EDITED REPOST, 09/05/05

Disclaimers: Kenshin, and the rest of the characters belongs to the great Nobuhiro Watsuki-sama

CHAPTER 11

"I don't know…" Kaoru raised an eyebrow in the mirror while examining herself. She turned to the side and looked up at the sales lady, a doubtful look spread on her face.

"Oh no, it looks fabulous on you! Those mini skirts are really in right now. Especially with the pleated ruffles here," she pointed near the bottom of the short skirt, "because they definitely accentuate your body. It gives your skinny frame that much needed boost around the hips."

Whaaat? Kaoru tried to cover her shock at the saleswoman's comment. Good god, I had always thought I had a nice butt and nice thighs! What a way to make someone feel like crap! I think she just ruined my day. What are you talking about? Being with Enishi ruins every single minute of every single day.

But the lady was hurrying on, oblivious to her verbal blunder.

"As for the shirt, may I recommend…" the bold, copper haired woman disappeared.

I really don't know, Kaoru thought to herself this time. She knew her white slip on heels would really go with the jean skirt, but it was so short. It's something that bastard would definitely love. My legs DO look longer, and fair. I think I need a tan, they look TOO white.

"This!" The lady reappeared out of no where like a magic trick. What she had in her hands, or hand I should say, Kaoru winced, was a tiny pink halter neck tank top. The front was cut low in a V shape that would definitely be catching every guy's eye. I'm not sure if that's what I want to do. Kaoru felt like telling the saleslady no but, Anna, the name that she quickly caught on the tag, gave her the hanger and ushered her back into the fitting room.

Fifteen minutes later after arguing forcefully, Anna won. Kaoru walked out with the Banana Republic bag swinging in her hand but she took some joy in it. The grand total that had been charged to Enishi's Visa was around forty six thousand, three hundred and ninety two Yen. That included some matching accessories such as earrings and rings.

Time? She asked herself, and glanced down at her watch. Ok good, now I should head home and get ready.

Once she was back in her apartment she tossed her goods onto her bed, and went straight to the kitchen to fix a cup of tea. She sipped it while doing her makeup in the bathroom. Not one for sporting cover up, Kaoru put it back in the drawer and started to decide on eye shadow colors instead. But that turned out to be a complete mess. She ended up having to wash her face and start over.

"Black eyeliner only then," she said to the mirror. I can handle that. She was used to wearing it daily, but for tonight she extended the ends upwards and out. Clear MAC lip-glass spread out thinly across her lips as she lightly squeezed the tube. It was a great product that added much shine to the lips, making them seem bigger and fuller than they really were.

When she was finished, she smiled into the mirror and winked. I look perfect. She hadn't felt so pretty since her graduation day. At least her parents had been around at that time.

"No frowns," she told the dismal face in the mirror before shutting off the light.

Time to change…

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"You aren't wearing the shirt I wanted you to wear!" Tomoe freaked.

"Oh for Kami-sama's sake, Tomoe-dono. What's the difference?"

"What's the difference…? She cried out in disbelief as if Kenshin had just asked her if milk really did come from a cow.

"This one is GUESS," she practically shoved the shirt in his face, "the other was GUCCI! The Gucci one was BETTER!" She expressed her anger by throwing her hands up in the air. An act of complete exasperation.

"But sessha likes this shirt better."

"That's fine! I don't care! You obviously don't love me enough if you didn't pick the—"

Kenshin stood up, putting an end to her whiny voice.

"What has this got to do with loving you? A shirt is a shirt. What's it got to do with love?"

"If you cared, you would have picked the one I liked!"

Kenshin put his hands in front of his chest gesturing that he didn't want to hear it anymore. "Ok, I don't care. I don't want to argue about this. I'm about to go to my best friend's surprise party, and I want to have a good time, which means I'd like to arrive in a good mood"

"Same here," Tomoe snapped. She flicked her hair before leaving his room.

"I'm going to go wait in the car," she announced from the entryway before slamming the door shut with force that rocked the mirror in the bathroom wall.

Kami-sama, women! Kenshin fumed and threw his wallet on the bed before unbuttoning his dress shirt. The things I do for you. Kenshin shook his head distastefully as he took the red printed Gucci shirt, and buttoned it on.

