A/N: Well, here's another installment. This time though, I'll make extra sure that I don't have that many mistakes this time. I'm usually really good about editing my work… but it seems the first two chapters were absolutely atrocious.

Anywho, I am immensely glad to see how many people really like this. Seriously, all of your reviews have absolutely inspired me. I'd like to give an extra shout out to Ken and Kao forever for the wonderful reviews and lovely ideas, which in turn, sparked quite a few ideas for this story in my head. And thus, here we are.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: umm… Don't own.

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Chapter 3: What the hell is a Friend?

Since the school is within walking distance of my house, than that obviously means that it is within walking distance of Kaoru's house too. (I am still thanking Kami-sama that he is so good to me.) So, here's my plan. I will wait for her to walk out, and then conveniently walk out at the same exact time. No, I am not a stalker! I just want some… quality time with her. Only one problem with my so called plan:

I like sleeping…

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Shit. Shit. Shit. I'm late. I'm late! Goddammit! Why doesn't my frickin' alarm clock work when I need it to??

Wait. I don't have an alarm clock… oh… Well that makes a whole lot of sense, I suppose. I let myself chuckle a little bit at my own joke, and then take the time to realize that I am so freaking late, it's not even funny.

Why do I care? Because of two reasons. A) I was going to walk Kaoru to school today. And B) I may get another detention today which means that I won't be able to walk Kaoru home. Ah, damn. Since when did I care so much about a girl anymore?? Oh wait, I know. Ever since yesterday when I realized how incredibly alluring my little kitten is.

I quickly threw random clothes on, ran my fingers through my tangled mess of hair, put on my shoes while tying my hair back, washed my face, brushed my teeth, grabbed my bag, and I was out the door. All in a total time of 4 minutes. Ha. A new record. I feel so proud. I was even more pleased to find that Kaoru was on her way, not too far ahead of me. I smirked at my luck, and imagined Kaoru's lovely eyes igniting at the sight of said smirk.

Deciding to show her, I jogged up to where she was walking. I noticed her tense at the sound of my footing, and turn around really quickly. I was slightly confused to see a somewhat relieved expression on her face at the sight of me. Though, the relief quickly vanished under the annoyed façade she put on. Awwww. How cute, she has to force herself to be annoyed with me. I'm touched.

"Hey there, Kaoru," I noticed her shiver again at the way I said her name. Damn, I will never get tired of that.

"Morning, Kenshin," she grounded out.

"What? No Good morning?" I asked with a charming smile.

"Well, it was until you came."

I full out laughed at her comment. I heard her growl at my amusement. "Don't you mean, it got better?"

At the sight of our school coming into view, she let out a nearly inaudible sigh of relief. Well, that's nice. "You are so cocky. Don't you have other friends to bother?"

My smile immediately vanished at the thought of everyone that I went to school with. Me? Friends? Right… So, in a firm voice, I said, "I have no friends."

She immediately snapped her eyes to mine, and I saw them widen. However, there was no pity like I had expected. Just surprise, and…empathy? Damn. This girl is really an enigma. "Oh," she whispered in a downcast voice. She seemed to have a contemplative look on her face. I found it amazingly cute. However, then, she looked up at me with determination in her eyes. "Then go make some," she said in a firm voice. How the hell do I make a friend?

I was just about to ask her exactly then when she suddenly disappeared from my side. I looked up to see her running up the entrance way going into the school building. She stopped, turned around, gave me a breath taking smile, and ran off again. I was stunned. This girl could do so much to me. But her simple, nearly naïve words, dug deep into the recesses of my mind. And I just knew that they wouldn't go until I did something.

I found myself wanting to please this girl that I had just met. Everything about her was so… breathtaking. She was stunning, for starters. Absolutely beautiful. Her gorgeous blue eyes that told you everything, her silky raven hair, her milky complexion. Her determination blew me away. Not to mention her fighting skills. Now I could think of a few things we could do together…

Anyway. Back to the friend issue. How the hell do I, Kenshin Himura, make a friend? Wait, wait. I'm getting ahead of myself. What is a friend? Maybe I should look that up… And with that final thought, I walked into the depths of hell… I mean school.

