Disclaimer: Do I need to write this? It's getting frustrating…haha. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Hello, this is my second fanfic, my first fanfic is not doing so well, I can't find it anywhere in the website…could it be that they deleted it? I hope you all find this interesting and let me know what you guys think!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Healing by KatsunoCZ
Chapter 1
Sagara Sanosuke smacked Kaoru's head once again. "You're so naïve! Why do you always pick the wrong people to date?"
Kaoru continued crying, sniffing violently into the hankerchief he had given to her. She looked up slightly, and continued her sobs.
"Yeah, Yeah! Busu, why are you always so stupid!" Yahiko chimed in, standing next to Sanosuke.
"Hey! Stop scolding me you idiots! I am feeling very bad right now…you guys are suppose to console me…not making me feel worse!" Kaoru cried, sniffing harder into the hankerchief.
Sano and Yahiko looked at each other guiltily.
"Well, jou-chan…you can't blame us for scolding you. You are like this ever since you started dating…you always pick the worse guys…"
"Yeah…like that Aoshi…" Yahiko added.
"I do not always pick the wrong guys!"
"You do!" Yahiko and Sano said together.
"And Aoshi, he is not that bad…he just decided that he like my best friend more…that's all…you can't force people to be with you when his heart is obviously with someone else…"
"Yeah, that is what is wrong with all your relationships, jou-chan! I noticed that you always love the guy you are in the relationship with more than he loves you! And maybe they don't even love you at all! You give too much Kaoru…sometimes people just take it all for granted, and so happens that every guy you like turn out to be like that!"
Kaoru kept quiet. The things that Sano was saying was beginning to make sense…maybe she appeared too available. The guys she dated…she realized…were never as mad about her as she was for them. Sano and Yahiko had been nagging at her forever, but she never listened to them…she felt that she should give all she could in a relationship. But not her virginity. Never. Then, something snapped in her mind….maybe all the guys left her because they wanted sex and she refused them…
"Sano…?"
"Yeah, jou-chan?"
"Do you think…maybe…maybe…the guys dump me because I won't give in to sex?"
"Well…"
"Answer me Sano."
"Well…I suppose…a lot of guys wants that, but not all…maybe you just haven't meet the right person jou-chan…"
"How about you Sano, would you break up with a girl just because she doesn't want sex?"
"Well…if I want to and she refused me, I'll respect her decision and wait til she is ready. I most definitely won't just break up with her because of that. Plus, you know me…I don't go into relationships that easily…unlike you, when you fall, you fall hard."
"Oh…you're right..and you know, my break-up with Aoshi is not all why I came to see you guys…"
"What else do you have to say?" Yahiko asked, quite bored. Kaoru being dumped by men was a 'usual' thing.
"I'll be leaving soon, to Japan after I finished this final year in the university…"
"Why?" Sano asked.
"My father wants me to go back to Japan to get my degree and to receive further training in medicine…you know how he is, Sano. So I'll be leaving next month."
"But busu! Without you here…who is going to annoy us? We'll be bored to death you know!" Yahiko whined.
"No, you won't be bored to death! When I go back, it does not mean that we won't see each other anymore right? We'll still keep in touch. And I intend to not be so stupid anymore…"
"Oh…does that mean that you'll start being mean to guys and not be so serious in relationships?" Sano asked.
"No, it does not mean that! I'll still be like this, and I'll still be serious in relationships, just that I'll be more careful in what kind of man I am going into a relationship with…"
"Oh, like as if it is going to help!"
"Whatever Sano…damn I am so tired with all the crying…I am really in love with him you know. He is a very easy man to fall in love with…"
"Oh no you don't get teary again, jou-chan. We went over that an hour ago!"
"Okay, okay…I'll be going now. I still have class tomorrow…damn."
Kaoru stumbled out of Sano's apartment and waved weakly at the two of them, with them staring after her worriedly. She rushed down the stairs with her heart very heavy. Someone dumped her…again. Maybe she just isn't attractive enough…or maybe she just did not know how to hold on to a man. But she was determined that she won't change herself to suit others, she'll just be herself and one day…one day….she'll find someone out there for her…just her.
