Disclaimer: I no own Rurouni Kenshin…
Hidden in Study – Chapter 12 – By Cherry Chibi
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.
- - - -
Kaoru woke up feeling as fresh as the morning dew. A smile just touched her lips and she trekked through the halls feeling great. Not for any particular reason though. Maybe the night before had somehow relieved all of the tension and stress that had flooded on her shoulders lately. It was time for her to start anew again. A new day. A new week. A new month. Yeah… she was going to be able to start the started of spring refreshed. But there was also something else that was special about this day – it was a very unique day for her dear friend Misao.
Misao first came to Kaoru's family at the start of spring, and on this day, her parents made special sweets just to cheer Misao up. It did work. And since then, every year to celebrate Misao's coming to the family as well as the coming of spring, they made sweets. However, it had been a secret just between the two of them. Suddenly, the thought of it made Kaoru's stomach numb with the memory of her parents. 'This isn't the time to be sad! I have to find Misao and…'
"Good morning Akai."
"Morning Aoshi!" Kaoru said in a quick response. "What's up?" She eyed Aoshi with a slight amusement, it seemed or it felt that Aoshi had grown taller a bit overnight – she felt like a shrimp standing in front of him.
"Nothing. Seen Taka?" Aoshi questioned, his tone has dull as ever! For Kaoru anyway…
"No, I'm just looking for him myself." Kaoru said, "Anyway, why are you looking for him? Especially after the silent treatment you were giving." She raised an eyebrow, daring him to give her an answer. However, she didn't have to really guess too much, for in his right hand was clutching onto a material wrapped up box like thing… she felt a smile growing on her face. "YOU KNOW?!!!!" She regained composure and stepped closer to Aoshi, "You know? How did you know about Misao's special day?!"
Aoshi stammered and stepped back but the little effort didn't matter since Kaoru just took another step forward. "It's nothing."
"What do you mean it's nothing?" Kaoru questioned. "If it's nothing, what is in your hand then?" She gave Aoshi a mischievous look. "Hm….?"
"Uh." A short but embarrassed sound. He slowly moved the item to hide behind his back slowly. "I said it was nothing." He knew he was just provoking more embarrassment to be caused by Kaoru but there really wasn't anything else he could do. 'At least no one else is around…'
"I heard quite a commotion…" Sanosuke popped out of nowhere chewing on an end of a fishbone. "So… Aoshi is gonna make a move on that girl from last night?"
'Things can't get any worse…' Aoshi hands tightened into fists. His timing must have been way off for these kinds of things, he probably should have waited until later in the evening when he and Misao had kempo training.
"What? Serious? So she is Aoshi's girlfriend?" Soujiro stepped out from behind Sanosuke along with Aya and Saitoh. The others looked amused, even Saitoh. Aoshi could feel the world collapsing around him. He was never going to ever do something like this in broad daylight ever again. No way. Not ever.
Kaoru looked onto the situation saying nothing. Poor Aoshi was stuck in one of those moments where he had to talk his way out – not that he had ever spoken much so his chances of getting out are quite slim. Feeling sympathy for the guy Kaoru stepped in. "Nah, he was just talking to me about an errand he had to do for Sekihara-sensei. It seems that spring is a great time to make sweets since the Sakura are blossoming." Kaoru grinned and elbowed Aoshi, "To the Sakura track right? South of the kitchens?"
Aoshi got the hint, "Yes…" Then he casually turned away from the group. "I need to finish this errand as soon as possible." Relieved that he didn't have to deal with the problem any longer, he walked towards the Sakura track.
"Hey! Don't forget that we have lessons today so don't be late!" Aya called, "Tell Taka that too if you see him!"
"Well, I better see if I can find Kenshin." Kaoru said, "He hasn't been seen all morning!"
- - - -
His head felt like a boulder sitting on a tree branch. How was it that he would wake up only to realise that he had been out of it for one whole day? Not to mention that he had missed a festival outing with his friends. 'Battousai… what are you doing to me?' He questioned furiously. 'How did you appear so suddenly? What did I do?' Kenshin was getting more and more confused by the passing time as it all went on.
'I'm just what you want to be you fool. You wanted to be strong so here I am.' Battousai taunted in his head. 'It's such a shame that we don't get along very well do we?' The taunting cold voice was there now, everyday, it was in his head; answering his questions, criticizing him and anything just to speak!
