Mori'quessir: Sorry I don't know much about the C2 thing, so I can't help you there. I'm glad that both you and your dog are enjoying the story. I have two dogs and the bigger one gets really irritated by the typing sound of the keyboard. He is so strange.
RurouniKenshinFreak8o8: Thanks for reviewing. Here's the next chapter!
Fearna: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you think it's interesting. I have heard of Cardcaptor Sakura and I used to see it occasionally on tv, but I've never read it. My mom didn't like me watching anime, she still doesn't, but it did interest me. If I get the chance, I'll check it out.
Whee: Umm, I'm not sure? I don't want to really give anything away. I'm still trying to figure out if I want that aspect of the past to play a major role in the rest of the future. All I can say is to keep reading and find out.
Nyako: Thanks. Hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer : I don't own Rurouni Kenshin (sadly)
Warnings : Language, used by me, if you didn't notice it above and some more below. Manipulative teachers out to get our favorite couple. A bit about Kaoru's lunch making skills.
Enemies Till The End
Chapter 6
A few days later Kaoru could be found in her English class listening intently to her teacher as he explained a new assignment. The project was going to be easy and hopefully she could find some creative way to make it fun as well. The teacher had said something vague about partners but Kaoru was hoping to work alone. She worked much more efficiently and quickly by herself and there wasn't anyone in particular that she wanted to work with in the class. She snapped her attention back to the teacher as he began handing out rubrics.
"The project will be due two weeks from now, but I will be checking your progress daily. This way no one can wait until the last minute to do it and I will be able to help you out and offer suggestions." The teacher said. "Now, I know that you guys will be disappointed but I'm going to be picking partners or you. I did put you with people I know you'll work compatibly with, so you don't need to worry."
At that statement the class protested loudly, but they were ignored by the teacher who walked back to the front of the classroom. 'Whatever.' Kaoru thought. 'I'll probably end up with someone who doesn't want to do the work anyway.' She turned her wandering thoughts back to the teacher to listen for her name.
"Okay, and Kenshin, I want you to work with…Kaoru. She'll help you get a good grade on this project and that'll raise your overall average. I know that she's already helped you with other assignments for this class, so you two should have no problem working together."
Oh no. No. People weren't supposed to know that she helped him or that he helped her. It was like a silent agreement between the two of them that that kind of information wasn't supposed to be common knowledge. It wasn't even thought that they were remotely friendly towards each other. They only appeared to antagonize the other in front of everyone else. Well, maybe she was overreacting just a little. If they didn't act any different people would forget that the subject had even been bought up.
Kaoru could see people casting disbelieving looks at each other and questioning glances in her and Kenshin's directions. She glanced at him and all he did was shrug his shoulders. Okay, if he could act so casually, so could she.
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"Misao, I think I'm going crazy." Megumi stated as she sat down at the lunch table across from the other girl. Misao looked up, amused at her friends uncharacteristic statement.
"Really? Why doesn't that surprise me?" Misao joked. Megumi glared at her before continuing on with her dramatics.
"I just agree-" She was cut off.
"Hey guys!" Kaoru said as she plunked herself down on the bench next to Megumi. She dropped a paper bag down on the table. Both Misao and Megumi moved away from it as though there were some kind of bomb hidden within the nondescript bag. Kaoru made her own lunch everyday. "What?" Kaoru asked, confused. "What's up?"
"Megumi's going crazy." Misao said, gaining Kaoru's attention.
"Really? I would have thought that that would be you." Kaoru answered, not missing a beat. Misao made a sour face but Kaoru just laughed. "Okay, so why is she going crazy?"
"I don't know. You interrupted just when I was going to find out." Misao turned back to Megumi, looking at her expectantly.
"Ahem. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. I just agreed to-"
"HEY! Kamiya!" Came a voice, once again interrupting Megumi's second attempt at dialogue. Kaoru turned to the source of the voice.
"WHAT?" She said in an annoyed tone. "Why do have to bother me in one of the few periods that I'm actually free of you?"
"You know that deep down you truly like me." Kenshin said arrogantly.
"What do you want? This isn't exactly helping to curb the rumors that are going around." She said.
"I wanted to ask when you wanted to get this project done. We have to decide what we want to do it on by tomorrow." He said.
"Meet me in the library after school. We can look through some of the books that the teacher told us he had set aside and then decide." Kaoru answered, turning her back on him.
"Sure. Try not to be late." Kenshin left.
"You guys have to work on something? Together? You guys have to work on a project together? How are you going to survive?" Misao said disbelievingly. She and Megumi started laughing. "How did you end up stuck with him and what was that about rumors?"
"It wasn't by choice, let me assure you. The teacher decided that he wanted to assign us partners and he said that I would help Himura boost his grade in the class. He then went on to say that he knew I had helped Himura out before so we shouldn't have any trouble working together." Kaoru finished.
"Wow. That's too bad." Misao said. "But, it is the truth." More laughter from her two friends ensued.
"Yeah, yeah." Kaoru grumbled. "Anyway, we were listening to Megumi." She changed the subject. "What was it that you wanted to tell us?"
"Umm, well, just that I actually agreed to…" She paused. "I agreed to go out with the rooster head." She wasn't looking at her two friends. They would almost say that she looked embarrassed, but Megumi was never embarrassed about anything.
