Disclaimer: All characters from Rurouni Kenshin belong to Nobuhiro Watsuki, however Original characters belong to me. I do not make any profit off of this story, it is written for pure leisure.
Cap of last chapter:
Nearly all of the male attention was directed to her, Kaoru thought she seemed to be a very nice person. "Tell us your name dear," Ms. Hiroshi would say softly. "My name is Tomoe Yukishiro." She said cheerfully. Kenshin whispered the name to himself, and thought he was hearing things, and muttered, "It can't be".
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A flood of memories came back to Kenshin.
The couple held hands under a sakura tree, petals dancing in the air as they floated down upon the two lovers. The young scarlet-headed gentleman leaned over the sophisticated young woman who leaned on the tree, giving her a kiss on the lips. Tomoe and Kenshin, Kenshin and Tomoe, either way sounded blissfully fantastic to him. Until the dreaded mid-day came.
Lying down on the soft grass, running his fingers through her hair, a soft vibration was felt in her pocket, she took it out, looking worried. Kenshin paid no mind to this though, and grabbed the phone playfully and answered. But what started as a game, ended in sadness.
"Hello, this is Tomoe.." He said playfully.
A male voice was heard on the other end, "This isn't my love, tell her I can't wait for us to meet tonight, I love you too by the way."
Kenshin's face was stricken with horror; his eyes swirled into a furious anger. Tomoe prepared herself, "Kenshin…koishi…" She said softly. "Don't call me that!" He said as he threw the cell phone aside, as it crashed into the tree, where they had carved each other's name. "Why the hell did you do this Tomoe? You…you…get away from me!"
Taking out a dagger she gasped, shielding herself with her arms, but Kenshin had made his way the opposite direction; towards the tree. Digging the dagger into the bark, he scratched out the small heart with their names, stabbing the dagger in the center once finished. "This is what you've done! I'll never forgive you!"
Kenshin's eyes had taken on the hue of amber as Tomoe had taken a seat next to Kaoru, the two girls began talking, Kaoru with her bubbly personality. Kenshin's eyes now slits of gold, a well-known trait of anger for him. "I'm Kaoru, nice to meet you Tomoe!" Kaoru said, introducing herself. Tomoe smiled and nodded, "You seem very nice!" she said in an equally happy voice, which Kenshin would only scorn. Kaoru smiled and nodded, "Let's have lunch!" The two already sounded like best friends, Kenshin sat there thinking to himself, 'What is that wench up to?'. Ms. Hiroshi soon exited the room and Makoto went back to teaching the class. "Ok, back to tort—I mean..teaching." The whole class was silent, a few; giving him 'what the fuck?' looks. He cleared his throat shifting his eyes and muttered under his breath. "Anyways! I have another fun-filled project for you all!" The room was filled with groans, and the sound of the sucking of teeth.
"Yea, yea, yea, you guys better learn to do work because I hear even for fast food professionals you need to go to college." He snickered at his own joke, being the only one. The class looking at him blankly, it was so quiet one can probably hear a pin drop. Catching on that the joke wasn't all that funny, not to mention at all he broke the silence saying, "Moving on, you will be able to have partners on this project..." Everyone whispered 'yes!' but all of them soon came to an end as he announced he would choose the partners for them. "The list goes as follows: Seta and Yugisaki, Kamiya and Makimachi, Suichiro and Nai…etc…Himura and Yukishiro, you all may move to accommodate your needs.
