Disclaimer – I'm just sitting in my room, with a needle in my hand, waiting in the tomb, of some old dying man, to tell me that I own Rurouni Kenshin!
Aoshi – Don't think that singing about ownership amidst a different song will allow you to gain ownership of Rurouni Kenshin.
Hitoezakura – Who's going to stop me?
Rurouni Kenshin Cast – We shall!
Fruits Basket Cast – Can we help?
Alucard – Me first, me first!
Hitoezakura – For the love of God! Isn't this a Rurouni Kenshin fiction?
Everyone – Yes!
Hitoezakura – Then what is everyone doing here? All of you who aren't from Rurouni Kenshin, out!
(Suddenly, a big explosion rings out and everyone turns to a sheepish Alucard, who stands amidst the ruins)
Alucard – My guns went off in my coat…
Hitoezakura – I'm going to kill you all now…
Hitoezakura – I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, the property of Nohiburo Watsuki, nor do I own the song 'Needles' by System of a Down. Nor do I own any of the Fruits Basket cast, or Alucard of Hellsing (perhaps Seras or Walter or Integra should make an appearance sometime soon…)
Alright, I really wanted to dedicate a chapter to the training sessions, and I wanted it to be the next chapter, so this chapter is going to be loooong because it covers so much!
I feel a bit sad though…I really don't express that much from Tokio's point of view huh? Perhaps I should concentrate on that in a future chapter!
Anyways, I am going to become extremely furious soon. Many of you have marked this story as a favorite or as a story alert, and some of you have not sent me a single review. Once again, I really want you to send a review and provide me feedback and/or ideas! I want to hear from readers, and I don't think I can if you don't review!
Anyways, I actually think the updating is going to slow down drastically, because my parents are really applying pressure about school. In addition to that, I have a big science project, and on top of all that, I have to do community service for an organization. And of course, now is the time my mom tells me that there is a job opening for me at her office, so just a heads up for all you devoted readers!
OK reviewer responses!
WhiteRabbit5 – You've come back! (I've missed reading your reviews; they always had feedback, and were fun to read). Yes, they do lead tangled lives, because I am a mastermind at creating the weirdest lives possible. I just never get around to actually completing the stories…(grins sheepishly). Yes, Kaoru's not a brunette (so many reviewers asked why I wrote brunette; I can't believe I overlooked such a huge mistake). About Soujirou…that remains a secret! The Tomoe-Kaoru past was there to clear things up a bit, explain how Tomoe knows how dear Kenshin is to Kaoru, because I always see Tomoe as perceptive…I don't know why, I just do. Enishi and Kaoru…shall we just call it a platonic bond? Maybe, maybe not…
Yes I know Aoshi's thoughts were far from realistic, but I just thought it added a cute touch…
Thanks for reviewing, and please do continue to review!
Crewel – Thank you so much! I feel so bad that I can't write more SM moments for you, because you enjoy them so much, but I'll always try to squeeze them in! And if it's of any comfort, there will be a lot more SM moments in the future! Please keep reading and reviewing, because I love reading your reviews!
Blooded wyngs – Yes, Aoshi does like to throw books…perhaps that's why he goes to the bookstore so often…heehee! I'm pretty sure Kaoru's cooking got better, but one of my favorite parts is when Sanosuke asks Kenshin how he can eat the food Kaoru makes. Kenshin says it gets better each time he eats it, and Sanosuke asks if that's similar to an acquired taste. That's where I got the line from (plus, Sano always complains about Kaoru's food, so it just seemed natural). I know what you mean about Soujirou...but don't feel too bad for Misao just yet! Kaoru and Megumi are not brunettes (my mistake sorry!), and I'm glad you love love-triangles! Keep reviewing please, and thanks so much for the review!
Pinoykengumi7 – New reviewer, yay! You gave me such a shock when I went to my hotmail inbox to see 7-8 new messages, all reviews! It was a good shock too! I hope you've realized by now that my weekly update basis schedule has gone to the dogs…I'm now in year 12, by the way (I get to graduate in 2006!). Answering some of your questions, yes, it does get hard to portray Aoshi, because he and Kaoru are so different, and I relate to Kaoru far more than Aoshi. I would love to review your stories, but my darn teachers aren't easing up on me! Think of it as a rain check, okay? Who did Miyana fall in love with? I hope you aren't waiting too impatiently, because according to whatever plans I have so far, that won't be revealed for a looooooooooooooong time! As for editing, I would love to have a new editor, so can I email future chapters to you before posting them (mind you, it'll be slow, but I hope you don't mind too much!)? Thanks for reviewing, and I hope to see more of you in the future!
Ardenilia – Better late than never, so don't worry! Heehee, poor Aoshi, all jealous while Enishi and Kaoru bond. To answer your question about a AKE love triangle, well to some extent, it is a love triangle, but towards the middle/end, I believe it focuses more on Aoshi and Kaoru (thus an AK fic). What will happen to Enishi? You'll find out! Thanks for reviewing, and please continue to review!
Funny note – do you realize that as I go further into the story, the chapters get longer? I went from a one-page prologue to three-page chapters, then four, then five, then six, then ten, then thirteen, and finally this one, which hit 22! I assure you, the chapters won't get any longer (if anything, they'll get shorter! I can't keep writing 22 page chapters!). This is also the story with the highest page count! So far, the story altogether has hit 93 pages, my longest story yet!
TO ALL OF YOU WHO READ AND DO NOT REVIEW - Please, I really want to hear from you, so please review! It would mean so much to me, and I'd feel so loved if you sent me reviews!
Ok, I'm shutting up now! Have fun reading this chapter!
HOW IS THIS LOVE?
"Okita-kun, what did you want to speak to us about?" asked Tokio softly, pouring cups of tea for Okita, Kaya, Saitou, and her. She quickly wrapped her hair into a bun before lifting the tray and placing a cup in front of each person.
Okita grinned, calmly waiting until Tokio and Saitou had both lifted their cups to take a sip. No sooner had the hot liquid entered their mouths did he decide to reveal his secret.
"Kaya and I are engaged!" he exclaimed.
CRASH!
Two teacups lay shattered on the floor, tea pooling around Tokio and Saitou's feet. Kaya and Okita glanced at each other for a brief moment before bursting out into laughter, staring at the two frozen adults.
"You two are engaged?" asked Saitou incredulously.
"Oh my gosh!" exclaimed Tokio softly, a grin spreading across her face as she leapt up to hug both Okita and Kaya. "When did this happen?"
"Last night, I proposed to Kaya" replied Okita with a grin, glancing at Kaya, who was smiling just as widely as Okita. "Then I met her family, and we received Ryoko-san's blessings!"
"You do know that this might jeopardize your future dreams Kaya?" asked Saitou quietly. "I know that Okita wants to become a policeman, but you Kaya, you wanted to study abroad."
"I understand that Saitou-san" replied Kaya with a smile. "But ever since I fell in love with Soushi, he's become number one on my list. Also, Soushi assured me that marriage will not be an issue for a little while."
"Then I agree to this relationship" replied Saitou with a smile. "Kaya, you and Okita make a very good match."
Kaya and Okita both grinned, but Okita's grin slowly dissipated as he cleared his throat to reveal yet another issue.
"There is one more thing" whispered Okita, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"What is that?" asked Saitou.
"Kaya and I would like to meet Hishimoto Shirojo and his wife" replied Okita quietly.
The room elapsed into silence as the ticking of the clock became the only sound emanating from the room.
"So Misao-san, what courses are you interested in?" asked Soujirou with a smile.
"Sou-chan, don't mention courses!" groaned Misao. "We have two weeks of summer still remaining! I don't want to hear a thing about school until the very last minute!"
