Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Real World Kenshin ❯ Episode 1- Pilot ( Chapter 1 )

Kenshin - Day One

"First things first; yes, the hair color is natural and yes, I am a full blood Asian. Don't ask me, I'm not sure myself." My announcement caught them off guard, but I could see that some of them were startled because they were going to ask me just as much. My shoulders rose and fell in a sort of resolve, as if say 'okay, I'm done.'

"Great another man of few words," Sagara Sanosuke muttered, his brown eyes casting downward as he lounged on the large couch in the gathering room that connected the two doubles us guys were roomed in. The three girls of the group had gathered here as well to get to know everyone. That announcement was my introduction, spoken directly after Shinomori Aoshi's simple speech of 'My name is Shinomori Aoshi, I am from Kyoto.' Which, of course, we already knew, because we all obtained the packet of profiles and pictures of our fellow Real World'ers to look over on our trips to the Tokyo port.

I smiled lightly at Sanosuke and tilted my head, unable to hide the flirtatious glint in my eyes, no doubt. Hmm...I thought I was going to try and keep my sexual preferences a secret for a while... "What else would you like to know?"

It was the chipper little thing named Miller Misao that spoke, her voice with an English accent. "Well, where are you from, what do you do, what are you likes and dislikes. Come on, Kenshin take away some of the regret we have for letting you and Aoshi go first."

The others laughed at that, as Aoshi looked away with annoyance and I join in with a chuckle. "Well, I live just outside of Kyoto, though I'm not too fond of city life. I like things calm." I paused laughing at irony that they probably didn't see. "Funny, hearing that from a bartender, huh?"

"That's right you're the bartender from Kyoto!" Sanosuke exclaimed, tapping the fingers of his draped arm against the back of the couch. Takani Megumi, sitting next to him with her legs crossed, as well as her arms, arched an eyebrow at his comment.

"Know the bars of Kyoto well, Sagara-san?"

Sanosuke looked at her, his brown eyes confused. "No, I'm from Okayama...hey!"

Another bought of laughter ensued at Sanosuke's sudden realization and I took that moment to check out the other members of this cruise. There were seven of us; --as the Real World always uses seven people-- three girls and four boys. I still recall Sanosuke's comment on how it would have been better with three boys and four girls; less fights over mates would ensue. I didn't make a comment on the fact that I didn't care.

My heart is open to both genders, I've had relationships with both male and female and both have been equally amazing...as well as equally heartbreaking. As it was, I just got out of relationship with a particularly violent young man. I let him hit me once, showing him tears, then the second time he hit me, I showed him blood...his. He forgot how good I was with a bokken.

As I looked over the group I came to realize that we were all very attractive. Aoshi had a brooding mystery around him with his dark hair and pale eyes. Megumi had such poise to her demeanor putting her a step above us, but at the same time her playful smile showed her kinship with the working class. Misao was the cutest little thing, very chipper and happy to share her cheer. Sanosuke found out quickly that the braid at the nape of her neck which fell to her waist could be used to his advantage, much to Misao's discontent. Yahiko had a rugged handsomeness about him, looking much like Sanosuke as a matter of fact, but shorter and younger, with darker hair and lighter eyes. He was prideful, but not to the point where he was overbearing or conceited. Then there were Kaoru and Sanosuke. Let me say that I had an immediate attraction to both of them. I met Kaoru on the dock, before we got on the ship.

Gods, she was beautiful! Her hair up in a sporty ponytail, shining with blue highlights under the sun as shorter pieces of hair and her bangs brushed over her tanned forehead and sparkling sapphire blue eyes. Blue has always been one of me favorite colors, right up there with amber yellow, and sapphires are my favorite gem, for her to have eyes as gorgeous as those precious stones I thought it was fate. I was walking on clouds as I talked to her, then I met Sanosuke.

