Chapter 1- The First Glance

The aroma of fresh brewed vanilla coffee and warm blueberry muffins filled the rooms of Kaoru and Aoshi's apartment. Kaoru sat at the dining room table reviewing for her marine biology test, which she had to take in about 20 minutes. Her older brother, Aoshi poured her a cup of coffee and handed her a muffin.

"Thanks." She took a sip of her coffee and nibbled on the edges of her muffin while reciting exerts from her notes. Aoshi sat down in the seat next to Kaoru after pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Kaoru, I'll have to pick you up at school later than usual today. I need to take a friend home from work because his car broke down."

Kaoru placed her cup down and replied. "I could just take the bus if you're busy, I don't mind."

"Just wait for me. I'll meet you at the usual spot. Come on, I'll drive you to school now or you'll be late." answered Aoshi as he reached out and grabbed his keys.

While taking a final bite of her muffin, she grabbed her books, and headed out the door. As she sat down in Aoshi's car, she looked to the back seat and asked, "What's all those papers doing in your car, Aoshi? It's a mess back there."

"Oh, those? They're documents on the new IP7 Chip that RezTech brought in the other day. I was going over the chip's details before the boys and I install it into the computers at work." answered Aoshi, while stopping at a red light.

"Ohh. What's it suppose to do?" Kaoru asked curiously.

"Well, if installed properly into the hardrive, it increases the computer's security up to 10 times the usual amount. RezTech noticed some hacking activities going on at work so they had us install them in."

Kaoru looked at her brother and asked, "Do you really like being a computer analysist? No offence, but it seems so boring! All you do is look at chips and colorful wires all day."

Aoshi chuckled and replied, "Oh, and I suppose measuring powder and liquid all day is much more fun, right sis?"

"I like making medicine! I'll be helping people everyday, besides I've always wanted to be a pharmacist." replied Kaoru.

"Well, when you do become a pharmacist I better be getting a huge discount for driving you around everywhere!" joked Aoshi.

Kaoru gave out a soft laugh and looked out of her window. She could see her school from where she sat. In only 2 more years she would graduate from Taikon University and pursue her dreams of being a pharmacist. She would soon never see the tall white building again nor will she see the students walking about the campus, which was filled with towering oak tress. The thought of leaving the school made her ecstatic.

Kaoru watched her brother drive off and started to walk to class alone. A loud bell rang throughout the school just as she sat down in her seat. She took out her books and began working on the assignment, which was written in red on the board. The Professor took attendance then walked out of the classroom, giving the students a chance to socialize. Kaoru tried to ignore the loud talking which surrounded her and continued to do her work. The talking stopped as the classroom door swung open. Kaoru looked up and saw the Professor standing while looking at a sheet of yellow paper. Next to him, was a redheaded boy. He had a cross shape scar on his face. While looking at the boy Kaoru overheard the conversation of the two girls who sat behind her.

"Hey look. I think he's a new student"

"Yeah, I've never seen him around before."

"Wow, he's cute."

"Look, he has a scar on his face. He looks so serious."

The boy stood quietly until the Professor handed him the sheet of paper and a textbook. They exchanged a few words and then the Professor pointed to the empty seat next to Kaoru's. The girl's conversation came to an end as the redheaded boy walked up to the seat and sat down. Kaoru glanced over at the boy as he started on his assignment. She was curious about how he had gotten the cross shape scar on his face but swiftly pulled her gaze away from the boy and focused again on her assignment afraid that he would see her looking at him. Shortly she was once again distracted from her work by the same two girls behind her.

"Hi. Are you new here?" asked one of the girls as she poked him on the shoulder.

The redheaded boy without turning around answered "Just moved in from downtown."

"What's your name?" asked the other girl.

Still without turning around to see who was talking to him he replied, "Kenshin Himura."

"Welcome to Taikon University, Kenshin! If you want, we could show you around the school."

"No thanks." Kenshin replied coldly.

The bell then rang a second time, releasing the students from there first class.

"Well, if you change your mind just let us know and we'll be glad to…"

"No thanks." Kenshin repeated for a second time. "I'll manage on my own."

The girls paused for a moment in disappointment and replied, "Oh, ok then."

Without saying another word he got up and walked out of the classroom.