To Draw A Sword

By: Misumi Kanegawa

Disclaimer: I STILL do not own Rurouni Kenshin-I don't own anything I didn't make up. x

(By the way, this is my 1st RK fic...)

Chapter 15: You want an Explanation?

"We're here!" Sano exclaimed, skipping happily into the huge living room.

"About time too…"

"Aww Kenshin- don't be the cold type person- I just went out to get my new baby!" Sano said as Kenshin raised a brow at him.

"New- baby?"

"You replaced the Kitsune?" Aoshi asked flatly as Soujiro shook his head.

"He got a navy blue sports car-" Soujiro replied as Aoshi rolled his eyes.

"You guys promised to help me study!" Kenshin scowled as Sano shrugged.

"Hey- we're here already- chill out, okay Kenshin?" Sano said as Kenshin crossed his arms in annoyance.

"You were supposed to help me study!" Kenshin retorted as Aoshi rolled his eyes.

"Who cares- just do your little study thingy so I can get out of here…" Aoshi grumbled as Kenshin shot him a death glare.

"Waitaminute- I've just noticed something- Kenshin? What's with all your bandages?" Soujiro asked as Aoshi turned his back away from him.

"Yeah- did someone good beat you up? I could use a bit of a challenge…" Sano smirked, cracking his knuckles.

Kenshin crossed his arms and sighed in disgust.

"It's a long story…"


The door slammed open and in came a young girl trying to catch her breathe.

"Y-Yahiko!" she stammered as her gaze wandered onto a sleeping figure on the hospital bed.

His body was filled with clean white bandages and a long clear tube was stuck unto his wrist. His chest was slowly going up and down as he slept peacefully under the blanket he was draped with.

"Yahiko…" Kaoru gasped as she slowly approached his bed.

She looked at him in concern for a long time- tears were starting to build up in her eyes.

"Yahiko… I'm so sorry… this should never had happened to you…" she softly said, tears flowing down her face, "If only I came sooner… If only I cam sooner…"

Slowly, she carefully took Yahiko's bandaged hand into hers. She squeezed it slightly as more tears fell down her face.

"I'm so sorry…" she mumbled, when she suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Hastily, Kaoru wiped the tears off her face as the door creaked opened.

"Um… Kaoru?" came Misao's voice.

"See- I told you he's okay- you guys just won't listen to me!" Megumi hissed at Misao.

"Well- it wasn't my fault!" Misao retorted as Megumi rolled her eyes, "You made it sound as if he was dying!"

"What! I wasn't even able to tell you guys anything because you kept on interrupting me!" Misao retorted indignantly.

Kaoru sighed heavily as she gently placed Yahiko's hand back on his bed.

Megumi and Misao watched silently as Kaoru gently caressed his hair.

"I'm guessing you want an explanation…" Kaoru mumbled when she got a chair and placed it next to Yahiko's bed.

Kaoru sighed as she sat down on the chair.

"Sorry I didn't say anything… about… well… you know…"

"It's okay… But really- I don't see why you have to keep it a secret from us…" Misao mumbled as Kaoru sighed.

"How old do you think I am?" Kaoru suddenly asked as Megumi rolled her eyes.

"Why are you asking such a stupid question to us Kamiya?" Megumi grumbled as Misao glared at her.

"Um, I think you're really just the same age as me- you know… 17?" Misao said as Kaoru smiled weakly.

"Actually… I'm not 17…"

"Then how old are you? 45!" Megumi smirked as Kaoru slowly shook her head.

Misao glared once more at Megumi as Kaoru answered, "I'm just 19…"

"Woah! No kidding! You're like- really old!" Misao gasped as Megumi snorted.

"You're nearly as old as my boyfriend…" Megumi said as Misao started giggling.

"Yeah- he's so dumb- he had to stay back a few grades-" Misao joked as Megumi hit her on the head.

"Don't speak like that about him!" Megumi retorted as Misao stuck her tongue out at her.

