Disclaimer:
I own Aoshi … who said I didn't? He's MINE … ALL MINE … in my dreams.
A/N
I realized that this should be chapter seven and the previous chapter should have been chapter six. Sorry about that mistake! Anyway … this chapter got a bit too long as I was typing, and I apologize profusely for that. I hope the content is okay though.
Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks to:
Leila Jenkins: I've updated, I've updated! Am I still being hunted?? Heh … thanks for your review and enjoy!
sonia (): Thank you for your review ... why did I take so long? Well I did my GCE O'levels this May, and I was kinda banned from using the computer, unless it was for my computer projects. Sorry about that! And ... about Aoshi and Misao, in this chapter, there are more of their thoughts than any 'action.' Don't worry though, because the next chapter will have them meeting again ... at her - no, I shouldn't tell you that. I hope you like this!
Chapter Seven: Practice
She opened her eyes groggily. It took a few seconds for her to get her eyes properly opened, and when she did, she had to deal with the problem of registering her surroundings. She turned to her right and saw a rather large window, with its curtains opened, allowing the bright rays of the sun to filter into the room. She frowned slightly … where was – ah … she was in her room.
That meant that she was back at home. But what was she doing –
She winced. She had been moving her legs, trying to get up, when pain shot through her knee and ankle. It came back to her at that precise moment. The athletics practice … the hurdles … her accident … the hospital …
"ACK!" she exclaimed, trying to move and once more wincing as pain shot through her right leg. She gave up on trying to get off the bed and turned her head wildly toward her bedside table. The clock on it said that it was – she paled – it was 10:25 a.m. 10:25 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
She moaned. She must have overslept. She frowned. How could she have overslept? Surely her alarm would have woken her up? And how could she go to school like this? She'd be marked 'late' or 'absent.' She heard her door open and looked up to see her mother enter the room. She saw her face light up as she saw her.
"Misao … you're awake," said Mrs. Makimachi, walking inside. She placed the tray in her hands on the table, and moved to her daughter's side. "How do you feel?"
"Er … weird …" said Misao. Her mother smiled.
"The painkillers must have got you disoriented then …" she said.
"Painkillers?" echoed Misao. Her mother nodded.
"Yes … in fact, you have to take some after every meal," she said. "Don't even think about saying you won't take any painkillers, you aren't allergic to all types of painkillers." Mrs. Makimachi had been quite worried herself when the doctor had prescribed Misao some painkillers. She had told him that painkillers didn't fit in with Misao's system very well. When she was nine, she had fallen down the stairs and had injured her wrist. The doctor had given her some painkillers … Instead of reducing the pain for her they had served to make her feel queasy, and eventually caused her to throw up quite frequently.
The doctor had prescribed a different brand of painkiller, which had had the same effect on her.
Misao sighed. "Kachan … is my knee bad?" she asked. Her mother looked at her, smiling, although she knew it would be hard for her daughter to accept it.
"Well … you know that you have fractured your knee in two places, don't you?" she asked. Misao furrowed her brows, before nodding slowly. Yes … she remembered – albeit vaguely – what the doctor had told her when he had come to see her in the morning. Hang on … which morning was that?
"Er … yeah …" she said.
"You have also managed to sprain your ankle," said her mother. Misao's eyes widened. She didn't need to be Albert Einstein to know that it was virtually impossible to run with a sprained ankle.
"I … " She stopped as the whole meaning of what had come into her mind actually hit her. The Inter School's Athletics tournament … the practices … "I – I won't be able to run … will I, Kachan?" Mrs. Makimachi stared sympathetically at her daughter.
"I can't tell you that for sure, Misao," she said, stroking her daughter's head. "For a little while, yes, it will be difficult for you to run …" Misao lowered her eyes. That meant that she wouldn't be able to take part in the tournament either … and that …
"Can I walk?" she asked, still hopeful. Her mother sighed.
"No, Misao … not for some time. In due time, you will be able to walk around the house – but going to school – at least for now – is out of the question," she said.
"But – can't I – can't I get crutches or something?" stammered Misao.
"You can, but you need to rest first," said Mrs. Makimachi.
"Kachan! If I get crutches, I will be resting! I won't be walking directly with my feet- I'll – " Misao stopped when she saw the rather stern expression on her mother's face.
"Misao, you might get crutches in due time," she said. "But until then, you will have to rest. Don't you want to do everything correctly so that you can have the chance of participating in the tournament? Who knows, if you rest and do as you're told, you could very well recover before the tournament …"
Misao stared at her lap. She guessed her mother was right … then again, there was hardly a time when she was wrong – although she would never admit that to her.
It was no point acting pessimistic … that wasn't like her. She should be normal …
But how was she supposed to be that when she knew that she had a 99.23% probability of not being able to participate in the tournament? Glancing at her mother, she saw the somewhat pained look on her face, and her negative thoughts vanished. There was no point in worrying her mother about her mental state as well as her physical state.
"Hai, hai …" she said at last. "If you say so …" Mrs. Makimachi smiled at her daughter.
"Good girl … now – " She was cut off by the sound of Misao's stomach growling. Misao flushed. "I was about to say lets get you some food …
said her mother. "But I guess your stomach beat me to it." Chuckling at her daughter's embarrassed face; she took the tray from the table and placed it on Misao's lap.
Misao inhaled the mixed aroma of the soup and picked up her chopsticks. "Itadakimasu!" Mrs. Makimachi smiled again as she watched her devour her food. She hadn't thought that she'd be this hungry. Misao looked up as a thought entered her mind. "Kachan, why aren't you at the Aoiya?" she asked.
