Chapter Five

And then we almost kissed

"Hey!" Sano trudged his way next to Megumi and draped an arm around her shoulders. Megumi irritably frowned at him, "Not-in-the-mood." She irritably spat, then threw Sano's arm off and hastily walked off leaving him and Kaoru on the hall.

"What's her problem?" Sano angrily stared at his girlfriend's retreating back, not understanding what caused the fox lady's foul mood.

Kaoru shrugged her shoulders, "She got a B+ in Anatomy." She answered airily, her eyes focused forth, not bothering to glance over to the rooster head walking beside her.

"And she's taking all these frustrations on me?" Sano incredulously exclaimed, pointing his forefinger on him. "That's not fair!"

Kaoru rolled her eyes and inwardly groaned, "Fair or not fair, I don't care, Sano. I got a lot more important things to worry about other than Megumi's mood swings."

Sano then glared at her out of disbelief, "Not you too!" as he looked at her, he noticed something odd about her, "Jou-chan, are you alright?" he worriedly asked, leaning over to observe her face up-close.

Kaoru frowned; "I beg your pardon?" she quickly leaned back to avoid Sano's nose bumping against hers.

"You look—tired…" Sano commented, seeing the ghostly bags under her eyes.

She sighed, not really intending to deny something which was clearly obvious. "I'm just too caught up with my studies." She tried to pull out a reassuring smile though the look in Sano's eyes made her stop.

"I'm sorry." He suddenly felt guilty above all this. If he hadn't pushed Kaoru to bet all of her money on that blasted car of his, she wouldn't have to suffer like this.

"Don't be." Kaoru replied, patting him sympathetically on the shoulder, "As a matter of fact, I should thank you. These new experiences are getting the better of me."

Sano looked at her as if she just lost it, "Are you insane? It's my fault why you're miserable right now. How could you not hate me? Hell, Megumi and the other's are mad at me for causing you so much trouble."

Kaoru laughed, "Yes, maybe you're right. Maybe I've gone totally mad." She then continued walking again with Sano quickly on her toll.

"How many months more, Jou-chan?" he asked.

"Six." She answered.

"How are you handling it?"

Kaoru tiredly sighed, "Pretty hard, but its okay. I can manage, don't worry."

"How's your boss treating you?"

Kaoru managed to grin mischievously, "He's treating me quite well."

An idea suddenly popped into Sano's mind, "I know!" he exclaimed, hitting his palm with his other fist, "Are you free this Saturday, Jou-chan?" he asked with a surprising glint in his chocolate-brown eyes.

Kaoru arched an eyebrow as she eyed him skeptically, "I think so, why?"

"Come over Megumi's house, Saturday night, eight o'clock sharp!"

"Wha—that doesn't answer my question, baka!" but before she could even press him more into answering her question, Sano started running off towards the opposite wing. "Sano!"

"Just be there! I've got a little surprise for you, missy!" he winked at her and then he disappeared in the thick mass of students around the hall.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Kaoru turned which caused her to bump onto something or someone. Because of the strong impact, she fell back and tripped on her foot. She tightly closed her eyes, expecting to feel an amount of pain on her bum and was surprised when she felt an arm snaking around her waist. Slowly, she opened her eyes. And what she had seen before her stunned her, "K-Kenshin!" her eyes widened like saucers as she stared up on the smiling face of an Algebra professor.

"Watch your step, Kaoru-dono." He said, "Bum ache's not very pleasant." He helped her up and then retrieved his arm back from her waist.

Bashfully, Kaoru flushed and tried to pull a smile, "I-I know… thanks for the advice, professor…"

Kenshin shook his head, "Oh no, not with the pleasantries again, Kaoru-dono. I'm not your professor at all so there's no need to call me that. And besides, we're friends aren't we? It's okay to call me by my name."

