A/N
Hallo! I am BACK! (Dodging the kodachis, kunai and sakabatous thrown at her …) I am not going to ask for forgiveness for not updating, 'coz I don't really think that I deserve it. I'm really really sorry for not updating, but, since I only finished my AS levels on the 6th of June, I really didn't have time.
Thanks for everyone that reviewed the last chapter! I hope this chapter is okay, although it doesn't have Misao in it … (she will be there in the next chapter though).
Well … here it is; chapter fourteen!
Chapter Fourteen: Problems from the Past
He closed the door behind him, and walked down the corridor, heading for the stairs quietly, hoping that no one heard him. He wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. It was bad enough that Hiko-sensei was now 'watching' his every move … and that the annoying chicken brain and brat were acting as though everything was going to go their way … he didn't need to be -
"Hajime?" he stopped in his tracks as his mother poked her head out of the kitchen, seeing him.
"Hai?" he asked, turning around slowly.
"Did you just get home?" asked Mrs. Saito, smiling at him. He nodded.
"Yeah …"
"Well why don't you just come in to the kitchen for a while? And perhaps have something to eat or drink?" asked Mrs. Saito.
"I have a lot of – "
"Oh come on Hajime, I haven't spoken to my son in ages," interrupted his mother, frowning slightly. "I don't even know what's going on in his life anymore … and I don't really like that." Saito stared at his mother for a moment, without saying anything. Was it his fault that he wasn't the type to have 'heart-to-heart' conversations with people?
" … Okasan I have – "
"Okay, okay, I understand," said Mrs. Saito, placing a fake smile on her face. "You have a lot of work to do. Don't mind me, just go on ahead and finish your work." With a last glance at him, she turned around and walked back into the kitchen. Saito stared after her, a scowl forming on his face. He hated it when parents made their children go on the whole 'guilt-trip' thing. Mentally cursing himself for this 'weakness' in his character, he turned around and followed his mother into the kitchen, and sat down at the small table that was placed in the middle. His mother turned around when she heard him pull out a chair and she positively beamed at him, causing him to avert his gaze, feeling uncomfortable.
" … My life's pretty much the same," he said, after a while, seeing as how that was what his mother wanted to know.
"Really? There's no change in it at all?" asked his mother, raising her eyebrows whilst she stirred whatever it was that was in the saucepan.
"No change …" repeated Saito, standing up and walking over to the fridge, and grabbing an apple out of it.
"How are things going with the athletics team? You are the Captain, aren't you?" asked his mother, washing some cutlery with her back to her son, missing the look of annoyance that flashed across his face as she mentioned the athletics team.
" … It's … going well," he said, at last.
"That's good to hear then," said his mum. "I'm sure that your companions in Eigamura must be missing you though …" Saito muffled a snort, not wanting to hurt his mother. Yeah, he was sure that his companions were missing him …
"Hnn …" he said, munching on the apple.
"So, have you seen Aoshi in school?" asked his mother, taking off her apron and sitting down at the table with him. Saito stopped munching on the apple as he stared at her. "Hajime?"
"Yeah, I've see him," he said. "The kid's in the athletics team …"
"Oh that's so good!" exclaimed his mother, smiling widely. "I was hoping he would join the team – that's the one thing that has managed to be consistent throughout his life …"
"Yeah …" mumbled Saito.
"Is he doing well? As in … does he look well? He doesn't look like he's unhappy or ill?" asked his mother, anxiously. It was Saito's time to raise his eyebrows at her.
"I don't know about you, but I never notice any emotion on his face … so I can't tell if he's unhappy or on top of the world," he said.
" … Can you blame the poor boy for not showing any emotion?" asked his mother softly.
"He doesn't look ill though," said Saito, breaking the silence that had surrounded them. His mother sighed in relief.
"At least that's something …" she said. An idea hit Saito at that moment, pushing his annoyance aside as he looked at his mother.
"He seems to be getting along with the girl he's staying with though," he said, choosing his words quietly. His mother's head snapped up, her eyes widening slightly.
"What – what do you mean?" she asked, slowly. Saito sighed.
"Well, you know what I mean. Aoshi's not the type to really socialize with people … he just nods or whatever to people and that's it," he said. "But … he seems to be rather friendly with the girl." He stopped, looking thoughtful. "What's her name again … he said it was – Kyoko … no, it wasn't Kyoko … it was – "
" – Kaoru … Kamiya Kaoru," said Mrs. Saito. Saito nodded.
"Yeah, that's her name. They appear to be rather close … wonder what's going on between them," he said, not feeling bad about lying, to achieve his purpose. "He was wondering why he was sent to live with that family though …" His mother averted her eyes, not looking up at him.
"Really?" she asked, her brows furrowed as a rather alarming thought popped into her head. If Aoshi –
" – going up to have a shower … Okasan?" asked Saito, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Hai?"
"I'm going up now … since you've spoken to your son after a long time and found out what's going on in his life," repeated Saito, standing up and walking out of the kitchen, pleased with his mother's reaction towards what he told her about Aoshi. Mrs. Saito stared after her son, frowning slightly as she ran over what he had told her.
She was glad that Aoshi was doing well – or rather, that he wasn't ill. She knew that despite what he had said about Aoshi being virtually emotionless, Hajime could tell what the boy was feeling, having been raised together with the boy, considering the fact that she had been the 'motherly' figure in Aoshi's life ever since he was a baby.
What worried her was what her son had said about Aoshi's relationship with Kaoru, with Kamiya Kaoru. Her face paled as she remembered catching onto the hint that Hajime had passed about Aoshi's 'close' relationship with Kaoru. It wasn't that she had anything against Kaoru … but she was afraid. From what Hajime had said, Aoshi still hadn't been told about why he was staying at the Kamiya Residence, and she was afraid in case this 'close' relationship between Kaoru and Aoshi grew into … something more.