I don't need to hear about school right now! Gramps, Omasu, Okon, Shiro, and Kuro can't stop pestering me about it! Thank Kami that all of them are going to be out for the whole night! I won't have to deal with them today!
Soujirou laughed as he stirred the milkshake that sat in front of him with his straw. "Alright Misao-san, I won't mention a thing about school! Let's talk about something else!"
"You know, I just realized" said Misao thoughtfully, swirling her cherry sauce into her vanilla cream milkshake, creating a frightfully pink concoction. "I don't know a thing about you or your family. I mean, I want to know about the guy I danced with in the rain that one day!"
"I lost my parents when I was a child" replied Soujirou quietly, his smile never leaving his face. "They died when I was ten. After their death, a man took me in and taught me everything I needed to learn about this world. When I turned eighteen, I left him and began to pursue an education."
"You find this all amusing?" asked Misao softly.
"Why do you ask?" asked Soujirou in surprise, the smile faltering slightly.
"Because you were smiling the whole time" whispered Misao. "And come to think of it, I've never seen you without that smile on your face…"
"Misao-san, you are thinking too deeply about this, that you-"
Misao leaned over and kissed Soujirou gently on the lips, cutting off his statement, moving too slowly to catch him off guard, but effectively cutting him off none the less. Her elbows rested against the cool surface of the table, propping her face up. His hands slowly crept towards her head, and upon reaching, he gently stroked her head before she pulled away, her eyes glittering with an emotion he had never seen before.
"Sou-chan, you made a childhood fairytale of mine of come true" whispered Misao. "I will make sure that your emotions return to you. I will not give up until that happens!"
She quickly set down a few bills on the table, paying for the now sticky pink mess of a milkshake, before running away from the table. Soujirou simply stared at the wadded bills and her pink milkshake before glancing at her empty seat.
"Misao-san" he whispered, his smile suddenly too wide, so wide that sanity seemed to escape him. "By falling in love with me, you shall be making my greatest wish come true."
But something troubles me…what was that emotion in your eyes…I've never seen it before…What was it?
"So, you are coming at eight tonight, right?"
Kaoru turned around to see Enishi leaning against the wall, grinning at her. She smiled back, pushing back a tendril of long black hair before answering.
"Of course I'm coming Enishi!" she replied. "I haven't been to the Shirobeko for so long, and I'd love to spend some time with you! It feels as though lately we haven't been seeing each other that much lately!"
Enishi smiled, but his eyes had darkened ever so slightly behind those shades of his.
Kaoru…you spent so much time moping over that bastard Himura…you deserve someone better than that fool! Could you possibly give me a chance?
Miyana said it didn't hurt to try, but does she really understand the pains of heartbreak…does she really know how it is to wait for someone to like you, and not have that feeling returned?
"You should invite Aoshi-san too!" piped up Tae from behind them, startling the two so badly that they both jumped a mile.
"Tae, you can really be scary when you want to be…" muttered Enishi, holding a hand to his head.
"Aoshi-san?" asked Kaoru weakly, trying her best not to show her distaste towards this idea. "Really? At a bar? With his tolerance?"
"Kaoru-chan, you don't have much of a tolerance level either" replied Tae with a giggle. "I still remember that one time you and Sanosuke decided to have a drinking contest, and you both became so drunk that you ran out and climbed a very high tree, insisting that you were going to learn how to fly. Oh, Ken-san and Megumi-chan practically died of fright and anger!"
"Mou! Tae-san, stop reminding me!" shrieked Kaoru. Enishi meanwhile, was leaning against the wall, trembling with hysterical laughter.
"Oh god, I almost forgot about that!" he managed to choke out before going into a fresh torrent of laughter.
"Baka! Stop laughing at me!" yelled Kaoru angrily, tossing forks at Enishi, who managed to dodge them despite his hysterical state of laughter.
Meanwhile, the three of them had not realized that Aoshi had been listening to the whole conversation quite intently.
Hmmm…Kamiya-san has very little tolerance as well…perhaps I can use this information to my advantage!
Aoshi quietly drained his cup of tea and set it down.
"Yukishiro, the Shirobeko is still in the same location, is it not?" asked Aoshi calmly.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" asked Enishi curiously.
"Perhaps I should drop by" replied Aoshi, standing up after placing some bills on the counter. "I have nothing better to do this evening, and I need more time to browse the bookstore than just an evening, so I might as well come." He began to walk away, stopping at the door only to hear Enishi's answer.
"Then come along" said Enishi with a shrug.
As long as you don't ruin this evening, I don't mind…
"What?" whispered Kaoru angrily, jabbing Enishi in the side with a painful elbow just as the door shut behind Aoshi. Enishi hissed slightly with agony.
"Kaoru, sometimes, you can be incredibly lethal!" growled Enishi. "And the bar's so full of people, we won't even notice him!"
"When you put it that way…" Kaoru trailed off as Aoshi disappeared into his car. "I just can't stand that man!"
Outside, any passerby would've heard Aoshi sneeze at that exact moment.
"You want to visit the Hishimoto Estate?" asked Saitou darkly. "And why?"
"They need to hear about this engagement from my mouth" replied Okita simply. "And Kaya needs to know something about my family."
"You and I need to talk" muttered Saitou, rising from his seat, patting his pockets to ensure that he had his cigarettes before disappearing onto the porch, impatiently waiting for Okita to follow. Okita sighed and rose from his chair to join Saitou. Tokio sighed softly and sat down next to Kaya.
"Kaya-chan, why do you want to see Okita-kun's family?" asked Tokio gently.
Kaya looked up in surprise, causing Tokio to smile ever so slightly.
"I know that Okita-kun tends to dislike his family greatly, and after six years, he is actually announcing that he is going to meet them" said Tokio softly. "I figured you had something to do with those plans, am I right?"
"Tokio-san…if Soushi never tells his parents about the engagement…don't you think he will regret that decision for his entire life?" asked Kaya quietly.
"I actually think that you're doing the right thing" said Tokio calmly, patting Kaya's hand. "However, Okita-kun's parents aren't kind unless your status is higher or equal to than theirs. You must understand that they will not hesitate to judge or insult you, so please do not take their words too seriously."
"I understand" replied Kaya softly. "But Soushi needs to do this…he needs to see them just once more, to remove the burden from his chest."
"So why does Kaya want to go to the Hishimoto Estate?" asked Saitou bluntly.
"How did you know that Kaya was the one who wanted to go?" asked Okita.
Saitou snorted slightly. "Okita, the day you came here, you were so full of hatred, I wouldn't have been surprised if you actually tried to kill your parents! Why would you want to meet them now?"
"Kaya says that if I don't talk to them now, I'll regret it in the future" replied Okita.
"Sometimes, women are a bit sentimental" muttered Saitou, smoking his cigarette. "However, I trust Kaya's judgment most of the times, so perhaps I should trust her intentions now as well. You two go and tell your parents, but make sure to protect Kaya."
Personally Saitou-san, I wouldn't have Kaya go…but like you said, Kaya's judgments are often correct, and perhaps I should take her word on this too…
But if they insult her…I will never go to that place again! I will not tolerate insults toward her! She doesn't deserve it!
Okita leaned against the wall and held out his hand, asking for a cigarette, which Saitou neatly pulled out, lit, and offered to Okita. Okita immediately took a long drag and sighed; the intoxicating smoke just eased him at times.
"Hajime…"
Both Okita and Saitou turned around to see a very furious Tokio, her voice small and quiet, but in the dim silence, it sounded loud and angry.
"Yes Tokio?" asked Saitou, hiding the cigarette behind his back.
"How many cigarettes have you had today?"
"Just the one!" insisted Saitou, holding up the cigarette he was currently smoking.
"Then how come I saw two boxes in the trash today, when just yesterday I emptied the trash?" asked Tokio icily, waving the two boxes in front of his face.
