did he know?
She hurriedly pulled on a coat and tucked a scarf under her neck. She hopped onto the bus while pulling on her other boot.
Finally, the bus halted in front of the park and she rushed off. She wove in and out of the trees looking for a red head of hair. Thinking that perhaps he wasn't here yet, Kaoru approached a snow-covered picnic bench and figured that she'd have to wait for him. Just before she sat down, a snowball hit her in the back of the head. She whirled around and glared.
Battousai stood there trying to look innocent. He would've pulled it off if it weren't for the evil glint in his amber eyes. Kaoru smiled sweetly while packing a snowball behind her back. She approached him slowly and leaned in for a hug. Battousai didn't know what to make of this so he went along with her, wrapping his arms around her tentatively. The minute she got pulled in, she took the snowball out and smushed it on his forehead. She laughed and jumped away into the woods as he stood there, somewhat shell-shocked. After a minute, a slow smile crept across his face and he ran in the opposite direction.
This meant war.
Kaoru wove in and out of trees, expecting Battousai to come after her. After a few minutes of running, she realized that he wasn't following as she expected him to. She had covered a good half of the woods and just stood there dumbly looking in the direction she came from. She never heard the soft crunching of snow coming in her direction until it was almost right beside her. She turned, but it was too late.
Battousai shook a whole branch of loose snow onto her head and she shrieked. She ran after him screaming at the top of her lungs, all the while smiling.
"You will pay for that!"
He stopped behind a tree, using it as a shield. Kaoru ran around it, trying to get to catch him but he foresaw this and kept running around the tree. They played a game of cat and dog until eventually Kaoru realized that she wasn't going to get her revenge like this. She turned around and Battousai came crashing into her. His full weight knocked the both of them over and he lay toppled over her. Kaoru blushed and didn't dare to breathe as he leaned in. Just as she had previously, he dumped a handful of snow onto her face and ran off laughing.
They continued their war until eventually, a wet and snow-covered Kaoru collapsed on the ground in a fit of laughter.
"Truce! Truce!" She said, in between laughs.
Battousai, dropped the snowball he was holding and struck a superhero pose.
"You are wise to admit defeat. No one can prevail over the almighty Battousai!" He flexed his muscles comically and Kaoru burst out laughing. With one leg, she swept his feet out from under him and he fell with a soft thud next to her. The two of them lay laughing while the sun warmed them somewhat. After a while, Battousai sat up.
"So what do you want to do now? We still have a few hours."
"You know," She sat up also, "I haven't made a snowman in the longest time."
He flashed her a grin and pulled her off to the picnic tables, where they hadn't ruined the snow. Battousai began rolling a large ball of snow for the body while Kaoru packed a smaller snowball for the head. When they were both satisfied with what they had created, they combined their handiwork and stepped back to survey their snowman.
"You know," Battousai teased, "His head is lopsided."
"That's only because the body is too lumpy!" Kaoru shot back.
"At least my work isn't crooked."
"At least mine resembles a ball of snow!"
"Well, Miss Artist, how about we make our own snowmen from now on?" He looked at her with an expression of mock annoyance.
"Fine then," Kaoru matched him glare for glare, but had more trouble keeping the smile off her face. The two of them approached the picnic table and sat on opposite ends. Each began to construct a miniature snowman.
Kaoru tilted her head and looked over her own work. She picked up a loose rock from the ground and placed it where the mouth of the snowman would have been.
"What's that?" Battousai pointed to the additional feature, "Is he whistling?"
"No," She mock glared at him, "It's a girl and she's thinking about something with her lips pursed."
"Really." He cocked an eyebrow in amusement, "What's she thinking about?"
"She has a secret and she's wondering if she should tell it to your snowman or not!" Kaoru was blushing when she said this. She was thinking of her growing fondness for the boy next to her as she said this.
"Do you know what her secret is?"
"Yes, but I'm not telling you."
"I promise I won't tell my snowman."
"I'll tell you later."
"When?"
"Um..." Kaoru thought for a minute, "On New Year's Eve where the fireworks go off!" She hurriedly said. It was a fairly well known day for people to confess things such as these. Plus it gave her some time to think about her wording. While these thoughts ran through her head, Battousai nudged his snowman closer to hers.
"What's your snowman doing?" Kaoru asked curiously. The two snowmen were almost face to face.
"He wants to tell your snowman something."
"They look like they're kissing." Kaoru said, tilting her head to the side.
"Yeah. I'm a little jealous." Battousai observed their snowmen also. At this, Kaoru blushed and turned away.
"Hey, Kaoru?" Battousai said from beside her. She turned to face him and his lips met hers. Kaoru's eyes widened before slowly closing. After they broke apart, Kaoru blushed and looked down at her hands.
"So, um, what was your snowman going to say?"
"It's a secret." He grinned at her.
"Are you going to tell me what it is?" She looked at him hopefully.
