Chapter: 2
Chapter 2
A/N: I don't think ill get many reviews I just love writing this story.
"What do you think your doing?" Sano asked as Kaoru asked the same question to him. "Jou-chan, im going to sound like my mother but, you'll catch your death out there." Sano said. He smiled at her as he pulled her in side and looked at her wet form. She was wet head to toe as if she just jumped in a lake. He walked to his room not saying a word and pulled out a pink blouse. Kaoru looked at it and laughed she began to roll on the floor laughing.
"Were did you get that? Why do you have that?" kaoru said laughing. Sano's checks flushed as she smiled menacingly.
"Well, it was, a friends. Who left this behind when I stopped seeing her, I mean that friend." Sano said embarrassed. Kaoru smiled. She put it on and knew that that friend was a woman and not a taste full one either. This shirt was barely covering her she looked at sano.
"I can't wear this, but it's all I have because I have to go to work and if im late again ill get fired! Sano, I hate you." Kaoru said as she put on her wet green apron with the yellow letters that read Flower shop. Sano grabbed one of his trench coats out of his closet and draped it over her shoulders. She pulled it tighter on her though it fell to the floor. "Thanks Sano, you always know what will make me forget you're a block head." Kaoru said as Sano pretended to look hurt. He smiled and grabbed a coat as well, they both walked out. "I thought you just woke up? Shouldn't you brush your hair or get dressed or something?' kaoru asked.
"No, I am dressed and my hair is never brushed." Sano said as Kaoru looked disgusted. He laughed; they had good times together they always were laughing. Kaoru and sano began walking left until they reached the corner. Kaoru turned the corner and walked of the next corner into the local drug store CPR. She looked for some shampoo and conditioner. She bought it and walked out side, she undid her ponytail and flung her hair around. The rain was pouring so hard her hair was wet completely for the third time. She opened the shampoo and scrubbed her hair with it. Instantaneously the shampoo was washed out of her hair and she washed the conditioner in after. The conditioner was washed out also and she felt her silky hair.
"Ahh. My hair feels great, do you want to wash your hair I mean it may help." Kaoru asked Sano. He shook his head but Kaoru didn't like that answer. She jumped on his shoulders and began working the shampoo in his hair. It rinsed out and he desperately tried to pry her off of his head. He pulled on her arms and legs trying to get her off but she clamped onto his head. She poured half of the remaining conditioner on his head so he would settle down but it made everything worse. Some people were running to get out of the rain, they were staring at kaoru and Sano out in the rain, washing their hair laughing and getting soaked to the bone despite the water proof clothes they had. The conditioner seeped off of his head seemingly evaporating off his head. The remains were a soapy mess of water that washed down the sewer. They were getting many strange looks though the rain was so heavy it was surprising any one could see.
"Kaoru, hopefully its just the rain, but my hair wont bounce back up." sano said lifting the locks of hair that were flat on his head. Kaoru put her hand on his head (standing on her tippy toes) and shook her hand making his hair fly wildly. His hair just flopped down no matter how hard she tried to make it stick up again. Kaoru looked thoughtful as she sat down on the curb. Sano stood looking at her expecting a brilliant idea. Kaoru jumped up and ran into CPR looking down the hair care products isle again. She stopped in the section of gel. She scanned the rack looking for the right combination of words.
"Strong hold, no, permanent stay, no, undying seize, no, enduring clasp, no, CEMENT CLUTCH! That's it." Kaoru said. She picked up the small bottle with clear blue-ish goop inside. Sano tried again to make his hair stand straight again but it was to wet. Kaoru looked at him and his pitiful hair so she ran to the school supplies section. She ran to the glue section and found the clear blue kind so it wouldn't turn white or anything. "The combination of this, regular Elmer's School Glue and this, Cement clutch will guarantee your hair to stay in place for over 12 hours. The gel will hold your hair in place and the glue will keep it in the air." Kaoru said as she walked to the cash register to pay. Sano put down a 10$ bill and they both walked out into the rain. It had let up some so they decided to walk to her work.
They walked across the street until they got to the corner. There they turned left onto suffering street and crossed. They walked down to Pain drive and walked over to the Shop. They were soaking wet when they stumbled into the shop laughing. They drew every one's attention so they quietly slipped to the back room giggling and shushing each other the whole way. They walked to the back and Kaoru grabbed three towels. One she put around her neck one she put around Sano's neck and the other she draped over his head. She rubbed the towel on his head as fast as she could. His hair was drying fast and she was getting cold from the 'cold room', as they called it, were they put the flowers to preserve them. Kaoru lifted the towel and laughed. She took off her cold drenched trench coat and Sano did the same laughing as he looked in to a mirror. Half his hair was sticking up, but barely, it soon flopped down.
"I'm having such a bad hair day. Ok Kaoru, do your worst." Sano said sitting down so Kaoru didn't have to reach to get to his noggin. Kaoru smiled brazenly as she whipped out the products. She put a bunch of glue on his head and rubbed it in a little. She shaped his hair to stick up in large spikes. Sano looked into the mirror and saw two things, his hairstyle that was perfect, and Kaoru's smile that was not a good sign. She threw in the gel and smiled at her creation. It looked exactly the same as it always did and his hair smelled great. Kaoru backed away and Sano stood up.