Her face paled. Their 'close relationship' couldn't be allowed to grow into anything else. They were – they were relat – She stood up hurriedly, a determined expression on her face. She knew what had to be done; for Aoshi's and Kaoru's sakes. Walking out of the kitchen, she headed towards the phone in the living room, hoping that what she was doing was right.
She stopped walking when she was next to the phone, anxiously chewing on her lip. She couldn't just call Kaeri and tell her to tell Aoshi the truth. What if that was rushing things a bit too much, and if Aoshi became scarred – psychologically scarred for the rest of his life? And … if Kaeri told Aoshi, she would have to tell Kaoru too … and that would mean that Kaeri's husband would find out too …
She didn't want to ruin Kaeri's marriage, regardless of the fact that it had been an arranged marriage that Kaeri hadn't wanted at all.
"Maybe I should just wait until Tooru gets home …" she mumbled to herself. Yes, that was best; to wait until her husband came home, and to discuss this with him before doing anything. She glanced at the clock on the wall behind her. She hoped Tooru came home early today …
Meanwhile, in Toriyama High School:
"Man … I can't believe that we have to go through all of this training," panted Chou, as he lagged behind the rest of the athletics team that had been asked to run 150 laps around the basketball gym, as the athletics field hadn't been booked for the afternoon practice.
"I get what you mean …" mused Kamatari. "I mean, being the best team out there, who would think that we had to go through such torture?"
"Do you two want to win or what?" drawled Misanagi, slowing down to run alongside them. "I mean, we can't take our fame and position for granted you know …"
"Yeah, but surely we should be allowed some privileges," grumbled Chou.
"Such as shorter and less invigorating practices," added Kamatari.
"Yeah, I mean, how unfair is it that we're still practicing at this ungodly hour in the evening?" grumbled Chou. Misanagi shrugged.
"You tell that to sensei," she said, lazily. "I'm not the one that has a problem with this." Shura, running at the head of the group of athletes, glanced worriedly at the pale haired boy running beside her. She could straight-away tell that he wasn't really paying attention to what was going on – he had zoned out, something that he had been doing quite a lot. She had known him since their days in grade-school, and as a result of that, was able to recognize that he had started zoning out every now and then ever since his sister died, two years ago, when they were in Junior High.
"Enishi – hey, Enishi," she called, as she saw a frightening snarl forming on his face. "Enishi!" His head snapped up as he turned to look at her.
"What?" he asked, looking around the basketball gym as though he was surprised to find himself there.
"Listen … is there something wrong?" asked Shura, continuing to run. Enishi snorted.
" … No Shura, my life is perfectly fine," he said, sarcastically. Shura sighed.
"Sarcasm wasn't called for there," she muttered. "Listen, if something's bothering you, talk to someone about it. It doesn't need to be me – just talk to someone. It's not good to keep problems inside your head without letting them out."
"Oh, someone's become a professor or psychology," said Enishi, raising an eyebrow at her.
"It's just common sense Enishi," said Shura. "But I'm serious; it's not good to – "
"I heard ya the first time Shura," interrupted Enishi. "But this problem of mine … will be solved soon. There's no need to worry about it …" Shura glanced sharply at him, not liking the dangerous edge that had entered his voice. What did he mean when he said that his problem would be solved soon? She sincerely hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid.
"Just don't bother about him," said Shozo, catching up with Shura as Enishi sped ahead. "I tried talking to him about this too … he was a tad bit ruder to me than he was to you …"
"I don't like this at all Shozo," said Shura, biting her lip. "I mean, ever since Tomoe-san died, he hasn't been the same. I'm beginning to worry about …" she paused. "I don't want to say this, but I am beginning to worry about his mental condition."
"You're not the only one," agreed Shozo. "I mean, one minute he's normal, the next he zones out, and after that, he gets this murderous glint in his eyes whilst he starts muttering under his breath."
"I wonder what the problem he's having is," wondered Shura. "I mean, I'm sure that he loved Tomoe-san a lot, but surely he can't still be grieving day and night for her …?"
"I really don't kn – "
" – From what I've heard, it's not the loss that's bothering him …" stated a quiet, calm voice from behind them, startling them somewhat. Shura sighed as she saw the tall male standing behind them. She didn't know why, but something about Uonuma Usui freaked her out.
"What do you mean?" asked Shozo, nodding at Usui.
" … He is more concerned with getting revenge for his sister's death, than with feeling empty without her," said Usui. Shura raised her eyebrows.
"Getting revenge?" she asked. "Usui-kun, what do you mean? There's nothing to get revenge for … I mean, it's not like anyone purposely killed Tomoe-san or anything …"
"That's what you think …" said Usui, smiling.
"What the hell are you talking about?" questioned Shozo, feeling uneasy. "Are you saying that she was intentionally killed?"
"She died in a car crash, as you all know," said Usui. "And apparently, the person driving the car had only recently got his license …"
"So in other words, he killed her? That's what you're saying?" asked Shozo, sounding amused. Usui shrugged.
"All I'm saying is that that is what Enishi thinks," he said. "Besides, I wouldn't personally care about what happened to him or his sister …" With that, he too ran ahead, following Enishi.
"I don't believe that guy," said Shozo, shaking his head. "Honestly, why would whoever it was that was driving the car intentionally kill Enishi's sister?"
"Her boyfriend was driving the car," said Shura. "And, from what I know, her boyfriend, whoever he is – or was – was really nice. I honestly don't think that he would have done anything to put her in danger …"
"Just forget what Usui said – he's confusing us all," said Shozo.