"The same time you tell me yours. Under the fireworks."
Her mouth formed a little 'o' and she tried to focus her eyes anywhere but on his face. She settled them on his shirt and realized that he was probably just as wet and cold as she was, maybe even more. Without a word, she pulled off her indigo scarf and wrapped it around his neck. Battousai looked at it and then back at her questioningly.
"You looked like you were cold," Kaoru explained, sheepishly, "Besides, it's a reminder that you need to tell me your secret. Give it back to me when you do."
"Well, what if I forget and keep the scarf by accident?"
"You'd better not! That's my favorite scarf!" Kaoru almost yelled. She blushed at her own outburst, and continued meekly, "And, um, if you don't, I won't tell my secret either."
"I won't forget," He smiled at her.
* * * * *
On the bus ride back, the two of them began to play a game seeing how well they knew the other person. It would start with one person asking the other for some bit of information and the other would have to answer correctly to be able to ask a question of his or her own. Kaoru was trying to win while Battousai responded to most things with indifference.
"Your favorite food?" He pretended to think, "I don't think you ever told me what it was."
"Stop making excuses! I did tell you!"
"Chocolate?"
"Nope."
"Ramen?"
"Nope."
"Fried squirrels?"
"You're really not trying very hard." Kaoru sighed.
"Sorry, sorry. Um, was it vanilla ice cream?"
"See? I remembered telling you. Okay, my turn."
"My favorite color."
"Wow. I don't think you ever told me this one."
"I think I did."
"Fine, um, black?"
"No."
"Green?"
"No."
"Blue?"
"What shade?"
"Oh come on!"
"What shade?" He repeated, grinning. Kaoru looked out the window and her eyes caught her own reflection.
"Sapphire blue?"
"Bingo."
"Okay, my favorite animal."
"Raccoons." He replied without hesitation. She looked at him curiously and he pointed to her gloves, which had little raccoons stitched all over them. She blushed sheepishly and he continued the game.
"Okay, MY favorite animal."
"Um, dogs?"
"Nope."
"Cats?"
"Nope."
"Can you just tell me now? I have a feeling this one could take a while."
"People."
"What?"
"My favorite animals are humans. I think they're the most interesting out of all of them. One in particular, actually." He looked at her with a smile.
"U-uh," Kaoru blushed under his gaze, "Which one would that be?"
"You'll find out on New Year's Eve."
* * * * *
What remained of the few weeks left from winter vacation passed in a blur. It was almost an unspoken agreement to go meet somewhere each day. On the day before New Year's Eve, Kaoru and Battousai were strolling leisurely through the snow-covered city.
"Hey," She suddenly turned to him, "You still remember our agreement, right?"
"Of course."
"You didn't forget your secret or anything? I won't tell you mine if you did."
"I didn't." He smiled reassuringly.
"Sure?"
"Promise."
* * * * *
The following day, Battousai was putting on his coat, preparing to meet Kaoru at the park again. He hurried out the door, nearly knocking someone over.
Hiko had been standing by his door with somewhat of a worried look on his face. When Battousai walked into him, he hurriedly apologized and looked away. Battousai frowned. Hiko? Worried? Then apologizing?
"Spit it out," He growled, "Something's wrong."
"I got a phone call this morning."
"And?"
"They just reviewed your case."
At this Battousai blanched. He took a deep breath to calm the pounding of his heart.
"What'd they say?"
Hiko didn't respond. Instead, he watched the ground as if his life depended on it.
"What did they say?!" Battousai's voice rose, fear making it quiver slightly.
"I'm sorry kid." Hiko looked up apologetically, "I can't be your guardian anymore."
"What? But then, how would I stay here?"
"You're not. You're going back."
Battousai stared at him, shock still running through his veins. Hiko continue, trying his best to ignore the pain it took him to deliver the news.
"We have to go finish some legal issues today. After that, we have to book you a ticket. I've arranged for some people in America to watch after you for a while."
"When?" Battousai finally choked out, "When am I leaving?"
"They want you out of here before midnight."
* * * * *
Kaoru stood outside the square with the clock tower, where the fireworks go off overhead each year and checked her watch. Eight thirty-five. He should be coming soon. She looked around and when she was satisfied that he hadn't arrived before her, sat down at a nearby bench.
She looked down at her hands with a sigh. He hadn't come earlier today. He couldn't have forgotten, since this was a daily activity now. Maybe he was just running late on something and didn't have the chance to come? Or maybe he was planning something for tonight.
Kaoru smiled at the thought.
He certainly was unlike any other guy she had met before. He was brazen, all the while sweet. He was teasing most of the time, but was a bit hot headed. Maybe it was growing up in America that did that. After all, who knows what was going on behind those amber eyes?
She got up again and began to pace, not half so much from impatience as trying to figure out a way to get rid of her blush and the butterflies in her stomach. In a few hours, she'd be saying the words she had been thinking for over a month and a half.
