Okay, next chapter coming right up! Forgot to put the disclaimer on the last chapter, this one will have to do for both.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters except Keitaro and Amaya Kamiya. Sad, isn't it?
Kaoru sighed heavily as she scanned the books on the shelf. She growled as she came to the end of the "romance" section. Not one book seemed to interest her. A hand on her shoulder startled her.
"Hopeless romantic?"
She pivoted around on her heel only to come face to face with Enishi.
"Sorry, did I frighten you? I guess I should have made my presence known." He said, smiling sheepishly.
"No, no, it's fine. I don't mind." She replied easily. "I was just looking for a book to read. What are you doing here?" She looked up into his gray eyes curiously.
"Just came to check out the school library. It's very impressive." He answered with a wink.
"Yes, it is pretty nice. And they have a nice selection. But I've read most of these, and the ones I haven't don't interest me." Kaoru said, glancing once again towards the loathsome books.
"What is it about them that disinterests you?"
"Well, I always read the summary before I read the book. You can tell a lot about a book by reading the back. And none of these seem to spark my interest." She explained.
"Well, now would be where the old saying comes in. What was it? 'You can't judge a book by it's cover'. Ahh yes. I have read many books that seem rather dull and boring upon reading the summary, but I choose to explore them further. I find that some of the ones with the most boring summaries, are the best there are. Take for example, this one." Enishi pulled a book from a shelf entitled, "Uncle Tom's Cabin".
"Many people take this book to be boring and stereotypical. However, if you read into it, there are many instances where the author seeks to convict the reader of the evils of slavery. There are many wise sayings and points in this book. She uses the stereotyping to show how Americans of that time stereotyped the slaves. Oh… I'm sorry." Enishi put the book back, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't realize… I enjoy reading and analyzing books very much, and sometimes I get carried away…"
The way Kaoru smiled up at his was enough to make his heart skip a few beats. Her eyes shone with admiration, and her smile warmed his heart.
"That is very interesting, Mr. Yukishiro. You have certainly taught me a lesson about books - and people." She removed the book from its place on the shelf, and walked off, giving Enishi an interested look over her shoulder.
Enishi grinned.
"What are you cheesing about?" asked a voice behind him.
"Nothing, my dear sister. Nothing. How was school today?" He asked, turning his attention to the small raven-haired girl.
"It was very interesting! I enjoyed all of the lectures. The teachers here all know exactly what they're talking about. And Kenshin is showing me the town tonight!" Tomoe said, smiling sweetly.
"Who?"
"Kenshin. He's the read-head in our class. He's very nice, you know." She said, matter-of-factly.
"You'll have to introduce me when he comes to pick you up, he sounds intriguing." came the reply.
Tomoe's eyes widened for a moment, and then she resumed her cheery smile.
"I will."
"Kaoru!" called a shrill voice.
Kaoru winced. She was seriously thinking about starting up a hearing-aid fund and asking people for donations…
"Kaoru did I just see you talking with that CREEP!?" Misao grabbed Kaoru's book bag, bringing her to a halt.
"I don't know, did you?"
"Kaoru! What have I told you about that guy!?"
"Misao, calm down. He's not as bad as you think. He's actually got a very interesting perspective on things… Books especially. Do you know what he told me? 'You can't judge a book by its cover.'"
"Yeah? So what, I've heard that a million times!"
"Then why are you judging him? That saying isn't just for books, you know!"
Misao sighed, scrunching her nose in defeat. "I guess you're right, sorry Kaoru."
Kaoru smiled and put an arm around Misao's small shoulders. "It's okay. Let's go get some ice cream!"
Misao's ears perked up. "Did I hear you say ice cream?! WHOOO HOOO!" And they were off, an over excited Misao dragging an under excited Kaoru down the street.
The mood, however, soon came to a screeching halt when a certain red-headed boy knocked into Kaoru, sending her sprawling to the ground.
"Watch where you're going you idiot!" snapped an angry Kaoru.
"What was that? Did I hear something? Guess not…" Kenshin grinned as he continued on his way down the street.
He smiled and chuckled. He discontinued his chuckle when a shoe found it's way to his head.
"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TRYING TO DO!?" He ranted, raising the shoe as if to throw it back at her. Realization dawned upon him, and he instead redirected his arm and hurled the shoe onto the nearest rooftop.
"HEY!! That was my shoe you unfeeling monster!" Kaoru stormed as she tried to lunge at him, Misao the only thing holding her back (and with great difficulty we might add).
Kenshin just smirked and walked away, disappearing into the crowds of the street.
"Great, now how do we get my shoe?"
"You shouldn't have thrown it in the first place…" This sentence was accompanied by a sweatdrop.
"Darn him…"
Kenshin shook his head. Kaoru was always so predictable. He smiled as he thought of how much she hated his guts, and how much he hated hers. He grew more serious as his train of thought stopped at the "Why do you hate her so much anyway?" station. He pondered this for a few moments. Because she was so stupid, ugly, annoying, and ditzy, of course! She had always been, ever since the first grade! He smiled to himself and kept walking.
"Kenshin!" called a voice.
Kenshin turned to see Tomoe running to catch up with him.
She was panting as she came to a stop in front of him. "Hi! I saw your red hair in the crowd way in front of me, so I thought I'd say hi."
"Hi." Kenshin managed, blushing as their eyes met.
"You might as well show me the town now, since I'm here. I mean, that is if you're not too busy."
"Sure, I'd love to." He said, smiling and offering his arm.
Tomoe took it and together they began walking down the street, Kenshin pointing out various things along the way.
"So why did you move here?" Kenshin asked after a while.
