Chapter 3

Kaoru opened her eyes, the morning sun seeping through the blinds. Yahiko stirred beside her, turning over in his sleep. "Yahiko it's time to wake up." said Kaoru, nudging her brother. Yahiko moaned, slapping her hand away."Fifteen more minutes." said Yahiko, his voice groggy from sleep. Kaoru stood, rubbing her sore stomach. She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes widening at her own reflection. Her black hair had gown to the hips, even in its scrunchie it touched her hips, her face was pale as if she was sick, her body now stick thin, her clothes hanging off her droopily. She groaned, running her fingers through her hair. "I look like a mess!" Kaoru whispered feircely, tears sringing to her eyes. Yahiko nodded in his sleep, burying is head in the white carpet. Aldin poked his head in, whimpering, jumping onto Kaoru's bed.

"Aldin get off!" Kaoru yelled, dragging the animal off her bed. The dog whimpered again, sitting himself beside Yahiko's sleeping form. The door swung open, a tired Sano poking his head into the room."Don't yell so loudly, I'm trying to sleep."said Sano, whispering to his younger sister. Sano still stood in his worn blue jeans and white t-shirt, from the day before, his red bandana tyed around his head. Kaoru stuck her tongue out at him, glaring at his appearance. "Well sorry mister I-could-not-change-my-clothes." taunted Kaoru, placing her hands on her hips. Sano rolled his creamy brown eyes, casting his sister a glance."You can't talk, Jou-chan." said Sano, exiting the room. Kaoru looked in the mirror, her eyes tarvel in over her clothes. She still wore her biking shorts and shirt, but she had at least washed her face.

Yahiko sat up looking around the room curiously, his eye settling on a poster off a man holding a bokken. "Kaoru your a weird girl." said Yahiko rolling his eyes at the poster. A fist met with the back of his head, making his head hit the soft carpet full force."What did you say, Yahiko." Kaoru said, threateningly. Yahiko ran from the room, closing the door behind him. Kaoru sighed, walking the distance to her closet. Opening the door, she peeked inside, looking at her clothes that were all hung on hangers. Fingering her new school uniform a smile formed on her lips. She was finally accepted into the school of her dreams, St. Emma school for the talented. Sano was now involved with there college courses, which were teaching him to a veterinarian, but he still had time for his part-time job, working at the Humane Society. That was the only thing in her closet that she had not tried on, but she knew she would have to wear it sooner or later, espeically on the first day of school. Choosing a yellow knee length skirt with patches of orangey red and teal green flowers, a yellow t-shirt, a teal green scrunchie and matching unmentionables, Kaoru's smiled widened.

Setting her clothes on her bed, Kaoru leisurely walked to her bathroom, turning on the faucet, and enjoying the steam from the water. Kaoru pulled her unzipped her shirt, throwing it in the hamper sitting innocently in the cormer. Proceeding with her shorts Kaoru smiled smuggly as the steam hit her body. Slipping into the large white tub, she sighed, pulling her scrunchie from her hair, allowing her extremely long hair falling into the hot water. Her hair became drenched in the water, it's color darkening to pitch black, surrounding her pale, slender body like a veil. A knock sounded at the door, startling Kaoru out of her musing. "Who...who is it?" asked Kaoru, sitting up in the tub. Sano stuck his head into the bathroom, his eyes covered by his bandana. "It is your brother, come to tell you to speed it up so Yahiko can get his towel." said Sano, deepening his voice. Kaoru sighed, shaking her head. "Just get so I can get back to my bath, stupid rooster." said Kaoru, rolling her eyes. Sano pointed his head toward her voice, smirking."Can't see, Jou, unless you want me to take this bandana off and see you in your birthday suit, which I saw on your birthday, which I bet has not changed much"
teased Sano, rubbing his neck. Kaoru stood, anger burning her senses. She walked to the towel rack, grabbing the towel and throwing it at her brother."Thank you, Jou." said Sano, ducking out of the bathroom.

Kaoru settled herself back into the tub, soaking her hair. Aldin padded his way into the room, nudging his mistress with his cold wet nose. Kaoru looked at the malamute, with his black outer coat and the white under coat, his pink tongue and large brown almond shaped eyes."What is it Aldin?" asked Kaoru, stroking the dog's head. A deep growl of happiness escaped his throat, as she stroked his head gently. "Are you ready for the first day at the shop?" asked Kaoru, stepping out of the tub. Aldin barked, grabbing a towel in his mouth and giving it to his mistress. Taking the towel Kaoru smiled, placing it around herself. Skipping into her room, she dressed, drying her hair wiht the towel. Grabbing a pair of black flip-flops, and pulling her hair back into a regular ponytail. "I'm going to work!" Kaoru yelled, as she ran into the kitchen and grabbed a canister full of coffee with cream and sugar. "You must be, Kaoru." came a feminine voice from behind her.

Kaoru turned slowly, to stare into dark brown eyes. "Hey who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" asked Kaoru, wrinkling her nose. The woman laughed, waving her hand in the air."I'm Meigumi Takani, nice to meet you Kaoru." said the woman, ignoring the second question. Kaoru rolled her eyes, walking back into the family room.
"Sano, I have a feeling this is your's!" yelled Kaoru, as Yahiko came from the bathroom. Sano poked his head out of his room, a slight blush crossing his face. He wore a black t-shirt, and black jeans with white thread, his red bandana still around his head."What do you mean?" Sano yelled back, walking into the room. Kaoru pointed to Meigumi, her swinging her finger at her."Take Yahiko to school, I've got to get to work, bye." said Kaoru, quickly kissing Sano and Yahiko on the cheeks and darting out the door."Did you grab your lunch?" Sano yelled after her, rubbing his neck. Kaoru was already walking across the street, her ponytail swinging back and forth with every step.