Chapter Nine:

--Kenshin's Pov.—

It has been two weeks since Kaoru had found out about Enishi's little secret. Kaoru had woken up a few minutes after I had told her family what had happened and boy were there some angry faces. Enishi tried to talk to Kaoru the next day but none of her family would not let him in the house nor would they answer the phone. But they continued their plans and went to go shopping, hoping that the shopping part would cheer up Kaoru. As planned I went along with her. It is now are wedding, the ceremony had been a bit long but it finally ended and we are now eating. As I expected Enishi did not show up. I looked to my right, Kaoru was sitting next to me looking at her food and slightly playing with it. I moved to her placing a kiss on the cheek and whispering to her.

"Forget about him. If not try to look a little more happy Kaoru. People will be wondering." I then moved back to my seat and continued eating.

"Yo Jou-chan!" Kaoru looked up and found Sano running up to us. He had a huge grin and looked at us. Kaoru smiled and stood up hugging him.

"Damn! You look pretty! I like the kimono!" She did look pretty. She was wearing a light purple kimono and her hair was tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon. I stood up after Kaoru and gave a hug to Sano. Now I've been wondering ever since Kaoru was in the hospital why were people to scared? It was nothing serious. The part where Kaoru said she was different from Karin is also bugging me.

Kaoru and I entered our new home and I'm pretty sure I saw a smile once she entered the house. She slid the door open and took off her shoes and I did the same. My stuff and her's were all ready set and we all ready had the things we needed with the help of Hiko. Kaoru and I stayed inside the house rearranging the furniture and things. After a few hours we went out of the house to buy food. She quietly walked beside me.

"Hey Kaoru. You okay?" She looked up at me and smiled.

"Ya. It's just..i'm gonna take some time to get things straight."

"Well if you think about it. You don't have to feel bad about what you 'did' with me." Kaoru gave a little blush. She reached for the kart and went inside the store as I followed.

-Kaoru's pov.-

I went to get some juice and milk while Kenshin went somewhere else. A few minutes later he came back with a bunch of ramen. I looked at him in disbelief. He looked at me with a confused look.

"What?" he asked.

"Are you serious? Is this what you live off of?" Kenshin pondered for a while before he answered.

"Except for cereal ya that's all." I shook my head and took some ramen out placing it on some isle.

"You are seriously going to die off of that." Kenshin was about to go off but I stopped him and linked my arms with him.

"Your not going anywhere. All you're going to do is bring back junk food." Kenshin sighed and let me drag him. I got a couple of vegetables, some fried chicken, rice with curry and a few of other things. Later on I let Kenshin get a couple of things he wanted because he kept on complaining and it was starting to get on my nerves.

"Hey Kaoru you can cook right?" I was silent for a moment as Kenshin unlocked the door to the house.

"Um..kind of." He raised an eyebrow.

"Kind of?"

"Ya..uh..but Hiko told me that you knew how to cook..soo ya!" Kenshin sweat dropped.

"Yes I do know how..but shouldn't girls know how?" I hit him.

"I do know how! Just not all of them.." Kenshin grinned.

"Well…I'm feeling kind of hungry why don't you prepare me some food Koishii." I blushed.

"Don't call me that Kenshin!"

"Why ever not? You're MY wife."

"Still! We married because are parents wanted us to marry. The only time I will ever be your wife is when pigs fly! Or when I fall in love with you!"

"Hmm…I'm not sure about the pig thing but fall in love with me huh? Are you inquiring that I'm already in love with you? How do you know? Can you read my mind? Sugoi…(amazing.)" he said in a sarcastic tone.

" Oh you know what I mean!"

"No. I don't know what you mean…enlighten me." he said still grining.

I rolled my eyes and went to the kitchen.

"I'm going to cook and you're going to be apologizing after you taste my food!"

"Heh ya apologizing that I made you cook." I pulled Kenshin with me.

"Your going to help then! Go cut the vegetables."

"Mou..first day of marriage and I'm stuck to a bossy girl."

"I am not bossy! You're just being a jerk." Kenshin smiled and started to chop the vegetables.