'Can't you ever shut up?!' Came Kenshin's sharp interjection. 'I don't want to be like you! I've told you already! Why don't you leave me alone?! There's nothing in this peaceful world that you need!'
'You're very wrong. There is someone who I'm going to exist for. My purpose has become clear.' The seriousness in Battousai's tone brought fear to Kenshin's eyes. 'Out of all your friends who had found out about me, only one has remained true… and it is this person who I'm going to protect.' A deafening calm clouded Kenshin's mind. He wasn't sure whether he was going to believe what Battousai said or not. Perspiration was forming a slim coating over his forehead.
"Kenshin! There you are! What are you doing outside of the school grounds? We have lessons today."
He looked up and smiled. "Hello Akai." Kaoru came and stopped with a frown on her face when she saw the pale colour of Kenshin's skin.
"What's the matter? You don't look very well." She crossed her arms, "Did something happen?"
"My head is just throbbing." He replied. "I probably just need to see Dr. Takani and I'll be alright." Kenshin knew that Akai wouldn't believe him. It was written all over his friend's face. Over the years that they had been friends, it felt as though Akai had understood him more than he had understood himself. There was something unusual about Akai now that he had thought about it. Like the times that Akai was more like a girl rather than a guy. 'Don't think up stupid thoughts.' Kenshin snapped at himself.
- - - -
"No lessons today… what bliss." Misao hummed to herself. She had also gained permission from Okina-sensei to have a day off since she had been working hard as a student. She had given everyone an excuse saying that she, as Taka, was going to have a walk around and help out the town. In truth, this was an opportunity for her to just be a girl for a whole day again and visit Tsubame and other girls.
She smiled as she recalled the wonderful evening that she had. "Which reminds me…" She pulled out an envelope which 'Akira' written neatly on it. "I should give this to him and get it done with. Now… I think he usually hangs around here somewhere…" Misao then sprinted towards the boy dormitories. She leapt up onto the verandah and knocked on the shouji door.
"Who's there?"
"I've got a message for you! It's from Tomoe Yukishiro!" Misao replied, she was nearly scared off the verandah when the door slammed open. Akira's eyes bright and his face beaming from happiness.
"Really?" He asked her.
"Yeah…" Misao handed him the note. "She seemed to be in a hurry last night when I met her." Akira took the note with gratitude.
"Thanks heaps!"
"No problem. I better get going." Misao waved and hurried off. 'Now where should I go?' It was the start of Spring after all, a happy time for her. It was her special day. However, it was a shame that Kaoru had to go to her lessons. 'The Sakura track sounds like a good place.'
She skipped and hummed her usual tunes. Her heart jumping for joy. She knew that tonight she and Kaoru were going to have their traditional celebration in her room. It was going to be loads of fun. Tsubame, Aya and Megumi would be there as well. "It's such a beautiful day… I'm so lucky." She skid to a halt as soon as she was surrounded by several Sakura trees. The pink blossoms forming clouds smothering the skies. "Wow… so beautiful."
A stray blossom floated downwards. Misao opened a palm and watched it land delicately on her hand. "I love Spring."
"Who wouldn't?" Aoshi asked as he stood from his sitting position.
"Ah! Aoshi! What are you doing here?" Misao felt the colour rise to her cheeks. Had he heard her say all those little things earlier? How embarrassing. What's worse was that it felt even weirder since she was wearing a yukata that was shorter than a normal one.
"I came to give you this." He held out the item towards her. The cloth that wrapped around the lunch box but inside was filled with snacks and sweets rather than a normal lunch. "Today is your special day."
Misao could hear a pounding thumping noise in her ears. Her blood had heated above 37 degrees Celsius. Heart pounding, threatening to bash its way out of her chest. "Um… you… remembered." She stifled her smile a bit to save face from looking like a goofball. She accepted his gift. "Thank you very much Aoshi! It really means a lot to me!"
"It means a lot to me as well."
"Huh?" Misao looked at Aoshi with surprised eyes. There was a short welcomed silence before Aoshi said that he had to go to his lessons. Misao waved him goodbye before settling under the Sakura trees to watch the wonders of the Sakura trees. It definitely was a beautiful day. 'But what does he mean by that?'
- - - -
AN: The end! Not. Just kidding. Ahahaha… Another chapter over. Can anyone guess what Aoshi had meant? Hm…
Thank you everyone for your support! I really appreciate it! And thank you all for your patience too.
Until next time I update!
Cherry Chibi.