"Yeah … that's true …" agreed Shura.
Kamiya Residence:
"Kaeri where did you keep that envelope I told you to keep safely? The rather old and discolored yellow envelope?" called Mr. Kamiya, walking over towards the dressing table in their room and opening the drawers, looking for the yellow envelope. "Kaeri, where did you keep it? It's not here," he said, growling in frustration as he checked the last drawer to find that it wasn't there. "Kaeri!" he called, walking towards his wife's wardrobe.
"I'll be there in two minutes – I just need to finish this!" came his wife's faint reply, from somewhere downstairs. Mr. Kamiya started opening the set of three drawers that were on the left side of his wife's wardrobe. The first one contained jewelry and other stuff – there was no sign of the yellow envelope.
"Dammit! Where did she keep it?" he asked, opening the second drawer, feeling odd about looking through his wife's stuff – he respected her privacy and didn't usually do this. Rummaging through the drawer told him that the envelope wasn't there. "Okay, if it's not in this one – " He stopped when, upon moving aside a few scarves from the third drawer, he saw a faded and rather old envelope. He sighed in relief. "Thank-god …" he muttered, closing the drawer and closing the cupboard as well. He turned around and walked towards the bed, grabbing the files he had kept there, before walking out, heading towards the 'office-room' downstairs. He was halfway down the stairs when he met Kaeri, running.
"Hisashi – the envelope should be in the dres – "
"No worries, I found it," said Mr. Kamiya, waving the rather thick, larger than usual envelope in front of her. "I know I told you it was important, but there was no reason to hide it under scarves …" Kaeri smiled.
"Well you did say that – " she stopped, her brows suddenly furrowing. "Where did you – "
"Okasan …" came Kaoru's voice from her room interrupting Mrs. Kamiya.
"Hai?"
"Can you come here for a second please …" asked Kaoru, sounding rather faint for some reason.
"I – yes – Hisashi wait – where did you – "
"Just go and see what Kaoru wants Kaeri," said Mr. Kamiya, heading downstairs, smiling. "She sounded like it was rather urgent." Mrs. Kamiya watched her husband walk down the stairs, dread rising in her stomach.
"Okasan …"
"Coming!" she called, running towards Kaoru's room. She found her daughter lying down in bed, breathing heavily. "Kaoru?" she called, walking up to her.
"Okasan … I think I'm sick …" said Kaoru, her eyes looking blood-shot, and her face looking flushed. Mrs. Kamiya was kneeling down beside her in a flash. She inhaled sharply when she felt her daughter's fore-head.
"Oh dear … I think you've got fever," she said, shaking her head. "And your eyes are tearing – are you getting a cold?" Kaoru nodded, taking a deep breath.
"Yeah I think I am," she said, hoarsely. "And my nose is getting blocked too … and my throat hurts …" Mrs. Kamiya sighed.
"It must be the viral flu that's going around these days," she said, standing up. "You stay here whilst I go and get you some vitamin C and something hot to drink, for your sore-throat …" Kaoru nodded, shivering slightly. Her mother tugged the blanket out from underneath her, and covered her with it, frowning slightly when she saw the weak, flushed expression on her daughter's face. "You'll be fine," she said, squeezing her hand, before going outside, leaving the room door opened, incase Kaoru wanted to call her.
Later:
Aoshi stood up, pushing his plate away from him. He still didn't like the tense atmosphere that surrounded the dinner-table – especially with Kaoru missing. He shook his head hurriedly. Why did he say that? What did he care about tense atmospheres anyway? He was about to walk away, when Mrs. Kamiya stopped him.
"Oh Aoshi, can you please take this up for Kaoru?" she asked, pointing at the tray of food that she had placed on the table. "She must be starving."
" … … …" Aoshi didn't say anything, hoping that Mrs. Kamiya would get the hint. Didn't she understand that it was virtually suicide for him to have anything to do with Kaoru? Especially with Mr. Kamiya around? As it was, Mr. Kamiya was giving him a dark look over the rim of his glasses.
"Please?" asked Mrs. Kamiya, either not seeing the look her husband was giving Aoshi, or seeing it and choosing to ignore it. Aoshi sighed inwardly as he felt himself nod and pick the tray up in his hands. He had noticed that, ever since he had arrived at the Kamiya residence, not only had his life become more loud and troublesome, but he had been acting in a manner contrary to how he normally acted. If it had been the old Aoshi, he wouldn't have agreed to go for athletics practice when Kaoru asked him to, fearing that something might happen between Saito and Sano, Yahiko and Soujirou. But he had gone … and had been involved with Kaoru's group of friends ever since, when all that he wanted was a quiet and peaceful life.
He stopped outside Kaoru's room, unsure of whether he should really go inside. He shrugged. What the hell, it's not like I'm doing anything bad. He walked inside, wincing as he saw the cluttered room. He really didn't understand how people could live in cluttered rooms like this. Misao's room had been pretty much the same, if he remembered correctly. Walking inside and trying not to trip over anything like Misao had done when she had come over to get some book or the other -
Dammit … there he went again, thinking about that girl. What was -
A moan coming from the bed shook him out of his thoughts, and he walked towards it hurriedly, shaking his head as he saw Kaoru. Her eyes were closed, telling him that she was sleeping – or trying to sleep. An expression of pain was on her face, and she was breathing heavily, with her face flushed.
