Chapter Two- Oh Dads.
Disclaimer: Don't own RK, sorry if characters are OOC.
"Only three more class periods to go and I am home free." I walked to my locker where Sano was waiting for me. "Hey, buddy. What's with the long face?"
Sano's frown deepened as he pointed down the hall at a cloister of girls surrounding something. "That new guy is getting all the attention, even Misao and Megumi are engrossed in him. What is going on in this society?"
"Hmmm. Should I go join them, maybe act like a birdbrain and prey on every cute guy around campus?" I made a move as if I was going to join the group when I turned back to Sano. "Nah, I like my friends, ugly though they may be." The expression on Sano's face was hilarious, a mixture between insulted and proud. I giggled, "Come on baby. I'm starved."
"Coming master." Sano trailed behind me into the cafeteria.
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The final bell rang and the only sighting I had had of the new student was at lunch, which was more like a view of the gaggle of girls rather than the student. I was walking towards the entrance gate to wait for Sano when I got a true glimpse of him. He was tall, taller than Sano, with dark hair. That's all I got to see because at that moment my attention was drawn to a noise behind me.
Sano was groaning. "Not you too Kaoru."
"What? Was that him? I just wanted to know what was causing a big campus ruckus." I looked at my watch. "Sano! I have to be home pronto. Let's get going." We sped walked to my house.
"Do you think that your dad might let this become a regular thing? I know he doesn't think much about my underground friends, but I would feel better knowing that someone was with you every day, accompanying you to and from school." Sano shoved his hands into his pockets. "I mean, why do you live so far away and he doesn't even have someone drive you each day."
I smiled. "Sano, I'm glad you care. But we've gone over this, I told dad I don't want to be driven everywhere. Knowing him he'd probably hire a bodyguard for me if he didn't know how safe this route was. Besides, as for you walking with me I see no problem in it, other than the fact you would have to double back each trip."
"It would be no problem. I like walking with you. It seems like the only time we can talk without Weasel girl butting in or Meg-chan pretending to not be jealous." Sano put his arm around my shoulders. "Also I get to raid your refrigerator, because I know how polite you are with guests."
I shoved his arm off and he laughed. "Yeah right, Rooster boy, you aren't a guest at my house, you're practically a leech. Now let's go inside and hope that our guests aren't here yet." I opened the door and beckoned Sano inside. Near the front door is a closet; I set my book bag and jacket inside. "Dad, we're home!" I called out.
At that moment my dad crossed the hallway entry.
"Welcome home Kaoru. Who's with you? Is that Sano?" Sano came up and stood beside me as my dad began to act as though he hadn't seen Sano in years, rather than just two day. "Well my boy, you sure have grown. Been eating your vegetables? I've told Kaoru many times that if she's just eat everything that was served to her she'd grow strong and tall. Alas it seems as though she doesn't wish to heed her father's wishes."
"Dad, now we all know that's not true. I love all foods, except green cabbage, melons, mangos…" I trailed off, looking at Sano and my dad's face; they both were about to erupt in laughter. "Okay, so maybe I'm a picky eater. Enough about me, tell me about our guests."
"Kaoru, they are going to be here at three-thirty. Now I need you to go up stairs and change into the kimono that Tae set out for you."
"A kimono? I thought that… Okay. Sano, wait for me in the game room. If that is, Dad can Sano hang around for a bit?" I asked hesitantly because I knew something was up, I'm never asked to wear a kimono, not even for family reunions.
"Well," Dad sighed, "I guess it won't hurt any to let Sano meet our guests."
"If it's no problem, sir. I can leave if you'd prefer." Sano shifted uncomfortably.
"No Sano, Dad said you could stay. I'll be right back." I ran up the stairs to my room. On the bed was a beautiful silk kimono. It was silver with blue sakura blossoms scattered all over. The under kimono was plain white. As I ran my hand over the fabric, I heard a soft knock at the door.
"Kaoru-chan? Would you like help with getting dressed?" Our live-in housekeeper, Tae was at the door. Tae knew so much about my family seeing as she was my mother's best friend and had been living with us since I was born. When my mother died Tae took charge and got our lives going again. I love Tae as a second mother.
"I would love that Tae-chan. Do you happen to know why father wants me to wear this? I've never seen it before."
As Tae started to help me dress she answered my question. "It was your mother's, and her mother's before her. The women in your family pass it on as tradition. I think he wants you to wear it seeing as all your other kimonos1 are somewhat unacceptable." I looked over to my closet where my other kimonos hung off to the side, clearly been gone through and found wanting. Looking closer, I noticed little tears and shredding which would have taken a lot of work to repair.
"I guess I see what you mean." I giggled. "I played rough in those didn't I?" I asked pointing towards my closet. Tae looked over and laughed.
"You sure did. We were lucky to find a kimono that hadn't been wore by the infamous Kaoru-chan!" We laughed together and shortly I was dressed and ready to go. I stood in front of my three sided, full-length mirror and looked at my reflection. Tae had tied a white obi around my waist and placed a bright blue ribbon in my hair. I caught my breath at the sight.
"Is that really me?" I looked so innocent, exactly like a little doll. Tae nodded. I looked at the clock on the wall. "I've got to downstairs now. The guests should be here any moment." I gave Tae a hug and headed down stairs.
I could see Sano loitering near the foot of the stairs. I giggled and he looked up. And blinked. Then he rubbed his fists in his eyes. "Is that really you 'jou-chan?"
I smacked him upside the head. "Yes it's really me, Rooster boy." I crossed my arms to create the effect of being pissed off. "But to make you feel better I asked the same thing." I smiled and began to drag Sano to the front room where I could hear my dad talking.
"Ah Kaoru, there you are. Shinomori, let me introduce my daughter Kaoru," I bowed towards the two people standing next to my father. They looked alike; the elder gentleman had dark chestnut hair and was about the same height as my father. The younger, which I assumed was his son, had dark hair like my own, dark icy blue eyes and was tall like Sano. "And this is her friend Sagara Sanosuke." Sano likewise bowed and they bowed back once more. "Kaoru-chan these are our guest. Shinomori and his son Aoshi." We bowed all together this time.
"Well, Kamiya it seems that your daughter is as lovely as her mother once was. Again, my sympathies regarding the late Mrs. Kamiya. Now why don't we get down to business?"
"Yes, let me show you my office. Please come this way." My father and Mr. Shinomori started to my father's office and Aoshi began to follow them.
Mr. Shinomori turned to Aoshi, "No, stay with the others."
"Kaoru, Sano show Aoshi around the house. Show him the dojo and gardens." My father's tone was stern and commanding. It seemed as though he was trying to match the Shinomori family's coldness.
The parents left and I turned to Aoshi. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Would you allow me to show you around the house?" He nodded his assent and off we went.
1 Okay, so nobody, except for the really rich would have real kimonos in this day and age, but I mean she has to have at least one or two…For her adult day in about two years and some other odd occasion which might arise…