A/N: so here we GO GO again right? Another chapter thank you, I know, I know you're all like "Sie-chan, you're actually updating? What the hell happened?" Haha well, to answer that honestly, I don't know. Story's getting interesting I guess, makes me wanna share my ideas with my readers a whole lot more! I wanna thank those who reviewed; I also wanna thank those who find this interesting. Now since that last chapter was sorta a mouthful to digest [or for me to write] I might mellow this one out a bit—give you sometime to absorb what's going on and I absolutely will NOT bore you to death with this thing at the beginning so without further a due I give you the next chapter!

--

Disclaimer: when I own it I'll let you all know, deal?

…

A few Misunderstandings

…

…

YAME heaved a heavy sigh as she tugged at her little brother's hand, making her hold on it tighter as they squeezed their way through the jam packed train station. Her large emerald orbs scanned the time charts overhead making sure that they weren't late as the form of her little brother; Iori trailed obediently behind her. Squeezing, and panting, Yame didn't seem to fully be in the train station; it was as if her mind was a million miles away thinking about the crazy day she had had. It was the first time she had blown off Kimiko since the two had become friends, back in the fourth grade but the redhead had a good enough reason for her actions. Maeda-chan wanted to get to know me better. It didn't really matter how pathetic the excuse sounded, the damage had already been done and it wasn't like Yame was regretting it. She had had a blast with the blond girl, it was sort of like meeting your twin sister for the very first time and everything around you finally made sense. Yame and Mae were perfectly symmetrical, they got along great and liked all of the same things, no wonder she hadn't realized that she had completely blown Kimiko off until her and Mae had parted ways and she had picked up Iori.

Releasing a deep sigh, Yame blew a wayward strand of ginger hair out of her face as she moved towards platform nine. There were a few people standing there already, awaiting the next train to head either on their way back to work or home and dropping her bag along with Iori's on an empty bench in front of the platform; Yame plopped down on it. Staring at his sister for a brief moment, Iori clambered onto the bench and stuck his thumb in his mouth, his short legs rocking back and forth. Yame watched three other people waiting for the train, all of them dressed smartly and obviously employed at the same business as they went on and on about some deal or another. Boring, with a yawn, Yame titled her head on the backboard of the bench and her eyelids grew heavy as she tried to keep them open. I really should have tried going back to sleep after that weird dream I had last night, she thought trying to stifle a rising yawn before her eyelids slid shut and she was lulled into a dreamless sleep.

…

Turning down an empty corridor, Kumiko increased her pace as she glanced into empty classrooms attempting to locate Maiya. "I don't think she's this way Kumiko-chan," Kumiko's chara, Nakajima provided and with a sigh, Kumiko shook her head. "No, she has to be. She left her Literature book in class and with that test coming up she won't be able to pass without it." She stated and not in the mood for an argument, Naka sighed before she reverted back into her egg and dropped back lifelessly into Kumiko's bag. Silence overwhelmed the junior as she continued glancing into empty classes and hummed lightly to herself as each room ended up being abandoned for the day. The sound of the ruckus happening on the main floor was nothing more than a low hum now as Kumiko pushed on another door and glanced inside only for her cheeks to instantly flush at the one occupant present.

There sitting in the middle of the room fully engrossed in a thick novel was Kenshin. His back was turned to Kumiko and said girl could feel her whole body stiffen as she watched thin fingers turn the page and feeling out of place, Kumiko attempted to back out of the room quietly but being a little clumsy as she was that wouldn't happen. As she made to slip out of the room undetected, her body hit into the slightly closed door causing it to swing back and hit into the wall with a dull thud catching Kenshin's attention. Looking up from his book, Kenshin glanced back at the intruder and as lavender eyes settled on a thin, female form standing in the doorway he quirked a curious brow.

"Taiki-san?"

Opening her eyes that she had no idea she had even closed, Kumiko met Kenshin's quizzical gaze and she offered a timid smile. "H-Hello there, Hatomi-san." She sputtered bowing slightly, face red and hands clammy. Kenshin watched the girl's antics before a small smile tugged at his lips and he closed the book he had been busying himself with. "You don't have to bow you know, I'm not royalty." He stated lightly and face growing redder, Kumiko nodded fervently as she pulled herself back up to her full height and locking her arms behind her back she nibbled nervously on her lower lip as her eyes shifted about nervously. "I'm sorry," she mumbled and Kenshin shrugged it off as he stood up and turned his seat around before sitting back down and looking at her. "Did you need something?" He probed and blinking, Kumiko remembered the reason she had came into this classroom in the first place.