Somehow, as he looked down at the sick girl, something somewhere inside him stirred, causing his features to soften as he continued to look down at her. She looks like a little kid right now …
Hearing another pained moan, he walked over to the equally cluttered desk, and left the tray of food there, before walking back to Kaoru. Leaning down and placed his hand on her forehead, he winced as he felt its heat. Her fever, it appeared, wasn't going down. He frowned as he watched the pained expression on her face leave somewhat, as he placed his hand on her forehead, and immediately realized that it was because of the coldness of his hand – compared to her forehead. Turning towards the bedside table, he reached for the bowl of water and the cloth that was placed next to it. Dipping the cloth into the cold water, and squeezing it so as to prevent the water from dripping everywhere, he placed it – gently – on Kaoru's forehead, feeling satisfied when he saw the expression of pain on her face lessen even more.
As he looked at her, he was struck again by the resemblance that she had to him … it was … something about her face that – he glanced up hurriedly as he heard a noise from behind him. Looking around thinking that it was Mr. Kamiya who would certainly kill him, he saw no one. He shook his head after a few seconds passed. Great, as if all his problems weren't bad enough, he was now getting paranoid.
Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, he quickly stood up, leaving the wet cloth on Kaoru's forehead. With a last glance at her, he walked briskly out of her room, and into his, closing the door behind him. He walked towards the window that was next to his bed, and stared out of it, not really looking at the sky, or at the street that was dimly lit by the streetlamps that were on it.
He clenched his hands into fists, as a strange feeling rose up inside him, almost making him throw up. He shook his head. He didn't like this … at all. Firstly, he didn't understand what was happening to him, and to his infamous 'cold exterior.' He had thought – and had been right – that the cold exterior of his would prevent him from getting attached to people. He was right; it had prevented him from getting attached to people …
… Until now. His mind was asking him so many questions … and he was perplexed to say that he didn't have an answer for any of them. Why was he slowly getting attached to Kaoru? Why did he feel as though … he had to 'look after' Kaoru; since that was why he had been unconsciously doing what she had wanted since he arrived, concerning the athletics team, and hanging around with her friends and carrying messages to Misao? And why was he thinking every now and then about Misao? It wasn't like he knew her … well fine, maybe he did. Besides, he had sort of helped her a few times … but that didn't mean that he had to think about her.
And the question that bothered him the most; why was he staying at the Kamiya residence, instead of with his aunt and uncle? Not that he was really complaining, as he didn't really want to live with Saito … but still, one would think that relatives – especially close ones like Aunt Kazuko – would attempt to look after an orphaned nephew, instead of handing them over to a family he knew nothing about. And then there was the thing Saito had been about to tell him, concerning the 'reason' why he was staying with the Mrs. Kamiya … not to mention the hints he kept on passing about his 'mother.'
He turned back around and sat down rather heavily on his bed, running a hand through his hair. He was getting weak. Shinomori Aoshi was getting weak, by reducing the strength of his 'cold exterior.' He couldn't let this continue … god only knew what would happen if he got attached to someone again … only to lose them like he had lost his father. He let out a long sigh, rubbing his eyes. Why was life so complicated? Aha … I know what I'll do …
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, with his back to the door, he took a few deep breaths, before closing his eyes, concentrating on his breathing. He hadn't meditated for a while now … maybe he would be able to clear his mind of all these problems after fifteen to twenty minutes of meditation.
Kamiya Residence
8:45 p.m.
Mrs. Kamiya walked into her room, letting out a long sigh, and massaging a sore area in her back. Taking care of a sick Kaoru really was rather taxing … as that was when Kaoru was the most difficult to manage, continually complaining, whining and moaning. After having her dinner – after making a fuss as a result of her hurting throat, she had finally fallen asleep, much to her mother's relief.
She moved over to her dressing table, taking off her earrings and the necklace that she had put on that morning, before combing her black hair. When she had done that, she opened the second drawer of the dressing table, and was in the process of taking her jewelry box out, when a large, rather faded, yellow envelope caught her attention. Keeping the jewelry aside, she took the envelope in her hands, frowning slightly. This was the envelope that her husband had asked her to keep safely (as he had the tendency to misplace things) …
But he had told her that he had found the envelope … he had even waved it in front of her face, teasing her about hiding it safely underneath some scarves –
Underneath some scarves …
Her face paling, and feeling rather faint, she crossed the room and opened her wardrobe, pulling open the third drawer that was on the left side of the wardrobe. Moving aside the various scarves that were there, she searched fervently for the envelope that had been there … a rather large, old yellow envelope, much like the one her husband had asked her to keep. The only difference was … what was inside the envelope.
"Oh god!" feeling a few beads of sweat run down her neck, she grabbed the envelope that had been in the drawer of her dressing table and ran downstairs, towards her husband's office-room. She opened the door slowly, not wanting to startle him. As it was, he was seated behind his desk, looking rather thoughtful. " … Hisashi?" she said, softly. He looked up hurriedly.
"Kaeri …" he said, somewhat surprised to see her look almost frightened.
"Hisashi – I … I found your yellow envelope …" said Mrs. Kamiya, praying that he hadn't opened the other one already.
"Huh? Envelope? Oh, the yellow one …" said Mr. Kamiya, remembering. "Oh, but I told you that I found it … in your wardrobe." He lifted a few files and shifted a few papers around on his desk, finally spotting the envelope and holding it up for her to see it. "See, I found it."
"No … that's not it," said Mrs. Kamiya, forcing herself not to stammer. "This is the one you wanted …"
"Is it?" asked Mr. Kamiya, looking at the envelope in his hands. "Hang on …" He opened the already unsealed envelope, and poured its' contents out on to the table.
"Hisashi that's – " Mrs. Kamiya closed her eyes as she watched her husband stare at the items that had fallen on his desk. Where he had expected to see some important letters and receipts all that he saw were photos, and a few sheets of folded paper.
