Disclaimer: I no own Rurouni Kenshin…
Hidden in Study – Chapter 11 – By Cherry Chibi
"Hm?" Megumi glanced at the bracelet, "Of course. A Rooster-head like you spent time to get it for me so I thought that I should wear it for an event like this." She took out an object that was folded neatly into a small pile. "Here." She placed it in his open palm. "I thought that I should return the favour as well as say sorry."
A small smile stretched on Sano's face. "Apology accepted. Thanks Fox-girl."
"Oh shut up!"
* * * *
Kaoru and Battousai had taken a long walk through the festivities admiring the decorations and lanterns. They had been having a good time talking that they didn't realise that they were more into their conversations rather than the festival. Kaoru smiled broadly as she learned more about Battousai, Kenshin's other half. The lavender bag clasped in her hands swayed left and right as she walked.
"Are you getting tired?" Battousai suddenly questioned. Kaoru was back to alert mode. She shook her head.
"No, I'm not tired. Why do you ask?" Kaoru bit back a laugh thinking that her speech was becoming formal due to the influence from Battousai. Her insides felt warmed when Battousai smiled.
"Because you have a dreamy look on your face." He replied gently. "I was beginning to think that maybe you weren't interested and so…"
"Now why wouldn't I be interested? I'm just happy that you're opening up that's all." Kaoru answered truthfully. "From what you've been through, I can tell that some of the others really are changing their attitude towards you but I don't see what there is to fear." She brushed away a stray lock of hair that had been bothering her for the passed few minutes. "I think that you're just a bit more mature about things, as well as a bit more stronger."
Battousai smiled inwardly. She was probably the only person who he was able to approach without feeling that the other was intimidated or even slightly untrusting towards him. Kaoru was completely genuine. They came to a stop when Kaoru ceased walking.
"Sorry, but my ribbon isn't tight enough and my hair is getting in my face. I don't know how Megumi can handle having her hair down all the time…" Kaoru reached up to redo the indigo ribbon.
"Here, let me help." Battousai took hold of the soft material ribbon and tightened it for Kaoru. "How's that?" Hiding her blush, Kaoru nodded and said thanks.
* * * *
"Oh look, Aoshi is turning a bit pink…" Soujiro grinned ear to ear. It was a rare chance to be able to pick on the icy kid. But it was even more rare to make him blush. "Come on, did you set all this up today? I know that you wouldn't come…"
Tsubame and Megumi had seen Misao's face darken as the joking went on and it was reaching the stages where it wasn't funny, they could tell that Misao was getting upset over it. After all, who wouldn't? Your friends are carrying on and on about something that you're not even sure about and you can't do a thing because it would encourage them to continue.
"That's enough!" Misao blurted suddenly. Her face was beet red from hearing the teasing. "Aoshi is NOT my boyfriend. He doesn't even LIKE me. You know what? He isn't even my FRIEND. We just know each other because it is compulsory." With that she ran.
"Hey! We were only joking!" Soujiro shouted after Misao seriously. "Chee… maybe I got over a bit."
"You did." Megumi confirmed with a firm tone.
"Maybe we should find her…" Tsubame said.
"No, leave her alone, she needs to cool down." Sanosuke said while stretching. "What do you think Aoshi?" Sano turned his head over to thin air. "HEY! Where did he go?"
* * * *
Panting, huffing and puffing. Misao leaned against the wall feeling dizzy and light headed. 'I can't believe I said those things… ugh! I hate myself! Why didn't I think about it first before cutting in like that?! I'm so stupid!' She had sprinted from the group as quick as she could because the instant shame from those things she said had clouded her sight.
It was a sickening feeling.
The guilt was overwhelming.
But the feeling of concern and the need of forgiveness from Aoshi were far worse.
'I couldn't even look at him in the eye. If he feels the way I think he does, I won't be able to lift my head up to face the world ever again!'
Almost as if on cue, sounds of notes flew in the air towards her. She heard the music tweeting in her ears and was drawn to the melody of a certain wind instrument. Catching her breath, she stepped around from the corner and found a girl in a white yukata sitting in front of a house playing with a wooden flute-like instrument.