"Soushi, we should leave" whispered Kaya with a giggle. "Saitou-san's really angered Tokio-san."
"Oh no" replied Okita with a wide grin. "This is fun…"
Saitou shot a glare at the two of them before Tokio lost it.
"SAITOU HAJIME! HOW COULD YOU SMOKE TWO BOXES! YOU PROMISED ME ONE BOX A WEEK! ONE BOX!"
Okita and Kaya collapsed into laughter as Tokio towered over Saitou, brandishing the two boxes like weapons, but another fierce glare from Saitou immediately made them decide that perhaps they should leave.
Sanosuke's eyes opened blearily to see the bare, dull walls of a hospital greet him. He groaned, trying to slide off the bed, when a firm hand suddenly gripped his shoulder tightly.
"Baka tori" admonished Megumi. "Don't even think about leaving right now. I'm trying to make sure Enishi didn't break any of your bones. He was furious about your incessant rhyming, and he just seemed to lose control."
"Weren't you beating me up too?" muttered Sanosuke accusingly.
"I have the right to!" insisted Megumi. "I'm your girlfriend! I need some way to tower over you!"
"So much for our date, huh Kitsune?" said Sanosuke with a shrug.
"What do you mean?" asked Megumi, finishing her check up and putting her equipment away.
"Well, since I'm in this stupid bed, I can't really take you out on a date" said Sanosuke with a confused look.
"You're perfectly fine according to my checkup. Multiple bruises, but you've never abandoned anything just because of bruises. You had to break your leg if you wanted to relax" replied Megumi with a smile. "We could go on our date if we wanted to."
"All right!" yelled Sanosuke. "We have to hurry and steal Enishi's car!"
"I thought Enishi took his keys away from you!" exclaimed Megumi.
"Haha, Yahiko taught me a few pick-pocketing skills, and I managed to steal the keys again!" replied Sanosuke triumphantly. "Don't use it against Jou-chan…she beat Yahiko and I up the last time we tried…"
"What were you trying to steal from Kaoru?" asked Megumi curiously.
"Just some money" replied Sanosuke. "I was running low that day."
"Baka tori" said Megumi with a laugh. "You really know how to make me laugh!"
"So, are we still on for that date?" asked Sanosuke with a grin.
"Oh yes tori-atama" replied Megumi with a smile. "We are definitely still having that date!"
Aoshi drove to the Aoiya, thoughts spinning through his head as he skillfully maneuvered through the traffic on the roads.
Kamiya and Yukishiro…a couple? That would be like someone insisting that Kaya and I are a couple, it's just as absurd…Perhaps that is why their relationship bothers me so – because there are traces of love where there should only be friendship…
Perhaps I should receive a second opinion on this couple…
Aoshi immediately pulled over in front of the bookstore and locked the car behind him before pushing open the door to the bookstore.
"Ohayo gozaima…Shinomori-san, what are you doing here?" asked Miyana in surprise. "You came in earlier, didn't you?"
"Yes" replied Aoshi evenly. "I came to ask you about something."
"Alright, what do you want to ask me Shinomori-san?" inquired Miyana curiously, lifting a box of books and carrying them towards the end of the shelves.
"Are Kamiya and Yukishiro a good couple?"
Miyana sighed and eased the box to the floor before turning to speak to Aoshi.
"Shinomori-san, two people can only be a couple if both are willing to make a relationship work out" replied Miyana softly. "A third person could never know unless one of the two confided in him or her."
"Just answer the question" muttered Aoshi. "Do you think they would make a good couple?"
"In a way, yes" answered Miyana simply, turning to shelve the books that lay by her feet.
"Why do you say that?" asked Aoshi, lifting out a few of the books in order to assist her.
"Shinomori-san, the foundation of love is friendship" replied Miyana, placing the books on the shelves neatly, making sure the spines were aligned. "Without friendship, can there really be love? Friendship instigates a kind of trust between people, and it is that trust and friendship that develops into love."
"So you cannot have friendship without falling in love?" inquired Aoshi with a raised eyebrow.
"Did I say that Shinomori-san?" asked Miyana. "I said friendship could become love. Not all friendships develop that way though. It depends on the two people in question."
"But could Yukishiro and Kamiya fall in love?"
Miyana sighed softly as she reached into the box for the last few books. "Shinomori-san, you've worked side by side with Hitomi-san for four years. You're acting in a romantic movie together. Have you two ever fallen in love with each other?"
"No, we're just friends" replied Aoshi evenly.
"Enishi-san and Kamiya-san share the same friendship, but their relationship can go either way. Either it will remain platonic, or it can develop into love" said Miyana softly. "I really have no way to tell Shinomori-san."
"Alright" muttered Aoshi quietly, turning around to leave.
"But Shinomori-san, since when have you began to talk about love and Kamiya-san?" asked Miyana, her voice slightly mischievous.
Aoshi turned around and left without answering the question. Miyana simply sighed and turned to throw the empty box back into storage.
Enishi-san…you need to confess to Kamiya-san sometime soon…otherwise Shinomori-san might enter the whole picture, and you may never receive the chance that you have waited for four years to receive…
"Shinjite ii yo yume wa yattekuru, kimi no tame dake ni, naitemo ii yo donna kanashimimo, tsubasa ni kawaru no sa sono mune de!" sang Kaoru softly as Enishi parked his car in the Shirobeko parking lot.
"Kaoru, I still can't believe what an awesome singer you are. You sang 'Namida Wa Shiiteru' like you wrote it yourself!" said Enishi with a grin, pulling his keys out of the ignition, thus turning off the radio and jolting Kaoru out of her reverie.
"Thanks Enishi, but I'll need a lot more training to become an actual singer" said Kaoru wistfully. "It's my dream to become a singer, but lately, that dream just seems to be drifting out of my reach."
"Don't worry Kaoru, I'm sure you'll make it!" replied Enishi with a grin.
"You two are fairly slow."
Both Kaoru and Enishi looked up from each other to see Aoshi waiting for them at the door of the Shirobeko.
"Hey Aoshi" said Enishi with a wave. "Sorry about being late. Kaoru and I were just having an interesting conversation!"
"Yet somehow, even though I had a conversation, drove back home, and then walked back her, I came earlier?" asked Aoshi incredulously.
"Who on Earth did you have a conversation with?" asked Kaoru curiously. "Seeing as everyone I know of is with someone else."
"I had a conversation with Miyana, if you need to know" replied Aoshi quietly.
"Miyana?" asked Enishi in surprise.
And I thought I was the only one who talked to her…how can Aoshi suddenly start talking to her?
Wait, what am I saying? Miyana can talk to anyone she wants to! What was wrong with my mind a few seconds ago?
"Yes, is that so surprising?" asked Aoshi.
"When it comes to you Shinomori-san, too many things can become surprising" replied Kaoru dryly.
"Alright, before you two erupt into an argument, we should all go inside!" exclaimed Enishi suddenly, effectively interrupting Aoshi's comeback and pushing open the doors to the Shirobeko.
"You sure Enishi already went inside?" whispered Sanosuke uncertainly, hiding in a tree as Megumi peered at the Shirobeko from behind the bushes that concealed her.
"Yes rooster, Enishi's gone inside!" replied Megumi, watching the doors swing shut as Aoshi entered the Shirobeko after Kaoru and Enishi. "See, he even turned on the neon lights outside of the Shirobeko! Can we just grab the car now?"
"We need to be slightly discreet!" muttered Sanosuke. "Enishi will kill me if he realizes I still have his keys!"
"Alright, but leave him a note at least!" whispered Megumi. "Otherwise, he'll begin to think someone stole his car!"
"Make a dash for it then!" yelled Sanosuke, jumping down from the tree and grabbing her hand, pulling her towards the car. He quickly scribbled a note and tacked it onto the pole that stood in front of the car before backing out of the parking lot and driving off with Megumi in tow.