"Thanks Kaoru, I appreciate it. My hair . . ." Sano said as he felt his head. "Feels, disgusting!" He screamed as he pulled his hand away and whipped it on Kaorus wet cold cloths. She glared at him as she pushed him away. Then something hit her.
"Hey, Sano What happens to your friends on these days? Were do they go?" Kaoru asked.
"Well they, um, stay in the rain I guess." Sano said. Kaoru didn't like that idea; they would catch a cold.
"Tell them they are welcome in the shop. I mean yes, I hate that Kenshin guy, but im not heartless." Kaoru said. Sano smiled at her, she was so different. One minute she is running in the rain, washing her hair and the next she is inviting strangers into her shop. Sano was so lost in thought he didn't realize her get up and walk to the door; she slowly opened the big steel door that leads to the back alley. She looked to her left then to her right trying to find those scary yet charming people (except Kenshin!). She had to squint just to see a few feet in front of her because the rain let up but fog had settled in. The fog was so thick she brought her hand up to her face and couldn't see it.
"Well, we aren't getting any consumers today, unless they can see through this horrific fog." Kaoru said laughing at her self for coming into work today. 'The one day I care if im late people probably wont be able to buy flowers unless they call and ask us to deliver which wont happen.' Kaoru thought dismally. "Hey creepy guys who converse in the back alley, are you there?" Kaoru called despite Sanos attempt to shut her up. He had tried to put his hand over her mouth but she just pulled it off and kept talking. "If you want you can come into the shop for some tea. I'm sure its nasty having to be out on a day like this." Kaoru said to the air. "Maybe they aren't there today." Kaoru said to Sano. She remained in the same spot with her head sticking out the door for a few more minutes.
She slowly closed the door when she realized some one was holding the door. Some one had put their hand in the way of it shutting so she opened the door again. She saw the blurry face of Soujiro, the kindest one of the group. 'And the only one with common sense to get out of the blurry rain.' kaoru thought. She smiled sweetly to him and invited him in. Behind him came Aoshi then after a few minutes Kenshin emerged from the smog like state outside. Kaoru had smiled to Aoshi who just looked at her and seemed to try to look further into the shop for someone.
Kaorus little smiled soon turned to a little frown when Kenshin emerged from the out side. Once all of them were in the shop Kaoru Slowly made her way toward Sano. He was still sitting in the chair that Kaoru had done his hair in. Kaoru bent down a little and whispered into Sano's ear. "Sano, I am soaking wet so im going to see if there are some clothes I can change into. There is a teapot in the lounge could you boil some water for me? Thanks" Kaoru said before Sano could object. He stood up and grumbled the entire way to the small stove in the lounge. His friends were snickering, except Aoshi but she was laughing inside, at Sano who had to prepare tea for them.
Kaoru was searching the shop for some clothes. She wasn't having much luck until she bumped into Misao. "He's here isn't he Kaoru?" Misao said enthusiastically.
"Yes, how did you know?" Kaoru asked. This made Misao laugh.
"Because I love him. I know when he is near, my heart tells me." Misao said dramatically. Kaoru smiled.
"You heard me tell them they could come in didn't you?" Kaoru said smiling and looking at her with the 'do-you-think-I'm-stupid-or-something' look. Misao smiled and began to laugh while nodding. In turn Kaoru started laughing. 'Misao your hopeless' Kaoru thought.
"So I heard that you and Sano were washing your hair in the rain and his hair wouldn't stay up so you gelled and glued it up. Kaoru you need to find your own man, Kenshin is . . ." Misao stopped at the threatening look Kaoru was giving her. Kaoru was envisioning herself hitting Misao with a stick until she was just a puddle. Kaoru smiled and laughed menacingly at this until she realized Misao was looking for an explanation for her sudden hate for 'he who must not be named in front of Kaoru'.
"Yes, Sano and I ran in the rain, and yes I washed his and my hair, and yes it wouldn't stay up so I gelled and glued it in the right position. But, I do not like him that way. How could you think that? He loves Megumi and I don't love him. He's my friend; remember I was the one who helped him and Megumi get together. (Questioning look from Misao) I was his friend prior to his coming into the shop and he liked Megumi so I suggested to him to come into the shop." Kaoru said. Misao smiled.
"Really, that's all fascinating but what about . . . well Kenshin?" Misao said flinching when she said his name expecting a hit on the head from kaoru. Kaoru was never good in the guy department; she was beauty but was oblivious to it. In high school Kaoru thought no one liked her because the guys loved her so the girls were envious. Sadly no one talked to her but a few close friends, because the guys were shy and the girls were mad. Then the Enishi incident happened so Kaoru has had her mind set on never being with a man for personal reasons. She only wants a husband so her parents will talk to her again. (A/N: back to the conversation sorry I got carried away.)
"Kenshin . . . well, I don't have much time, Sano's expecting me, that doesn't mean . . . never mind, anyway. The other day I was at the park reliving painful memories in a certain part of the park. Kenshin was there and he was being extremely rude to me and I just think he's a Dick." Kaoru said wincing while reliving the moment.
"Kaoru, that was to vague later you will give me all the details, but right now, Sano is waiting." Misao said while smiling and making a kissy face to Kaoru. Kaoru lightly hit Misao on the shoulder and continued her search for clothes. She finally found something. She walked to the bathroom locked the door just in case and stripped off her wet clothes. She sneezed and rolled her eyes 'great, not a good time for a cold.' kaoru thought.
