The 12th Street Apartment
12/30/2003
Holiday Special: Chapter 16
Hi! Sorry, I was in California these weeks.
Disclaimer: I put this here so I don't get sued.
+Review Responses+
Unique-Starfish: Thanks for reviewing. Yes, I think because I only replaced the author's note chapter that's why no one reviewed. (I had to... FF.Net says so on their December 13 posting) Good Luck on your finals. ^^
MissBehavin: It's okay... I'll reply to your review here! Thanks for reading... gotta love the pile! ^^
++++++
Okay... so onto the holiday special...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=Ten months later=
"Oh! Look at THESE!"
"No way! Check these out!"
"Can we go?"
"Gina... don't be a spoil-sport."
Gina grunted at Yumi, "We've been shopping for five hours straight! I've got finals early tomorrow mourning!"
Yumi glanced at the shoes Misao and Megumi were making a fuss about, "Those are nice," She commented before she turned back to Gina, "Then go! Your class is important to you... Go!"
Gina sighed, "Anyways, I'm done with my Christmas shopping. I'll see you guys later."
***
Gina glanced around her class as the English teacher was passing back the finals. She hoped she had done well... English was so hard to learn.
The teacher tossed the stapled packet to Kiku, the girl who shared a table with Gina.
Kiku gave Gina a triumphant smile as she shoved the 93% paper in Gina's face. Kiku was better at English than anyone in the class, considering she had lived there when she was ten and had moved back to Japan when she was fourteen.
Gina felt the churning in the stomach as Mrs. Smith neared her desk. Mrs. Smith was a harsh grader, and seemed to have a dislike for Gina. The teacher was always picking her on, constantly.
Mrs. Smith slid the test paper to Gina with a sly grin and turned back to the class, explaining graduation and other unimportant information.
"You gonna flip it over?" Kiku asked looking over at Gina.
Gina tapped her fingers over the smooth paper, "Yeah... might as well."
Kiku waited impatiently as Gina look at the top of the paper before flipping through the rest of it, "So?"
Gina placed the paper face down, "So what?"
"What's your grade?"
The bell rang as the class walked out. Gina looked at Kiku, "I don't have to tell you."
Kiku stamped her foot with annoyance, "Come on Gina!"
"I passed." Gina hoisted her bag over her shoulder and hurried down the steps to meet Okita.
***
Misao hurried up the steps to her apartment, flinging the door open.
Yumi glanced up amidst the wrapping paper in the living room, "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean what's wrong?"
Yumi frowned, "Well... every day you come up after class all depressed because Aoshi ignores you everyday and complaining of how he doesn't care and how you should get over him but you can't and on and on and on and on..."
Misao laughed, "Am I really that desperate sounding?"
"Yes." Megumi popped her head out from the ribbons.
Misao laughed, "Fear no more! Misao is over that depressed icicle."
Megumi and Yumi blinked, looked at each other, turned to Misao and blinked again.
"Guys?" Misao waved a hand.
Yumi glanced at her sister, "Misao... we all know it doesn't take you a DAY to get over someone you've been obsessing over for almost a year."
Misao smiled brightly, "I meet someone new! Actually... I had a crush on him in high school... and I met him this afternoon... and..." Her blue eyes grew dreamy, "He's nice and kind and tall and dark and..."
"Handsome." Megumi finished with a giggle, "Sounds like Aoshi to me."
"HEY! It's not him!" Misao stamped her foot.
"Sure..." Yumi laughed as she taped another present.
"Guys! How come you don't believe me!"
"That's not too hard..." Megumi looked at a present, "This is for Mother."
"Hump! Guys!!"
There was a knock on the door. Misao opened it happily, "CHOU!"
"Com'on... let's go Mis'!" The blond announced loudly.
(A/N: I thought it would be really funny if I put him in. I actually debated between Captain Sagara and Chou... I thought Chou would be a lot funnier.)
Yumi and Megumi watched in surprise as their small friend hug the taller man and the two hold hands, walking down the stairs.
They continued to look at the open hallway until Gina and Okita arrived.
Gina glanced sidelong at her cousins, "You guys okay in there?"
Megumi chuckled, "We're fine..."
"Did you see Misao?" Yumi chimed in, falling into giggled.
Okita scrunched up his face, "Yeah... she's talked to Chou in the café downstairs... I knew the guy in high school..."