"What is this?" he asked, looking at one of the photos, surprised. Mrs. Kamiya moved forward hurriedly, tightly gripping the envelope she had in her hands. "Kaeri, this is you … isn't it?" asked her husband, raising an eyebrow at her, as he held the picture for her to see it. She stopped by his desk, nodding slowly, forcing herself to calm down.
"Yes, that is …" she said, trying to sound nonchalant … and hoping that he wouldn't ask her about the other person in the photo.
"And who's this?" asked Mr. Kamiya, nodding at the man that was standing with an arm draped around the younger Kaeri's shoulders, smiling. "Hey … isn't this your old school?" Mrs. Kamiya nodded.
"Yeah …" she said, smiling wistfully. "Eigamura High School … I was sort of hoping that we could send Kaoru there, but when we moved here, it was a bit too far …" Mr. Kamiya nodded, picking up another picture.
"Yes, I remember that … but you should have said something if you really wanted us to send Kaoru there," he said, raising his eyebrows as he looked at the second picture he had in his hand. This one had a whole load of people in the faded picture … but what caught his eye was the couple kneeling down in the center of the group, arms wrapped around each other, and smiling happily. "Who is this?" he asked, casually.
"Who?" asked Mrs. Kamiya, gulping as she thought about what she should say. She didn't understand why she was feeling so nervous – it was only a couple of pictures … but the letters that were there … "Oh … that's a friend … Yuuji …" she found herself saying, before she could stop herself. Her husband nodded.
"He must have been a good friend – I mean, he's in quite a lot of these pictures …" he said, smiling as he thought back to the time when he had been introduced to Kaeri, by their fathers. "Do you remember the day we first met Kaeri? How you were really looking like you wanted to be somewhere else …" Mrs. Kamiya forced a smile on her face.
"Yeah …" she said, wondering how she could get the envelope and its contents from him.
"Is it just me, or does this guy look like that kid?" asked Mr. Kamiya, interrupting her thoughts. She swallowed.
"Kid?" she asked, knowing who he was talking about.
"Yeah … Aoshi," said Mr. Kamiya, frowning as he mentioned the boy's name. Kamiya Kaeri kept the weak smile on her face.
"He … he does? I guess you could say that …" she said, not wanting to say anything more in case Hisashi put two and two together.
"Why don't you put all of these photos into an album? I mean, they are photos of your past … and surely you want to keep them safe, instead of letting them fade away in an envelope," said her husband, smiling. "Oh, there are more photos?" Mrs. Kamiya's mind screamed at her to do something before he looked at those photos, and at the letters that he still hadn't touched.
"Oh, they're nothing, really," she said, casually. "Just rather stupid, childish photos …"
"And these papers?" asked Mr. Kamiya, picking one of them up.
"Er – they're just notes … you know, notes passed around in class and stuff, without the teacher catching us," replied Mrs. Kamiya, hastily. Her husband looked at her, amused.
"Bad girl, you're not supposed to do that you know. No wonder Kaoru does that too," he said. His wife smiled weakly at him. "Let's see what you were – " Mrs. Kamiya sent a prayer of thanks to the people above, when the phone on her husband's desk rang. She watched as he picked it up, and started talking to whoever it was. "Yes, I know – hang on – " Mr. Kamiya covered the receiver with his hand. "Kaeri, can you pass me that envelope?" he asked, indicating the one in her hand. She gladly handed it over, and watched again, as he turned all his attention back to the phone.
Deciding that it was now or never, she leaned across the desk and picked up the other envelope, and began stuffing the letters and photos that were scattered around the desk inside, her hands shaking as she did so. Gripping the envelope tightly, she smiled at her husband, before walking outside, closing the door quietly behind her, not noticing the piece of paper that was under the table, having fallen when she had been hurriedly putting the photos inside the envelope …
Mitsurugi High School:
"Huh? Where's Kaoru?" asked Yahiko, looking around the class and not seeing her there. Soujirou looked around too.
"Maybe she's late …" he said. Yahiko shrugged.
"Yeah …" he mumbled. "By the way, Soujirou, what events have you been put down for?"
"The 4 into 100, 2 into 100 and 100 meter relays, plus the mixed relay," said Soujirou, grimacing slightly as he said it. Yahiko's eyes were as wide as saucers.
"What on earth! But – that's too much!" he spluttered. "It'll kill you!" Soujirou smiled.
"Saito-san obviously doesn't care about that," he said.
"Soujirou, you've got to speak to Hiko-sensei," said Yahiko, shaking his head. "I'm sure that he'll do something about it. I mean, I understand why he put you down for all of them, given you impressive talent, but still, your health is at stake!"
"It's too late, isn't it, Yahiko? I mean, haven't the forms already been sent?" asked Soujirou.
"Oh no …" mumbled Yahiko. "But still, I'm sure that he can talk to the organizers and get it done …"
"It's no use Yahiko, we might as well let it be," said Soujirou, shaking his head this time. "What's done is done. There's nothing we can do about it now. What worried me more, is that he has put Misao down for the Under 17 Girls' events …" Yahiko nodded.
"I know … and if Sensei can't change that, we might have to forfeit …" he growled. "Oh no, we won't have to forfeit … if he's put a back up runner for her …" Soujirou nodded.
"Yeah, he's put Kyoko-san as backup," he said.
"That's good … so I'm assuming that that new girl that sensei selected to 'replace' Misao … will not be able to take part then," said Yahiko, frowning. "Since her name's not in any of the forms …" Soujirou looked thoughtful.
"Oh yeah … but then, surely, Sensei would know what will happen if the forms have already been given, right?" he asked.
"I hope so – hey!"
"What?"