"Nee-san!" A boy rushed out of the house to greet the girl. "Nee-san! Father is calling!"
"Just a moment," Without warning, Misao was soon face to face with the stranger. Her dark eyes were warmly staring into Misao's aqua jaded eyes. "You look familiar, do you know a boy named Akira at the school down at the end of town?"
"Um… yes."
"I thought you would! I've seen you around there." The girl laughed and then handed to Misao an envelope. "Here, this is for Akira. Tell him that it's from Tomoe Yukishiro." Misao was utterly surprised by Tomoe's sudden approach but she accepted the envelope. "I'm leaving tonight to go back to my home town so I was keeping a look out for anyone who attended Akira's school. I'm sorry for such a surprise but it really is important for me."
"Okay." Misao barely said.
Tomoe smiled in gratitude. "Thank you so much! I do hope we meet again someday!" Then she ran towards the house like a flying crane.
Misao stood there, struck stiff from having to do a small errand for a girl she had just met. 'Well, if it is that important for her… then…' Misao tucked the envelope into the sleeve of her yukata. 'It won't hurt to just give this to Akira…'
"Misao?"
"Huh?" She turned around and almost collapsed in double shock. "Aoshi! How-,"
"I just followed." Aoshi stated calmly.
"Why?"
Silence.
"Didn't you know that it isn't safe for a young girl like you to wander the streets at night?" Aoshi said after a while. "There isn't much else to do now, why don't we go and get something to eat?"
"Aren't you angry…"
Aoshi glanced over his shoulder to check that no one else was around before saying, "I know you didn't mean it. So there's no point in worrying." Misao smiled brightly.
"Thank you." A moment passed and then Aoshi continued.
"And… I guess… that… nothing should change between us. We've been friends for a long time and it would be arrogant of me to start treating you differently just because you're a girl." He turned his head away to hide the expression in his eyes that showed how embarrassed he was to even say something that expressive. He felt even more startled when Misao cupped her hands around his arm.
"Come on! Don't get so solemn! Tonight was supposed to be fun! Like you said before, there's no point in worry~in~~Ah!" A cat leapt on the top of her head and pounced onto the group. It meowed mischievously before prowling away. Misao stared blankly at it, unsure what to feel; to put it as a joke or feel stupid because she should have been able to sense the thing coming.
A small chuckle scared her further. She looked up at Aoshi who shone a beautiful honest but small smile and laughed as quietly as he could.
"Oh so now you laugh at me?!" Misao looked at him with her pink tinged cheeks. It was good to see him laugh and smile. But it was a shame that it wasn't part of Aoshi's nature to be like that more often.
"I'm sorry, it's just that it was funny for you to get worked up… you should have sensed that."
* * * *
The eventful night was coming to an end and Kaoru and Battousai had decided to return home. They entered the schoolyard silently and Kaoru was about to head for the girl dorms to get changed. "Thank you," Battousai said, melding into the comfortable silence. "I had enjoyed tonight."
Kaoru smiled sincerely, "Now why should you be thanking me? I didn't do anything special." Before any other word, any other sound could even be made, or created, Battousai had leaned closer and kissed Kaoru on the cheek. Blushing furiously, she stammered and felt her skin bubble.
"I mean it. Thank you for tonight." And then, Battousai's fury amber eyes began to fade slowly towards lavender again. He smiled and turned walked towards the direction where their room was.
Kaoru touched her burning face and hurried off. It was truly weird. She would have never ever thought that anyone, especially Battousai, would do something like that. She paused on the verandah of the building for a moment and stared slightly dazed into the darkness. But she really didn't mind about the small gesture of care…
I mean it. Thank you for tonight.
* * * *
AN: Thank you everyone for reading! Sorry for the long wait but I'm SOOOOOO surrounded by schoolwork and chores…. (Oh, will the chaos ever end in my life? *sigh*)
Until next time!
Cherry Chibi.