Disclaimer: I don't own RK
Heya! I finished this chapter in a breeze that I can't name what had gotten into me. It's a really weird feelingwhen I get inspired or something. I just kind of stare at nothing and become silent and then my mind just drift off somewhere. I only wish I always have a paper and pen with me so that I won't have to do with whatever I find.
Anyway, here it is! Read on!
Pretend to be Nice
Chapter Eight
(Kenshin)
"Oh, nice to see you've decided to do some laundry." was his father's comment when he finally got home. Kenshin was currently washing a piece of cloth by hand.
"In case you haven't noticed, your kind father was considerate enough to buy a washing machine for that purpose."
Kenshin just ignored his father, intent on the deed he was poring himself into. Holding the small piece of cloth up for inspection, he let out a sigh of satisfaction at its pristine whiteness. (A/N: It's not his underwear he's washing btw, in case you were thinking that, LOL!)
His father continued looming at his back like an idiot, inspecting.
"I don't recall you owning anything as lacy as that." his father commented again while reaching out a hand towards the material. But, Kenshin pulled away.
"Come on! I only want a look!" his father pleaded childishly.
"No, you'll get it dirty again. I just washed it." Kenshin protested and continued moving the handkerchief away from Hiko's grasp. But, because his father is so much taller and stronger than him, it was an easy task for him to take it away from Kenshin's hands.
"Ooh... whose is this?" Hiko stared down at his son who was casting him an angry glare.
Hiko fingered the embroidery. "Kamiya Shizuka? Who is that?"
Kenshin didn't answer although he pretty much figured out towards which direction his father's conclusion was probing.
"Is she your... girlfriend?" he asked teasingly and laughed at Kenshin's red face. Kenshin snatched the hanky quickly and proceeded on washing it again. His father's laughter was really annoying him now.
"Hahaha! Your face's as red as a tomato! Now you are a full-blown redhead!" then he continued on having a laugh on his own.
'Oh, God! What did I ever do in my past life to deserve this?' he taught as he continued scrubbing as gently as he could, afraid that the material might break. He half expected to hear his father singing that silly rhyme he often heard from the little girls outside his room when he was young.
He could imagine Hiko doing the same thing. The song was grating on his nerves.
'Kenshin and Shizuka sitting on a tree... K-I-S-S-I-N-G!' (A/N: I don't know if there's a Japanese version of this song but I just thought it funny imagining Hiko singing that silly song.)
Finally he was granted some peace and quiet when his father stopped laughing. Then, finally taking on a serious tone, asked him again.
"So, who is this Kamiya Shizuka, hm?" Kenshin looked at his father to see if he's serious this time.
"Let me give you some advice, if you like a girl, I really don't think washing her handkerchief would exactly make her fall for you. She's not looking for a housemaid, you know. Washing that hanky like that just gives you an image of being a sissy. I mean, who else your age would find laundry fun. If you ask me, it's freakin' hilarious...---"
It seemed like his father would go on and on, so he decided to stop him while he can.
"Alright, alright. It's my classmate's mother's." he explained through his gritted teeth. He wasn't really sure if it was Kaoru's mother's but that was his only rational conclusion.
"It's my fault it's dirty, so I'm washing it." he finished. His father just stared at him then, smirked.
"Whoa! I didn't know my son fancied older women." Hiko continued grinning like an idiot and even gave him a pat in the back, which made him more irritated.
"I didn't say anything about liking---" he tried to reason out but his father interrupted him again.
"Well, I myself, when I was your age, used to like older women too. I guess we have that in common huh?" he then gave him his puppy dog eyes and smiled lovingly at him.
'This is progressively making me sick, if he goes on, I don't know what'll happen next.'
But Hiko just continued talking.
"Of course, I don't like older women now. If I did, then I should be dating someone as old as your grandma!"
Kenshin just stared at him.
Hiko went quiet.
"You're drunk, aren't you?" Kenshin chided.
'I knew it! He's more irritating when drunk!' he concluded in his mind.
