A:N/ Wahh, I'm actually sad that this is ending. I did make sure this the ending was amazing! I hope you like it, I even got many people to read it beforehand. Anyway, this is, yes, the last chapter to my first short story! -hands cookie- Be kind and PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! Also, I'm thinking of making a sequel involving Kenji!! Give me your input. Should I make a sequel or a new RK series?
Note: I edited a lot. In fact, I like totally changed the introduction. COMPLETELY. Originally it was just much too boring. I also changed some minor grammar errors and a whole lot of other context. And to the reviewers: Thanks for supporting me!!
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Chapter 4, Part One, Trust and Betrayal
"Megumi? How do I look?" Kaoru popped out of the car door, twirling in circles; seemed like her spirit was back, most of it at least.
Megumi smiled and clasped her hands together dreamily. "You look adorable! And I love that shade of light, green eyeshadow. Where'd you get it?"
"Haha, the drug store around my house. Cheapest one there too!"
The girls started giggling, walking down the long pathway to Tsubame's giant mansion. A while passed and they were still not yet at the party (blame it all on high heels and tight minidresses).
"Wait. Hold up." Kaoru tugged on Megumi's hand. "I need to tell you something, like now..."
They came to a sudden stop as Megumi turned to face Kaoru with a stern expression.
"Yes?"
"Ach-em." Kaoru exhaled sharply. "Well, I'll just get straight to the point. I don't want to be anywhere near Kenshin, you know, if he's there at the party. In fact, I want to avoid him as much as possible. You understand why, right?"
Megumi frowned slightly. "Yeah, gotcha. -pause- Wait. If you don't mind me asking... Why are you trying to avoid him so much? Is it like, to make him feel guilty?"
Kaoru whipped her head around as she dropped her jaw fifty feet below sea level. "Excuse me?! What did you just say?! He-lloooooo, this guy we're talking about cheated on me and slept with Tomoe! Girl! I don't care how he feels! But whenever I look at him, I feel sick like I want to throw up. It hurts me to see him knowing that he slept with someone behind my back! Ehck, I can't believe you would think that's the only reason. ... Okay, so wanting him to feel guilty is part of it, but only like 10."
Megumi sighed. "S-sorry, Kaoru. ...Let's just go enjoy the party together, all right? I want you to be happy."
Kaoru held back the choke in her throat and just nodded obediently. "Yeah. Fine, let's go."
Megumi patted her back, trying to reassure her that she would always be there. "Hmm... Now. Are we gonna rock this party or what?!"
Despite her irritation, Kaoru giggled at the sight of her silly friend wiggling around and shaking her butt. She shouted in response to rid of all her frustration. "YEA-UUHHHHHHH! WE'RE GONNA KICK ASS!!"
xx
"Damn Sano, I can't believe you're actually making me do this." Kenshin slammed the car door shut.
Sano sighed and smiled apologetically. "It's for the better."
Yahiko jumped in. "Yeah Ken. We seriously thought you were high or something. It's good that you're out and about again."
Kenshin shrugged his shoulders at the ridiculous idea. "Yeah, uh-huh. High. Sheesh. I'm not that stupid."
"Right. But you got drunk and were stupid enough to cheat on her," Yahiko mumbled to himself.
"What? Wh-what did you say, Yahiko?!" Kenshin spat in disbelief. "Even my best friend still hates me over that?! God, shut up! I'm walking home if you even mention anything about it! It's not like I did it on purpose! I was drunk because of her, that idiot Tomoe! Just because she's pretty and stuff doesn't mean I actually like her. That freak got me drunk! Do you know how I feel?!"
"S-sorry Kenshin. I'm really sorry, man. You have my support, I'm sorry." The shorter boy quickly scurried ahead, hoping to avoid a fight with Kenshin.
The other two then followed in complete silence as they passed the many cars lined up alone Tsubame's parking lot. Finally they reached the majestic, towering oak doors and entered while two polite lady caretakers welcomed them in.