"Maiya, d-do you know where I can find her?" Kumiko wanted to slap herself at the sound of her voice but she didn't have much time to dwell on it as Kenshin shrugged and rose to his feet. Kumiko watched as he picked up the book he had been reading and dropped it into his bag. "I'm sorry Taiki-san, I do not know myself. Was it personal? Because if it wasn't I'm sure that I can relay the message to her, I'll be meeting with her a little later and I wouldn't really mind." He said offering another smile and cheeks darkening, Kumiko couldn't help but feel a little jealous at his words but she hid it and shook her head about. "That would be real nice of you Hatomi-san," she said allowing her bag to dip off her shoulder as she flipped up the lid and rummaged around in it looking for Maiya's book.

Finding it, she extended the hand with it in and took a step forward. "S-She left her Literature book in class and we have a test coming up and I wanted to get it back to her," she mumbled and nodding, Kenshin pulled his bag onto his shoulder and moved towards Kumiko. Glancing down at the book, he raised a hand for it and met Kumiko's gaze. "I'll give it to her," he said and with a slow nod, Kumiko handed the book over. She watched as he dropped the book in his bag, her heart pounding wildly in her chest before he offered another smile. "You can just call me Kenshin," he pointed out and Kumiko's face grew even darker; if possible as she bit her lower lip. With one last smile, Kenshin inclined his head in a slight nod before saying, "have a good evening, Taiki-san." And with that, he was gone leaving Kumiko flustered.

--

"Oi, are you okay?"

A light, male's voice penetrated the silence of Yame's dreams and as she felt something prod her in the arm firmly she stirred. Groaning, Yame opened her eyes slowly and blinking her vision cleared leaving her to stare at a very unfamiliar yet familiar ceiling. Where am I? Then it clicked—the train station. Lifting her head off the backboard, Yame jumped to her feet causing a previously sleeping Iori to whine before he fell back into the world of unconsciousness. Looking around wildly, her eyes roamed about trying to find the business men who had been there earlier but were now gone. Allowing her gaze to drift over to other platforms she noticed that hardly anyone was left in the once crowded train station.

"What time is it?"

"Six fifteen."

Whirling around, Yame's emerald eyes locked with a set of lazy grey ones and blinking, she allowed herself to take in the full form of the person who had answered her question. A lithe male with dark hair and lazy grey eyes stared back, he was dressed in a very familiar black uniform with a very expensive leather messenger bag draped over his shoulder. Shifting slightly, shaggy black tresses fell into his face and he offered a crooked smile. "Did you miss your train?" He asked lazily motioning to the empty platform and cheeks flushing, Yame glanced down at her shoes and nodded slowly. "It would seem I have," she mumbled biting on her lower lip and nodding,the boy shoved his hands in his pockets and continued to stare in a disinterested state at the redhead.

"Where were you headed?"

"Oakley."

Her voice was pathetic to her own ears as she moved to sit back down on the bench. Resting her head on the backrest, she stared up at the wooden beams of the station's ceiling and sighed. "How could I have fallen asleep? Now I'm gonna have to walk home," she mumbled pathetically and Jouichi agreed, his lower lip protruding slightly as he continued to stare at the moping redhead. "Mm so it seems, there's not another train leaving for Oakley today." He muttered looking at the time chart and sighing, Yame glanced over at her still sleeping little brother. "I'd better get going then," with that Yame hauled herself back to her feet and clicking his tongue, Jouichi grinned and took a step forward.

"Be safe."

Wait."

Stopping, Jouichi turned to glance back at the girl. Quirking a brow curiously, he watched as she nibbled on her lower lip, her cheeks tainted pink. "Thank you for waking me up," she said in a weird voice and grinning to himself, Jouichi shrugged. "Need some help? I'm sure a pretty girl like yourself can't carry him the entire way to Oakley." He said referring to the sleeping Iori and glancing over at her little brother, Yame had to agree. "I'd really appreciate it," she said lightly and moving towards her, he extended his hand in a friendly gesture.

"Jouichi."

"Ayame."