How she was in love with him.
* * * * *
Battousai had spent most of the day packing what little belongings he had. After all the legal documents were filed, the ticket was bought, he stood with Hiko, waiting for a cab to the airport.
'I'm sorry Kaoru.'
Earlier that day, he had mailed something to her, hoping that she'd accept it as an apology. It was a tape he made a few weeks ago and had never gotten around to sending.
'I'm sorry I couldn't come meet you today.'
The empty cab finally came their way and Hiko loaded the suitcases into the trunk. Battousai got into the backseat and stared dejectedly out the window as Hiko climbed in the front. The cab began to drive away from the town and Battousai sighed.
'I'm sorry I couldn't tell you.'
* * * * *
8:47
9:25
10:12
11:50
Where was he?
Kaoru checked her watch and then scanned the crowds. After what seemed like a few minutes, she checked her watch again, only to see that the numbers hadn't changed. Battousai was late.
Very late.
* * * * *
About halfway through the ride, the cab hit a bump and something flew out of Battousai's pocket. In the dim light, he could barely make out what it was but as soon as his hand reached for the fabric he knew. It was Kaoru's scarf. Something clicked in his mind.
What was he doing? He couldn't leave now! He still had to go see Kaoru!
"Driver, please stop the car!" He hurriedly said. The driver looked at him strangely and was about to comply when Hiko stopped him.
"No, keep going." He turned to face Battousai, "What the hell do you think you're doing? If you miss your flight, they're coming to look for you and you'll get double the time you already have!"
Battousai was either not paying attention or chose not to hear. He opened the door of the moving vehicle and the cab driver skidded to a halt, just as he had hoped. Quickly, he jumped out and hailed a cab that was moving in the opposite direction, ignoring Hiko's yelling.
"Clock tower as fast as you can."
With that the cab took off. Even at the speed they were going, Battousai felt that he wouldn't make it. He checked his watch.
11:56
He didn't have much time.
The cab pulled to a stop a few blocks away from the tower. The streets were closed down for the parade that was about to occur. He hopped out of the cab and began running towards the clock tower, cutting around the marked off streets.
One minute.
He was in such a hurry to meet Kaoru that he hadn't heard when someone screamed out.
"Hey kid! Watch out!"
A car that had lost control skidded in his direction. He could only watch as it made contact.
* * * * *
Kaoru started counting down along with the crowd as the final ten seconds neared. Off to her right, she thought she heard someone yell. In the same instant, the fireworks went off over her head. She never saw the crash happen.
With a heavy heart, she walked home just as the others had begun to exchange congratulations of the New Year. She didn't hear any comments that were passed her way. Only one thought passed through her mind.
He hadn't come.
* * * * *
A/N: ::Crawls under bomb shelter and pokes head out meekly:: Hey, I said one more chapter. I didn't say he'd die in the last one did I? I believe I am pure evil and I will die for this, but then you won't get any new posts! Besides, I could have stopped several places and made decent cliff-hangers! Be glad I atleast spared you that much! ::dodges the rabid rodents thrown in my direction::
Aside from that, I'll post the answers to the brain teaser. Tell me if you got a different answer that you believe is right. I'd be curious to hear them!
Megumi-Once upon a time, there lived two princesses in a distant land. The older of the two was supposed to be the heiress but one day, she was told that the younger was going to be inheriting the land. The older princess is Megumi herself. The younger is Kaoru. I thought the 'heiress' thing was who would be entitled to be Battousai's girlfriend. The 'land,' or rather his affections was, in her opinion, unrightfully granted to Kaoru.
Enishi-The funny thing was, that the younger one was a rude adopted orphan from a poor town while the older was the biological heir. The older one had everything, the looks, the money, the grades-...erm, I meant the better room in the castle. The younger was a ruffian with hostility, little regard for learning, and hideous looks. Yet the queen favored the younger one and gave that one the land. See the slip in his part? The 'ruffian' was Battousai. The 'Biological heir' was himself. The queen was Kaoru and the land was, once again, her affections. If you have comments about the subjects being princesses and not male, reread this: did Enishi once mention that the two subjects were female?
Misao-The truth of the matter was that the queen favored the younger princess because she felt pity. The younger princess had her eye on a handsome prince for a while, but the prince ignored her completely. The queen thought that perhaps if the princess had more appeal, she'd capture the interest of the prince. There was no queen in this one. She was just saying hypothetically, she, the princess, would like help from someone to gain the prince's, Aoshi's, attention. (These were hard to write!)
