Underneath It All

Chapter 12: Warning Sign

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Recap of the last chapter:

"Kenshin..." Kaoru softly moaned. Kenshin rested his forehead against hers and stared at her face as he began to breathe steadily. Kaoru slowly opened her eyes and stared up at Kenshin's swirling violet eyes.

"Good night, Kenshin" whispered Kaoru as she smiled up at him. Kenshin returned the smile and gave a slow peck on her lips.

"Good night, Kaoru" he replied. He rolled to Kaoru's side as she huddled next to his body. He watched as she slowly nestled her head into his chest and go to sleep. Kenshin gave her one last kiss on the forehead before going to sleep himself.


A few days passed by since the day Kaoru spent the night at Kenshin's mansion. After that night Kenshin felt a surge of strange emotions throughout his body. He couldn't deny his feelings for a certain raven-haired, blue-eyed classmate. Yet that same nagging voice in the back of his head pounded on him whenever and wherever he went.

He knew that sooner or later that he would have to tell the truth to Kaoru. Truth. That meant telling her about Tomoe and his past relationship. The only thing that he would not tell her about is that he was also worried about his reputation. No, he would not tell her that...


"OK you little brats. After a few months of marking your stupid projects, I'm finally finished" retorted an agitated Professor Shishio. Everyone in the room looked at each other in confusion. They all finally looked at Soujiro who let out a deep sigh.

"Professor Shishio, what project are you talking about?" asked Soujiro.

"Don't you dumbasses remember? The animal project I assigned around the beginning of the year" hissed Shishio. After a moment everyone remembered it clearly. It was the project that was to be completed in 2 weeks and if they didn't hand it in on time than they'd have to rewrap the Professor's bandages and clip his toenails for the rest of the year.

Kaoru let out a soft giggle when she remembered what happened to Megumi. Since Megumi was partnered up with Sano, she wound up doing the whole project on her own because she claimed that: "That stupid rooster-head is bound to screw up the project and give me a failing mark". Anyways, once Megumi finished it on the last day before it was to be handed in, Sano came over to check on it. When Megumi went to go fetch some snacks, he decided that this "large sheet of random paper" was the next best thing to tissue, to blow his nose in. Megumi severely beat him to a pulp when she saw what used to be a project on a fox all covered in snot. The next day, the Professor didn't give mercy on them so then they were punished.

Luckily, Megumi only had to rewrap the bandages, while anonymously assigning Sano to clip Professor Shishio's toenails.

Kaoru gave a quick glance at Megumi who seemed to be glaring at Sano. Her smile grew wider at the funny sight.

A smacking sound brought Kaoru back to life as she noticed the lion project on her desk. Feeling the presence of someone next to her, Kaoru turned her head and noticed that Kenshin had scotched up next to her.

"What did we get?" he asked in his usual laid-back voice. A soft blush crept on Kaoru's face as she noticed how close he was to her.

"Uh...w-we got....um..." stuttered Kaoru as she frantically searched the project for any sign of a mark. Her hands began to tremble as she thought of how stupid she might look that instant.

"Are you ok, Kaoru?" asked Kenshin with concern in his voice. He looked at Kaoru as she continued to fumble with the project. "Kaoru?"

Kaoru finally snapped out of her panic frenzy and looked at him with a startled expression. A deep blush spread onto her cheeks and she turned and bowed her head down. Taking one last glance at the project she noticed a mark in big red felt-pen at the top right-hand corner.

'Great, here I was looking for that stupid mark and looking like a total idiot when the mark was right in front of my face' Kaoru mentally scolded herself.

"We got 86 percent" mumbled Kaoru with her head still bowed down.

Kenshin gave Kaoru a long look before moving back to his seat and turning his attention to the front of the room. Professor Shishio had finished handing back the projects and resumed his seat at the front of the room.

"Alright kids, we recently got a new student. Now you all better be nice and treat her with respect, got it?" said the Professor. Everyone in the room nodded their heads. "Alright, you may come in now" Shishio called to the door.