Kaoru Kamiya was not unattractive as she thought she was. In fact, she was very beautiful with long, silky black hair that reached her waist, bright blue eyes and a soft sensual mouth. You might not describe her as sexy, but her face has this wholesomeness so refreshing that you'll turn to stare when you walked past her. Her smile was pure and gentle. Kaoru was very feminine indeed. She was slim with a figure that curved at all the right places, but she does not dress outrageously. It was just not her. Many times she had the urge to dress like how other girls her age dressed like, but than…she just could not bring herself to wear such clothes.
Kaoru was not just beautiful , she was also the top student in her all classes in the University. She was studying medicine, even though she wanted so much to study art. She was also a very talented artist. Her father, back in Japan, however disapproved of what she enjoyed. He told her that she'll never make money with art, and it was not a stable job. Kaoru obeyed him and so here she was…studying medicine to become a doctor…just like her father. She continued painting, her father allowed this as long as she does not take it up seriously. Her mother was a typical Japanese housewife, obedient, gentle and responsible. Kaoru disliked her mother to be this way…not that she hated her or anything…she just dislike how her mother never dared to defy her father at all.
She had a terrible quarrel with her father the day he called her, telling her his decision. He was the administrator at the hospital he was working for, quite a high position. He wanted her to come and work there as well. He had paved a path for her…he had planned everything…her life, her decisions. She turned the lock of the door to her apartment…she was exhausted. Well…what to do? I can't do anything…I'll sleep first, damn….
The next day, Kaoru did her best to avoid Aoshi at all cause. She was not ready to face him…or her best friend, Megumi. She was not angry at all, she completely understands and did not hold any grudges against them. She did not blame Megumi at all, even if she had something to do with the breakup…she blocked out all the thoughts of the possibility of Aoshi and Megumi getting together when she was still his girlfriend. She had to learn to let go, besides, she can't blame Megumi for falling in love with her ex-boyfriend…some things just could not be controlled and like she had said, Aoshi was a very easy man to fall in love with.
Her whole body was numb, but she still took notes and asked questions. Aoshi was in all her classes, and they had managed to avoid each other easily. It was not a bitter break up, Kaoru was used to it…she had learn not to cry like she did the first few times she was dumped. All she did was asked why…and she knew that once Aoshi had made a decision…there was no moving him. Ah…life goes on…
"Do you think I should go and talk to Kaoru? I feel so bad…" Megumi asked Aoshi. They were standing far away, observing Kaoru.
"Maybe you should leave her alone for a while…I think she needs time…"
"But, what if she thinks I betrayed her? Well…I sort of did…but it can't be helped! I am really in love with you…"
"Yes I know, and I love you too…I do not know what she thinks. But I know Kaoru, she is a very caring and giving person. She may be too kind-hearted…she won't hate you, that I know for sure."
" You seem to notice a lot about her…."
"Of course I do, we were together once for Christ's sake.."
"But…I am still worried. I want to be there to comfort her, that's what best friends do. But I can't do that, I don't have the courage to do that…I don't even know if she still consider me as her best friend…"
"Just leave her alone for a while, but be sure to talk to her too…after everything settles…"
"Okay…"
Suddenly Kaoru turned and saw them looking at her, she just looked back and smiled. What else could she do? Go over and scream at them? Or stare back fiercely? No, she wouldn't do that. All she can do now was to hope that they have a good relationship.
"Did you see that? She smiled at us!" Megumi exclaimed when Kaoru stalked away into another direction.
"Yeah…"
"Does that mean she is not angry at us?'
"I don't know…"
Most of her belongings were packed and ready, a part of it will be sent off to Japan first, then, she carry all the rest back at the end of the term. She took down all the paintings she had drawn on the walls and decided that she'll give them to her friends. Sano and his brother, Yahiko…Megumi and Aoshi…
The door bell rang.
"Wait a moment please!"