Tomoe's face seemed to fall and she looked at the ground as they walked, her bangs hiding her eyes.
"For a change of scenery." She said quietly.
Her reaction told Kenshin he shouldn't pry any farther on the subject, so he continued to point out places of potential interest.
"There's the theater. We should go watch a movie sometime…" He said, glancing at her expression.
He was relieved to find that her expression was pleased. "We should."
A few moments of silence followed.
"You know, I'm kind of in the mood for something sweet." Tomoe said timidly.
"Then you're with the right person." teased Kenshin, causing the shy girl beside him to blush. "Just kidding…" he quickly tried to correct his flirtatious attempt. "But I know a great ice cream place not too far from here."
"Can we go?"
"Of course."
"Mmm Mmmm! This ice cream is sooo good Kaoru! I'm glad you suggested it." said Misao as she stuffed more cold, ice cream goodness into her mouth.
"Me too." Kaoru said, stirring her untouched milk shake.
"Is something wrong, Kaoru? You seem distracted."
Kaoru shrugged as Misao looked out the window.
"It's your father, isn't it?"
"…" Kaoru sighed. "He's not doing too well. This morning when I got up, he was coughing something terrible, and…"
Misao laid a hand on her friend's shoulder from across the table.
"…He was coughing up blood." finished a miserable Kaoru.
Misao gasped. "I'm so sorry Kaoru! I wish there was something I could do for him…"
"It's okay Misao. He believes his time is short."
"What will you do if he..." Misao looked at her poor friend.
"I guess I have an uncle that I'll go to live with." Kaoru said in a tone of finality.
Misao nodded.
"Thank you so much for showing me around Kenshin, it was fun." Said a quiet, melodious voice as two people entered the ice cream shop.
Kaoru looked up into the disgusted face of Kenshin.
"Oh great, you're here…" He said, his nose turned up in distaste.
Kaoru smiled but her eyes held an unspoken sorrow that Kenshin had not seen before.
"I was just leaving anyway." She said as she and Misao got up, refusing to meet his questioning gaze.
They exited the parlor, Kenshin staring after them in wonder.
"Why do you hate her so much Kenshin?" Tomoe asked.
Kenshin fell silent.
"I… I just do." He said, his eyes following the two girls as they rounded the corner and slipped out of sight.
Tomoe shifted uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry Tomoe, it's just… I dunno. I really can't pinpoint why I hate her to a good reason. It's just always been that way." Kenshin heaved a sigh.
Tomoe smiled. "It's ok. Some people that seem like they hate each other turn out to actually love each other. Life is quite amusing in that way."
Kenshin looked down at her with a red face and a sweat drop. "There's no way I'd ever love her! She's just not for me."
Tomoe smiled knowingly to herself. "Okay Kenshin."
"Anyway, let's just go get that ice cream."
"Papa, I'm home!"
"Kaoru!"
Kaoru walked into the small back room that served as father's bedroom.
"How are you feeling this afternoon?" She asked as she handed him the hot tea she had prepared.
"Good, my Kao-chan. Good." He sipped the tea. "You know Kaoru, before I die, will you do me one last favor?"
"Yes Papa, anything!"
"Bring me some sake!"
A thud could be heard as Kaoru landed on the floor.
"What for!? You shouldn't be drinking, father!" She said as she picked herself up and dusted off.
"I know, but my health is deteriorating anyway, I'd just like to taste sake once again." He said as Kaoru brushed back his graying hairs.
"Is there something special about sake, Papa?"
"Yes. The only times I ever drank it were with your mother. Our first date, our wedding, to celebrate your birth… And now I would like to celebrate my journey to meet with your mother again." He said, tears slipping from his ocean blue eyes.
"Papa… That's so sweet. Mama would surely like that. I'll bring you some, don't you worry."
"Thank you Kao-chan."
BBRRRING, BRRRING…
"I'll get it." Kaoru ran to the phone, nearly tripping over a pile of shinai laying on the floor. "Hello?" She answered cheerfully.
"I need to speak with Keitaro Kamiya."
Kaoru waited for more, but none came. "Ok… Here he is…" She handed the phone to her father, then picked up the pile of shinai and proceeded to take it to the training room. When she returned, it seemed as if her father and the person on the other end of the line were in a heated discussion. She heard her father sigh in what sounded like defeat.
"Okay… Come tomorrow at five…. Yes…. No…. Ok… Bye." He hung up the phone.
"Is something wrong, Papa?" Kaoru asked, searching his face for a clue.
"Your uncle is coming to pick you up at five tomorrow, after school. You should get your things ready."
"But you're still here! Why do I need to go!!?" Kaoru protested.
"He is worried that in my declining health, I cannot provide for you and take care of you."
"Than why doesn't he take YOU in!?" Kaoru said, slamming her fist down on the table.
"Kaoru!"
"…I'm sorry Papa, I just don't want to leave you here like this." Kaoru said, trying to push back the tears.
"It will be okay, Kao-chan. Your Uncle will send some one to care for me at home." Kaoru relaxed at this revelation. At least he would be cared for.
"Now go and pack your things, my little Kao-chan."
Kaoru nodded and headed for her room. She sighed as she closed the door behind her and pulled out a large, rolling suit case from under the bed and began neatly putting clothes in it.
'Why is this happening? I wish my life was normal!' she thought silently.
Okay, so that's it for this chapter. I'm doing the next chapter in Word pad because in Word my little separators will not show up. I know you guys are probably mad at me, but give me some feedback, please? Ideas on how to continue would be nice. I've got the main gist of what I'm wanting to do with the story, but I need little things to happen in between, ya know? Anywho, thanks for tuning in, and I shall start the next chapter!
Seien