We're friends aren't we? Those words made a familiar pang on her heart. She had been in loved with the man since the first time she met him again in high school. But sadly, Kenshin did not reciprocated her feelings since he fell so madly, deeply in love with Tomoe, a classmate of his, and the most popular girl in school. She hated her for being so damn beautiful and smart, two characteristics she thinks she doesn't possess. She thought she finally gotten over it but unfortunately, whenever Kenshin mentions something related to it, she couldn't stop the familiar painful spasm of her heart. Yep, she's still never gotten over it. She's still in love with him and this angers her. He loves another woman, baka! He'll never love you… he will never be yours…

"H-hai." She stuttered once again, looking down to avoid any eye contact with him.

Kenshin was definitely glad to finally get the chance to talk to her. Because of her busy schedule and his teaching activities, all he could do was say a simple "hi" to her whenever he bumps into her in the hallway. He then remembered what Megumi and Tae said to him about Kaoru's punishment. He suddenly felt the urge to ask her about it, "Listen, Kaoru-dono. Would you like to have coffee with me? It's been so long since the last time we've actually talked."

Happiness surged through Kaoru's used-to-be tired façade as she heard him ask her this question. She smiled merrily back and nodded, "I'd love to!"

"YOU DID WHAT?" Megumi shrieked after hearing the unplanned party at her house.

Sano winced, "Chill out, fox! It's just a party."

"YOU AND THAT TEENY BRAIN OF YOURS PLANNED THE PARTY AT my HOUSE! WHAT IN HEAVEN'S NAME ARE YOU THINKING?" Megumi could feel smoke continuously puffing both out of her nostrils and ears.

"Hey, I'm only doing this for Jou-chan, okay?" Sano crossed his arms and pouted, "That girl's too stressed! She needs something to relieve that tension, fox."

Megumi sucked in a breath, a vein suddenly throbbing on her temple as she tried to pacify down her intensifying irritation towards the rooster. "I know that! It's just that—having a party at my house is the least thing I needed right now."

Sano defiantly stared at her, "It's not because you flunked your anatomy means Kaoru have to suffer the consequences too."

"For you information, I-did-not-flunked-anatomy!" Megumi angrily corrected, crossing her arms and scoffing off, "I got a B!"

"Exactly!" Sano exclaimed, "You never flunked and you did well on receiving a B+ as a grade for it."

Megumi arched a brow, "And your point is?"

Sano inwardly sighed, "My point is, there's no need for you to worry 'bout disturbing anything on your studies. You're doing very well with your grades. Just as what we all expect with the most intelligent girl in the group." He wished this would tame his girlfriend's temper down.

Megumi silently nodded, finding herself quite flattered with Sano's unintended flattery.

Sano smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "You know what? You're stressed too, fox. I guess a nice ol' acquaintance party will do to rub out some of those medical terms off your huge brain."

A playful smile appeared on the med student's lips as she calmly looked up at the tall man standing next to her, "You're really good at persuading people, aren't you?"

He pulled the corners of his mouth into a cocky smile and boastfully replied, "It's a natural born talent, baby." He cringed and then laughed when she felt her nudge him on the side. He was glad to see Megumi smiling again, noticing that her scorching head finally cooled down. "So, is that a yes?"

Megumi shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I mean, if it'll help me and Kaoru relieve some stress, then I'll allow you to arrange a party at my place. But you have to ask Tae and Yumi too. I'm not the only who's paying the house's rent, y'know."

"Alright, I will." Sano replied feeling quite assured since he knew both Tae and Yumi will be delighted to have a party at their house. It's Megumi alone who needs much more convincing than the others. And thankfully, he finally got the fox lady's consent.

After attending a long three hour meeting with the other Cardiac specialist, Aoshi tiredly entered his office and sat on his chair. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he leaned back and rested his tired eyes shut.

"Did I come in a bad time?"

That voice did not practically surprise him yet it obviously made him scowl. With a dead beat sigh, he raised his head and focused his blue eyes upon the woman sitting across him. "Why are you here, Asako?"