"Er – everyone's working there today … and there really was no need for me to go there …" said her mother, flustered. Misao grinned cheekily.
"And I suppose that you won't be needed there until my leg completely heals?" she asked.
"Er – yes … I suppose so …" said her mother. Misao smirked. Once she had finished eating the tray was taken away, and her mother helped her shift to a more comfortable position, propping pillows behind her so that she could sit up on bed comfortably. Mrs. Makimachi moved the bed covers off her daughter and replaced them with a smaller, thinner sheet – for Misao to cover herself up with if she got cold. "This might hurt a bit …" she said as she lifted Misao's right leg up as gently as she could, so that she could place the pillow underneath it.
Misao grimaced as pain seared up her leg through her knee, and as her ankle started throbbing. She smiled weakly at her mother, trying to show her that she was fine. Her mother, however, knew otherwise. Once Misao was comfortable with a notepad, a few pens and some books by her side, she stood up with the tray.
"I'll be downstairs Misao, so try not to get off the bed. If you need anything, call me," she said.
"Hai, Kachan," said Misao.
"I really mean don't get off the bed," repeated her mother, before she walked outside. "And I'm not closing the door … okay?" Misao nodded, waiting, with the smile on her face, until her mother disappeared from her sight. When she was gone, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. She glanced at the window again.
Looking back at the clock, she saw that it was 11:00 a.m. now. She sighed again. In two hours and forty minutes, everyone else would be at athletics practice … whilst she was at home, lying in bed, with nothing to do.
Then again, being unable to see that – that creature's – face was a good thing, wasn't it? She scowled as a picture of her dear Captain flashed through her head, the sadistic grin suiting his evil features well. She wondered why he was chosen as their captain instead of Sano – or even Kenshin.
The picture of Saito was replaced by a different one … this person had short black hair, of which a few bangs fell into his startling ice blue eyes. His face was effectively expressionless in her 'picture' and he just … stared.
She unconsciously placed her hand on her right knee as she remembered who had massaged it yesterday, after she had fallen. She could still see the mask of concentration he had worn on his face as he massaged her knee … She squirmed as the 'picture' of him stayed where it was in her head.
" … Shinomori … Aoshi …" she said aloud, as his name entered her mind. She shook her head hard, bringing her out of her reverie, flushing. Why was she thinking about him? Fine, he did help her out when she had fallen – no, when she had made a fool of herself … but still … that was all the more reason for her to forget about him.
Darn that Kaoru … living in the same house as him …
She shook her head again, getting more and more aggravated. WHAT was WRONG with HER??????? Why in god's name was she thinking about a complete stranger who she knew nothing about?
"Mou Misao chan … get a grip on yourself …" she muttered to herself, not even wanting to think of what Kaoru would say if she found out that, not only had she thought that he was a 'good-looking burglar,' she was constantly thinking of him too. She shuddered. If Kaoru found that out … it would be Misao's cue to hop aboard the next flight to Mars.
Besides, the chances of him thinking about her were roughly around -0.000000000000000000000000.1% In other words, the chances of him thinking about her were ZERO.
Darn it – she grimaced again as she unconsciously moved her leg, causing her to find herself in the midst of around twelve cute, bubbly stars.
She really needed to get a life …
Mitsurugi High School; 1:23 pm:
Kaoru glanced from Soujirou to Yahiko as their Physics teacher droned on with his explanation on the law 'f = m a.' She couldn't help it. She usually listened to everything Mikimoto sensei said about Physics – it being one of the subjects she knew something about – but today …
She could see Yahiko, who was seated in front of her, sitting rather stiffly, as though he was dreading the sound of the bell ringing to signal the end of school. The desk next to Yahiko's was empty – being Misao's desk – and Soujirou was seated next to it, a small frown on his face.
Kaoru sighed. She wanted to know what they were going to do. Were they going to go for athletics practice? Or were they just going to go home? She bit her lip thoughtfully. She understood why they wanted to go home, but she also understood what Kenshin had said – that if they ditched the team now, it would be the school that suffered, not the captain.
Then again, with Misao's 'accident' and 'injuries' in their minds, how could they possibly go for the practice, especially when they harbored murderous thoughts towards Saito? She usually wouldn't have got worried, but this time, Soujirou seemed to share Sano's and Yahiko's feelings – about wanting to get revenge from Saito.
Why was that making her so worried? Soujirou never – and she meant never – harbored such horrible feelings towards another human being. It took quite a lot to make him angry – if he got angry at all – and when he did …
Come to think of it, she had never seen Soujirou get angry before … Then how did she know that it would be ugly if he got angry? She guessed that it had something to do with the thought that quiet people usually get the angriest when they were angered.
She shook her head. She was not making sense at all. She guessed that she could count on Kenshin to stop the three boys from doing anything stupid … but what it they didn't listen to him? As it was, Sano treated him as a joke – all in the name of friendship – and Yahiko treated him like a 16 year old boy, instead of an 18 year old senior.
She paled. What if … what if Kenshin lost it too?
Nah … that was impossible. Kenshin wouldn't lose it like that. He would make Saito see his error in doing what he did when he made Misao, Yahiko and Soujirou jump the hurdles yesterday – in a less violent, more practical way. But as for her other three friends …
She checked her wristwatch and saw that it was 1:25 pm. She had five more minutes to think of something – at least to make sure that nothing happened to make Saito kick the four of them out of the team – although he might not be able to kick his vice captain off … She fought the urge to scream. As it was, she felt like yanking the hairs out of her head one by one … and this temptation to scream wasn't helping it.