Both Misao and Kaoru stared at Megumi in shock, until, "Well, finally." Misao said.
"Yeah, I know. I never thought that I would see the day." Kaoru added.
"Definitely. It's about time."
"Those two have been flirting, in an odd kind of way, ever since they met." They both looked back at their friend. She seemed to be having trouble figuring out what her reaction to their reaction should be. Her myriad of different expressions only served to amuse her friends further.
"I have not been flirting with him since I first met him!" She finally burst out. He protest did no good.
"Whatever you want to think Megumi. So, when and where are you going?" Kaoru asked.
"This Friday. I don't know where." Megumi answered sulkily, crossing her arms and attempting to look thoroughly annoyed.
"This is going to be very interesting."
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"Himura." Kaoru greeted as soon as she saw the red head walk through the library doors. She had just looked up from glancing at her watch for the fifth time when she saw him. "Maybe you need to get a watch. I was on time and you were late."
"That's not how it works. I'm always on time. You just came early." Kenshin told her calmly, apparently not noting the anger in her tone or the cherry color her face seemed to be turning.
"Listen here. While we're working together you come on time. If that means be there at a specific time, then you be there, otherwise you just accept a failing grade from the teacher. Alright, Himura?" She growled at him. Then swinging away she stalked over to one of the tables scattered around the room and dropped her bag onto one of the plastic chairs. Kenshin just watched her for a moment before walking over himself.
"Whatever you say Kamiya." Was his only comment.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She asked, still worked up.
"I know I've said this before, but you're just not as heartless as you like to appear around me. You wouldn't let me fail even if I didn't do anything at all. Deep down you've got a soft spot for me and you know it. So, let's get to work, okay?" He walked off into the tangle of shelves around them, leaving Kaoru with her mouth hanging open. When she noticed what she was doing, she quickly followed.
"You are going to work. I'll make sure of that." She told him. "Anyway, didn't you hear what I said before in the cafeteria? The teacher set books aside on some good topics for us to look through. They're over by the front desk."
"Okay." Was his simple reply and he changed direction and headed toward the front of the library.
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"Hey, anyone home?" Kaoru called as she walked into her house.
"In here!" Came the reply. Her father was probably cooking something for dinner and maybe this time he would let her help out. Tossing her stuff on the staircase to carry up later, she headed toward the kitchen.
"Hey, dad? What're you making?" She asked and hopped onto one of the counter stools.
"I'm making chicken, with rice and corn as well." He told her. HE stooped down and peered into the oven, then checked the temperature.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, eagerly.
"You could set the table, if you wanted." He answered, not seeing her disappointment at not being able to really help out.
"Okay, sure." She said and slipped down from the stool and walking around the counter to find some plates and glasses. The front door opened and Sano walked in.
"Hey, everyone. Can I help out?" He asked.
"Yes. Help Kaoru set the table." Their father replied.
"Sure." Sano shrugged and pulled the plates out of his sister's hands as she walked by.
"Hey, Sano. I heard some interesting news today." She said, glancing at him to see his reaction. His face remained expressionless, but she could have sworn she saw a faint sheen of pink grace her twin's cheek.
"Oh, yeah? What was it?" He asked, effectively keeping his cool.
"Something about this Friday and a certain fox?" She said, her tone slightly questioning and teasing at the same time.
"Oh, yeah. That." Was his response. Kaoru looked at him, smiling.
"You two are so adorable. You both don't want to admit it, but you really like each other." She giggled and turned toward the kitchen.
"Hey, Dad! Guess what?" She called. He poked his head around he open door.
"What?" He asked.
"Megumi finally agreed to go out with Sano! Can you believe it?" She laughed.
"Really, well it's about time." Was his only comment before he turned back to the kitchen.
"So, where are you going to take her?" Kaoru asked as they finished setting the table.
"I'm not telling you. You'll end up telling Megumi." He answered.
"No I won't." She protested. "Misao's the one who can't keep her mouth shut about anything."
"Well, truthfully, I don't know yet." He answered. "I still have to think about it."
"I cold help you out." Kaoru offered, being uncharacteristically kind to her brother.
"Nah, I'll figure it out. I want it to be my idea." He told her. "Call me when dinners ready." He walked out of the room.
"Sure." She called after him.
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Okay, well that concludes this chapter. Hope that you enjoyed it. I apologize or ranting above about the flame thing, but it annoyed me. Anyway, my thoughts are up above and I don't need to repeat them down here. I love forcing Kaoru and Kenshin into situations where they have to see a lot of each other. I also have the beginnings of Sano and Megumi getting together in here too. I tried to make this chapter a little longer and I think I did pretty well. This was a little rushed but I wanted to get it out by today. Sorry about any mistakes, but I was really bad about editing this chapter. Just to let everyone know, I went on a trip this past weekend, that's why I updated late. My school orchestra went to Boston to play in a competition and then do sightseeing stuff. Next weekend I'm going upstate, in NY, to a two day track meet, Red Raider. I don't know if I'll be able to update before that. I just wanted to give you a heads up about it. Okay, now leave behind a review. If you feel the need to flame me, then please give me a reason why you don't like it and if you could, maybe suggest a way to improve it. Thanks!
Keta Himura