Heh, what can I say, his playfulness intrigued me. He flirted with Kaoru immediately and from Megumi's cracks, whom he was sitting with on the docks waiting for the cue to get on the ship, he had been flirting with her too. His coy jokes didn't stop with just the girls though, he threw a couple at me to and, I swear, he gave me a once over. His eyes although completely opposite to Kaoru's brilliant blue, captivated me with their rich brown color and his hair was so comically spiked, I just wanted to ruffle it up. I would have, had Yahiko, Aoshi, and Misao not shown up and we were allowed on the ship. Perhaps I might have the chance again some other time. Needless to say, from the moment I set foot on this cruise ship, my hormones and emotions have been on a roller coaster.

Kaoru snapped her fingers before my face and laughed when I jumped with a clipped yelp. "I'm sorry," I muttered, trying desperately to either recall what they were talking about, or what I was staring at. "Did you ask me something?"

"I asked how exciting that kind of job was?" Kaoru replied, with a gentle smile, not at all disturbed by my spacing.

I blinked. What was she talking about? "Bartending?"

"No, Kenshin, male stripping," Sanosuke punned, with a tilt of his head and small smile.

I couldn't help but blush, not mentioning that I had worked at such a club before. Not as a stripper, but as a bartender...my boyfriend was one of the strippers, though. I forced a smile through, "I'll get to my exotic tales of bartending later."

Kaoru

Kenshin turned towards me expectantly, his eyes dancing with a secret. He had very nice eyes…light violet rimmed with a darker shade and so full of light and life. I glanced over him quickly…he had nice everything.

I cleared my throat, returning to the task at hand and knowing I was probably blushing. I took it as my turn to introduce myself but I wasn't feeling much like being the center of attention right now, so I spoke very quickly. "I'm Kaoru, I'm 18 and a freshman in college majoring in voice, I work at dojo and I'm happy to be here." I finished, taking a deep breath. Everyone was still looking at me, waiting for me to continue. What else did they want me to say? I just wanted to take a cold shower…or at least, get everyone to look at someone else.

All of my friends told me I could never hide my emotions. Everyone knew what I was feeling when I was feeling it, I'm quick to anger, get embarrassed easily and get carried away a lot…not very useful attributes if you want to be a singer, so it was my New Year's resolution to start learning how to control myself, or at least, how to keep the entire world form knowing what I was thinking. It was May already, and so far, I was as readable as ever.

"Oh, c'mon Kaoru-san!" Misao laughed. "Surely you can talk more than Himura!"

Of course I could. I could ramble on for ages about nothing at all, but that was not really the impression I wanted everyone to have of me. I smiled weakly, biting my bottom lip. "Well, when I graduate from college, which really seems like a lifetime away right now, I want to be a singer, or some sort of performer…maybe an actress or a dancer, I've always been pretty fond of the stage and lights and stuff…" Here, this wasn't so hard. As long as I didn't look at Kenshin, I did fine. My gaze flitted to the other faces in the room, all smiling interested at me, all very nice in their own right.

Yahiko and I had met earlier when I was turning in my luggage. He was shorter than I was (WOW!) and he was very cute. I got the impression he was younger than I , even though that was impossible since I was the youngest you could be to get on the Real World. I suppose some people just retain that youthful attitude. Anyway, we got off to an interesting start, arguing over who was next in line to have our things checked, he claiming that I cut. He seemed very nice and funny though, and his teasing seemed to be just that- teasing.

I hadn't talked to the others yet really, except for Kenshin.

Nope, no thinking about Kenshin while talking to large groups of people.

The other girls seemed really nice, Megumi having a kind polite air about her that made me feel like once I got to know her, I could probably go to her for advice. Misao I felt could possibly become very good friends with me. I really admired the cheerful boldness she wore on her sleeve, and she seemed to really like talking to people.

In my haste to remove my gaze from Kenshin's long fiery hair and adorable smile I had looked over at Aoshi, which was probably not a good move. He also was very attractive, tall and dark, with a mysterious air about him. I was definitely interested in finding out what he was all about.