"Welcome to the student grad party." They lowered their heads ever so slightly, making sure not to reach eye contact. "The party's back there. Please follow."
Kenshin clenched his fists in anticipation. Even he was nervous for what might happen tonight. The party everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived. Everything was so perfect, everything but one thing. Kaoru wasn't there with Kenshin, and Kenshin wasn't there for Kaoru.
But, like I say, everything was perfect, but nothing felt right.
xx
The music blared, practically shaking the whole house if it wasn't for their sturdy, well-built walls. Just the perfect setting for an all-night party.
Megumi and Kaoru walked over to the refreshments counter, then quickly shuffled to a different room so they could at least talk and hear one another.
"Wow! This is so! Much! Fun!! And Oh. Meh. Gawd! That guy over there is so hot! Should I go dance with him?" Megumi squealed excitedly, totally oblivious to Kaoru's gloomy expression.
"What? Sure. Go ahead."
"But first. How come, at the end of the year, I have never seen him? Is he like, Tsubame's cousin or something? Or maybe from a different school?"
Kaoru sighed deeply. "Megumi! Who the hell cares? Now, go have fun and dance with him. Introduce yourself, then wha-la! you won't be strangers." Kaoru tried to shoo Megumi away as soon as possible. She just had to have some time alone. Her head was pounding from the music, and her 'Kenshin' thoughts were still coming back to taunt her.
"Right. Okay." Megumi looked down at her feet, then instantly lifted her head up confidently and rolled her shoulders back. "Yes! I am so ready!"
"That's the attitude! Now go have fun, Gumi!"
Megumi shot Kaoru a pearly-white smile. "Definitely! Later, girl!" In seconds, she zipped off and disappeared to the other room.
Finally. Kaoru relaxed, staring off into space and completely ignoring her surroundings. The clock continued to tick its way past the minutes as Kaoru still stood motionless in the same place, with one hand on the soda cup and the other lifelessly hanging on her side. It was obvious. She clearly felt out of place in such a wild atmosphere. But just before she could even wish being at home, Tomoe marched into the room, swinging her hips recklessly from side to side. Her beautiful, yet disgustingly ugly dress and unblemished face screamed out all attention. Tension and hate quickly filled the room and Kaoru felt a chill run up her spine as the goosebumps crawled over her arms. Then, at that same instant, Kenshin and Yahiko appeared at the opposite door...
Well, well, what a surprise.
xx
Ringgg, ringgg!!
The tall, bird-haired boy snatched up his phone, pressing it close to his ear. "Yep?"
"Sano?"
"Oh, Gumi! Hey! Everything's going as planned."
"Are they in the same room? I just left... to call you, and sheesh, it's so hard acting. I guess more like lying to my best friend. I had to pretend that I wanted to go dance with some crack head." Megumi sighed drearily.
"Haha? You should've seen me. I said I had to go to the bathroom, for the third time. And yes, over kerck!!, Ken and Kaoru are in the same room. I repeat, Ken and Kaoru are in the same room. Kerck!!"
"Hehe, Sano, stop fooling around. We're not at a party or anything! Okay, we are. But this is business! This is a mission! Also, here's a problem: Kaoru told me that she didn't even want to be NEAR Kenshin at the party and elsewhere."
"Ugh. That is a problem. But as long as Kenshin does something quick, Kaoru would probably give in to talking with him. Right?"
"Hm, you're right! Oh, and thanks for getting him to the party! You're so reliable... anyway, and how did that go?"
"Yeah. It was umm... really hard getting him out of his room. -chuckle- Anyway, let's dance together later."
"What?! Yeah right. -cough- King of idiots. -cough-" Megumi hung up with a giggle, and at the other end, Sano smiled flipping his phone back into his pocket.
Then just seconds later...
Ringgg, ringgg!!
Megumi stared confusedly at her vibrating phone, then answered quickly. "What's up, Sano?"
"This is bad..."
