Authors Notes: Well, I just hit a tough request from tsumesgirl05. It's true, I should put more action into my chapters. I was planning to on this one anyway, but hey, no harm in getting a little back up on that!
I thank all of you who reviewed my story! I really appreciate it.
I'm really sorry about not updating my other stories ; Just some writers block on 'em is all. I'll get to 'em I promise.
Chapter 4 – Pointers from the Pros.
Tossing and turning under the heavy covers, Kaoru Kamiya lay awake in her bed. Her mind was filled with memories and flashes of…his face. She groaned and turned onto her back and sat up, her braided midnight hair falling over her shoulder.
She rubbed her face agitatedly and her hand fell upon the locket. She didn't shift her eyes to look at it. She didn't need to. She'd had it for so long it was branded in her mind. She fingered it slightly, running her fingers along the delicate golden patterns.
'It couldn't be him, could it?'
Kaoru questioned her judgment on the man that had suddenly re-entered her life. She was in denial, and she knew it. There couldn't be another man out there that had violet eyes, flaming hair, and the last name of Himura. The only thing new was a scar that was suddenly painted onto his left cheek.
Kaoru closed her eyes and envisioned him in her mind. She compared him from her high school years. It just couldn't be anyone different. The changes in him weren't that deep. But the scar on his face didn't actually clash with him. It gave him more of a depth in his handsome features. It almost made him seem…intimidating, yet alluring at the same time.
Kaoru smiled slightly at the vision. He was smiling gently and his gaze was directed toward her. Just like it was way back when. She then took a deep breath and sighed. She fell back onto her pillows roughly, groaning in frustration. She lifted her hands and dug her palms into her sleepy eyes.
She needed to get over him. He had a son, and most likely a lovely little miss at home. Kaoru's heart seemed to get a twinge of pain at the thought. He was happily married with a wonderful son and everything he could wish for, and she was running a daycare program as a maiden still stuck on her high school love.
Kaoru laughed slightly at herself. She'd probably stay that way for the rest of her life. But for some reason, she didn't seem to mind. She really loved kids, and the kids seemed to love her. And what was wrong with just a friendship between herself and Mr. Himura?
'Heh…maybe he'll let me call him Kenshin.'
She suddenly wondered just who Kenshin might be married to. Suddenly, she gasped and sat back up.
Kenji said he was twelve years old…
And Kenshin and Tomoe were together since Kenshin was fifteen.
Kaoru closed her eyes and tried to do the math in her head. Nine months added onto Kenshin's age would be sixteen. Twelve more years after that…
Kaoru gasped as she opened her eyes wide.
Unless Kenshin cheated on Tomoe and happened to get dumped with a child or he considered adoption, Tomoe could most likely and probably be the mother of Kenji.
But…could they truly still be together? After all that time? Kaoru could clearly remember a brief conversation Tomoe had with her…other boyfriend about dumping Kenshin or something while she was making her way to another class.
She tried to re-call what was said.
-Flash Back-
Kaoru had just made her way out of the crowded classroom, the last one as usual. Her Senior year of high school sure wasn't easy. The constant slipping of her glasses off the bride of her nose and the bunches of books piled in her arms didn't mix too well.
She had gained a slight increase on her self-esteem with her beauty streak finally kicking in and her braces removed. She surely did notice a little more attention than usual. And her hair was more retained. It was glossy and neat and pulled back into a high pony-tail rather then her old neck bun.
As she made her way from the emptied classroom into an empty hallway, a familiar, sickening voice could be heard from just around the corner.
"Honey-babe, don't fret about it! You know that you're the only one for me."
Kaoru's eyes widened. She tried to regain her balance with her books and restrain from fixing her drooping glasses.
"But sugar-cake, it's all around the school! Everyone's talking about 'Tomoe and Kenshin' and you know how he alone pisses me off!"
They were talking about Kenshin. Kaoru had no doubt in her mind that Tomoe was the one with the female voice. Kaoru bit her lip and leaned up against a near by locker so she could eves drop on their little conversation.
"Yes I know, Akira. Once I'm done getting what I want from him, it will be out to the dog-house with little Kenshin."
Kaoru wanted to just stomp over to that little whore and slap her until she bled but she realized that Kenshin would be the one she would be dealing with, and this Akira guy as well.
"Oh you are just the little devil, aren't you."
There was a sly laugh and a small rustle of clothing.
"You know it."
Kaoru could clearly make out grunts and groans, along with make out sounds, followed by the rustle of more clothing. She just wanted to puke. How could they even think of doing that where they were?