"Misao-san!"
Misao turned around to see Soujirou following her, waving for her to stop.
"Sou-chan, drop the honorifics!" yelled Misao angrily. "We're dating! You don't have to be so respectful!"
"Gomen nasai Misao-san!" cried out Soujirou.
"MISAO! NOT MISAO-SAN!" yelled Misao angrily.
"Gomen Misao!" said Soujirou pleadingly.
"That's better!" replied Misao with a grin. "Now, why are you following me?"
"Misao, you said you would return my emotions to me" replied Soujirou. "But I just wanted to tell you that the possibility of that happening is zero. I will never regain those emotions. My face will always be graced with an eternal smile."
"Is that true Sou-chan?" asked Misao softly. "You really show no emotions?"
"I'm sorry Misao, but that's the truth" replied Soujirou. "I can understand if you don't want to see me again." He turned around when Misao's voice suddenly stopped him in tracks.
"I don't believe you."
"Excuse me?" asked Soujirou, the smile still on his face, almost as if he were mocking Misao. Misao immediately stepped up to him.
"I said, I don't believe you" repeated Misao. "You say you can't feel emotions, but you can't tell me that no one can feel the power of love, the antipathy of anger, the joy of friendship, the sorrow of melancholy! No one can be completely emotionless!"
"I'm sorry Misao, but in all honesty, I don't feel angry or sad or serious that often" replied Soujirou with a grin. "My answers are probably disappointing, and we'll probably never see each other again, so perhaps I should say goodbye now."
Just before Soujirou could turn around, Misao wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply, catching him completely off guard. His eyes widened in shock and surprise as Misao pulled away. She gazed deep into his eyes and suddenly smiled.
"It's a start" whispered Misao. "That haunting smile still remains on your face, but I can see the shock and surprise in your eyes. I will return all your emotions to you Soujirou, and that's a promise!"
Misao waved goodbye as she quickly boarded the just-arrived bus, and continued to wave as the bus drove ahead, leaving a floored Soujirou on the road.
How did that happen? How did she penetrate through my smile?
How could I suddenly drop my smiling disguise in front of a teenage girl?
The Shirobeko filled with people as soon as Enishi opened the doors, pressuring him to remain behind the counters most of the time, instead of spending time with Kaoru, like he wished. However, Kaoru decided that sitting at the counter near Enishi was a great way to talk. She chatted with Enishi as she drank a delicious fruit drink that contained absolutely no alcohol whatsoever.
"Wow, the business is really booming today!" said Kaoru with a grin. "Sae-san's going to be really happy with you and Sanosuke! You pulled in a lot of customers!"
"Yeah" replied Enishi with a smile. "I can't wait for Sae to come back from Nagasaki though. She must be itching to see how the Shirobeko did in her absence."
"Of course she would, she's the owner!" exclaimed Kaoru with a laugh. "And she's just like her twin Tae! They have that same businesswoman streak in their nature!"
Aoshi, in the meantime, remained seated at the counter as well, though he seldom spoke. Instead, his mind mulled over the conversation he and Miyana had had.
"Either it will remain platonic, or it can develop into love..."
How can friendship become love? How can friendship become betrayal? I share a friendship with Kaya, and I treasure it greatly, but I fell in love with that woman, and my whole life was destroyed…
How can friendship possibly be the root for such an evil emotion?
Meanwhile, Kaoru was eying Aoshi silently, and suddenly motioned for Enishi to lean closer.
"You know, I've been thinking about Shinomori-san and Miyana-san, and in all honesty, don't you think they would make a good couple?" whispered Kaoru softly.
Enishi fell silent for a moment.
Miyana is strong, her emotions are powerful, but is she really the one who can break Aoshi?
Why do I feel like she isn't the one meant for him?
"I don't know" answered Enishi honestly. "That's something that time will determine I suppose."
"I guess so" said Kaoru with a shrug, leaning back on her stool. "I guess love can never be rushed, huh?"
"Well, there's always love at first sight" replied Enishi with a grin. "Isn't that slightly rushed?"
"That's different" answered Kaoru. "In that kind of love, people with faith and trust always succeed in finding their life partner. I wouldn't call it rushed, I would just call it an early love."
"When you fall in love at first sight, there is always an unhappy ending" chimed Aoshi, sipping the tea that he had ordered.
"And how on earth do you know that Shinomori-san? You have never even given love a chance!" retorted Kaoru.
Kamiya…I gave love a chance…all those years ago, I gave it a chance…only to end up betrayed and depressed…
Do you really think love is cheerful if it brings betrayal and depression?
"Have you ever fallen in love with the wrong person Kamiya?" asked Aoshi quietly. "You talk about love like it is your life, yet I don't see any boyfriends in your life! What's that about Kamiya? You've never experienced love in your life, so what right do you have to talk?"
Aoshi quickly rose from his seat and made his way to the end of the room, where the lavatories were located, completely missing Kaoru's expression of fury, pain, and anger.
How dare you say that Shinomori-san! I was raised in a household of love, I have friends who I love, and who love me, I loved a wonderful man! How can you say I have never experienced love in my life! I know what love is, I have felt it, but I fell in love with someone I could never have in the first place…
You have no right to imply that I'm a hypocrite!
In that much time, Enishi had disappeared to prepare someone's order, but he had left a whole bottle of strong vodka on the counter. Out of sheer fury, Kaoru immediately grabbed the bottle and poured as much vodka as she could into the tea Aoshi had been sipping but had not finished.
Take that I-have-no-tolerance Shinomori-san!
She immediately capped the bottle and placed it back on the counter. Just as she took another sip of her drink, Aoshi reappeared, and Kaoru's fury ignited once again.
"Shinomori-san! How dare you call me a hypocrite!" yelled Kaoru angrily. "I don't care how high and mighty you might think you are, but you have no right to assume that I have never fallen in love! I have loved, and I will continue to fall in love! But you have no right to call me a liar and a hypocrite! The only liar here is you! Love is a wonderful emotion, and you have no right to berate it so!"
She stalked off in anger, unaware that Aoshi's icy eyes burned with cold fury.
A liar…is that what you think I am? I hate being called a liar, and if I have no right to call you a liar, then you have no right either!
His eyes suddenly fell upon a half-empty vodka bottle (coincidentally, the same one that Kaoru spotted) and he suddenly recalled the story Tae had told in the Akabeko.
You have no tolerance, am I right Kamiya-san?
He immediately poured out the vodka into her drink and left the empty bottle on the counter.
I hope you enjoy yourself Kamiya-san…
He reached over to his tea-cup only to find it full to the brim.
That's strange…it was half-gone when I left…perhaps Enishi just refilled it…
He immediately began to sip it again, noting that the flavor had changed slightly, but passing it off as a new spice Enishi had added.
Kaoru returned (she had gone to the bathroom too, but only to vent her anger on a now extremely shredded toilet paper roll) and took her seat next to Aoshi. A small smile graced her face as she saw Aoshi sip the tea, and she immediately reached for her glass to hide the smile.
Wow, it's full to the brim! Enishi probably refilled it…
Kaoru took a deep sip, not realizing that Aoshi's eyes suddenly held a cloudy look of triumph.
Enishi sighed in exhaustion. He was extremely tired of taking orders, and to his happiness, the other bartender had finally come to relieve Enishi of his duties.
"Thanks for the help Jiro" replied Enishi gratefully. "I'm tired to the bone."
"No sweat Nish" replied Jiro with a grin. "Just clean up the counters a bit and then leave. I'll take care of the rest!"
Enishi quickly disposed of empty bottles and cleaned empty glasses before scanning the counters for any other glasses or bottles. He suddenly came across an empty bottle of vodka, and he recalled that he had pulled out a full bottle of vodka earlier that evening, but had never required it.
