Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
Hello! Thank you so much all reviewers:
Jrz:Hola! Hahah, sorry dude, about the rushed romance part…hope this chapter is better dude.I'll update 'Rising Sun' soon…just having troubles with emotions of the characters, that's all. Let me now what u think of this chapter dude.
LooPiw:Thank you for saying such nice things, I hope u like this chapter and review again!
Kaori-angel:Thank you For always reviewing and sorry for not updating for so long. I hope u like this chapter and please let me know what u think!
Nannon:Sorry I haven't update for so long, have been busy…but I hope u like this chapter, please review again!
Hahahahah..I hope you all like this chapter! )
Healing by KatsunoCZ
Chapter 6
Kaoru waited at The Iwasaki's but Misao had not arrive yet and Seta Soujiro was no where in sight.
Finally, Misao walked in, she gazed around and sighed. Kaoru chuckled to herself, so Misao-chan had noticed that Seya-san wasn't here as well!
Kaoru waved at her. "Misao!"
Misao's face lit up when she saw her and ran towards the table. With a loud thump, she sat on the chair.
"So! Tell me everything!" Misao exclaimed.
"Okay, okay. I had an argument with my father. He actually engaged me to someone already…"
"What!"
"Yeah. So I ran out, went to a park to be alone. Then it begun to rain. Somehow, I fainted and was rescued by Hajime-san."
"Wait a minute! Who is this Hajime-san?"
"The lawyer I told you about. So anyway, I was unconscious for two days with high fever…I'm okay now. But there is no way I'm going to live at my father's again. I mean, I am 24 yrs old! I should be living by myself and taking care of myself. I should not live my parents and depend on them anymore. I've been taking care of myself just fine in the US, what is the difference here?"
"Ohhh…so why did this Hajime-san rescue you? Did he bring you to the hospital?"
"Nope, he brought me to his house…"
"WHAT!"
"Hey, relax! I know Hajime-san, okay? He is Amakusa Shougo's friend…"
"Okay, okay. You mean you know him, before he rescued you when you fainted?"
"Yeah."
"And Amakusa Shougo! That mad, arrogant artist always hanging around the University? Woah, you know him too? There is a lot of things I'm missing out, Kaoru."
"He's not mad! Well, maybe a bit aloof to those who don't know him well enough…"
"You still haven't tell me about how you came to know him or this Hajime-san! Spill!"
Kaoru laughed and told her everything, starting from how she met Amakusa Shougo on the first day in University, how Hajime Saitou and she had crashed into each other, and how they were formally introduced later on. She also told her about how Saitou had took care her and consoled her when she was feeling lost.
"Awww…." Misao gushed, a dreamy expression on her face. "Kaoru-chan is in love!"
Kaoru blushed.
"Well, are you?" Misao demanded playfully.
Kaoru nodded timidly. "I think I am…"
"Awwwww!" Misao gushed again. "Okay! Enough about your life! Since Seta-san is not here today, it's safe to tell you what I've found out!"
"What did you find out?"
"I found out that he is one of my classmate's cousin!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, this girl Tsubame-chan. She is really nice, gentle and helpful."
"Oh, so what else did you find out about him?"
"He is in Japan on holiday, he actually studies in the USA at Princeton!"
"Really? I studied there last time when I was still in America…so he is smart, than?"
"What! You studied there?"
"Yeah, I didn't tell you?"
"No, you didn't tell me!"
"Oh okay, hahaso Seta-san is smart?"
"Yeah, he is studying mechanical engineering there, so his job at The Iwasaki's is just for fun. Said he want new experiences…gosh, he is perfect!"
Kaoru laughed. "So, I guess Tsubame is going to introduce you to him right?"
"Yeah! How did you know?"
"I guessed. So when is she going to bring you guys together?"
"This weekend…but because I'm scared that it will be too obvious if I went alone with Tsubame-chan…so I asked her if I can bring a friend along. Kaoru can you come with me?"
"I would like to, but I don't know your friend Tsubame. I might be rude if I just tag along like this."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I've asked her if I can bring you and she was delighted…she really admire you, you know. Now that I remember, what happened between you and Professor Suzukaze in the lecture theatre last time?"
"Huh? I'm confused..Tsubame admires me? Suzukaze? What are you talking about?"
"Okay let me say it this way: Tsubame admires you, infact a lot of people know you because of something that you did to Suzukaze in the lecture theatre. The gossip is going wild. Some say that you argued with him and made him shut up because you are so smart and know all the answers to the questions that he asked you. And some nasty people said that you are in a relationship with him, and because you two are going through a rough time, so he pick on you in class…and because you are so pissed off with him, you run away from home…"
"What the! Now, I'm really confused…"
"Ridiculous, isn't it? Of course I didn't even think of you being together with Suzukaze, what really happened?"
"I was dreaming in class and he caught me. Showed me a picture, asked me for the diagnosis and the prognosis. So I answered him. That's all. The question he asked me wasn't even that hard, I mean, I'm sure lots of other people in the class can answer it. So, I can't see why it is such a big deal, how did so many people know about it anyway?"