Megumi was laughing so hard she fell off the chair she was in.
"Gina... how would you describe him?" Yumi asked.
"Broomstick hair..." Gina raised an eyebrow, "Why..."
Yumi and Megumi were laughing no stop now.
"Cause... be... bec-... cause... b-b-b-be... c-c-c-cause..."
"Spit it out Yumi." Gina was becoming exasperated.
Megumi wiped the tears from her eyes, "She said she was over Aoshi......"
"That's not that funny... it's about time though." Gina pulled on a strand of hair as Okita rubbed his neck.
"S-S-SShe... c-c-called... called-d-d...C-C-C Chou... d-d-dark... and H-Ha- HANDSOME!" Yumi fell victim to her giggles once again.
"Err... right..." Gina took a startled look at her cousin before heading upstairs to her room, Okita trailing.
Megumi finally stopped laughing as she looked around blankly at Yumi's living room, "Hey... where's Gina?"
***
Gina glanced at Aoshi who was sitting at the table reading the paper, "Hey... any mail for me?"
He handed her a stack of letters without looking up, "Here."
Gina glanced through the stack of letters; her eyes resting on an official looking letter as she walked through her doorway. She opened it carefully, perusing through it.
She placed the letter down softly; this simple letter, these few paragraphs, but so life changing. She sat crossed legged on her bed, just staring at it.
She thought she heard Kenshin come in, but was too lost in her thoughts to notice.
Aoshi was passing by, slamming into Gina's open door, "HEY! What's the..."
Gina didn't reply. "Gina?" Aoshi asked peeking into her room.
Kenshin poked his head under Aoshi, "Gina... you okay?"
Gina looked up and said in a faint voice, "Yes... I do think so..."
"What's that letter?" Kenshin pointed to the letter on her bed.
Gina snatched it up, "Nothing really..."
Kenshin came over to the far side of the bed, attempting to take it from Gina, "Lemme see!"
Gina flung herself onto the other side of the bed, "No! My letter!"
Aoshi took the chance to grasp the letter from Gina's fingers. He held into away from a hopping Gina who finally sat down angrily on her bed, "Not fair! You're too tall!"
"Let me see! Let me see!" Kenshin continued to bounce up and down. Aoshi looked at the letter, at his younger brother, at his younger sister, then back at the letter.
Kenshin took this opportunity to grab the letter away from Aoshi. Gina was had begun to do the same thing, slammed into Kenshin, knocking the three siblings onto the floor.
Kenshin grabbed the letter as Gina tried to detangle herself and still reach for the letter.
Finally, all three siblings were sitting on Gina's bed looking at the letter and her English test.
"Whoa..." Kenshin glanced at the 96% on the paper, "But what are you going to do about this?" He pointed to the letter.
"Go." Gina shrugged as she glanced at the letter.
"Have you thought this through at all?" Aoshi questioned, "It's a big decision."
"No... I just said that in the spur of the moment." Gina snapped, "Of course I thought this through!"
"Who else knows?"
"Dad."
"Why not mom?" Kenshin asked.
"Grandmother's in the hospital... and has been for the last three months! Mom doesn't need another thing on her mind." Gina said.
"Very true... but don't you think it's harder to tell her now?" Aoshi questioned.
"I'm hoping Dad would get through to her..."
"Me what?" Saitou walked into his daughter's room to see his children sitting solemnly on her bed.
Gina waved the letter in her father's face. He snatched it out of his face, "Oh... this... you're going?"
Gina nodded.
"When?" Her father asked.
"Probably in a couple days... so I can get settled and then start..."
"I'll arrange the tickets." Kenshin hopped off the bed. He didn't want his sister to see him cry.
"I'll..." Aoshi just walked out of the room.
Gina walked her brothers leave before turning to her father, "What are you going to do?"
"Help you pack." Saitou handed a couple boxes to his daughter, "I thought so... but don't worry... I'll talk to your mother."
***
Gina glanced around her now empty room. Her stuff was all in boxes. Most her family would send to her later. Her three suitcases were ready by the door.
Kenshin had booked a flight January 2, 3:00 in the mourning.
She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror; how she would miss this place. Aoshi was going with her, just until things were settled.
She sighed, why did she have to go to Misao's New Year's party? Because she owed Okita the truth. He was the only one who didn't know she was leaving. Soujirou knew, but she had made him promise not to tell.