She put on the clothes, which were a white business shirt that would go under a blazer and a pair of dark gray pants (dickies!). The shirt was button down and she thought it was itchy so she unbuttoned the top two buttons and rolled up the sleeves. She opened up the cabinet, which was located behind the mirror, in the bathroom and found a towel. Her hair was still wet so she rubbed her hair until it was dry enough that her head didn't get cold. She slipped on her pants and walked out of the bathroom with her wet clothes in hand.
She placed her wet clothes on a chair in the lounge. She went up to the stove and found the kettle whistling just as she reached it. She picked it up with a hot pad in hand and set it on the counter. She found six teacups set on a tray so she poured the hot water into them. Six different tea packets were set next to the cups. 'I guess they couldn't choose one. Hey, Misao's favorite tea is red tea, she must be out there with Aoshi.' Kaoru thought with a smile. She placed each different tea packet in each different cup. She nimbly lifted the tray and brought it to the back room were 5 people were seated.
"Tea is ready." Kaoru said. She started at the right were Sano was sitting. She knew which one he wanted, she moved to the next person, Misao, Kaoru didn't even want to look at Misao because she knew she would be smiling the 'so-you-DON'T-like-him-right' smile. Misao received her red tea from an angry yet smiling Kaoru. She just lowered the tray for the others to take their own. Kaoru set down the tray realizing one was left. Her favorite kind was in it, ginseng, Sano must have done that for her.
She set down her cup on the table where every one was sitting. As soon as she took one small sip the phone rang. Kaoru slowly stood and left to get the phone. She walked to the phone in the front of the shop incase some one was in the shop. It was like a barren wasteland, not a soul. It would have been eerie if the phone weren't ringing off the hook. She picked it up saying "hello, Flower Shop this is kaoru speaking. How may I help you?" the voice on the other line sounded uncomfortable and ill.
"Kaoru. I can't come in today, I'm not feeling well." The voice was Megumi's.
"That's ok Megumi. Don't worry about it. Do you want me to come by your house?" Kaoru asked, worried for her friend.
"It would be nice if you could just go to CPR or some where and get me some soup." Megumi said.
"Of course, but I can't leave Misao and Aoshi alone here. You know, I have the perfect person to go." Kaoru said hanging up the phone before Megumi could ask whom. Kaoru headed back to the back room and sat down. She took a sip of her tea and set it down. "Sano, Megumi is sick, I know you guys are in a fight and haven't talked for weeks but I can't leave. She wants a bowl of soup and some one to take care of her." Kaoru said to sano.
"Why do I have to go take care of the fox?" Sano asked.
"Don't ask questions, you are going to Megumi's weather you like it or not." Kaoru said.
"But . . ." Sano started.
"GO!" Kaoru replied in a calm but forceful tone. Sano folded his arms across his chest and stood up walking to the coat rack. He grabbed his trench coat and began walking out of the store. "Sano, grab 5$ out of my pocket to buy her something sweet. And if any more money is taken you'll regret it!" Kaoru yelled in the other room. Sano stuck his hand into the pocket of her jeans hanging on the chair and fished out a 5$ bill. He smiled thinking of an ill Megumi, that couldn't talk back, who was in his hands. He could see it now Megumi sitting on the couch wrapped up in a blanket awaiting his arrival to save the day.
He walked out of the shop and with the cling of the door closing Kaoru took one last sip of her tea and stood up finding the conversation around her to be boring. "Thank you for inviting us into your shop Miss kaoru." Soujiro said. Kaoru began walking out of the room and just held her hand up signaling them that it was no big deal. Kaoru was very tired today she didn't feel like dealing with kenshin so she walked to the cash register. She stood behind it waiting for some one to come into the store. Not a soul, she stood there smile unwavering. She could hear the low voices of the men in the back and the hyper sounds of Misao. Kaoru picked up a magazine and began flipping through the pages.
Kaoru was just waiting till Misao decided it was boring in there but Misao never came out to talk to Kaoru. 'Maybe she was right, maybe she is in love' Kaoru thought. The door behind her out of the blue swung open. Kaoru turned expecting to see Misao, but instead saw Kenshin. "Miss Kaoru, I was wondering were I could find the bathroom." He said. She looked back down to her magazine and pointed to a door on the left. Kenshin thanked her and walked into the bathroom. Inside instead of doing his 'business' he pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a number and only heard a beeping noise. Kenshin sighed and put it back into his pocket. He stepped out of the bathroom seeing Kaoru bored absently flipping through a magazine. She obviously didn't want to be at work but couldn't go home now.
Kaoru was beginning to rethink her idea about sending Sano to Megumi's; she should have gone. Unexpectedly a white rose was thrust infront of her face. Kaoru looked up to see kenshin holding a rose out to get her attention. He pulled it back and set it on the counter along with 6$. Kaoru looked puzzled. "Yes?" Kaoru asked him. He just smiled at her looking deep into her sapphire orbs.