His father only smiled at him. "It's nice to know you're trying to follow my footsteps, son.," he said lovingly although Kenshin was already too old to be fooled by that old trick.
"I'm not following your footsteps!" he almost shouted. But, Hiko just ruffled his hair and made his way towards the TV.
"We're similar in more ways than you think, my baka-deshi." was all he said then walked away.
After that, Kenshin was still staring at the white handkerchief he had just hung.
'Now, the only question that remains is how do I give you back.'
(Aoshi & Misao)
Misao continued watching his back as he busily sketched, then crumpled the paper, then threw it in the trashcan. She had gone up to his room a while ago to bring him his tea, but, he was too busy with what he was doing that the tea laid cold and untouched.
Finally getting frustrated, Aoshi decided to give it a rest and sat with his head on his hands. Misao only stared at his back. He heaved a sigh and finally turned around to face his visitor. He inclined his head a bit and gave her his effort at a smile.
Misao noticed he was tired and she berated herself for not knowing what to say.
"Are you tired? Do you need help?" was all she said. But he shook his head and in a tired voice explained to her what has been occupying his mind these past few days.
"We're having a school dance. It's when the officers of each club gets inaugurated and the student council, being the highest organization, gets to preside over the planning."
She perked up, getting interested. She wasn't a part of any school organization at their school so, this was really something new to her. She glimpsed at his table and he noticed what she was looking at.
"I was trying to make a draft for the backdrop, but, I'm not really artistic or very creative." he self-mocked.
"Can't you assign somebody who's capable of doing that?" she asked.
"Well I did assign someone but so far she hadn't made any progress yet."
"Aren't there some kind of art club in your school. I know we have this painter's club at ours."
"Well, I did say to ask some of the cartoonists at the school paper but so far, nothing." he sighed.
"They work with their own wiles, these artists." he sighed again.
"If you want, I can try to make a draft for you." Aoshi looked at her and Misao did everything she could to meet his stare, lest he notices her discomfort.
"That would be good." was his short answer. Misao smiled. "So what theme am I working on?"
Aoshi thought for a while. "Come to think of it, we haven't thought about that yet. You think of something."
"Alright. So, um, this dance..." she began shifting towards another subject. "this dance... what kind is it?"
"Mm... just a normal one." She didn't expect Aoshi to elaborate since he had never really been fond of these parties before. He only attended when it was required for him to be present. And being Student Council President gave him that obligation.
"So, you will be needing a partner then,... a date?" she asked. Although she knew, outsiders like her were not allowed.
Aoshi looked up as if the answer would be there. "I guess so. "
Her face fell. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
Aoshi thought for a moment. He was no idiot. He was aware that any girl would be glad to come with him to the dance. But would he really want someone gawking at him all the time. He was musing for so long that Misao decided it was time for her exit. When she was already by the door, Aoshi, not noticing that she was already on her way out, answered.
"I can't really think of anyone that I would want to go out with."
Then Misao went out the door. Aoshi never saw the smile on her face.
'Even if it's not me, I'm still glad that it's not anyone.'
(Kaoru)
TUESDAY: Goodbye cruel world.
I looked at my organizer again. I actually wrote that? Well, considering what I have to do, it's not really that much of a mystery. Yes, today my death is sealed. Or at least I'll have to endure Saito's torture and everyone would be watching.
Everyone. Including my ex-best friend Megumi, my secret friends Sayo and Tsubame (They've been forbidden to talk to me as a lesson), Mr. Pat-in-the-head Sagara, Mr. Red (Himura) and , my sadistic classmates hungry for a bloodbath. And oh, I almost forgot Mr. Fuhrer Hajime Saito. (A/N: A little trivia, Adolf Hitler was called 'The Fuhrer')
I kind of feel better now. At least I could still joke around in the face of adversity. Well, wish me luck. I opened the door to the classroom.
