Disclaimer: I regret to inform all of you that I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or its characters, although I do own any created characters that my imagination comes up with.
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Chapter 2 – The First of Many
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Author's Notes: Ok, a quick note here you guys should read so this story will make more sense to you guys. My fic will follow how Japan goes through their school system. Regularly, in America, the students would change classes every period. But in Japan, it is the students who remain in the same classroom all day and the teachers who change classes every period. Got that? Cool.
FYI: This chapter is told in Kaoru's point of view.
"……so Jou-chan, listen up. The guy says, 'Duh, that's why he came!" my friend exclaimed as he mimicked the guy he was talking about.
I laughed despite of myself. I actually found that one funny. Usually Sanosuke's jokes are just plain stupid, but this one, was actually funny. I can't believe it. Ok, that got old quickly.
Well, here I am, walking with two of my closest friends – Sanosuke Sagara and Megumi Takani. I've known them ever since I was ten and am really blessed to have them as friends.
You probably don't even know my history. Well, here a quick recap. Not interesting if you ask me.
Born in Kyoto and raised by my beloved parents till I was ten. Then both of them died from cholera. I always find it strange that they both caught the disease and I didn't. I suppose the Kami still has something in store for me – my purpose in life. Whatever, I am just ecstatic about having the gift of life.
Behind me, some few feet away from the three of us, is my cousin – Aoshi Shinomori. Yeah, at first glance, he looks kind of a loner and scary. But believe me, he's far from it. He actually does have really close friends – four of them. They call themselves the Oniwabanshuu. Someday, I have to ask him what that exactly means. And if I would bet all my money in a sword fight, it would have to be on Aoshi. He is probably the most skilled person I have even seen. His technique seems so much more powerful than any other. And trust me, I've seen a lot.
Anyway, after my parents died, Aoshi and his parents took me in, being the closest relatives I had. To put it all in one sentence, they were great. Aoshi's parents were extremely nice to me, as well as Aoshi himself. He always took care of me and comforted me when I was down or felt sad about anything. I'm truly blessed to have a cousin like him.
As to the reason to why I know Aoshi is the best in swordfighting, well, I've seen almost every other technique out there. I am also a student of sword techniques myself, too. To tell you guys the truth, my father left notes for me – of him wanting to train me in the Kamiya Kasshin Style of sword fight – the blade that protects. I found it very interesting, and well, you can guess what I did after that. Train.
So I lived life like that, always joining the school's sword team. We don't use real swords; just wooden ones that are carved to look like real ones. Not kendo sticks either. But really, those wooden swords that we do use are pretty lethal if one knew how to use one, like Aoshi, not that he ever used a sword like that.
Then, Aoshi's mother died. And thus was the beginning of Aoshi's cold-like attitude towards everyone. He only opens up to me, and that's rarely as well. To make a long story short, we comforted each other through that trying time and battled to make our lives as normal as possible. And we achieved that goal pretty successfully.
Our life went on and on, till we reach present time, as I am once again pretending to listen to one of Sanosuke's jokes. Truthfully, I would rather sit through history class than listen to him. No, wait, scratch that. Saitoh Hajime teaches history. That's the last place I would want to be. And wouldn't you believe that history is the first class of my day. Mou! How annoying.
Anyway, enough about me. Sanosuke, Sano for short, over there is a pretty cool guy, although he gets cocky sometimes. His brother, Yahiko, is a totally different story that I really don't feel like getting into right now.
On my other side, is Megumi. She's nice also, when she's not making fun of me. All in all, she's a great friend. And I can swear that Sano has that something for Megumi, but that is none of my business.
As for me, my name is Kaoru Kamiya. Yeah, I chose not to take Aoshi's last name and add it to mine. I loved my parents dearly, so I chose to keep their last name. I want to be remembered as a Kamiya, and not a Kamiya-Shinomori or whatever, no offense to Aoshi. I'm not that popular in school, unlike Megumi. You know, she was voted class queen three years in a row. I'm pretty sure she's looking for the clean sweep. She'll probably win that also. There are just no girls that come close to her. Yeah, people do say I'm also very beautiful, but I suppose I never found the reason to enter those contests.