Wasn't there anyone she could count on the team? There was Arizuka kun – Arizuka Shihiro – but she knew that he was dead scared of Saito and wouldn't do anything to stop Sano, Yahiko and Soujirou even if they got into a fight.
It was 1:26. She chewed bit hard on her lip – unconsciously of course – and growled as she tasted blood. If she didn't think of anything soon … she'd have to explain to Misao why Sano, Soujirou and Yahiko had got kicked off the team … and she didn't think that she'd like that. Especially since they would have done it out of anger towards what had happened to her …
Why couldn't there have been a … a sane person on that athletics team? Well, fine, there were sane people … but she needed someone – someone stable … someone who wouldn't … who would see to it that things went smoothly … someone who wouldn't take sides.
But where was she going to find such a person? The name that came into her mind when she thought of all those qualities was Aoshi, but he wasn't –
Hang on … he was … Aoshi san … he was on the team – or at least had been yesterday. He was stable, wouldn't take sides – since he didn't know Saito or her and her friends too well – and he would see to it that things went smoothly...
Her eyes brightened. That was it. There was her answer – Aoshi. Her eyes lost their gleam as she wondered how in gods name she was going to ask Aoshi to help her out …
She buried her face in her hands. What if he said n –
RIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG!!!! RRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!! RRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!
She looked up startled. The bell had rung? She vaguely heard Mikimoto sensei telling them to read some page or the other before the next lesson as she packed her bag quickly. She didn't have time to stop and write it down – she'd get it from someone later on. She stood up and was about to walk away from her desk, when she stopped.
Yahiko and Soujirou were taking their time in packing their things, making her wonder whether they were going for practice or not.
"Ano … are you two going for practice?" she asked, standing beside Yahiko's desk. Yahiko stared at his bag. She turned to Soujirou who was busy fiddling with the zipper of his bag. "Sou?" He sighed as he looked at her.
"Yes, we're going," he said. Kaoru noticed that he didn't sound too happy about it.
"You're – you're not going to … to do anything stupid … are you?" she asked, slowly. Yahiko snorted.
"Oh no," he said. "Honestly, what do you take us for?" Kaoru refused to be calmed so soon.
"You won't do anything to him will you?" she asked.
"I told you Kaoru, we won't do anything stupid," said Yahiko, grinning at her. "This is why we're not going away from this practice without doing something to Saito." Kaoru gulped. One look at the other boy's face told her that he felt the same.
Now was a good time to talk to Aoshi.
"Well … I'll see you two tomorrow then," she said, as brightly as she could. "Er – don't do anything you'll regret to Saito san either …" With a wave, she was gone.
At the same time:
Kenshin walked out of his math class, his face grim. People stared at him in surprise. Very rarely was Himura Kenshin's face grim … even if the world were to collapse, he would just say 'Oro?'
(Okay, maybe that was exaggerating his character a little, but you get the point don't you?)
He wondered what would happen during athletics today. He wondered whether anyone would show up in the first place. He shook his head. No, he was sure Sano would show up … especially after hearing what he said about 'chickening out' during break. He had said that – although it was true – mainly for Sano to feel that he had to attend this practice.
He had said the thing about the school suffering instead of Saito if they didn't turn up in hopes of getting Soujirou and Yahiko to see his point. It was true; the school would suffer if they dropped out of the team, not Saito, who would probably laugh in glee.
He was worried about the two younger boys – more so about Soujirou. He was very close to Misao – closer than Yahiko, and possibly Kaoru – and he saw his worry at the hospital yesterday, and what he had said about wanting to run into Saito in a dark alley.
He sighed, once again wondering why his red hair hadn't turned grey with the amount of things he had to think about. Would they turn up? If so, would they stop themselves from trying to kill Saito? Would they go home? If so, would they leave the team forever?
"Ahhh … and I thought coming back to school was a good idea …" he said to himself, as he walked down the corridor.
Kaoru ran down the corridor as fast as she could, looking wildly around her for the tall, black haired boy. She skidded to a halt suddenly. It wasn't hard to find him – she just had to check to see where all the third year girls were. He'd be there for sure – or rather, they would be following him.
Sure enough, he was walking towards her, eyes closed and seemingly oblivious to the throng of girls that was following him. She sighed, shaking her head, before she ran up to him.
"Aoshi san," she said, quietly. His eyes snapped open, and widened slightly as they landed on her.
"K … Kamiya san …"
"Er – 'Kaoru's' fine; you call Okasan 'Kamiya san' too," said Kaoru, shaking her head.
" … … …" Kaoru gulped.
"Aoshi san, are you staying you for athletics practice today?" she asked, noting that the time was now 1:32. The practice started at 1:40.
" … No …" said Aoshi, somewhat surprised at the question. He saw her shoulders droop.
"Aoshi san, can you please, please do me a huge favour?" asked Kaoru, looking at him hopefully.
"A … favour?" he echoed. Kaoru nodded.