Kaoru-But the younger princess was always misjudged. She didn't really want the empire, although she thought she did at the beginning. She decided she didn't need love from-...um, the prince, and would have gladly handed the property over to the older princess if she had asked. But all the older princess did was complain and nag. In this one, she was the younger princess. The empire was Battousai's fondness for her. The older sister is Megumi. The love is self-explanitory and the property is...Battousai I guess. ^_^
Battousai-At one point, the more fortunate of the two had even threatened the 'ruffian.' The older one, in a fit of jealousy, accused the younger one of wanting to use the favor of the queen and the land to overthrow her own empire. The queen overheard and believed it. The ruffian was banished from the castle without getting a chance to explain him-...herself. The older one was Enishi. The situation was explaining the one that had occurred earlier. "Her own empire" was Kaoru's...Kaoru in general. ^^() The rest should be self-explanitory.
Well! That's it. Sorry it was so tedious. Now that I think back on it, I believe I could have made it more clear...but that's okay! I'm going to be gone for four weeks starting tomorrow and I have half of chapter 7 done. Don't worry, it will all be posted on time! Check back next Sunday for the conclusion of Part One! And once again, I apologize to all of you who have already seen Winter Sonata. I'm sure this isn't too interesting for you, but just keep it in mind. Some of this will be brought up in future chapters. Bare with me, please?
Author's Notes: I've been getting some complaints about my lack of origionality. I'm not usually nasty about these things, but please spare me? If you've seen the series, you know it is hard to make a parody with much leeway for your own events. I need things to happen this way. My own plot will come later. This is also true for the first few chapters of Part Two.
Aside from that, I posted a contest in the last chapter, sort of a brain teaser and I was disappointed to see that no one had tried. Maybe if you missed it, go back and see. It's in the ending notes.
Next to that, I'm very grateful for all the reviews! I didn't expect half as many, actually. I'll get around to answering them personally eventually. I promise! You all made my day!
Oh and one more chapter left of Part One after this! ^_^ And yes, (although I'm sorry to see it happen) Battousai will have to die. Enjoy his presence while you can, ne? Tons of fluff in this one!
Winter
Part One: Overcast Skies
~ III ~
* * * * *
Right after Enishi ran off, Battousai had run into the cabin in search for another flashlight. As soon as he found one, he ran off in the opposite direction as Enishi had, ignoring the questions Misao and Megumi threw at him. He ran in the direction that his instincts told him. He found Kaoru almost instantly.
When he saw her, she was sitting by the trunk of a tree, crying. He shone the light in her direction and she squinted up at him. For the first time in days, he gave her a genuine smile.
"Looks like I finally found you, Kaoru."
She got up immediately and ran towards him, burying her face in his shirt. She began to cry all over again while apologizing incoherently between sobs. Battousai put his arms around her and ran a hand through her hair soothingly.
"Don't be sorry," He said gently, "I shouldn't have gotten so angry at you."
"No," She made a slight indication of shaking her head from where it was still buried in his neck, "It's my fault." At that, a fresh wave of sobs wracked her body and Battousai hugged her even more tightly. After finally calming down, she pulled away.
"I'm sorry about that." She tried to laugh, "I got your shirt all wet."
"Small price to pay for a hug." Battousai shrugged and grinned. Kaoru blushed and looked away.
"Should we get going now? The others are probably worried."
"Sure." Battousai took Kaoru's hand and began leading her towards the direction he came from. Kaoru looked down at their linked hands and back up at him. Sensing her confusion, he replied.
"I just don't want to lose you again."
Kaoru was about to retort that she wasn't a child that needed to be babysat, but then realized the double meaning in his words. She smiled and let herself be guided through the woods. Once they reached a clearing, Battousai stopped in his tracks and looked up.
"In the future," He began, eyes still on the sky, "Just remember that star always points in the same direction." He pointed towards a particularly bright star with his free hand.
"It's a pretty star."
"It's the Polaris."
"It's supposed to help me?"
"Basically," Battousai shrugged, "If you follow the direction of it, you'll always know where you're going."
"Well," Kaoru said shyly, "I don't think I'll need it."
"Why not?"
"Because you'll come find me if I get lost."
Battousai smiled down at her and squeezed her hand.
"You're right. I will."
When they arrived at the cabin, only Enishi was still up. He opened his mouth to ask of Kaoru's wellbeing but stopped when he saw her hand in Battousai's. He just gave them a curt nod and retired to the cabin, inwardly cursing his luck. The couple looked at each other and then at their hands. Kaoru's eyes saddened guiltily.
The next morning, Kaoru was up early, an unprecedented act on her behalf. She stood outside and stretched for a minute before sniffing the air carefully. She followed the smell to the kitchen where Battousai stood cooking.
"Hey," He called without turning, "It'll be done in a few minutes if you want some."
"You know how to cook?" Kaoru asked incredulously while sitting down at a nearby chair.
"I try." He shrugged and looked somewhat embarrassed. She smiled as the wonderful aroma filled the air.
After a few minutes, a plate was set in front of her and she forked a large portion into her mouth, expecting it to be as good as it smelled. Instead, she nearly gagged. Battousai looked at her sheepishly.
"I said I try to cook. I didn't mean I was good at it."
Kaoru swallowed with some difficulty and gave him a smile.