Kaoru smiled, and thought, Well at least now they can get to know each other, Kenshin seemed so rigid when she came at first. Kaoru moved to Misao's side, and immediately the two began to babble on and on. Kenshin clenched his teeth and looked to Tomoe, already sitting next to her, "What the hell are you doing here Yukishiro?" He whispered in a low dangerous voice. "Why, I'm finishing school, miss me babe?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Whatever." He sneered, Tomoe began to loose her act and let the real-her leak out. "You know what Himura, I know you still want me, you hold a grudge, but it's because you miss me, you know you do." She said confidently, grinning. Kenshin's reply only made her vexation grow, "I am in love with Kaoru, and couldn't want anything else in my life, she is my all…and that's final." Tomoe would restrain herself from digging her nails into her own flesh, "Well Kenshin, if you want you and your precious Kaoru to even have a relationship, I suggest you listen, and listen good; don't get me angry, I am capable of things, meet me in the hallway near the icecream vending machine in front of the lunchroom doors five minutes before lunch ends."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes and just replied with a 'hmph'. Kaoru would look back at Tomoe and Kenshin now and then to see how they were doing thinking, Boy are they talking long. Kenshin's eyes flickered intense amber, and wanted to warn Kaoru, but didn't want to bother her about the past, he sighed furiously suddenly finding himself in a mess. Tomoe smirked at his internal chaos, and formed a plan, looking at her victim, Kaoru.
Makoto had stepped out which was everyone's cue to stop pretending to work and talk. Kaoru called Tomoe over and Kenshin rested his head on his folded arms...deep in thought. Everyone spoke until the bell rang, signaling lunch, Kaoru smiled and ran out of lunch with Misao and Tomoe, blowing a kiss to Kenshin. He forced a smile and got up going to his class where he had to take a make-up test. The girls reached the cafeteria, sitting in their table, chatting. "There are a lot of cute guys here." Tomoe said, striking conversation. Misao's cerulean eyes glimmered, "Oh really…who might that be?" her voice full of curiosity, matching her face, Kaoru in the same state.
Tomoe giggled whispering to her 'friends', "You guys will see soon enough…he said he's going to meet me in the hallway today!" The girls gasped and Kaoru thought, It's no surprise, she is very beautiful. The girls continued to talk and eat, giggling here and there. However, Kenshin was taking a test, not being able to concentrate at all. The teacher looked up, furrowing a brow to him, "Mister Himura, do you have ADD?" the teacher would ask him. Kenshin shifted his eyes catching a glimpse of the clock, it was 1:30. He muttered, "No I-oh shit!" He looked over to the teacher, "I need to go to the bathroom!" he held his crotch for emphasis.
The old woman squinted and gaped, her eyes widening. "Yes go!" she handed him the pass, and Kenshin smirked once turned around, but became serious as he walked out. Tomoe would look at the clock strike one thirty, the time her plan would be put to action. "Well, it's time for us to meet.." she said, looking back at the two girls. "Can we come with?" Misao asked, smiling. Tomoe shook her head, "I'm sorry..but he's very shy.." she said as an excuse.
"Aww! Come on!" Kaoru pleaded cutely; a pout on her innocent face. Tomoe shook her head, "I'll show you who later, see ya guys..." she waved to the two girls, making her way out, knowing what would soon happen after this. Kenshin walked to the said ice-cream machine with a sneer on his face; leaning by the vending machine…he eyed the selections. There were Neapolitans, icecream sandwiches, and strawberry éclairs, which were Kaoru's favorite. He smiled at the thought of how cute she would look when one was presented to her, his smile vanished as Tomoe approached.
She wore a sweet smile on her face that would've made any guy want to kiss those lips of hers, except Kenshin. His eyes only narrowing as she did this, a bitter look crossed his features. "What do you want." He said in a cold voice, lacking any compassion whatsoever. She continued to be lovey-dovey with him, running a hand through her hair. "It's simple, you…that's what I want." A large huff came from Kenshin in response, "Never, never again." Taking her hand roughly and stepping away.
Tomoe's face soon became placid, "Okay, and tell me what would happen if Kaoru was oh…let's say hit by a car all of a sudden, what then?" Kenshin's fists clenched, "I would kill you." She smirked, "If you wish that not to happen you must leave her and be with me." Kenshin's eyes bore into hers, "What the hell are you on, do you honestly think I would ever leave my love to be with you?" his voice acid-like.
"Oh, honestly yes. Now kiss me." She demanded, taking his arms to place around her waist.