Everyone eyed the door as the knob turned and a girl walked in. Kenshin immediately froze. Time seemed to slow down as the girl took a couple elegant steps towards the front of the room. Her long black hair swayed from side to side with each step as her catlike brown eyes surveyed the room to rest on Kenshin. A conceited smirk began to form on her lips as her eyes gazed through her past victim. Kenshin looked away, not wanting to remember that evil face again.

Kaoru turned her head, noticing Kenshin's discomfort. What was wrong with him? Was it the girl standing at the front of the room? Kaoru turned her head again and looked at the girl. Her breath nearly got caught in her throat as she saw that the girl was gazing straight at her. Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Emotionless brown eyes stared through innocent blue until Professor Shishio started talking to the brown-eyed girl.

"You can introduce yourself by writing your name on the board and giving a brief introduction about yourself" said Professor Shishio without even looking at the girl.

With the elegance of a swan the girl picked up the chalk without even the slight bit of jitteriness in her fingers and wrote her name on the board.

Tomoe Yukishiro the board read.

'Tomoe' Kaoru repeated in her head. 'What a pretty name. She looks friendly. Maybe I should get to know her'. Kaoru casually turned her head towards Kenshin and noticed that he still was staring down at his desk. Averting her eyes from him she looked over at Sano.

Sano for some reason was glaring at Tomoe with such hate that not even Satin himself would even dare compare. This confused Kaoru. Normally Sano would have been drooling all over his desk if there was a new pretty girl in the class.

Kaoru shrugged and looked past Sano at Aoshi and Soujiro. Aoshi still had his usual ice-god look, but even something about him seemed off. He seemed to stare real intensely at Tomoe as though he could freeze her if he concentrated hardenough.

Soujiro's trademark smile had faltered a little as well. It was like one of those nervous smiles that you get when you have no idea what just happened.

Kaoru allowed her eyes to scan the room to see if anyone else was acting peculiar. Noticing that everything else seemed as normal as the sun rising and setting, she glanced back at the front of the room.

Professor Shishio had stood up and held in his hand a sheet of paper.

"Ok peeps! Since it's the start of the new semester, I've got a new seating plan. Some of you brats have been driving me nuts with your damn blabbering" said the Professor, glaring particularly at Kaoru, Megumi, and Misao. The room echoed with snickering as Kaoru bowed her head and blushed. Megumi rolled her eyes and continued playing with her hair, while Misao glared at all the snickering people which shut them up.

"Anyways, you're gonna be set up in doubles for the rest of the year. Partners go as follows: Kenny with Carl, Josie with Carol, Chihiro with Tasuki, Momiji with Sen, Kenshin and Soujiro, Aoshi and Misao, Megumi and Sano..."

Kenshin let out a breath when heard that he wouldn't be sitting next to Tomoe.

"Oh, Tomoe, you can sit with Kaoru" continued the Professor. Kenshin's breath caught.

'WHAT!?' screamed Kenshin in his head.

"So that's the seating plan. Now, MOVE!!" yelled the Professor. As everyone stood up and moved to their new found seats Kenshin watched in disbelief as Tomoe walked up to the seat next to Kaoru.

"Hello, my name is Tomoe" said Tomoe in a smooth-sweet voice that made him want to gag.

"My name is Kaoru. Kamiya Kaoru" said Kaoru as she held out her hand.

Kenshin went immediately from shock to bitter anger. He glared at Tomoe as she took Kaoru's hand and shook it casually as though she was the sweetest thing. But she wasn't. He knew she wasn't.

He continued to watch as Tomoe took her seat and instantaneously started a conversation with Kaoru. He glared at Tomoe for another moment before Soujiro's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What is she doing here?" asked Soujiro as glared along with Kenshin at Tomoe. Kenshin turned to look momentarily at Soujiro before turning back to Kaoru and Tomoe.

"I don't know" said Kenshin as he watched Kaoru talk with Tomoe with a look of intrigue and a smile on her face. A second later they both erupted in a fit of girlish laughter. Kenshin narrowed his eyes.

"But I know she's up to something"


The last bell rung, signaling that school was over. Kenshin lazily walked down the stairs as everyone bustled and rushed around him. He plugged in his headphones and allowed the music to boom in his ears. Looking up he noticed a familiar raven-haired girl at the bottom of the steps. A smile graced his face as he adjusted his pace down the stairs. Halfway through, he abruptly stopped when he saw that Kaoru was joined with Misao and Megumi. And a fourth person...

