Chapter 7: Anticipation

A/N: You'll realize that this chapter will have a lot of split scenes. Hope it doesn't become too annoying.

The shrill cry of the school's bell signaled the end of evening classes. Excitement was in the air as many were buzzing in anticipation of Kenshin's birthday party. School was over and many had already made plans about what they were going to do and who they were going to meet. Sanosuke had made sure to spread the word thoroughly, hoping to birth the most successful party for his best friend.

"Sanosuke, I'm really not too psyched about this." Kenshin froze in the middle of the main hallway with an awful expression of worry.

"You worry too much Kenshin. You need to relax. It's all about having fun and creating new memories."

"That's not what I meant," Kenshin responded nonchalantly. "I just don't want to inconvenience Tsubame. House parties tend to trash your home… and then there are her parents…"

"There you go again. Would you please just stop!" Sanosuke threw his arms up in exasperation before relaxing his hands behind his head. "Let's just go meet the girls. You can whine about this later."

He tugged Kenshin behind him who was standing there defiantly, charging them towards the nearest exit. "And remind me to do something about that hair of yours…"

B r e a k

The sun was still scorching outside; competing with Kaoru's escalating temper. She was furious. She had been waiting outside for over fifteen minutes and Kenshin's tardiness weighed on her patience. She was oblivious to the eyes that stared from behind her. Her rage blinded her from the truth and the blatant emotions Megumi felt as her jealousy threatened to consume her.

"Where could Kenshin be?" Kaoru lamented out loudly. Her question soon being answered once being surprised by a warm embrace.

"Kenshin…?"

Her anger simmered down slowly. She sighed in forgiveness ashamed of her obscene behavior.

"Hey, Megumi!"

"Umm, hi Sanosuke."

Megumi tried to mask her emotion by feigning indifference but failed miserably.

"Can I speak to you… alone?" Sanosuke questioned. "I can tell something is troubling you and besides you still owe me an explanation."

"Please Sanosuke… I – I can't…"

"But, I need to know the truth Megumi," he reiterated. "I love you like crazy and you broke everything off before giving us a solid chance."

Sanosuke diverted his attention towards Kenshin again. "Kenshin, you and Kaoru can go ahead without us."

"You sure about that Sano?" Kenshin inquired in bewilderment.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Megumi and I will meet up with you guys later. Oh…" Sanosuke slapped his palm against his forehead with chastise. "Before I forget, Yahiko said he'll meet you guys at Tsubame's house later. He along with Misao, Aoshi, Shikijou, Hyottoko, Beshimi and Hannya are assisting with the preparations for the party."

"Aoshi?"

Sanosuke read the lingering curiosity in Kenshin's voice.

"Yeah man," Sanosuke rubbed behind his head in embarrassment. "He offered to do me the favor and help out as well."

There was a brief moment of silence before Sanosuke began to speak again.

"Well, enough with the idle chatter." A grin fell over his lips as he reached over to pat Kenshin on the shoulder. He then bowed giving his regards to Kaoru. "Be sure to straighten him out Missy." And he turned his attention back towards Megumi before they made their departure.

"Do you know something that I don't know about Kaoru?" Kenshin stared at his girlfriend suspiciously.

"Nothing for you to be concerned about." She pecked him on the cheek before motioning him towards the vehicle.

B r e a k

"Wow Tsubame, your home is huge!" Misao's exclamation echoed throughout the entire house as she and the others made their entrance.

"Jeez, does she always have to be this noisy," Yahiko grumbled under his breath in annoyance that he had to be in Misao's presence.

"Misao, can you follow me please?" Tsubame made a sudden request, excusing herself and Misao from the others.

"Aoshi, Yahiko, in the kitchen you'll find some decorations for you and the others to prepare."

She tugged a Misao's sleeve roughly motioning her to accompany her up some stairs.

"Yo, Aoshi!" Yahiko's exclamation fell on deaf ears. Aoshi and the others were still dumbfounded by the immensity and beauty of Tsubame's abode.

They stood still in the living room admiring the crystal chandelier and the expensive litter of ceramic ornaments that adorned the center piece, the walls and each corner of the room. There was an enormous statue of a beautiful Japanese woman dressed in traditional robes carved in granite and adorned in precious stones and silver that seemed to especially poke Aoshi's interest. Yahiko perceived his admiration and decided to educate him on its origin.

"That's a sculpture of Tsubame's great grandmother." He walked over to Aoshi grabbing his attention. "It's over one hundred years old."