I probably blushed again as I turned my gaze finally to Sano, who was still casually lounging on the couch and smirking. He was also attractive, with his spiky brown wild hair and deep friendly chocolate eyes, he was the kind of guy who-

I mentally slapped myself, but that didn't keep me from considering the point that we were three beautiful girls and four gorgeous guys and we were going to be spending a lot of quality time together…another mental slap on my part.

Yahiko

I sighed, exhasperated. This awkward silence that followed Kaoru's

performance was getting a little TOO awkward. With a sharp cough, I stood

up, facing the crowd.

"I'm Yahiko," I began, surveying the crowd for that all-too-valuable first

impression. "I'm...uh, 18, like most of you," I cursed myself silently;

faltering with my "age" on the first day wasn't a good sign. "I'm not some

big college jock like you, but don't mess with me, I'll break your arm in a

second." I meant it as a joke, but the grin I'd planned to follow it up with

never came. The others exchanged a few worried glances. With a nervous

smirk, I sat down again

I wanted to kick myself. I learned early in life that first impressions were

everything, and if you didn't start off on the right foot, it wasn't easy to

correct that. And ain't that the story of my life.

My first interaction with one of my new comrades was in the luggage claim,

it was a girl by the name of Kaoru I met first. In my unsual teasing manner,

I complained that she had cut me, but she didn't exactly take that well. She

argued back, and what can I say, arguing's what I do best, I argued back.

She deserved it, I guess, being ugly as she was.

This guy, Sanosuke, on the other hand, he certainly seemed like someone I

could get along with. I didn't know much about him yet, but I could tell

that he would be a good guy to hunt chicks with. I had a hunch he wouldn't

mind helping me out with my fighting skills, either.

Kenshin was a different story. Sure, he seems nice and all, but he's just so

goddamn polite!! I mean, do you really have to end EVERY sentence with "de

gozaru yo"?! Something about him though...if there's one thing I've learned

over the years, its that no one is as they appear. I'm sure Kenshin's got

some great stories to tell.

Oh yeah, the reason I'm here. Girls. I guess I got my hopes up, picturing

some chicks that were cute, witty, and moreover- my age. What was I

thinking...of course there wouldn't be anyone my age, I lied on my

application (but you didn't hear that from me! ^_~).

I'm a kid who's picked up and moved out so many times, I don't remember

where I left from to get here, so naturally, getting comfortable in a new

home-away-from-home won't be too hard.

One of the other girls, Misao, I think she called herself, came forward now,

still shaking her head at my introduction. And as she started to introduce

herself, I was beginning to think (a crazy thought, and I'm not really sure

where it came from) could one of these guys be the family I never had? I

shook that thought away. No. I'm Myojin Yahiko, I don't need a big brother

or sister to tell me what I'm doing wrong. That's not to say I couldn't use

a girlfriend...

Misao

*yawn* Yahiko's done. My turn! "I'm Misao Mary S. Miller! 18, half-japanese, half-british. S stands for Shinzaki" I said genkily in my english accent. Funny though, I'm the odd one out being half-british. I always bring a large backpack every trip I go to. I was always called Weasel by my classmates. Maybe 'cause I was sneaky enough to put that whoopie cushion on a certain someones seat...*prrt!* Ooops! I placed the cushion on my seat which is where Yahiko was sitting!!! Oh well, at least I've been trained in kempo and ninjitsu. I can nail that twerp (and my science teacher) with these lovely kunai I've got. Tee, hee, hee! In my backpack I've got 28 Yu Yu Hakusho manga, 12 Weiss Kruez manga, 6 Magic Knight Rayearth, 9 Cardcaptor Sakura and assorted anime stuff. I gave Yahiko a YYH keychain as a peace offering.