"You see, Soujirou, Yahiko, Sano – and I guess Kenshin can be included too – want to – want to kill Saito san for … for Misao chan's accident," she said, hurriedly, well aware of the glares the girls were giving her. "And – and I have a bad feeling that they'll do something to him today. Kenshin might not, but I don't think that he'll be able to hold them off either." She stopped, taking a deep breath, deciding that she might as well rant on while she was given the chance. "And – and I know that you don't feel angry with Saito san for what happened to Misao chan, and that you don't feel angry with Soujirou and everyone else for feeling angry with Saito for what he did to Misao chan – "
"Kam – Kaoru san – "
" – So can you please, please go for practice today, in case something happens? You won't be taking any side – you don't have to. It's just that you're dependable and … and stable. You'll be able to knock some sense into all of them – Saito san and everyone else so – "
" – Kaoru san – "
" – I know it's awful of me to ask you to do that - but … please Aoshi san? I'll make it up to you somehow. I'll – I'll clean your room up – or – I'll get those girls to stop following you – but please?" Kaoru finally stopped, out of breath, and stared at him, her deep blue eyes piercing his ice blue eyes pleadingly.
He stared at her for a minute or two, quite unsure of what he was supposed to do. She wanted him to go for the practice to avoid a fight from breaking out? He could do that … but … Saito would simply kill him. She didn't know that he was his cousin …
Then again, it served Saito right to be beaten up – it would hopefully bring his ego down a few notches. But … it would probably result in Himura san and the rest getting suspended off the team.
He frowned. He supposed that after they were suspended from the team (if they started a fight), the Makimachi girl would blame it on herself, as the fight would have broken out on her behalf, and the last thing an injured person needed was to feel responsible for other people.
Why was he so bothered about this anyway? They weren't his friends or family … although … Saito was his cousin and he was living in Kaoru's house … Not to mention the offer to get the girls to stop following him aroundall the time did sound tempting …
He glanced back at Kaoru, to see her look somewhat defeated as she turned her gaze away from his eyes. He could see the mixture of hope, together with desperation and 'to be' disappointment in her deep blue eyes.
An image of him pleading with his father to allow him to go to the park even though it was raining flashed in his head. He guessed that the disappointment at his father's refusal to allow him to go was similar to what Kaoru was feeling – although he had been seven at the time, and she was sixteen now and the two problems were far from being similar …
He was again struck by the … aspect of her … of her face … that reminded him of … him. He cursed mentally as that thought awoke several other thoughts in his head; namely those about why Kamiya san was letting him stay with her, and who he was to her.
He sighed inwardly, bringing himself out of his thoughts. It was then that he saw Kaoru beginning to turn away from him.
"Kam – Kaoru san …" he said, although he was not pleased with himself for what he was about to say and do. " … I'll go …" In a way, he somehow felt a little happy that he had said that. The look in her eyes and on her face was enough compensation …
She spun around to face him again, her eyes beaming at him and the smile she gave him made him feel uncomfortable. He couldn't remember the day he had made someone that happy … making them look as though ALL their dreams had come true …
" … Arigato, Aoshi san," she said, elated. He nodded curtly at her. The only problem was … where was he going to get an extra set of clothes from? As though she had read his mind, Kaoru spoke up. "Sano always brings an extra set of clothes …" she said. He stared at her for a moment, before shaking his head.
He'd do something about that … but first, he needed to hurry. It was 1:38 already – he had two minutes to get there on time. Nodding at her again, he sprinted down the corridor, and disappeared down the stairs. Kaoru stared after him, still beaming like a Cheshire cat. She had never thought that Aoshi would agree to do something like this.
Well Kaoru, that just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover … AND its 'behaviour' in Aoshi san's case …
Kashiwazaki Residence:
Mrs. Makimachi poked her head into her daughter's room as she walked past it, checking to see if she was alright. She smiled to herself as she saw her sleeping. She guessed that it would take Misao a little while to shake off the after effects of the painkillers. Still smiling, she walked down the stairs, feeling that she ought to check up on her father at the Aoiya. There was no telling what he would be doing there – if he hadn't already blown the restaurant into pieces.
Reaching the phone downstairs, she dialed the restaurant's number and waited patiently for someone to answer.
"Moshi moshi?" said a familiar female voice. Makimachi Rika smiled.
"Omasu? It's me, Rika," she said.
"Rika san! How's Misao chan? Is she okay? Okina told me what happened to her, although I think he exaggerated a bit when he said that her knee was just about to come off," said Omasu. Rika laughed. Trust her father to say something like that.
"Misao's okay … she's sleeping peacefully," she said. "How's everything there? Is the restaurant still standing?"
"Oh, it is now. But I'm not sure how long it'll stay standing," said Omasu, sounding amused. "Okina's currently annoying Ochika and I'm sure that she'll explode in a while. He hid all the sponge cakes she made in the morning as well, and still hasn't given them back … so yes, things will get dangerous soon." Rika sighed.
"Maybe I should have come ..." she said.
"Oh no! There's no need to worry about us. Whatever happens here, we do have two faithful guys here with us," said Omasu. "I don't think Shiro and Kuro will ever go mad like Okina, Ochika and I." She paused. "Besides, you need to stay with Misao chan now … and until she gets better."
"Hai, hai, Okasama," said Rika, smiling. "Well, I'll leave you to your work. And look after Otosan… there's no telling what he'll do on the spur of the moment."
"Of course … I think we figured that out already, Rika san," said Omasu. "Tell Misao chan we said hi! See you soon!"
"Hai, ja ne Omasu," said Rika, putting the receiver back in its place. She sighed. She should have known that sending her father to the restaurant – by himself – was dangerous. Although he had had been running that restaurant for a few years before she was born. She turned around, heading for the kitchen.
It was time to prepare Misao's lunch – although she had had a pretty late breakfast.