"I would like to buy this rose for some one I know who looks like she needs some cheering up." kenshin said. Kaoru looked confused but took two of his six dollars and put them in the cash register; sliding the other four back at him. He took the four and put it in his pocket and walked away leaving the lone rose on the counter. Kaoru stared at it and looked up to see he was gone. She picked it up and smelled it's sweet aroma. ' He is so sweet. I mean . . . Damn men confuse me.' Kaoru thought. Kaoru took out a pad of paper and a pen. She wrote upon it this:
' Misao,
Gone out for a few minutes. See you later. There has only been one customer today so don't worry. Hope everything with you and Aoshi goes well. Kaoru'
Kaoru grabbed Sano's gigantic trench coat he gave her this morning and walked out of the shop. With the ting of the bell from the closing door Misao got up to work the shop, she found the note and blushed. She crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash. It was Misao's turn to be bored; she had to wait out of the back room so the men could talk. She wished she had come out here before so she could have made kaoru tell her the details of why she hated Kenshin. Kaoru walked down the street, she wanted to walk into the strip mall but she wasn't in the mood for shopping. Kaoru hated the rain. At least the fog was clearing up. The two things she hated were the rain and that certain spot in the park. She hated that spot in the park because of Enishi but the rain because of her mother and Father.
*** Flash Back
"That's the last straw Kaoru, why do you always have to screw up?" Kaoru's stepmother said. Five year-old Kaoru began to cry sitting in the sand box.
Kaoru couldn't even make a mud pie good enough for her stepmother.
"What did she do this time?" Kaoru's nani asked.
"She fell down in the sand. She wants me to make her feel better by accepting this thing she calls a 'mud pie'." Her stepmother said. Her stepmother stormed out of the room. Kaoru's father was rich but died one stormy night when she was three. Only being five she still didn't know were her father was because she didn't understand the concept of death. Even though her stepmother had told her countless times he had died. Kaoru thought that he just wasn't home that the fire he died in was just a fire nothing more, to her he must have been off on a really long business trip in a place called heaven and he got there by travel of death; Ahh the innocent naive minds of children. Her father had married her stepmother when she was two but she was always nice because he was rich. Now that Kaoru was the heiress but was not old enough to claim it she was evil and constantly trying to make her give the inheritance to her.
Kaoru grew up in a huge house with a nani and stepmother who hated her and wanted her dead. They also wanted her to marry some one so she could at least be out of the house. One night they hired a professional assassin to kill Kaoru. Though she barely escaped they thought she was dead. After not finding a body they were unable to claim her father's fortune. Until Kaoru turned 19 no one could. After the attempt to kill her she realized no one wanted her so she ran from home at the age of 10 one stormy night. She lived on the streets finding enough money every year to go to school. Freshman year she went to live in an orphanage until she could get a job. She then saved up her money only eating enough so she wouldn't die and wearing the same clothes until they ripped. Finally she had enough money for a small house on the corner of maimed and twitch. Her neighbor Sano helped her through her hard ships. Once she graduated she was 18 and found a job at the Flower Shop.
*** End of Flash Back
Her father died one rainy night and her stepmother attempted murder on her one rainy night. Rain is not her friend. Suddenly She knew were she wanted to go; she turned around and walked the other way down pain. She reached the corner and walked up misery. Then she walked across the street to I'm and reached the corner of I'm and hurt, right next to the bank. Then she walked down Hurt all the way across maimed street. She saw Megumi's house on the corner (maimed and hurt) and looked in the window to see how she was doing. Kaoru smiled when she saw Megumi and Sano on the couch watching a movie snuggled up together. Well really Megumi was watching the movie Sano was watching Megumi. He was about to lean in to kiss her when he spotted Kaoru out the window laughing at him. He glared at her and continued kissing Megumi's neck trying not to kiss her on the lips afraid he would catch her illness.
Kaoru waved good by to Sano and the oblivious fox and continued to walk down hurt. She came to the corner of Hurt and torment, she turned on torment and in the middle of the sidewalk she walked into the grass. She passed the community baseball field were she would play ball with her close friends. She finally came to the place she wanted to be it took her about a half an hour to reach it but she already felt calm just looking at the glimmering patch of water. She sat down on a bench close to the lake she was watching. Some times she came here after she would go to Misao's or Megumi's. It's a place she can reflect, staring into the pool of water only to see herself staring back at her. It's were she first met Enishi, though she hated him, the good memories of him made her happy not vengeful.
Kaoru suddenly was aware of a strange feeling. It felt like the universe was going to crumble around her. She felt one strong force clashing against another as if thunder and lightning were going to duke it out in the sky. Kaoru began to tremble; these forces were so strong she felt like a speck in the vast universe. She felt a gust of air against her skin and she sensed a sharp pain on her cheek as her skin slowly ripped apart and a drop of blood fell from her face. She was in a state of shock: she didn't know what happened. One minute she was in a position of calm thinking about previous events by the lake, but now she was wondering how she suddenly received a cut on her right cheek.
"Damn, I may have missed this time, but I won't miss again," said a voice from the darkness in front of her. Then she looked behind her too see three figures walking through the slowly dieing mist.
"Guns are to slow, you'll never catch us with a gun." One of them said. Kaoru's eyes grew wide 'I'm in the middle of a fight, yes these people are cocky but I could get killed. Wait that voice . . . I know that voice!' Kaoru thought.
A/N: Black I hate green tea, my sis made some for me and I don't like it. Ewe (I love red tea though Mmmm. . .). OK any way I think this chapter is boring and I was having difficulty writing it at some parts, so I know those parts must be boring. Please bare with me it will get better. I had to explain some things and I wanted this story to be flowing and descriptive so it took a while to tell you important things. Anyway thanks for taking the time to read this boring chapter.