"What about the hurdles! And the high-jump and long-jump!" exclaimed Yahiko, staring wide-eyed at Soujirou. "Has anyone mentioned those events?" Soujirou shook his head.
"No …" he said. "You don't think that they've forgotten … do you?"
"If they've forgotten, then it's too late to take part in those events," moaned Yahiko. "Dammit! We could have earned points with the hurdles too …" Soujirou nodded, frowning slightly.
"We should ask Kenshin about that …" he suggested. Yahiko nodded absentmindedly, as the teacher entered the classroom.
"OHAYO everyone!" exclaimed Takashi-sensei, causing everyone to wince at the almost unnatural cheerfulness he possessed at this time on the morning.
A little while later:
"Hey, what are you two brats doing here?" asked Sano, walking out of the changing rooms, to find Yahiko and Soujirou standing outside, looking like they were waiting for someone.
"What did you call us, rooster-head?" grumbled Yahiko.
"Brats …" replied Sano, grinning.
"Whatever, asparagus-head," retorted Yahiko.
"Hey! That was uncalled for," said Sano.
"No it's wasn't …" said Yahiko.
"Heh, did you two see the look on Kenshin's face when he saw Kaoru missing? I wonder what he's thinking right now …" said Sano, grinning as he remembered the look that had appeared on Kenshin's face when he found out that Kaoru hadn't come to school that day …
"Yeah … he looked really concerned, didn't he?" asked Yahiko, grinning as well.
"He could just have asked Aoshi-san if he wanted to know what was wrong with Kaoru …" said Soujirou. "I mean, seeing as how they live together …"
"Don't say it that way Soujirou," said Sano. "It sounds bad."
"And speaking of Aoshi …" said Yahiko, his grin widening as Sano caught on to his meaning, and as they both turned to stare at Soujirou.
" … Is there something on my face?" asked Soujirou, perplexed.
"No, but there soon will be, if you continue to give him the impression that you and Misao are together," said Sano, grinning.
"And when jealousy really kicks in," added Yahiko. Soujirou scratched his head, confused.
"Misao and I? Together? Jealousy?" he asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Honestly, all he needs is some red hair and a cross-shaped scar on his face," said Sano. "And he'll be the exact replica of Kenshin."
"But he'll need to like Kaoru too, for it to work," said Yahiko.
"Like Kaoru? I don't like Kaoru …" said Soujirou, sounding even more confused by now … (the poor thing!)
"Yeah, we know," said Yahiko. "No one in his right mind would – "
"If you don't like Kaoru, then who do you like?" asked Sano, staring at Soujirou. He could tell that the questioned had caught the boy off-guard.
"Who do I like?" he asked.
"No, who does my grandmother like," muttered Sano, shaking his head.
"Well … I don't really like anyone," said Soujirou, slowly and truthfully.
"Really?" asked Sano.
"Yes."
"Really?" asked Yahiko.
"Er … I said 'yes' didn't I?"
"Fine then, tell me, if you had to chose between … kitsune, Kaoru and Misao, who would you choose?" asked Sano, grinning inwardly as he waited for the boy's answer.
" … Ano, that's not fair you know …" said Soujirou, pouting. "They are all good friends."
"Just hurry up and choose!" grumbled Yahiko.
"I would choose … Misao," said Soujirou, abruptly. "She is after all my best friend. By the way, choose her for what? What do I choose her for?"
"As a girl-friend!" exclaimed Yahiko, laughing as he saw the shocked expression that passed across Soujirou's face.
"No … " he said. "Misao … Misao's … well Misao's Misao …" he said.
"Really?" asked Sano, raising an eyebrow at Yahiko. "Did you know that Misao's Misao, Yahiko?"
"No Sano, I really didn't," said Yahiko, seeing Soujirou flush. "I thought Misao's Kaoru all this time!"
"That's not what I meant …" said Soujirou, shaking his head.
"Yeah, sure …"
"You two are really acting strange – "
"Sano? What are you three doing here? Practice is about to start!" came Kenshin's voice, as he walked past them.
"We were waiting for you and Aoshi-san," said Soujirou, smiling as he saw Aoshi walking behind Kenshin. "We wanted to go together …" Kenshin smiled at the younger boy, wondering why Yahiko and Sano were grinning evilly as they looked from Soujirou to Aoshi.
"Well, now that we're all here, let's go, shall we?" he asked.
"Yes," said Soujirou, joining Kenshin and Aoshi. As he smiled at Aoshi, he saw the slightly frosty glance he was giving him, and he frowned inwardly. He really didn't understand what he had done to the senior student, to get him to … well, to dislike him.
"Heh … poor Soujirou's getting all the dirty looks," said Yahiko, not missing the frosty glance Aoshi sent Soujirou's way.
"This will continue for some time … so he might as well get used to it," said Sano, as they all headed towards the field.
"Are we all here? Good," said Hiko Seijiro, looking around the crowd of athletes that had gathered around him. "Now, before I say anything else, I am afraid that we have a small problem …" He sensed the atmosphere change around them. "I thought that all the entry statements had been signed, and sent to the organizers already … but as it appears, they haven't. And if that's not bad enough, we seem to have received the entry forms for the hurdles, the long-jump and the high-jump only today. And they need to be filled in and handed in to Nakamura-sensei by the end of this practice."
"So they didn't forget …" muttered Yahiko, sounding relieved.
"But who's gonna – "
"MYOUJIN! SAGARA!"
"Sorry sensei!"