So how is it empty all of a sudden?
"Enishi!"
Enishi glanced to see Kaoru waving, which wasn't too surprising. However, Aoshi waving at him too was a bit too strange to be normal.
"Hey guys, what's going on?" asked Enishi confusedly.
Suddenly, both Kaoru and Aoshi burst out into laughter.
"Ummm….guys?" asked Enishi.
"We don't know what's going on!" exclaimed Kaoru with a high-pitched giggle.
"Why don't we ever say 'what's going under'? Why is it always 'what's going on'?" asked Aoshi with a snort.
Enishi took one look at the glasses that sat on the table and then glanced at the empty bottle in his hand.
Now I know how it ended up empty…this is not my day…
I guess all I can do is drive them home…
"Tori-atama! Win me that one!" exclaimed Megumi excitedly.
Sanosuke grunted in concentration as he carefully aimed his ring, desperately trying to toss it on the bottle that stood in front of a stuffed bear that held a heart-shaped pillow with the words 'I love you' traced in white cursive. He released the ring.
"Alright! The man with a rooster-like hairdo has one the stuffed bear!" cried out the owner of the stall, handing the bear to a slightly disgruntled Sanosuke.
"Hey Kitsune, I hope you're going to be the one to carry this around, because I sure as hell ain't gonna carry it around for you!" yelled Sanosuke.
"Thanks, Tori-atama!" replied Megumi affectionately, grabbing the bear from his hands and hugging it closely to her chest. "This is so cute!"
"Plus, it reveals the true feelings within my heart!" exclaimed Sanosuke with a grin, causing Megumi to blush ever so slightly.
"Do you know that it reveals my true feelings too?" whispered Megumi with a smile.
"Really?" asked Sanosuke with a grin. "I never would've guessed, with all the insults you throw at me.
"Baka tori!" admonished Megumi teasingly. "My insults are just another way of expressing love!"
"Then you've been in love with me for the past four years!" exclaimed Sanosuke with a triumphant yell.
"Baka tori, those years don't count!" yelled Megumi. "We just became a couple! Before, those insults were actually true!"
"I can't hear you!" yelled Sanosuke, plugging his ears with his fingers as Megumi thrashed him with her teddy bear, laughing as she tried to inflict pain with the soft, cotton-filled bear.
No matter what…I still love him…and maybe we'll make it all the way…
I don't care what she says…I love her, and I want to have a future with her…
"I wanna fly like an eagle!"
"We can fly, we can fly, we can fly!"
Enishi was almost ready to throttle the two drunk people who stood by his side. Aoshi was smiling, strangely enough, although the fact that his smile was too wide to be sane was quite creepy. Kaoru, on the other hand, just seemed overly cheerful and loud, although her movements lacked her usual grace. She quickly leaned on Enishi's shoulder and started laughing loudly.
"Shinomori-san, Enishi's almost like an old man! He has whitish grayish hair!" drawled Kaoru. Aoshi burst out into a fit of laughter.
"Old man, old man!" he chanted, waving his hands in the air.
This is not what I had in mind when I wanted to have a date with Kaoru…far from it…I'm going to murder that stupid rooster head! How could he steal the car when I took away his keys? And he stole it today, out of all days! He is going to die!
Enishi clenched his fist as he recalled his struggle to push Aoshi and Kaoru out of the door only to discover that Sanosuke had stolen his car, and had left him such a wonderful note, complete with a drawing of a rooster crowing 'ha ha ha!'.
"Look!" cried out Kaoru suddenly, pointing at absolutely nothing in particular. "Shinomori-san, let's go!"
"Wait!" cried out Enishi, trying to grab the both of them. However, he was powerless to prevent them from leaving, and he had no other option aside from chasing them to their destination.
"OUCH!"
Enishi skidded to a stop to see Kaoru and Aoshi sprawled out on the ground. However, upon closer examination, Enishi realized that the two drunken people had fallen on some poor, unsuspecting and person.
"I'm so sorry!" Enishi began to apologize profusely. "I'm extremely sorry, these two are just out of my control today–"
"Enishi-san, it's perfectly alright" replied a muffled voice, and to Enishi's surprise, Miyana emerged from underneath the two now sleeping drunks. "However, I can't really say the same for Kamiya-san and Shinomori-san, can I?"
Enishi sighed exhaustedly; taking care of those two was no picnic.
And now, I have to drag both of them back home…
"Enishi-san?"
Enishi quickly shook his head and turned to Miyana. "Yes?" he asked curiously.
"It would probably be a hassle for you to try to drag both of them home, so why not I take Shinomori-san to the Aoiya, and you take Kamiya-san to her home?" offered Miyana gently.
"Wouldn't it be better if you took Kaoru home?" asked Enishi. "After all, you're both girls, and Aoshi probably weighs a lot more than Kaoru."
"I really don't know where Kamiya-san's apartment is, but I do know my way to the Aoiya. Also, Kamiya-san is probably more comfortable with you, and as soon as I get to the Aoiya, everyone else can take over" replied Miyana with a shrug. "It seems a bit simpler to do it that way."
"I really have to thank you Miyana" said Enishi with another exhausted sigh. "These two are hard to handle! Anyways, I'll take Kaoru home, so see you later!"
Enishi quickly lifted Kaoru bridal style and walked away. Miyana turned to Aoshi and shook him gently.
"Shinomori-san, could you please wake up?" asked Miyana softly. "I'll take you home, but it would be easier if you were at least awake…"
She received no answer whatsoever. With a sigh, Miyana heaved Aoshi onto her shoulder and trudged along, regretting her offer slightly.
"Kaya, I'm asking you one last time" whispered Okita quietly, nervously smoothing out his spotless dark blue hakama and his green gi. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? My parents are very difficult people, and I really don't want you to become offended by their harsh words."
"Soushi, we need to do this" answered Kaya determinedly. "You know that in the future, you will regret never telling your parents about us, and I don't want you to ever live your life in regret." She carefully pulled out a fan from her obi, the fan her deceased mother had given her so lovingly, and opened it gracefully before smoothing out her deep blue kimono with pale pink sakura blossoms. "We must talk to them Soushi…"
Okita sighed resignedly before knocking on the door elegantly. It opened gracefully to reveal a immaculately dressed man in a black hakama and white gi. His onyx eyes suddenly widened as he closely examined Okita.
"Arakai-sama!" he whispered breathlessly. "After six years, you have finally returned!"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you Hakujin" replied Okita quietly. "But I shall never return to this house again. I have come to give my parents some urgent news. May I see them tonight?"
"Hai, hai!" replied Hakujin, motioning for Okita and Kaya to follow him. His curious gaze fell upon Kaya, confused and worried, but he kept his back to Okita so that the young man would be unable to see his emotions. He opened the door to a spacious hall where a beautiful woman lay spread out on a futon, her dark brown hair intricately tied into a bun, her face painted beautifully, bringing out her chocolate eyes, her elegant and gorgeous kimono billowing gracefully. She was carefully pouring tea to an immaculately dressed man, who was wearing a dark blue gi and a spotless white hakama, the white setting off his jet black eyes and hair. Their eyes widened ever so slightly as Okita stared at them silently.
"Arakai" replied the man coldly. "After six years, you have finally learned the error of your ways. We welcome you with open arms."
"I am no longer Hishimoto Arakai any longer" said Okita firmly. "I am Okita Soushi, and I have not come to apologize because I have made no errors by leaving this family."
"Even now, you are as insolent as ever my child" said the woman icily. "I taught you to respect your elders, and instead, you defied our wishes and ran away from home. What news do you bear now?"
Kaya shivered, her hand grasping Okita's tightly.