A sudden gleam appeared in Jouichi's eyes at the sound of the redhead's name and he couldn't help but grin. They circled their fingers around one another's and shook firmly, the gleam in Jouichi's lazy eyes turning into a playful flicker as he offered a friendly smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Ayame-chan." He said and Yame nodded her cheeks still pink and a broad grin stretching across her tan face. Without anymore delays, Yame gathered her things in her arms as Jouichi hauled Iori into his arms and the two headed off, casually chatting amongst one another.

"You attend Holy Cross right?"

Glancing sideways, Jouichi stared at the girl beside him and nodded; a lazy smile slipping onto his face. "How could you tell?" He jeered and Yame brought her index finger to her lower lip and studied the taller boy's uniform. "Your uniform is black, it has crosses on the sleeves and everyone knows the Holy Cross students anywhere." She pointed out and Jouichi laughed and shifted Iori more comfortably in his hold. "Do you know Maeda-chan?" She asked catching Jouichi off guard and putting up his guard, he nodded tightly. "Yea, we've met." He lied and Yame nodded, "ah." She uttered and the two continued walking and in time Yame began telling Jouichi a bunch of random facts about herself; every piece of information he learned he locked away in his memory for later.

Arriving in front of the large Oakley suburban area, both teens stopped and suddenly it seemed that Yame had become shy. Biting her lip, she wrenched her fingers together and stared down at her Mary Janes before she looked up and grinned broadly at Jouichi. "Thanks you know, for waking me up back at the station and for helping me with Iori…I really appreciate it all." She said and he nodded, handing over the sleeping toddler. "Don't worry about it, it was nice meeting you, Ayame-chan." He replied and with a broad smile he turned on his heels and waved back at the girl as he headed off down the street. Watching his form disappear, Yame blinked before she turned and headed into her neighborhood.

Hopping onto a sidewalk, Jouichi hummed to himself as he continued on his way home, Eiji resting on his head. "Jouichi," he called lazily as his small fingers threaded through a few strands of his human's hair. "Hmm?" Jouichi replied his eyes staring out at the street ahead of them before he spotted something that shouldn't be there. Up ahead parked on the side of an old bakery was a shiny black limo and standing in the back door's doorway was the thin unmistakable form of Maeda. Releasing a deep sigh, Jouichi brought a hand up to his head and rubbed at his temples as he approached the limo. "What are you playing at, Jouichi?" Maeda hissed venomously as she glared daggers at the approaching teen. "I have no idea what you're talking about?" Jouichi replied innocently causing the girl's eyes to narrow.

Stepping out of the limo, Maeda approached the boy and grabbing onto the rumpled collar of his shirt, she pulled him down to eyelevel. Her breath was sweet, Jouichi noted as it fanned against his left cheek and he stared into murderous sapphire eyes. "I saw you back there—with Ayame." She pointed out, her grip on his collar tightening and Jouichi nodded, a sly smile coming to his face as he tilted his head forward, the tip of his nose coming into contact with the round tip of Mae's. "And?" He pressed lazily and Mae's cheeks tainted pink and she sucked on her lower pink lip before releasing it and glared harder at the boy in front of her.

"Stop it, Jouichi. You know how much I hate playing your stupid games."

Grinning almost sadistically, Jouichi didn't move, instead he inclined his head further allowing his unkempt bangs to fall into his face. "Why so sour, Mae-chan?" This hit a raw nerve and bringing her knee upwards, it collided with Jouichi's thigh roughly causing him to groan and his chin to collide with Mae's shoulder. "Ayame is my problem stay away got it, jack ass?" She stated as she released him and moved back towards the limo. Standing up straight, Jouichi winced at the pain coursing through his body before he grinned maniacally. "What can I say, she's pretty cute—cuter than your sorry ass Mae, it's a shame that we've got to get rid of her." He said and looking back over her shoulder, Mae shot him a dangerous look, "shut up." She hissed before she ducked back into the limo, and chuckling, Jouichi followed behind her.

--

Happy 2010! It's a new year and I've got a new passion to actually finish this story. Thanks to all of those who constantly read and review and to all of those who just read and favorite. I appreciate it all! I'm sorry that this chapter was a bit slow—consider it a sort of filler chapter nothing in particular actually happens in this chapter but it fit in with the rest of the story so it's here. Anyway, I hope you guys liked it and I'll try to write another chapter as soon as I can seeing as I've been chained down to my computer desk and I'm being fed oatmeal—and only if I get up new chapters will I be fed real food [sighs] this sucks.

Updated: January 5, 2010