"Mmm…as much as I enjoy this honey-babe, we'll have to wait."
Kaoru was so lost in thought about how hurt Kenshin would end up being that she had just realized how off balance her books had become. Kaoru started to stumble slightly, trying to regain her balance. But it was too late. Her books had
come crashing down on the tile floor in a heap of clutter, the sound almost mocking her as it echoed through the hallways.
She bit her lip and cursed under her breath. She quickly got down on her knees and tried to gather the mess into her arms. A boy turned around the corner to glare at her. Kaoru verified that this must have been Akira, Tomoe's true lover.
She got up and backed away from him slightly.
Tomoe also rounded around the corner.
"Hey, that's Kenshin's little friend."
Akira's eyes flashed dangerously as he approached her, backing her into one of the lockers. Kaoru pulled her books closer to her chest as if to protect herself, leaving her glittering sapphire eyes to gaze fearfully into his.
"You say one word about this to him…-"
He leaned over to her face until his right cheek was brushing almost roughly against hers and whispered into her ear.
"And you'll suffer the consequences…"
She shuddered as she felt the disgusting slide of his tongue glaze around her ear and near her neck. She clamped her eyes shut and willed it to go away. He smirked and drew away from her.
"Keep your pretty little mouth shut and all will be well, Kamiya…"
Apparently, he knew her. She just trembled as he glared at her. Tomoe was smirking in the background.
"C'mon Akira. Let her off with a warning at least."
Kaoru tried to back away but the metal locker behind her prevented her from doing so.
Akira smirked and walked closer to Kaoru until their bodies were pressed against each other. Kaoru winced and wanted to gag. She could feel his leg pressed against herself and it was making her sick.
She gasped as she felt his hand trial it's way up her side to her chest.
Akira chuckled darkly as he cupped one of them in his hand. Kaoru shuddered and screeched at him, frantically trying to get him to stop his violating ministrations.
"Stop it! Get away!"
He smirked and stepped away from her.
"That was simply a warning…the real punishment…will be much worse…"
Kaoru watched them walk away, and her knees finally gave out on her. It didn't make any difference if she told Kenshin anyway…he wouldn't listen to her…not anymore…
-End of Flashback-
Kaoru closed her eyes as she tried to unclamp her suddenly tightened fists. Kenshin was the sweetest, most kind person she had ever met in her life, not to mention handsome. She couldn't believe just how easily Tomoe played him into thinking that she loved him, and somehow got him wrapped around her little finger.
If something had happened and Kenshin was alone, Kaoru could only imagine the pain his heart must have went through when he finally understood how Tomoe didn't even care about him.
She hadn't even realized when it happened, but she lifted a hand to wipe away the tears that had streaked down her face.
'Oh, I'm hopeless…'Kaoru's mind started to get a little hazy. Maybe now she would sleep. She laid back down onto the fluffy mattress and snuggled deep into it's comfy covers. Oh how she wished she could see his face right now…
Kaoru groggily got out of her bed that morning. Oh man, was she sore. She had barely got a wink of sleep. She was too busy thinking about Kenshin and just what had happened in the last 12 years of his life.
She stretched and tried to shake off the sleep that seemed to linger. She yawned and headed to the kitchen. The kids would arrive in two hours or so, and she needed to make breakfast. She opened the fridge and took out a milk carton.
She paused and looked at the milk in her hands. She sighed and placed it back in the fridge. On second thought, she'd rather not poison the kids with her…food.
She sighed as she decided just to grab her keys and go buy some breakfast instead. Her pj's weren't anything too out of the ordinary. It was one of those silky little dress night gowns that were cut toward the middle thigh and nice for hot summer nights. She threw on her long over coat so the people that were actually up at this hour in the shopping mart wouldn't mistake her as some hooker.
She headed to the bathroom and brushed her hair quickly and smoothed it out before she headed toward the door. She slipped on simple flip-flops, and put her hand on the knob and turned, opening the door.
She was just about to step out when she realized that there was someone at the door. She jerked back and looked up to see none other than Kenshin, hand raised, ready to knock.
"Oh! M-Mr. Himura!"
Kenshin blushed and lowered his hand slowly. He glanced down at what she was wearing and a tinge of red was painted across his face.
"U-Um…"
Kaoru looked at him, confusion written in her eyes. Kenshin averted his gaze as he pointed down at what she was wearing and how the jacket didn't seem to cover it completely. Kaoru looked down and blushed greatly, fiddling with the closing of her coat and folding it shut.
"So…um…What might you be doing here…?"