Damn. I'm kinda bored so I took out my trick camera and took a picture of the Chicken-head. As planned, water squirted out and hit him in the face. "Sorry old chap!" I apologized giving him another keychain.

"I'm not old!" Sano yelled at me.

"Don't you know British when you hear it?" I argued.

Kenshin was a nice guy. Spotted him reading some poetry.

Most everyone here needs a lot of cheering up. Especially Aoshi. Funny thing he never smiles...

Megumi was foxy. Although I do admire her knowledge.

Sometime around I might as well bring on the ginger ale! Ginger ale to me is bloody brilliant!

Sano and Yahiko look like quite an amusing pair, being a lot like boys who have listened to a lot of Linkin Park or Limp Bizkit.

I put on my headphones and listen to a Weiss album. Kaoru came over and asked if she could listen. She was like a perfect sister the way she approached me. I let her listen to some tracks. I was quite sleepy at the moment so I closed my eyes to the rhythm of "Beautiful Alone" as Megumi stood up to introduce herself...I hope hers turns out good...

Megumi

Finally, one of the other 2 girls started to introduce herself... Misao...she was cute and jumping all around the room...Lord, i bet I'll have tons of problems with that one, she seems to have way too much energy for my own good... She looks like a weasel though...

I turned my eyes to the other girl: she said her name was Kaoru, from Tokyo... She was a little shy when she introduced herself but she looks like a really sweet girl. It must be fun to tease her. I tapped my lower lip with my finger, a habit of mine, which my mum tried desperately to get me over: she used to say it was annoying. Well she wasn't on the boat (well i hope). Kaoru was intriguing me: she wasn't exactly the type of girl i imagined that would attend to the Real World. I'll try to find out later why exactly did she try this. Oh boy, how embarrassed she looked when she had finished her speech! I don't know why, but i really think that I will actually enjoy losing that stupid bet.

By themselves my eyes drifted to the guy next to Kaoru: she was still standing near that gorgeous bartender...A full blood Asian with fiery hair, how unusual. Hum, I've never been with a bartender before... His name was Kenshin if I remember correctly, he too intrigued me: I've seen his eyes flicker as he looked at little Kaoru-chan. Yeah; I will call her this way! But his eyes have done the flickering stuff again as he looked at Rooster-head next to me. Does he... Then I realized Misao had stopped talking and stupid Rooster-head, sitting in the couch or rather almost laying on it looking at me expectantly, a little smile playing on his lips as if he thought I wasn't able to introduce myself correctly

Humph! The nerve of that guy. I stood up and flashed them my most charming smile...

"Hi, I'm Megumi, Megumi Takani. As you must all know I'm from Tokyo and I'm studying to become a doctor." Kaoru gave me a strange look, opened her mouth to say something , but it looked like she thought otherwise because she didn't say anything and closed her mouth.

Weird. I'll ask her later.

"Oi! Fox-lady!"

I turned back to Rooster behind me, quite shocked by the name he gave me: I was the one who gave nicknames to the others! He must have seen my confusion and the immediate hate of the name because his smile was replaced by a huge grin. I saw Kaoru chuckle while Misao and Yahiko simply burst into laughter. Fox-lady, really!

"Ne, what's a girl like you actually doing on a boat like this?" he asked.

I folded my arms in front of my chest and raised an eyebrow at him: "Don't I have the right too...Rooster-head" I added after a little pause. So, he wanted to play? Very well!

This time, Kaoru joined the other 2 into laughing and Kenshin chuckled also. Waaaaaah, Kawaii!

Sanosuke was shocked but his playful smile came back and he grinned again.

I met him before getting in the boat: I just arrived with my tons of suitcases, when, of course, my bag fell on the floor spilling everything out. He picked up my missing lipstick and so started the conversation. I must admit that he was handsome...well for a chicken, but he has the biggest mouth ever! He's been flirting with me from the very beginning, but he did the same to almost everybody here, well, except Aoshi.