"Don't worry. I can't do much better myself."
"I had to cook for myself while growing up." Battousai grinned, "I've grown used to the horrible taste. I wasn't expecting you this morning."
"Like I said, don't worry!" Kaoru forced a smile, though her heart pained thinking about him as a young boy trying to support himself, "We'll just wait for someone else to come cook."
From there the conversation turned to lighter things. Unbeknownst to them, Enishi stood from the far door and watched as the two interacted. He growled and stalked off.
The rest of the morning passed unceremoniously. Before they knew it, it was time to catch the afternoon train home. This time, the ride wasn't as tense. Misao babbled as always, but with the addition of Kaoru and Battousai's voices and the absence of Megumi's.
The group parted happily, for the most part. Megumi left in a huff and Enishi glared with silent rage as he stomped off. The others left on lighter terms and went to prepare for the following day of school.
Monday rolled around the corner and passed fairly well. Kaoru's high spirits only sank at the end of the day when Hiko handed her a rake while cackling. She sighed and trudged off into the school yard and watched longingly as the rest of her classmates started for home.
"Why the long face?" Battousai appeared beside her.
"I just wish I didn't get detention." Kaoru replied without looking at him. She had gotten used to him suddenly appearing.
"Are you regretting going to the park with me that day?" He asked, a bit hurt.
"No," She smiled at him, "I just regret saying 'trees.'"
Battousai grinned in response and the two of them set off to work, clearing the carpet of leaves from the school grounds. About halfway through, Kaoru stood by her large pile of leaves and looked into the sky.
"You know, we wouldn't have this problem if it snowed."
Battousai looked at her curiously. She didn't notice this and continued.
"It hasn't really snowed here for a while. We'd always get a few little flurries, but nothing that'd last over a day."
Kaoru sat down by her pile with the rake in her lap and sighed.
"The last time we had snow, my dad took me to the riverside and we spent the day playing." She smiled sadly, "I wish it snowed more."
"Well," Battousai sensed the need to change the subject, "I could make it snow if you want."
"Hm?" Kaoru snapped out of her reverie and looked up, "You can make it snow? How?"
Soon after the words left her mouth, he ran and dove headfirst into her pile of leaves, sending some of them flying into the air. His head popped out from the pile and he grinned.
"See? It's snowing."
Kaoru smiled and picked a few stray leaves out of his hair. His hand caught hers and he pulled her into the pile as well. She shrieked with laughter and threw a handful of leaves at his face. Battousai batted a few of them away and threw another handful back. They continued back and forth until there was no pile of leaves left to grab from. Exhausted, they both lay, covered in leaves, on the ground. Battousai put his hands behind his head and stared into the sky.
"I have a feeling it'll snow this winter."
"You mean like it did just now?" Kaoru looked at him, leftover laughter present in her eyes.
"No," He grinned back, "I mean real snow."
"Care to make a wager?" She threw his own line back at him. To her surprise, he said,
"Fine."
She looked at him strangely. He really thought it was going to snow? He caught her look of bewilderment and grinned.
"Same as last time. If I win, you have to come meet me at the park the day it snows."
"And if I win?"
"I can be your personal slave." His grin widened, and he turned back to the sky, "I'm beginning to hope it doesn't snow."
"Pervert." She slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Hey, don't beat your potential slave now," His amused amber eyes flicked back in her direction. "When the time comes, you can do whatever you want." He winked at her. Kaoru blushed and stood up.
"I think we'll have to finish clearing the yard tomorrow," She began to dust herself off, "We'll just tell Hiko that the wind blew everything over."
"As you wish, Master." He feigned sincerity and bowed down.
"Stop that!" Kaoru tugged at his hair. He looked at her and their eyes met for a minute before the two of them burst out laughing.
It was over two weeks before the weather had gotten any colder. Over that period of time, controversy began over how much time Kaoru and Battousai spent together. The two subjects of gossip didn't notice, however, nor did they care. The only things they were aware of were each other and perhaps their recent bet.
It was a Saturday afternoon when Kaoru glanced outside her window from reading and realized that there was over half a foot of snow on the ground.
How on earth did he know?
She hurriedly pulled on a coat and tucked a scarf under her neck. She hopped onto the bus while pulling on her other boot.
Finally, the bus halted in front of the park and she rushed off. She wove in and out of the trees looking for a red head of hair. Thinking that perhaps he wasn't here yet, Kaoru approached a snow-covered picnic bench and figured that she'd have to wait for him. Just before she sat down, a snowball hit her in the back of the head. She whirled around and glared.
Battousai stood there trying to look innocent. He would've pulled it off if it weren't for the evil glint in his amber eyes. Kaoru smiled sweetly while packing a snowball behind her back. She approached him slowly and leaned in for a hug. Battousai didn't know what to make of this so he went along with her, wrapping his arms around her tentatively. The minute she got pulled in, she took the snowball out and smushed it on his forehead. She laughed and jumped away into the woods as he stood there, somewhat shell-shocked. After a minute, a slow smile crept across his face and he ran in the opposite direction.