Back at the cafeteria, Kaoru and Misao talked amongst each other. "Do you think it's Ryu she likes?" They giggled, trying to figure out whom it was Tomoe was seeing. "That's it…how about we take a peek, she never said we couldn't do that!" Kaoru erupted in her cute laughter and nodded, her raven hair waving along. "Ok…let's go."
Kenshin looked at her disdainfully, "I'm over you bitch." Meanwhile, the two girls were tiptoeing around the school, finally finding their girl. "There they are." Kaoru squinted, "Who is he?" They were painfully far away, and can only spot his crimson hair, which seemed a dull red from their distance.
"I'm not sure…let's get closer." As they did so sneakily, Tomoe caught a glimpse of the girls, knowing from the start that their curiosity would get the best of them. She would then finish the plan off, snaking her arms behind Kenshin's neck and meeting her lips to his, making it look as what it wasn't. Kaoru gasped, her vision picking up the scene; "Kenshin!" Kaoru shrieked. Misao gaped, "No…" Kenshin jerked out of the forced kiss, but unfortunately not fast enough as Kaoru saw it all. "Kaoru!" Kaoru's innocent face became grief-stricken, "K-k-kenshin…how…" she choked on a sob.
"Kaoru…baby, it's not what it looks like! She…we…" He couldn't talk of the past, he never told her and now regrets he hadn't. Kaoru refused to listen, and looked to Tomoe, then back to Kenshin shaking her head in tears running off with Misao. Tomoe smirked at the situation, wiping off her lips. "Mm…if you can't be with me, you can't be with anybody." She said before walking away. Kenshin punched the wall, and broke in a sprint after Kaoru…his life suddenly in pieces.
"How can he, it's all about looks with him isn't it?" Kaoru cried on the shoulder of Misao. Kenshin walked up slowly to the two, "Kaoru…" he said softly, Misao shooting a glare to him as Kaoru's sobs became louder to the sound of Kenshin's voice. "Don't say a word…we're…" Taking a last sob-shaken breath she uttered the last word: "…over." Continuing she said, "Her first day and you're all over her, and you forget about us." Her cerulean eyes emitting a waterfall, the tears rolling down her face. Unclasping the necklace…their necklace she threw it on the floor, the gold glimmer fading in the gloominess. Kenshin went to hold Kaoru, "No, it's not like that, I should've told you—" Kaoru cut him off, "That you don't love me as much as you say you do? Okay, I can take a hint. Goodbye Himura." With that she walked away, into her car driving away. Kenshin bent down, picking up the chain he gave her, tracing the heart charm.
Raindrops would fall onto his hair, ending the saddest day of his life. Holding onto the charm he made his way to his car, feeling like shit he turned to walk to his car. Once inside he felt a colossal headache make it's way into his head, inserting the key into the keyhole he revved the engine up; backing out. In no mood for music he turned off the blaring music, silence eating away at him. Driving forward, his crimson eyes began to fill with tears as he drove. Seeing the scene play out in his mind over and over simultaneously with Kaoru's face flashing, hot tears of anger streamed out of his slits of vermillion as his foot stomped down onto the pedal, the mph meter zooming from 60 to 90. The word 'over' echoed painfully in his mind as he forgot himself and put his head to the steering wheel and began to sob…losing control of the car.
The car spun out of control, colliding head-on with a large gas-tank truck resulting in the truck tipping to it's side, and smashing Kenshin's front side of the car. Kenshin flew out the windshield from lack of seatbelt, landing limply on the cold street's pavement. Several passer-by's witnessed the incident, and dialed the emergency number reporting the scene. Within half an hour of time, the ambulance, police and news reporters arrived. Meanwhile…
Kaoru huddled on her crème-colored sofa she watched a show, which was soon interrupted by breaking news. "This is Naomi Kawasaki, and we have breaking news live! We're here at 17th street also known as Sakura Lane with a head-on collision between a gas tanker and a driver, the images we are about to show you might be a bit disturbing." Kaoru gasped and shook her head at the misfortunate event…but kept watching. The camera shifted to a mangled Ferrari, shattered bloody glass beside it, and the truck on its side, smashing the small vehicle. Sensitive Kaoru brought a hand to her lips, her eyes inspecting the Ferrari, which seemed to be familiar. The camera then moved to the ambulance, "We have an unidentified red-headed male who seems to be unconscious and very injured. He will be transported to Nagasaki Tokyo Hospital."