That's really all you need to know about my past and me. Nothing interesting, besides that, has really happened to me. If you want to know some other pointless facts – yeah, I've had a couple of boyfriends before, but nothing serious. I haven't even kissed a boy on the lips yet. They were only one or two week stands. I just haven't found that "special" person yet. And the way I look at it – I have my whole life to search. Let me just get through this last year of high school, which will probably be as uneventful as the last three.
Our school – Tokyo Megaplex High – TMH for short is not all its cracked up to be. We might have the strictest teachers in our school, but that doesn't mean we're the smartest. Our Brain Team hasn't even come close in winning a competition. We do have some cool clubs, but those are just for fun, like the drama club that I am in. This year, we will be performing a play about a character during the Revolution of the 1860's. I just can't wait. Anyway, even our Swordfight Team stinks. Dead last! I try to get Aoshi to join, but he says, "its no use with only one good person on the team. You need a lot." Eh, his loss, right?
"So, I hear that this year we should be getting a couple of transfer students in our class? I wonder how they'll be." Megumi had just asked all of a sudden.
I roll my eyes at her. Last year we had a transfer student. He was in our school for a month till he transferred back out. I had to admit that his sword skills were pretty good, but I doubt anywhere near Aoshi's. I think his name was Soujiro or something of the sort. He was a shy kid, not very outspoken. Whatever. The transfer kids we get are just normal people. For once, I would like something special happen to our school. Just once.
I just shrugged at Megumi's question. That seemed to satisfy her as she started to talk about something else – Kami knew what.
Well, before I even knew it, I was walking into my classroom where I would be spending more than half the year in. Now that I think about it, I wonder how long the average student spends in school. I'll figure it out someday.
At least this year, Megumi, Sano and Aoshi are all in the same class as me. I remember last year, I had to go through the whole school year without one of them in the same class as me. Sure, I made other friends, but it definitely was not the same. Anyway, I found my seat, which was at the back of the room. And to make matters worse, Aoshi's, Sano's and Megumi's were in the front of the room. Go figure! I'm just cursed with bad luck.
Anyway, it turns out that there are two seats, one in front of me and on next to me, that are empty. I suppose they are for the new transfer students. Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to get to know them.
"Seated! NOW!" a voice suddenly boomed from nowhere.
By now, I was used to it, but a look at everyone else's faces had already told me that they never had Hajime-sensei as a teacher. "Ha!" Were they in for a real treat. I guess having him for four straight years can get me used to his obnoxious attitude. Despite the fact, I took my seat and opened my ears for him.
Saitoh, yes, I prefer to refer to him on a first name basis, looked around the room. His eyes easily passed over me. I guess he expected me to be there, knowing that this was my seat for the past four years!
"First order of business. We have two new transfer students!"
At this, everyone gasped. I looked around the room, quite surprised. I thought everyone knew. I suppose not.
"You will treat them with respect and courtesy as you do with all your other classmates. They are siblings, if you wanted to know." Saitoh suddenly snapped his fingers and the door opened. My curiosity got the better of me, as I soon found myself, along with my classmates turning my head towards the newcomers.
Two people, one girl and one boy, walked in. The girl had a bluish tone to her hair, which was tied in a long braid that went down to her legs. I wonder how she cleaned it everyday? Must have taken a lot of shampoo. The girl looked happy to be here, as her jolly facial expression gave everything away.
As I turned my attention to the boy, I suddenly found myself holding my breath. Not only was this boy different, he was totally the hottest guy I've seen on Earth. His fiery red hair, almost as long as mine, cascaded down his eyes, hiding their true color. The rest of his hair was tied behind him with a simple band. I spotted a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. I overheard other girls talking about the boy as well, and almost all of them had the same opinion as I did. I wonder how he obtained that strange scar.
The mandatory navy blue uniform only helped to make him stand out. And to think, these two were brother and sister!? How in the world did that happen!
