the 'IT' girl

bynyllemnev

Disclaimer: They are not mine… That's enough, isn't it? ;p

Chapter 3: Unexpected Meeting

It was a Saturday and basically, a 'no-school-day'. But for Kenshin, it is worse than an ordinary school day. He stayed all day in his room trying to finish the book report for Yamaguchi that he's should be passing on Monday (Megumi having just informed him yesterday on the phone, Sano completely forgot to tell him when it's due).

"GIVE IT BACK!"

"GET IT IF YOU WANT!"

Kenshin looked up from his book and papers towards his opened door. He went to close the window with a bang, "Can't they keep it down?" he sighed, rubbing his temples as he went back to his papers.

"HAHA! YOU'RE TOO SLOW!"

'The neighbors should really teach their children how to keep it down.' Kenshin frowned. The children playing outside made another shouted again from the outside. The redhead could only stare coldly at the wall in front of him in frustration. "Fine! I'm outta here!" he gathered his things and grabbed a coat before stepping out of his room.

"Where are you going?" his father called as he went downstairs.

"Out." Kenshin replied as he put his shoes on. "Some place where I can get some work done."

"I'M GONNA GET YOU NOW!" a little girl run past Kenshin, chasing her friend not too far away. The redhead only sighed. He wish he could be a child again, so carefree, all they think is play and play.

"Gotta go!" he shrugged and walked, heading towards the public library. The only 'quiet' place he knew.

XXX

Kenshin took the vacant seat on the far end of the library. He scattered his things on the table and began working and reading for hours. When at last he had finished his report, he stretched and leaned back on his chair.

"Four o'clock!" he glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. "Gah! I've spent what – three hours on this project! Man!" he turned his head to his left and he did a double take.

There, standing by a shelf, not too far from him, was Kamiya Kaoru – skimming through a very thick book. Something about her seemed a little different – or maybe it was the fact that her hair was tied neatly in a high ponytail (her hair was always disheveled in school), or the fact that she wasn't actually scowling at anyone (there's actually a small smile playing on her lips as she read), or maybe just the fact that—I don't know… Kenshin sighed, she sure can be pretty (she's really popular with the boys in school, really) but that doesn't change her from being the mean girl who had bugged on him everyday at school.

Or was there something more to her that meets the eye? Kenshin wondered and picked the nearest book to him and hid his face as she began to walk. When he lowered his book in search of her, Kenshin found her pushing the doors open to go out. Quickly, he gathered his things and followed her.

"I'm not a stalker or anything… I'm just curious." he muttered to himself as he turned to examine some flowers when she turned to look at his direction. Kenshin risked another glance at her and found her walking again.

For about fifteen minutes or so, Kenshin followed Kaoru like some stalker or something. Some people were starting to give him odd looks as he jumped behind a post when Kaoru turned and walked across the street. After some time, the girl finally stopped walking by the park and went to sit in one of the benches. Kenshin sat on a bench behind hers, his book raised up to hide his face.

"I know you're there, so why don't you just shut it and leave me alone." Kaoru's cold voice was enough to send shivers down Kenshin's skin. He lowered his book and turned to see Kaoru frowning at him. Feigning a look of innocence, he spoke, "Oro? K-Kaoru-dono? What a coincidence! I never knew you're there that I never, de gozaru yo." his could feel some cold sweat forming on his face as she continued to watch him coldly.

"You're a terrible liar, have I told you that?" Kaoru said, her eyes narrowed at him and Kenshin could do nothing but to laugh nervously.

"Sano always told me that… Hehe…"

"Fine!" Kaoru rolled her eyes and went back to what she is reading. "Then don't bug me!"

Look who's talking! She's the one always bugging on me in school and now she had the nerve to tell him off!

Gathering his things he went to sit beside her. She doesn't seem to mind for she continued reading and Kenshin was relieved at that. "What's that you're reading?"

"Obviously a book." came her quick reply.

Kenshin closed his eyes in frustration. When was it that he had a decent conversation with this girl anyway? He should learn from experience not to even try. The redhead shrugged and decided to just read a book to kill some time. He doesn't want to go back home since his father might make him do all the house chores again. I don't feel like working today!

"Why are you following me back then?" her voice reached his ears in an instant and he turned to look at her. She was still reading from the looks of it but he knew she's waiting for an answer – a good answer.

Kenshin gulped as he searched his brain for an answer – after some time, he said something (that he knew, would meant his death), "Oro?"

Kaoru looked up from her book and turned to give him a frown, "Oro?" she repeated what he had just said. "Oh… nice one, huh?" she raised an eyebrow, "That's very… original…"

Kenshin laughed nervously at that. He honestly doesn't know what to say anyway. Kaoru continued, however, "Fine! I will not ask you!" she turned back to her book. The redhead continued to read but after some time of doing so, the words and letters on his book was starting to make him feel bored. He risked a glance at the reading girl beside him and back to his book, 'Man… this sucks…'.

A soft feminine giggle from the girl seated beside him surely caught Kenshin's attention. Risking another glance at Kaoru, the redhead was surprise to find her smiling again, her usually cold blue eyes was shining with – what's this – glee? Kenshin rubbed his eyes and blinked – and it seemed as if the spell was gone.

Kaoru looked up from her book and stared right ahead of her at something coldly. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before slamming her book shut and standing up.

"Eh? Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin watched her walked towards a group of giggling teenagers and some old men not too far from their bench. The redhead could only guess what was coming.

"Oy!" Kaoru said in a cold voice as finally stood in front of them. "Are you trying to pick them up?" she added pointedly to the old men. The group exchanged confused looks before turning back to Kaoru.

"What are you saying, my child?" one of the men said in a maddening kindness as if talking to a three-year-old girl.