It was the woman he met at Tomoe's dinner party two months ago. And surprisingly, up until now, this girl's still on his heels. Her frequent visits usually annoy him. He had tried to avoid her numerous times but to no avail, she's still following him around. The worst thing is, Tomoe's very fond of her and even suggested that he should go out with her. Yes, no man can deny how beautiful Asako is. And her background was beyond doubt reputable. But still there's something off about her. Maybe because she's too annoying… he thought, mentally nodding to himself.

Asako tried her best to look seductive before coming over to visit him. Her top was a black floran lace camisole with a very low-cut on the chest which indecently shows the cleavage of her breasts, she partnered it with a red mid-length stitched suede skirt and wore a pair of black buckle strap patent pumps.

Aoshi obviously noticed this. Although instead of admiring her way of dressing, he thought she's too bold to walk around wearing clothes that barely covered her body. Clothes are getting shorter day by day, he thought.

"Nothing. Somehow, I felt the urge of seeing you again." She fluttered her eyes, keeping that seductive smile on her face, crossing her arms to emphasize her cleavage. "I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me."

He nonchalantly shifted on his chair as if he never noticed Asako's attempts of seducing him. "My shift's not finished yet. I don't think I can accept the offer. Maybe next time." He started opening folders, pretending to scan the whole document.

"Oh, I see…" She disappointedly said. Same old excuses again… Asako thought angrily. "Tomorrow then?" she hopefully asked.

Aoshi continued observing the folder in his hands as he replied, "We'll see…"

Her fist clenched, controlling herself from throwing a bitch fit or something that'll relieve the pain of rejection out of her system. She bit the inside of her cheek and then stood up, "Well, g-goodbye."

Aoshi just nodded, not even glancing at her. This angered her more.

She lowered her head and started towards the door. This is not over yet!

Once she was out of the room, Aoshi dropped the folder on the table and then glanced down on his watch. 6:15… after that, he grabbed his coat and suitcase. He waited for another five minutes to assure that Asako's out of sight before he went out.

"Hello?"

"Kamiya, where are you?"

Kaoru's brows furrowed, "I'm on my way home."

"I didn't asked what you're exactly doing, Kamiya. I'm asking where-you-are?" Aoshi said impatiently on the other line.

She instinctively looked around the almost-empty lobby of the University, "At the lobby. Why?"

"Stay there."

"Wha—?" but before she could question him, he quickly hung-up. She frowned, not knowing what exactly he's up to. She tucked her cell-phone back on her pocket and waited patiently outside the University's lobby. After five minutes or so, a familiar Porsche sports car stopped in front of her, which fairly surprised her. She slowly stood up from the pavement she's sitting on and watched the doctor walk out of the car.

For some unknown reasons, Kaoru found herself gaping at him. The way he gracefully went out of the car, the way the light illuminated his handsome features and how manly he walked towards her suddenly stopped the tracks of time. It's as if he's walking up to her in complete slow motion. She remained still to where she stood, eyes wide and mouth agape. Well, not until she heard Aoshi calling her name twice.

"Kamiya!"

That last, third call brought her back to reality, hearing his baritone voice yelling at her. What's happening to me? She asked herself, feeling her cheeks flush in utter embarrassment. Since when did I thought he's handsome? Well, yeah—he is handsome… but I never thought of him as—aargh! Never mind! Maybe the car did it… that Porsche mesmerized me too much… yep—it's the car's fault! Even she was confused with her own reasoning.

Aoshi noticed her cheeks blushing furiously and how various emotions play around her face. "Are you okay?" he asked, reaching out to touch her forehead.

"I'm f-fine!" Kaoru managed to avoid his hand from touching her. The least thing she needs right now was physical contact with the man she freely gawked on.

"Okay, if you say so." Aoshi quickly withdrew his hand.

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to escort you home." He imperturbably answered.

Kaoru arched a dark brow, "Escort me home? Wow… this is new."