Kaoru waited, her heart was beginning to pound faster. She'll try not to make it awkward. They can all be friends…
Megumi answered the door finally. She was shocked to see Kaoru. For a moment she just stared at Kaoru and Kaoru just smiled back warmly. "Hello Megumi."
Megumi finally found her voice. "Kaoru! I am so sorry I didn't call you and I am sorry Kaoru, really I am…for everything…"
Kaoru laughed softly, she waved her hand lightly, showing her that she was all right. "I am not angry…you don't need to be sorry. Things happen sometimes..when we don't want them to happen, so I don't blame you at all. I am just here to…"
"Megumi, who's there?" Aoshi called from the inside. He came out, his hair messy and dressed in a t-shirt and long pants. He stopped when he saw Kaoru and approached them silently.
Kaoru nodded at him and continued. "As I was saying…I am just here to tell you guys that I'll be leaving to Japan next week. And I want to say good-bye before I go." She held up two paintings wrapped in thick paper. "And, I wanted to give you two something before I go."
Kaoru handed Megumi the paintings and Megumi took it, still staring at Kaoru with shock. "Thank you…"
The couple just looked at Kaoru, not knowing what to say. Kaoru felt uneasy with the tensed silence and quickly said: " I better get going now…bye…" She smiled again before she closed the door behind her.
Megumi and Aoshi stood at the door, silent.
"She is definitely not angry at you…" Aoshi said.
"She is not angry at you either…and she was the one who came to visit me…I didn't even know she was leaving!"
"Yeah, she had a lot of courage in her to come here tonight, we owe her an apology …and we should be the ones who should try to talk to her first. Things had been awkward…she is the nicest person I know."
"I agree…" Megumi said, feeling very guilty and sad.I had betrayed Kaoru and yet she came with a smiling face and bearing gifts!
"Jou-chan!"
Kaoru turned around and saw Sanosuke and Yahiko running towards her.
"Hey, you two."
"Don't you even dare going in there without saying good-bye…" Yahiko grumbled.
Kaoru laughed, "I thought that you two weren't coming anymore…"
"Of course we'll come, you stupid." Sano scolded, smacking her head playfully.
Kaoru laughed again, "You two take care of yourselves and stay out of trouble. Don't get too drunk Sano, and you Yahiko, concentrate more on your studies brat!"
"Busu! No one is as smart as you, you know?"
"And I don't get drunk that easily!"
"Whatever…and I wish you two all the best. Keep in touch, ya?"
Sano and Yahiko laughed. "Of course."
"….Flight 467 to Japan…ready for boarding…"
"I need to go now, take care!"
"Yeah, you too.." Sano stepped towards Kaoru and crushed her hard into his arms. Yahiko hugged her next. Kaoru's eyes begun to water. Sniff "I better go before I cry…"
Kaoru smiled at them again, picking up her bag.
"Wait!"
Kaoru looked up and saw Megumi and Aoshi rushing towards them.
"Wait, Kaoru!" Megumi shouted.
Kaoru stopped and waited for them to come to her. Megumi approached her quietly, with Aoshi following from behind.
"Kaoru, I am sorry."
"I told you already, you don't need to apologise for anything…"
"But…"
"I am not angry, and I don't blame you or Aoshi at all."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Can we still be friends?"
"Of course, our friendship can't be ruined just because of this…after all we had gone through together…"
"Yeah…I am glad that you still want to be my friend."
"Me too…"
Megumi held up a package. "This is from me and Aoshi…our farewell present."
"Thank you."
Megumi smiled sadly.
"I better get going now, I don't want to miss my flight…"
Aoshi stepped forward. "Take care, Kaoru."
"Thank you, you too…Aoshi."
Kaoru smiled and waved at all of them before she passed through the security.
A week later, Japan
Kaoru glanced at her watch, it was still early…she'll have a lot of time before her first lesson. But than,, she was ready. Someone came knocking at her door.
"Kaoru!" her mother called, "Breakfast is ready…"
"Okay…" Kaoru replied lamely. She did not want breakfast, she did not want to be here at all. Kaoru stared into the mirror and saw the dark circles under her eyes. Her heart sank lower. She couldn't sleep last night. She was not able to think of anything clearly eversince she came back to Japan. The only good thing about moving back here was her been too busy to think about her heart break with Aoshi. She had wanted to rent an apartment to herself…not to stay at home under the eyes of her father. But he had insisted…she couldn't disobey.