A/N: I don't think ill get many reviews I just love writing this story.
"What do you think your doing?" Sano asked as Kaoru asked the same question to him. "Jou-chan, im going to sound like my mother but, you'll catch your death out there." Sano said. He smiled at her as he pulled her in side and looked at her wet form. She was wet head to toe as if she just jumped in a lake. He walked to his room not saying a word and pulled out a pink blouse. Kaoru looked at it and laughed she began to roll on the floor laughing.
"Were did you get that? Why do you have that?" kaoru said laughing. Sano's checks flushed as she smiled menacingly.
"Well, it was, a friends. Who left this behind when I stopped seeing her, I mean that friend." Sano said embarrassed. Kaoru smiled. She put it on and knew that that friend was a woman and not a taste full one either. This shirt was barely covering her she looked at sano.
"I can't wear this, but it's all I have because I have to go to work and if im late again ill get fired! Sano, I hate you." Kaoru said as she put on her wet green apron with the yellow letters that read Flower shop. Sano grabbed one of his trench coats out of his closet and draped it over her shoulders. She pulled it tighter on her though it fell to the floor. "Thanks Sano, you always know what will make me forget you're a block head." Kaoru said as Sano pretended to look hurt. He smiled and grabbed a coat as well, they both walked out. "I thought you just woke up? Shouldn't you brush your hair or get dressed or something?' kaoru asked.
"No, I am dressed and my hair is never brushed." Sano said as Kaoru looked disgusted. He laughed; they had good times together they always were laughing. Kaoru and sano began walking left until they reached the corner. Kaoru turned the corner and walked of the next corner into the local drug store CPR. She looked for some shampoo and conditioner. She bought it and walked out side, she undid her ponytail and flung her hair around. The rain was pouring so hard her hair was wet completely for the third time. She opened the shampoo and scrubbed her hair with it. Instantaneously the shampoo was washed out of her hair and she washed the conditioner in after. The conditioner was washed out also and she felt her silky hair.
"Ahh. My hair feels great, do you want to wash your hair I mean it may help." Kaoru asked Sano. He shook his head but Kaoru didn't like that answer. She jumped on his shoulders and began working the shampoo in his hair. It rinsed out and he desperately tried to pry her off of his head. He pulled on her arms and legs trying to get her off but she clamped onto his head. She poured half of the remaining conditioner on his head so he would settle down but it made everything worse. Some people were running to get out of the rain, they were staring at kaoru and Sano out in the rain, washing their hair laughing and getting soaked to the bone despite the water proof clothes they had. The conditioner seeped off of his head seemingly evaporating off his head. The remains were a soapy mess of water that washed down the sewer. They were getting many strange looks though the rain was so heavy it was surprising any one could see.
"Kaoru, hopefully its just the rain, but my hair wont bounce back up." sano said lifting the locks of hair that were flat on his head. Kaoru put her hand on his head (standing on her tippy toes) and shook her hand making his hair fly wildly. His hair just flopped down no matter how hard she tried to make it stick up again. Kaoru looked thoughtful as she sat down on the curb. Sano stood looking at her expecting a brilliant idea. Kaoru jumped up and ran into CPR looking down the hair care products isle again. She stopped in the section of gel. She scanned the rack looking for the right combination of words.
"Strong hold, no, permanent stay, no, undying seize, no, enduring clasp, no, CEMENT CLUTCH! That's it." Kaoru said. She picked up the small bottle with clear blue-ish goop inside. Sano tried again to make his hair stand straight again but it was to wet. Kaoru looked at him and his pitiful hair so she ran to the school supplies section. She ran to the glue section and found the clear blue kind so it wouldn't turn white or anything. "The combination of this, regular Elmer's School Glue and this, Cement clutch will guarantee your hair to stay in place for over 12 hours. The gel will hold your hair in place and the glue will keep it in the air." Kaoru said as she walked to the cash register to pay. Sano put down a 10$ bill and they both walked out into the rain. It had let up some so they decided to walk to her work.
They walked across the street until they got to the corner. There they turned left onto suffering street and crossed. They walked down to Pain drive and walked over to the Shop. They were soaking wet when they stumbled into the shop laughing. They drew every one's attention so they quietly slipped to the back room giggling and shushing each other the whole way. They walked to the back and Kaoru grabbed three towels. One she put around her neck one she put around Sano's neck and the other she draped over his head. She rubbed the towel on his head as fast as she could. His hair was drying fast and she was getting cold from the 'cold room', as they called it, were they put the flowers to preserve them. Kaoru lifted the towel and laughed. She took off her cold drenched trench coat and Sano did the same laughing as he looked in to a mirror. Half his hair was sticking up, but barely, it soon flopped down.
"I'm having such a bad hair day. Ok Kaoru, do your worst." Sano said sitting down so Kaoru didn't have to reach to get to his noggin. Kaoru smiled brazenly as she whipped out the products. She put a bunch of glue on his head and rubbed it in a little. She shaped his hair to stick up in large spikes. Sano looked into the mirror and saw two things, his hairstyle that was perfect, and Kaoru's smile that was not a good sign. She threw in the gel and smiled at her creation. It looked exactly the same as it always did and his hair smelled great. Kaoru backed away and Sano stood up.