"Yeah, it's new and it's only a one-time opportunity, so you'd better get your butt inside that car before I change my mind." He said, pointing on the passenger seat of his car.

Kaoru scowled at him and then stepped inside the car. Aoshi inwardly smiled and then settled himself on the driver's sit.

"I can go home by myself, y'know. I've been doing it for the past two months." She said, looking at her boss who's fairly occupied with his driving.

"I just felt like doing it. It's the least thing I can do." Aoshi replied. Kaoru's dedication towards her job as his secretary/housemaid was incredible. Driving her home is the least thing he could do for her.

Kaoru stared at him, not knowing whether to be thankful or give a sarcastic reply as a come back. In stead, she leaned against the car seat and silently watched the road outside.

The ride towards home was a silent one.

When they got back on the apartment, Kaoru immediately went to change and prepared dinner. Aoshi on the other hand busied himself through paperwork. After an hour long stay inside his office, Aoshi went out and headed towards the kitchen.

He didn't bother letting her know that he was there and just stood against the doorjamb with both arms crossed. Silently, he watched her, listening intently on the song she's humming as she placed the utensils on each side of the plates. Moon River… he thought, having a vague visual of Audrey Hepburn singing the same song in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

It surprised him more when she started whirling around, placing the glasses on the table with grace as she continued humming. He felt the urge to laugh though he chose not to. This was too entertaining to spoil. But unfortunately, his stomach protested and started crying out for his attention. Kaoru's Chicken Quesadillas wafting his nostrils made matters worst.

"Erhm!"

Kaoru immediately turned to where the sound came from and saw the ever smug doctor standing near the dining's door. Her eyes went wide, her mouth agape and a hand gently gripped the cloth on her chest. "Quit doing that!" she cried, her breath erratic from jolting out in shock. He didn't saw me—did he? Her cheeks started to flush immediately, "Ho-how long have you been standing there?"

Aoshi smirked, and with a shrug of his shoulders he started towards the dinner table. He looked at her and then started humming ' Moon River' as he pulled the chair and sat with a teasing smirk still glued on his face.

As she heard this and noticed the mischievous smirk on the doctor's mouth, Kaoru's face went red like fresh ripen tomato. She closed her eyes and mentally cursed him. Then she pulled her own chair and joined him.

"I didn't know you can dance, Kamiya." Aoshi dryly teased, helping himself with the Cantaloupe Wedges.

Kaoru menacingly glared.

"You're not very fond of Audrey Hepburn, are you?" He often sees her watching Audrey Hepburn movies. And now after hearing her hum yet another Audrey Hepburn related song, this made him jump into a conclusion that his housemaid's an avid fan of the classical Hollywood actress.

Her eyes narrowed, "Can you blame me if the cable channel keeps on showing one of her movies every time I turn on the TV?"

"I guess not." He glared back, taking another bite on his Chicken Quesadillas.

They glared at each other for almost eternity until Kaoru looked away and silently ate. Aoshi did the same.

"So, how's school?"

"Horrible."

"Ah."

"…"

"…"

"How's work?"

"Horrible."

"Oh…"

After finishing their meals, Kaoru stood up and started cleaning the table. Aoshi sat back on his chair, drawing out a pack of cigarettes from his breast pocket and took one cancer stick out (A/N: No offence but this is how I view cigars based on their unhealthy effects on our body.)

Before she could reach the Kitchen, Kaoru's above normal sense of smell caught the stench of the said cancer stick. She peered behind her shoulder and caught her boss dragging the white thing between his lips. She winced as the smoke wafted around her nose and immediately she placed the dishes back on the table, pinching her nose as she strode towards the doctor.

"What are you doing?" she asked the inevitable, though Kaoru cared no less!

Aoshi looked up, both brows furrowed, "What does it look like I'm doing?"

Without much of an explanation, Kaoru took the cigar out from his mouth and crushed it on the ashtray.