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Friend (frnd)

Noun

1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.

3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.

Well, I suppose that really narrows it down. I slammed the book closed, ignoring all the surprised stares that were directed towards me from all angles of the room. It was the last period of the day. I was very disappointed to find that Kaoru wasn't in any of my classes. I did see her during lunch, but she was chatting away with this really energetic talkative looking chick with a really long braid. I was content to just watch her. I liked watching her smile, and laugh. It was music to my ears.

The bell finally rang, and I walked out of school. A friend. Ok, I know what one is now… but how do I make one? I'm not exactly the social or approachable type.

I looked around the school yard to see a bunch of people talking to each other and just hanging out. Though, one person stood out from the crowd, literally. He was really tall. I would have to say, at least half a foot taller than I am… which is a lousy 5'8". And he had incredibly spiky hair. He kind of reminded me of a rooster… hmm… However, I realized that I didn't recognize him. So, he must've been another new student here. He was standing under a tree, leaning against the massive trunk. He seemed to have a fishbone in his mouth… or something. I wasn't sure I wanted to find out. Though he seemed to have quite an impressive fighter's spirit in him as well. Interesting.

I found myself walking towards him. When I was barely 15 feet away, I yelled over, "Hey you!" He looked up at me questioningly. "Yeah, you. Come here."

He shrugged and started to walk over. This is the part where I get uncharacteristically nervous. How the hell do I make a friend??? So, when he finally got to where I was, I did the first thing that came to mind.

I punched him, square in the jaw. It wasn't my strongest, but I knew it would still jar him a lot. I nearly punched myself afterwards at my stupidity. I knew for a fact that this would not make him be my friend. Dammit.

I looked up to where he was. The punch I threw him would've knocked any guy on the football team to the ground. But there he was, in the same exact spot, looking quite surprised. I was about to apologize when I saw his fist suddenly flying towards my face. In my state of nervousness, I didn't have time to react, and didn't dodge.

Damn, that actually kinda hurt. Of course, I didn't move from my spot either, because not much can over power me anymore… but I was still surprised. I felt myself smile at the pride I felt for this new guy. I looked up to see him smiling back as well. I looked at his swollen jaw, and he looked at mine, and without warning, we both just started erupting in laughter.

Startled students snapped their eyes to where we were. Well, to me in particular. I could only imagine how astonishing it must be for them to find the badass of the school, who always wore something akin to a scowl, laughing for a change. But I just couldn't seem to get rid of the mirth.

When we finally stopped, we took huge gulps of air. I straightened up, as did he, and put out my hand. "Kenshin. Himura Kenshin." He shook it with a grin, and introduced himself as well.

"Sagara Sanosuke. You can call me Sano."

"Well, Sano. Welcome to hell, AKA high school." He chuckled, as did I.

"Thanks Kenshin. By the way, you have one hell of an arm there."

"Thanks," I replied. "So, you new here?"

"Yup. Sure am. Got kicked out of my other school for fighting," he said with unsurpressed arrogance. We engaged in small talk, on our way out of the school courtyard. I knew immediately that I would like this guy. But then it hit me. Suddenly I realized what a friend was. This Sano guy was definitely someone I could see just hanging out with.

Or reaping havoc in school with.

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A/N: yay! Kenshin got a friend! Well, this chapter didn't have any K/K fluff in it, but I do need fillers you know! I have finally decided upon somewhat of a planned out plot for… whatever this is. I still haven't decided yet. But I do have an idea of where its going.

But anyway. What did you think? Like it? Love it? Hate it? I would love any ideas, tips, advice, criticism…etc. And even though I don't like them, I do accept any flames.

So, leave your thoughts in a review! I just love all the reviews you guys send me. It encourages me to write more.

Thanks for reading.

LonelySoul