How can a mother be so cold to her child…She's his mother! Did he never know a mother's warmth…did he never know a father's doting…did he never receive love here?
"Shiroji-san, Kimana-san, I have an announcement" called out Okita. "I am engaged."
Shiroji and Kimana both stood up swiftly, overcome with shock and anger.
"How dare you marry without our permission!" yelled Shirojo angrily, his hand descending on Okita rapidly. Okita's hand shout out and grabbed Shirojo's wrist, stopping the hand from making contact with his cheek. Kaya gasped slightly as Okita pulled her behind him swiftly, shielding her from any possible harm.
"I dare because I am your son no longer!" yelled Okita. "I left you when I was eighteen, and I am now legally independent! I have no respect for people who wish to determine every aspect of my life!"
"And what kind of stupid decisions have you been making?" shrieked Kimana angrily. "Is this girl standing next to you the woman you are engaged to?"
"Yes!" yelled Okita. "Her name is-"
"Who the hell cares about what this tramp's name is!" roared Shirojo angrily. "Did you think about her background, her wealth, her status, before proposing to her? Did you think about how she could affect our family and our happiness?"
How can they judge me on their whims…how misguided have Soushi's parents become
"Did you think about letting your own son find happiness?" retorted Okita. "No, right? Well, no is the answer to all the questions you've just asked! I fell in love with her, regardless of her background, and I will marry her, and only her!"
Kaya stood there, shell-shocked, unable to utter a single word as the family members bickered.
So much hate in a single room…Oh Soushi, I'm so sorry for making you endure this, but it was either this pain or everlasting regret, and I just won't be happy if you're miserable…
"Kimana-san, Shirojo-san, we did not come to pester you" whispered Kaya softly, slowly coming forward, releasing Okita's hand in the process. "We came to ask for your blessings. We wished to know whether you would like to wish us a happy life."
SLAP!
Kaya staggered backwards, holding a hand to her now red cheek as Kimana stood in front of her with a sneer. Kaya's fan flew to the corner and lay there, unseen and forgotten.
"Never…" she whispered. "Don't even dare to ask us for blessings! You shall never get them from us! You shall always be seen as the tramp that destroyed our only son's life, and we shall never let this marriage happen! Have fun with this pitiful engagement, because you two won't last till your marriage, we shall make sure of it!"
"You two won't last till your marriage!"
That's not true…is it? Soushi and I…we won't fall apart…will we?
"STOP IT!" yelled Okita furiously. "How dare you speak to Kaya that way! She brought me here so that we could receive your blessings, but obviously we're not going to receive those, so this is where we part!"
"Where are you going son!" yelled Shirojo angrily. Okita glared at his parents before clasping Kaya's hand in his and pulling her towards him so that he could wrap his arm around her shaking shoulders.
"I'm going home" he replied evenly. "And I shall never return to the Hishimoto Estate…it is no longer a familiar place…"
He swiftly turned and walked away, keeping Kaya at his side as they walked through the doors. Kaya reached into her obi to draw out her comforting fan, only to find out it was missing.
"Soushi, you bring the car here" whispered Kaya softly. "I dropped something in the house. I'll go back and get it!" She quickly turned and ran before Okita could answer.
I know Soushi would stop me…but I can't leave that fan behind! Okaasan gave it to me!
Kaya quickly scanned the enormous room, panicking as her eyes peered in every corner, only to see that there was no fan.
"Are you looking for this?"
Kaya turned to see Kimana standing there, Kaya's fan in her outstretched hand. Kaya bowed gracefully and respectfully.
"Arigato Kimana-san" whispered Kaya gently as Kimana placed the fan in her hand before swiftly walking away. Kaya opened the fan quickly and fingered the edges, sighing as memories of her mother flowed through her mind, easing her pain. She was about to walk away when she spotted a piece of paper lying by her sandals. She reached down and smoothed it out before reading it.
Oh my gosh…
Kaya quickly tucked it into her fan and folded the fan up before rushing away from the house and into the car Okita had pulled up in front.
"Shinomori-san, how did you become so heavy?" muttered Miyana under her breath, trying to pull Aoshi as she trudge along the sidewalks, breathing heavily. A cool chill passed through the air, and scent of coming rain made her regret not wearing her trench coat.
"Forgive me Shinomori-san" whispered Miyana gently. "But I am going to search your trench coat for an umbrella. As much as I love the rain, I really don't want to have a cold tomorrow while fighting Saitou-san."
She quickly dropped him on a bench and dug through his trench coat, desperately hoping the find an umbrella. Instead, her fingers grasped a sheath, and she pulled it out curiously to discover a sheathed sword.
"You're also a swordsman…" whispered Miyana, carefully tucking the sword back where it belonged before triumphantly grabbing an umbrella.
"We're in luck Shinomori-san" she said quietly.
"…umi…" he whispered weakly.
"What?" asked Miyana confusedly. "Shinomori-san, are you okay?"
He started to toss and turn, frightening Miyana as she stared at him, unsure of what to do.
Perhaps the streetlights are bothering him…too bright…maybe I should find someplace darker…that alley is rather dark…
She quickly dragged Shinomori-san to the alley, and he seemed to calm down. Miyana sighed with relief, when he suddenly started whispering again.
"…zumi…" he whispered quietly, his eyes opening wide, but he still lay on the road, staring up into space.
"Shinomori-san, what's wrong? What are you trying to say?" asked Miyana, placing her hand on Aoshi's forehead, making sure that he was not feverish or clammy.
He seems perfectly fine…so what's wrong with him?
"Izumi…why have you come back…" murmured Aoshi, sounding slightly delirious and deranged. He began to rise from the ground, but Miyana pushed him back down firmly by the shoulders.
"Shinomori-san, perhaps you should rest and I should call the Aoiya" whispered Miyana gently, releasing his shoulders in order to stand up. However, she was pulled back down again as Aoshi's hand wrapped around her wrist tightly.
"Ouch! Shinomori-san, what are you doing?" asked Miyana indignantly, trying to remove her wrist from his grasp, struggling futilely. "Shinomori-san, please let go!"
"Why have you come back? To torture me?" asked Aoshi, his voice growing louder by the second.
"Shinomori-san, I don't know what you're talking about, please let go!" shrieked Miyana. "Shinomori-san, can you hear me? Shinomori-san!"
"Shut up!" growled Aoshi angrily. "You ruined my life once! It's time that I return the favor!"
He suddenly flipped her over and wrapped his hands around her neck.
"Shinomori-san what's going on! Wake up Shinomori-san, wake up!" shrieked Miyana.
Aoshi paid no heed and instead continued to apply pressure.
"Enishi! Why aren't you letting me fly?" asked Kaoru groggily, clutching Enishi's arm while flapping her other arm as if she was flying. "I could fly wonderfully, and you'd know it!"
"Yes, I'm sure that after you break your skull and damage all the bones in your body, you'd be an excellent flyer" replied Enishi wryly, pulling Kaoru along.
I hope Miyana's not having too much trouble with Aoshi…maybe we should've just taken them together…
"Enishi! Why are you staring at nothing?" asked Kaoru suddenly. "We've reached my apartment!" She pointed in front of her, as if to emphasize that her apartment was right in front of her.
"Kaoru…"
"Yes?"
"That's a dumpster."
"Really?" murmured Kaoru weakly. "That's great…" She yawned deeply and leaned against Enishi's shoulder, falling asleep almost immediately. Despite himself, Enishi smiled softly and stroked Kaoru's head gently before lifting her up bridal style again.
Kaoru…do I have a chance with you? Can you love again, after Himura broke your heart…
"Did you even try?"
Miyana…I didn't try…but sometimes, I wonder…will it hurt more if I try and she rejects me?
He reached into Kaoru's pocket and withdrew her apartment key as he neared her apartment building to see Yui standing outside, staring at the sky above.