"As I was saying, we need to fill them in today. That unfortunately means that we will not have much time to practice the relays. Now, this is what I've outlined for the day. First, you will all split into your respective groups again … and, after setting up the hurdles you will practice with them, timing each other. I want all the times written down, and I want everyone to try the hurdles three times each, and the best time will be taken for each person," said Hiko-sensei. "Oh, and do be careful about the hurdles … you wouldn't want to place them too close to each other – " he glanced at Saito here " – you know what happened to Makimachi the last time she was forced to jump hurdles that were placed too close to each other."
Saito said nothing, knowing that the man was passing these hints in an attempt to make him feel threatened. In his opinion, the man needed to find something else to do in his free-time. Did he really think that Saito Hajime could be easily threatened? If he did, it was time for him to think again.
"Heh serves Saito right!" said Sano, as he saw the look he was getting from Hiko-sensei.
"I know! Ah … revenge is sweet, isn't it?" asked Yahiko, smiling.
"Ano … can you two stop talking? Sensei is sending us dirty looks now," said Soujirou, uncomfortably.
"Oh …" Aoshi shook his head as he listened to them. He had never known that people were capable of hating someone as much as they hated Saito. He guessed that he couldn't really blame them. Their best-friend was injured because of him, she hadn't been coming to school as a result of that, she might not even be able to take part in the tournament – and it's high time that I STOP thinking about their best-friend.
"And after we deal with the hurdles … we'll see if we have enough time to go through the jumps … and see if we can get that sorted out as well," continued Hiko Seijiro. "Everyone got that? Good … now start moving!" Everyone started moving towards the open field. "Seta and Fujita stay back."
Soujirou halted in his tracks, wondering why they were asked to stay back as he walked back towards Hiko-sensei. Once Tokio had reached them, Hiko stared directly at Soujirou.
"Looking through the entry forms, I noticed that you were down for every single event in your age group …" he said. Soujirou nodded.
"Hai," he said.
"Was that your decision?" asked Hiko, slowly.
"No … Kenshin – "
"HIMURA KENSHIN! COME OVER HERE!" called Hiko-sensei, raising his voice. In a minute, they were joined by the red-haired vice-captain of the team.
"Is something wrong, sensei?" he asked, curiously.
"Who filled in the entry forms that were given into Nakamura-sensei some time ago?" asked Hiko Seijiro.
"The entry forms? Well … Saito and I filled them in," said Kenshin, frowning slightly. "Is something wrong?"
"We you in a right state of mind when you filled them in?" growled Hiko, surprised that Kenshin had allowed something like this to happen. "Seta can not take part in all the events he has been put down for … you want the kid to die?" Kenshin shook his head.
"No, but Saito said that he's our only good runner, so – "
"And since when do you listen to everything that he says?" interrupted Hiko, glaring at his 'stupid pupil.' "Seta, you will not take part in all the events. Do you have any event that you'd rather not take part in?" Soujirou shook his head.
"I don't mind …" he said, slowly.
"Sensei, why don't we put Soujirou as backup for Yahiko in the 2 into 100 meter relay?" asked Kenshin. "I mean, we need Soujirou for the 4 into 100 … so why don't we give him a break for the 2 into 100?" Hiko glanced at Soujirou.
"Are you okay with that?" he asked.
"Yes," said Soujirou. "Provided that Yahiko does take my place." Hiko raised an eyebrow at him.
"And who else would we put instead of Yahiko?" he asked. Kenshin answered the question for him.
"No one, it's just that … before you returned, there was some – er – doubt, of Yahiko getting to take part in the tournament," he said.
"Damn that guy … he is really starting to get on my nerves now …" growled Hiko Seijiro, understanding that Saito was the one that caused that 'doubt.' "Fujita, which race are you better at, the 4 into 100 or the 100 meter race?" Tokio frowned.
"Well, to be honest, I'm more of a long-distance runner …" she said. Hiko nodded.
"Good, then I will put you down for the 4 into 100 and the 2 into 100 meter relays … if that's okay?"
"That's fine," said Tokio, nodding.
"Good … now there was something else – ah, yes, I wanted – " Hiko looked hard at the three people standing around him. "Fujita, do me a favour and ask Saito whether he received any entry forms for the relays – not the mixed relays, but the rest." Tokio nodded.
"Hai," she said, moving towards the spot Saito was standing in, talking to Aoshi.
Saito smirked as he caught the flash of annoyance that passed across Aoshi's face, when he asked him about the Kamiya's. From his cousin's posture, he could tell that he was close to losing his temper. He loved being the only one that was able to make Shinomori Aoshi angry.
" … So, how do you like Mrs. Kamiya?" asked Saito, smirking at him. Aoshi pointedly ignored him. He knew what he was trying to do, and he would be damned if he fell for it.
" … How's Aunt Kazuko?" he asked, instead.
"She's fine," said Saito. "But you didn't tell me – "
"Saito-san?" Saito turned around to see one of the new members of the team standing behind him.
" … Yeah?"
"Hiko-sensei wanted to know whether you got the entry forms for the relays …" said Tokio, forcing herself not to stare at his brilliant, unusual eyes.
"Why ask me? Wouldn't the ever so organized vice-captain know?" asked Saito. Tokio stared at him, her eyebrows raised. She remembered her friend telling her that Saito was rude … but she hadn't expected him to be this rude …
"If the ever so organized vice-captain knew about them, Saito-san, I'm pretty sure that Hiko-sensei wouldn't send me here to ask you," she said, smiling.
"Is that so?" asked Saito. "Well in that case, the vice-captain isn't as organized as we thought he was." He smirked. "The entry forms for the mixed relays were filled in and handed over to Nakamura-sensei long ago … if I remember correctly, it was the red-head himself that came to me with the forms …"
"Sensei was talking about the other relay forms, not the mixed relay," said Tokio, hurriedly.