That wench

Kenshin grit his teeth together as he watched Tomoe put her arm around Kaoru as though she had been friends with Kaoru since birth. His disgust grew as the little group exploded in fits of laughter from something Tomoe had said.

Not being able to stand the sight a moment longer, Kenshin shoved his way through the stairs, not caring who he trampled over on his way down.

He quickly passed by the little group making sure that they would not notice him. Without looking back he headed towards the limo that awaited him.

Little did he know that a pair of brown eyes that belonged to a certain someone had noticed him and was now watching his every move.


Kenshin stormed up to his room in a fluster of rage. Once he entered he slammed the door so hard that the painting on the other end of his (huge) room fell off the wall. He threw his backpack against the wall causing all of his homework and binders to explode out.

Kenshin now stood in the middle of the room, breathing heavily in order to calm his raging nerves. Paper was flying everywhere, now slowly drifting to the ground. Once Kenshin had steadied his breath he looked up at the full length mirror across him.

His reflection looked like that of a demon from hell. His fiery red hair which was tied up in a high pony-tail appeared fuller and stuck out like jagged sharp rocks. His eyes burned with amber that could set the whole world on fire. His muscles were all tense making his veins pop out. His knuckles were turning white from clenching his fists.

He stared at his reflection for a moment before closing his eyes.

Breathe...

Calm...

Breathe and calm...

Breathe and calm down...

Calm down...

Breathe...

Calm...down...

...down...

Steady...steady...

...open your eyes...

Kenshin took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. Gazing at the mirror, he looked normal again. His muscles were much more relaxed and his hair no longer stuck up. The biggest difference was his eyes. They were still recovering from his outburst since little gold flecks were still swirling in his normal violet orbs. But at least it was better know.

His eyes drifted down to his knuckles which were still tightly clenched. Very slowly they relaxed and unclenched. Kenshin began flexing his fingers, building up the circulation.

Tentatively he made his way to his bed and flopped down on it. Time passed by ever so slowly as he stared blankly up at the roof. He finally took a deep breath and reached for the phone.

It was time. He was going to tell Kaoru everything. After thinking about it for a long time he decided that now was the best time.

His fingers led themselves to the numbers that made up Kaoru's home phone. Placing the phone to his ear, he waited for it to ring. A second later the phone rang an annoying beeping sound telling him that the line was busy. He let out a sigh and continued to stare up at the wall.

Ten minutes had passed and he tried again, but only to be rejected. Kenshin glared at the phone before setting it on the bed and walking out the room. Upon walking down the hall he saw the foreign maid dusting a desk.

'What was her name again? Oh right! Michelle' thought Kenshin as he continued on his way to the stairs.

"Michelle. Could you please clean up the mess in my room?" he asked as he headed down the stairs. Michelle nodded in response and made her way to his room.

He made his way to the kitchen for a quick snack. Grabbing a bag of All Dressed chips he sat down on a stool and ate in the deserted kitchen. Soon enough the quietness got on Kenshin's nerves as he got up and turned on the stereo. The smooth tune of a guitar filled the room as Kenshin sat back down.

A warning sign...

A flash of Tomoe appeared in his mind

I missed the good part, then I realized...

He remembered the first time he met her. She was irresistible.

I started looking and the bubble burst...

He remembered the moment he happened to read her diary that was open on her bed.

I started looking for excuses.

He remembered the hurt he felt when he read those words. 'toy...use...play...easy...'

Come on in...

Kaoru...

I've got to tell you what a state I'm in...

'I must tell her everything'

I've got to tell you in my loudest tones...

'About my past'

That I started looking for a warning sign...

'About Tomoe'

When the truth is,

I miss you.

Yeah, the truth is,

That I miss you so.

'I don't want to hurt her'

A warning sign...

'But she needs to know'

You came back to haunt me and I realized...

'I'll take care of Tomoe after'

That you were an island and I passed you by...

'She may have had me wrapped around her finger, but not anymore'

You were an island to discover...

Kenshin walked over to the kitchen phone and began dialing the number.

