WARNING! I have some news for all of you. You see, I want to find a style of writing that I am comfortable with, but I don't want to do one-shots until I find it. So… after much deliberation, I have decided the Entwined Fates shall become my, err… 'lab rat'. In other words, prepare for horror, as the style of this story will be constantly changing. In a good way…I hope. Well, I'll soon know if you guys and girls hate me for what I am going to do. Alrighty let the fun begin!

And, uh, you guys are in for a little surprise.

Disclaimer: In all honesty, the fact that I'm even writing the word 'Disclaimer' should mean something, such as me not owning RuroKen maybe?

Here's your surprise…

Chapter 2: A Change of Pace

Kaoru's POV

This was impossible, simply impossible. Here I was, clutching the phone like a lifeline, which in all truth it could've been at the time. The small creamy colored cordless was still pressed against my ear and the woman on the other end was babbling about wages or something of the kind, not that I was listening. I was too excited to think properly.

You see…I had gotten a job.

Yes, that's right, me, the same person that Yahiko had stated 'that the chances of a busu like you getting a job, is zero, zip, nada'. Heh was I ever glad to prove that little gaki wrong.

After hours of slaving away looking through job ads in the Mainichi Shinbun and dialing countless numbers, only to be rejected, I had finally found my salvation. I HAD A JOB! Granted it wasn't the best of jobs, bringing coffee to workers and doing similar tasks, but it was a job nonetheless!

The voice by my ear squawked a question. I answered her with a 'Yes.' not really knowing what the question was, but hey, I didn't care, all my hard work had finally paid off.

The secretary, Miss Ishino, gave an audible sigh of relief on the other side, which made me instantly suspicious.

"Oh, that's great that you can come in after tomorrow. Our last girl quit earlier this week so we've been shorthanded, but with you around we'll be able to keep the men happy." Ishino cheerfully chirped.

"Whoa, wait, m-Monday? Of course, I'll be there." I recovered swiftly from my mistake. How the heck had I been dragged into this? I had been planning to get some things arranged before working. Such as calling Tsukiakari High School to inform them that I wouldn't be attending classes regularly, and getting some advanced work done so that I wouldn't be too far behind my peers.

'That's it. No more zoning out.' I decided sternly.

"Pleasure talking to you Miss Kamiya, remember 7 am sharp and not a minute after, the boss doesn't like late arrivals."

I assured her that I'd get there on time and bid her goodbye.

Picking up the paper with the company's address hastily scribbled on it, I read it over. I couldn't help the grin that stretched over my face.

It faded however when I was reminded of the fact that I'd be missing out on school, and even though none of my friends attended school anymore, I still liked to go and think of all the memories I have of them. When they had finished school- one of them being Sagara Sanosuke, a spiky head whose audacious personality often got him in trouble- we'd all bid tearful farewells. Sanosuke, or Sano as he was also called, had decided to travel the world; every so often he'd send me a postcard to show that he hadn't forgotten me. I, for one, definitely wasn't able to forget that rooster head… or his numerous plans to pair Jou-chan - a.k.a. me- up with some unsuspecting guy. Oh the chaos that ensued; considering that half his plots never turned exactly as they were planned.

Sano in all his goodwill would claim that I'd been single for long enough, and that it was time to move on from my former boyfriend. But you know, it's hard to stop thinking about an ex when he's left a scar on your heart.

That was about two years ago, and Sano had left to travel last year. Anyways, back to what I was saying.

There had been this dark tousle headed boy, with a personality that was witty and sometimes insincere. All the girls wanted him, and I was no exception. Girls would swarm after him; mouths open with drool dribbling down whenever they saw him. He was a jock after all, one of the best athletes. That boy had a fan club, one that almost every popular girl was in. I wasn't exactly popular but even I had to stare at his good looks.

I knew I didn't have a chance in hell with him, the guy barely ever looked my way, and eventually I gave up on those little games.

Until he searched me out to talk with him.

Kyosuke, resident jock, said that he had feelings about me, and that he wanted me to go out with him, and I believed him, never questioning his words. I laugh nowadays when I recall how I'd used to trail after him like a lovesick puppy. A single look into his chocolate brown eyes and my heart would flutter. After Kyosuke and I got together, he never paid much attention to me. Sure, whenever his friends were around he'd casually throw an arm across my shoulders; later after they left he would turn away from me as if my touch burned him. Yet I still held on to him, desperate as I was for companionship, I've never had a boyfriend before.

Later I found out the truth.