Aoshi turned to look at Yahiko then returned his attention to the statue.

"It's an extremely exquisite work of art," he commented caressing his fingers against the rough exterior. "We'll have to be sure to secure it before the party gets started.

"That won't be necessary," Yahiko assured him. "The party will be in the basement, which is accessible from the back entrance of the house." And for the first time in Yahiko's presence, Aoshi actually cracked a smile. But only for a brief moment until he suggested that they busy themselves with the preparations.

"And here I thought that you didn't hear a thing that Tsubame had suggested." He patted Aoshi on the shoulder before they all made their way into the kitchen.

B r e a k

"Tsubame!" Misao wiggled herself out of her friend's grasp, a bit perturbed by her persistent beckoning. "I think you can stop tugging at my sleeve now and tell me what's going on."

"In here," Tsubame pointed towards an ajar door that served an entrance to her bedroom. "I want your opinion on something."

Misao stood at the room's entrance puzzled, wondering what Tsubame wanted her to see. However, as Tsubame fumbled within her closet, Misao couldn't help but become distracted by the fixtures surrounding her.

"Take a seat on the bed Misao," her friend suggested.

She accepted her offer and sunk her butt onto the silky sheets that covered the mattress. She was captivated by the room space, the curtains that draped at each window, and the furniture that filled each corner. For a second she felt a bit envious knowing that this was something she never had the luxury of having.

"Your room is really nice Tsubame," She found herself complimenting her. She threw her back against the sheets enjoying the texture that caressed her arms.

"Thanks Misao. Unfortunately, these are just things to compensate for my parents' continuous absence. There's so much more that matters, you know."

Tsubame emerged from her walk-in closet with a gold dress in hand. "This is what I wanted you to see."

Misao rolled unto her stomach to gain a better view of the cloth draped within Tsubame's grasp.

"So what do you think girl?"

Misao's jaw dropped open in awe. "Can I hold it?" She sat upright on the bed once again taking the straps of the dress from her friend's clutches. "It's absolutely gorgeous!" Misao exclaimed.

The dress was cut short and from its shape and texture, it was obvious that it was meant to be gripping. There was a deep cut in the back and a droop in the front all secured by spaghetti straps.

"You're wearing this to the party?" Misao questioned.

Blushing with her response, Tsubame nodded while replying yes.

Misao read her like a novel. "You naughty girl," she nudged at her friend teasingly. "Making plans for little Yahiko huh."

A devilish grin came across her face before she and Tsubame both erupted in laughter.

B r e a k

Within Kenshin's car, silence seemed to forever surround the couple as they drove to Kaoru's apartment in quiet. Kaoru sat in the passenger seat staring out the window, a bit puzzled by why she felt so nervous. She took a deep breath and willed herself to make an effort to strike up a conversation. But Kenshin beat her to it stabbing a fear within her heart when he looked at her with such a serious expression before mentioning four words.

"We need to talk."

"Wha - - - what's the matter Kenshin?" Kaoru dug her fingers into her skirt chastising herself in thought for stammering and revealing the anxiety in her heart.

Kenshin sensed it and immediately apologized. "I'm sorry Kaoru. I'm sorry for startling you. I'm sorry for making you worry."

They had finally made it to the apartment building. And for just a temporary moment of distraction, he focused on parking the car properly at the curb. They both exited quietly and walked in silence to the building entrance.

"Didn't mean to get all serious on you," Kenshin finally spoke up again. Kaoru opened the door to the building and he followed her inside.

"It's just that there's something that I've wanted to tell you, something that's been bothering me," he continued. "Something, once mentioned, can really break your heart…"

"Kenshin, I love you," she interrupted him. "But you already know that don't you?"

Kaoru stopped in the hallway taking Kenshin's hand within her grasp. Guilt welled up into his eyes in the form of tears and for a brief moment he was disgusted with himself for showing a sign of weakness. He placed her hands back to her sides and turned his back towards her.

"What's the matter Kenshin?"

"Please forgive me Kaoru," he replied. He knew either way he would end up hurting her but he decided to choose the easy way out. He chose the solution that he thought was best for her.

"I'm sorry, but I have to break up with you."

A/N: I know it may seem like everything is just going from bad to worse. But trust me, there'll be some good times soon. Oh and sorry for the lack of Sanosuke and Megumi moments but you'll have a lot more of them in the upcoming chapter. Promise.