This meant war.
Kaoru wove in and out of trees, expecting Battousai to come after her. After a few minutes of running, she realized that he wasn't following as she expected him to. She had covered a good half of the woods and just stood there dumbly looking in the direction she came from. She never heard the soft crunching of snow coming in her direction until it was almost right beside her. She turned, but it was too late.
Battousai shook a whole branch of loose snow onto her head and she shrieked. She ran after him screaming at the top of her lungs, all the while smiling.
"You will pay for that!"
He stopped behind a tree, using it as a shield. Kaoru ran around it, trying to get to catch him but he foresaw this and kept running around the tree. They played a game of cat and dog until eventually Kaoru realized that she wasn't going to get her revenge like this. She turned around and Battousai came crashing into her. His full weight knocked the both of them over and he lay toppled over her. Kaoru blushed and didn't dare to breathe as he leaned in. Just as she had previously, he dumped a handful of snow onto her face and ran off laughing.
They continued their war until eventually, a wet and snow-covered Kaoru collapsed on the ground in a fit of laughter.
"Truce! Truce!" She said, in between laughs.
Battousai, dropped the snowball he was holding and struck a superhero pose.
"You are wise to admit defeat. No one can prevail over the almighty Battousai!" He flexed his muscles comically and Kaoru burst out laughing. With one leg, she swept his feet out from under him and he fell with a soft thud next to her. The two of them lay laughing while the sun warmed them somewhat. After a while, Battousai sat up.
"So what do you want to do now? We still have a few hours."
"You know," She sat up also, "I haven't made a snowman in the longest time."
He flashed her a grin and pulled her off to the picnic tables, where they hadn't ruined the snow. Battousai began rolling a large ball of snow for the body while Kaoru packed a smaller snowball for the head. When they were both satisfied with what they had created, they combined their handiwork and stepped back to survey their snowman.
"You know," Battousai teased, "His head is lopsided."
"That's only because the body is too lumpy!" Kaoru shot back.
"At least my work isn't crooked."
"At least mine resembles a ball of snow!"
"Well, Miss Artist, how about we make our own snowmen from now on?" He looked at her with an expression of mock annoyance.
"Fine then," Kaoru matched him glare for glare, but had more trouble keeping the smile off her face. The two of them approached the picnic table and sat on opposite ends. Each began to construct a miniature snowman.
Kaoru tilted her head and looked over her own work. She picked up a loose rock from the ground and placed it where the mouth of the snowman would have been.
"What's that?" Battousai pointed to the additional feature, "Is he whistling?"
"No," She mock glared at him, "It's a girl and she's thinking about something with her lips pursed."
"Really." He cocked an eyebrow in amusement, "What's she thinking about?"
"She has a secret and she's wondering if she should tell it to your snowman or not!" Kaoru was blushing when she said this. She was thinking of her growing fondness for the boy next to her as she said this.
"Do you know what her secret is?"
"Yes, but I'm not telling you."
"I promise I won't tell my snowman."
"I'll tell you later."
"When?"
"Um..." Kaoru thought for a minute, "On New Year's Eve where the fireworks go off!" She hurriedly said. It was a fairly well known day for people to confess things such as these. Plus it gave her some time to think about her wording. While these thoughts ran through her head, Battousai nudged his snowman closer to hers.
"What's your snowman doing?" Kaoru asked curiously. The two snowmen were almost face to face.
"He wants to tell your snowman something."
"They look like they're kissing." Kaoru said, tilting her head to the side.
"Yeah. I'm a little jealous." Battousai observed their snowmen also. At this, Kaoru blushed and turned away.
"Hey, Kaoru?" Battousai said from beside her. She turned to face him and his lips met hers. Kaoru's eyes widened before slowly closing. After they broke apart, Kaoru blushed and looked down at her hands.
"So, um, what was your snowman going to say?"
"It's a secret." He grinned at her.
"Are you going to tell me what it is?" She looked at him hopefully.
"The same time you tell me yours. Under the fireworks."
Her mouth formed a little 'o' and she tried to focus her eyes anywhere but on his face. She settled them on his shirt and realized that he was probably just as wet and cold as she was, maybe even more. Without a word, she pulled off her indigo scarf and wrapped it around his neck. Battousai looked at it and then back at her questioningly.
"You looked like you were cold," Kaoru explained, sheepishly, "Besides, it's a reminder that you need to tell me your secret. Give it back to me when you do."
"Well, what if I forget and keep the scarf by accident?"
"You'd better not! That's my favorite scarf!" Kaoru almost yelled. She blushed at her own outburst, and continued meekly, "And, um, if you don't, I won't tell my secret either."
"I won't forget," He smiled at her.
