Hi everybody! Candizzle here to bring you a DIFFERENT story! Obviously no one liked my other story, so I'll just go ahead and start a new one! (Not only that, but my other computer died, and the rest of my story was on that one… yeah it really REALLY sucked – but I might finish the other just for the hell of it!)
I must also say that I sadly do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters or affiliates… But I DO own some of the bad guys so there! Well, on to the fanfic people, before you get bored!
The girl looked out the opened shoji screens of her dojo, her mind lost in thought as she watched the red-headed man walk by with his usual basket of laundry; the man that she cared so deeply for; and she often wondered if he felt the same, even if he never chose to show it. She stood there, her white gi and hakama pants becoming heavier with the sweat that consumed her body, her wooden bokken poised in front of her. Suddenly she snapped out of her trance as a sharp pain flew through her hand, accompanied with a loud CRACK!
"Ow!" she cried, her train of thought now focused on her aching hand.
"Kaoru, are you all right!" Yahiko yelled, worry quivering in his voice. Kaoru grasped her hand to her chest and forced a smile to try and ease the worry from the younger boy's face.
"Y-yes, I'm fine, just a bruise" she said shakily. Yahiko was not convinced as he stared at her weak smile that quivered on her lips.
"You wait here Kaoru; I'll go look for some ice" She watched as Yahiko ran to fetch some ice for her. Kaoru smiled sweetly, momentarily forgetting her painful hand. Despite the feuds they participated in every day, Yahiko had grown on her, becoming something of a brother to her. He looked up to her, whether he chose to admit it or hide it in his "busu" remarks. He was also one of the only apprentices left to her; and he was picking up the Kamiya Kasshin style of swordsmanship extremely well. Rubbing the large bump that was now forming on her hand, she walked out the shoji screen doors and sat on the steps.
"Ken-ii! Play with us, play with us!" two small girls hollered playfully.
"Okay, but you'll have to wait until I finish this laundry, that you do" the red-head said. Kaoru stood to acknowledge her presence, and was rewarded with the three's awkward attention.
"Ayame, Suzume-chan, why don't you two go find Yahiko? I'm sure he'd love to play with you!" Kaoru told the young girls. She laughed to herself as the two ran off calling Yahiko's name.
"Kaoru-dono? Are you all right? You seemed troubled, you do." Kaoru turned back toward Kenshin, a small blush darkening her cheeks as she stared into his beautiful violet eyes.
"H-hai… I'm fine…" Kaoru turned away from him, her face growing hotter as she felt his soft stare lingering on her back. She thought of the trip they had taken together a few weeks back, and how fate had allowed them to spend that quality time together as they were caught ina storm. She remembered the tiny pink shell Kenshin had given her; the shell she still kept in her room.That's when she realized how strong her love for him was… Then, with a sudden burst of courage, she turned back toward the rurouni. "W-well… K-kenshin… I've been thinking…" she paused, trying to find the right words. Today she was going to tell him; she was going to tell him how she felt! "K-kenshin… uh… I want to t-tell you something… Well… the truth is… I… I… I LO-"
"Baka rooster head!" Megumi cried as Sano burst through the gate. "How could you steal my breakfast!"
"C'mon fox-woman, I only took a bowl of rice!" Sano yelled back at the woman chasing him.
"Yes, not to mention the broiled fish and baked nori! You selfish rooster!" Megumi screamed. Kaoru and Kenshin watched the chase before them, and then it suddenly turned toward Kenshin.
"Kenshin, help me!" Sano cried as he presumed to use Kenshin as a shield. Kaoru stared at them, dazed, her mouth still open, and her face still red. She lowered her head so that no one could see the tears brewing in her sapphire eyes. Slowly she turned to walk away from the commotion, when she felt a strong grip on her wrist. 'Kenshin…' she thought to herself. She turned to look at him, only to be bewildered to find the face of Dr. Gensai.
"Kaoru-chan, you wouldn't mind if I stayed for dinner would you?" he asked with a smile. Kaoru gave a heavy sigh and shook her head, then whipped her hand from his grip and ran away from the chaotic scene. Suddenly, the arguing ceased as Kenshin, Sano, Megumi, and Dr. Gensai watched Kaoru dart around the corner of the dojo.
"What is wrong with Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked in bewilderment.
"I don't know… Fox-woman, go see what's wrong with Jou-chan" Sano said.
"I don't deal with little girls' problems!" she answered. Sano gave her a glare that was only returned with a slap. "That's for stealing my food!" she yelled. Kenshin rose as the two's argument escalated again, and proceeded to follow the distraught Kaoru.
8--------------8--------------8
Kaoru sat in her room, fiddling with different things, trying to take her mind off Kenshin. 'When will I ever be able to find that courage again…' she thought. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard faint steps coming down the hall to her room. Her heart stopped as she saw the silhouette of Kenshin in the shoji doors.
"Kaoru-dono? May I come in?" she heard him say sweetly. Suddenly, she was filled with grief, feeling the tears she had wiped away returning. She turned her face away and rubbed her eyes as Kenshin slowly slid the doors open.
"What is it Kenshin?" she asked shakily. Kenshin frowned at her, noticing her wet cheeks, but not wanting to say anything.
"Kaoru-dono, if there is something this unworthy one has done, I am truly sorry, I am" he said, lowering his eyes from her view. He hated seeing her upset, it always made his heart ache, made him want to hold her… But he knew someone as beautiful and loving as Kaoru could never return the feelings he felt for a past manslayer. He was brought back to reality from Kaoru's small voice.
"No… I'm sorry Kenshin…I…" she trailed off, not wanting to reveal her feelings for him. She knew he could never love such a dirty, unladylike girl such as her. Kenshin stared at her, not quite knowing what she was talking about.
"Well… I am going to go to the market now Kaoru-dono" Kenshin said as he turned. He closed the door behind him and cursed himself as he heard Kaoru's muffled crying. 'I'm sorry Kaoru-dono… Forgive this unworthy one…' Kenshin thought to himself. He didn't know exactly why Kaoru was so distraught, but he knew it had something to do with him. He silently walked down the hall and out the front gate of the dojo, heading for the market.
Well, how do you like it so far? Please review! I don't even care if you tell me that you hate every last word and that I should die for ever writing a fanfic – I just want someone to REVIEW! Okay, well, I'm gonna go ahead and put up the second chapter in case this one was too short (which it was… gomen…) so yeah! Okay, well, I'm gonna go now I guess! Laterz!
Candizzle