Previously

" Then why wont you admit that you like him," asked Misao looking at me from the corner of her eye.

" Because I don't like him…and not cause he's a skater."

Letting out a sigh of disappointment, she dropped it; I couldn't help but feel a little bad, cause I know all Misao wants is for me to be happy. And how can I be happy? Well according to her I need myself a man.

She has this crazy notion that I have never had a boyfriend, therefore, have never been on a date. So ok I've never had a boyfriend per say but I have gone on a date or two.

I know right, how could anyone go through high school without a boyfriend or even "friends with benefits?" Simple I don't need some guy, I am perfectly content being single; I'm also not so into the whole dating scene thing either. I do like guys but I guess I just haven't found that right guy yet…

CH 3

The mall. A two story building of architectural genius…or so they say. The habitat that you would want to visit if you ever want to see the average teenager in its natural surroundings…that or a good cat fight over some sweater that wont even be in style in less than a week. Not to mention it holds every store imaginable. A high school paradise to scope out the opposite sex, get the latest in fashion, and of course the current hatred of my eye.

Being in a mall for two and a half hours can really start to piss a person off. Two and a half hours of non stop shopping, Misao took this "little" expedition to a whole new level; up escalators down escalators, up down, up down. Through racks and racks of clothes, in and out of dressing rooms, and on to a new store where the process repeats itself.

Did you know that every freakin' pair of jeans is somehow different? I sure as hell didn't, but Misao assured me that there is a big difference. There are flare, bell bottoms, low rise, boot cut, cuffed pants, hot pants, baggy pants and probably a lot more that I don't even remember!

And the same goes for shirts! T-shirts, blouses, cardinals, tank tops, tube tops, crop tops, long sleeve, short sleeve, and halter tops! (AN: LOL dude is it spelled crop top?...man I am such a freaking' dork. -)

Oh and the material their made out of, as well as shoes! Freakin' A don't even get me started!

"Oh, look at this, Kaoru I think this just might be what we've been looking for," exclaimed Misao holding up a black halter top with small white polka dots on it .

"Misao…excuse me if I'm not jumping up and down in joy, but that's what you've been saying for everything I've tried on. With the exception of that one dress that made me look like a plump raspberry," I said heaving a sigh.

" No, this time I'm certain. It's perfect! All we need now is a nice pair of jeans to go with it…and shoes, a bag (meaning a purse) and accessories," said Misao trailing off as she began to sift through the racks. "Ooh what do we have here?"

" Um… a pair of regular blue jeans."

" That was a rhetorical question…and their a pair of dark faded low rise jeans," said Misao eyeing the crop top with the jeans.

"…"

" I swear, Kaoru I don't see how you can be a straight A student and not know the difference between jeans," said Misao. " Now here, go try these things on."

Heaving yet another sigh, I head to the dressing room. In mere seconds I was changed, I have to say it didn't look too bad. Well except for the fact that the halter top looked a bit too tight and showed more flesh that I would have liked, and the low rise jeans, well let me just say now I know why their referred to as low rise.

"Not bad, Misao. But I think that this shirt…I mean halter top looks too small, and what's up with these pants? They look too tight," I said tugging at the pants.

" What are you talking about," questioned Misao leaning on the door to the dressing room.

"I'm talking about the clothes, ya moron."

" I know that ya moron," said Misao pushing herself off of the door. " Just come out and let me see, so I can tell if anything needs to be changed."

Opening the door to my dressing room, I timidly walked out.

Standing there with her eyes bulging, Misao just looked at me like I was crazy.

"I told you. These pants are way to tight," I hissed, feeling the heat rise to my face as people stopped and stared.

Misao laughed. "What are you crazy! The clothes fit flawlessly."

Now it was my turn to look at her like she was crazy. "Good one, Misao. Tell me if that were true then why are so many people staring?"

Misao laughed.

"Will you stop laughing at me," I said getting frustrated.

" I'm not laughing at you. Its just…well Kaoru, the reason why people are staring is cause you look hot!" stated Misao with a grin plastered on her face.

I ducked back into the dressing room, I wasn't ever one for complements like that, they always made me blush like crazy, and this was no exception.

I could hear Misao telling me to hurry up as I changed back into my tan Capri pants, black colored tank top with a green long sleeved shirt underneath, and a pair of black converse shoes.

Now I thought what I was wearing was sufficient enough, it wasn't anything too dull, or too flashy, but it was simple. Just the way I liked it, I was simple, but Misao says no there's a difference between plain and simple, in which I dressed plain; in turn I tell her to go look in a dictionary cause they mean the same thing.

After buying my outfit for the night, I saved myself from having to spend another hour at the mall by successfully convincing Misao that I had everything else that would help complete my outfit at home.

So thus ended our journey at the mall.

Reaching my house, Misao punched in the code for the gate to open and began to drive up to my family's house. (Misao is considered family) A two story mansion made of brick with white pillars used to support the front porch as well as the balcony that could be seen protruding from the second floor. Surrounded by lush green grass, Sakura trees, and a vast array of roses. Complete with a fountain leading to the front steps.

Entering the kitchen, I couldn't help but look around at the small pink cherry blossoms bordering the walls, or the marble counters, the mahogany table that sat six in the center of it all, and the mini island that could barely be seen wrapping around the back porch leading to the sliding glass door.

It had been one of the last things that my mother had done.

Clearing my head of the thoughts that I tried so hard to suppress, I walked towards the counter, along with Misao and proceeded to drop our bags there. Misao going on to the fridge to grab herself a Cherry Coke.

