When Will The Torture End

By: Silver Teardrops

Chapter 4

Sano spotted me first and waved me over and I smiled politely and came over as he requested. Since I was new, I didn't know many people and was thankful he spotted me-Aoshi and Misao said they were coming at this time, though.

"Kaoru-dono-" sano began and I cut him off, silencing him with my finger on his lips.

"Sano, could you just call me something else- the way you're referring me as doesn't seem-too you. Find something that fits me, to your liking." I smiled as he grinned idiotically. Sano truly was an independent person, once you get past his need for attention.

"Are you for real? Okay then, um Jou-chan, I like it." Sano smirked at me and I shrugged, whatever he thinks is best.

"So, what do you do here for fun?" I asked looking around.

"Dance, of course Jou-chan." He took my hand and led me to an area where people were all moving to the tunes. I laughed seeing Sano dancing. He swiggled from here- to there, everywhere and it made me dance too. I was truly enjoying myself. Then I caught sight of Kenshin dancing with Tomoe, and he was looking at me.

"Hi." I mouthed to him waving a bit. He smiled kindly-yet politely to me as he would do a stranger.

"Hey." He mouthed back then turned his gaze back to his girlfriend. I was beginning to get angry once again- what did he see in Tomoe? Sano tapped my shoulder and I turned back to gaze into his lovely chocolate shade eyes.

"What's wrong? Not enjoying yourself?" I shook my head no, and then hugged him-surprising him.

"I'm having a lot of of fun, thanks to you. But I feel-not so into things...you know." I let go of him and sighed looking downcast.

"Kenshin no baka." I heard him mutter, I glanced up at him.

"Huh?"

"He's an idiot to not remember you-Tomoe has erased his mind of almost everything. Don't worry-he's kind of been ignoring me too. I think he's a real idiot to not see how much better you are over Tomoe." Sano spat out and I found myself smiling at him.

"Let's go get something to drink, ne." I took his hand and we pushed our way out of crowd and found an empty table and sat down. We saw a waiter coming around with drinks and called him over and got our drinks.

"So, tell me Sano, why don't you have a girlfriend? Or are you looking at one already?" I asked as he blushed just the slightest. I admit he does look cute, he was wearing an open chest shirt and some baggy pants. With a headband and a tattoo shown on his right arm 'bad'.

"I am looking at one she's- Jou-chan." I started giggling and then glanced at him from my drink.

"I'm not joking around Sano. You like someone? Whom I might know, or seen?"

"Hai, she's a wonderful miss, but I like you too." He grinned at me as I blushed.

"Sano! Hey there!" Kenshin yelled over at us, running over.

"Hey there." Sano replied uninterested.

"Kaoru-dono, nice that you could come." I nodded in return.

"So are you two having fun at the party?" Kenshin asked both of us, but I knew Sano could answer for me too.

"It's all right, we having fun. So where's she?"

"She said she wants to hang out with her friends. So are you coming to the evening party?"

"She isn't, isn't she?" Sano asked and Kenshin confirmed his suspicions with a no nod. I smirked secretly, then maybe I could have Kenshin and remind him of times we shared. Or at least get more comfortable around him.

"I might-are you Jou-chan?" Sano addressed me, I shook my head yes and Kenshin beamed.

"Okay then, both of you are coming. I have to go tend to some things for now-so enjoy." Kenshin left us be and I sighed while Sano stared at me.

"You really still like him don't you."

"Of course I do, it's just that-he doesn't remember me. Or the times...we shared together." I wanted to cry but if I do that, I'll be known at a cry baby and I don't want that name for myself.

"Then I'll have to help you make him remember you. I liked it better when he was with you anyways. Tomoe doesn't make him comfortable-she makes him strict and polite, with you he was true to himself and he didn't forget others around him. So I'll help if you want." He shrugged his shoulders at bit and glanced around the place.

"OKay then, I'll take you up on your offer. I'm glad I met you and made friends, I don't know what I'll do without you." He smiled and then stood up.

"Well, want a tour of the place? I know it like the back of my hand." I nodded and got up and followed him around.

"We can sing later, you want to?" I asked him as we ventured into his house.

"Sure, I sing so great that ladies faint you know Jou-chan." I nodded sarcastically.