It turned out that Kyosuke was playing me for a fool. One day when the sky was a drab gray, I strode onto the field after his soccer practice had ended; I'd wanted to surprise him with some sushi that I'd picked up from a local vendor. He didn't know that I was coming. Betcha can guess what happened next.

I caught him with the raven-haired cutie that was on the cheer leading squad. That bastard was making out with her. To this day I still didn't know her name, but she saw me and smirked.

I wanted to cry, but settled for running instead.

The only reason Kyosuke had asked me out was because of a dare that his friends made him do.

To go out with Kaoru for one whole month, we only lasted for three weeks.

Sano had warned me not to fall for Kyosuke; nevertheless he was still there to offer a shoulder to cry on. He held me in his embrace while I cried my eyes out. That baka rooster head really had been a good friend, and always will be.

Enough reminiscing, it was time to get started.

A couple of phone calls later and much cursing on my part for all the times I was put on hold, and my absence from school had been informed.

I really needed to get out of the house for a while. So without much thought I went and grabbed the house keys from the drawer, slipped on a comfortable pair of running shoes and left the building. There was a note explaining to Yahiko about what I was doing, he was bound to be home soon from school and I didn't want him to worry. We both had keys for the house, so I knew he'd be able to get in no problem. If he'd forgotten his key, that was his problem.

The brightness of the sun hit me full force as I stepped out and warmth surrounded me. A scent of summer flowers and the smells of the neighborhood drifted on the cooling breeze. I knew exactly where I wanted to go. Turning to the left after I had passed the dojo's gates I began to walk in that direction.

Breathing out, I quietly spoke to no one at all, "I wish that I hadn't needed to grow up. Things are always so much easier when you're a child."

That was right. A child could show their emotions and not hide them behind a mask, knowing that they could rely on their parents. When had I been forced to stop being a child? It was so long ago.

I continued my slow walk towards the place. My place. Where I went when the world piled too many problems on me, and I felt that I would shatter from the strain. It was in a park that no one really went to anymore, occasionally there'll be the odd couple or a family flying kites. It wasn't a large park, but it did have some areas that weren't easy to find. Like this one shaded place where an ancient cherry tree stood guard, where I would go and relax.

I suddenly found myself standing in front of the hidden place, apparently I must've been thinking a little too hard since I didn't notice where I'd been going.

I jogged over to some shrubs that blocked the way and using my hands to pull the branches away,and carefully squeezed through the narrow space.

Normal POV

The tall grass swayed gently in the wind, the wind stirred the leaves of the massive tree and the sunlight poured down through the intertwined branches. A rustling in the bushes scattered any creatures that had been present as a figure stepped out. She wore black Capri pants, a white tank top and a pair of scruffy whitish sneakers. Dark bangs framed a petite yet strong face while the rest bobbed slightly in a topknot. A light entered into cobalt eyes as she surveyed the scene.

Kaoru was pleased that no one had disturbed this place since her last visit. She smiled in happiness as she wandered over to the tree and laid a hand on it. Turning around to lean against the smooth bark she slid down top sit at the base of the tree.

Sometimes she brought her bokken here to practice and afterwards she'd meditate. Not that she could meditate for long.

Today Kaoru decided to just forget her worries and just sit there in comfortable silence while listening to birdsong and let the warmth of summer bathe her. In fact, the heat was making her drowsy.

The young kendo student, for Kaoru was still a student in the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu, felt her eyelids grow heavy. Muttering to herself about bad dreams and not being able to go to sleep the night before, she forced her eyes open. Blinking stubbornly, she tried to focus on a rock across from her in an attempt to regain wakefulness. It wasn't her fault that ever since the dream with the amber eyed stranger she hadn't been able to sleep properly. Every time she had started drifting off into oblivion a vision of that demonic man would thrust itself upon her, and she'd wake up gasping at the realty of it.

"Mou," she complained tilting her head upwards, "Why now of all times to want to sleep? Although…I don't think that anyone will be finding his or her way here anytime soon, so maybe it wouldn't hurt to sleep for a little while-" she broke off still hesitant about the whole idea. She thought furiously for a few minutes rubbing her eyes once in a while.

Kaoru yawned and her path was clear. A nap it was then.

Her body curled up and she laid her head upon the emerald colored grass, lucky for her that it was summer and the heat was more than enough to keep her warm.

'Maybe…for once…I won't have any…dreams.' Came the last coherent thought before sleep claimed her.

She awoke when the air became chilly.