"And you answered him, without making any mistakes at all?"
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, but you must have done something more to make the rumors go so wild…"
"Hmm….let me think…" Kaoru mumbled and begun to think hard. "Oh! When he dismissed us, he asked me to stay and I told him off and said that I was in a hurry…but, again, I can't see what's wrong with that again…"
"Kaoru-chan, things are different here in Japan, professors demand a lot of respect and obedience, unlike in America…where students can speak out and are treated like adults. Not that the professors here are mean or anything, it's just that Suzukaze is one of those professors who enjoy seeing people suffer…he is so scary that when he asks students questions, they will end up getting it wrong or stuttering…not because they don't know the answer but because they are just scared of Suzukaze…he is famous for his 'killing stare'."
"Yeah, no shit."
"So do you get it now? That's why people are talking about you…"
Kaoru made a face and burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing about? It's serious business, you know!"
Kaoru continued laughing, trying very hard to stop herself. "Sor..Sorry, it is just that the thought of me a Suzukaze together, really cracks me up!"
Misao started laughing to.
"So when is your friend Tsubame going to introduce to Seta-san?"
"This Saturday."
"Oh!"
"Yeah, isn't it great? Part of me is so nervous…another part of me is so happy…"
Kaoru smiled.
"Tell me about your Hajime Saitou…what does he look like?" Misao asked.
"Well, actually I am not so sure what kind of relationship Hajime-san and I have right now…"
"You mean, you guys are not officially together, yet?"
"I don't know, when do I know it is official? And to answer your question about his looks…he is very tall, a lot taller than me. He is usually wearing black…and his eyes are sort of a golden colour…"
"You are worried, aren't you?"
"Yeah, a little…so many things are happening all at one time…"
"Don't worry. You love him, right?"
"Yeah, but I think I shouldn't because I don't know much about him yet…"
Misao smiled encouragingly at Kaoru. "Don't worry, Kaoru-chan, things will turn out just fine!"
Kaoru gave a small smile and sipped at her green tea.
"Can you find her?" Koishijiro barked into the phone.
He had been searching for her for days. He didn't expect her to react so violently and really 'run away'. And where could she go? From what Suzukaze had said, Kaoru doesn't have any close friends in class…and judging from the money she had with her, she should not have last out there for so long.
"No, sir." A male voice in the telephone replied. "None of us see her anywhere."
"Why not?"
"We just couldn't find her, sir…"
"Find her!"
"Yes, sir."
Damn! Where the hell can she possibly go?
They were on their way to Misao's flat.
"Misao-chan?"
"Na-ni?"
"Can you come with me to my father's apartment so that I can move out my things?"
"Hmmm.okay. But what if your father is there?"
"He can't stop me."
"He can't?"
"I'll need your support of course, that is why I'm asking you to come with me…you'll give me a lot of courage just by standing there. But. Yeah..he can't stop me."
"Okay, when will we be going?"
"Is this afternoon okay?"
Misao nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah…but can you handle class tomorrow?"
"Yeah, sure. Why?"
"I imagine that people will be nasty to you. Suzukaze as well…"
"ha! I don't care what they think! I don't give a damn about Suzukaze as well."
"Okay. That's brave of you."
Kaoru laughed.
Amakusa Shougo was painting. Kaoru had not come to the studio for two days. He told himself that he should not worry. Was he worrying? He was not so sure about these feelings. He had heard from those meddlesome professors that she ran away because she had an affair with professor Suzukaze…or something like that…
Was it possible? That Kaoru was with Suzukaze and didn't tell him about it? Kaoru never talk much about her views that she had upon life or men…they had always talk about art, music and how to improve…but now he think of it…it might be possible that Kaoru was with Suzukaze. Suzukaze, afterall…was actually quite attractive, he had red short hair, amber eyes, only the scary expression on his face and the way he treated students frightened people away…other than that, Suzukaze was actually quite handsome.
Could it be that Kaoru was really with Suzukaze? Shougo's mind was twisting wildly…at last he could not stand it anymore…he needed to talk to someone, but he didn't have Kaoru's handphone number. So he dialed Saitou's instead.
"Hello?"
"I'm busy now, you know, Shougo…" Saitou grumbled.
"I'm wondering…"
"Hmmm?"
"I …"
"Spit it out, Shougo."
"I'm wondering if you have any idea where Kamiya Kaoru is?"
"Huh?"
"That girl, the one I introduced you to last Thursday…"
"Oh her. Yeah?"
"She is missing, she ran away or something like that, haven't been to her classes eversince Thursday…do you …by any chance see her?"
Saitou laughed aloud into the telephone.
"What's so funny?" Shougo asked, annoyed.
"You like her, don't you?"
Shougo didn't reply.
"You're worried sick, right?"
Silence.
"Fine, it's okay if you won't admit it…but I know where she is…if you want to know…."
"Where is she?"
Saitou laughed again. "Anxious, aren't you? She is save, Shougo…don't worry so much. She did not run away, she just happened to faint outside and I rescued her…"
"Wait a minute, you mean she has been with you the past few days?"