"Why are you still in school then Kaoru-san? You're practically an adult now!" Misao said as Kaoru smiled weakly.

"Well… you see…. I'm older than you guys…. because…."


-Flashback-

Kaoru's POV

"You're not coming to school anymore!" Yahiko gasped as his father frowned.

I looked away from them and stared at the tatami floor I was sitting on.

I just made my decision last night- since both my parents were gone now- why do I still have to study? It's really useless now if you ask me…

I sighed as I noticed my uncle walking back and forth across the room.

"Nope- no- I can't accept this- I will not let you stop your schooling." My uncle said in a serious tone, "I can't allow you to do that!"

I sighed again.

I knew he wouldn't let me…

"I don't want to go to school…" I repeated for the tenth time that day.

Yahiko scowled at me again and quickly looked away from me.

I knew he didn't like my decision.

He never does… well… most of the time….

But I don't want to be back in school…

Knowing full well what everyone will think and say about me after this whole stupid incident…

I just couldn't stand even the thought of it…

I just want to be alone for a while…

I just want to be alone…

I just want to be alone…

I just want to be alone…

"Tell me- what are you planning to do in exchange of studying at school?" My uncle asked as I shrugged.

"I dunno… work?" I mumbled absentmindedly as my uncle scowled even more.

"Work! Are you pulling my leg! Your father wouldn't like that at all!" My uncle exclaimed in rage.

"Who cares…? Not like he's gonna do something about it…" I mumbled sadly.

To my surprise, my uncle slammed his fist on to the table.

I looked at him horror-stricken.

I've never seen him this mad before.

Yahiko jumped back in surprise.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT YOUNG LADY! I DEMAND THAT YOU TAKE THOSE WORDS BACK! I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY OF THIS!"

Yahiko stared at his father in shock-

But I was the one who looked much more fearful than him.

"I-I-I- I'm sorry…" I tried to stammer; tears were swelling up in my eyes.

I stared at the tatami floor beneath me as hard as I can….

I don't want them seeing me cry again…

Why does it have to happen all over again?

I noticed that my uncle had calm down a bit because his voice wasn't as harsh as it once was before.

"I'm sorry- I shouldn't have yelled at you like that…" he sighed as he turned to Yahiko, "Boy- go get me some water…"

I sniffed my tears back not daring to look up at him yet.

"H-Hai…" Yahiko mumbled, still quite shaken by his fathers' uproar, as he ran out of the living room.

I tried to hold back the tears in my eyes.

I didn't want anyone to see me cry again…

I took my eyes off the tatami floor and just stared at my hands curled up on my lap.

"Okay- let's do a bit of a compromise shall we?" My uncle mumbled as I slowly nodded.

"Okay- how about… we just get you home schooled… So both of us can get what we want…"

I looked up at him slowly.

'Home schooled… yeah…. That would be good… I think…'

"What do you say? Then- if you want to work, you can work in my shop after you're schooling…"

I quickly wiped the tears off my eyes.

Then I stared up at him in surprise.

"You want me? To work in your shop?" I asked carefully, not knowing if I heard him right.

"Yeah… I know a cake shop doesn't get that much customers, but I can let you work their part time- you can get the same wages as my other employees…" he said.

I stared up at him, my mouth was hanging open.

"So… what do you say?" he asked as Yahiko entered the room with some water in his hands.

He's letting me study… and work… and- and…

I don't have to face my classmates anymore…

And I can get to earn my own money…

This is so unbelievable…

"I-I- I'd love that…" I replied, smiling weakly as Yahiko stared at both of us in confusion.

"Good- you'll start first thing tomorrow…."

"Huh?" Yahiko asked, scratching his head as I looked up at him and smiled.

To his surprise- he blushed red.

"I… um… err…."

I giggled as my uncle bellowed in laughter.

I guess… everything would work out just fine…

… Even without my parents…


"Okay- I'm gonna be your tutor- teacher- whatever-"

"Uh… aren't you the landlord of this building or something?" I asked as the older man stared at me.