Kaoru shivered, it had gotten colder as time passed. Cursing in a low undertone she reached for a blanket that wasn't there. Crossed with the fact that the comforter was absent, Kaoru unwillingly opened her eyes. As soon as she got her bearings her eyes widened, the sun was still up in the sky, but it wasn't as high, and the shadows were starting to settle in. Somewhere in her sleepy mind she registered the fact that she'd had a dreamless sleep.

'Yahiko must be worried about me, I'm not sure how long I've been out for but I've gotta head back home.' She stretched and felt at ease, the kind of ease you get after just waking up. This was definitely her favorite part of getting up, she rolled her shoulders back enjoying how that simple act made her feel content.

Taking another swift glance to the sun's position Kaoru estimated it to be about 6-ish, sooooo…that meant she'd been asleep for aboutthree hours. She got up and went over to the hidden entrance- exit in this case- and pushed her way through. Carefully she rearranged the bushes so that they covered up the little path that her body had unwittingly made.

That done, Kaoru spun on her heel and begin the journey home.

As she neared the dojo she heard some voices ahead of her, they sounded furious and demanding. Eyebrows furrowed as one of them was familiar, VERY familiar. Kaoru sped up, she heard taunts and that only made her break out into a run.

Kaoru rounded the corner and froze. What looked like to be a group of ten teenagers formed a circle around a very angry and shouting Yahiko. By the looks of it, it seemed like he'd been accosted just as he reached the gates.

Wait a minute. What was he doing out here?

One of the boys cruelly pushed her brother towards another member and Kaoru unconsciously snarled at their treatment. No one was allowed to do that to her brother, not while she was there!

Kaoru marched right up behind the boy who had shoved Yahiko and spun him to face her, grabbing him by the shirt she coldly asked.

"Just what exactly do you think you are doing?"

At her words the rest of the group stiffened, mostly in annoyance at the person who dared to ruin their fun. Yahiko stared in disbelief as his sister glared at her 'prey'.

"Hey girlie, bugger off and we won't hurt ya much got it? So put him the fuck down!" A boy with poker straight hair and a leather outfit sneered at her. He watched Kaoru put down the teen and take a step back; the boy grinned at how easily she complied.

Kaoru turned to face the speaker. "Listen you, stay away from my brother if you know what's good for you. I really don't like people who pick on others, especially," she added derisively, "people that don't fight fair." She swept angry eyes over the gang as she spoke the last part.

"Why you lil' bitch, I'm gonna kick your ass for that mouth of yours!" The boy rumbled threateningly, putting his fists up in a fighting stance.

Her eyes narrowed, "So now your going to fight a girl? My, my, aren't you brave, trying to assure your authority and power over an unarmed person." 'If I can just get over to a few feet in front of me, then I'd have a fighting chance.'

Kaoru was glad that she had drilled it in that he was to always keep his practice sword by his side, especially since the neighborhood had started to get rougher on this side of town. He wasn't expected to take it to school, just to keep it on him other times. Right now, the wooden sword lay forgotten not too far away from her. Yahiko must've been disarmed after he tried to defend himself.

She snapped back to the present as a fist swung her way, Kaoru lithely dodged it and her opponent flew past her with the force of his momentum. Pivoting to face her attacker's backside she gave a forceful shove to gain more distance. He stumbled and Kaoru hurried to the weapon on the ground.

Kaoru considered herself lucky that the rest of the boys hadn't realized what she was aiming for yet. The rest of the gang huddle around the fighters, shouting encouragement their fellow member. They were laying bets on who'd win and didn't even bother to help out, enjoying the fight instead of being in it.

In one fluid movement Kaoru had picked up the sword and brandished it in front of herself. She easily slipped into battle stance, concentrating on her opponent only.

"Stay back. I don't want to fight but I will if I have to!"

The teen had faced her again and drew back slightly. He took in the sword she was holding familiarly, a grin broke out on his face.

"A girl like you can't have that much strength, feh, betcha nothing but a weakling, even with that toy of yours."

Kaoru didn't speak, but her grip tightened on the hilt.

"Let's try this again… Girlie." He mocked her then moved in front of her throwing a punch her way.

Kaoru saw and she leapt backwards feeling the blow graze her cheek; she swung at chest aiming to wind him in return. He tried to move back but the full force of the hit crashed into him, he reeled from it.

Air left abruptly and he fell to his knees, trying to force oxygen in as he panted heavily. Kaoru had fallen back into stance; she waited for him to get up.

With a murderous glint in his eyes he was at her again. This time he lashed out with his foot only to be blocked. Growling he reached for her, intending to draw her in so that he could smash that pretty little face of hers in. A scowl darkened his face as she twisted easily away from him.

