Chapter 8

Kaoru looked at her uniform, a giddy smile placed on her lips, as she pulled it from the hanger. She slowly undressed herself, taking off her pajamas and putting on the uniform. The blouse was black with the school emblem, a red lotus bloom, on the pocket, a red tie, a red skirt with pleats, and a pair of black kneehighs and mary janes. Kaoru looked at herself in the mirror, admiring the uniform that fit her body perfectly. A soft knock sounded at her door, making the teen turn to face the intruder. Sano poked his head into the room, looking at his younger sister with a gleam in his eye."Time to go Jou-chan." said Sano, stepping into the room. Sano wore a black short sleeved oxford, a red lotus in full bloom on his pocket, to show his class, a red tie, black pants, and black dress shoes to match. Kaoru smiled at her brother, grabbing her black messenger bag, before joining him in the living room. Yahiko stood waiting for them, shifting on his toes, in impatience. Kaoru grabbed her lunch, before following her brother's to his car. Aldin sat whimpering on the front step, watching them leave.

"Are you excited?" asked Sano, looking at his sister from the corner of his eye. Kaoru just grunted, clutching her bag tightly to her chest. Sano rolled his dark eyes, a half smile leaving small traces on his face."Guess your nervous, huh, Jou?" said Sano, gently nudging her. Kaoru blushed slightly, nudging him right back.

"Shut up, roosterhead."said Kaoru threateningly, as they pulled into the parking lot. Yahiko just rolled his eyes at his siblings, grabbing his skateboard from the the floor.

"See you guys later, okay." said Yahiko, kissing Kaoru on her cheek, before opening his door.

"Don't forget, you have a study session at 3:30 p.m., now don't be late!" Sano yelled, throwing Yahiko's lunch at his head. The younger boy dodged the lunch, catching the falling box.

"Alright, bye." Yahiko yelled back, waving at his siblings, before hopping onto his board and skating off into the crowd of students.

"That kid." Sano said, rolling his eyes as he stepped from the car. Kaoru followed suit, walking straight up to his side.

"Bye Sano, have a good day, and don't forget to come and pick me up, I don't want to find out that you were making out with Meigumi, instead of coming for me." said Kaoru, kissing her brother's cheek before walking off into the already crowded High School yard. Sano shook his head, pulling his PC from his shirt pocket.

Kaoru silently walked through the school yard, looking around at the familiar faces. She stood quietly by the door, waiting for the Induction ceremony to be done.
The principal stood from his seat, walking slowly toward the podium, using a cane for balance."Welcome students, to another wonderful year, at Saint Emma's School for the Gifted. We have been planning yet another year of learning and experience, of hope and justice. We all hope that you have an interesting and educational year." said the principal. "Now we have a new student joining our troop of academia, Himura Kenshin, a sophomore in high school, and a specialist in all types of swordplay." The school students looked at each other, whispering amongst themselves about the student. Kaoru's eyes went large in surprise, as the teen slowly walked to the podium, his shoulder length red hair, tyed the back of his head, his school jacket clean and spotless, his entire appearance perfect. The principal smiled at the student, shaking his hand. The let out a sigh, each staring at the boy, entraced by his presence.

The students all silently filed out, each talking excitedly to each other. As they all parted the prinicpal stood talking to the teachers briefly before turning to Kenshin, introducing him to the teachers. Kaoru watched, her eyes transfixed on the boy, as he politely smiled at the teachers. ' His eyes aren't focused, that's strange.' thought Kaoru, as she slowly made her way to her classroom.

She sat silently in her seat, looking around the familiar classroom, a smile forming on her lips as she spotted Misao and Soujirou, sitting next to each other, waving at her. "Hey Kaoru, nice to see you, unfazed and ready for school." Misao greeted, strolling over to her friend. Kaoru just smiled slightly, twisting her hand in the inky strands of her ponytail. The teacher walked through the door, silence reigning throughout the room, as she sat at her desk, placing her folder on the hard wood surface.

"Good morning class." said the teacher, looking up long enough for a reply.

"Good morning, Teacher." the class said in unison, each rolling their eyes as she looked down. Misao returned to her seat, pulling her textbook from her bag. Kaoru sighed, yanking her book from her messenger bag, opening to the first page in the large book.

"Now let's begin with page 15, on the Subject of Industrialization." said the teacher, glancing up at her class. The students groaned, opening their books.
"Come now it's not that bad." the teacher jested, sitting on her desk.

"Yes, it is." said Soujirou, his head rolling to the side in defeat. Kaoru smiled and listened intently to the teacher, her mind soaking in the information as it flowed from her teacher's lips.