"Excuse me Obaasan?" asked Enishi politely. "Do you need help?"
"It's going to rain" she replied simply. "You should head back home after dropping off Kaoru-chan."
"Well, in all honesty, she could use some soup and aspirin and what not" said Enishi with a shrug. "So I might stay for awhile."
"You cannot stay where you don't belong" whispered Yui quietly.
"What?" asked Enishi confusedly.
"You don't belong here" replied the woman. "You belong to the place rain has taken you before…you belong to her…"
"Who's 'her'?" asked Enishi exasperatedly.
"She's in danger" whispered Yui.
"Who's in danger?" yelled Enishi, starting to lose his temper. Yui turned around and left Enishi, slamming the door behind her. Enishi shifted Kaoru in his arms and opened the door to chase after Yui, only to discover that she had disappeared. With a sigh, Enishi walked over to Kaoru's apartment door, set her down gently on the floor, and then fiddled with the key and lock until he had managed to open it.
"Yahiko?" he called out quietly, hoping that young boy was there to help his older sister. However, Yahiko did not respond, so Enishi simply lifted Kaoru into his arms again and crept through the apartment.
"Yahiko?" called out Enishi again, only to receive no response. He sighed and opened Kaoru's bedroom door, set the drunken woman on her bed, and then ran to the kitchen to find some aspirin. However, before he could even begin his search, a note on the refrigerator attracted his attention.
'Ugly,
Went to Dr. Gensai's to see Tsubame. She wants me to tell you that she can't come to work tomorrow either, so apologize to Tae on her behalf. I won't be back tonight, cause I'll be staying at Dr. Gensai's. Megumi called, said she was spending the night in the hospital with bird-brain.
Yahiko'
So I'm supposed to take care of Kaoru all by myself…I'm supposed to somehow take care of the girl who I have had a crush on for two years. I should've switched places with Miyana…
And what did that old lady mean by "she's in danger"? Maybe she was just delusional...
Miyana's eyes began to water from lack of breath as Aoshi's hands lay firmly planted on her neck, effectively choking her.
What's wrong with him? Why won't he stop?
I don't want to die!
Wait…
Miyana's hand grasped for the umbrella she had dropped near Aoshi and the moment her fingers wrapped around the umbrella, she immediately jabbed it into Aoshi's stomach pushing him away. He fell to the ground with a solid thud, and she immediately stood up, breathing heavily, trying to regain her breath as she leaned against the wall farthest from Aoshi.
"What's wrong with you Shinomori-san?" she shrieked. "Why are you doing this? Why aren't you waking up? Why can't you stop yourself?"
Why are you trying to kill the girl named Izumi?
"SHUT UP! I will kill you Izumi!" yelled Aoshi, whipping out the sword from his sheath and throwing it at her, aiming for her head. Miyana neatly dodged it. Suddenly, she felt a splitting pain in her shoulder and she glanced in surprise to see a second sword graze her shoulder deeply.
Two concealed swords in a single sheath…Shinomori-san's mastered the kodachi…
"Shinomori-san, what are you doing?" she shrieked, grabbing both swords. "Can't you see who I am? I'm not Izumi! Shinomori-san, please wake up!"
His foot suddenly flew towards her head, and she immediately ducked only to be hit in the stomach with a solid punch. She hit the wall behind her with a gasp of pain.
"You've lied too much Izumi" whispered Aoshi angrily. "I won't listen anymore."
"I'm not Izumi!" shouted Miyana. "Shinomori-san, don't make me hurt you, please!"
Miyana suddenly shrieked in pain as Aoshi painfully yanked both kodachis from her hands, cutting both hands sharply in the palm. Before Aoshi could strike, she immediately landed a solid kick in his side, knocking him to the ground. Aoshi began to rise when he suddenly felt a splitting pain in his head. He crumpled to the ground before Miyana's feet as a torrent of rain fell from the skies, soaking both Miyana and Aoshi. Rain pooled around him, and the lightening suddenly revealed Miyana standing behind him, a solid brick in her hand, tears gathering in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Shinomori-san" she whispered, the rain washing away the blood that stained her shoulder and hands, erasing any evidence about hers and Aoshi's struggle, save for the scars that trailed down her hands.
"Mmmm…" murmured Kaoru sleepily, curling underneath the comforter that Enishi had neatly draped over her body. Lying on the bedside table next to her was a glass of water, a bottle of aspirin, and a note written by Enishi himself, stating that there was soup in the refrigerator so that she would recover soon from her hangover, though she didn't drink that much vodka to begin with.
Enishi watched her with a smile and he gingerly sat down next to her. He stared at her as she turned in her sleep, her black hair falling back to frame her face like a halo. The gentle smile on her face and her beautiful lashes that swept over her cheekbones simply gave her the face of an angel.
Kaoru…
Enishi's hand slowly reached out to rest on her forehead. After realizing that she had not stirred, he began to stroke her forehead gently, a smiling growing on his face.
"Enishi" murmured Kaoru, her eyes opening slightly. Enishi immediately withdrew his hand in surprise, praying that she had been unaware of his hand.
"Kaoru?" he asked quietly. Kaoru groaned as she raised her hands to clutch her head.
"Mou…I have the most horrible headache" she muttered. "What happened?"
"You and Aoshi apparently got drunk" replied Enishi with a slight grin.
"How on Earth did that happen?" asked Kaoru. "I mean, I know how Shinomori-san got drunk, but I was just drinking that juice you gave me!"
"How did Aoshi get drunk?" asked Enishi curiously.
"I might have put vodka into his tea…" replied Kaoru sheepishly.
"And he might have put vodka into your juice" finished Enishi with a grin.
"WHAT?"
Enishi quickly made sure that his ears were still functioning before answering Kaoru's stunned question.
"Well, when I came by to talk to you two, I found an empty bottle of vodka, and both of your glasses had the scent of alcohol" replied Enishi. "I don't know why on Earth you two drank your beverages after you poured the alcohol in them."
"I thought you had refilled mine" answered Kaoru grumpily, trying to ignore Enishi's mocking grin. "So what happened after that?"
"I was trying to drag you two home, since some bird-brain chose tonight to steal my car. Thankfully, I ran into Miyana, who volunteered to take Aoshi to the Aoiya. Otherwise, I would've died of exhaustion by now" replied Enishi with a grin.
"You took the time to bring me up here and make sure I was okay and everything?" asked Kaoru softly. "Oh Enishi, that's so sweet!"
"It was nothing…" replied Enishi, but in that much time, Kaoru wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly, causing his cheeks to become slightly red.
"Thanks Enishi" whispered Kaoru, pulling away from him with a soft smile. "You're the best friend any girl could have!"
Best friend…I know it doesn't sound like much, but Himura was Kaoru's best friend before she fell in love with him…so I am getting closer!
"So, you must have a killer headache right now" said Enishi with a grin, picking up the glass of water and the aspirin from her bedside table. "Why don't you take some aspirin and get some rest?"
"You really are thoughtful, aren't you?" asked Kaoru with a smile, downing the aspirin with a few sips of water. "I'm really in your debt!"
"Ah, ah, ah" replied Enishi, wagging his finger. "No debts in friendship!"
Kaoru giggled as she lifted her covers again. "I suppose you're right Enishi! Anyways, you must be dead tired as well, so why don't you just sleep here tonight?"
"No thanks, I better go home" answered Enishi. "A certain rooster needs to be taught a lesson…But I'm not leaving until I see your eyes shut!"
"Alright, alright!" said Kaoru in between laughter. She reached over and kissed Enishi's forehead quickly before snuggling under the covers.
"Good night Enishi!" she whispered, her eyes slowly shutting, hiding the bright red color that spread over Enishi's cheeks.