Come on in...

Ring

I've got to tell you what a state I'm in...

Ring

I've got to tell you in my loudest tones...

Ring

That I started looking for a warning sign...

"Hello?" Kaoru answered.

"Hey" said Kenshin with a weak voice.

"Hey! How are you, Kenshin?" asked Kaoru with a cheery voice. Kenshin bit his lip. It was going to be hard to tell her everything.

"I need to talk to you" said Kenshin in a serious voice.

"Oh. Well OK. What's wrong?" replied Kaoru in a surprised voice. Kenshin let out a deep sigh.

"Kaoru, I haven't been honest with you lately. Well, actually for a very long time."

"I don't know where to start... there's so much I have to tell you. I want to tell you everything. My past, what I was, and how I felt about us in the start" Kenshin paused to check if Kaoru was still there.

"Continue" her voice breathed in a small voice.

"Before I met you I went to Saint Bartholomew Junior Prep School. I was one of the "cool and popular" kids there." Kenshin paused as a small giggle came from the other line.

"Figures you'd add that" giggled Kaoru. A small smile graced his lips, but soon disappeared as he continued.

"On my last year a new girl came. When I first saw her I thought that she was a complete loser; she had big framed glasses, braces, her hair was all gross and unhealthy, well you get the point" said Kenshin.

"When my teacher assigned her to sit next to me for the rest of the year, I swear that I wanted to die. We spent the first two weeks not talking to each other at all. On the beginning of the third week of school, she came to school like a whole different person. Every flaw was removed and I was speechless. Later on that day she began talking to me casually as though we were really close friends. By the end of the day we did pretty much become friends. Everyone in the school still thought that she was geek, but I didn't. I thought that changed completely. Everyday I brought her closer and closer to becoming popular. She told me that she had never been in the "cool" crowd and if she ever did than she'd be happy. Back then I felt that if she was happy then I was happy"

"..." Kaoru stayed silent. Kenshin closed his eyes. He knew that the next thing he was going to say was going to hurt her.

"She was my first love. It was the first time in my life that I ever felt that way for a girl. Throughout the year we got closer and closer. My love for her grew more and more each day until it consumed me. I stopped thinking straight when all I could think of was her. One day I dropped by her house to surprise her. Her mother told me that she had run out to get the groceries and told me to just wait in her room. As I waited I noticed her diary on her bed. It was opened to a particular page and I couldn't help but read" Kenshin stopped when he heard a choked sob.

"Kaoru?" he asked with concern in his voice. A ragged breath tried to calm itself.

"go on" whispered Kaoru as she tried to tame herself. Kenshin waited a moment before continuing.

"It basically said that she did not care for me. That I was just her toy and that she only used me to gain popularity. I left her house trying to deny it all. I wished that it wasn't her diary; I wished that it wasn't her writing...but it was. The evidence was right there in front of me. I had to face the truth. When I confronted her about it she broke into a wicked smile that still haunts me. Since then, I have tried to escape her gasp, but she just latches on." Kenshin stopped when he didn't hear a response.

"Kaoru? Kaoru are you there?" asked Kenshin. No response. "Kaoru?" a click was heard. She hung up. Kenshin slammed the phone on the counter and began to run out to the door.

Sakura was headed down the stairs when she saw her son running towards the door.

"Kenshin, what are you doing? I heard a heavy rainfall is coming. Can't you take a walk later?" Sakura's questioning was ignored by the rebellious teenager. "At least wear a coat!" The door slammed leaving a very confused Sakura on the stairs.


Kenshin ran as fast as he could to Kaoru's house. It was a good twenty-seven blocks from his house so he would probably be soaked by the rain. As he continued running he could feel the rain starting to beat down on his body. Within a minute and fifteen blocks from her house he was completely drenched from the rain which was pouring down like mad.

Although his lungs were burning and his legs were starting to ache, he would not stop. He could now see her house through the midst of rain.

Once he made it to the door he began ringing the doorbell. His heart was still beating as fast as lightning while he struggled to catch his breath.

"Kaoru! Kaoru open the door!" he began yelling. He looked around and noticed that her parent's cars weren't there. They were probably still at work.