"Thanks Kaoru, I appreciate it. My hair . . ." Sano said as he felt his head. "Feels, disgusting!" He screamed as he pulled his hand away and whipped it on Kaorus wet cold cloths. She glared at him as she pushed him away. Then something hit her.
"Hey, Sano What happens to your friends on these days? Were do they go?" Kaoru asked.
"Well they, um, stay in the rain I guess." Sano said. Kaoru didn't like that idea; they would catch a cold.
"Tell them they are welcome in the shop. I mean yes, I hate that Kenshin guy, but im not heartless." Kaoru said. Sano smiled at her, she was so different. One minute she is running in the rain, washing her hair and the next she is inviting strangers into her shop. Sano was so lost in thought he didn't realize her get up and walk to the door; she slowly opened the big steel door that leads to the back alley. She looked to her left then to her right trying to find those scary yet charming people (except Kenshin!). She had to squint just to see a few feet in front of her because the rain let up but fog had settled in. The fog was so thick she brought her hand up to her face and couldn't see it.
"Well, we aren't getting any consumers today, unless they can see through this horrific fog." Kaoru said laughing at her self for coming into work today. 'The one day I care if im late people probably wont be able to buy flowers unless they call and ask us to deliver which wont happen.' Kaoru thought dismally. "Hey creepy guys who converse in the back alley, are you there?" Kaoru called despite Sanos attempt to shut her up. He had tried to put his hand over her mouth but she just pulled it off and kept talking. "If you want you can come into the shop for some tea. I'm sure its nasty having to be out on a day like this." Kaoru said to the air. "Maybe they aren't there today." Kaoru said to Sano. She remained in the same spot with her head sticking out the door for a few more minutes.
She slowly closed the door when she realized some one was holding the door. Some one had put their hand in the way of it shutting so she opened the door again. She saw the blurry face of Soujiro, the kindest one of the group. 'And the only one with common sense to get out of the blurry rain.' kaoru thought. She smiled sweetly to him and invited him in. Behind him came Aoshi then after a few minutes Kenshin emerged from the smog like state outside. Kaoru had smiled to Aoshi who just looked at her and seemed to try to look further into the shop for someone.
Kaorus little smiled soon turned to a little frown when Kenshin emerged from the out side. Once all of them were in the shop Kaoru Slowly made her way toward Sano. He was still sitting in the chair that Kaoru had done his hair in. Kaoru bent down a little and whispered into Sano's ear. "Sano, I am soaking wet so im going to see if there are some clothes I can change into. There is a teapot in the lounge could you boil some water for me? Thanks" Kaoru said before Sano could object. He stood up and grumbled the entire way to the small stove in the lounge. His friends were snickering, except Aoshi but she was laughing inside, at Sano who had to prepare tea for them.
Kaoru was searching the shop for some clothes. She wasn't having much luck until she bumped into Misao. "He's here isn't he Kaoru?" Misao said enthusiastically.
"Yes, how did you know?" Kaoru asked. This made Misao laugh.
"Because I love him. I know when he is near, my heart tells me." Misao said dramatically. Kaoru smiled.
"You heard me tell them they could come in didn't you?" Kaoru said smiling and looking at her with the 'do-you-think-I'm-stupid-or-something' look. Misao smiled and began to laugh while nodding. In turn Kaoru started laughing. 'Misao your hopeless' Kaoru thought.
"So I heard that you and Sano were washing your hair in the rain and his hair wouldn't stay up so you gelled and glued it up. Kaoru you need to find your own man, Kenshin is . . ." Misao stopped at the threatening look Kaoru was giving her. Kaoru was envisioning herself hitting Misao with a stick until she was just a puddle. Kaoru smiled and laughed menacingly at this until she realized Misao was looking for an explanation for her sudden hate for 'he who must not be named in front of Kaoru'.
"Yes, Sano and I ran in the rain, and yes I washed his and my hair, and yes it wouldn't stay up so I gelled and glued it in the right position. But, I do not like him that way. How could you think that? He loves Megumi and I don't love him. He's my friend; remember I was the one who helped him and Megumi get together. (Questioning look from Misao) I was his friend prior to his coming into the shop and he liked Megumi so I suggested to him to come into the shop." Kaoru said. Misao smiled.
"Really, that's all fascinating but what about . . . well Kenshin?" Misao said flinching when she said his name expecting a hit on the head from kaoru. Kaoru was never good in the guy department; she was beauty but was oblivious to it. In high school Kaoru thought no one liked her because the guys loved her so the girls were envious. Sadly no one talked to her but a few close friends, because the guys were shy and the girls were mad. Then the Enishi incident happened so Kaoru has had her mind set on never being with a man for personal reasons. She only wants a husband so her parents will talk to her again. (A/N: back to the conversation sorry I got carried away.)
"Kenshin . . . well, I don't have much time, Sano's expecting me, that doesn't mean . . . never mind, anyway. The other day I was at the park reliving painful memories in a certain part of the park. Kenshin was there and he was being extremely rude to me and I just think he's a Dick." Kaoru said wincing while reliving the moment.
"Kaoru, that was to vague later you will give me all the details, but right now, Sano is waiting." Misao said while smiling and making a kissy face to Kaoru. Kaoru lightly hit Misao on the shoulder and continued her search for clothes. She finally found something. She walked to the bathroom locked the door just in case and stripped off her wet clothes. She sneezed and rolled her eyes 'great, not a good time for a cold.' kaoru thought.
