A/N: I wish the sun had arms so it could hold me. I heard that on a radio commercial for Nestle Tea. I was laughing so much because I thought that was funny. I was the only one. My sense of humor comes at the weirdest times. But the funny thing is that I don't really care for the sun and at times I wish it would die. But because of the sun I got these neat-o transition glasses. They're so cool. I watched Star Trek today (2 episodes). I feel so dorky now. If I'm not careful I might fall prey to Everquest or dressing up in Harry Potter gear for the movies. Did that small blabbering made you all forget that you're mad at me because it took me so long to update? And now I have the stupidity to go and remind y'all. Speaking of reviews (which we weren't) I got ten for the last chapter! I love you all so much, but it's all platonic so no worries. I heard from a couple of people that you can't put down review responses anymore or Big Brother here will take action. I don't know if that's true or not because there's no official warning or anything that I can find. But to be on the safe side I'll pretend I didn't hear anything about it and continue my review response business. Of course if happens to read this then I'm screwed.
Live long and prosper, Muggles.
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own a microwave oven. I know how I'm 'pose to talk about not owning a certain anime series but you'll have to come back to me on that because I have to get over the denial vs. acceptance stage in my life. I also do not own the riddles I'm putting up, with the exception of this one. I found the last one in the book Tithe, which is about fairies and I still have no clue why I bought it. The one below I did and I think it sucks because I seem to be writing in uncontrollable rhymes. To this day I cannot pen a non-rhyming poem. Sad, but true. Now if you excuse me I'm late for my AA (Anime Anonymous) meeting. Tonight is meet and greet session and there's this new guy named Bob who's joining. And let me tell you, he's got it bad.
The Torture
Chapter Dos: Prelude to the Past
Riddle me this: It exists only in your mind and protects your sense of self. It controls your past, present, and future and the elderly value it more than anything else.
What is it?
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…your memories
Kaoru trudged up the stairs leading to her apartment cursing herself for living so high up. Weariness oozed from her every pore and she didn't know where she got the strength to keep on moving. Unlocking her door she almost collapsed at the entrance but somehow managed to hold that off until she reached her sad excuse of a couch.
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Then she was a goner.
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She was tired, dead beat, bone weary. Take your pick. She hadn't been eating well for the past few days so that can partially account for her fatigue and the numerous jobs she had been shouldering makes up for the rest of it. Suppressing the urge to sleep she attempted to get up from her lumpy sofa.
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She succeeded on the third try.
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Kaoru dragged herself into the kitchen and stared blankly inside her fridge to see if there was anything that she could eat for dinner. Preferably something she wouldn't have to cook because she won't fool herself into thinking that she can successfully make anything edible with her mind still functioning on autopilot.
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That's hard enough already even when she's at full capacity.
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Spotting a small bowl of fruits Kaoru immediately grabbed it before heading back towards the couch. The fruits were the last remnants of her failed attempt at eating healthy. She managed to eat only nutritious meals with no snacking for one day but on the second she pigged out on every fattening junk food known to man.
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Her self-control sucks.
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Kaoru plopped down and tried to make herself comfortable on her couch before picking up the remote next to her. It took a few rounds of channel surfing before she remembered that she didn't have cable anymore because she was unable to pay off the bill.
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Being broke bites.
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And so she resigned herself into watching the shopping network. It was either that or TV Guide which talked about all the shows that she couldn't watch. That was too much of a downer for her so she just picked the lesser of the two evils. Even so, if this is how she's going to blow all her Friday evenings then she really is pathetic.
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Well, at least the models are cute.
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Kaoru idly popped a grape in her mouth and thoughtfully chewed on it as her thoughts turned inwards. This had been a bad week for her so she couldn't wait for it to be over. She had exams everyday causing her to curse the educational system and her college professors in general. Not only that but she worked double shift on both of her jobs and some bastard stole the tips from her waitress job. That just set her in a testy mood for the rest of her shift.
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But that wasn't the worst of it.
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Yesterday was the absolute pits and she skipped her classes, exams and all and called in sick for her jobs because of it. Yesterday was the reason she had to double shift her jobs and it was also the reason why she hadn't been eating right. Out of all the days this week, yesterday was pure hell for her. But how could it not be? It marked the two year anniversary that she left him. God, had it been that long already? She can still remember she first met him, or rather when he first met her.
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And as her memories flooded her Kaoru picked up an apple from her dwindling fruit bowl, biting viciously into it while her tremulous mind took her back before all of this trouble started-
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Back to the beginning…
A/N: Albeit late but this chapter is done. And I'm sorry but I lied to you all but this may turn out to be about four chapters instead of two. My pet project seems to have grown into something bigger. My next chapter is Kaoru's flashbacks and hopefully I won't royally mess up on that. I was going to put them in this chapter but they still need a little tweaking and I didn't want it to turn out too long. That's why it's so short and even with my lengthy A/N you guys would notice. Kudos to all who got who the 'stranger' was. But it really wasn't that hard. I'll try to update but I have to get started on my other fic and school's around the corner as well and guess who didn't do any of their work over the summer.
Till next time everyone and Read and Review!
This is not in no way a review response thing, it is a critique assessment. Synonyms rock! Anyways thanks to all my beloved critics out there, this section is all for you! Can you feel the love? And again it is strickly platonic.
Critique Assessments
Kaikai13: Thanks for adding me onto your favorite list and Arthur Alert. Hopefully you'll keep on reading
Surface Dweller: I just can't seem to fool you can I? This one came in a little late but if you'll forgive me I try to make it sweet enough for you. You'll have cavities from all the sugary intake, I swear.
Mafuyu Hotaru: It's so great of you to review and add me to your athor alert. It's strange how I think I have you on my arthor alert as well. And thanks for the input on Gaia. I'll try to review one of your stories as well if I can find the time.
Lazy reader: I think you name is very misleading because lazy readers don't review from what I heard. I'm glad to hear that you like it so far and that this update won't disappoint you at all.
TennyoAkana: Yes, I got another one in my clutches!
Arubaba: Thanks a bunches and keep on reading!
Gabyhyatt: Wow that means a lot to me. Keep on lovin'!
M1zzIn0centz: I love it when people think! You have no idea what a dose of flattery like yours can do to me! Yeah I hope Kenshin finds her again but you'll have to read to find out.
Blooded wyngs: Why? Well, why not is the greater question. Double thanks for adding me to your arthor alerts as well.
Astraea Eris: Well your reviews not half bad and thanks for reviewing all the same. Glad you like it, really I am.
Nilnil: Hence the name. Hehe I love being crafty. Thanks for adding me too you're the greatest.
Special thanks to Haru My Lovely and mtgranola for putting me on their author alerts. And a big thanks to the 200 hits I got. Having my story so beaten up never felt so good!
Extra Credit: Riddle to the next chapter see if you can solve it (and no cheating!)
Cut me and I weep tears as red as my flesh, yet my heart is made of stone.
What am I?