"All of you will show your respect towards Misao Makimachi-Himura and Kenshin Himura. Must I need to say anything else?"
I really didn't pay any attention to what Saitoh was saying after he said the names. Both of them were a complete mystery. Why did the girl have a double last name while the boy solely had one? I was snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of Saitoh's voice.
"Kamiya! Raise your hand!"
I did as I was told and quickly found out that the strange were coming over to me. The girl turned out to sit right next to me while a certain redheaded student obscured my view of the front of the room. Not that I cared, though.
"Now since that problem is taken care, we'll start where you kids left of last year, the history of Japan in the 1800's. Just to let you know, I will reach the Revolution by mid-year, which is December! I hope all of you have taken that down. Good! Now, the end of the eighteenth century marked…………"
I resolved to settle the mystery of the siblings later as I quickly dipped into my bag to get something to write on. I noticed Misao doing the same thing. As I began to take notes, my eyes drifted towards Kenshin. The only thing I could see was the back of his redhead, but his arms weren't moving. He was not taking notes? Not a smart…….."
"Himura!"
"……move." I finished in my mind. I noticed the whole class turn their attention towards Kenshin, with the exception of his sister. She was still diligently taking notes.
"Do you have a problem? Or do you not prefer taking notes?" Saitoh asked menacingly.
"My sister takes notes. I'll just use hers." he answered, rather calmly. This Kenshin guy was just asking for it. However, Saitoh just stared at him, and….seemed………rather on level with Kenshin. I don't know how exactly to explain it, but maybe it was the way Kenshin returned Saitoh's stare that proved to be the deciding factor. Either way, Saitoh continued on lecturing. What the hell just happened there? Did I miss something?
I looked at the rest of the class, save for Misao, and for some reason, all of them seemed to be………backing away in fear of Kenshin? Well, except for Aoshi that is. His face was turned the other way, so I couldn't see. What exactly did I miss?
"Kamiya! Do you have a problem?"
I quickly shook my head as I busied myself with taking notes. "Mou!" We're not even in the first hour of school, and already everything seems weird. I just better take notes now and ask questions later. However, the mystery still lingered in the back of my mind. Who exactly are these people, and where did they come from?
The dreaded two hours finally came to a close as Saitoh finished up his lecture and quickly left the room. I wonder what his problem was. He seemed a bit uptight throughout the whole period. Anyway, we had our usual fifteen-minute recess before the next teacher came in, which was mathematics and business economic instructor. Goes by the name of Kanryu-sensei. I think he's new or something.
Quickly packing up my things in my bag, I went to chat with Megumi and Sano, however, they were already engrossed into a deep conversation of their own.
"Did you see the look in his eyes? Damn, the second I looked at it, I was already freaked out." Sano whispered.
I saw Megumi nod as she stole a glance towards the two new students. "Yeah, I know. Scary if you ask me."
"What's so scary?" Once again, my curiosity was getting the better of me.
Almost immediately, Megumi covered my mouth. She signaled me to keep my voice down and I nodded. I repeated my question again, still wanting to know what was so scary.
"The red hair guy's eyes. I saw the look he gave Hajime-sensei. You were lucky to be sitting behind him Kaoru." For some reason, there was a slight pause in Megumi's voice. "Then again Kaoru, maybe it's even worse for you."
I looked over towards the two newcomers and noticed Misao happily chatting away to her brother, who seemed to be in his own little world. The girl seemed to be free of worries. And Kenshin……well, he did not seemed to be bothered by the constant chatting his sister was seemed to be giving him.
"Man, I've never seen anyone so confident against Saitoh." Sano replied as he started to chew an old fishbone (don't ask me why) he kept in his pocket. "Kind of makes me want to know the guy's secret, huh?"
Megumi just nodded as she applied some light blush to her creamy skin. I shrugged as I began to get bored by the conversation Sano and Megumi were having. I spotted Aoshi with one of his friends. Beshimi, I think his name was. Small little fellow, but very athletic. I decided not to join in with Aoshi. Knowing him, they were having some weird conversation about sword fighting or something.