She put on the clothes, which were a white business shirt that would go under a blazer and a pair of dark gray pants (dickies!). The shirt was button down and she thought it was itchy so she unbuttoned the top two buttons and rolled up the sleeves. She opened up the cabinet, which was located behind the mirror, in the bathroom and found a towel. Her hair was still wet so she rubbed her hair until it was dry enough that her head didn't get cold. She slipped on her pants and walked out of the bathroom with her wet clothes in hand.
She placed her wet clothes on a chair in the lounge. She went up to the stove and found the kettle whistling just as she reached it. She picked it up with a hot pad in hand and set it on the counter. She found six teacups set on a tray so she poured the hot water into them. Six different tea packets were set next to the cups. 'I guess they couldn't choose one. Hey, Misao's favorite tea is red tea, she must be out there with Aoshi.' Kaoru thought with a smile. She placed each different tea packet in each different cup. She nimbly lifted the tray and brought it to the back room were 5 people were seated.
"Tea is ready." Kaoru said. She started at the right were Sano was sitting. She knew which one he wanted, she moved to the next person, Misao, Kaoru didn't even want to look at Misao because she knew she would be smiling the 'so-you-DON'T-like-him-right' smile. Misao received her red tea from an angry yet smiling Kaoru. She just lowered the tray for the others to take their own. Kaoru set down the tray realizing one was left. Her favorite kind was in it, ginseng, Sano must have done that for her.
She set down her cup on the table where every one was sitting. As soon as she took one small sip the phone rang. Kaoru slowly stood and left to get the phone. She walked to the phone in the front of the shop incase some one was in the shop. It was like a barren wasteland, not a soul. It would have been eerie if the phone weren't ringing off the hook. She picked it up saying "hello, Flower Shop this is kaoru speaking. How may I help you?" the voice on the other line sounded uncomfortable and ill.
"Kaoru. I can't come in today, I'm not feeling well." The voice was Megumi's.
"That's ok Megumi. Don't worry about it. Do you want me to come by your house?" Kaoru asked, worried for her friend.
"It would be nice if you could just go to CPR or some where and get me some soup." Megumi said.
"Of course, but I can't leave Misao and Aoshi alone here. You know, I have the perfect person to go." Kaoru said hanging up the phone before Megumi could ask whom. Kaoru headed back to the back room and sat down. She took a sip of her tea and set it down. "Sano, Megumi is sick, I know you guys are in a fight and haven't talked for weeks but I can't leave. She wants a bowl of soup and some one to take care of her." Kaoru said to sano.
"Why do I have to go take care of the fox?" Sano asked.
"Don't ask questions, you are going to Megumi's weather you like it or not." Kaoru said.
"But . . ." Sano started.
"GO!" Kaoru replied in a calm but forceful tone. Sano folded his arms across his chest and stood up walking to the coat rack. He grabbed his trench coat and began walking out of the store. "Sano, grab 5$ out of my pocket to buy her something sweet. And if any more money is taken you'll regret it!" Kaoru yelled in the other room. Sano stuck his hand into the pocket of her jeans hanging on the chair and fished out a 5$ bill. He smiled thinking of an ill Megumi, that couldn't talk back, who was in his hands. He could see it now Megumi sitting on the couch wrapped up in a blanket awaiting his arrival to save the day.
He walked out of the shop and with the cling of the door closing Kaoru took one last sip of her tea and stood up finding the conversation around her to be boring. "Thank you for inviting us into your shop Miss kaoru." Soujiro said. Kaoru began walking out of the room and just held her hand up signaling them that it was no big deal. Kaoru was very tired today she didn't feel like dealing with kenshin so she walked to the cash register. She stood behind it waiting for some one to come into the store. Not a soul, she stood there smile unwavering. She could hear the low voices of the men in the back and the hyper sounds of Misao. Kaoru picked up a magazine and began flipping through the pages.
Kaoru was just waiting till Misao decided it was boring in there but Misao never came out to talk to Kaoru. 'Maybe she was right, maybe she is in love' Kaoru thought. The door behind her out of the blue swung open. Kaoru turned expecting to see Misao, but instead saw Kenshin. "Miss Kaoru, I was wondering were I could find the bathroom." He said. She looked back down to her magazine and pointed to a door on the left. Kenshin thanked her and walked into the bathroom. Inside instead of doing his 'business' he pulled out his cell phone. He dialed a number and only heard a beeping noise. Kenshin sighed and put it back into his pocket. He stepped out of the bathroom seeing Kaoru bored absently flipping through a magazine. She obviously didn't want to be at work but couldn't go home now.
Kaoru was beginning to rethink her idea about sending Sano to Megumi's; she should have gone. Unexpectedly a white rose was thrust infront of her face. Kaoru looked up to see kenshin holding a rose out to get her attention. He pulled it back and set it on the counter along with 6$. Kaoru looked puzzled. "Yes?" Kaoru asked him. He just smiled at her looking deep into her sapphire orbs.