Mitsurugi High School; 1:45 pm:
Aoshi sighed as he walked towards the grounds. He was angry with Kaoru for making him do this stupid thing. He was angry with Saito for getting him to come for the practice on the first day and get involved in this whole mess in the first place. He was angry with his Aunt and Uncle for forcing him to stay at the Kamiya household.
He was angry with Mr. Kamiya for treating him like he was some kind of 'bad boy' who had his eye on his daughter. He was angry with Kamiya san for making him feel like there was a reason for him to try and be polite to her. He was angry with his mother for not being there when he needed her (if she had been around, he wouldn't be stuck with the Kamiya's). He was angry with his father for leaving him.
He was angry with time for going so fast. He was five minutes late for the practice, and he wasn't exactly in the mood to face Saito and his snide remarks – not now.
And finally, he was angry with himself for getting involved in the Makimachi girl's accident, for listening to Kaoru, and for agreeing to do what she asked him to do, and for telling Saito during break that he wasn't going to join the athletics team here. Honestly, Eigamura High School – his previous school – hadn't been like this. People left him alone there, respecting his privacy, whereas here …
"Well, well, well …" He stopped walking, being snapped out of his thoughts rather rudely. He mentally counted to ten. "What do we have here? And I thought you weren't going to join …"
" … I learnt it from you," he said, in reply. "Say one thing and do another thing." He stared evenly at Saito, who was smirking at him.
"You're late," he said, simply. Aoshi nodded.
"Indeed," he said. He had gotten late because he had been looking for Sagara Sanosuke everywhere, but hadn't found him. Bumping into his classmate Amakusa Shogo, he had been asked what the problem was, and after telling him, had been given a pair of baggy shorts and a t-shirt. It turned out that Amakusa Shogo brought two sets of clothing with him whenever he stayed for swimming practice.
"I should punish you …" said Saito, enjoying this. Aoshi's steely eyes didn't change.
"… By making me jump hurdles that are too close to each other?" He knew that he shouldn't have said that, but he couldn't help himself. Saito's smirk in reply only made him begin to think that perhaps counting to hundred would be better.
"If you'd like … I could arrange for that …" he said. He turned serious. "However, I'll let you go for today." Aoshi didn't show his surprise – as a normal person would have, at Saito's sudden 'change of heart.' Knowing Saito, he knew that he was probably planning another way to punish him. Something … less direct.
Sano cursed, causing the people next to him to cower slightly. He smiled in apology at the rather timid second year girl that looked somewhat frightened at his outburst. Turning away from her, he looked back at the track, waiting to see if his partner was anywhere near. They had been divided into separate teams, and the team he was in had to practice relay running. Sawakita Kaede – another quite good second year – and Honda Miyoko were on his team. Kaede was supposed to hand over the baton to Miyoko, and Miyoko was supposed to hand it to him after running.
On the other team – opposing him – were Ikanji Miyamoto, Mitsui Yoriko and Kenshin. Sano had overheard Kenshin telling his team that he would run last. He had told them that it was to stop Sano's team from getting the lead, but Sano knew that it was because that way, Kenshin could keep an eye on him and make sure that he wouldn't do anything to Saito. Especially since the track took them past Saito.
He couldn't help but feel his blood boil as he thought of Saito. He desperately wanted to teach him a lesson, but Kenshin had told him – whilst practically tearing his hair out – that if he did that, Saito would have the authority to kick him off the team, in which case, winning the athletics tournament would be difficult.
He sighed. Miyoko was in sight now – he'd have to get ready now – He broke off his thoughts and glanced ahead (past Miyoko), looking at the spot Saito was standing on. Squinting, he saw another person standing next to him. He couldn't tell who the person was, but from his build, he could tell for sure that he wasn't Hiko Seijiro sensei.
He turned to the other team on his left.
"Kenshin!" Kenshin, getting ready to run as he saw his team member approach him, looked at Sano, startled.
"Hai?"
"Where's Hiko Seijiro sensei?" Kenshin said nothing. He had been wondering about their coach's absence too. It wasn't like him to not attend practices.
"Maybe … maybe he's getting late …" he said, smiling. There was no need to worry him anyway.
"You know as well as I do that sensei doesn't get late," said Sano, glaring at him.
"Ororo …" Kenshin smiled stupidly, hoping to throw Sano off track. The truth was, he was feeling somewhat worried too. Hiko Seijiro never got late. Their 'conversation' was cut short when Miyoko and Yoriko ran up to them, batons held out. Sano grabbed it from Miyoko and started running at a slow pace, Kenshin following him.
"Do you think … Saito could have done something to him?" asked Sano, looking worried. Kenshin sweat dropped.
"Ano … I don't think he's that bad…" he said, smiling.
"WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO TALK WHILE YOU'RE ON THE TRACK?" Saito's raised voice reached their ears, making them wince. "IF YOU CAN'T RUN, CHICKEN BRAIN, DON'T."
"Grrr …" growled Sano, continuing to run. "I'm telling you, he's done something to Sensei."
"Ororo …"
Aoshi could imagine the growth of hatred that would be taking place in Sagara Sanosuke, towards Saito. He couldn't blame him. Saito turned to him.
"Seta and the others are practicing their timing for the 4 into 100 meter race. Go join them," he said. Aoshi nodded, walking up to the group pf people on the other track.