"I guess your brain's gone out with your hair, baldy?" Kaoru replied, eyeing the man's balding hair. The man's face reddened in embarrassment before giving Kaoru an annoyed stare.

"What do you want young lady?" he asked.

"I want to know why you're picking this high schoolers up?"

"Why don't you mind your own business?" one of the girls asked in annoyance and Kaoru turned to her.

"You're still high school! Show me your ID!"

"Who are YOU?"

Kenshin had to close his eyes and to raise his book higher to hide his face from everyone. Man, can't she just let them be? Why is she always bugging on some other people's lives?

"DIRTY OLD MAN!" he heard Kaoru's voice and when he looked up, he found her walking towards him while the group was walking away and muttering something under their breaths.

"Catch!" Kaoru threw a small bag on Kenshin and he reacted just in time to catch it. She turned to walk away and he could just watch her wordlessly.

"What are you waiting for?" the girl turned to give him a frown. "Come on!"

Kenshin gaped at her, then stared at her bag. I'm not doing what I think I am doing, huh?

"SHRIMPHEAD!"

Kenshin sighed and followed her, frowning at her. "Where are we going, de gozaru?" he asked.

"I'm hungry!" Kaoru replied. "Let's get something to eat."

Kenshin frowned and watched her as she walked ahead of him. Fine, I'm hungry too, anyway.

They entered some restaurant called 'The Akabeko'. Kaoru seemed to be a regular customer here because the owner greeted her and ushered her to an especially reserved table.

"You order." Kaoru said, throwing the menu at Kenshin rather curtly. The redhead sighed again and skimmed the menu.

"I guess I'll have some steak and…"

"Do you want this?" Kenshin found himself staring at Kaoru's fist waving in front of his face. He frowned as she hastily took the menu from him and handed it to the waitress.

"We'll have the usual," she said to the waitress who nodded and left.

Kenshin gaped at her, 'Why tell me to order if you're going to do it yourself? Man… this is so weird!'

They waited for sometime before the waitress went back with their dish. She prepared some hot steaming ramen noodles and a cup of tea. "Have a nice night, Ms. Kamiya."

"Sure do Tsubame-chan." Kaoru said nodding at the waitress who left. "Itadakimasu!" she said before picking her chopsticks up and starting to eat. Kenshin shrugged and began eating too.

The two finished their meal in silence. Kaoru took a sip of her tea before turning to Kenshin, "You pay, anyway."

Kenshin almost choked. What?

"Got a problem with that shrimpy?"

Kenshin stared gaping at her as she threw him the chit. He frowned and stared down at it. 'This much?' He carefully drew his wallet out of his pants pocket and then stared back at the chit.

"I don't have much money, de gozaru yo…" he spoke and Kaoru frowned at him.

"You take a girl to a fancy restaurant and you don't have the money?" she said as if that settled the matter. Kenshin could not believe it! This girl is SOOO gonna get it!

"Mind as well pay!" Kaoru sighed, "Where's my bag?" she gave him a flat look and Kenshin handed her, her bag. "How much?"

"This." Kenshin handed her the chit and Kaoru looked at it coolly. She got some money from her wallet and called a waitress.

"Keep the change." Kaoru said and the waitress bowed at her. Turning to Kenshin, Kaoru said, "You owe me one, shrimpy."

'What have I done to deserve this?' Kenshin silently prayed when he looked up, he found Kaoru standing up. The redhead sighed and made a move to follow her when she turned to give him an odd look.

"Are you going to the ladies room too?" Kaoru raised an eyebrow before smirking sarcastically, "Mind you… you'll pass for a girl, anyway…"

Kenshin glared at her. Just what is it that she meant by that? Just because his hair is long and he wore it in a ponytail meant that he looked girly or whatever – does he?

Kaoru giggled as she walked away, "You better wait for me there or I'll kill you – skin you alive!" and Kenshin could do nothing but to watch her go.

"Honestly!" and he shrugged, "I guess I don't have a choice now, do I?" he sighed and leaned back on his chair.

"Kenshin?"

The redhead almost jumped ten feet from his seat as someone – a very familiar someone – called him from behind. Feeling the blood rush in his head, he turned and mustered to smile at the person behind him.

"Misao-dono… hehe…" he laughed stupidly. 'Why do I have to act so stupid whenever in front of her?'

"Wow… I was so surprised to find you here, huh?" she smiled and went to join him in his table.

Me too… Kenshin continued to grin sheepishly at her, "So…" he mentally frowned, searching for a good topic to talk about, "Whatcha doing here?" the moment the words came out of his mouth, Kenshin wished the lightning would strike him alive. That sounds lame… She went here to eat, obviously!

"You're so funny, Himura!" Misao giggled. "So… you alone here or something?"

"Er…" Kenshin said nervously, looking past Misao's shoulder to see if Kaoru's coming. To his relief, no sign of the girl. "I'm alone… yeah! I'm alone… hehe…"

"Oh… cool." Misao smiled again. "So what do you say we watch a movie together? I know a good movie."

She's asking me on a DATE? Kenshin felt like floating in air. Taking a deep sigh, he smiled and mustered to reply. "Er… Sure. That sounds fun."

"Great!" Misao nodded her head. "Then let's go." she added before standing up.

Kenshin threw another glance at where Kaoru has just gone, 'This is your chance now… don't let some little-miss-bully mess it out now!'

"Is there something wrong?" Misao's voice made Kenshin turn to find her already starting to leave.

"No!" Kenshin smirked as he followed her, Not at all.

Together, the two left, unaware of a pair of ocean blue eyes watching them from afar.

To be continued…

A/N: Yeah, I know… Kaoru's a little… mean (is that the right word?), but there is a reason behind her actions (every character's actions). Anyway, I'll see you next chapter. Hope you liked this chapter (please tell me what you think :) ). Til next chapter:)