I can see why she likes it though. He posed in front of his bedroom mirror, admiring how the red design went well with his bright colored hair. No matter how many times he brushed his red bangs out of his eyes, they always fell back across them, just hitting his long lashes. He smiled and began to reminisce about his high school days. Sano had told him, back in the day, that apparently the majority of the girls in their grade wanted to 'run their fingers through Himura Kenshin's sexy red locks'. He hadn't been much of a dater in high school. He hadn't really cared much for girls at all. But that didn't last long after he had been introduced to a different world, an underworld that led him to live a double life…

The honk of Tomoe's car interrupted his thoughts about the bygone days.

Muttering profusely, he picked up his keys and headed out.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Surprise!" The chorus of over twenty voices shouted out happily and some even had streamers and confetti to throw. As normal, Sagara Sanosuke arrived later than what he had told his best friend. Of course Kenshin knew that before hand. He was used to it. For Sano to be on time, now that would be worth fretting over.

The spiky haired brunette jumped so high that he nearly hit the ceiling. Both his suitcases dropped with two very loud thuds. Examining the crowd and pinpointing his best friend, he laughed and shook his head. Something that meant, 'I'm gonna kick your ass later!'

"What the hellll…" he exclaimed to everyone standing around expectantly.

Parting through the crowd, Kenshin came to the front of the room and embraced his dear friend.

Many approached and asked redundantly how his trip was. With each reply he kept the same face and courtesy even though all he really wanted to do was plop down on the couch with a beer in both hands. Almost after ten minutes, a few of them began to file back out to the kitchen to pour and hand out drinks.

It was around that same second when the front door opened.

Enishi and his date stepped over the threshold, looking like a handsome couple that had just come off a movie set, ready for the after party.

Both Sano and Kenshin abruptly cut their chatter.

"Sorry," Kaoru apologized and gave a formal, slight bow. Not being used to wearing such clothing, she quickly lifted her head back and pressed her lips together. Great, now that you flashed them, I'm sure they'll find something to talk about for the next couple of hours.

"That we're late," Enishi was adding. "My girlfriend just couldn't keep her hands off of me." He smiled slyly and looked at Kaoru through the corner of his eyes while expertly adjusting the collar of his dress shirt. Instantly the heat flooded to Kaoru's cheeks and her whole body seemed to turn as pink as her tank top. How embarrassing! I feel like crawling underneath the carpet and disappearing forever. His ego is just unbelievable.

"No problem! Nice way to make an entrance 'Nishi," Sano laughed, and punched the youngster in the shoulder. Hard. "And who is this?" Sano nodded towards the beautiful girl that was standing shyly in front him, looking at her up, and down.

Not in a disturbing-hormone-I'm-a-guy-kind of way, Kaoru noticed when she dared to meet his chocolate brown eyes. He seemed to be smiling but his eyes were telling her something else. Much mystery and emotion laid there, like as if he wanted to say something aloud but couldn't for the sake of politeness. Or because Enishi is standing next to me, she read.

"This is my girlfriend, Kaoru," Enishi was telling Sano, but instead of introducing them fondly, he pulled her towards him securely, still maintaining his smile.

"Hi," Kaoru greeted him warmly and managed to shrug off Enishi, offering her hand. "Nice to meet you, Sanosuke."

"Hehe, you can just call me Sano," he told her, and took her hand, "like everyone else, jou-chan." Kaoru blushed at his slight formality. He seemed like a nice enough guy, though his red bandana and ultra-spiky hair gave his demeanor a badass edge. Trying to break the ice, he turned back to Enishi and commented loudly on the other's hair.

"What happened to it?"

Sano sounded dead serious, as if he had discovered that something was seriously wrong. As if to further gesture his point to anyone that didn't understand, he pointed straight at Enishi's head.

"Hair dye, bitch. What do you think?" Enishi bit back. Kaoru giggled at this, and Enishi, who had been facing Sano, sharply turned back to her.

"You find that funny?" He asked with such anger in his voice that it made him seem as if he were addressing his enemy, and not his girlfriend. The body language pointed out familiarly, to both Kenshin and Sano, that he was posed to strike. The latter was the only one that actually did something about it.

"Hey, hey… relax 'Nishi." Sano put an arm around Enishi's neck, getting him into a headlock.

"It was just a joke, you jerk," Kaoru muttered under her breathe.