As he approached them, he saw Myoujin san holding a stopwatch as he timed Seta Soujirou. He watched, interested. From what he had seen yesterday, Seta Soujirou was a pretty good athlete, his speed being amazing. The fact that Saito 'complimented' him in a way during the hurdles incident … told him that he had Saito's respect, which was enough to say that he was good. If someone like Saito had said 'not bad' to him …
Soujirou finished running, and thanked Shihiro as he passed him a towel. He turned to Yahiko, catching sight of Aoshi at the same time. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Aoshi san …" he said, smiling at him. Aoshi nodded curtly as everyone turned around.
"You decided to come and join us?" asked Yahiko.
" … … …" Was he supposed to say that he only came today to stop them from getting into a fight with Saito? Somehow, he got the feeling that that wouldn't be the correct answer. Yahiko shrugged, turning back to his stopwatch.
"Whoa! Soujirou, you've improved by – by three minutes and 2.58 seconds!" he said, impressed. Soujirou scratched his head. "You did this in six minutes and 0.48 seconds. That's amazing!"
"Eeto … it's not as good as you make it sound …" mumbled Soujirou, looking at his feet. Yahiko slapped him hard on the back.
"Stop being so modest! It's way better than my nine minutes and 9.87 seconds!" he said. Soujirou grinned sheepishly, before turning to Arizuka Shihiro.
"Shihiro san, you're next," he said, taking the set of towels the rather plump boy had in his hands. Shihiro nodded and took his place on the track. Yahiko still had the stopwatch.
"Okay … on your marks … get set … ready … GO!" Shihiro started running. The other people around them started cheering, to encourage him. Soujirou smiled as he turned to Aoshi again.
"Aoshi san, do you want to go next?" he asked. Aoshi nodded slowly. He might as well.
"Oh man …" grumbled Yahiko, looking up from the stopwatch.
"What?" asked Soujirou.
"Trouble," was all Yahiko said, as he nodded behind them. Soujirou and Aoshi turned around, only to spot Saito walked up to them. Aoshi sighed inwardly. When did Saito make it his profession to annoy a certain group of people?
"Trouble?" echoed Soujirou. Something in his voice made Aoshi turn to look at him – together with Yahiko. "Oh no … I think it's a golden opportunity …" The brown haired boy's face had a smile in it, which would have fooled others, but one look at his eyes told Yahiko and Aoshi a different story. Soujirou meant business.
"I don't remember asking a meeting to be held," said Saito, stopping beside them. He glanced around at everyone, before settling his gaze on Yahiko. "What was your time, brat?" Yahiko didn't look up from the stopwatch as he watched the numbers change speedily. Aoshi glanced at him. "I believe I asked you something, brat."
Soujirou saw Yahiko clench his fist. "Nine minutes and 9.87 seconds," he said, answering for him. Saito turned towards him.
"And since when did you become his spokesman?" he asked.
"Since the day we had a few changes made in this team," replied Soujirou, not turning his blue eyes away from Saito's. Aoshi glanced at Soujirou this time. Saito raised his eyebrows.
"And what changes are you talking about, Seta?" he asked.
"Being a more knowledgeable senior, shouldn't you know what changes I'm talking about, Saito san?" asked Soujirou, politely. Yahiko had given up on the stopwatch and was staring at Soujirou, along with the rest of their 'group.'
"Indeed, I should … but real men speak and act directly," said Saito, smirking. "Without playing mind games and hoping the other realizes what he's talking about." Yahiko saw Soujirou smile grimly.
"You're right, Saito san," he said. "This is why you should have directly said that you didn't want Misao on the team instead of causing her to get injured. And why you should have directly punished all of us for getting late instead of making us jump hurdles placed too close to each other." Yahiko's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as he listened to Soujirou. Happy though he was that he was outwitting Saito at his own game, he felt a wave of dread rise up in him. He had a bad feeling about this …
"Are you talking back to me, Seta?"
"I am merely replying to your statements, Saito san."
"I can go right now and complain to your parents … and cause you to get a weeks suspension – with their permission …" said Saito, smiling sadistically. "But then again … I don't make it a habit to associate with corpses in the cemetery."
Aoshi saw Soujirou narrow his eyes, and guessed immediately that the boy's parents must be dead. He narrowed his own eyes, feeling that he should understand what the boy was probably feeling. He knew what it felt like to not have a family.
"How dare you." Yahiko trembled as he spoke, the stopwatch on the ground.
"Excuse me?"
"How dareyou bring that up!" half yelled Yahiko, glaring at Saito. Aoshi was surprised that fire wasn't sprouting from the boy's ears and nose.
"Being your senior and captain I think I can talk about anything when I want to," said Saito, coolly.
Sano breathed heavily as he finished the race. Once again, Kenshin had beaten him by a minute and a half.
"Not bad Kenshin …" he said, grinning at the red haired boy.
"Oro … you weren't bad yourself Sano," said Kenshin, smiling. Sano shook his head.
"Honestly, don't hang around with Soujirou too much. You're influencing him like hell," he said.
"Oro?"
"He's just as modest as you are."
"Oh …"
"What's going on over there?" asked Miyoko, suddenly. Sano and Kenshin both looked towards the direction she was pointing at. Kenshin's mind sprang into its alert mode.
"Masaka …" he said, before sprinting towards the other group of people.
"Oy! Kenshin – matte!" called Sano, running after him. He hoped Saito hadn't caused another accident to take place. A minute later, Sano, who had been right behind Kenshin, staggered as the vice captain stopped running suddenly. "Oof – Kenshin what are you – " He stopped as he saw what was going on – or rather, figured out what was going on.
