WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! I FEEL SO LOVED. YOU WANTED ANOTHER CHAPTER, SO HERE IT IS! ANYWAY, I'M SORRY IF IT SEEMS WEIRD THAT KENSHIN WOULD GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, BUT HE WANTS TO TRY TO REJOIN SOCIETY. SO HERE WE GO. REVIEWER RESPONSES FIRST.

Hosi-ni-onegai: Thanks so much! Here's the new chapter!

Anonymous: Well, I hope you like the new chapter!

Misanagi: Thanks very much. Sorry I update slow, but I'm working on a lot of other stories.

Angels Exist: Thanks!

Kawaii_tenshi77: I'm so glad you love the story. I hope you love this chapter too.

Laie Himura de Fanel: He he he. You had me cracking up. Sorry the chapters aren't that long.

Me me me and only me (I know that's not ur real name): Thanks a bunch!

M@ry: Yes, definitely K/K romance coming up. I promise! Thanks for reviewing. I hope you like the new chapter.

Jason M. Lee: Don't worry. Aoshi can still kick major butt. (He does some in this chapter). Also, thanks for the tip about Battousai v. the Battousai. I think it sounds a lot better this way! I hope you like the new chapter!

Sakura Alex: Yes, poor Kenshin. Hmmmm Next time I talk about him getting ready for school I'll have him put his hair in a high ponytail. I agree. He does look very, very, very, very, very hot like that. Anyway, I'm glad you like my fic. I feel loved! Yeah, about Hiko, I think I'll definitely include him, but not for a few more chapters probably.

Ewunia: Thanks! Action is coming, I promise. I'm working on it.

Kyaa-Kyaff: I feel so loved! Thanks for not caring about my little changes from the real story. Anyway, Kenshin is smart And gorgeous And strong Mmmmm Anyway, I hope you like the new chapter!

Crystal: I'm sooooo glad you like my story! Because I absolutely love your writing. "The difference Between Rain and Tears" is awesome! Keep it up, and I hope you like my new chapter

*Disclaimer* Yeah, right.

CHAPTER 2

Kenshin had finished his A.P. European History Test early. Even though it was only his second day and he hadn't been there for the whole unit, he insisted that he was ready to take the test. That had not been a mistake, because Kenshin knew his history even better than he knew his physics. It had been a part of his job to keep himself very informed of the world, past and present.

Most of the other students were still taking he test, but he was sitting there, zoning out. As usual, this was a bad thing. It sent his mind back

His body moved with ease among then men. Their swords could not touch him. He felt his sword sink through their flesh. Their blood was everywhere. It's smell filled his nostrils like poison. Blood Blood

Then there were tears And then Tomoe Her sad eyes looked up at him. He wanted so much to erase that sadness that he had caused But then she was there before him, where she shouldn't have been And he couldn't see. He didn't know. It was already too late His sword had sliced through her. She was dead, red blood soaking everything. The light in her eyes was fading

Someone was saying his name. Kenshin. Kenshin? Kenshin!"

"Kenshin!" He snapped up as he heard Kaoru's voice say his name a fourth time. "Oh, Miss Kaoru, I was zoning out. I am sorry."

The whole class was staring at him.

"Kenshin, were you sleeping?" asked Megumi.

"No. Sorry, that I am."

Everyone looked at him skeptically.

"Kenshin," the teacher said. "Do you need to get a drink or something?"

"Yeah," Kenshin stood up. He could feel everyone's eyes watching him as he walked outside the classroom.

After getting a drink, Kenshin sank to the floor, right there in the middle of the hall. This was a stupid idea, he thought to himself. What had he been thinking? There was no way that he could rejoin society. No way at all. Even if he could, he didn't deserve it. Not after what he had done.

"Kenshin?"

Kenshin looked up to see Kaoru leaning over him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm okay. I just, uh, I'm really tired, that I am."

Kaoru sat down beside him. "It's okay Um, Kenshin?"

"Yeah?"

"Were you having a nightmare?"

Kenshin looked at her sharply. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, um," Kaoru said nervously. "The other student's couldn't see your face really, but I was stting right next to you. Your face You looked so scared"

"I was just remembering something horrible, that I was."

"Oh, Kenshin. I'm so sorry. What was it? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Um, not really."

Kaoru looked hurt.