Slowly, the camera stirred to a cut, blood-spattered young man with locks of flame-red scattered on his face. Kaoru then knew almost immediately who it was, she uttered the name, "…Kenshin…?" She didn't want to believe it, but as if a cruel realization to her doubt, she received a phone call. It was Megumi, "Kaoru, listen. I'm at work and Kenshin has been in a horrible accident, tell the others and please come." She felt her heart sink deeply and new tears sprung into her eyes, she jumped into her car and drove to the hospital. As if in a split second, Kaoru arrived at the hospital shaken. Misao, Aoshi, Sano, and Yusuke also there trying to calm Kaoru. Megumi made her way to them, a clipboard in her arms as looked down sympathetically to Kaoru. "How..how..is he?" Kaoru would mumble lowly, sobs vibrating throughout. Megumi whispered softly, "He's in a coma.."
Kaoru threw her arms in the air and sobbed loudly. "No.." First she had seen Kenshin cheat on her, now he's in a coma. She felt her heart simmer with anger and sadness. Aoshi, Yusuke and Sano still could not believe what Misao and Kaoru presented them with about Tomoe and Kenshin. "One of you guys can go if you want to see him." The group immediately knew Kaoru was the one that needed to see him most. Rising weakly from the waiting room, she walked over to his room, first looking in the window at the battered Kenshin. Opening the door she sat beside him, tears rolling down her cheeks. She swept her gaze over his body, which was covered with open cuts, bruises, and dry blood. The tubes which poked into him in several places, as well as in his mouth. Wincing lightly she placed a hand on his, "Why Himura…why…?" she whispered faintly. No response came from him; his hand had a light warmth to it. "I thought we would be forever, I thought we were perfect, why Kenshin?" Sobbing uncontrollably, she stayed for a few more minutes before exiting and leaving the hospital.
Two weeks passed, and no response from Kenshin. The doctor began to doubt if awakening was even a possibility. Everyday his friends would visit him, and Kaoru as well, everyday returning in tears. No progress was made between Kenshin and his coma, and the question of 'unplugging' him began to stir, which neither his friends nor family wanted. The doctor nodded and gave them another month to decide.
Tuesday, Kaoru and the rest of them talked at a local café. There was a cold silence that Aoshi broke by saying, "So how are you so sure Kenshin wanted Tomoe at all?" Kaoru explained what she saw and heard but Yusuke, Aoshi, andSano were still not convinced. "Did you even try to listen to what he had to say?" They tried to reason with her, ultimately she hung her head. "No, no I didn't. I know what he was going to say."
Suddenly she felt a faint press on her hand, she looked up attentively to his face where his eyes had opened wearily. "K..aoru." His voice raspy and low, his eyes met hers as tears seeped through them. "Kenshin." She smiled and leaned over to kiss him, but then hesitated, recalling the image from earlier. Her face then became sorrowful once again, Kenshin took note of this and frowned lightly. "Baby.." She shook her raven head, "No.." Kenshin clenched his fists, "At least listen." He managed to get Kaoru's agreement to listen. After 20 minutes of explaining his past, Tomoe, and the incident, Kaoru sat shocked. Kenshin awaited any reaction or response from her, hoping she believed he was speaking the truth.
Seconds later she broke into tears, feeling guilty. Kenshin tilted his head down to her, "Kaoru?" Looking up to him despondently she muttered, "It's my fault you're in this predicament, me and my assumptions. I'm such a bad person.." Kenshin found the strength to stroke her raven hair, "No, Kaoru…I should've explained to you from the start. I love you." Raising her head gently she looked at him, "I love you too." Kenshin patted a sliver of room on the bed for her to sit, and she did as he held her by her waist lovingly. Closing his eyes he pressed his lips to hers softly, giving her a tender kiss. Returning the kiss she placed her hands on his shoulders lightly, a minute later the kiss was ended deftly.
