Kendo Club
Ch 13
Howdy everyone! I know I said that I wouldn't be able to update for a month or whatever, but I got this written in one night! O.o I know... amazing!
Have fun reading...
They arrived at the hospital less then half an hour later and quickly made their way to the front desk where Saito, impatiently, inquired where Kenshin had been taken to.
The nurse directed them to the 'emergency ward' and the exact room number. Kaoru distinctively heard her sigh as they walked away, then ran to catch up with Saito's long strides. "Hajime-san?" The girl asked as they walked. Her teacher glanced down at her, "Mmm?"
"How do you know Hiko?" When there was no immediate response, she continued, "Because you came tonight, and then you came to kendo practice too, and Kenshin's also mentioned you."
Saito sighed and pushed open the double doors at the end of the hallway. "We teach at the same school, of course we know each other." He said annoyed, peering at the room numbers as they walked by. "As for Himura, we've had some dealings together in the past." The teacher answered evasively.
Kaoru didn't comment but continued to walk next to him, praying that Kenshin would be alright.
Suddenly she ran into something hard and Kaoru looked up to the see Saito scowling down at her. She hastily apologized and took a few steps back then leaned sideways to see why he had stopped.
A few feet down the hall from them sat Hiko, sitting uncomfortably in a plastic, hard, white, hospital chair looking as if he had been squeezed into it. He looked very bored, and worried. When he saw them, he struggled to get out of the chair then stood up, turning towards them.
"I see you've finally made it."
Saito nodded, "There was some traffic built up on the highway so I turned the police siren on."
"I bet people stopped when they heard that." Hiko said smirking and Saito smiled, "They sure did."
Kaoru shook her head, "I never knew you were a cop." Her teacher looked down at her with a strange expression on his face, "there's a lot you don't know about me, Kamiya."
Hiko snorted amusedly, but when Kaoru looked at him, he just smiled at her. She was being left out and she didn't like it.
"How's the kid?" Saito asked and Hiko shook his head. "They haven't told me, he went in about fifteen minutes ago."
Kaoru looked up at him questioningly, her eyes wide.
"What can you tell?" With a quick glance at Kaoru Hiko answered Saito's question.
"He's awake, but sedated. He seems to be alright."
"Hmph." The teacher responded, his handtwitching uncontrollably at his side as if searching for a familiar object.
Hiko saw this and commented, "You can't smoke in here Hajime." He smiled knowingly and Saito glared.
At that time a doctor came out of the room Kenshin was in, removing her gloves and rubbing her forehead with her arm. She saw them standing across the hall and quickly walked over.
"Excuse me, but if you're not family you'll have to leave," the doctor addressed Kaoru and Saito. Hiko scowled down at her, "this, is the boy's teacher," he pointed at Saito who nodded at her, "and she, is the boy's girlfriend." Kaoru spluttered at this, not being able to correct him because she was trying to catch her breath.
The nurse looked suspiciously at them, but didn't ask either to leave. She addressed Hiko, "he's doing fine, we were able to stabilize him quickly. He was awake and conscious but we gave him a sedative to help him sleep and he's breathing on his own now."
Kaoru let out a sigh of relief, Kenshin was going to be okay; thank goodness. Beside her Hiko nodded, but the worry lines disappeared from his face; Saito's expression didn't change and he only nodded.
"Can I see him please?" The girl questioned hopefully, looking pleadingly at the nurse.
The woman looked uncertain and began fussing with the latex gloves in her hand. "Please?" Kaoru asked again.
"Go on, let her." Hiko insisted, putting his hands on Kaoru's shoulders. Finally the nurse gave in and nodded.
"Alright, but don't wake him if he's asleep. And don't talk for long if he isn't. Make sure he doesn't overexert himself." The nurse instructed her sternly.
Hiko laughed amusedly beside them and the nurse looked over at him eyes narrowed. But before the nurse could change her mind Kaoru walked over to the door of the room and went in.
Inside, the room was empty except for the figure laying in the bed and a machine standing next to it, beeping repetitively.
There was an interesting picture on the wall, but Kaoru ignored it as she pulled one of the cushioned chairs up to the bed and sat in it.
She looked at Kenshin, her heart pounding in her chest. His skin was as pale as ever, perhaps even more so now, making his hair look brighter, more flame-red. The scar she had noticed earlier was still on his left cheek. Kaoru winced, it looked painful.
