Disclaimer: Still don't own Rurouni Kenshin… (It's still illegal)

Whispers of the Wind

Chapter 1: Taste of the Wind

Kaoru pushed her cereal around the bowl, staring glumly at it.

Her mother smiled. "Dear," she said, pausing as she passed. "Look a little brighter, it's your senior year!"

Kaoru didn't look up. "Mom," she sighed. "I'll be the only kid who's 17! All because I skipped a stupid grade!"

"Now, now. Lots of kids will be 17," Her mother cooed, moving now to the sink.

"Yeah, but they'll all turn 18 soon, I'll turn 18 next summer!" Kaoru pushed the bowl away and ambled to her feet. "Besides," she added, moving to the door. "None of them have AIDS." She pushed through the door and left her mother staring at her, hands half covered in soap, eyes full of guilt.

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Kenshin stared out the car window, nervous and bored. His step-father glanced over at him. "Don't look so down. You should be used to moving by now. Besides it's your senior year."

Kenshin turned away from the window to look at the tall man beside him. "I am used to it, Hiko, it's just not that fun when you don't know anyone."

Hiko laughed, a loud, drunk laugh. "You'll make friends, you always do. And I know you're popular with the ladies, so no problem getting a girl friend."

Kenshin blinked at him. "Oh shut up," he growled, face turning a crimson to match his head of long hair. The car stopped and Kenshin climbed out, with a quick good-bye to Hiko, he turned toward the building, ready to face the day.

Or so he thought…

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Kaoru closed her locker, half listening to her friend's chatter. Misao could talk your ear off if you let her, the short girl loved to talk. At the current moment, she was gushing about a hot guy she'd spotted in the hall.

"I don't know his name," Misao was saying. "But he was defiantly cute!"

Kaoru sighed and turned to her friend. "At least describe him to me."

"Well okay. He is really tall, broad shoulders and a nice build. His hair is black and cut short, with a few strands hanging in his face. His eyes are this amazing blue, and his face seems kinda cold." Misao rambled.

"Is that him?" Kaoru asked, pointing to a boy behind Misao.

Misao spun and nodded. "That's him! Isn't he cute?"

Kaoru began to laugh and the members of the hall, including the boy, turned her way. "Misao! That's my half-brother! Shinomori Aoshi! His dad and my mom just got married a few months ago. How could you not know?"

Misao didn't seem fazed. "So you can hook us up?"

Kaoru was about to answer as Aoshi walked over, a short red head tailing behind. "Kaoru-chan," he said politely. "How are you today?"

Kaoru bowed, "Fine, Aoshi-kun, and yourself?"

"Fine." Aoshi said, with a crisp nod of the head. "I want you to meet Himura Kenshin, he just moved here."

Kaoru bowed politely, "Greetings," She straightened and looked this Kenshin guy over. He was attractive; Kaoru noticed, with long, crimson hair, which he tied back in a low ponytail. His eyes were purple, calming and pure. He smiled softly at her, and, Kaoru noted with pleasure, these purple, calming eyes, were looking her up and down as well.

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She was beautiful, Kenshin knew that at once. Her hair was long and rave colored, tied behind her. Her eyes were a striking blue, dark yet light at the same time. They were innocent yet guilty. But guilty with what? Kenshin didn't have time to ponder the question for she spoke again.

"Are you enjoying your stay here…" She asked, pausing to let him intervene.

"Kenshin, just call me Kenshin." She smiled and continued.

"Are you enjoying your stay here, Kenshin?" She finished.

Kenshin nodded and smiled in return. "Yes, so far it's nice." Then an awkward silence fell on the two of them and Kenshin looked at the floor, so to avoid her eyes.

Suddenly, the girl next to Kaoru spoke. She was short with long, black hair that was braided behind her back, and big, blue(I think her eyes are blue) eyes. She grinned and said, "I'm Misao! Nice to meet you!"

Kenshin nodded and smiled. "Nice to meet you too, Misao-dono."

The bell rang and Aoshi pulled Kenshin down the hall, calling, "Find us at lunch Kaoru-chan!" And Kenshin lost sight of Kaoru.

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" 'See you at lunch'?" Misao echoed and turned on her friend. "Kaoru! We don't have lunch with the seniors! We're only juniors!"

Kaoru turned a bright shade of red. "Well… Misao… about that… you see…" The bell ran again and Kaoru shot off down the hall. "I'll see you later Misao!" And she turned the corner and was gone.

Misao stared after her confused. "Whatever," she muttered and headed off to her first class.

LUNCH

Kaoru stood at the door of the cafeteria, glancing around for her step-brother and his friend. She clutched the tray tightly, hands shaking. Why should she be nervous? There was nothing to be nervous about!

Kaoru finally found them and walked cautiously over. "Hi," she said softly and Kenshin looked up. He smiled and made room for her at the table. Kaoru sat down, staring at her food. Suddenly, her eye twitched and she looked up at the clock. Her whole body felt numb and she shook her head.

Mom said that it wouldn't happen at school. She said I wouldn't need to take it… Kaoru thought, numb and afraid. Aoshi looked up and shook his head, he leaned toward Kaoru and whispered, "Just take it before-"

BEEP BEEP BEEP! Everyone at the table turned toward her and Kaoru lowered a shaking hand to turn off her beeper. She pulled the case of pills from her pocket and quickly swallowed one.

Kenshin asked, watching the entire time, "What's that?"

Slowly, Kaoru returned the bottle to her pocket and turned to face him. "It's my AZT. I have AIDS."

A/N: What do you think? Not my best, and it might have moved to fast but I wanted to get this up. I'm going on vacation soon so I won't have another Chapter up for a few days, a week maybe. Please review and I'll try to get the next Chapter up!