They spent a good amount of minutes exchanging apologies and "I love you's" between butterfly kisses. However in the waiting room, the others huddled together in sympathy for Kaoru. "She's suffered so much, I can't imagine what she's going through." Sano said shaking his head. Megumi sighed and hugged him, whispering in his ear, "It's over half an hour she's been in there, it's time for you guys to go home anyway." Making soft strides to the room where she expected sorrow, she saw the two and smiled through her own tears in happiness. Rushing back to the group, "He's awakened!" she yelled, making heads turn with wide-eyes, they ran and all burst into the room. A series of "Kenshin's", "Oh my God's", and gasps filled the room, Kaoru ended one last kiss with Kenshin before getting up off the bed. "We're back together..it was a misunderstanding."
Everyone nodded and rushed to Kenshin's side, "You better get well soon!" Sano would say, happy to see his friend again. "We'll be back to see you tomorrow!" they all said and said their goodbye's before leaving.
Nearly a week later Kenshin was released from the hospital, his cuts healed and his skin was once again flawless and he was back to school. His mailbox however had been flooded with cards and presents since the accident. Sitting next to Kaoru, and beside his friends he was back in hell..er..Makoto's class. Makoto nodded, "Welcome back Himura." Kenshin smirked, "Thanks." Nodding once more Makoto added, "Where's your project?" Kenshin's eyes bugged out of their sockets, "I..It's..Uh…" A chuckle came from Makoto as he nodded, "It's alright, just messin' with ya Himura." Kenshin glared daggers before sighing as Kaoru laughed lightly, kissing his cheek.
As everyone was once again happy, it was cut short as someone walked through Makoto's door seeming to cast a dark shadow along the room. "Tomoe." The name popped into everyone's head, as well as a smirk dancing onto their lips. They continued to talk ignoring her, as she sat next to Kenshin placing an arm behind his neck. "Hello babe." She said, obliviously. Kenshin caught her hand and twisted it backwards harshly, "Fuck off bitch." The room gasped and Makoto snickered, knowing this was coming. After all, teachers did catch the rumors and dirty talk among the school as well. Tomoe snatched her hand back, "What the hell!" She looked at Kaoru, shifting targets. "Aw, are we still heartbroken?" Kaoru scoffed, "Why would I be? He's mine and only mine." Tomoe gasped and Kenshin smirked, and as if to finish the day a police officer entered the room. "Excuse me, is there a Tomoe Yukishiro in here?" Smiling sweetly she turned, "Over here."
The officer made his way to her slipping cuffs onto her, "You have the right to remain silent. If you need a lawyer you have the right to get one, and if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. Anything you say may be held or counted against you." Tomoe's breath caught in her windpipe, "What? For what?" The police tightened the cuffs as she struggled, "For death threats." Tomoe sent a violent glare to Kenshin, before being carried away to the back of a police car. Aoshi smirked, "Heh, serves the bitch right." The others nodded and carried on with the day.
It was lunchtime and Kenshin and Kaoru held hands as they strolled to the cafeteria, until a bright pink paper caught Kaoru's attention. Running like a little girl to the paper she dragged poor Kenshin along with her. "Look Kenshin! I almost forgot! Prom is this Friday!" Kenshin smirked and held her hand, "Be my date?" Kaoru giggled and kissed him, biting his bottom lip playfully, "Of course." He wrapped his arms her waist and brought her into a deep kiss, happy that his life was given back to him.
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Well that was the end of THIS Chapter! One more chapter and I've got the sequel! Sorry this took so long, but school is pretty hectic! Please read and review you guys! It seems I've lost my old readers..sigh This saddens me, but I hope you all enjoy!
Love, Jasmine.