Just as I turned around, I came face to face with Misao. "Ahhhhh!!!" Yes, I'll admit it. I made a fool out of myself as everyone in the room turned their attention towards me. Well, everyone except for Kenshin that is, who still continued to stare out the window. "Mou! Misao, don't do that to me."
As I regained my breath, Misao had an apologetic look upon her face. "Oh, I'm sorry………um………"
"Kaoru. Kaoru Kamiya." I finished for her.
The girl nodded thoughtfully. "I'll be sure the remember that. Anyway, I was just wondering if you were able to write down the last couple of notes Hajime-sensei gave to us. My hand was getting tired and I just couldn't write anymore."
I smiled at the girl as I nodded and led her to my desk where I pulled out my notebook and handed it to her. She took it with pleasure as she quickly returned to her desk and started copying whatever she needed to copy.
While her attention was diverted, I was able to get a better look at her. She was only a little shorter than I, maybe by about two or three inches. The mandatory uniform made her look exactly like one of those kawaii schoolgirls. "Cute." I thought. Her hair was pretty long and simply braided. She had a greenish hue to her eyes. But there was still one huge fact eluding me. Her brother did not look anything like her. I don't know where I got it from, but somehow, I found enough courage to ask her the question.
"Hey Misao. No offense, but you don't look anything like your brother. I was just wondering………."
"Yep, I'm adopted." she spontaneously replied as she continued copying.
"Oh……I'm sorry………"
She finished whatever she was doing and handed me my notebook. "Don't be. I'm happy, so there is no reason why you should be sad."
I was about to say something else when Kanryu-sensei popped in.
"Ok, get seated and we'll start."
I returned to my seat, which was only like a step away. It wasn't till I looked up when I realized that Kenshin had been there the whole time. I gasped despite of myself, which earned a thoughtful stare from Misao. I looked at her blankly and she began to giggle.
"Recently Japan's economy has been on a slump……." Kanryu-sensei began. I answered Misao's giggle with a smile of my own as I began taking notes about the lesson. And like before, Kenshin made no move to take down anything. I wonder if his sister minded that Kenshin used her notes all the time. I have to remember to ask her that.
"So, what's the news on the new kids?" Sano immediately asked as I sat down at our lunch table.
"Huh? News?"
"C'mon Jou-chan. We saw you talking to Misao. C'mon, spit it out. What did you learn?"
"Don't leave us out Kaoru." Megumi added.
I sweated. Mou! If they were that interested in them, I wonder what the other students wanted to know. "Well, I didn't get to learn much. All I got to know is that they are not siblings by blood. Misao is adopted."
"Oh……" Sano had whispered out in a low voice.
I shook my head. "Don't feel sorry for her. She said she was happy. I don't know what exactly she means by that, but just don't feel sorry for her. And oh yea, don't go telling everyone in the whole school. I don't want to be the one for her embarrassment."
"Hey, don't you trust us?" the rooster-head asked innocently.
"No! And that counts for you too Megumi. I just know how you love to gossip!"
"You're talking about me? Relax Kaoru, we won't breathe a word."
I eyed her piercingly before I sighed. I just knew it was a mistake telling them. Both of them couldn't keep their mouths shut if their life depended on it. Anyway, we ate and chatted about random things when in the middle of lunch recess, Aoshi joined our table.
"Kaoru. I finally dug out some information about Kenshin."
Both Sano and Megumi blinked at him for a second before begging to let them know the info. I sighed again. "Well, you better listen to the two dogs before they start clawing on your shoe."
"Well, remember Kaoru. Couple of years back when it was rumored that there was an incredible sword fighter who won competitions using a technique that used "super-sonic blade swings?" I thought about it for a minute before I nodded.
"Yeah, now that you mention it. I remember about that. Supposedly he was the best of the best."
Aoshi nodded solemnly. "Well, Kenshin is that guy. Red hair and cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. No doubt about it."