'Yes I may be a jerk but this jerk has kept your mind busy from thinking of Enishi.'

As I finished up cooking the food Kenshin set up the plates for two but the doorbell rang and Kenshin went to answer it.

"Goooood Evening!" Kenshin took a step back a bit startled once he opened the door and found Misao along with the rest of the gang behind her.

"You guys…what are you doing here?" Sano stepped in pushing Kenshin aside.

"Is that how you treat your friends," he took a sniff out of the air. ", I smell Kaoru's cooking!" he then ran into the kitchen leaving Kenshin shaking his head.

-Reg. Pov.-

"Oh Kaoru:" Misao gave a big hug to her.

"What are you hugging me for?" she smiled brightly.

"Nothing. I'm just so happy for you and you have a nice house! So when are you going to be checked? Is it a girl? A boy?" Kaoru looked at her weirdly also Kenshin while the rest kind of smirked.

"Misao what are you talking about."

"Dummy! Your baby! Is it a girl or boy!" Kenshin almost fell out of his chair while Kaoru was in shock.

"Misao I don't have a baby. We didn't do anything." Kaoru said blushing.

"Heh..ya..plus I don't think Kaoru would go that far." Kenshin said grinning. Kaoru stuck out her tongue at him and looked at her sister. She was debating on asking her a question but couldn't get the courage to ask.

"So what you two lovebirds been doing?"

"Nothing. Just cleaning and rearranging the stuff. Oh ya Sano can you help me for a sec? their's a desk I want to put in my room. Follow me." Kenshin got up and went outside followed by Sano leaving the girls alone. There was silence in the room as Kaoru looked down at the ground.

"I should have understood…," Misao and Megumi looked at her. ",I know I should hate him for what he did…but I'm still worried. Misao, how is he doing?" Kaoru looked up at her with worried eyes.

"He's feeling really guilty…he also broke up with Karin." Kaoru looked at her surprised.

"Wh-why? I know he loves her."

"That we don't know why. He probably…pitted you." Megumi said but was cut off.

"Megumi! Don't say that!" Misao scolded her.

"Sorry. But it could be the truth. I just don't want you going back to him and finding out that he did it because he actually pitted you."

-Different view-

"Okay..one two three lift!" Kenshin and Sano lifted the table and quickly brought it inside and to Kenshins room. As they sat it down Sano looked around.

"Nice room."

"Ya.." Kenshin looked at Sano. "Hey Sano? I have a question.."

"Spill away.."

"At any point did you or do you have feelings for Kaoru?" Sano was quiet and Kenshin soon felt the tension.

"There's a saying that if you have a best friend that's the opposite sex you end up falling for each other but I didn't believe in that..until Kaoru became my best friend. The only thing that stopped me was she was interested in Enishi so I didn't tell her. But I guess I was fine with that. So I guess that "best friends fall in love" is a phony. But as long as she was happy I didn't really care." There was silence for a while till Kenshin decided to speak.

"You kno--"

"She likes you Kenshin. Don't worry about it. Sooner or later she'll openly admit it to you. But there's one thing you have to promise…you cant be like Enishi…if I find out that you lied like Enishi I will kill you. All you need to do is make her happy even through the toughest times." Kenshin frowned.

"What are you talking about?" Sano opened the door.

"I can't say."

"Why not! Her family has been saying the same thing to me also."

"…Your going to have to ask her…when the right time comes." Sano then left. As Kenshin left his room Sano, Megumi and Misao were already at the door. Sano gave a hug to Kaoru.

"Take care Kaoru."

"Guys leaving?"

"Ya just incase you forgot we do have school tomorrow!" Misao said leaving.

"Yeah..see ya guys." As Kaoru closed the door she gave a sigh.

"School huh," she looked at Kenshin. ", people are going to talk."

"You should be happy and enjoy the fame." He said with a grin.

"Only trouble comes out of this." She then went to the kitchen as Kenshin followed her. He watched her clean the table and put the dishes in the sink.

"Kaoru? What are you hiding from me?" she looked up confused.

"Hiding?"

"They all know but me. So tell me what you're hiding from me.?" Kaoru went back to her washing.