"Why? You've got a problem with that!"

I sweat dropped as I watched the muscle bound man in front of me place a huge stack of books on the table. I hung my mouth open in horror.

Jeeze… is this what I get for not going to school like some normal kid!

"What are you staring at girl!"

"Ah! Ah! I mean- nothing!" I stammered, quickly looking away from him.

The long haired man stared at me- then at my outfit, then at the shinnai I was holding in my hand.

"Where'd you come from?"

I stared at him very bewildered. Is that supposed to be a trick question? Is he really my tutor!

"Um… from my mother?"

"That's not what I meant stupid!" he barked at me, hitting me on the head with my bokken.

I fell flat on the floor, with my eyes swirling like crazy- and I think I've got a lump on my head…

"You just came from kendo practice- didn't you?"

Jeeze… you just noticed- you muscle bound bonehead!

"Hmph…. You're too slow- you allowed me to snatch your shinnai away from you! Disgusting-"

"Hey! I was taught by my uncle to play kendo-"

"You must know- that kendo is NEVER child's play… GOT THAT!" he yelled at me as I jumped back in surprise.

'He's scary… long haired macho man….'

"Hmph…."

"Huh?" I stared at him in confusion as he threw my shinnai at me.

I quickly caught it before I got to my feet.

"So- not only do I have to teach you these stupid subjects- I have to teach you kendo too!"

"You what!"

"Don't give me that tone you stupid bakadeshi of mine…" he barked at me, making me jump back again in surprise.

"From now on- You WILL call me Master Hiko! Is that CLEAR!"

"SIR NO SIR!"

Blag!

"OW…"


Sweet Cake Shop…

"Sigh… Who would've thought working in a cake shop was so hard…" I mumbled with a sigh after I placed a newly baked Black Forest Cake on the counter next to me, "Suddenly I feel hungry… I need to eat so-"

CCCRRRAAAASSSSHHH!

"Ah!" I said in surprise, checking to see what started that loud crashing sound.

To my horror, I found my dear uncle sprawled on the ground with broken brownies scattered all around him.

"Uncle!" I screamed, rushing over to the limp body lying on the floor. The rest of the employees started rushing to his aid.

"Quick! Get an ambulance!" my co-worker screamed.

My heart was beating so fast…

What happened to him!

This shouldn't be happening!

WHY!

Why is it happening all over again!

I don't want to loose anyone anymore!

Please don't die….

Please don't die…

Please don't die!


At the Hospital, I found myself sitting next to Yahiko's silent form. He was staring hard at my uncle who was lying on a hospital bed right in front of us. I wanted to break this unnerving silence; it was bringing back so many memories… memories I tried so hard to forget. I sighed, as I turned my head to Yahiko who still wasn't uttering a word.

"…"

"Yahiko…"

"…"

"I-I- I'm so sorry…"

"…"

"Th-The doctor said… he- he got a heart attack… and… and…"

"…"

"I'm really so sorry…" I said, sobbing uncontrollably, "Th-This is all my fault…"

"Baka…"

"Huh?" I looked up at him in surprise.

His eyes were glassy- he was holding back his tears.

"Why'd you have a heart attack now!" Yahiko screamed angrily at his sleeping father, "You-You promised me! You promised me you're going to see me in my first kendo tournament! You promised!"

"Y-Ya-"

"You-You can't back out on me now!" Yahiko exclaimed to his unconscious father.

I wiped my own tears and looked at Yahiko with sympathy.

He's trying so hard to be strong… he wants to be strong…

I wish I can be just like him…

But…

Sometimes….

I wish I can't…

I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms around him.

He looked up at me in surprise.

"You don't have to act strong in front of me…" I said to him soothingly, "I already know you are…"

All at once, Yahiko buried his face on my chest and began to cry loudly on me.

I smiled weakly as I tried to comfort him.

If anyone saw us in a position like this- they'd think something stupid- but I don't really care…

Yahiko was there when I needed him before…

So now that he needs me… I can't just leave him...