"I would like to buy this rose for some one I know who looks like she needs some cheering up." kenshin said. Kaoru looked confused but took two of his six dollars and put them in the cash register; sliding the other four back at him. He took the four and put it in his pocket and walked away leaving the lone rose on the counter. Kaoru stared at it and looked up to see he was gone. She picked it up and smelled it's sweet aroma. ' He is so sweet. I mean . . . Damn men confuse me.' Kaoru thought. Kaoru took out a pad of paper and a pen. She wrote upon it this:
' Misao,
Gone out for a few minutes. See you later. There has only been one customer today so don't worry. Hope everything with you and Aoshi goes well. Kaoru'
Kaoru grabbed Sano's gigantic trench coat he gave her this morning and walked out of the shop. With the ting of the bell from the closing door Misao got up to work the shop, she found the note and blushed. She crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash. It was Misao's turn to be bored; she had to wait out of the back room so the men could talk. She wished she had come out here before so she could have made kaoru tell her the details of why she hated Kenshin. Kaoru walked down the street, she wanted to walk into the strip mall but she wasn't in the mood for shopping. Kaoru hated the rain. At least the fog was clearing up. The two things she hated were the rain and that certain spot in the park. She hated that spot in the park because of Enishi but the rain because of her mother and Father.
*** Flash Back
"That's the last straw Kaoru, why do you always have to screw up?" Kaoru's stepmother said. Five year-old Kaoru began to cry sitting in the sand box.
Kaoru couldn't even make a mud pie good enough for her stepmother.
"What did she do this time?" Kaoru's nani asked.
"She fell down in the sand. She wants me to make her feel better by accepting this thing she calls a 'mud pie'." Her stepmother said. Her stepmother stormed out of the room. Kaoru's father was rich but died one stormy night when she was three. Only being five she still didn't know were her father was because she didn't understand the concept of death. Even though her stepmother had told her countless times he had died. Kaoru thought that he just wasn't home that the fire he died in was just a fire nothing more, to her he must have been off on a really long business trip in a place called heaven and he got there by travel of death; Ahh the innocent naive minds of children. Her father had married her stepmother when she was two but she was always nice because he was rich. Now that Kaoru was the heiress but was not old enough to claim it she was evil and constantly trying to make her give the inheritance to her.
Kaoru grew up in a huge house with a nani and stepmother who hated her and wanted her dead. They also wanted her to marry some one so she could at least be out of the house. One night they hired a professional assassin to kill Kaoru. Though she barely escaped they thought she was dead. After not finding a body they were unable to claim her father's fortune. Until Kaoru turned 19 no one could. After the attempt to kill her she realized no one wanted her so she ran from home at the age of 10 one stormy night. She lived on the streets finding enough money every year to go to school. Freshman year she went to live in an orphanage until she could get a job. She then saved up her money only eating enough so she wouldn't die and wearing the same clothes until they ripped. Finally she had enough money for a small house on the corner of maimed and twitch. Her neighbor Sano helped her through her hard ships. Once she graduated she was 18 and found a job at the Flower Shop.
*** End of Flash Back
Her father died one rainy night and her stepmother attempted murder on her one rainy night. Rain is not her friend. Suddenly She knew were she wanted to go; she turned around and walked the other way down pain. She reached the corner and walked up misery. Then she walked across the street to I'm and reached the corner of I'm and hurt, right next to the bank. Then she walked down Hurt all the way across maimed street. She saw Megumi's house on the corner (maimed and hurt) and looked in the window to see how she was doing. Kaoru smiled when she saw Megumi and Sano on the couch watching a movie snuggled up together. Well really Megumi was watching the movie Sano was watching Megumi. He was about to lean in to kiss her when he spotted Kaoru out the window laughing at him. He glared at her and continued kissing Megumi's neck trying not to kiss her on the lips afraid he would catch her illness.
Kaoru waved good by to Sano and the oblivious fox and continued to walk down hurt. She came to the corner of Hurt and torment, she turned on torment and in the middle of the sidewalk she walked into the grass. She passed the community baseball field were she would play ball with her close friends. She finally came to the place she wanted to be it took her about a half an hour to reach it but she already felt calm just looking at the glimmering patch of water. She sat down on a bench close to the lake she was watching. Some times she came here after she would go to Misao's or Megumi's. It's a place she can reflect, staring into the pool of water only to see herself staring back at her. It's were she first met Enishi, though she hated him, the good memories of him made her happy not vengeful.
Kaoru suddenly was aware of a strange feeling. It felt like the universe was going to crumble around her. She felt one strong force clashing against another as if thunder and lightning were going to duke it out in the sky. Kaoru began to tremble; these forces were so strong she felt like a speck in the vast universe. She felt a gust of air against her skin and she sensed a sharp pain on her cheek as her skin slowly ripped apart and a drop of blood fell from her face. She was in a state of shock: she didn't know what happened. One minute she was in a position of calm thinking about previous events by the lake, but now she was wondering how she suddenly received a cut on her right cheek.
"Damn, I may have missed this time, but I won't miss again," said a voice from the darkness in front of her. Then she looked behind her too see three figures walking through the slowly dieing mist.
"Guns are to slow, you'll never catch us with a gun." One of them said. Kaoru's eyes grew wide 'I'm in the middle of a fight, yes these people are cocky but I could get killed. Wait that voice . . . I know that voice!' Kaoru thought.
A/N: Black I hate green tea, my sis made some for me and I don't like it. Ewe (I love red tea though Mmmm. . .). OK any way I think this chapter is boring and I was having difficulty writing it at some parts, so I know those parts must be boring. Please bare with me it will get better. I had to explain some things and I wanted this story to be flowing and descriptive so it took a while to tell you important things. Anyway thanks for taking the time to read this boring chapter.