Chapter 2
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN NOR DO I OWN PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2
AN: THE RK CREW IS AROUND 18 YRS OLD, AND THEIR HITEN DORMS ARE LIKE APARTMENTS. THEY ARE CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN A NORMAL DORM.
-Dorm Setting-
"Kaoru! Help us clean up! The guys are coming over today; we're having a movie night." Megumi exclaimed as she buzzed around the dorm gathering the strewn clothes.
"Umm how come I wasn't informed about this movie night earlier?" questioned Kaoru with anxiety rising in the pit of her stomach.
"Why would we need to inform you? You of all people should know we ALWAYS have movie night on Fridays."
"Well Megumi, I can't really hang out with you guys tonight. I umm have plans" Kaoru mumbled the last part, but knowing Megumi it wouldn't get past her.
Megumi stood shocked "Kaoru this is the first time I've seen you WILLINGLY give up quality time with Kenshin!"
"No you don't understand! Soujiro, this new kid in our math class, needs help studying. I'm just going over to his dorm to study and show him where we are and stuff!" Kaoru blushed at Megumi's comment. "And it's not like Kenshin would care. Megumi at least cut me some slack please."
THUMP THUMP
"Sano! Can you seriously knock like man next time? It seems like your partially dying on the door!" Megumi huffed as the boys entered their dorm. Kenshin scanned the living room area and saw no Kaoru. Megumi looked from the corner of her eye as she saw him trying to hide the fact that he was looking for Kaoru. Megumi feeling sorry for Kenshin said to the whole group "Oh and Kaoru told me to tell you guys that she wouldn't be having movie night with us. She's umm busy."
"Busy? When the hell is Jouchan ever busy for KENSHIN?" Sano thundered
Megumi gave him THE look, not just any look, but the look that said 'if you don't shut up now I'll slowly break you limb from limb, and make sure you're never able to see the world again!'
"Oh alright, Megumi umm where is Kaoru though?" Kenshin asked steadying his all too impatient voice.
Megumi knowing this question was bound to come up turned around and replied as quietly as possible "She's with Soujiro. She said he needed help studying." Knowing Kenshin nothing would get past him "Kaoru said she'll be back in an hour or so."
'Dammit! She left; sometimes that woman seriously drives me crazy. How am I supposed to protect her when she keeps running off like that! Soujiro!'
"Megumi how long has she been gone?"
Megumi smirked "Hmm Kenshin, I think about 45 minutes?"
"Alright, but if she doesn't come in another 45, I'm going to get her myself?"
"Suit yourself Ken-san, it's not my life"
The group settled in for a movie, they all planned on watching 'Paranormal Activity 2'. Misao as Megumi reflected had said earlier that a horror movie was the perfect excuse for holding on to her 'dear Aoshi-sama'. She could see Misao now holding a vice grip on Aoshi, not that he seemed to mind, he was actually enjoying it by the looks of it. Kenshin on the other hand, could be seen seething. No one dared to talk to him or bring Kaoru up in any of the conversations. They all knew how protective he was of her and didn't want to get on his bad side. The side which horrified most at first sight that they never seemed to show their face again after witnessing it. While halfway through the movie, the door to the dorm creaked open, no one but Kenshin seemed to notice. He silently left the living room to 'welcome' Kaoru.
Kaoru smiled happily, she and Soujiro had a pleasant time. Time with Soujiro flew by, Kaoru felt so amazed at how open and comfortable she was with him. She remembered opening up to Soujiro and telling him about her unrequited love for Kenshin. Just as she was putting her shoes away she turned around and saw the subject of her thoughts. 'Kenshin'
"Kaoru, where were you?"
"Didn't Megumi tell you? I was at Soujiro's place" Kaoru huffed as she took off her coat.
"I see, well I don't like him. You don't know what kind of guy he is. Who knows he could be some perverted maniac."
"Kenshin seriously he's not like that! Give him a chance! You don't even know him; he's a really nice guy!"
"Oh so you're going to be spending more time with him now? I can't believe you forgot our movie night" suddenly Kenshin wished he hadn't spoken, knowing Kaoru's stubbornness she would take his statement far, and by far he meant FAR!
"Kenshin, you know what? I'm sick and tired of you trying to act like my dad! I'm a fully grown adult. I am capable to taking care of myself! Is that seriously what you expect from me Kenshin? That I'd forget you guys for some newbie! I was just trying to be friendly." Kaoru slammed the door to the dorm and went to her bedroom. The entire ruckus brought the whole gang out; what they saw standing in the doorway was a lone Kenshin. Misao let go of Aoshi and stepped toward Kenshin, Aoshi grabbed her arm and shook his head. Misao shrugged his hand off and placed her slender hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "Kenshin, I'm really sorry but it was sort of your fault. Your never suppose to blame a women, you should go talk to her"
Kenshin looked back at Misao's face; her eyes were filled with determination and sympathy. She slowly nodded at him and pushed him towards the door. Kenshin knowing Misao was right walked towards Kaoru's room and opened it.
"Well that went well." Sano stretched his arms and patted his stomach. "You know I just had such a good idea! We should give Kaoru and Kenshin some time to talk, like you know one on one. So that means we should clear the dorm and we can do that by hitting the club!"
"Hm doesn't sound half bad let's go!" Misao jumped dragging Aoshi behind her.
Megumi shook her head and wrote a note to Kaoru telling her where they were.