All of a sudden, there was a loud beeping noise from the machine next to us.

The two of us stared at it fearfully.

"DAD!" Yahiko exclaimed, rushing over to his father's side.

I quickly rushed over to the door and opened it hastily.

I shouted for help! I don't care who hears me!

I don't want to lose anyone anymore!


"Dad!" Yahiko cried again, tears were flowing rapidly down his face, "Don't go! Don't go!"

A couple of doctors came after I screamed my lungs out for help.

I just stood there next to Yahiko, looking at my uncle in fear…

My uncle… The one who gave me a brand new life… the person who gave me another chance to start over…

My uncle…

Yahiko's father…

My second father…

"I-I can't let you die! No way!" Yahiko cried angrily, curling his fists.

I was at a loss for words as Yahiko continued to cry out to him, "Don't die on me yet!"

I stared at my deathly pale uncle who was breathing hard through the oxygen mask he was wearing.

I tried to shut my eyes and look away….

I don't want to see him die…

"Ya-hi-ko…"

I bolted my eyes open and looked at my uncle in surprise.

"D-Dad…"

He tried to reach out his hand to touch Yahiko's tear-filled face.

"I-I'm s-s-sor-ry…"

"Uncle…"

"Dad…"

All of a sudden, my uncle's hand went limp.

It lay there quietly on the bed as the machine next to us beeped a long monotonous tone. The doctors were frantically scrambling around the room with their medical equiptment.

Tears came hurrying down my face- even if I tried to hold them back.

Yahiko stared at his father silently before taking his hand into his.

"I- I love you Dad…" he whispered, squeezing his father's hand slightly.

Unconsciously, I reached out my hand and placed in gently on both his and my uncles' hand.

The doctors turned off the machine next to us…

Soon, silence filled the air…


"Y-You're coming back to school?" Yahiko asked in surprise after spitting out his cereals all over my face.

What a great way to start my first day of school….

"Yeah…" I mumbled, wiping my face with a clean napkin, "Oh- and I'm moving out today…"

"WHAT!"

"You heard me… I'm moving out today… after school…"

"But-But WHY!"

"Tell me- what would our classmates think if we, two highschoolers who are in the same level, both stay in the apartment!"

"Uh… Well…" Yahiko said, a sweat drop appeared on his forehead.

"There- you see!"

"But where are you gonna stay?"

"I still stay in the same building as you- just on the eight floor though…" I said, smiling weakly, "My muscle bound master 'This seems quite unbelievable though…' told me I can rent an apartment here- I think he just felt sorry for his no.1 student 'Master Hiko: Bakadeshi…' uh… well…. Yeah…."

"But waitaminute! What do you mean you're in the same year as me! You're two years older than me!" Yahiko exclaimed as I shrugged.

"If I'm leaving you here… I won't be taking care of you anymore… right?" I said softly, "So I'm going back to the same year as you… So I can take care of you there!"

"I'm not a little kid anymore you know…" Yahiko said, a vein popping out of his forehead.

"Ahahahahaha…. Well… you still are to me!" I giggled as Yahiko just crossed his arms.

"Well- then- let's just keep this a secret- that we're related okay! I don't want you to ruin my rep…" Yahiko said, rolling his eyes as a vein popped on my forehead.

"Well- fine- but then I get to beat you up to a pulp during our Thursday practices- okay!" I snapped as Yahiko glared at me.

"No way! No fair!" Yahiko screamed as he chased me around the dining room, waving his spoon at me.

-End of Flashback-


Normal POV

"So… that's the whole story…" Kaoru mumbled, looking away from them, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys sooner…"

"Yeah- all this is so complicated- AAAHHH! IT'S STARTING TO CONFUSE ME!" Misao cried as Megumi hit her on the head.

"Oh c'mon- get a grip you baka girl…" Megumi mumbled as steam gushed out of Misao's ear.