He saw Saito speaking to Soujirou, and saw Soujirou speaking back to him, his eyes glittering. Sano gulped. That didn't look good … He realized who the other person was – who he had thought would be Seijiro sensei. It was Shinomori Aoshi.
"What's Aoshi san doing here?" asked Kenshin, as he had Sano took a few more steps forward.
"Good question. I hope – " Sano was cut off again, when he heard Saito's reply to whatever it was that Soujirou had said.
"I can go right now and complain to your parents … and cause you to get a week's suspension – with their permission …" said Saito, smiling sadistically. "But then again … I don't make it a habit to associate with corpses in the cemetery."
There was a short silence, until Yahiko broke it. "How dare you." Sano's eyes were slits in his face as well. He agreed with Yahiko. How dare he say that?
Kenshin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He was beginning to regret telling everyone else to come for the practice … He opened his mouth to say something to Saito, but a louder voice beat him to it.
"Who the hell do you think you are to bring up people's personal matters?" yelled Sano. Saito turned around.
"Watch it, chicken brain, I've just about had enough of you," he said, warningly. Aoshi, seeing the 'reinforcements' was beginning to wish he had told Kaoru to get lost, and gone home. Not because he was afraid that a fight would break loose – he just wanted a peaceful, quiet life. Was that asking too much?
"You've had 'just about enough' of me??" asked Sano. "What a coincidence. We've had just about enough of you too." Saito glowered at him. The rest of the team was deadly quiet. Glancing at Soujirou, Aoshi saw him glaring at Saito … in a rather unsettling way.
"I don't really need you on the team, Sagara," said Saito, using his real name for a change. "So how about I give you a week off?" Sano stared at him.
" … A … week off?"
"I believe that is what I just said. Perhaps the aid of hearing aids will help you survive in the world …" said Saito. Kenshin spoke up now.
"That's enough Saito," he said, quietly. Aoshi, turning to Kenshin this time, wondered if his head would come loose one day, as a result of turning it towards each and every person. Saito too turned his gaze on Kenshin. "That's enough for one day, isn't it?" asked Kenshin, his violet eyes calm as he spoke.
"Enough for one day?" asked Saito. "I wish I had come here earlier. I don't know what this school was thinking when it thought that this level of discipline was acceptable." Kenshin stopped Sano as he moved forward to say something.
"What it was thinking is neither your concern, nor mine," he said. "I think that this is enough excitement for today. Since it is obvious that we won't be able to continue practicing like this, I think we should call this practice off, and everyone should go home and calm down."
"Really?" asked Saito. "You think so? Sorry, Himura, but I don't think so. We will continue with this practice – and I don't remember asking anyone to leave their tasks and come here." Sano was wondering whether he should stop Kenshin from saying something, as he saw his friend tremble slightly. He was sure it wasn't out of sadness …
"Continue this practice?" asked Yahiko, causing Saito to turn around and look at him. "I don't think so. I'm going home." Saito stared at him for a second, before smiling.
"Good … just what I was hoping you'd do, brat," he said. "You can stay at home for all I care – you're not coming here for another practice."
"And who are you to say that?" asked Yahiko. "It's up to Seijiro sensei, not you." That was when Saito's smile widened, making Aoshi wary.
"Ah, yes …" he said. "Demo … what if I were to tell you that Hiko Seijiro sensei has gone away for some personal matter, and won't be coming here for sometime?"
"What?" asked Kenshin. "What personal matters?"
"Since they're personal, Himura, I didn't bother asking," said Saito.
"Oh, so you don't bother asking about personal matters but you bother about stating other people's personal problems," said Soujirou.
"Of course," said Saito. "In fact, I should give you a few weeks off as well, Seta … for your behaviour …" Soujirou smiled dangerously at him.
"But you won't, because I'm one of your fastest runners – especially for my age group," he said.
"True," said Saito. "But the rest of the team is in my hands."
"No it's not," said Kenshin. "Whatever decision you make has to be approved by your vice captain too."
"Did Hiko sensei talk to you before he went? No, he didn't. You don't know what he asked me to do about this team, so shut it Himura." Kenshin's eyes flashed dangerously. Aoshi was pretty sure that he was going to strangle Saito.
"YOU – " yelled Sano, charging towards him with his fist clenched. Aoshi closed his eyes. It was a lost purpose that Sagara was trying to achieve. Saito was very good with his skills. Saito simply dodged Sano's fist and lashed his hand out, hitting Sano in the middle of the back and sending him face down onto the grass, with his back throbbing. There were gasps from the girls and eyes widening amongst the boys.
What surprised Aoshi was the expression on Saito's face. His eyes widened as he saw Soujirou standing in front of Saito, gripping his elbow. Understanding dawned on Aoshi. It was because Soujirou stopped him, that Sano's back had been hit somewhat lightly. He hadn't even seen Soujirou move to counterattack. He certainly was fast.
"Don't try that again," said Saito, coldly, roughly pushing Soujirou back. Sano stood up, his face flushed. It appeared that he didn't get the point. He charged at him again, his fist clenched. Saito stood where he was, his eyes narrowing. He avoided the fist at the last second, and lifted his elbow, his eyes having a deadly gleam in them,
"SANO!!!" yelled Kenshin, realizing too late that he was aiming at Sano's neck – one of the area's which, if hit hard enough, could kill a person. Yahiko took a step forward, when a figure flashed past him.
