Disclaimer: I no own Rurouni Kenshin…
Hidden in Study - Chapter 4 – By Cherry Chibi
It was a bright day and everyone was on their break in between their studies. As usual, Kaoru, Kenshin, Misao, Aoshi, Soujiro, Saitoh and Sano were taking sitting outside on the lawn. Everything was peaceful for the young kids… well… would've been. A seven-year-old girl had thrown a stick at Sano.
"Stupid Vixen!" Sano cursed at a girl who hand long waist length black hair and piercing chocolate brown eyes. She poked out her tongue at him. He jumped to his feet.
"Oh no, again." Misao grumbled. "How many times already?"
"Third time this week." Kaoru said. She watched with amazement. The girl often came around and picked on Sanosuke whenever she could. Megumi Takani.
"No, fourth." Aoshi corrected. He sat back with his cool, calm and collected look and watched Sano and Megumi fight with a smirk.
"Rooster head!"
"Stupid Vixen!"
"Rooster head!"
"Stupid Vixen!"
"There's no need to fight," Kenshin stood between them but got hit in the head by Sanosuke by accident. He fell onto the ground. "Then… maybe… go ahead." Kaoru, Misao and Soujiro were laughing.
"Rooster head! Look at what you did!" Megumi knelt beside Kenshin and pulled him to his feet. "Rooster head is so mean!"
"Stupid Vixen started it!" Sanosuke tried to defend himself.
"We better get to class." Saitoh added in quickly, "Seijuro-sensei wouldn't go easy on us again." He stood and stretched his limbs. "We've got two minutes to get there."
"Stupid Vixen…" Sanosuke seethed, he clenched and unclenched his hands. That girl was always doing something to really piss him off.
"There, there, Kenshin, Rooster-head was so cruel, are you alright?" Megumi coaxed Kenshin. Kenshin nicely pulled Megumi's hands of his arm.
"I'm fine." He said, "Now, I have to get to class. Wait up guys!" The group had walked off without him. He sprinted after them, leaving Megumi behind.
Megumi crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Boys are so mean." She then eyed Taka (Misao) and Akai (Kaoru) with suspicion, "But those two are real weird. They're almost like as if they are… no. All boys act like girls anyway."
* * * *
"Taka, may you please run over to Okina-sensei's office and ask him for the next documents?" Tae asked. Misao stood straight and bowed.
"Yes, Sekihara-sensei." Misao said. She rushed out of the room. 'I'm beginning to like the idea of school, never thought that it would be so much fun just helping out the teachers…' While Misao was pondering she bumped into someone along the way.
"Watch it!" Megumi shouted.
'Just what I need now,' Misao thought.
"Oh, it's you." Megumi said, "Well, you need help on anything?"
"No, I'm going to Okina-sensei's office that's all." Misao replied.
"Alright Taka, see you later." Megumi continued walked along the hall.
* * * *
The classroom was dead quiet. Students were working hard. The group were seated at the back row. Kaoru dipped the tip of her brush into the ink well and continued copying from the book.
Haiku – 5 syllables on the first line, 7 syllables on the second line and 5 syllables on the third line.
"Akai, where's your brother now?" Sanosuke nudged Kaoru's arm, "He's been gone for a while."
Kaoru looked up and scanned the room. "I don't know…"
"Akai, Sanosuke, is there something you'd like to tell the class?" Tae suddenly asked. The two shook their heads. "Continue working please."
"Yes, Sekihara-sensei."
* * * *
Eighth month, Second day
Dear Taka and Akai, We're sorry that we haven't replied sooner. We've been very busy working on the farm as well as dealing with troublesome people.You two better stop swapping names on us! Besides that, your mother and I are both missing you both a lot. It's very quiet around here now. We wish that we could come and visit sometime but the farm needs a lot of work. It is very good that the both of you are making friends but be careful not to get into fights and trouble alright?
I see that you're writing is very impressive after six months. Keep up the hard work and make sure that you're both happy! I would have never thought that the two of you would begin learning martial arts as well. Akai, you might one day beat me if you keep working hard. Just remember that you mustn't use the sword for the wrong reasons. Same goes to you Taka!
From Dad and Mum.
* * * *
"Argh!" Kaoru dodged an attack from Kenshin. She charged forward and skid across the floorboards of the dojo. Sweat dripped from her chin. Sword drills were becoming harder by the week. Not to mention the fact that the protective gear that she was wearing was making her itchy. 'Hiko-sensei sure loves to pick on little kids...' Kaoru thought as she lunged forward and gave Kenshin a whack on the head. Luckily for him, he was wearing protective gear. Her next attack he had dodged and then came back to strike on her head.
"Baka-deshi! Move it!" Hiko shouted, "You have to move faster than that!"
'Faster?' Kaoru thought, then she glanced at Kenshin's fierce look. She held back her shock. He was really taking his training seriously. Now that it has come to her attention, the other guys where also really pushing themselves. Aoshi, Saitoh, Sanosuke, Soujiro, Misao... all of them.
"Akai!
Focus!" Hiko shouted.
"Argh!" Kenshin charged forward and struck Kaoru on the shoulder. A
crunching noise accompanied by the taste of blood from gritted teeth. She fell
back onto the floorboards. She gripped onto her left forearm. Too scared to
move. It was hurting badly.
"Akai!" Misao ran to Kaoru and knelt. "You Ok?"
"Aoshi, Saitoh! Call Dr. Takani!" Hiko instructed. Aoshi and Saitoh nodded before rushing out of the dojo.