On the bus ride back, the two of them began to play a game seeing how well they knew the other person. It would start with one person asking the other for some bit of information and the other would have to answer correctly to be able to ask a question of his or her own. Kaoru was trying to win while Battousai responded to most things with indifference.
"Your favorite food?" He pretended to think, "I don't think you ever told me what it was."
"Stop making excuses! I did tell you!"
"Chocolate?"
"Nope."
"Ramen?"
"Nope."
"Fried squirrels?"
"You're really not trying very hard." Kaoru sighed.
"Sorry, sorry. Um, was it vanilla ice cream?"
"See? I remembered telling you. Okay, my turn."
"My favorite color."
"Wow. I don't think you ever told me this one."
"I think I did."
"Fine, um, black?"
"No."
"Green?"
"No."
"Blue?"
"What shade?"
"Oh come on!"
"What shade?" He repeated, grinning. Kaoru looked out the window and her eyes caught her own reflection.
"Sapphire blue?"
"Bingo."
"Okay, my favorite animal."
"Raccoons." He replied without hesitation. She looked at him curiously and he pointed to her gloves, which had little raccoons stitched all over them. She blushed sheepishly and he continued the game.
"Okay, MY favorite animal."
"Um, dogs?"
"Nope."
"Cats?"
"Nope."
"Can you just tell me now? I have a feeling this one could take a while."
"People."
"What?"
"My favorite animals are humans. I think they're the most interesting out of all of them. One in particular, actually." He looked at her with a smile.
"U-uh," Kaoru blushed under his gaze, "Which one would that be?"
"You'll find out on New Year's Eve."
What remained of the few weeks left from winter vacation passed in a blur. It was almost an unspoken agreement to go meet somewhere each day. On the day before New Year's Eve, Kaoru and Battousai were strolling leisurely through the snow-covered city.
"Hey," She suddenly turned to him, "You still remember our agreement, right?"
"Of course."
"You didn't forget your secret or anything? I won't tell you mine if you did."
"I didn't." He smiled reassuringly.
"Sure?"
"Promise."
The following day, Battousai was putting on his coat, preparing to meet Kaoru at the park again. He hurried out the door, nearly knocking someone over.
Hiko had been standing by his door with somewhat of a worried look on his face. When Battousai walked into him, he hurriedly apologized and looked away. Battousai frowned. Hiko? Worried? Then apologizing?
"Spit it out," He growled, "Something's wrong."
"I got a phone call this morning."
"And?"
"They just reviewed your case."
At this Battousai blanched. He took a deep breath to calm the pounding of his heart.
"What'd they say?"
Hiko didn't respond. Instead, he watched the ground as if his life depended on it.
"What did they say?!" Battousai's voice rose, fear making it quiver slightly.
"I'm sorry kid." Hiko looked up apologetically, "I can't be your guardian anymore."
"What? But then, how would I stay here?"
"You're not. You're going back."
Battousai stared at him, shock still running through his veins. Hiko continue, trying his best to ignore the pain it took him to deliver the news.
"We have to go finish some legal issues today. After that, we have to book you a ticket. I've arranged for some people in America to watch after you for a while."
"When?" Battousai finally choked out, "When am I leaving?"
"They want you out of here before midnight."
Kaoru stood outside the square with the clock tower, where the fireworks go off overhead each year and checked her watch. Eight thirty-five. He should be coming soon. She looked around and when she was satisfied that he hadn't arrived before her, sat down at a nearby bench.
She looked down at her hands with a sigh. He hadn't come earlier today. He couldn't have forgotten, since this was a daily activity now. Maybe he was just running late on something and didn't have the chance to come? Or maybe he was planning something for tonight.
Kaoru smiled at the thought.
He certainly was unlike any other guy she had met before. He was brazen, all the while sweet. He was teasing most of the time, but was a bit hot headed. Maybe it was growing up in America that did that. After all, who knows what was going on behind those amber eyes?
She got up again and began to pace, not half so much from impatience as trying to figure out a way to get rid of her blush and the butterflies in her stomach. In a few hours, she'd be saying the words she had been thinking for over a month and a half.
How she was in love with him.
Battousai had spent most of the day packing what little belongings he had. After all the legal documents were filed, the ticket was bought, he stood with Hiko, waiting for a cab to the airport.
'I'm sorry Kaoru.'
Earlier that day, he had mailed something to her, hoping that she'd accept it as an apology. It was a tape he made a few weeks ago and had never gotten around to sending.
'I'm sorry I couldn't come meet you today.'
The empty cab finally came their way and Hiko loaded the suitcases into the trunk. Battousai got into the backseat and stared dejectedly out the window as Hiko climbed in the front. The cab began to drive away from the town and Battousai sighed.
'I'm sorry I couldn't tell you.'
8:47
9:25
10:12
11:50
Where was he?
Kaoru checked her watch and then scanned the crowds. After what seemed like a few minutes, she checked her watch again, only to see that the numbers hadn't changed. Battousai was late.