"Kaoru? Can I come in?" Kenshin stuck his head in through the door to see Kaoru ignoring him.
"Kaoru? I'm sorry about what I said" Kenshin entered her room and sat on the edge of her bed making sure she was listening to every word he said.
"Kaoru listen I didn't mean what I said. It's just, after being best friends for so long, I don't think I've ever seen you just leave for someone else. I was just worried that I wouldn't be there for you in case something happened."
"Kenshin, I told you already I'm an adult. Do you expect honestly expect to be with me ever single step of my life?"
'Umm, yeaah.'
"No but I rather stay for as long as I can"
"You don't have to; if you keep holding me back like this I won't be able to do anything on my own!"
'I'm sorry Kenshin, but this is for our own good.'
"I'm holding you back! Kaoru, I'm just protecting you!" Kenshin said the hurt in his voice was clearly evident.
"Well I don't need your protection, I didn't ask for it, nor will I ever!"
"That's not how it was 9 yrs ago! You practically grovelled at my feet for safety!"
Kaoru turned her head and glared at Kenshin. "You are pathetic. That was the past, how the hell do you expect a 9 year old to react to her parents' death Kenshin! I can't believe you'd even bring that up! Is this the protection you're talking about Kenshin?"
Kenshin stared at Kaoru's face, pain was written on her face. 'I caused that; I'm the one behind it'
Kenshin automatically said "I was just reminding you of the pain you had to go through and I don't want you to go through it again. At least not without me by your side."
"Oh and may I ask what are you going to protect me from? Yourself?" Kaoru screamed
"Be quiet Kaoru!" Kenshin hissed "What's wrong with you?"
'He's right! Kaoru, what are you saying? I'm doing what I need to do for my own best, call it selfish but I need to do this. Soujiro was right I have to distance myself from Kenshin in order to get over him.'
"Nothing's wrong with me. You know what Kenshin? I'm sorry. Now if you don't mind, I rather be alone"
"Oh alright, I'll be in my dorm if you need me. Oh and the group went down to the club!" Kenshin said surprised and quite relieved at Kaoru's change in demeanour. Kaoru hauled herself out of bed and went through her closet looking for something to wear. She found a black halter top and a mini plaited red skirt. Kaoru dressed up quickly then grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
Kenshin suddenly got a text from Sano saying "Hey is everything cool between you and Kaoru?"
Kenshin replied quickly "Yeah, I think so. We talked, then she told she needed some time alone"
"Well Kenshin, I don't think she actually meant that. Come down to club NOW!"
Confusedly Kenshin put on his black half sleeved dress shirt and went down to the club. The club was a half a yard away from their dorms. As he entered the club he showed his ID, the strobe lights and humidity created a busy atmosphere which didn't help Kenshin's claustrophobia. He recognized Sano and the others in the corner sitting in their usual booth. He slid in next to Aoshi and noticed everyone was avoiding him; they were conversing on their own, and were evading eye contact.
"So Sano, why did you call me here?" Kenshin coughed making them all realize of his presence.
"Oh Kenshin, you know we have your back right?"
"Yeah, now what is it?"
"Well you see. Uhm" Sano quickly glanced in a different direction. Kenshin followed his gaze and saw Kaoru out on the dance floor with Soujiro! They looked to be having a great time; Kaoru didn't even notice anyone other than Soujiro. Kenshin turned around and faced Sano. His lips were set in a straight line, his eyes held the emotion of betrayal.
"I'm leaving. Give Kaoru my best regards. It seems her and Soujiro really hit it off" Kenshin said leaving no room for arguments. Sano followed him out making sure he wouldn't hurt anyone in the process of leaving.
"Sano, I don't get it! This Soujiro character comes and my life is starting to fall apart! Heck it hasn't even been 4 days! This shit is so freaking confusing!" Kenshin yelled pounding his fist into the brick wall of the club.
"Kenshin, I just think Kaoru's going through a phase. Give her some time, to you know, get bored of this Soujiro dude"
"Sano, you wanna know something? When we were talking today she practically spelled it out for me to get the hell out of her life! And you what, I think she regretted our friendship too!" Kenshin spit out the cruel memory.
" I.. Jouchan..I mean. You have to do something to win her back. That's the only way" Sano sputtered out.
"Yeah right, I'm done with this. She can go off with her new bf for all I care. She wants out so bad, well I'll just make it that much easier for her. To hell with love, screw this." Kenshin walked away leaving a shocked Sano behind.
Sano numbly entered the club, none of the people and pandemonium registered in his mind. He was too disbelieved with the outcome of events. Knowing Kenshin and Kaoru's obstinacy, they both try to do what's best for each other and in turn hurt themselves even more. Sano took a seat beside Megumi and put his head on the table.
Megumi ruffled his hair and whispered "Sano, I know Kenshin's your best friend but you have to let them sort this out on their own. If they're not meant for each other then everything will work out according to that. Now please, relax! C'mon let's dance!" Megumi winked as she dragged Sano to dance his worries away. 'Kitsune, you sure are amazing' Sano looked over at Megumi smiled, and let himself be hauled out of his troubles, even if it was for a little while.
AN: WELL THAT'S IT FOR NOW! I APPRECIATE ANY SORT OF FEEDBACK. SO PLEASE REVIEW! TELL ME WHERE TO TAKE THIS STORY? AND HOW I CAN IMPROVE? PLEASE AND THANK-YOU! =D