Aoshi could not believe what his housemaid boldly did before him, "Woman—" he almost seethed, and yet before he could open his mouth to ask her why she crushed his cigar, Kaoru promptly beat him up to it.

"No smoking inside the house!" she barked, "How many times should I tell you?"

"You're not making any rules in my own apartment, Kamiya." Aoshi casually yet ominously replied.

Kaoru simply scoffed and crossed her arms against her chest, "You're a Cardiac surgeon for cryin' out loud! You should know better than I am." She said, "It's dangerous for you and twice more dangerous for me!"

"I didn't hire you to control my life." This time, Aoshi stood up, towering at her as he glared down.

Kaoru suddenly—albeit embarrassing—felt intimidated, Quit being a brat, Kaoru! He's your boss, not the other way around! With this realization, she relaxed her tensed shoulders and pacified down. "I'm not controlling your life, doc." Kaoru surprisingly smiled at him as she sweetly replied, "Just concerned with my employer's health." She reached out to smooth his rustled shirt, receiving a confused look from the taller man, "Now be a good boy and quit smoking. Or at least refrain yourself from taking that cancer stick in front of me, okay?" and then with a wink, she turned on her heels and started to retrieve the dishes. With a relieved sigh, she entered the kitchen door leaving a very baffled blue-eyed doctor behind.

After finishing his whole research earlier than what he's expecting, he decided to watch TV first before heading off to bed. He went straight on the living room, wishing that he'll have the TV all to himself tonight. Unfortunately, Kaoru was there first, watching yet another classic movie as usual.

Kaoru was curled up on the couch, her eyes glued on the TV as she watched Casablanca, slowly dragging a potato chip towards her mouth. Even for the umpteenth time she watched this damn old movie, she just couldn't get enough of it. It was too addicting, in a good way. She was so happy to see her favorite cable channel showing the bestest movie of all time. And here she thought she'd finish the movie till midnight all alone until…

The couch shifted as Aoshi dropped next to her. She questioningly stared at him and then asked. "What are you doing here?"

Aoshi looked at her as if he was insulted, "What? I suddenly don't have the right to sit on my couch and watch on my TV?"

Kaoru rolled her eyes, "No. I mean, shouldn't you be on bed by now?"

"I'm not tired yet." He replied, leaning casually against the couch.

She stared at him with mouth agape, "You're actually going to watch this with me?"

"No." and with this answer, he reached for the remote and turned to the sports channel. "FIFA." He said, earning a stifled gasp from the other.

"I was here first!" Kaoru said, reaching to retrieve the remote back.

Unfortunately, Aoshi's much taller and much larger than her that it was hard for her to each the remote and flip the channel back to Casablanca.

He raised his hand just as to keep the device out of Kaoru's reach. With this move, Kaoru bend forward towards him, unconsciously pressing her lower torso against his chest, reaching out with vain attempts of getting it. "Give me back the remote, dammit!" she exclaimed, getting angrier as he leaned down against the armrest, distancing the remote away from her.

"I own the TV, woman. Keep your hands off of my remote!" he threateningly stated, feeling unusual sensations passing through his veins as he felt her shift dangerously on top of him. Kaoru managed to grab a hold on his wrist which caused her to tangle up more with the other's legs. But of course, Kaoru remained oblivious above it all and the brawl continued.

Aoshi on the other hand felt really uncomfortable in the situation he was in. His eyes instinctively fell down on her chest which was perilously nearing his face. Look what you got yourself into! He mentally slapped himself, realizing how immature he was for starting such childish act.

The next thing he knew, she was pressed tightly against him. He couldn't help himself from not studying the energetic housemaid before him. She was wearing a pajama and a spaghetti strap top which was now partly covering her bra-less breast. One of her legs draped over his groin and the rest were left sprawled on top of him. Her hair was ruffled and some of it escaped the bounds of her blue tie. Her breathing was erratic from all of the attempts of retrieving the remote. Her natural scent and the smell of her shampoo wafted on his nose, as he looked up to observe her slightly parted lips.