Sorry Kaoru, Kenshin shrugged his emotions off as she walked by without even glancing at him or his girlfriend. It wasn't really his problem anymore. And besides, Tomoe was standing right beside him, what could he really do? Attempt to bitch out her brother right in front of everyone? That'd cause a bigger scene which, to him, was kind of needed. The situation was much too delicate, and Kenshin didn't feel like treading on it anymore.

"She looks really pretty, ne?" Tomoe inquired after the other raven haired girl disappeared.

"Yeah ,she looks nice."

"Prettier than me?" Tomoe persisted.

"No. Stop asking me silly questions, sweetie." And then they kissed.

Kaoru, who had been standing around the corner, pressed her lips together in anger.

Whatever, if she puts up with his garbage there's nothing I can do about it, Kenshin thought to himself. But why was it still nagging at him inside? Who cares what they did together. It made him feel uncomfortable to be thinking about Kaoru when Tomoe was standing right next to him… or was. She had run off, and was now talking loudly amongst her friends.

The image of Kaoru walking in replayed in his head. There she was again; the creamy, smooth, fair skin. The lustrous, long, rich black hair. But her skin, now that was being shown off quite a bit this evening. The short skirt emphasized the length of her legs, even though she was only just a little bit shorter than Tomoe. And that halter, it had been backless. The skin there was just as flawless, and beautiful. She glowed with a special radiance that no other girl, Kami-sama forgive me for thinking it, including Tomoe, did.

"Kenshin! Oy, here grab a cup and fill it up. I'll bet there's a lot of alco—uh juice and pop. And water," Sano sheepishly smiled, and put his arms around both of the guys, and led them into the kitchen.

"Where's the vodka?" Enishi growled to some guy upon entering the kitchen. Own plans in mind, he headed off, leaving Kenshin and Sano behind. Not that they minded. Both had a lot of catching up to do. Especially Sano.

"I like jou-chan. Where'd he find that one?" Sano inquired after settling down on his old beaten up couch.

"Our university," Kenshin replied, "but she also went to our high school too you know."

"Eh? You're kiddin me. That girl would have been serious competition for Tomoe."

"I don't know. I can't remember ever seeing her around. Skipping all other details, you should know that she's had a really rough life. Don't ever ask her about her parents. Ever," he warned.

Sano looked at Kenshin, puzzled.

"Ah, ok… I won't."

"That's Kamiya Kaoru."

Sano paused.

"What? You're kidding me! I remember her! Always carrying around a bokken, 'cause she taught Kendo class. And wait, you're telling me that the jou-chan in the pink shirt is her? That's her? No way!"

"It is."

"Kuso! She looks so different! Yeahh I remember now, her parents passed away leaving the entire Kasshin Ryu to her, eh?"

"Don't talk so casually about it, Sano."

"Gomen, Kenshin," Sano apologized.

"Some stuff happened while you were gone, Sano."

Kenshin stopped, and let his senses roam around the room. Nope. No one was listening in.

"Sessha… cheated on Tomoe," Kenshin admitted dramatically in a low voice.

"Prshhhhh!"

Sano's entire mouthful of drink came spraying out.

"Nani!" he questioned awfully loud, and then looked around to see if anyone had noticed.

"You heard this one."

"You cheated on her?" Sano let out a whistle, and ran his fingers threw his spiky hair. He sat back against the couch, and just stared at Kenshin.

"What did she say?"

"Sano, you ahou, she doesn't know!"

His friends eyes widened into perfect spheres. But this time he kept his drink inside his mouth. Anxious to hear more, he gulped.

"Don't you think that if she knew we wouldn't be together?"

"What happened? Gimme the details!"

Appalled, Kenshin had to stop himself from hitting Sano. Disgust was written all over his face.

"No not like THAT!" Sano slapped the couch. "Baka yarou, what happened… and with who?"

"It's sort of a long story…"

"I have the time! I ain't going anywhere Kenshin; in fact I just got back…" Sano smiled, and waited patiently.

( meanwhile )

"Kaoru-chan!"

Shit, Kaoru swore. Tomoe was calling her. Not exactly wanting to, she turned around and faced her with a false smile. Surrounded by a bunch of girls that looked like, well, sluts, Tomoe motioned with her hand for her to join. Hell, I guess I look like I'd fit right in too, Kaoru reasoned as she walked towards the group. It shocked her at first, but it got her thinking. She was Enishi's little slave. Pressed under his thumb, threatened by blackmail. Nothing could be dirtier than that.

"Hi, yes?" Kaoru replied sweetly.