Kashiwazaki Residence:
Misao looked up from the book she had been reading – not because she wanted to, but because she had nothing else to do – positive that she had heard voices nearby. She shook her head. It was probably her mother. She turned back to her book when;
"Misao chan!" She winced at the high pitched squeak and looked up to see Kaoru and Megumi standing at the entrance to her room. A huge smile formed on her face.
"Kaoru! Megumi!" she exclaimed, grinning. The two girls sat down on either side of her, careful not to move her leg.
"I'm so sorry Misao chan – I should have stayed for the practice," said Kaoru. Misao shook her head. She had thought that Kaoru would say this.
"Oh, it would've happened whether you were there or not, Kaoru chan," she said. "Saito would have been Saito, and I would have been as clumsy as I always am."
"I heard about his 'punishment,' said Megumi. "He really is a wolf's backside." Misao sweat dropped.
"Ano … I don't think that a wolf's backside has a personality, Megumi san …" she said. Megumi grinned, somewhat uncharacteristically.
"True …" she said. Misao looked from Kaoru to Megumi suddenly.
"What?" asked Kaoru. Misao shook her head lightly.
"Oh … nothing … I was just wondering how you two made it here without killing yourselves over Kenshin," she said. She was whacked lightly on either side of the head by the two girls. "Youch! Watch it … I'm injured," she said, smiling.
"Good thing too, or we'd have injured you more, ne, Megumi san?" asked Kaoru. Megumi nodded.
"Of course …" she said. Misao sighed.
"Everyone else is probably at practice …" she said.
"If they went at all," said Megumi. Misao looked up sharply.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Er … they were saying that – that they didn't want to go for practice …" said Megumi, flustered by the glare Kaoru was giving her. Misao's eyes widened.
"What? WHY? They HAVE to go! He'll – " she stopped. " … They're not going because of me … aren't they?" Kaoru and Megumi exchanged glances.
"What makes you say that?" asked Megumi, smiling fakely.
"Yeah – don't flatter yourself too much," said Kaoru. "Soujirou and Yahiko went. I didn't see Sano or Kenshin though …"
"They must've gone then," said Megumi. "I don't think Kenshin would stay from going … and I'm sure he must have convinced Sano to go …"
"Yeah … that's right …" agreed Kaoru. "And Aoshi san's there anyway …" That caught Megumi's and Misao's attention.
"Aoshi?" asked Megumi. "Ahhh … I'm definitely watching the next practice …" Kaoru rolled her eyes turning to Misao, who she saw, was turning red.
"Misao chan?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"Are you feeling okay?" Misao nodded hurriedly, mentally cursing herself.
"Hai! I'm fine! Brilliant!" she said. Kaoru raised an eyebrow at her.
"I … I see …" she said. Megumi smiled.
"Perhaps you should get some more rest," she said, taking Misao's flushed face as a symptom of fatigue, instead of embarrassment. Well, it was a mixture of both … she was feeling rather tired as a result of the painkillers.
"Oh no I really don't need – "
"Megumi san's right …" agreed Kaoru, standing up. "We'll see you tomorrow Misao chan! I'll come by in the evening if I can."
"Demo – "
"You'll no doubt get a visit from the guys today," said Megumi. "So you won't feel lonely or anything." Misao flushed. Would he come? She shook her head as Kaoru and Megumi walked towards the door.
"Well … thanks for coming," she called. They nodded, smiling. She sighed once they were gone. She had been at home for just one day and she was already bored to death.
Although the prospect of the 'guys' visiting her … made her wonder if … She yawned. Drat those painkillers.
Mitsurugi High School; 2:07 pm:
Saito's eyes narrowed as his elbow met an opened palm instead of the tender muscles of a person's neck. His eyes almost disappeared from his face when he saw whose palm it was. Standing halfway in between him and Sano was Aoshi. Saito noted, unconsciously, how indifferent he still managed to look, even when he had just probably saved someone's neck. Literally.
" … … …" Saito lowered his elbow, glowering at Aoshi. Sano was staring at Aoshi like he had just grown ten heads or something, similar to everyone else.
"What do you think you're doing Aoshi?" asked Saito. Kenshin wondered why he called Aoshi by his first name and everyone else by their surname or by a nickname.
"Saving your skin," replied Aoshi. "I don't think it would go well with anyone if you killed him." Saito continued to glare at Aoshi, his dark eyes looking dangerous.
" … I don't believe that …" he said, although he knew that he was right.
" … Your choice," said Aoshi, shrugging and turning to Sano with his hand extended to help him up from where he had fallen again. Kenshin chose the opportunity to send off the rest of the team, who went away hurriedly. Kenshin then hurriedly pulled Soujirou and Yahiko away, hoping Aoshi would do the same to Sano.
With a last glance at Saito, Aoshi pushed Sano in the direction Kenshin was going, walking after him. Saito stood where he was, the expression on his face enough to send people into catastrophic shock. He guessed Aoshi had been correct … he would have gotten punished if he harmed Sagara … but he wondered if that was the real reason as to why Aoshi had done that.
Aoshi watched Sano walk ahead of him, his face expressionless as usual. Saito would get him back for that … he was sure about that. He sighed inwardly. That was the problem in getting involved in other people's problems.
Perhaps he would take up Kaoru's offer of getting the girls to stop following him …
A/N
Wellllll????? I hope that was good. The 'guys' visiting Misao will be in the next chapter as, as you have probably noticed, this got a bit too long.
Hope the length was worth it!
See you soon!
Siriusgirl1