She wanted to destroy everything that was in the room and just break away…away from her father…away from this wall. In frustration, she picked up a book and tossed it angrily at the door. Her mother gasped. "Kaoru! Are you all right in there?"
Kaoru ignored her, picked up her sling bag and walked out of her room with her head held up high. Her mother was outside her room, frowning.
"Kaoru? What's wrong with you these days?"
"Nothing is wrong…I am going to class…"
"How about breakfast?"
"I am not eating."
"Not eating?"
Kaoru just walked away. Then, she saw her father sitting solemnly at the dinning table, sipping at his coffee. He glanced up at her and turned back to his coffee.
Kaoru glared at him and walked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.
"Anata, you just let her walk out like that?"
"Let he be…"
"But…"
'It's all right, she'll calm down in a few days."
Kaoru cycled up to the University Of Tokyo. She could not believe that the university was only ten minutes away from her house. Her father had certainly planned out everything nicely. She growled under her breath and stopped when she noticed other students arriving. She glanced at her watch again, she still have forty-five minutes before her first class begins.
I'll go check out the art courses first…
That thought lifted her heart a little. Only thing was that she did not know where the art courses are. Then, she saw a girl ride up beside her. The girl was small but her presence lifted the gloominess somehow, her black her hung just past her ear and an unusual braid drifted from the back of her head well past the thin tires of her bicycle. The small girl turned to look at Kaoru curiously.
"Hi! I didn't see you at the opening ceremony yesterday…you new?"
'Yeah, I just came here from America."
"Oh, no wonder you have that weird accent to your Japanese…"
Kaoru laughed. "Could you tell me where the art classes are held?"
The girl glanced at her watch. "Yeah, I still have time before my class starts. I'll bring you there. Every different course have a single building to itself…so it's quite far from here, you need your bicycle."
"Okay."
On their way to the art classes, Misao chatted cheerfully. She was bursting with energy.
"I am Makimachi Misao, you?"
"Kamiya Kaoru."
"So, you study art?"
"Actually no. I just really like art and painting. I am actually studying medicine."
"Oh,really?! I am studying medicine too! It's my first year in University, so I am really excited. You in first year too?"
"No, I completed my first seven years in America, just coming here for further studies."
"Wow! So how is it like? Studying medicine I mean…"
"It's all right. You just need to pay attention in class, that matters a lot."
"What else? Give me some more tips, Kaoru-chan!"
Kaoru laughed at how she had called her. It was cute. "Sure, definitely. If you need help in anything, feel free to ask me."
"Thank you!" Misao exclaimed gratefully. She glanced at her wrist watch. "Opps, my class starts in five minutes. I need to go. The art building is the white one after you turn left, there is a sign, you'll find it."
"Thanks, Misao."
"No problem man, maybe we can go out and eat lunch together today."
"Sure."
"Than we'll meet at the entrance at lunch break?"
"Okay."
"Deal, see you later!"
Misao waved before she rushed off speedily on her bike.
Kaoru cycled on. She still had time. Then she saw it, the white building. The Art Building.
She parked her bicycle in front of the building. It was peacefully quiet around there. It seemed to her that none of the art students had arrived yet. She walked up the shallow steps and saw that the entrance door was already opened.
Someone is here already…
"Hello?" she called into the building. Silence greeted her. Kaoru walked on, admiring the art pieces on the walls. Then, she saw a room with its door wide opened. She walked in and realized that it was a large art studio. It was empty. There were numerous paintings everywhere…on the floor…and on the walls. And, an unfinished piece was put on an wooden stand. It was a painting in oil canvas of a nude woman. It is going to be a masterpiece…
"What are you doing in here?"
hehehe…who's that who caught Kaoru looking around? Read more to find out! I know it is so boring now…just please review! And let me know what you think!
Ja ne ! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
KatsunoCZ