Kenshin felt his heart twist painfully. "It was the death of someone I loved."

Kaoru's eyes widened. "The someone Battousai killed?"

Kenshn's throat constricted. "Yes, Miss Kaoru," he said.

"I'm so sorry," Kaoru said. "It must be painful for you. I've never lost anyone like that, but I hate Battousai for causing two of my friends so much pain."

Kenshin said nothing. After all, what could he say? It was ironic, really. She hated him, and part of the reason she hated him was because he had hurt himself. Kenshin stood up. "Let's go back to class."

"Come on, it'll be fun," Sano said.

"But, I-" Kenshin protested.

"No use complaining," Sano said as he dragged Kenshin down the hall toward the kendo room.

The kendo club met Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school.

"In any event, you can't fight today. Today, someone named Gohei has challenged Aoshi. Aoshi's club president, and I'm vice-president. Today's their match. I don't really know Gohei, but he's an idiot if he thinks he can beat Aoshi."

They walked into the room and looked around. A lot of people were already there. There were two people already in sparring gear: Aoshi, and big boy Kenshin assumed was Gohei. Kaoru, Megumi (she comes to watch and hang out), Misao, and about fifteen other people were standing around chatting. One of them was a little boy who looked way too young to be in high school. (Can anyone guess who he is?)

"Well, is everyone ready to begin?" Aoshi asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Good." Aoshi looked around, quickly checking to see who was present. "As you know, today I, club president, shall face a challenger, Gohei. Everyone please take your seats and Gohei and I shall take the floor."

Kenshin sat down between Sano and Kaoru.

"This ought to be good," said Sano.

Kenshin felt a wave of relief pass over him. He hadn't even been noticed.

"One more thing I forgot," Aoshi said. "We have a new member today, by the name of Kenshin Himura. Stand up, Kenshin."

Kenshin rose to his feet. "Hello, everyone." Kenshin was relieved that his voice was smooth and steady.

"Very good," said Aoshi. "If there is time at the end, you can show us where you are as far as skill goes. Now we shall let the duel begin."

Gohei, who had been quiet until now, smirked. "It's about time. I want to beat you and get this over with," he said.

"No one can beat Lord Aoshi!" cried Misao with excitement.

Aoshi looked slightly embarassed by this comment, but he turned his attention to the duel.

Kenshin, meanwhile, felt ill. He didn't know what he was going to do if he had to fight. After all, he couldn't let anyone know about his skills.

When the duel began, Kenshin automatically felt himself focusing on it, discerning moves and strategies. Aoshi was quite good, and Gohei wasn't bad, but Kenshin could tell immediately that Aoshi would be the victor. It didn't take long for Aoshi to prove his superiority.

"Thank you for an excellent duel, Gohei," said Aoshi politely.

"Yeah," Gohei said. "I'll be back to challenge you again." With that, Gohei left the room.

"Hey!" Sanosuke cried as he jumped to his feet. "Now I can fight Kenshin!"

"That is fine with me," said Aoshi. "How much experience have you had, Kenshin?"

"A little."

"Well then, let's go!" cried Sano.

"Um, don't you think it's a little unfair for Kenshin to go against you, Sano?" Kaoru asked worriedly.

"Oh no, it'll be fine. I won't hurt him. That okay with you, Keshin?"

Kenshin knew there was no way to get out of this, so he stood up and nodded.

Stepping out onto the floor, Aoshi handed him as set of sparring gear. He put it on over his clothes quickly.

Then Aoshi handed him a metal sword. (Okay, I know they wouldn't have real metal swords in school, but it's not like a really dangerous one. Anyway, just bear with me, okay)

The sword rested gently in his hand. It's smooth metal caressed his skin, and it brought him back. He could hear their screaming voices. This was bad, very bad. He should not be holding a sword. He shouldn't be. He hadn't held one since that night a month ago. And yet, the thing that scared him the most was that it felt right to have this sword in his hand. It fit into the curve of his palm so perfectly.

What was he going to do? He couldn't show them his skills, and he couldn't just pretend he had no skills. He didn't know how to pretend to lose.

"Are you ready, Kenshin?" asked Sano.

Kenshin nodded.

"Then let the duel begin," said Aoshi.

SORRY, THAT WAS PRETTY EVIL. ANYWAY, PLEASE REVIEW IF YOU WANT MORE!