"Why didn't you say so earlier then?" asked Saito. "No, I did not receive those forms. But surely he must know that …"
"Apparently, he didn't," said Tokio, turning around. "Thanks …"
" … Whatever …" As Tokio ran towards Hiko-sensei, she was not surprised to find herself thinking that Saito Hajime was the rudest person she knew, and that her friend had been right when she warned her about him. He may be rude … but his eyes are gorgeous …
Kamiya Residence:
Mrs. Kamiya looked up from the book she was reading as she heard the phone ring. In her anxiety to get to the phone before its' ringing woke Kaoru up, she almost tripped over her own feet, and lost the page of the book she was reading. Sighing, she picked up the phone, hoping that Kaoru hadn't been woken up by it.
"Moshi-moshi, Kamiya Residence," she said.
" – Kaeri? Is that you?" Mrs. Kamiya nodded.
"Er yes, this is Kamiya Kaeri speaking … who is this?" she asked.
"It's me, Kazuko."
"Kazuko! How are you? Is everything okay?" asked Mrs. Kamiya, smiling.
"Everything's fine with me … how are things going for you? How's Aoshi?"
"Aoshi … well, he still hasn't gotten completely used to staying here yet," said Mrs. Kamiya. "But you can't really blame him for that, can you?" There was a pause, in which Mrs. Kamiya got slightly worried. "Is something wrong Kazuko?" she asked.
"How is Aoshi getting along with Kaoru, Kaeri?"
"Oh, you scared me for a moment there! I thought something was seriously wrong," said Mrs. Kamiya, sounding relieved. "Well, they seem to be getting along … in the sense, they talk to each other every now and then … and he's starting to hang around with her and all of her friends. I guess you could say that they're getting along." She didn't like the way she heard Kazuko sighed. "Okay Kazuko, enough with the questions. Just tell me what's going on."
"Kaeri, my son started to attend Mitsurugi High School too … and – well, he knows Aoshi from before, being his cousin and all …" There was a small pause. "Well, he told me that … that Aoshi and Kaoru are getting along really well. Really well … if you know what I mean …"
"Kazuko are you implying what I think you're implying?" asked Mrs. Kamiya, her eyes widening.
"I don't think that Aoshi is the type of person to do anything to Kaoru … and personally, I think that Aoshi is simply starting to learn how to make friends. But, in case, incase anything does happen … don't you think that it would be best to tell Aoshi about … the truth?" Mrs. Kamiya was silent for a while, as her mind processed everything that Saito Kazuko had just told her. Aoshi … eventually falling in love with Kaoru? She shuddered. That would be awful!
"Kazuko, I really don't think that their relationship is anything like that," she said, at last. "Besides – " she smiled as a picture of Kenshin popped into her head. " – Kaoru is already in love with someone else. And, from what Kaoru's told me … there's someone else who might like Aoshi."
"Really? Someone likes Aoshi!"
"Kazuko, don't sound so surprised!" chided Mrs. Kamiya. "He is a very good-looking young man you know…" Much like his father …
"I know he is … but Kaeri, I really think that you should do something – at least tell Aoshi about the truth. Hajime – my son – told me that Aoshi keeps on wondering why he was sent to live with you … instead of being kept with us. I guess that what I'm trying to say is that I don't want Aoshi to find out about the truth from the wrong person, at the wrong time."
"I understand what you're saying," said Mrs. Kamiya. "And I was contemplating on telling him, a few days ago … but … Kazuko, how will Kaoru take it, if she found out? I can't tell Aoshi, and not tell Kaoru. And then, if I tell Aoshi and Kaoru, how can I not tell Hisashi?"
" … Maybe I did the wrong thing in burdening you with Aoshi then …"
"No! He's my son … and I should be looking after him," said Mrs. Kamiya. "Forgetting Hisashi and Kaoru, how will Aoshi react if I tell him the truth? He will obviously hate me … for abandoning him …"
"How many times do I have to tell you that you didn't abandon him? You did the right thing. Yuuji never held it against you, so why are you still blaming yourself?" Mrs. Kamiya was about to answer, when she heard Kaoru calling her from upstairs.
"Uh – Kazuko, can I call you back later? I need to go now …" she said, hurriedly, as Kaoru called her again.
"Yes, of course. And Kaeri? I really don't mean to burden you by telling you all of these things … I was just worried that Kaoru and Aoshi – well, you know …"
"Yes, but I'm sure that that won't happen," said Mrs. Kamiya. "Ah, I'll call you later then. Bye!"
"Bye." She put the phone back down, her brows furrowed as she thought about what Kazuko had told her. She should have known that these problems – and the headaches they brought with it – would come up, when she agreed to let Aoshi stay with her. She shook her head hurriedly. What was she saying? Was she trying to say that she regretted Aoshi staying with them?
"Coming Kaoru!" she called, hearing Kaoru call out again, snapping her out of her negative thoughts. As she walked up the stairs, she couldn't help but wonder what Kaoru would say when she found out that she had a 'big-brother.' Heh … and what Misao would say when she finds out that her 'good-looking burglar' is none other than Kaoru's step-brother…
A/N
Phew … another chapter finished. I know that there was no Misao or Misao and Aoshi interaction in this chapter … but I am saving that for the next chapter, in which I hope to make Aoshi have at least one decent conversation with Misao. Heh, and there's no need to worry about not updating, 'coz I happen to be free until the 31st of August … and I plan on finishing this Fanfic before then (hopefully …). I was also wondering about who should find out about Mrs. Kamiya's 'son' first … should it be Mr. Kamiya, Kaoru or Aoshi himself?
Well … that's about it for now. Hope you enjoyed it! And, once again, I'm really sorry about not updating before this!
See ya soon!
Siriusgirl1