Disclaimers: As much as we all wish we had our own, personal Kenshin, he still belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama

08/24/05- Edited re-post

CHAPTER 2

"Yeah there's sposed to be some big party Friday night at Tantra. It's mostly for all the new students on campus but everyone I know is going."

Bits and pieces of conversations floated through her ears as she walked down one of the many halls. Fortunately for her, there was a big break between class number two and class number three, so that gave her enough time to sort her locker business out. And ditch some of these stupid heavy books. God, what do these publishers think we are? Body builders?

Another problem; she couldn't find her designated locker.

Feeling like she was ready to pound her first into one of the random metal squares, Kaoru felt all patience inside her drain away. I've already circled around where it should have been four times!

On top of that, the people that were sitting around the tables nearby were now looking at her questionably. The last thing she really wanted was to draw unneeded attention around her like a golden spot light. I must look like an idiot… like that guy, what's his name? Napoleon Die. Die something wasn't it? Or how about DIE LOCKER DIE!

Under her breath she whispered, "Ughh! There you are, you stupid thing!" Kaoru leaned forward, and followed the numbers on the piece of crumpled paper she held. Tension built up. The drum roll cue sounded as she rounded to the last number. But there was no click. The lock stayed firmly in place.

"Locker 416 South, yes. 19, yes. 29, yes. 34, yes."

The lock didn't budge. What the hell? Kaoru thought. She was readying herself to seriously injure it, when a sudden but soft voice sounded right behind her, startlingly close in her ear. It caused her body to tingle uncontrollably and she whirled around.

"It looks as though you could use some help."

"Um," she paused and swallowed. There, standing before her, was a very gorgeous young man. Unrealistic, bright red hair grew down long in the back, with heavy, jagged layers in the front. It was all pulled back tidily but his bangs managed to drop across his eyes, concealing them partially but she could still make out the odd color that they were. Violet, amethyst, lavender, her thoughts sang out. His realistic presence was uncanny. He looked more like he belonged in a cutting edge modeling magazine with his high cheekbones and full lips. Kaoru glanced at the top of his head and found no telltale roots showing. That's his natural color, I think. And oh god, I'm staring like an idiot. Yes, please do go ahead and make yourself look like a fool Kaoru.

"I'm fine," she clipped back after a moment but the boy had already bent down to grab the paper she had dropped, and he was now studying it intently. Ok I'm just going to pretend that he's pretending that I didn't stare at him like he was an Armani model in boxers. Though that is an interesting picture…

"Do you mind?" She angrily interrupted her internal thoughts.

"No. This one does not mind helping at all," the boy smiled at her, and reached for a lock to the left. His deep violet eyes narrowed in concentration.

Kaoru stared at his long orange-y red ponytail. Something about him looked familiar. Either she'd seen him before or something, but where? She just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Hmm, it seems that this locker is not the right one either."

He moved his long, well made fingers try the one to the right of it.

"There we go," he said calmly when it clicked, and he took a step back. Kaoru caught the scent of his cologne that rode the air he parted through. So deep, and masculine. Her eyes started to droop as she breathed it in.

"It seems as if they've given you the wrong locker number. The combination was correct though."

"Well thanks uh…"

"Kenshin," he kindly put in. "Himura Kenshin."

He spoke so modestly, and politely, that Kaoru felt obligated to act the same.

"I'm Kaoru, Kamiya Kaoru," she replied, and stuck out her hand. For a moment his eyes flecked with the slightest hint of amber, and then it faded as fast as it had appeared.

Kaoru blinked, unsure if she really saw what she saw. It's just me, she thought when he smiled reassuringly, and encased her hand with his own.

"Pleased to meet you and I suppose we will be neighbors."

"Yes, I guess we are…huh?" Kaoru looked at him curiously.

Kenshin went to the locker beside hers, and opened it with ease.

"Oh!" She said loudly, and then smiled. "I guess we will be then, ne? You know," she began without thinking. "You look so familiar Kenshin," Kaoru said, and then immediately felt like hitting herself. Who cares if he looks familiar! If you ask questions, he's going to ask questions!

"Well I graduated a few years ago from high school. I went to Shirai, that I did."

Idiot, she told herself.

"Oh," Kaoru said, her lips forming the shape. Kenshin read her eyes, and saw the sudden sadness that had appeared there.

"Do you know of it?" He persisted even though he knew it wasn't really his business to. The drop in her tone couldn't have been more obvious. It wasn't exactly a matter that she wished to discuss… with a stranger.

"Yeah, I do," she quickly put in, hoping that this wouldn't lead to anything else. "I graduated from there two years ago. That's where I must have seen you."

"Hmmm, I can't remember your face. Although you were a year younger, I did pretty much talk to everyone. People change. I don't think that I'm that easily recognizable. I'm quite surprised you made a remarkably correct guess."

"Yeah, well, maybe you're right. People change," she trailed off, her eyes looking away but on nothing in particular.

Kaoru left the rest of the conversation alone, and began to fill up the shelf in her locker with some of her textbooks.

Kenshin had acutely distinguished the difference in her voice and wisely chose to leave the topic alone.

This is the Kamiya girl who lost her parents. I remember that now, reading the newspaper and seeing it on television. Her ki is filled with un kept emotions.

Kenshin pretended to keep himself busy too, but decided to change the topic onto something friendlier. The silence that had befallen around them was just a little awkward.

"So, are you familiar with the university Kaoru-dono?" His voice rang out cheerfully.

Once again Kaoru felt taken aback by his courtesy and respectful tone.

"You don't need to call me that, and no I don't."

Kenshin just looked at her.

"This one did not mean to hurt your feelings or anything by that. It is just my way."

"If you must, I guess its fine."

He tilted his red head so that his ponytail rested on his shoulder. Giving him a sideways glance, Kaoru couldn't help but notice how cutely innocent he seemed, standing there with a bright smile.

"What class do you have right now, Kaoru-dono?"

She could feel her cheeks turn pink so she hurriedly turned her face away, averting his watchful, observant eyes.

"I don't have a class…" She finally spoke but it looked as if she was talking to her locker.

"Well then, let me show you around," and with that Kenshin took her by the arm, and led her down the hall. I think that she could use a friend after everything that's happened to her. Supposedly, from what he'd heard around, Kamiya Kaoru had disappeared from the world two years ago. And now she had suddenly re-surfaced, and what Kenshin made of it all, it seemed as if she was trying to start over. It would've honored him deeply if he could befriend her and help her along the way.

His actions and words were carried out so innocently that she felt very comfortable with him. It was all done so kindly that she didn't feel at all as if he were trying to hit on her.

Maybe uni isn't going to be so bad after all, Kaoru smiled.

Thank you to Miomi, erica6060, Triste1,gaby (hyatt, TimeWarper, and Reignashii for the reviews : )

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