I could feel everybody's stares as I approached my desk. Everyone seems to be here much earlier than they used to be. Wow, maybe I should sell tickets to my 'show'. Even if I make an utter fool of myself, I'd still be rolling in money. Sigh. I wish life was that simple.
When I finally reached my desk. It seemed like an eternity to get there. I saw on top a piece of cloth. I would never mistake that handkerchief for anyone else's. I fingered the beautiful embroidery, one that I have traced so many times, the name of my mother. The feel of her name brought an unnamable comfort to my heart. I took it and was surprised to see that it was used as something to wrap something that looked like a stack of index cards.
I put my mother's handkerchief in my pocket and looked at the stack of papers.
I gasped as I read through them. They were notes! Some I haven't even read about!
They were notes on Ancient China, Ancient India, Ancient Egypt and Crete & Mycenae! I clutched the notes to my chest and looked towards the only person who could've done this. His back was turned to me, like always but I still knew it was he.
'Well, what do you know? Maybe Himura Kenshin isn't really as much as a prick as I thought.
"Kamiya Kaoru." Prof. Saito called out my name and pointed to the front, signaling me to start on my report. I stood up and walked towards his desk and handed him a copy then I went in front and started.
(Kenshin)
Kenshin watched the girl in front as she discussed the lesson with the confidence he knew she had. Every now and then she would pause and catch her breath and her hand ventured to her pocket. If he wasn't mistaken, he glimpsed once her fingering the embroidery on a white cloth in her pocket.
She discussed with ease, and he thought he understood more from her than with Prof. Saito. Once, when she was asked to pause by Saito so she could be asked a question, he thought he saw her smile at him. But it was so brief he concluded he was imagining things.
Why would he imagine her smiling at him, he doesn't know.
During the time she talked in front, gesturing tactfully with her hands for emphasis from time to time, they all learned about Ancient China, Ancient India, and Crete & Mycenae.
He couldn't help admiring her smarts. Kamiya Kaoru slid through with ease discussing each topic and each time Hajime Saito, himself, nodded with approval!
(Kaoru)
I wasn't sweating anymore. Somehow, I eased on reporting about the ancient civilizations. It was rather hard cramming it all during the one period I had to discuss in front. There was only one left. Ancient Egypt. I felt a tinge of excitement. I've always been fascinated with Ancient Egypt. I've decided to report it last as some kind of a finale'
I looked at Kenshin.
'Thank you for your help. Silent as you are. Your actions speak volumes.'
to Sano
'You were right. I should hang on. Don't worry. That's exactly what I'm doing.'
to Sayo and Tsubame who sat beside each other
'Thanks for not following an order for the first time when you thought it wasn't right.'
to Megumi
'You might be angry at me now, but, you're still the sister I never had.'
and to Saito
'Watch me.'
'Wait, why am I acting all dramatic? It's not as if I'm going to die.'
I took a deep breath and begun:
"And now, unto Ancient Egypt. We all remember Egypt for its famous pyramids and sphinx, mummification and of course Cleopatra" I looked around at the boys at the class who were all grinning.
"Egypt was first divided into two, the Upper and the Lower Egypt. The King of Upper Egypt wore the white crown while the King of Lower Egypt wore the red crown. King Menes was said to be the first pharaoh to ever rule both Upper and Lower Egypt." I looked down my hands.
'OMG! My hands are totally shaking! Stop that! Focus!'
I looked back up again.
"In Upper Egypt, there were three main cultures. The first was Badarian, after that was Amratian or Negada I and then there was Gerzean or Negada II." I paused again.
"The language of Ancient Egypt was found to be related to two other language groups: Hamitic and Semitic."
"As you probably know, Egypt was ruled by the King or Pharaoh. It is said that the Pharaoh was the living Horus, a god. The divine nature of the Kingship accounted for the stability of the institution. "
But before I could continue, Prof. Saito finally decided to kill me.
Not that he stood up and stabbed me. No, he begun throwing me questions. He was flipping through the pages of my written report when he all of a sudden asked me if I was familiar with the story of how Horus was conceived.