"I just wanted to introduce you to my good friends. A lot of them don't go to the same university as us. This is Megumi, my best friend, whom you probably have seen around." The older girl smiled lightly but it also looked forced. And Kaoru didn't like the malicious look in her eyes. Studying her up and down.

"And this is Kamatari, then there's Yumi." That girl is having a major fashion crisis, Kaoru thought, but managed to keep a smile. She was wearing green lipstick. Green fricking lipstick, but she smiled back at Kaoru, automatically making her seem sincere enough.

"And this is Misao," Tomoe gestured at the shortest girl in the group. She was very pretty, and her long braid made her look almost child-like. Misao was also the only one out of them all who was dressed somewhat decently. Plus she stuck her hand out to shake Kaoru's excitedly. "Makimachi Misao!" She grinned.

"And I'm Kaoru," she instantly replied, the cheerfulness from her being quite contagious. Leaving her last name out was a good idea, as she saw it. Sometimes the consequences of saying it aloud amongst many others would turn the bright spotlight on her. It wasn't necessarily a good thing either.

"Hi everyone," Kaoru said loudly and gave a meek wave.

"This, ladies, is Enishi's girlfriend!" Tomoe happily announced as she ran her fingers through her hair. Everyone seemed to smile, except Misao who looked at Kaoru with a questionable gaze. I like her, Kaoru instantly thought. She seems to not like him, although she's smart enough not to say it in front of Tomoe and her followers.

"See that group of guys over there, Kaoru-chan?"

She managed to keep from rolling her eyes sarcastically. By now she was more than ready to really hit Tomoe. The whole 'chan' thing was getting stupidly ridiculous. It was really hard to keep from blowing up. Her whiny little voice, how she whines to Kenshin about everything. Arghhhh!

"So," she continued on without caring to see if Kaoru was paying attention or not, "That guy in the back with the blue shirt, he's Yumi's boyfriend, Shishio." Oh my gosh, what happened to him? His skin looked as if it had been severely burned. But she chose not to say anything about it. Then there was Tomoe who was still babbling on.

"They have been together for so many years, and they are going to get engaged pretty soon," Tomoe said with a wink at Yumi. "Hehe," she giggled, "They reminds me of myself, and Ken-san."

Put your hands in your pocket. Oh damn it, I don't have any pockets. Ok umm, just fold them together and keep them behind your back. She had to really fight the violent urge off now.

"Over there, that guy who's sort of off to the side is Misao's boyfriend. His name is Aoshi."

Misao beamed with admiration. "Aoshi-sama!" She called out and waved her hand at him. His response was to give an icy glare. Kaoru was surprised to hear Misao's voice rambling on about him being so cute. Yeah right. He's as dull as they get. At the mere words that ran through her head, his eyes shifted to focus on her. Kaoru drew in her breath and stared back, knowing that it wasn't polite to do so but she couldn't take her eyes away. Then he looked away and the moment was broken. What the hell is with everyone here? When Aoshi was giving her that look, she felt as if she were under a microscope, like a cop giving her a wary glance. Like those times you've been speeding and then at the next red light they pull up next you, and when you turn, you find them already looking your way vigilantly. He's very good looking. I'll give him that much, she stared at his lean, tall form. How the heck does Misao kiss him, she wondered. He was THAT tall compared to her.

"There's a shorter guy over there, and his name is Sojiro. He usually just keeps to himself as well. Kamatari and Megumi are the only sad ones that are sexually deprived at the moment."

"Oh shut up, Tomoe!" Megumi said, her bangs hiding her eyes. Eager to change the subject before Tomoe blurted out some more stupid facts that didn't need to be known, she asked, "So you're going out with Enishi?" As Kaoru was about to reply, Megumi cut her off. "That's funny; I haven't seen you around at school."

"Yeah, we're together. He's a great guy and um… I've been around."

"I believe that," Megumi responded shortly.

"Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"

Megumi brushed her bangs aside, and smiled deviously at Kaoru. She ignored the younger girl's question.

"Of course Enishi is a great guy! All the girls love him. It's a privilege to be his girlfriend so you better take care of him. He's like a brother to me," Megumi gushed on.

Bitch. Yeah, he's great, Kaoru thought. He's a two-faced bastard who uses people. Yeah he's not bad at a—

"Don't you think Megumi, and Sano would make a nice couple, Kaoru-chan?" Tomoe cut in. She was tilting her head to examine Megumi thoroughly.