"Not today, but yeah…for the past three days…"
"You didn't do anything to her, did you?"
"What if I have?"
"Saitou…if you take advantage of her..."
"What? What are you going to do to me?"
"Where is she now?"
"With her friend."
"Oh."
"I need to go now, Shougo."
"Oh."
"And Shougo?"
"She is damn sweet, you have good taste."
"Wha?"
But Saitou had already hung up. What did Saitou mean by that? He did not touch Kaoru..did he? And so Amakusa begun to worry again….
Misao showed Kaoru to a room. It already had a bed and some empty shelves along with it.
It was smaller than her room at home, but she did not mid. At least her father was not here.
"What do you think?" Misao asked.
Kaoru smiled gratefully. "It's really nice. Thanks, Misao."
Misao was pleased, and smiled back warmly. Kaoru dumped her bag on the bed. "Ha, these are all my belongings"
Misao laughed."It's all right, we're soon going to get the rest of your stuff, right?"
Kaoru nodded, she had to be strong.
Kaoru ran away…to where?
Enishi thought hard, about where else she could possibly be. He had tried all the places he could think of, but to no avail. Kamiya-sama had told him that she knew about the engagement and that was why she ran off.
Damn that old man! He had ruined everything! All his romantic plans had been demolished. He never wanted anything like this to happen, he never meant topush her into a corner or to alarm her until it would turn out this way.
In America…
Sanosuke was walking across the street of shops, there were lots of people bargaining loudly or just chatting. Yahiko was at a friend's house and he was bored. Jou-chan surely did played a large part in his life. He realized that now. She kept him and Yahiko on track and he had not heard from her eversince that day in the airport. He had never seen her online. He missed Jou-chan.
Suddenly, there was a scream. Then, a man bumped roughly into him.
"Help!" a girl cried. A frail girl came rushing towards Sano and crashed into him as well. Sano leaned down, "What's wrong?"
The girl was out of breath, trying to chase after the thief. "He..he….took…my bag."she panted.
Sano ruffled her hair playfully and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll get it back for you."
Then, he disappeared into the crowd. The girl stared after him…wait for him?
After twenty minutes…
Sayo stood up and decided that she should just forget about her bag and go home. How silly she was to believe that young man. She remembered his brown eyes and his queer spiky hair. She sighed again and begun walking down the street.
"Hey!"
Sayo turned around and the young man was there, panting, leaning against a pole for support. In his hand was her bag, he handed it to her. "When I told you that I'll get it for you, I will."
He had really gotten it back for her! She looked at him in awe, gratitude and admiration. How did he do it?
She took the bag from him, "Thank you." He smiled lazily at her and ruffled her hair playfully again. She scowled and he laughed.
"Just be more careful, next time, ya?" he said. She nodded and he ran off.
"Wait!" she called. But he was already too far away to hear her. She didn't even get his name.
In Japan
Kaoru turned the lock to her parent's apartment as quietly as possible as she could. Misao was behind her, watching anxiously. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
And her father wasn't at home. Thank god…
But her mother was sitting at the sitting room, her eyes looking up at Kaoru in surprise.
"Kaoru! Where have you been!" she cried, walking towards Kaoru. "Why did you run away?"
"I did not run away. I had an argument with dad and so I went out to cool myself down. It was raining heavily and I was caught in the rain. The, I fainted. So I did not deliberately run away, mother."
"What! You fainted?" her mother shrieked, her hands on Kaoru's shoulders.
Kaoru pushed away her mother's hands. "Chill, mom. I'm all right now. I'm moving out."
"What?"
"I'm moving out."
"But you can't take care of yourself."
"Sure I can."
"You should stay with us! You have a room here and someone to care for you here, so why are you moving out?"
"I can't stay with you guys forever. And I am not a child, I'm 24 yrs old. I took care of myself just fine when I was in the US without you or dad. Plus, I can't satnd living with dad."
"Why not?"
"Did you know that he arranged a marriage for me?"
"No."
"There you go. He is controlling my life, he has always been and that can't go on anymore. I can take care of myself and make my own decisions. I can't always rely on you guys."
"But I'm sure your father has his reasons."
"Sure he has, he always do. But it just don't work with me. I'm moving out and tell him for me that I won't co-operate with whatever he had planned."
"But, Kaoru…"
"Mother, I made my decision."
Then, Kaoru walked into her room and beguntossing all the stuff she could fit into the suitcases she had. Misao helped her.
"But what about money? How can you support yourself?" her mother asked, walking into Kaoru's room.
"I can get a job. I worked as a waitress in America before. No biggie, so you don't need to worry about me."
Her mother nodded and walked out silently, she knew that there was no changing Kaoru's mind.
When Kaoru and Misao were done with the packing, they walked out.
"Bye mother, I'll keep in touch." Kaoru said softly. She need not be angry at her mother, it wasn't her fault.
"Bye Kaoru." Her mother said back, smiling lightly.
Misao and Kaoru walked out of the apartment.
Woah! It's done! Please read and review! Feedback is always appreciated!
Ah, happy belated v day!
Love ya all.
KatsunoCZ