I sneaked a glance towards Kenshin, who was seated, at the back of the lunchroom with only his sister to accompany him. Misao, once again, was happily chatting away to her brother as Kenshin was quietly sipping his soup.
It suddenly struck me as to how opposite they were of each other. Misao seemed to be the upbeat, cheerleader type of girl. Always seeming cheerful and loquacious. Kenshin, on the other hand, was just full of mysteries. Quiet, the lone-wolf warrior. Even if they were adopted, they should be somewhat alike in personalities. But they were total opposites. Very peculiar.
"Heh! Kenshin, strong? He looks weak to me. Just look at how thin he is!"
Of course, Sano made that comment.
"I mean, no offense to him or anything, but he could pass for a girl if he dressed in a traditional hakama and gi, with that long hair of his."
Aoshi suddenly snorted as he left to sit with his "group." Leave it up to Sano to make a dumb remark. "And what are you Sano, superman? C'mon, you're afraid of Megumi and I. And if my memory serves me correctly, you're always getting beaten up by Katsu-san, right?"
"Yeah, well. Aw, c'mon Jou-chan. Cut me some slack. You know that after I finish my training with Anji-san over at the gym, I'm going to be unstoppable."
"Yeah, when pigs fly, right?" I added. Megumi and I shared a hearty laugh at Sano's expense. Sano just sat right back down chewing on his fishbone, muttering something under his breath I couldn't hear. It better not have been about me.
"Hey Kaoru. How come you're defending Kenshin over there all of a sudden. Don't tell me you got the hots for him already. Ohohohohoho" Megumi all of a sudden stated.
I don't know what clicked inside of me, but I found myself blushing beat red, and of course, Sano did not let this opportunity go to waste. "Wow Jou-chan. Four hours and you're already in love with him. Makes we wonder where you'll be in four days."
"Mou! I can't believe you two!" Thankfully, Saitoh had blown the whistle, signaling the end of lunch recess. I quickly got out of there as soon as I can, but not before something happened.
I bumped into someone.
"Oww…… Why don't you watch were you're going!" As I looked up to see whom I had collided with, I wish I took back what I had said.
It was Kenshin.
I quickly looked down to the floor as I slowly stood up. I could feel his stare penetrating into my soul.
"Sorry Kaoru-dono." an apathetic voice whispered out so low, I had to strain to the fullest to actually hear what he said.
And with that, the redhead walked away. It was a full minute when I realized that I had been staring at him the whole time. Quickly snapping myself out of the reverie, I took a quick glance toward Sano and Megumi, who were chuckling, at my expense. The nerve of them!
The rest of the day, fortunately, went by uneventfully. There was only one class after lunch before we were let out for the rest of the day. How ironic, isn't it? Just earlier today I was wishing for something different to happen, and now, I want the uneventful TMH back. But I doubt that'll ever happen again.
I collected my things and went to join Sano and Megumi, as we walked back home together. Like usual, Sano was trying to impress us, mainly Megumi, with one of his lame jokes. I don't know about Megumi, but I learned a long time ago to simply agree and nod when Sano tells jokes.
I was happily walking home when my eyes suddenly spotted Kenshin and Misao in the distance. I had to squint to see them, but I saw Kenshin walking with a hyperactive Misao skipping around him, mouthing off whatever she was saying. I smiled.
This year was going to be different. Day one had already told me that. I found myself eagerly awaiting tomorrow. Another day that would be interesting, another day that would prove to be worth it, and secretly, I knew that it would be another day to risk glances at Kenshin.
Today was just the first - the first of many………that are yet to come.
Author's Notes: Well, there is chapter two of my story. I hope you guys like it. This fic is my first attempt at first-person based stories, and I hope I'm doing a good job at it.
Anyway, I did mention last chapter that this fic was not going to be in the first-person view every chapter. I might have to scratch that out. I might just do each chapter in someone's standpoint. I don't know yet.
Next chapter, however, will be in Misao's standpoint again.
And remember to LEAVE A REVIEW on your thoughts. It really means a lot.
Till next chapter,
vindemon64