"Huh? What is?" Megumi instantly stopped dancing.
"Tomoe is in the room. I completely forgot her going to the party."
"Oh crap. This is a bad situation. But this is Kenshin's decision now. If he goes to Tomoe, then sadly, it's obvious that Kaoru and him were never meant to be. But if Ken goes to Kaoru, then all will be fine. Tomoe's just a minor character that happened to accidentally get a huge role."
"You sure?"
"Hah! 'Course I am! But you know… I really despise Tomoe." Bzzzzzz... the line went dead.
"Everything will be fine," she whispered.
Sano whipped around. "AHH!" Momentarily stabilizing himself, he looked up to see Megumi. "Ehh? Oh, it's you Gumi! Wh-what? How'd you get here?"
Megumi laughed to herself, giving Sano a flirtatious hug. "How are you? I haven't seen you in like, forever. Not even at school."
"Yeah. It's a bummer. 'Specially since everyone doesn't even know we're still seeing each other."
"Huh?"
"Shit. Did I say that out loud?" Sano blushed deeply, for after all they weren't even boyfriend, girlfriend… yet. "Uh, nevermind. Anyway," he quickly changed subject, "do you think it'd be okay to leave Kenshin and Kaoru alone for now?"
"Yeah. Wait- what about Yahiko?"
"Oh, I told him to leave right after he made sure they started talking."
"Perfect then! Let's go!" Megumi twirled around and headed for the dance floor.
"Bad friend. You should be supporting Kaoru. She must be terrified right now!"
"What do you know about girls?" Megumi teased, sticking out her tounge.
But he's right... being Kaoru, she's probably freaking out right now. Megumi looked behind her, not to make sure Sano was following, but to see Kaoru standing in the other room biting her lip, looking like she was on the verge of fainting. Oh well, I may seem like a bad friend. But what can I do at a time like this? It's up to Kenshin and Kaoru now... Do something Kenshin. Do something.
xx
Kaoru's eyes widened as she grasped the counter for support. She was totally not prepared for this, and there was no escape now... Oh my god. What am I going to do?! I have- I have to get out of here! I think I'm going to faint if I don't! No, just calm down Kaoru. Don't be such a drama queen.
Kaoru frowned and could feel her face heating up as sweat formed on her forehead. She glanced back and forth from side to side of the room. Kenshin. Tomoe. Kenshin. Tomoe. Kenshin. Tomoe.
AHHH! What should I do?! Both doors are blocked!! Kaoru thought, exasperated, and desperate to make her move. Ditch the whole cover-up of being a strong, sturdy "Miss Independent," she was more like "Miss Help Me God!" (Now acting like "Miss Universe Drama Queen," if there was a title like that.)
Just then, Kenshin looked up seeing Kaoru... and... Tomoe.
Frozen in place, Kenshin's muscles quickly tightened. He hadn't seen Kaoru since he last tried to talk to her. She also didn't respond to any of his calls and avoided him at school like he was a walking malaria disease. This definitely meant that Kaoru didn't want to talk to him. Right?
Completely opposite of Kenshin's train of thought, Kaoru's mind was going in circles as she thought of all the various methods of how she might end up bursting into tears or hysteria that night.
Damn. Kaoru... looks more beautiful than I've ever seen her to be. Oh my God, what am I thinking about?! I have to do something... should I ignore her? Talk to her? But she probably doesn't want to talk to me. In fact, she probably hates me! Most likely. Definitely. No, it's obvious she hates me. AHH! What the fuck?!
Kaoru exhaled slowly, trying not to fall over from dizziness. Okay, calm down Kaoru. Calm down... now, think of a solution. Think, think, think! Bleh, nothing. Erhg! I can't even move my body... I want to talk to him. But I don't. I hate him. Yet I miss him.
Oh shit. My body's moving by itself. Stop. Stop. Stop!
What. The. Hell. He's walking over here?! HOLY FRUIT CAKE!