***
"Did you tell him yet?" Gina jerked up, slipping her water.
"YUMI! Don't do that!" Gina shook her head, "This is a new dress too!"
"You're avoiding the subject." Yumi pointed out.
Gina sighed, "No I haven't told him."
"Told what?" Okita smiled, draping his arm over his girlfriend's shoulder.
"Nothing." Gina said quickly.
"Okay then." Okita shrugged, "Let's go get some of Ms. Aya's cheesecake."
Gina looked back at Yumi as the couple was walking off. Yumi had that tell- him-now look. Gina returned with a later-I-promise look.
And the countdown began.
10
...
9
...
8
...
7
...
6
...
5
...
4
...
3
...
2
...
1
...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
The little apartment erupted in cheers.
Gina let Okita kiss her before grabbing his arm and leading him to the balcony.
"Okita... I have something to tell you."
"Aww... Gina... I know you love me!" Okita grinned in a silly manner. "Gina?"
Gina looked away, "Um... Okita... I'm going to the United States... New York City."
"Vacation? And you didn't invited me?" Okita laughed.
"Not vacation... I was offered a job... CBS..."
"What?" Okita stared at her in disbelief.
"I'm leaving... tomorrow."
"And you're JUST telling me this."
"Yeah... I couldn't find the right time." Gina started for the door to the room, "I'm sorry." She glanced back.
Okita just looked at the stars, "Don't expect me to wait for you."
Gina's eyes hardened, "I wouldn't expect you to."
***
"So... this is it?" Saitou was the only one willing to get up at three in the morning to send his children off.
Gina hugged her father tightly, "I'll be fine dad." Aoshi nodded.
Saitou gave a smirk, "Then go on."
He watched his two children walk towards their gate. As he was walking out of the airport, he spotted something familiar. He changed his direction and quickened his pace.
"KAORU!" He yelled, enough to get the blue eyed woman who was carrying two suitcases to stop and turn around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well... that wasn't a very happy chapter...
I think I went a little to fast with chapter...
Anyway, review and let me know what you think.
Next on 12th Street Apartment: What is Kaoru doing back in Japan? Where is Enishi? How is Kenshin going to react? What is Saitou going to do? (Note: Subject to change)
12/30/2003
Holiday Special: Chapter 16
Hi! Sorry, I was in California these weeks.
Disclaimer: I put this here so I don't get sued.
+Review Responses+
Unique-Starfish: Thanks for reviewing. Yes, I think because I only replaced the author's note chapter that's why no one reviewed. (I had to... FF.Net says so on their December 13 posting) Good Luck on your finals. ^^
MissBehavin: It's okay... I'll reply to your review here! Thanks for reading... gotta love the pile! ^^
++++++
Okay... so onto the holiday special...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=Ten months later=
"Oh! Look at THESE!"
"No way! Check these out!"
"Can we go?"
"Gina... don't be a spoil-sport."
Gina grunted at Yumi, "We've been shopping for five hours straight! I've got finals early tomorrow mourning!"
Yumi glanced at the shoes Misao and Megumi were making a fuss about, "Those are nice," She commented before she turned back to Gina, "Then go! Your class is important to you... Go!"
Gina sighed, "Anyways, I'm done with my Christmas shopping. I'll see you guys later."
***
Gina glanced around her class as the English teacher was passing back the finals. She hoped she had done well... English was so hard to learn.
The teacher tossed the stapled packet to Kiku, the girl who shared a table with Gina.
Kiku gave Gina a triumphant smile as she shoved the 93% paper in Gina's face. Kiku was better at English than anyone in the class, considering she had lived there when she was ten and had moved back to Japan when she was fourteen.
Gina felt the churning in the stomach as Mrs. Smith neared her desk. Mrs. Smith was a harsh grader, and seemed to have a dislike for Gina. The teacher was always picking her on, constantly.
Mrs. Smith slid the test paper to Gina with a sly grin and turned back to the class, explaining graduation and other unimportant information.
"You gonna flip it over?" Kiku asked looking over at Gina.
Gina tapped her fingers over the smooth paper, "Yeah... might as well."
Kiku waited impatiently as Gina look at the top of the paper before flipping through the rest of it, "So?"
Gina placed the paper face down, "So what?"
"What's your grade?"
The bell rang as the class walked out. Gina looked at Kiku, "I don't have to tell you."