Kaoru tried to sound polite when she asked the question without making a fool of herself. Kenshin rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well…I actually came to uh…thank you for yesterday…"
Kaoru cocked her head to the side.
"Thank me? Mr. Himura, you already thanked me and I appreciate it, but why-"
Kenshin shook his head to interrupt her.
"No…I meant for complimenting on my son…"
Kaoru still held her confused gaze as she just shook her head.
"Mr. Himura, what I said was the truth. There's no need to thank me."
Kenshin smiled and nodded his head in agreement. He then took one step off of her front steps to her door and pointed to his car.
"Well…uh, I better be going…it is early and all and I do have work…"
Kaoru nodded her head before her eyes widened. She quickly reached out and grabbed Kenshin's arm before he could walk any further.
"Wait! You can cook, right?"
Kenshin nodded and turned back to face her.
"Yes, why?"
"C'mere!"
Kaoru dragged him into her house and closed the door.
"Oro! Kaoru, what are you doing?"
Kaoru took a deep breath.
"Listen…I sorta can't cook. That's why I was just about to leave so I could go get some breakfast for the kids…"
Kenshin cocked his eyes brows and tilted his head to the side and scratched his head.
"Sorta can't cook?"
Kaoru huffed and threw her arms down exasperatedly.
"I can't cook! Ya happy!"
Kenshin laughed and placed two hands up in defense and stepped back a little.
"Calm down, calm down! So what you're saying is, you'd like me to help you with that…right?"
Kaoru rubbed her feet together shyly and nodded her head.
"Yeah…"
He laughed and smiled.
"Sure, why not. Kenji refuses to get out of bed anyway so I don't see any reason for me to go rushing home."
Kaoru smiled brightly at him but then caught herself.
"Hey, I thought you said you had work…"
Kenshin gulped and tugged at the collar of his shirt and looked off to the side. Kaoru's face then scrunched into a scowl as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.
"Let me guess. You were saying that so you could just go one and leave, right?"
Kenshin's eyes widened and shook his head frantically. He just didn't want to seem rude and stay there, expecting her to invite him in. He never suspected her to get insulted by that!
"No, no! That's not it at all! I just didn't want you to think that I was inviting myself in is all!"
Kaoru looked at him sternly as if to question his reasoning. She then shrugged her shoulders as to indicate that she accepted his answer. He sighed in relief and smiled.
"Now. Where might your frying pans be?"
All the kids had arrived an hour after Kenshin helped prepare the breakfast. Kaoru couldn't believe just how well he was with his hands! She really wondered why he didn't become a master chef.
Kaoru was greeted by Kenji with a tackle of a hug while she ruffled his hair, and all the other kids just piled on top of her in a group hug.
'Oh, how the time flies when you are having fun.'
Kaoru registered how it was already noon. The kids were happily chowing down on some pizza she ordered while she awaited some company that was suppose to show up any time-
"Tanuki!"
Kaoru cringed. Ah, yes. They have arrived. She lifted her head to see her friend standing in the doorway looking as pretty as ever. Her long black hair let loose and her slender form and a dab of lipstick on her lips along with her alluring eyes.
"Hello to you too, Megumi."
"Kao-chan!"
Kaoru perked up a little and looked over beside Megumi to see a smaller girl with a large braid behind her with shimmering turquoise eyes.
"Oh, Misao-chan!"
Kaoru smiled and waved. She loved both of her friends just the same. But Misao didn't insult her like Megumi tended to. They both sat down next to her at the table. Megumi smirked.
"So, you're still looking after kids? Can't get any of your own?"
Kaoru glared and spat her tongue out at the fox.
"You shut up, you."
Misao giggled and placed her elbow on the table and perched her head on her palm.
"So, Kao-chan, what have you been up to? I've been so excited to see you lately! With you watching over all these kids, it's hard to see you now."
Misao pouted and gave Kaoru a sad gaze. Kaoru laughed and nodded.
"Well…actually I think that someone I once knew, well he sort of…re-entered my life, you know?"
Megumi and Misao exchanged glances at each other before looking back at Kaoru with a devious smile on both of their faces.
"Oh really? And who might he be…?" Megumi asked with a flash in her eyes.
Kaoru caught on to what they were implying and blushed deeply while frantically waving her hands in front of her face and shaking her head from side to side.
"No, no! That's not what I meant!"
Misao grinned mischievously.
"How did he re-enter your life, huh?"
Kaoru looked away and rubbed her arm slightly. It would be so embarrassing to say that she had a crush on the father of a kid she watched over. Her hesitation caused a slight flaw in their expressions.