Kaoru noticed that the man underneath her stopped his movements and hastily took this opportunity to get the remote out from his hands. She giggled happily and looked down to come up face to face with him. "Got it!" she playfully stuck out her tongue and giggled more out of victory. But something suddenly baffled the young housemaid. The doctor fell unusually silent. He should be cursing at me now… she thought and then she tried to observe her boss' dazed face. Kaoru's giggles died as soon as she locked eyes with him. He really is beautiful… she mused, once again found herself observing the contours of Aoshi's face. The urge to trail a finger on the perfectly chiseled cheekbones and the strong outline of his jaw was so overpowering; she could almost feel herself throwing the remote away only to touch his face.

The moment their eyes met, Aoshi knew he was lost. The pools of her deep blue eyes drowned him and the feel of her breathing chest ignited something warm within him. "So you have." He tried to sound normal yet those words came strangely odd like a husky whisper.

His voice sent astonishing shiver down her spine, feeling a little bit flushed as she continuously stared down at him. What's wrong with me? She asked herself.

He noticed her shoulders shiver and the desire to touch her skin against his over-sensitive ones became much stronger, much demanding than before. He was about to do so as he raised one fine hand to tuck the loose hair from her face.

However, their trance like situation was interrupted as soon as they heard the telephone rang.

Both were immediately brought back to their senses and the spell was broken. Aoshi didn't know whether to be thankful or be over dissatisfied to whoever's calling him right now. He noticed Kaoru's cheeks turned redder as he too felt himself flushing as well. "Kamiya." He softly called, drawing back the girl's attention.

"Hai?" she meekly replied.

"The phone." He barely hinted, although he would give anything to stay there underneath her for a few more minutes.

Kaoru looked down and realized she was still lying against him. She blushed harder and quickly extracted herself away from him and sat back on her heels. "Sorry!" she looked away, too embarrassed to see his face.

Aoshi sighed and stood up, heading towards the damn phone.

He took the receiver and snarled, "What?"

"Whoa! Relax, man! It's me." A man's voice answered on the other line.

Aoshi sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "What do you want?"

"Caught you on a bad time, huh?"

"What-do-you-want?" he impatiently repeated, not literally in the mood to joke around (Was he ever in the mood?).

The man on the other line laughed, "You are so easily provoked."

"Shut up."

"Fine!"

"So, what is it?"

"There's a reunion party this Saturday. Are you coming?"

Aoshi shrugged, "I don't know. Should I?"

"Hmm… being a former Alpha senior… why, yes! I think you should."

"Former senior. It's not really necessary to show up for an old timer."

"That's why it's called a reunion. Geez, did this girl took your rockers off for you to be the dumbest of the dumb?"

"For your information, there's no one who's taking my rockers off." Aoshi snorted.

"Fine…" the man on the other line sighed, "So, are you free this Saturday?"

"I don't know."

"C'mon! It's a p-a-r-t-y! Lots of booze, girls, loud music, strip poker, and then girls again—"

Aoshi immediately interrupted, "Okay, okay I get the picture."

"Are you coming, then?

"I'm not really sure. I guess I'll just go check my schedule…"

"Good! I'll tell the others. See you Saturday night!"

"Yeah, sure." And then he placed the receiver back on the hook, feeling a little tired as he decided to head upstairs.

He crossed the living room and saw Kaoru silently watching Casablanca again. He sighed, trying to disregard the embarrassing incident that happened a few minutes ago. "I'm going to bed." He announced as he watched Kaoru turn her head towards him.

Kaoru nodded, "Yeah… good night."

"'night." He replied, turning on his heels not before having one last lingering look towards her.

Kaoru watched him walk upstairs and then turned her attention back on the TV. She watched one of the all time popular scenes where both Bogart and Bergman stood on the airport, ready to say each other goodbye. She drew up her legs and hugged it as she placed her chin on top of her knees. "This is your entire fault, Bogart. Shame on you…"

TBC