Kiku stamped her foot with annoyance, "Come on Gina!"
"I passed." Gina hoisted her bag over her shoulder and hurried down the steps to meet Okita.
***
Misao hurried up the steps to her apartment, flinging the door open.
Yumi glanced up amidst the wrapping paper in the living room, "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean what's wrong?"
Yumi frowned, "Well... every day you come up after class all depressed because Aoshi ignores you everyday and complaining of how he doesn't care and how you should get over him but you can't and on and on and on and on..."
Misao laughed, "Am I really that desperate sounding?"
"Yes." Megumi popped her head out from the ribbons.
Misao laughed, "Fear no more! Misao is over that depressed icicle."
Megumi and Yumi blinked, looked at each other, turned to Misao and blinked again.
"Guys?" Misao waved a hand.
Yumi glanced at her sister, "Misao... we all know it doesn't take you a DAY to get over someone you've been obsessing over for almost a year."
Misao smiled brightly, "I meet someone new! Actually... I had a crush on him in high school... and I met him this afternoon... and..." Her blue eyes grew dreamy, "He's nice and kind and tall and dark and..."
"Handsome." Megumi finished with a giggle, "Sounds like Aoshi to me."
"HEY! It's not him!" Misao stamped her foot.
"Sure..." Yumi laughed as she taped another present.
"Guys! How come you don't believe me!"
"That's not too hard..." Megumi looked at a present, "This is for Mother."
"Hump! Guys!!"
There was a knock on the door. Misao opened it happily, "CHOU!"
"Com'on... let's go Mis'!" The blond announced loudly.
(A/N: I thought it would be really funny if I put him in. I actually debated between Captain Sagara and Chou... I thought Chou would be a lot funnier.)
Yumi and Megumi watched in surprise as their small friend hug the taller man and the two hold hands, walking down the stairs.
They continued to look at the open hallway until Gina and Okita arrived.
Gina glanced sidelong at her cousins, "You guys okay in there?"
Megumi chuckled, "We're fine..."
"Did you see Misao?" Yumi chimed in, falling into giggled.
Okita scrunched up his face, "Yeah... she's talked to Chou in the café downstairs... I knew the guy in high school..."
Megumi was laughing so hard she fell off the chair she was in.
"Gina... how would you describe him?" Yumi asked.
"Broomstick hair..." Gina raised an eyebrow, "Why..."
Yumi and Megumi were laughing no stop now.
"Cause... be... bec-... cause... b-b-b-be... c-c-c-cause..."
"Spit it out Yumi." Gina was becoming exasperated.
Megumi wiped the tears from her eyes, "She said she was over Aoshi......"
"That's not that funny... it's about time though." Gina pulled on a strand of hair as Okita rubbed his neck.
"S-S-SShe... c-c-called... called-d-d...C-C-C Chou... d-d-dark... and H-Ha- HANDSOME!" Yumi fell victim to her giggles once again.
"Err... right..." Gina took a startled look at her cousin before heading upstairs to her room, Okita trailing.
Megumi finally stopped laughing as she looked around blankly at Yumi's living room, "Hey... where's Gina?"
***
Gina glanced at Aoshi who was sitting at the table reading the paper, "Hey... any mail for me?"
He handed her a stack of letters without looking up, "Here."
Gina glanced through the stack of letters; her eyes resting on an official looking letter as she walked through her doorway. She opened it carefully, perusing through it.
She placed the letter down softly; this simple letter, these few paragraphs, but so life changing. She sat crossed legged on her bed, just staring at it.
She thought she heard Kenshin come in, but was too lost in her thoughts to notice.
Aoshi was passing by, slamming into Gina's open door, "HEY! What's the..."
Gina didn't reply. "Gina?" Aoshi asked peeking into her room.
Kenshin poked his head under Aoshi, "Gina... you okay?"
Gina looked up and said in a faint voice, "Yes... I do think so..."
"What's that letter?" Kenshin pointed to the letter on her bed.
Gina snatched it up, "Nothing really..."
Kenshin came over to the far side of the bed, attempting to take it from Gina, "Lemme see!"
Gina flung herself onto the other side of the bed, "No! My letter!"
Aoshi took the chance to grasp the letter from Gina's fingers. He held into away from a hopping Gina who finally sat down angrily on her bed, "Not fair! You're too tall!"