The girl quietly and slowly reached over to take Kenshin's hand, squeezing it a little. She made sure not to dislodge the IV in his arm as she pulled it towards her and put her other hand on top of their interlocked ones.
There was a quiet rustle of sheets and the girl looked at her friend's face to see the pale eyelids slowly opening to reveal dull, sleepy violet eyes. She smiled and gently squeezed his hand.
This caused the redhead to start slightly and slowly turned his head towards her. When his eyes finally focused on her he smiled and hoarsely whispered her name, "Kaoru."
"Hey." She whispered back, "there's some water here if you want it." Kenshin nodded and Kaoru reached over to pick up the plastic cup with water and position it at his lips, not removing her hand from his.
The teen boy slowly raised himself up onto his arm and slipped the water through the straw. When he had drank all that he could, Kenshin laid back with a soft sigh.
"Better?" Kaoru questioned as she replaced the plastic cup.
Kenshin nodded, "Yes."
They were quiet for a few minutes, happy enough just holding hands, until Kaoru asked quietly and worried, "are you alright Kenshin? I was worried about you when you collapsed back at the house."
Kenshin winced at the word worried, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." He smiled at her, "but yes, I'm feeling better now."
"Thank goodness." She responded, and began to ask another question when Kenshin quickly said, "thank you for worrying about me Kaoru."
The girl laughed good-humoredly, "don't thank me Kenshin, that's just what friends do. We worry about each other."
The redhead flinched at the word friend, did she really consider him as a friend? Kaoru noticed it and frowned, "we are friends Kenshin, no doubt about it."
He nodded a little unsuredly.
Kaoru bit her lip hesitantly, "Kenshin," he looked at her inquisitively, "as friends," another hesitant pause, "will you tell me what's going on?"
Kenshin's face grew even paler and his eyes became distant, "I can't Kaoru, I'm sorry," in order to not see her disappointment he turned his head away.
"Kenshin, please. You nearly died tonight because of something you, Hiko and Hajime-san are keeping me in the dark about."
The teen quickly turned back to her, an annoyed frown on his face amber flecks dancing within the violet, "uncle and Saito are here?"
Kaoru nodded uncertainly, "Yes, they're outside. After you, 'passed out' Hiko had me call the ambulance and then Hajime-san."
"Mmm." Kenshin commented, looking distant again.
"Kenshin, please don't leave me in the dark." Kaoru insisted, squeezing his hand, but Kenshin tried to take his hand away. "Please."
The redhead shook his head, "I can't." He hissed harshly.
Kaoru pouted, "Please Kenshin. As friends, I deserve the truth."
Kenshin flinched harshly and his eyes darkened, "don't say that Kaoru." He whispered and to Kaoru it seemed like he was pleading with her.
"Kenshin." Kaoru whispered, but his eyes had closed and he seemed to be asleep. "Kenshin please, something's going on that involves you on and I hate being left in the dark about it!" She gently leaned over and brushed the hair away from his face. "I want to help you."
She pulled her hand away as Kenshin made an odd noise that sounded like he was choking, the same as when Hiko made that comment about there being no way he was losing some one again. Kaoru leaned over him and saw that his fists were clenched and tears were building in his closed eyes. "Kenshin," she breathed.
"Don't," he whispered, "please don't. The last person who said that," his voice choked off.
"What, what happened Kenshin?" But the teen desperately shook his head, not answering.
Kaoru sighed, "please tell me what's happening with you Kenshin, I want to know."
To her surprise the redhead turned back towards her, meeting her sapphire eyes with weary, resigned violet ones.
"I suppose you deserve to." He muttered thoughtfully, slowly moving his hand closer to hers.
"Really Kenshin?" She asked surprised, taking his hand into hers and squeezing it gently. Her friend smiled warmly at her, the distantness melting from his eyes.
"Yes, you're my friend after all." Kaoru waited for him to continue and he did so, wiping his eyes. "If you really want to know what's happening, there's a book exactly in the middle of the second bookshelf in my room that you should read."
She waited for more, but that was all he said and the seconds stretched into minutes.
"That's all?" Kaoru asked surprised, sure there should have been more.
He looked blankly at her, looking puzzled. "Yes," Kenshin squeezed her hand, "until you finish reading of course."