Oh no, I totally had no idea.
I mean I had some kind of idea but I wasn't really sure about it. If you were researching about four ancient civilizations by yourself under time pressure, do you really have time to look up legends?
I put my hands in my pocket and again fingered the embroidery on my mother's handkerchief. It calmed me down a little. But it didn't give me the answer I needed.
"Ms. Kamiya?" Prof. Saito called. He was smirking! Trust him to get my hopes up then let the final blow fall at the worst possible time.
Then I remembered. Kenshin's notes!
I caught a glimpse of him and stared at him for a while.
I felt a sweat drop on the side of my forehead.
And then he nodded!
I grabbed the notes from my pocket and excused myself for a minute. I read it through. It was just a small passage but it gave me the answer I needed. After that I looked at Saito and begun my narrative.
"Horus is the son of the god of the Underworld, Osiris and his wife Isis. Osiris was betrayed by his brother Seth and was killed. His body parts were scattered across Egypt. But his faithful wife Isis went to look for his parts and after gathering them all used her magic to piece him together and was revived as the god of the Underworld. But, Osiris' phallus was missing. It was lost at the Nile river. His seed spread throughout the water."
One hand rose to ask a question. It was Sanosuke. What could he possibly want now?
"Excuse me, what is a phallus, Jou-chan?"
I blushed at this question. Trust Sano to put me in an embarrassing situation.
"It's his... uh... penis." I instantly turned red at that and the whole class laughed. Sorry Osiris, I didn't mean to spill that tiny detail.
Megumi hit him at the back of the head. I smirked. I'll have to thank Megumi about that when our 'fight' is over.
Saito signaled me to continue.
"Well, Isis used the water from the Nile to impregnate herself and thus she had a divine conception." I looked at Sayo after this. She is a Christian and I know she believes in the Virgin Mary and as you know, she also had a divine conception.
"She bore Horus, a demi-god. Horus claimed the throne and so they say that Pharaoh is the living Horus." I finished. I actually let out a huge sigh as if I was running. Saito looked like he was about to talk, but not before me.
"And oh, I almost forgot. Since Osiris' seed spread in the Nile river, when the water in the river rises it---"
I was interrupted.
"Gets everyone pregnant?" It was Sano again. The class laughed at this joke and I must admit, I did too. But, I continued.
"No, it makes the fields fertile." I smiled and looked at Saito. He looked satisfied now. Oh, I hope he doesn't ask any more questions.
And so he did. I finished up the report much to my relief. The class applauded me and from the look Saito gave me, I think I just passed his 'test'.
(Kenshin)
It was all smiles and clapping when Kaoru was finally allowed to sit down. He himself smiled, despite himself. He was really happy for her. Now, he was glad he gave her his notes. He looked at her direction and was surprised to see her smiling at him and mouthing 'Thank You'. He was stunned for a moment. But, in the end he nodded his acknowledgement.
Saito still had time to give back their test papers from last time. It was during the day he surprised them with a grueling pop quiz. Kenshin didn't know if he did well, but he did his best. Saito was calling out names for the student to claim their papers.
When Sano came back from getting his, he had on a silly grin.
"Man, World History isn't my thing. But after hearing that story about a missing 'phallus' and water that can get someone pregnant, I might start doing some reading. Hehe."
Kenshin wanted to correct him. 'It was just a myth.' He waited for his name to be announced and couldn't help but overhear Sano and Megumi's conversation. He couldn't help overhearing, their voices were so loud it would be a weird if nobody in class heard them.
"Hey, kitsune, what's your score?"
"What makes you think I'll show you my test paper?"
"Oh, come on. Just a peek."
"Ah!" Sano had snatched Megumi's paper.
"Whoa! A 10/50? Are you okay?" Sano said while laughing.
"Don't laugh at me. Nobody saw that quiz coming. Are you any better?"
"Au contraire! Haha! Look at this!"
"You're boasting about that? You're only two points ahead of me." Megumi said through gritted teeth.
"But still better than you. Hehe..."
