Hi, I managed to sneak this chapter before we put the old PC to sleep! I feel that I must apologize to all of you about the few typos and grammar errors in the previous chapter, also the name that I made up for Kaoru's friend. I couldn't remember her name so I had to make up one. Also, I didn't know the name of that special day in Japan, when guys propose to girls. I squeezed it in the middle hurriedly for all those who hadn't seen that episode. But, you can find out! A generous reviewer had told me about them in a review, you can read it if you like. I hope that I'll do better this chapter. I'm really thankful to all those who reviewed and helped me see my weaknesses and strength points. I would just like to bring to your attention that this chapter and the two before it all happen in the same day, exactly one month after the incident. Please enjoy...
Later that day, nearly at noon, Kaoru was busy shopping at the market. There were beautiful kimonos every where, but every time she nearly bought one, she'd worry that maybe the Dojo and its residents might need something or the other and would just walk away. She left them money in the money jar every night for groceries and necessities, but she couldn't help but worry about them.
Kaoru Kmaiya, forget about them, this your money and your day.
Infront of one fancy clothes' store, she could see an excited group of young ladies around her age. Is there's a sale or something? Better check it out!!
As she drew nearer to take a look at the shop's front window, she overheard the girls talking and understood that they were out shopping for the wedding of one of them.
"This is such a beautiful ring" one of them said, "I wish Kazuo would give me one, but he's too cheap!"
"Well at least he's not as clumsy as her fiancé" another said, giggling as she pointed towards the girl who was getting married, "He lost it and had to search around for the whole day before he actually found it"
The girls all burst out laughing quietly, while the bride just grinned sheepishly.
Lost it for a whole day?! Could it be?!
"Excuse me" Kaoru cut in, "But can I see your engagement ring?"
The girls all stopped laughing and exchanged weird looks.
"Umm, yeah, sure" the bride said, smiling in pride as she stretched her hand out for Kaoru to see it.
Kaoru had to use all her strength to prevent her self from bursting into tears. It's the ring!
"You alright?" one of the girls asked Kaoru, "You don't look so well"
"Oh, yes I'm fine, thank you" Kaoru lied in a choked voice, "I must go now. I wish you all the best".
Kaoru turned and walked away hurriedly, tears racing down her cheeks involuntarily, leaving the girls in wonder about this weird stranger.
She wanted to run as hard as she could, but she didn't want to make a scene out of herself. She covered her eyes with her hand, pretending to be scratching her forehead and walked careful not to get too close to anybody. She needed to be alone. She wanted to scream her lungs out into space. The self-pity and anger were so immense she felt her knees becoming too weak to carry her body. Every single humiliating or embarrassing situation she's been through in her life seemed to replay in the back of her head. She couldn't walk so fast any more, she rested her back against a near by wall, then slowly slid all the way down till she was actually sitting on the ground. Breathing hard, she was grateful that everybody was too busy to notice her. If you cry, then you're seriously the biggest loser in the whole world. You promised yourself that you'd be stronger the day your father died. What happened to this day being Kaoru Kamiya's day?! C'mon get on your feet. Live your life. Move on...
A loud noise made by a crowd near by cut through her thoughts and brought her back to earth. People were gathered in a semi-circle from wall to wall to watch something.
"Let us go away from here son, it is too dangerous" she heard a woman whisper to her young son, then drag him by the hand away.
Kaoru pushed her way to the front of the crowd, feeling the curiosity tickling her and wanting anything to take her mind off that ring. She saw that half a dozen of thieves, each wearing an animal mask, were having an old man pinned against the wall at sword's point. She could feel her volcano erupt.
"How dare you attack an old man like that?" she yelled angrily at them.
The crowd started to whisper and murmur in fear. Each wondering what a scrawny girl could do against a gang.
Two of the gangsters were armed with guns, pointed towards the crowd. Another three were armed with swords, also pointed towards the crowd. The one who seemed to be their leader was the one holding the old man at gunpoint.
The gang members laughed at Kaoru.
"Go away girl, before you get hurt doll," their leader said, chuckling devilishly.
"Are you going to scream at us?" another member added, laughing heartily.
"No" Kaoru heard a familiar voice answer firmly, " She 's going to beat the crap out of you till you wish you were never born"
Kenshin?!
Kaoru didn't want to turn to his direction to confirm her thought. Am I hallucinating about him already or is he really here?
She took a glimpse from the corner of her eyes. It's him all right! Now he's going to try and act like a hero. He's going to prevent me from fighting and take them all out, all in one move or so. But no! This is one of the times where I'll have to prove to him what a Kamiyan Dojo master can do...even if she's the 'weaker sex'.
She looked around and saw an old man in the crowd, leaning on a thick wooden stick. Bingo!
"Excuse me sir, but I'll need to borrow this" she told the old man. He threw it to her reluctantly.
"Leave this man and leave immediately" Kenshin gave his pre-attack warning.
"Or your little dollie will kick our rears?!" the leader asked, mockingly.
"YES" Kaoru yelled as she charged on them, Kenshin a nano second behind her.
First, they took care of the gunned goons; they knocked them out in no time. Then, Kaoru blacked out two of the sword-armed gangsters, which only cost her that her long hair fell loose, while Kenshin worked on the other one and move on to the leader. He had him at sword's point, just like he had the old man.
"Now let him go if you know what's best for you" Kenshin warned the leader in a dangerous voice. He usually never used threatens, but he was in a bed mood.
Kenshin turned to look at Kaoru to check if she's alright. To his surprise, she was standing there, stationary, holding the stick with both hands, her hair loose, staring at him with a stern impression on her face. They made eye contact for a few seconds. Kenshin took it a chance to search her eyes for forgiveness. He failed to find it. Kaoru broke the contact as she bent down to retrieve the piece which she ties her hair with. Kenshin returned his focus onto the leader, feeling desperate and hopeless.
Kenshin had too much in his mind to notice the gunman he knocked out first wake up. But, Kaoru did. She watched him in horror, as he charged his gun and aimed it at an unexpecting Kenshin. Immobilized by fear, her throat went out of order so she couldn't yell to warn him. She felt her whole body beat in harmony with her heart. Even if she wanted to warn him, it was too late. There was no time.
kaoru did the only thing left to do. She ran to Kenshin and pushed him aside in the nick of time.
Kenshin was thrown forcefully onto the ground. For a few sweet seconds, his head spun so wild, he forgot who he was and what he was doing, he was back the four years old Shinta Himura. Then it all came back in a painful flash. He heard people screaming and cursing. They were beating the goons to death. Remembering Kaoru, Kenshin looked around for her. He couldn't find her. Then...he saw her, unconscious and bleeding.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" he screamed out.
I really wanted to post this before I threw away my PC (which I now call grandpa). I think it'd be nice to leave the story hanging over that point till I get the new PC. So, what do you think guys? Should I kill Kaoru and twist Kenshin's and the guys' hearts. OR, should I save her.?! I have already made up my mind and decided, but I'm interested in knowing what you all want. I hope that I'll update soon. I promise I won't be away any longer than a week. I love you all.