"I'm not hiding anything. Plus I don't know what you're talking about. But you know what you can do? Dry the dishes please!" she said with a smile. He sighed and stood next to her as she gave him a plate.

"Ah…Kamiya I have heard that you and Himura have married am I correct?" the teacher said in an announcement. Kaoru nodded and looked at Kenshin. People gasped and started to talk. Kaoru had kept this secret for a week and for a week she enjoyed it but now the complication starts. Obviously people would be talking. Its not everyday a classmate gets married.

"I'm assuming it was your parents who made this arrangement?" Kaoru gave a nod once again.

"Well I congratulate both of you. Now as I was saying about yesterday you will have to pair up with a partner for this project to be done. I will give you a few minutes to discuss your project with your partners. Until then get to work." Right then the door opened and in came Enishi. Kaoru looked at him as he silently slipped into his seat as his partner informed him with news.

Kenshin looked at her and at Enishi and got up to sit next to her. Kaoru looked back at her work as Kenshin sat next to her

"Okay. Let's get started." Kenshin said.

"Don't you think we're too young to have our own place?" Kenshin raised an eyebrow at the sudden remark.

"Not really we're both 18 and above so it's legal." Kaoru sighed.

"I think Japan has silly rules, allowing arranged marriage and crap like that."

"okay okay, whatever lets just start the project. Oh ya I have a question to ask you. It seems people are hiding things from me lately. They've been telling me to make sure that your happy and stuff like that. What's up with that huh?" Kaoru kept silent and stared at her paper.

"So you are hiding some secret. Okay spill it out."

"We need to start our project."

"Don't change the subject."

"I'm not changing the subject, I'm just informing you we need to start the project." Kenshin frowned and was getting frustrated. As the bell rang both got up and cleaned their mess and went for their lockers. While passing by Enishi's locker Kaoru quickly slipped a note in while Kenshin looked the other way.

Dear Enishi,

I …know you think you don't deserve this but I probably should have understood your situation. You didn't have to break up with her because of me you know.. but if you keep feeling guilty about it and that's the only way to have your peace then I don't mind. I cant stand it..you avoiding me, I still want to be friends with you…I still haven't seen Tomoe. Isnt she here now? I would still like to see her and I want to see you too. Hopefully you wont be ashamed, I'll forget what happened and we'll be friends like before! See you kay?

Your Friend

Kaoru Kamiya

"Kaoru!" she looked at her girl friends.

"Sorry what were you saying?" her friend shook her head.

"I said Himura-san wants to eat with us!" Kaoru looked up and found Kenshin waiting. Kaoru nodded. Kenshin sat down beside her and took his lunch out.

"So what are you ladies talking about?"

"We were just talking about you and Kaoru! So is it true? are you two really married?" kaoru's friend asked. Kenshin smiled apologetically.

"I'm afraid so." Some girls screamed.

"So the rumors are true! Wow…but why?"

"It's an arranged marriage"

"Nani! So you two don't even know each other?"

"Well we do know each other..actually the first time we met was when she was 4..or…5..i'm not sure.." Kaoru frowned.

'great…good job Kenshin your not helping at all! I don't want them to know anything more about us! So shut up!'

"Kaoru!" Kaoru looked up and found her Misao calling her. " Hey Kaoru we're going out to get ice-cream you two wanna come?"

"Sure."

"Kay. Well we're leaving right now." Misao went ahead. Kaoru and Kenshin got up.

"Ah… sorry guys I'll see you later kay?" the two then left.

-ice-cream store-

"Come on Kaoru. Tell me." Kenshin whispered to Kaoru.

"Ugh! You never give up don't you! If I told you you'd probably have a divorce with me, then you'd make my mom disappointed!" Kenshin sighed.

"Is this secret that bad?" Kenshin paused for a minute and soon his eyes widen. "Don't tell me you're a boy!" Kaoru hit him on the head and looked to see if people heard him.

"Baka!"

"So you don't mind being married to me?" he asked with a grin.

"I'm doing this for my mom."

"Tch..i know you like me, don't deny it."

"I never said anything like that!"

"True but your lips told me everything!" his grin was bigger than ever and Kaoru was now red.