Kenshin couldn't help smiling after hearing this. He looked around. Everyone else was holding his or her test papers and he still wasn't called. And then, finally...
"Himura! Kamiya! Come over here."
He saw Kaoru stand up and he did the same. They both walked towards Saito's desk. He only handed them their papers.
"Both of you had top marks. 48/50." He stared in amazement at his paper then looked at Kaoru who had the same expression.
"Seems like I have rivals in my class." Saito commented dryly. They both looked at him.
"Well, let's make the fight fair, shall we?" It seemed everybody stopped talking and looked at their direction.
"Himura, you'll be the next reporter. Report on the next four chapters."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Him? report? Talk? In front of class? He felt like fainting. Kaoru seemed to know what the situation he's in and looked at him with sympathy.
Oh no.
(Kaoru)
I stared at Kenshin for the whole time that Saito was discussing to him about his report. He wasn't uttering a word and he just stood there colorless. It's as if all the blood in him was drained by the few words Saito spoke.
I really felt sorry for him. Prof. Saito is such a bully. Why can't he just leave his students alone?
Finally he dismissed us both. At first, he looked puzzled about me staying there while he talked to Kenshin. But I guess he just concluded that I was threatened or something. I don't know.
I continued watching Kenshin as he made his way towards his own desk and just stared at it as if the answers were there.
When we were finally dismissed, Sayo quickly made her way towards me and slipped me a note and winked at me. I tried making my way to Kenshin but so many of my classmates decided to congratulate. They were all shaking my hands or something. I wished they would go back to their old selves. It was really annoying.
When I finally got to where Kenshin's desk was, he was already gone. I quickly went outside to look for him but was surprised by Sanosuke.
I don't know where he comes from when he does that.
Anyway, he just gawked at me like an idiot and I finally got what he meant by that. I took the note from Sayo and discovered that it was actually two notes. One for me, and one for Sano. I handed Sano his note and I read mine.
Just a simple 'We're proud of you' from Sayo and Tsubame. Sano finished reading his with a stupid grin plastered on his face. He smiled at me and said thanks and patted me in the head.
When will he realize that that gesture doesn't exactly make me happy?
And it was then that Megumi saw us and instead of shrieking at me like she did with Sayo last time she saw them together, (Chapter 1) she just stared at me. I could just imagine what's going on in her mind right now.
That I'm some kind of traitor and I'm going to begin hanging out with people she doesn't like.
But in the end, she just ignored me and walked on.
I didn't even notice that Sano was actually talking to me. He was saying something about making me meet his friend or something. I just kind of let him guide me. Why does everything seem to be going in a breeze?
When we finally came to a stop, we were already face-to-face with a pale looking Kenshin.
I must admit I was kind of surprised that Kenshin was the friend Sano was talking about. I just looked at both of them and kind of pointed at the two of them and asked:
"You're friends?"
I'm sorry I'm not able to reply to reviewers, I really would like to and I'll try my best!
On Hiko and Kenshin
I love playing with the scenes with Hiko and Kenshin. I just sort of laugh whenever I think about them together. From the moment I saw in the anime' series how much Hiko embarrasses Kenshin, I've always had this image of him being this guy who always teased Kenshin. I hope people forgive me if I get too fond of the Hiko-Kenshin scenes that I can't help putting them in there all the time.
On why Kenshin and his father don't have the same surname
Well, I've got something in my mind about that little detail. I hope you all have the patienceto wait for the chapter when I give the answers as to Kenshin's identity. Like how he never speaks except to his father, and why they don't have the same surname. All in due time.
About Sano and Megumi
Some of you might be so curious now why Megumi hates Sano so much. Well, here's a clue: It's something about Megumi's pride. You know some people can't stand when other people don't consent with them.
And what happened to Sano and Sayo's date.
I was saving that for one of the flashback scenes. Something they look back to some day.
Many many questions, I know. I just hope you all have the same patience for waiting as I do with writing. For the mean time, Ciao!