"So where is everyone," asked Misao a she took a seat on one of the bar stools.

"I don't know. My dad is probably working, and I don't know where the dork is. Probably skateboarding or should I say eating dirt," I said as I hopped up onto the counter.

Misao laughed. " Your so mean to your brother."

I smiled, " I'm not mean, he's just a sissy."

Raising an eyebrow at me, she took a sip of her soda.

I couldn't help but laugh. " Okay, okay I was just kidding gees…he's probably out picking up hot babes he met at Hooters, you know the usual."

Misao snorted, immediately choking on her soda.

After about five minutes of choking and laughing like a maniac, Misao was able to get it under control. Giving me a disapproving glare as best she could without smiling.

Within a good half hour, I was unwillingly being forced up the spiral staircase by a relentless Misao, who despite her clear disadvantage in height was a lot stronger than she looked. Of course this is do to her having taken kempo since she was five.

Misao succeeding in finally having gotten me at the top of the stairs, had let out a jumble of curses having realized she had left all our shopping bags downstairs.

Doubting that Misao had enough energy to haul me up the stairs once more along with several shopping bags, I decided to give her a break. (HA! Misao out of energy…that'll be the day)

Reaching the landing, we heard the garage door open, filling the house instantly with chatter.

" All I'm asking for is to have my curfew extended a few hours, just for tonight," said one voice ,obviously belonging to my brother.

" So what is all this talk about an extended curfew, little brother," I asked entering the kitchen once again with Misao following.

Turning his blue eyes on me, he flashed me his ever present smile. " Shouldn't I be the one calling you little, baby sister, seeing as I was born first." Giving a slight nod and smile to acknowledge Misao's presence afterward.

" By two minutes," I stated. "And that's besides the point, you still haven't answered my question."

" Well tonight I'm planning on hanging out with the guys, and was hoping Dad would extend my curfew a couple hours." Grabbing the apple I had out of my hand, he continued, " You guys wanna come?"

" Whoa there, don't get ahead of yourself now. What makes you so sure I'm going to say yes or even consider it for that matter, " asked my father looking up from the paper he was reading.

" But the fact that you said you might say yes proves you were considering it, and the fact that you were considering it says otherwise, " said my brother his smile never faltering.

A deep throated chuckle escaped my Father's lips. " Fair enough, but the fact that I was considering it could mean I was considering a variety of different possibilities. For instance I could make you check up every hour, take a driver, your sister etcetera. "

Misao and I couldn't help but laugh, my father wasn't the best lawyer in Tokyo for nothing. Standing at 6'3" with broad shoulders, tan skin, a rigid jaw, deep blue piercing eyes and black hair; mix in intelligence, vigor, craftiness and a mind full of tricks, he was a force to be reckoned with.

My brother simply kept smiling. "True…but I don't see as to why I'd need to check in every hour, but if that's what you want then I can. As for the driver, you know I don't like being chauffeured around, so I'd have to say no to that. And I have no problem taking Kaoru or Misao seeing as I did invite them to come."

" Yeah and we appreciate the offer, but we already have plans," interjected Misao tucking a stray air behind her ear.

Turning their gaze on me, they each gave me a quizzical look…well more my father than my brother.

"What? I told you I was going out tonight, Dad…which reminds me, can my curfew also be extended a few hours?"

Laughing he said, " Fine, fine. But only if the both of you have your cell phones on at all times."

Giving him a quick peck on the cheek, I grabbed the shopping bags and headed back upstairs with Misao.

Entering my room, Misao made her way to the curtains and pulled them open. Allowing light to pour in the once darkened room, revealing a plush white carpeted floor, a four-poster bed made of mahogany, a black canopy with pink stars adorning it over head, glow in the dark stars every where, a desk, and posters of every type of rock band and anime covering the walls.

Flinging myself onto my bed, I grabbed my laptop to see if I had any new e-mails, beckoning Misao over when I caught sight of a certain e-mail address that belonged to a friend of ours.

To: Miss. understood

From: Foxy

Tanuki,

Trust you to take the term ASAP literally…you know it wouldn't hurt you if you actually had a life besides the internet, but that's just a thought.

Anyways just thought I'd drop a line and say congratulations on graduating. Hopefully you do something worth while to celebrate. Remember you only graduate from high school once, so don't waste the night by watching some dumb ass movie as you stuff your face. Knowing you that's probably what you call an eventful night.

Damn its getting late and I still have to get ready for a night out on the town, well tell the itachi and twin boy that I also said congratulations.

foxy

AN: hey hey everyone! I updated this fic too! High five! Anyways sorry it took so long to update this fic, problems with the computer and then I had finals and I got a job. So I've been busy. Well hope you liked this chapter and I promise I'll update this story this week! Count on it!

Reviewers:

midnight song: YAY! You reviewed. Well I updated….so yeah what more can I say that I haven't said already. Well glad you reviewed and….hmm review again : )

K: Thank you for the review and I'm glad you can relate. Hope you stick around: )

Serlgee: Your too cute. I'm happy you liked my fic (goofy smile) anyways yes it was Kenshin. I just thought it would be cute to have their first meeting like that, and yes Kaoru has never had a boyfriend. As for Kenshin…well I'd hope that he hasn't had a boyfriend cause that'd be sad news for me! LOL no I'm just kidding I understood what you said I just thought it was a funny mistake NO OFFENSE! Anyways as for him not having a girlfriend….well…your just going to have to read and find out! HA! Now you have to read if you want to know! (laughs evilly)…hope you stick around if I didn't totally freak you out. : )