'Good!' thought Kenshin. They would probably get in the way and stick their noses into Kaoru and his business. He really did not need that right now. Running onto the lawn he picked up a small rock and threw it at her window.

Kaoru sat on her bed and hugged her pillow. Her tear stained face was all puffy and sore from crying. She didn't even let him tell her what he thought about their relationship. She didn't want to hear everything just yet. It hurt too much to think about it.

He had a love before her. But it was unfair to think that. She didn't even know if he loved her so she had no right to assume that he did.

The sound of a rock hitting her window caught her attention. The rain was really loud on the roof, drowning out most of the sounds around her. She shrugged and continued to hug her pillow. Another knock on her window perked her attention once again. She tentatively got up and walked to her window. Upon opening her window a rock came flying and hit her on the forehead. Kaoru fell back holding her forehead.

"What the hell?" Kaoru said in an angry voice. She sat up and looked back out the window to see who was out there, but before she could another rock came shooting in to hit her in the nose.

Kaoru let out a frustrated growl as she stormed out of her room and into her parent's room to grab her father's prized baseball bat. Continuing her mission to beat the mysterious rock thrower into a pulp, she headed out the door in her baby blue short-shorts and white t-shirt.

Kaoru instantly froze when she saw Kenshin on her lawn. Kenshin stared back at her with this longing-puppy-dog look on his face.

And the truth is...

"Kaoru..." Kenshin started. Kaoru's eyes widened as she came back to reality. Reality; Kenshin was there soaking wet in front of her when a few minutes ago he told her about his first love. Her body felt numb as she remembered. The bat that was held firmly in her right hand slowly began to slide out of her grasp until it clashed onto the ground.

I miss you...

Kaoru felt her clothes begin to stick onto her along with her hair which was resting on her shoulders. She blinked her eyes a couple times to make sure that he was really there. Her eyes wandered over his appearance to finally rest on his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the blend of emotions swirling in those amber-violet mixed orbs.

Yeah, the truth is...

"Kaoru" Kenshin repeated again. Kaoru just stared at him. "I-I-I I'm sorry" he stammered. He could feel a rush of tears stinging at his eyes, dying to come out.

I miss you so...

"It's just that...I-I wanted-had to tell you. I couldn't keep it in any longer. I was afraid of hurting you. I never wanted to hurt you..." he faded off. Kaoru watched as glistening tears began to pour out of his eyes.

And I'm tired...

"I want to tell you everything, but I just can't find a way to not hurt you. You don't deserve to be hurt. You don't! And I hate myself for hurting you. You don't know how much I hate myself right now." Kenshin choked out every word he felt at the moment. His knees began to buckle as he sunk to the ground.

I should not have let you go...

"I don't deserve your forgiveness. If you hate me now, I understand. Oh, Kaoru! I don't know what to do! I don't know what to do..."

So I crawl back into your open arms...

Kaoru watched as he began to choke from crying. She had never seen anyone so hurt...so damaged...so broken. As her feet began to lead her towards Kenshin's huddled body she could feel herself become more forgiving. She stopped once she was directly in front of him. The rain continued to beat down on the both of them.

Yes I crawl back into your open arms...

"Kenshin?" Kaoru said. The sobbing form slowly looked up at her. Kaoru felt her heart sink when she saw the look on his face. He looked so lost and alone. Kaoru kneeled down and cupped his face. "Don't hate yourself for hurting me. I don't hate you. Please don't punish yourself for being honest with me. Besides, it was all in the past so it doesn't matter now. I don't care who you were back then-"

"But-" interrupted Kenshin. Kaoru put a finger on his mouth.

"And I don't who you were when you first met me. I only care about who you are now, with me" finished Kaoru. They both stared at each other, their eyes locked so tightly that no key could crack

And I crawl back into you open arms...

"Kaoru, I-" started Kenshin.

"I know that you were embarrassed about being seen around me before, but I don't care. Just as long as you're not embarrassed anymore" said Kaoru. Kenshin stared at her with a curious expression. Kenshin shook his head.

"No, not anymore. Not ever" said Kenshin. A smile graced Kaoru's lips.