"Let me see! Let me see!" Kenshin continued to bounce up and down. Aoshi looked at the letter, at his younger brother, at his younger sister, then back at the letter.
Kenshin took this opportunity to grab the letter away from Aoshi. Gina was had begun to do the same thing, slammed into Kenshin, knocking the three siblings onto the floor.
Kenshin grabbed the letter as Gina tried to detangle herself and still reach for the letter.
Finally, all three siblings were sitting on Gina's bed looking at the letter and her English test.
"Whoa..." Kenshin glanced at the 96% on the paper, "But what are you going to do about this?" He pointed to the letter.
"Go." Gina shrugged as she glanced at the letter.
"Have you thought this through at all?" Aoshi questioned, "It's a big decision."
"No... I just said that in the spur of the moment." Gina snapped, "Of course I thought this through!"
"Who else knows?"
"Dad."
"Why not mom?" Kenshin asked.
"Grandmother's in the hospital... and has been for the last three months! Mom doesn't need another thing on her mind." Gina said.
"Very true... but don't you think it's harder to tell her now?" Aoshi questioned.
"I'm hoping Dad would get through to her..."
"Me what?" Saitou walked into his daughter's room to see his children sitting solemnly on her bed.
Gina waved the letter in her father's face. He snatched it out of his face, "Oh... this... you're going?"
Gina nodded.
"When?" Her father asked.
"Probably in a couple days... so I can get settled and then start..."
"I'll arrange the tickets." Kenshin hopped off the bed. He didn't want his sister to see him cry.
"I'll..." Aoshi just walked out of the room.
Gina walked her brothers leave before turning to her father, "What are you going to do?"
"Help you pack." Saitou handed a couple boxes to his daughter, "I thought so... but don't worry... I'll talk to your mother."
***
Gina glanced around her now empty room. Her stuff was all in boxes. Most her family would send to her later. Her three suitcases were ready by the door.
Kenshin had booked a flight January 2, 3:00 in the mourning.
She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror; how she would miss this place. Aoshi was going with her, just until things were settled.
She sighed, why did she have to go to Misao's New Year's party? Because she owed Okita the truth. He was the only one who didn't know she was leaving. Soujirou knew, but she had made him promise not to tell.
***
"Did you tell him yet?" Gina jerked up, slipping her water.
"YUMI! Don't do that!" Gina shook her head, "This is a new dress too!"
"You're avoiding the subject." Yumi pointed out.
Gina sighed, "No I haven't told him."
"Told what?" Okita smiled, draping his arm over his girlfriend's shoulder.
"Nothing." Gina said quickly.
"Okay then." Okita shrugged, "Let's go get some of Ms. Aya's cheesecake."
Gina looked back at Yumi as the couple was walking off. Yumi had that tell- him-now look. Gina returned with a later-I-promise look.
And the countdown began.
10
...
9
...
8
...
7
...
6
...
5
...
4
...
3
...
2
...
1
...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
The little apartment erupted in cheers.
Gina let Okita kiss her before grabbing his arm and leading him to the balcony.
"Okita... I have something to tell you."
"Aww... Gina... I know you love me!" Okita grinned in a silly manner. "Gina?"
Gina looked away, "Um... Okita... I'm going to the United States... New York City."
"Vacation? And you didn't invited me?" Okita laughed.
"Not vacation... I was offered a job... CBS..."
"What?" Okita stared at her in disbelief.
"I'm leaving... tomorrow."
"And you're JUST telling me this."
"Yeah... I couldn't find the right time." Gina started for the door to the room, "I'm sorry." She glanced back.
Okita just looked at the stars, "Don't expect me to wait for you."
Gina's eyes hardened, "I wouldn't expect you to."
***
"So... this is it?" Saitou was the only one willing to get up at three in the morning to send his children off.
Gina hugged her father tightly, "I'll be fine dad." Aoshi nodded.
Saitou gave a smirk, "Then go on."
He watched his two children walk towards their gate. As he was walking out of the airport, he spotted something familiar. He changed his direction and quickened his pace.
"KAORU!" He yelled, enough to get the blue eyed woman who was carrying two suitcases to stop and turn around.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well... that wasn't a very happy chapter...
I think I went a little to fast with chapter...
Anyway, review and let me know what you think.
Next on 12th Street Apartment: What is Kaoru doing back in Japan? Where is Enishi? How is Kenshin going to react? What is Saitou going to do? (Note: Subject to change)