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit! ...Oh no. Oh no. Oh great. Now what?! She's right in front of me but...
"Hello." Kenshin squeaked, staring wide-eyed directly at her. "Hello. -gulp- Did I say hello? Hello."
All Kaoru could do was pathetically stare back, trying to find those vocal chords (who sadly abandoned her at such a horrible time, sniff sniff).
"H-Hello," she finally stuttered out.
Kenshin breathed out and inhaled deeply, giving in to a quick slouch. "Wow. I feel relieved."
Kaoru narrowed her eyes. Maybe I'm going too easy on him...
Kenshin looked up again, then smiled slightly. "Am I smiling?"
"Huh?"
"Am I?"
"Maybe..."
"Wow."
"What??"
"Well, it's just... I haven't smiled or really talked for weeks."
Kaoru looked down. "...Oh."
"Oh wait! I mean, I just thought you would never talk to me again. I was scared, so now I'm relieved."
Kaoru raised her eyebrows, showing a tint of hope and lifted her head. "You were?"
"Hell yeah!"
"That's... good."
"Good?"
"Yes."
"Why? I thought you were over me."
"What? 'Course I am!" Kaoru snapped back. "I'm just glad you suffered."
Kenshin smiled even bigger. "That's so much like you. –sigh- Look. -sigh- Kaoru. Will you please go outside with me? I need to speak with you." Kenshin quickly prayed that Kaoru would say 'yes'. Luckily...
"Oh... fine," Kaoru grumbled.
They finally reached outside to Tsubame's beautiful patio at the back of her house. Skipping from stone to stone, they saw sight of a bench, far from the party and the blaring music.
Silence.
Peace.
Solitude.
"Kaoru?" Kenshin's deep hazel eyes stared into Kaoru's. "Well you see. I'm going to get straight to the point. You look great today!!"
Kaoru frowned, shooting fire dart glares straight into Kenshin's heart. "Excuse me? That's why you wanted me to come out here? PAH! You're an idiot!"
"Wh-what! No! I'm kidding." Kenshin grinned. "The truth is… -silence- Tomoe purposely got me drunk. I don't know why. It's also my fault too. Kaoru." He reached for her hands, she recoiled, but he caught them just in time, and held tighter.
"Kaoru. I'm sorry."
Kaoru looked down and shook her head vigorously. "No. No! NO! I-I hate you, Kenshin!!" Abruptly, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Kenshin grabbed her into his chest and suffocated her in a warm hug. "No... I love you, Kaoru. And I am so- so- sorry. I will never do it again. I know I sound pathetic, I just hope you can forgive me one day, and so we be friends again. At least just friends."
After a while, Kaoru calmed down and lifted her head looking at Kenshin. "Kenshin. I love you too. But you're going to hurt me in the future. I know it."
He shook his head. "Never. Never. I promise."
"Y-You said that last time!" A tear slid down her face and splatted onto Kenshin's palm.
Kenshin sighed in guilt. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Kaoru nodded. "Thank you."
Unexpectedly, she got up and left, walking away from Kenshin, his once beautiful smile and loving kisses. Steadily, she continued to walk closer to the party not looking back once, and to forget about all her thoughts. To forget about all her worries, the past, the future. Just to live in the present.
And to forget about everything she once knew...
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Part Two, I Love You...
Haha, you must hate me for ending it here.
Continuing in a next post chapter! Part two of chapter 4! I hope you look forward to it, and so sorry for the really long delay of not updating! Please review this chapter and tell me honestly how you like it! Thank you. (I LOVE YOU, REVIEWERS. YOU MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL.)
By the way, some of you readers aren't getting it... I'M STILL WRITING ANOTHER CHAPTER. YOU KNOW TO ACTUALLY FINISH IT. BUT I PROMISE, YOU WILL LIKE IT AND IT WON'T BE LIKE, "OMFG! KENSHIN, I LOVEEEEEE YOU."
I emphasize this in caps, I hope you understand.