"Good night Kaoru" he whispered softly, shutting the door to her room before exiting her apartment.
Yes…I might be getting closer to her heart…
"So, you saw the true colors of my parents" whispered Okita quietly, placing a cup of coffee in front of Kaya as they sat in her bedroom, talking softly so that their voices wouldn't awaken Aika and Ryoko.
"Soushi…it's not your fault" murmured Kaya softly. "I wanted to see them, to tell them that I was engaged to their son. I pushed you into this, so please don't blame yourself."
"They said such hurtful things towards you, and you're willing to let it all go?" asked Okita incredulously.
"Soushi, it just goes to show you that they've never received a parent's love during their lifetime!" replied Kaya softly. "Tokio-san and Saitou-san care so much for you, and you've come to learn what love truly is. But your parents were unfortunate enough to never receive true love. It's not their fault…it's just how they were raised. Don't blame them for the past that they cannot change."
"Sometimes Kaya, I just think you're too nice for your own good" replied Okita with a sad smile. "I feel like I don't deserve you…you're so selfless…"
"Shhh" whispered Kaya gently, placing a finger to Okita's lips. "No one is selfless. It is human nature to want, be it a human or an object, because there are so many things that make someone feel precious. And like any other human, there is one thing I want…"
"What's that?" asked Okita with a small smile.
"I want to love you forever" whispered Kaya softly.
"What a coincidence" murmured Okita. "I want that same thing too."
Okita and Kaya both laughed softly as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders so that they could sit together, drinking coffee.
Miyana sighed in relief as she finally approached the Aoiya, the burden of Aoshi draped over her shoulders. The pain in her palms was agonizing, and she was itching to run home and rub some soothing salve on the cuts.
Thankfully, they were shallow…otherwise, they would really impede my battle with Saitou-san tomorrow, and I really don't want to be defenseless against him…
She trudged up the steps and knocked on the door of the Aoiya weakly.
Oh please, please, please let someone be in there…
The door swung open to reveal a rather drowsy looking Misao.
"Who are…oh my gosh! AOSHI-SAMA!" shrieked Misao, all signs of sleepiness disappearing as she stared at Aoshi's bedraggled and unconscious state. "What's happened to you Aoshi-sama? Are you alright?"
Her hand suddenly ran over the bump on his head, the one created by the brick Miyana had used to knock him out.
"Why is there a bump on his head?" asked Misao angrily, pointing an accusing finger to Miyana. "What have you done to Aoshi-sama?"
"I'm really sorry, but Shinomori-san was apparently really drunk, and he started to hallucinate a bit, and-"
"You have got to be kidding me!" yelled Misao furiously. "How could you make up such a stupid story?"
"What?" asked Miyana in disbelief. "I'm not lying Makimachi-san, it really-"
"It really happened?" asked Misao disbelievingly. "Don't try to fool me! Aoshi-sama has no tolerance, and he would never drink alcohol! He always drank tea! You can't trick me, I've known Aoshi-sama ever since I was a child! Why did you do this to him? Are you one of those fan-girls who's crazed with keeping Aoshi-sama to herself? That's disgusting!"
"Makimachi-san, I really-"
"Don't try to convince me!" yelled Misao angrily. "I'm not going to listen to your lies! How could you do this to Aoshi-sama?"
"Makimachi-san-"
"I'll tell you one thing you can do to make this all better" replied Misao angrily, interrupting Miyana for about the fourth time. "Get away from here, and don't ever come back! If I ever see you near Aoshi-sama again, I will call the police!"
"Maki-"
"LEAVE!" shrieked Misao angrily, slamming the door angrily in Miyana's face. Miyana slowly walked down the stairs and back into the rain, allowing the cool drops to embrace her, to comfort her of her pain.
Makimachi-san…I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to hurt Shinomori-san, but…what else could I have possibly done? My life may be miserable at times, but I didn't want to die!
With a sigh, Miyana walked to her apartments.
Aoshi's eyes were met with a bright light, and he instinctively shut them, trying to avoid the light.
"Aoshi."
Aoshi woke up to see Okina staring down at him, a slight frown on his face. Aoshi glanced around and realized that he was in his room at the Aoiya.
Wait…how did end up here…the last thing I remember clearly is falling onto the grass with Kamiya-san…
"Okina, what are you doing here?" asked Aoshi quietly, clutching his head as an agonizing headache ran through his head.
That tea must have had alcohol in it…how else could I get a hangover…but why is it so painful…
"I needed to tell you two things" replied Okina. "One, there is a large bump on your head, which explains why you are experiencing a very painful hangover, and two, whoever brought you here might know something about Izumi."
"What?" growled Aoshi.
"Misao-chan said that some girl brought you here tonight, said you were hallucinating" answered Okina. "Misao of course, didn't believe the girl, but the moment I heard about the hallucinating, I realized that the girl might have figured out about Izumi. Do you remember anything?"
Aoshi dug through the depths of his mind, trying to remember what happened that night.
"SHUT UP! I will kill you Izumi!"
"Oh great" muttered Aoshi. "I threatened to kill her…I kept calling her Izumi and threatening to kill her…"
"Did you reveal anything else?" asked Okina curiously.
Aoshi thought deeply, and finally shook his head.
"Not to my recollection" murmured Aoshi.
"Alright, can you tell me who you might've threatened?" asked Okina. "Misao didn't ask the girl for her name, but since you came from the Shirobeko, I doubt Enishi would've let you leave in such a drunken state alone with someone he wouldn't trust. However, I think the only people there that you knew were Enishi and Kaoru, but Kaoru was just as drunk as you…"
"Who told you all of this?" muttered Aoshi.
"Jiro told me after I called the Shirobeko to find out what happened. He just mentioned that Enishi left with two drunken friends. So the only girl you could've possibly threatened was Kaoru, am I right?" asked Okina with a sigh.
Aoshi once again tried to dig through his mind.
What happened tonight?
I was staring at her, straight at her…her eyes were wide with fright, she was screaming at me, asking me what was wrong, begging me to wake up…amethyst-sapphire eyes staring up at me in fear…
Amethyst-sapphire? Kamiya's eyes aren't that shade!
Aoshi groaned suddenly.
"What's wrong Aoshi?" asked Okina. "What happened?"
"I figured out who I attacked…" he muttered angrily.
"Who?" asked Okina curiously. "If you didn't attack Kaoru, then who did you attack?"
"Miyana…"
This chapter finally ended...you can stop reading now...
Anyways, a few last minute thoughts. Namida Wa Shiiteru (I don't think I'm spelling it right) is an ending song from Rurouni Kenshin, so that's not my property. Also, after spending quite a few chapters writing about Kaya briefly, I've finally discovered who Kaya is very similar too - Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket. However unlike Tohru, Kaya reveals the matters in her heart a lot more (joys and sorrows) and she isn't always cheerful like Tohru, she's a bit more serious and mature, which of course you would expect from a woman that's 25 (Okita's a year younger than her, 24).
A bit about Aoshi - he's hallucinating. Miyana keeps screaming wake up because she thinks he might be sleepwalking or something.
A bit about Misao - I know she's jumping to conclusions, and that how she's acting is not quite like herself, but there was a future purpose for making her dislike Miyana, and in addition, I wanted to make her a bit more passionate about her dear Aoshi-sama. There's no romance between the two, but a very close sibling bond, and I just wanted to stress that by showing how much Misao cares for Aoshi...although she does yell at Miyana an awful lot.
Lastly, I really hope that Kaya and Miyana are not turning out to be Mary-Sues! I've seen a lot around her recently, and I'm desperately hoping that these two are turning out OK!
Next chapter - A tumultous training session - need I say more?
Ja ne for now, please keep reading and reviewing! AND THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T REVIEWING, I BEG OF YOU, LEAVE ME A REVIEW! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!