"Good"

Yes I crawl back into your open arms.

Kenshin enveloped Kaoru in a warm embrace. Although the rain was cold and they were both soaking wet, neither wanted to part. Kenshin tilted Kaoru's chin up and placed his lips upon hers. Kaoru wrapped her arms around his head to deepen the kiss as Kenshin wrapped one arm around her waist and the other in her hair. They finally parted their lips after a long moment.

"We should probably go inside before we both catch a cold" said Kaoru as she rested her forehead on Kenshin's. Kenshin nodded in response.

As they closed the door Kenshin's eyes wandered around the house. It was pretty big, not as big as his, but still, big.

"We should get you something dry to wear" said Kaoru as Kenshin turned to her. A mischievous smirk formed on Kenshin's face as he looked her up and down.

"You too" grinned Kenshin. Kaoru looked down at herself before turning a deep crimson. She had totally forgotten that she was wearing a white shirt and worse, no bra. The cold air didn't do much help either. She quickly covered her chest with her goose bumped arms. Kenshin's grin grew at seeing her reaction.

"I'll be back" said Kaoru before turning and running up the stairs. Kenshin waiting patiently until she returned wearing a dry pair of grey sweat pants and a light blue tank top. She was also carrying a black t-shirt and grey boxers.

"Here, you can change in the washroom. Down the hall, second door to your right" said Kaoru as she handed him the clothes.

"Thanks" said Kenshin as he removed his shoes and made his way to the washroom. Kaoru stood there and waited until Kenshin emerged from the washroom carrying his wet clothes. Kaoru took his clothes and tossed them in the laundry chute.

"I'll return them to you once I've finished washing them" said Kaoru. Kenshin nodded his head. The sound of a car pulling up in the driveway caught the attention of both teenagers.

"My parents! They don't let me having boys in the house. Quick! Go upstairs!" gasped Kaoru as she grabbed Kenshin's hand and ran up the stairs and into her room.

"Kaoru? Kaoru, honey?" called her mom. Kaoru looked around her room to find someplace to hide Kenshin. The sound of her parents' footsteps coming up the stairs made her even jitterier. Thinking quick she flipped the covers of her bed, pushed Kenshin on, hopped on him, and pulled the covers over the two of them. One millisecond later her parents entered the room.

"Kaoru? Oh, she's asleep" said her mom.

"It's only 8:30. She must have had a tiring day" noted her dad.

"We'll lock her door for her. You know how she's paranoid about it being unlocked" said Kaoru's mom as she turned the latch and both parents exited the room, closing the door softly behind them. Once the door clicked shut Kaoru lifted the covers off the two of them and sat up.

"Whew! That was...close" Kaoru trailed off when she noticed that she was directly straddling Kenshin. She blushed red as she began to get off him. Kenshin grabbed her shoulders to stop her. Kaoru gave him a curious look, when she then felt herself being flipped so that he was on top of her. Kenshin planted a deep kiss on her lips before she could react. Kaoru's eyes slid shut as she gave into the kiss. As Kenshin parted his lips from hers, he mumbled a soft "good night" in her ear, making her shudder. She felt him roll off her as she opened her eyes.

Kaoru turned her body to face him. Their eyes locked. Kenshin began to fiddle with her hair as she snuggled close to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

The last thing Kaoru heard was not the beating of the rain, but the steady beat of Kenshin's heart.

Disclaimer: That song earlier in italics was "Warning Sign" by Coldplay. I do not own Coldplay.

Well, I really hope you people liked this chapter. I know I enjoyed writing it. The inspiration for this story is slowly coming back! I wrote more that I planned today!

So anyways, I sincerely apologize for my lack of update. A near four-month update is not acceptable. Again, I apologize. Christmas break is a lifesaver! I can't really give you guys a guarantee for the next update. All I can say is that I'll update as soon as I get more inspiration and more time.

I'm planning on updating my other fanfic (Waves of Love) pretty soon too. Just think of it as a Christmas present from me to my reviewers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Well, the only thing that I don't like about Christmas is that gain weight like mad.

Anyways, DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!!!! BOOST ME UP TO AT LEAST 183!! MERRY X-MAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Ttyl, bibi

Dev