"Damn you Kenshin." she pushed him out of the line.

"hey! That wasn't nice!" Kaoru ignored him and took a step forward as the cash register asked her what she wanted. A couple minutes later they both sat down with the rest. As Kaoru looked up from her cup she saw Enishi walk in. She watched him as he ordered which took a while then once he turned around he spotted her staring at him. He only looked at her and then headed for the door. Kaoru stood up as the gang looked at her.

"Kaoru?" Sano questioned.

"Um..you guys I'll meet you back at school. I forgot I had something to finish back at school." Kaoru was about to leave when Kenshin stood also.

"I'll go with you." Kaoru looked back at him and shook her head.

"It's okay. I'm fine by my own. Plus Sano said he wanted some buddy buddy time right? You can talk behind my back while I'm gone" she said with a grin. Then she quickly ran out without letting neither any of them say anything. They all watched looking out of the window as she ran across the street. There she ran to a guy who turned his back, it had seemed that she had called out his name, which was Enishi.

"I should have known." Sano said sighing. Misao looked at Kenshin who was still looking outside.

"I don't think she really hates him. It's obvious she still loves him." Megumi said. Misao looked at her melted ice-cream staying silent.

"She's been hurt badly by the one she loved the most." Sano said with a pause. ", I know she wants to go back with him but I don't think Enishi could handle it." Kenshin noticed Misao was shaking but he couldn't see her face.

"Misao what's wrong? And what are you talk--"

"Stop! No! Just stop talking about it!" Kenshin was starting to get mad. He slamed both of his hands on the table and stood up.

"Damn it! Tell me what I don't know!" he screamed causing the people around to look at him. Misao looked up with tears and ran out of the shop as Kenshin ran after her.

-At school -

Kaoru stood in front of Enishi silently as he looked back down at her.

"Why?...why can't I at least be your friend?" Kaoru asked. Enishi turned around and walked away.

"Enishi! I still love you! Even if you cheated on me! I have forgiven you! I should have understood Karin's situation! Enishi!" she started to choke on her words sobbing. She closed her eyes wiping away her tears. She was suddenly pulled into an embrace. She looked up at Enishi who had his eyes closed with a pained expression.

"I'm sorry Kaoru. I-I don't think I can handle it….I need to forget about you…I'm leaving Japan..," Kaoru's eyes widen ", and moving to America permanently next month."

"Why?" she barley whispered.

"I don't think I can bare it when you….when you…." Enishi had no courage to finishi his sentence but Kaoru knew what he was talking about. ",Kaoru…really I love you...and I don't love Karin..i only went with her because she needed support. I love you Kaoru. I love you too much. That's why I need to forget about you."

"Kaoru!" both separated from their hug and looked back. Kaoru found Misao running towards her. Misao hugged her crying.

"Misao…Misao what's wrong?" just then Kenshin caught up and behind him was Megumi and Sano.

"Don't leave! Don't leaaaavvvee meee! I can't be happy if you're not happy! Pleaaasse!" Kaoru pulled Misao close and rubbed her back.

"Shhh…I'm here Misao." Kaoru said calmly.

"What the hell is everyone talking about!" Kenshin interrupted.

"This is none of your business Himura." Enishi said coldly.

"This is my damn business because I'm Kaoru's Husband!" Megumi touched Kenshin's shoulder.

"Kaoru will tell you when she's ready."

"No! This secret has been making me wonder! If you don't want me to know stop giving me these damn remarks!"

"You want to know!" Enishi shouted ", then I'll tell you! Kaoru is dying! That's what!" Kenshin looked at Enishi. " That's right! She's dying! She has Leukemia! That's why she looks so pale, that's why she gets sick easily, that's why it's none of your damned business!" Kenshin looked at Kaoru shocked. Misao cried even louder and harder. Kaoru kept quiet and looked away ashamed. Megumi put her hand on her mouth and tried her best not to let her tears spill. Kenshin kept on looking at Kaoru.

"Misao…please..please stop crying. I'm here..i'm right here." Kaoru paused a bit choking on her words as tears spilled once again.

'…Kaoru…….why?'