The girl nodded. "Alright, but afterwards we are going to have a long talk." She emphasized the word 'long' and lightly tapped him on the nose. He smiled at her.
"Of course," He said playfully then sighed. "Knowing Shishou he'll insist on staying here to make sure I don't make a fool of myself." Kaoru made a funny noise and Kenshin 'looked' at her.
"I suppose you'll have to ride with Saito." He finished and the girl looked puzzled. "Kenshin, how exactly do you know Hajime-san?"
He sighed, "you'll read about that." There was an awkward pause. "Well you should leave. Besides there's school tomorrow, you need to stay awake for that."
Kaoru made a face and Kenshin chuckled, "Will you say hello to everyone for me?" She nodded and squeezed his hand.
"I'll see you then." The girl smiled and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "Get better."
"I will."
Kaoru let go of his hand, stood up and pushed the chair back against the wall. With one last wave, she left the room.
Hiko and Saito looked up as she closed the door behind her, they were both sitting in those chairs now. The doctor was gone, probably disappeared ages ago.
"Well?" Hiko said as she walked over and he stood up.
She sighed. "He's fine, a little drowsy but fine." The girl looked over at Saito who raised his eyebrows looking bored and annoyed. "We're going to go home," she declared.
"Are we?" Saito drawled, causing Hiko to look at him.
"Yes, there is school tomorrow you know." Kaoru reminded him smartly.
"I know." He stood up and took his car keys out of his pocket. "Call me if there are any changes." Saito told Hiko who nodded and sullenly sat squeezing back into the chair.
... and please review!
So, didja like it? Hope so. For those who've been wanting fluff.. see... fluff! points at story FLUFF! Hee hee. Anyways, just fyi next chapter might take me longer to write cause it'll be in diary format, at least some of it that won't be flashbacks. Actually it might have to be cut into two parts considering how long it might be... plus I'm busy this weekend and there's SO much homework... and pauses I'm just giving you reasons to hate me aren't I? Oops.
And here's the long awaited, and promised, omake theater:
Kenshin and Kaoru are sitting in the hospital room...
Kaoru: I'm so happy your okay now Kenshin
Kenshin: avoiding her eyes Uh huh
Kaoru: Kenshin, why aren't you looking at me?
Kenshin: ...
Kaoru: Kenshin? still doesn't answer KENSHIN! hugs tightly and begins crying
Kenshin: taps Kaoru on shoulder Kaoru? taps again Kaoru?
Kaoru: moves back still hugging WHAT? glaring
Kenshin: oh, um nothing... laughs nervously Anyways...
Kaoru: hugs tightly again, choking Kenshin Oh Kenshin why won't you tell me! cries
Kenshin: ...
Kaoru: laughs and let go and steps back I mean, its not like your a murderer or a thief or anything...
Kenshin: laughs nervously
Kaoru: looks suspiciously at him Riiiight?
Kenshin: um, looks around, dashes for the door but Hiko shuts it before he gets there making Kenshin slam into it
Hiko: nah uh, your not getting out of this one baka
Kenshin: ororororo falls to floor in dead faint
Hiko: Hmm, I never thought of that...
END!
Kay, I know it stunk, I'm sorry... better luck next time? Heh heh...
Thanks to my reviewers: Kristy-chan, Neverforget99, Draconic Ban-Sidhe, zenfry, avidgokufan, MikaylaMae, and Yanikei THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Wow, I just noticed that the font changed... sry about that...
Thanks once again to my wonderful beta-reader... YANIKEI!
If anyone's confused about anything happening in the story please pm or send me a review with your 'question' and i'll answer as best I can... with out giving the plot away of course.
Okay, this is a new thing I'm starting: for each chapter I'll recommend a fic I've read and liked, I'll try and do a variety of anime/manga but right now I'm fixed on RK, sry.
If anyone's bored I would recommend reading 'Battousai the Rurouni' by amber-chick. It's about what would happen if Katsura and Okami time-traveled to the future to find Kenshin as a rurouni... its really good and I can't say enough good thigns about it.
One more thing, if anyone reading this is reading my other fics I WILL UPDATE THEM SOON! I promise... its just the ice prince and chaos levels are on hold if anyone wants to know.
Thanks so much for reading, please REVIEW!
Ja ne,
miji-chan