Kaoru wasn't breathing hard, but she knew she had to end this quickly. As she twisted away she executed a final attack. Her opponent was struck once across the chest, and then another strike came down on his shoulder with all the strength she could muster. This all happened too fast for the punk to comprehend, and she watched with satisfaction as his eyes rolled back into his head. He collapsed to the sidewalk in a heap of tangled limbs.

She turned back to the others daring them to take her on. They shifted away from her, clearly stating in their actions that they didn't want anything to do with her.

Which was fine with her, all Kaoru wanted to do was to get Yahiko and her safely inside where she could slowly vivisect him for his stupidity. After all, how many times had she warned him not to walk around in the evening?

"If you don't mind," she addressed the group. "I'd like to get my brother and go home." Kaoru rested the sword against her shoulder as she spoke.

They moved away as she strolled towards Yahiko. He was watching her with undisguised amazement, Kaoru just had to grin at his disbelief. Obviously he'd thought that she didn't stand a chance against the gang member.

By the time she had reached him the group had almost fully dispersed, and she whacked him one good over the head.

Yahiko grimaced at the pain but didn't say anything, he had kinda deserved it for wanting to leave and find his sister. It wasn't his fault that Kaoru had been gone for so long, not that he'd ever admit that he was worried about her. He did have his reputation to uphold.

"Come on Yahiko-chan, let's get inside." Kaoru draped an arm around him and they walked inside the gates.

He let himself be lead in, knowing full well that that he'd have to explain why the heck he'd been out. Although, he thought wickedly, it was worth it to see Kaoru kick ass, and the look on their faces when she did was priceless!

But boy was he ever going to be in for it when reached the house.

"Kaoru-"

"Don't worry about it." Kaoru interrupted. She went on, leaving a very stunned Yahiko gaping behind her. So…he wasn't in trouble?

"But I won't let you off that easy, 500 swings tomorrow afternoon."

Spoke too soon.

There we go! So how's that for a chapter? Yes, I bet you were all hoping for interaction with a certain red head, but that'll come soon enough. Anyways, please review! I love hearing from you guys, and it inspires me do better as a writer, thanks for reading!

BTW…

Mainichi Shinbun: an actual newspaper in Tokyo
Tsukiakari: moonlight
Gaki: brat

Reviewer's Responses

Lendra-chan: Personally I never usually have scary dreams; my last one was about a man with a chainsaw chasing after me in a junkyard. Apparently he wanted my time-traveling Duracell batteries. Oh wait, I forgot, there was also a dream where I died, although I didn't wake up like I expected to…hmm, weird. Well, I hope this chapter was decent considering all the changes I inflicted upon it. Hope ya thought it was ok still, and thanks for your kind words about the last chapter!

Bradybunch4529: Thanks for your review! Well, there will be other POV's; just the important people will have them. Battousai will definitely be one; can you guess who the others might be?

Jing-Jing: Well, Kaoru is just dreaming of him for now, but I promise that the red head will make an actual appearance in a few chapters, rather than just in her dreams. I have motives for what I'm doing, really I do…I think. No, I actually do, its just that I've got a lot of stage setting to do still, but things will speed up very soon!

Zelianyu: I think I might know what fic your talking about, but this one will be WAAAAAAY different from it. Glad to know that you like this story, hopefully it'll get better as time goes on:)

reader-kikilala: It'll all be explained in the not too far off future. Remember sometimes things aren't always, as they seem… Sooooo, you like Battousai eh? Just wait till the next dream that Kaoru has…Heheh. Yes, I know I'm evil, I've been told it a couple of times, lol.

Eternal Light/Fire Dragon: I updated! With some interesting results I must say, enjoy!

hannah: Nope, defiantly won't be totally in Kaoru's POV, can ya tell yet? ;p

Jisusaken: Evil aren't I? Hope ya liked this chapter, hmm, I wonder if anyone noticed that I didn't give the name of the company yet? Oops, did I leave you wanting to know more? Don't worry, next chapter has more interactions between people and some things are revealed. Such as the company name, but that won't be the best part of the next installment!

dunkmoonX: So, whatcha think? I think that this fic is going to become a bit messy what with style changing's that will be slowly making drastic appearances.

Once again, thanks for reading and adding me onto your lists, it really brightens my day when I see that I've been added onto them.

See ya all next time!

P.S.- I usually add information every couple of days in my bio involving this fic, and ones that I have planned. That means that I have updates on when the next chapter comes out. Just thought I'd let you all know.