Kenshin dropped his training weapon - which was a light sword and looked horrified for a few moments. Something took over him. He couldn't explain it. It wasn't his fault. It couldn't have been. He never wanted to hurt his friend. Kenshin watched in horror as Dr. Takani entered the room with Megumi following him with a kit of bandages and other medical equipments. He watched as they took Akai out of the dojo. He didn't know how to explain what had happened.
"It was an accident Baka-deshi. That's what happens if you lose focus." Hiko said, "You're dismissed." Kenshin bowed to Hiko before leaving the dojo. Hiko eyed the young boy leave, 'He is still young. He doesn't understand that strength that he has...' Hiko thought, 'His intentions are very pure... strength is what he desires most. Ever since those bandits attacked his family, he has always worked hard... yes... he is a very strong boy who will one day grow into a powerful man...'
* * * *
Kaoru cried and sniffled when she woke up. Her left arm felt numb and she couldn't move it at all. The affects of the drugs were still wearing off. She lay back on her futon and wished that the pain will go away. She heard the bedroom door slide open.
"Kao, are you feeling ok?" Misao entered, she sat next to Kaoru. "Dr. Takani, he said that you have to rest for a few months." She frowned when she thought deeper about the problem. "Does that mean we have to go home?"
"No!" Kaoru shouted, "I don't want to go home now! Not yet!" She started crying as the burning sharp pains erupted in her shoulder. Misao pulled the sleeve of her shirt and gently wiped the tears away from Kaoru's eyes.
"Don't worry Kao; I'll take care of you. We won't have to tell Mum or Dad."
* * * *
Four months later - December
"Holiday!!!!" The boys shouted as they ran out of the building and towards the carriages which were waiting for them to take them home for the rest of the month until next year. Well, everyone except for a certain group. Footsteps rummaged over the dirt paths and dust flew in the air.
Kaoru had recovered from her fractured and dislocated shoulder and it was now only wrapped in bandages to restrict its movements. She was walking alongside Misao towards the library.
"Holidays already..." Kaoru said quietly.
"Yeah! Well, now I can take a break!" Misao said with a big smile.
"Oi! Taka! Akai! Wait up!" Sanosuke caught up with them and hooked his arms around the necks. They struggled in his grip. "What's the matter?"
"Can't... breathe..." Misao gasped.
"Oh sorry." Sanosuke released them and they both stumbled forward taking in deep breaths.
"Where are the others?" Kaoru asked. She ruffled her scruffy short black hair with her right hand.
"They're somewhere..." Sanosuke said. He crossed his arms. "I wonder where they are..." It had been a while since he last saw them. It was earlier in the morning and he only saw them for a half an hour. "They always do that...."
"Oh! Hi Taka!" Tsubame smiled at Misao. "I'll be seeing you next year. I'm going to see my grandpa for this month!" She smiled at Misao and the others. "Well, I better hurry!" She ran.
"See ya Tsubame!" Misao and Kaoru shouted.
"Later!" Sanosuke said.
The three continued walking through the halls and they continued in silence. The thoughts that were really crowding their minds were where the others could have gone. They had disappeared for a few hours now. Misao and Kaoru were especially worried because they didn't think that they would last very long around Sanosuke. He was bigger... and stronger.
They stopped when they reached the yard. Sanosuke bursted out yelling at Kenshin, Aoshi, Saitoh and Soujiro with anger. Misao and Kaoru kept quiet.
"You were having a duel without me?!" Sanosuke shouted out loud, "You know how much I love to duel!"
"Er... yeah...." Kenshin said while rubbing the back of his neck. "The thing is... we're only practising. You always win."
"Che, yeah right." Saitoh cut in. "I can beat him."
"I prefer to stay out of this." Soujiro said with a grin.
Aoshi kept quiet. While Sanosuke fumed, Kaoru and Misao stifled their laughs. Even though they've been here for a year, they still found boys to be very funny and weird. They argued over the strangest things ever. "At least we know where they are now," Misao said.
"Yeah, and now we can get some lunch." Kaoru added.
* * * *
AN: Finally! Another update and sorry for delays! I'm gonna be doing a few time jumps that may be weeks and months over the next chapters so that I won't get writer's block. (Really hate it when that happens) Plus, you guys are gonna see the forming of Battousai! You've just witnessed a minor stage here. ox Yeah! I'll make sure that I'll update this fic more often - especially before my school holidays. I'm going to Perth and I wouldn't be able to get on the net let alone write so I'm trying my best to keep up with homework as well as updating. ^.^x
Lynnie6: =^.^= Thanks for your feedback! Hope you enjoyed reading!
Kitsune KeNsHiN: Thanks for reading and hope to see you next update! ^o^x
Ixchen: Thanks for reading! You've reviewed so many times that I've practically lost count. *laughs* Just joking. Well, see ya next time!
Nee-Chan: Haha… yeah. ~.~; Oh yes, I'm not sure whether you've sent me the facts but I still need the required facts for your character in this fic. ^-^; I need you character's name, age, description (physically and personality), and probably relationships with other characters, whether you'd like to be a best friend… sister or something like that. Don't forget your preferred technique in martial arts!!! Just write in the review. ^.-x
Mika: Yes, well, Misao is definitely gonna have an easier time since she's got a separate room now. ^-^ However, there will be disadvantages later on…
Califpinay3001: Hi! I don't think I've seen you before. ^-^x
Ari and Kat: Thanks for the review!
Well, that's it from me!
~ Cherry Chibi