When Will The Torture End

By: Silver Teardrops

Chapter 5

I came back a few minutes later, in a new gown I bought just this morning for this event. It was a light pink mixed with crystal blue, it was a beautiful evening wear, and I just thought it was perfect.

"Jou-chan! Over here!" Sano waved me over and I smiled at him, walking faster to reach him-to get away from the crowd of people who were staring at me.

"Hey Sano, wow, you look handsome, I almost didn't recognize you," I nudged him a bit as he blushed.

"Kaoru-dono, you look...gorgeous." Kenshin's voice scared me as I jumped back and gasped. He was standing behind me, and I didn't catch him red hair!

"Oh, um Tomoe isn't here?" I asked looking around, trying to keep my eyes busy from landing on Kenshin, he was just plain handsome.

"Iie, she has work to attend to. But I'm glad you came back. This is a great fund for orphans." Kenshin smiled warmly at me and I blushed, he was noticing me now?

"Um-I have to go make the annoucements, and get endorsements, I'll be back." Kenshin bid goodbye for now and Sano took hold of my hand and brought me to the front of the dance room and we saw Kenshin holding the mic trying to get everyone's attention.

"He looks natural up there, doesn't he?" Sano whispered to me leaning sown to my height.

"Yeah, doe he do this kind of thing all the time?" I asked him my eyes still locked on Kenshin.

"Of course! Ever since he moved here, he has this sudden urge to help foundations in need of money. Especially orphanages, for some reason." Sano mumbled his answer.

Then I got to thinking, maybe Kenshin still remembers me, even a bit-because I was an orphan.

"I would like one of my friends to come up here, she's been here the whole day-somehow providing me the determination all the more for those children in need. And I would like my best friend to come up here-he's been with me, having my back through all these fundraisers. Sagara Sanosuke and Kamiya Kaoru." Kenshin waved us up and then I took a retake, playing abck what he just said.

I quickly shook my head no, and pulling back when Sano was pulling me behind him.

"Come one Jou-chan, he thinks of you, and maybe after this you might get closer-Tomoe never did like these funds he does. You could get in where she doesn't." Sano glared at me to dare and pull away. I knew what he would do-carry me on his back if I did, so I went along blushing the whole way up the steps to the stage.

"Kenshin." I glared at him and he chuckled.

"Look, Kaoru-dono, is being so modest. She is what I would say is the inspiration behind this certain raiser. She just has a positive energy." Kenshin made the whole crowd smile and laugh along as I bowed my head to hide my red face.

"What about me?" Sano asked aloud and everyone burst into fits of laughter.

"Of course I can't forget Sano, he's been to every thing I've done for others. I thank you all for endorsing to give money for orphanages." Kenshin bowed ans Sano waved to everyone while they clapped at the end of the speech. Then a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me towards their direction ad I looked up-shocked to find Kenshin holding my arm and waving to everyone.

"Kenshin...what are you doing?"

"Just go along with it." Kenshin smiled down at me and I couldn't disobey it. So I smiled waving back to the many big-named people on the dance floor.

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He couldn't help himself-he had to touch her, she's so beautiful that he couldn't get her out of his mind. Kenshin had to use an excuse to hide his touching her.

So the 'just play along with it' was the excuse and he was glad she bought it. Tomoe was nothing like her-she never did like him helping charity even though she would act like she did. She never once attending them, only the parties.

And here was another girl, who seems vaguely familiar to him and is perfect in every sense to him. Sure she gets a bit wild and crazy and even dingy at times but he found himself falling for those.

He shook his head and bowed at the crowd to try to get the thoughts out of his mind-maybe he needed a drink.

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Kenshin let go of me, once the song started again and the crowd turned their attnetion somewhere else. Sano jumped off the stage and ran towards a bunch of giggling girls and Kenshin was slowly walking to the bar. I followed him-hey I didn't know anyone else there after all.

"Matte Kenshin." I called after him as he made his way faster. He stopped and slowly turned to me, his eyes a bit clouded.

"Um-are you-all right?" I stopped as he stared at me, then he closed his eyes and rubbed his eyes a bit.

"Yea, what is it?" He opened his violet eyes back up and I saw the real him again.

"Um, can I join you?" I pointed towards the bar, where he was obviosuly heading.

"Sure." He waited for me to be by his side and he wrapped his arms around my shoulder and smiled.

"You know, I'm beginning to wonder how i could forget someone as you-it's weird, but I feel like I'm beginning to know you, but I already know you in a way." He remarked chuckling slightly.

"Um, well, love makes things happen that usually doesn't make sense." I whispered and he caught every word and we went to the bar silently, I waited for him to start another conversation-because it was silly of me to say what I did.

"So-who are you living with in Kyoto?"

"No one, but I live next to my two best friends-Misao and Aoshi." I answered glad he talked.

"Oh, why did you come here from Tokyo?"

"We had to transfer because we were accused of doing something-I don't feel like talking about it." I muttered, sadness prying through my voice.

"Then I guess you'll tell me, later-when I earn your trust again?" Kenshin smiled and I nodded.

"I guess then."

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Sano wathced the two from afar, glad that they were taking time alone adn talking. Megumi just flicked him off a while ago and he saw Kenshin wrapping his arm around Kaoru that he stayed where he was and watched.

He really wished that Kaoru gets to be with Kenshin, because frnakly he thinks Tomoe isn't good enough for Kenshin and Kaoru is perfect for him. She's energetic-while Tomoe is down and usually not around.

"Sano!" Sano turned around and saw Misao waving at him.

"Hey, um-you're the new girl in my class right?" Sano asked as Misao made her way to him, Aoshi in tow.

"Hai, have you seen Kaoru?"

"Um, yea, but she's tlaking with Kenshin-so I think we should leave her alone." Sano pointed towards the bar.

Misao giggled and whispered something to Aoshi and then turned back to Sano.

"Well, you seem closer to Kaoru now. So how is she doing-getting to know others."

"Um, Misao, she's a very friendly person-I couldn't imagine her not getting along easily." Sano smiled at the two then was pulled away by Megumi.

"Ja!" Sano screamed before he was pulled out of sight.

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I was so nervous, it became quiet just recently and Kenshin was busy thinking-I could see his eyes crease as if deep in thought. Then I just took my drink and played with the ice.

"Kaoru-dono, I like you." Kenshin whispered and my eyes bugged out. Did he just say that?

"Did you hear?" Kenshin asked looking from his recent spot and to my face.

"Hai, but how? You have Tomoe." I asked a bit of happiness seeping it's way into my heart.

"I don't know. Tomoe-she isn't always supportive of me, and after all I've been with her since I came here-I haven't been completely myself, and just knowing you for a while and knowing you from somewhere and in a short amount of time-I feel comfortable." He took my hand in his.

"I'm just saying, I'm getting closer to you-and I just, can't get you out of my mind. But I still am confused." He released my hand and stood up.

"Kenshin."

"Kaoru-dono. I had fun, good night." He left me and went to mingle with the crowd, probably to avoid me.

What did he mean, I like you? Is it true? I hope so.