"Sure they do Sano, sure they do." I laughed as he feigned a hurt expression.

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Kenshin stood by and watched his best friend and this girl that was so familiar to him talking and chatting. It made him sort of-well jealous. Sano said that she was his girlfriend, before his move-but he seriously didn't remember anything before Kyoto and Tomoe.

"But..Kaoru and jasmines...it just seems to linger." He mumbled as he slipped away after seeing Kaoru hold the offered hand that Sano presented.

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I saw every room there was in the house, even the attic. It was surprisingly-comfy. Sano and I sat in Kenshin's bedroom for a while and talked about nonsense and then Kenshin himself entered.

"Sano! Kaoru-dono! What are you doing in here?" Kenshin shouted, almost.

"We just came to talk, it was noisy in all the others places. I knew you wouldn't mind, or do you?"

"Ano, iie. It's just a surprise. So care if I join you two? It's sort of boring out there now, people just sliding along side the pool." I giggled and patted the spot on the bed next to me, hoping I didn't look too forward.

"Oh arigatou." He nodded and faced Sano as he began talking.

"Kenshin, since you don't seem to remember, it's time you catch up. Jou-chan-"

"Jou-chan?" Kenshin interrupted and I nodded and turned to explain to him.

"Sano used to call me Kaoru-dono, but i knew he doesn't do that. So I asked him to find a name for me that suits his style and so Jou-chan is my nickname for him." He nodded understanding.

"Well Kaoru, she used to be very close to you-I even thought you two would marry and settle down. You would always help each other out and always promising to love each other." Sano eyed me and i blushed even more than I was already.

"Hai, we did. I thought you wouldn't ever forget me. But it seems that I wasn't that great, and therefore i was pushed aside." I whispered and i think Sano didn't hear because he was still eyeing me, but I think Kenshin did because I heard a slight gasp from him. Then I smiled cheerfully looking up again.

"So you two want to sing? I bet I'm the best out of us." I got up and Sano stood up to, as if taking the challenge.

"Nah uh! I'm better and you know it."

"Actually I'm best." Kenshin intervined and I smiled, this was the Kenshin I knew-always having fun, but putting others before himself.

"We'll see about that!" I shouted as Sano suddenly rushed out and I rushed after him with Kenshin passing me. I didn't know but this must be out of memories, but I jumped onto his back and he willingly piggy-backed me downstairs into the Kareoke room. Sano smiled at me as he looked back.

"Come on Kenshin! Let's beat Sano together!" I yelled and Kenshin agreed hollering too.

"Yeah we both can Beat his tail!" I was in giggles. This was truly what Kenshin was like-not that polite one or the quiet one, this is the true him.

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"It seems Kaoru is enjoying herself." Aoshi commented as Misao wrapped his arm around her body.

"Hai it does. Maybe we should just leave then come back for the evening one. Okay?"

"I would love that." Aoshi smirked as Misao chidded him for thinking such thoughts.

"What? I just wanted somse quiet time." Aoshi joked and Misao laughed.

"Aoshi-you're too silly." They both left the party arms wrapped around each other laughing.

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Sano was singing and both Kenshin and I was cringing. Then it was Kenshin's turn.

His voice was so beautiful and graceful, I missed it so much. Maybe this was fun that I got to see the real Kenshin but it isn't the same if he's not all mine anymore.

"Kaoru-dono, it's your turn." He handed me the mic.

"Yeah Jou-chan! Show us what you got!" Sano cheered and I smiled meekly.

'Kenshin just-doesn't love me anymore-no matter how much it hurts, I can't change it.' I thought as I took the mic and stood up and chose a song and started to sing-a sad love song.

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"Kaoru-dono has such a beautiful voice." Kenshin remarked to Sano who was smirking the whoe while.

"Of course, you fell in love with it before, now you will fall in love with it again." Kenshin looked back from Sano to Kaoru and then thought to himself.

'I did enjoy her, more than I have with Tomoe, but-I feel obligated to Tomoe. But-Kaoru deserves, I don't know. She's just too-perfect for me. Tomoe at least can relate to me, I'm not sure Kaoru can.'

A/n: Review please? Thank you.