"Why you-"

"Guys… please…" Kaoru mumbled, staring up at Yahiko, "You might wake him up…"

"Oh- yeah- sorry I'll get you later Kitsune'" Misao mumbled, checking her watch, "Oh my gosh! It's one o'clock in the morning already!"

"Oh… I guess you're right…" Kaoru mumbled, staring at her watch.

"You guys better go now- you've got school tomorrow…" Megumi said as Kaoru raised a brow at her.

"But- I can't leave Yahiko here…" Kaoru said as Megumi shook her head.

"I know you can't- but you must…" Megumi said seriously, "If you don't- you're gonna let everyone down-"

"Huh?"

"Never mind…" Megumi mumbled, turning her back on her.

Misao looked at both of them in confusion.

"I'll take care of him for you… now go and get some sleep- looks like you really could use some…" Megumi mumbled as Kaoru sighed and nodded reluctantly.

"Okay… thanks a lot…" Kaoru said as she slowly made her way to the door of the room, "I'll come back as soon as I can, okay?"

Megumi snorted as she waved her away.

"Let's go Misao…" Kaoru mumbled as both of them headed out of the door.

To be continued...


(A/N: Ohayo Minna-san! Hey! Anyway- sorry for the very long wait... I got confused in making this chapter…. ahahahaha- Anyway, as usual- I NEED REVIEWS! AND A BIT OF ADVICE ON THE NEXT CHAPTER! I GLADLY ACCEPT FLAMES ON THIS CHAPTER TOO! Hehehe...

anyway, R&R please!)

I'm answering more of your reviews! Thanks to all those who reviewed me on the last chapter!

kenshinlover2002- Here's the update- hope you like it!

Angela Himura- chocolate got me hyper the other day- I drank 3 glasses of chocolate milk! Wahahahaha! Eherm… anyway… here's the new chapter- it's a bit confusing for me though since it was so long… but, anyway- hope you like it!

Mademoiselle Anime- yeah- me hope so too! Here's the update!

allin656- everyone likes a good kk fic, don't they? Hehehe. Don't blame you though… hahaha…. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter to find out!

samuraiduck27- hehehe…. I love surprises, don't you? I like my readers to be guessing all the time… hehehe…. Can't help it…. Here's the update!

Sky Fairy 77- okay… people keep telling me I have to do something with Kenshin and Kaoru! Sorry! I can't help it! I want this story to be slow and steady… okay- where did I get that line? Anyway- sorry I didn't make Yahiko wakeup yet- so don't kill me! I'll just try my best and see what else should happen- anyway- hope you like this chapter!

Kodora Fairy- glad you like the plot! Hope you liker this chapter!

Bradybunch4529- everyone seems so surprised with Kaoru and Yahiko's connection to each other… I can't understand why…. I thought everyone knew why…. Hehehe…. Oh well…. No offence to anyone, okay?

Heather- Finish the story! Right now! But I've got lots of homework! Let's just go slow and steady for a while…. Hope you'll be happy with just this chapter first… hehehe….

erica6060- hehehe…. Can't break a bond like that! Hope you like this chapter!

TimeWarper- ok… dami talaga nagulat na magpinsan si Kaoru at Yahiko ah! Anyway- email? Sana ok lng chapter na to…. Nahirapan ako dito eh…. Ang haba pa nito…. Hehehehe

rain angst- phew…. Glad you liked this chapter…. I hope this chapter doesn't suck too! Surprisingly…. This chapter's long…. Hehehehe

AmayaSaria- well! Glad you liked it! Hope you like this new chappy of mine! Hahaha…. Tell me if it makes sense or not, okay?

legolasEstelstar- yeah I know it's supposed to be a kk fanfic…. But what's there to a story without a little conflict, neh? Hahaha… but don't worry- like what my fanfic says- it's a KK fic! So expect it to be that way! Ahahaha!

Hikari-Kawaii- oh… don't worry…. The kk stuff is coming closer! Just be prepared for their next encounter! Hahahaha!