"Hey…Kao-chan, what's wrong? Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
Kaoru shook her head and smiled at Misao.
"No, no, it's nothing."
Megumi looked at Kaoru expectantly. Kaoru cleared her throat uneasily as Megumi continued to inspect her, looking her up and down. She finally stopped and closed her eyes, folding her arms.
"Tanuki's hiding something."
Kaoru jerked backward a little. She grumbled and pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at nothing.
'How can she always see right threw me!'
Misao looked at Megumi then back at Kaoru.
"Is that true, Kao-chan?"
Kaoru shifted her shoulders uncomfortably and cocked her head to the side, rubbing her neck again. She couldn't admit that her high school love, who had a son on less, had just made a re-entrance in her life.
"Guys, listen. It's nothing. I just knew him from high school and he now brings him son here for his work da-"
"Oh, he has a son! You mean he's married!" Megumi almost wanted to snicker.
Kaoru repelled and shook her head frantically.
"No, no! I don't mean like that! I mean…I don't know if he's married or not…"
Kaoru lowered her head a little while Misao and Megumi exchanged looks. They then nodded to each other and each took one of Kaoru's arms. Kaoru, surprised, looked up at both of them.
"What are you doing?"
Megumi and Misao stood up and started to drag her into her bedroom. Megumi held her nose high in the air.
"We need to have a talk with you."
"B-But, guys, you don't understand-"
Misao and Megumi seemed to tune her out as they continued to drag her into the bedroom.
Kenji came out of the living room and into the kitchen smiling and licking his fingers, a little bit of pizza sauce spread on his face.
"Hey, Kaoru, could I have another piece of-"
Kenji stopped mid-sentence and looked around to see that the kitchen was empty.
"….Kaoru?"
Kenji then stopped and stood up straight. He paused a moment before shrugging his shoulders and happily sauntering over to the fridge in search of some more pizza.
Misao and Megumi placed Kaoru down onto her bed and stood up, towering over her. They placed both hands on their hips and Misao tapped her foot.
"Explain everything." Came Misao's forceful answer.
Kaoru sighed. She knew she couldn't compete with both of them. Especially in her current state of emotion. She took a deep breath and explained everything that she could to them.
From her friendship to his relationship, from their departure to his disappearance. Everything that she knew and remembered. She couldn't tell exactly why she would find it to be of any use but they demanded to know.
Misao's and Megumi's expression was that of awe, surprise, and pity. It was no wonder Kaoru was in such a daze. With a big change happening in her life like that one.
Megumi finally spoke up.
"Well, tanuki, it seems as though you've got yourself quite the dilemma."
Kaoru sighed and buried her hands in her hair and lowered her head so that they rested on her legs while she mumbled a 'm hm' in agreement.
Misao then chirped and winked while giving a thumbs up.
"Well, we can help you with that, Kao-chan!"
Kaoru slowly turned her head to look up at Misao.
"Really…?"
Megumi smiled sincerely and kneeled down and looked at Kaoru. She then reached out and grabbed the locket on Kaoru's neck. Kaoru stuttered a little, nervous as to what she would do with it.
"I presume…that he still really means a lot to you, considering you still wear it…"
Kaoru paused before she nodded.
"Yes, it is…because he gave it to me after my family was killed, and my house burnt down…it was his own mothers locket. I…couldn't believe how he could just…give it to me like that…after what happened to him…"
Megumi smiled mischievously.
"Well you obviously meant a lot to him."
Kaoru blushed and looked off to the side. But she hid the smile that had so suddenly crept onto her face.
"All you have to do is show him that you like him back! And we know just how to do that!"
Misao's little ping of advice made Kaoru look up at her. Was she for real? Kaoru took a deep breath. Although she didn't quite like the feel of where this was going, she couldn't help but also get the feeling that she'd much regret this if she didn't do it.
"Alright…so…what do I do."
Misao and Megumi both exchanged sly looks at eachother.
"Alright. Listen, and listen good…"
Lendra-chan: Well everyone, that sure was long! I tried to put more action in than conversation . But anyway, I wanted to tell you guys of another song!
Well, four.
Blink 182 – Always
Blinks 182 – I'm lost without you
John Mayer – 3x5
John Mayer – 83
They're such good songs! I'm in love with them all! Anyway, please review!
OH! And a little advice for you all. In Kaoru's senior year, they're all pretty young. They're not like 17-18, they're more around 15-16. Sooo just to answer all your doubts about that senior year thing…-ahem- yeah…
Review:D;;;