"I barely know either of them to make a judgment call like that but Sano seems really sweet." Alright then, bitch, two can play your game.

She continued to glare smartly back at Megumi.

( back to the guys )

"And that's what happened," Kenshin finished. He sat back, twirling a bottle of water in his hands.

"The jou-chan and you." Sano sat back and stared in amazement. "Wow, she really is something el—"

"Sano!"

"Yeah yeah, I know," he responded and waved the subject with his hand. "So? It's not a big deal."

Seeing Kenshin's innocent reaction, Sano couldn't help but smile.

"It… isn't?" the other said with some hesitation.

"No! Why would it be?"

"Well this one doesn't think Tomoe would ever do that to sessha."

"Sessha, smessha, stop the crap talk. I bet Tomoe's done it herself."

"Excuse me?" This time Kenshin was the one to almost spit out the contents in his mouth.

"Yeah, her and that fox, Takani. Kenshin, look, do you want my honest opinion here?"

"Of course," Kenshin quickly responded. I hope I don't regret saying that.

"Women are… well they come and go Kenshin. We're still young and you act like… like you and Tomoe are already married! Stop looking at me like that. It's true. Thing is here, you aren't! See, that's why I don't wanna date anyone. Especially that fox that your girl keeps trying to set me up with." Sano caught himself as Kenshin began to look very weary. "Anyway, the point being, Kenshin, is that we are still young and I bet you anything those two aren't as innocent as you'd like to make them."

"You've never said this before Sano."

By now, Kenshin was very quiet. Abnormally so.

"Oh for Kami-sama's sake! Are you gay? Do you even think like a guy? Your laundry issue was more than enough to convince me at one point but really now," Sano looked at his friend, and then snorted with laughter.

"Sano, fine. I am not like a typical guy but I care for Tomoe-dono, and I can't imagine that she'd ever do anything like that to—"

"Yes, I know. But have you ever looked at your relationship real hard, and from a faraway point of view? Like a painting or something… yeah, step back, and take a look. Then tell me." Smiling faintly, Sano felt proud of his philosophical work.

Kenshin could only sigh.

"What is she doing with Enishi anyhow?"

"That's her brother," he automatically responded and wondered if Sano had slipped a little something over forty percent into his drink. Usually it took more than a couple cups. At least five or six jugs of sake. By then he practically needed to be carried out of the bar.

Out of no where without a warning, Sano bopped Kenshin on the head.

"Baka yarou!"

"Oroo! What?"

"Jou-chan and Enishi!"

Kenshin recovered quickly after hearing the two names coupled together.

"I don't know. It's none of my business."

"Keh," his friend spat and tossed his head, glaring at Kenshin with an 'all knowing' kind of look. "My ass it isn't your business. Do I feel some anger from you Kenshin? Jealousy perhaps?"

Now that seemed to hit something. And I thought he didn't care, Sano smartly thought.

"Why would I be jealous? I don't care about those two, it's none of my business," Kenshin repeated for the second time but the anger had slipped out unintentionally, proving his best friend right.

"I know you too well. That's bullshit, but if you wanna make yourself believe it, that's fine. I know better. But hey, did you see the way he was talking to her when they came in? I was surprised. It got me thinkin that perhaps it's like a re-bound or whatever they call it now days."

"Uhhh…?"

"Ya know! When you date someone, and then break up, and then rush back into another relationship."

"Sano," Kenshin began with his jaw clenched, expressing his thin line of patience, "We didn't DATE."

"Oh yeah… you just kissed the jou-chan."

"Yes, that's all that I did with the jou-ch— oh geez Sano! Shut up already!" Kenshin clutched his head as if it were throbbing with a painful headache. Not exactly a headache, more like a brain ache. I'm thinking way too damn much. What Sano mentioned is probably the best explanation. It'd never crossed my mind but it seems to the most logical one. Kaoru just simple went off with Enishi to make me jealous, or just to make herself feel better, or something equivalent to the both of these theories. But with that low life? And she knows he's bad too!

"Ahh," Kenshin sighed under his breath. Great, now I'm feeling even more confused than I was to begin with.

Thank you to: K14princess-ROCK, erica6060, crest fallen212, scythe195, Kenshin-01, kenshin86, karou-ken, Immortal-Blood, Reignashii, lyn, and Niaka1 for the reviews. Thanks guys : )