Very late.
About halfway through the ride, the cab hit a bump and something flew out of Battousai's pocket. In the dim light, he could barely make out what it was but as soon as his hand reached for the fabric he knew. It was Kaoru's scarf. Something clicked in his mind.
What was he doing? He couldn't leave now! He still had to go see Kaoru!
"Driver, please stop the car!" He hurriedly said. The driver looked at him strangely and was about to comply when Hiko stopped him.
"No, keep going." He turned to face Battousai, "What the hell do you think you're doing? If you miss your flight, they're coming to look for you and you'll get double the time you already have!"
Battousai was either not paying attention or chose not to hear. He opened the door of the moving vehicle and the cab driver skidded to a halt, just as he had hoped. Quickly, he jumped out and hailed a cab that was moving in the opposite direction, ignoring Hiko's yelling.
"Clock tower as fast as you can."
With that the cab took off. Even at the speed they were going, Battousai felt that he wouldn't make it. He checked his watch.
11:56
He didn't have much time.
The cab pulled to a stop a few blocks away from the tower. The streets were closed down for the parade that was about to occur. He hopped out of the cab and began running towards the clock tower, cutting around the marked off streets.
One minute.
He was in such a hurry to meet Kaoru that he hadn't heard when someone screamed out.
"Hey kid! Watch out!"
A car that had lost control skidded in his direction. He could only watch as it made contact.
Kaoru started counting down along with the crowd as the final ten seconds neared. Off to her right, she thought she heard someone yell. In the same instant, the fireworks went off over her head. She never saw the crash happen.
With a heavy heart, she walked home just as the others had begun to exchange congratulations of the New Year. She didn't hear any comments that were passed her way. Only one thought passed through her mind.
He hadn't come.
A/N: ::Crawls under bomb shelter and pokes head out meekly:: Hey, I said one more chapter. I didn't say he'd die in the last one did I? I believe I am pure evil and I will die for this, but then you won't get any new posts! Besides, I could have stopped several places and made decent cliff-hangers! Be glad I atleast spared you that much! ::dodges the rabid rodents thrown in my direction::
Aside from that, I'll post the answers to the brain teaser. Tell me if you got a different answer that you believe is right. I'd be curious to hear them!
Megumi-Once upon a time, there lived two princesses in a distant land. The older of the two was supposed to be the heiress but one day, she was told that the younger was going to be inheriting the land. The older princess is Megumi herself. The younger is Kaoru. I thought the 'heiress' thing was who would be entitled to be Battousai's girlfriend. The 'land,' or rather his affections was, in her opinion, unrightfully granted to Kaoru.
Enishi-The funny thing was, that the younger one was a rude adopted orphan from a poor town while the older was the biological heir. The older one had everything, the looks, the money, the grades-...erm, I meant the better room in the castle. The younger was a ruffian with hostility, little regard for learning, and hideous looks. Yet the queen favored the younger one and gave that one the land. See the slip in his part? The 'ruffian' was Battousai. The 'Biological heir' was himself. The queen was Kaoru and the land was, once again, her affections. If you have comments about the subjects being princesses and not male, reread this: did Enishi once mention that the two subjects were female?
Misao-The truth of the matter was that the queen favored the younger princess because she felt pity. The younger princess had her eye on a handsome prince for a while, but the prince ignored her completely. The queen thought that perhaps if the princess had more appeal, she'd capture the interest of the prince. There was no queen in this one. She was just saying hypothetically, she, the princess, would like help from someone to gain the prince's, Aoshi's, attention. (These were hard to write!)
Kaoru-But the younger princess was always misjudged. She didn't really want the empire, although she thought she did at the beginning. She decided she didn't need love from-...um, the prince, and would have gladly handed the property over to the older princess if she had asked. But all the older princess did was complain and nag. In this one, she was the younger princess. The empire was Battousai's fondness for her. The older sister is Megumi. The love is self-explanitory and the property is...Battousai I guess. ^_^
Battousai-At one point, the more fortunate of the two had even threatened the 'ruffian.' The older one, in a fit of jealousy, accused the younger one of wanting to use the favor of the queen and the land to overthrow her own empire. The queen overheard and believed it. The ruffian was banished from the castle without getting a chance to explain him-...herself. The older one was Enishi. The situation was explaining the one that had occurred earlier. "Her own empire" was Kaoru's...Kaoru in general. ^^() The rest should be self-explanitory.
Well! That's it. Sorry it was so tedious. Now that I think back on it, I believe I could have made it more clear...but that's okay! I'm going to be gone for four weeks starting tomorrow and I have half of chapter 7 done. Don't worry, it will all be posted on time! Check back next Sunday for the conclusion of Part One! And once again, I apologize to all of you who have already seen Winter Sonata. I'm sure this isn't too interesting for you, but just keep it in mind. Some of this will be brought up in future chapters. Bare with me, please?