Battle Of The Bands!

Chapter 4- Practice

Over the next week Kaoru tried to get Kenshin to open up to her about what was bothering him but each time she tried he'd just push her away. Eventually Kenshin avoided her all together and every time she tired to ask him he'd turn away and leave. The day before the contest Kaoru was sitting in the livingroom with Misao and Megumi, trying to watch TV but not actually seeing what was on. Her mind was on Kenshin and why he was avoiding her like she had the plague. Misao caught Kaoru's far off look and waved a hand in front of her face, "Kaoru?"

"Huh?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just... thinking."

"About Kenshin?"

"Yeah."

"Go call him."

"He won't talk to me."

"Just try."

Kaoru nodded and went to the kitchen and dialed the number to the warehouse. It rang a few times then she heard Kenji's voice on the other line, "Hello?"

"Kenji? It's Kaoru."

"Hey girl, what's up, is anything wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong, is... is Kenshin there?"

There was a slight pause on the other end then Kenji answered softly, "No, not right now, he went to the store to get lunch, he'll be back in a little while, though."

"I'll call back later then, thanks Kenji, bye."

"Bye Kaoru."

Kaoru hung up the phone and flopped on the couch with a loud, sad sigh, "Did you talk to him?" Megumi asked

"No, he wasn't there."

"Kaoru, you go over there and wait for him to come back, you know the guys will let you stay."

"I know but... I'm just afraid he'll push me away again."

"Then make him tell you, just say that you're not going to put up with it anymore."

"Misao's right, he's been avoiding you all week and I believe it's high time he told you the truth about what's going on with him."

"You really think I should?"

"Get your butt up and go over there, I'll take you if you want, I need to run to town any ways."

"Thanks Misao, you're right, let's go."

All three girls left the apartment and piled into Misao's car and drove off towards the warehouse, Kaoru's mind racing with ideas as she stared off into nothing.

MEANWHILE

Kenji hung up the phone and glared at Kenshin who was standing on the stage tuning his guitar. Kenshin felt his glare and glanced over at him, "Thanks Kenji."

"Don't thank me, I won't lie for you again! Next time Kaoru calls I'm going to make you talk to her!"

"Let's worry about that later, we need to get back to practice, the contest is tomorrow."

Kenji groaned and shook his head, getting back behind his drums as the others finished getting ready to play. Kenshin counted off and they started the song 'How You Remind Me' by Nickelback. That song went smoothly without a hitch but as they continued with their rehearsal they kept sounding stranger and stranger. One of the guitarists was playing way off key and everyone else could tell it. During the middle of the fifth song Kenshin suddenly made a high squealing sound with his guitar and growled loudly, "Time out!"

He set his guitar down and went to the couch, putting his face in his hands. Aoshi and Sanosuke looked at Kenji and saw that he wanted to talk to Kenshin alone and Sanosuke decided to make a hasty exit, "Hey Aoshi, I think we left something on in the kitchen, you wanna come help me?"

"Sure."

They put down their guitars and left to the kitchen, giving Kenji a knowing smile as they left. Kenji got up from his drums and went to sit by Kenshin on the couch, "What's wrong Kenshin? I haven't heard you play that bad since the last time you had your hand broken."

"I know, I know! I just can't concentrate today! I keep thinking about Kaoru."

"Kenshin why don't you just call her and tell her what' s going on? The worst she can do is break up with you, or is that what you're afraid of?"

"That's part of it."

"What's the rest of it?"

"I don't know!"

"Why don't you just tell her?"

"Because I can't! I'm too much of a coward!"

"You're anything but a coward. I've seen you do things that most people couldn't do in their dreams. You're the strongest person I know, Kenshin, you were always there for me when I needed you and you've always put your life on the line for those you care for but you've never cared for yourself. You blame yourself for everything that's happened in the past. I've heard you blame yourself for Mom and Dad's death, what happened to Tomoe..."

"What happened to Tomoe was my fault, Kenji."

"Even so, you've been carrying all of this guilt that you shouldn't. You can't put the whole world on your shoulders, big brother, that's one of your weaknesses, you worry about everyone but Kenshin. Kaoru cares for you and you say that you don't want to hurt her but you are."

"I've never hurt Kaoru."

"Yes you have, not physically but you have emotionally. How do you think she feels each time you push her away or each time to run away from her when she asks you about your past? You're hurting her without meaning to and your hurting yourself as well. She'll understand if you explain what happened, just tell Kaoru."

"Just tell Kaoru what?"

They both turned around and saw that they had a visitor, Kenshin turned pale as he stared into their bright blue eyes, "Kaoru?"

Sorry it's so short but I'm trying to make it longer than Kenshin Rock! I'm already working on chapter 5 and I'll probably have it up sometime tomorrow. Thanks for all the support guys, see ya soon, let me know how I'm doing so far. Bye now.