"Pff, fox, didn't want to give you a start! Sorry to disturb your feelings…" The sly dog! How dare he to imply he was "disturbing" my feelings? "But, I only wanted to know how exactly you ended up here, you know. I mean, I read the papers like everybody and you wrote it was a bet?"

"As a matter of fact, I actually lost a bet and in consequence I had to get myself selected for the show."

"What was it?"

"What was what?"

"The bet!"

Argh. I didn't want them to find out and now everybody had their eyes settled on me, waiting for my answer. I guess they were all curious and wanted too to find out. I really shouldn't have written that dummy paper when I was angry because I've just lost that game! Oh, no. It definitely was a big mistake.

"Well? Too moved to say anything, Fox-lady?" I really wanted to keep that secret… It was way too embarrassing and as I remembered the scene, a blush made its way up to my face. Damn, I haven't blushed for years and only a stupid rooster-head with the biggest mouth ever was needed to make me blush! I stomped my right foot and turned my head, letting the black hair hide my face for a while.

"I won't tell you anything, I said pointing at stupid Rooster-head. "Now, your turn!"

Sano

I grinned and surveyed the room…all eyes (3 sets of blue, 2 brown, and 1...purple?) were focused on me. Just the way I like it. I leaned back far on the couch, resting my right ankle on my left knee and closely examining my company.

"Well," I said. "My name's Sagara Sanosuke, and I'm 21. You can call me Sano, if you want." My eyes rested on Aoshi, standing in the shadows of the corner, leaning against the wall, being the picture of the strong silent type if ever I saw one. He was dressed well though, give credit where credit is due.

"I was born and raised in Okayama, but I hightailed it out of there when I was sixteen. I divide my time between the big cities mostly, taking a few classes here and there…whatever I'm in the mood for."

Next I studied Yahiko, a short spunky sort of kid…hard to believe he's eighteen. I had the distinct feeling that the two of us were going to have some disagreements in our time together, but I could respect the pride and determination he held himself with.

"I'm between professions at the moment, but some of my previous occupations include DJ-ing , photographing Victoria's Secret adds, and helping out at a record company."

Megumi scoffed, Kaoru and Misao giggled, and Kenshin continued to smile at me sideways.

Kenshin was very…unique. Aside from his appearance (long wild scarlet hair, amused amber tinged violet eyes, and goofy smile…not to mention that scar) his attitude was also very interesting. His presence was obviously masculine, but not as dominating as say, Yahiko's…or mine for that matter. And then there was the way he was looking at me…I smirked and smiled wryly at him. I declare Kenshin my new project.

"I like to watch boxing, hang out at bars, go to concerts, and play poker…I'm the regional poker champion actually."

Kaoru next. She was grinning at me. I think she thought I was funny. Kaoru is like, a pixie stick or something…very, very, uh…sugary. She was looking at me with wide, twinkly, innocent blue eyes and a contagious smile. God, corrupting this girl was going to be fun.

"I wanted to be on 'The Real World' because, well, it's basically my kind of life! Drugs, sex, rock and roll…all for free too."

Misao was perched on the arm of an easy chair, her short fidgety frame crouched as she drew her knees up to her chest and laughed, quite Britishly. Her firecracker personality would certainly add something to the mix, though I was having a hard time fathoming just what.

"Well, that about wraps it up…you all seem like some interesting people…I think it's going to be a great trip."

Lastly, Megumi. Now this, this is my kind of girl. Long, straight black hair, sassy demeanor, tall lithe figure. Yep, she was really something, and right now she had her arms crossed over her chest and was glaring at me, one eyebrow raised.

"Well, well, well," she said, in her oh-so-sexy voice. "The rooster can speak."

Aoshi

The silence that lapsed when Sagara ended his introduction was uncomfortable...not for me, I had a tendency to enjoy the quiet that slipped between conversations, but I learned very quickly in the first few minutes of meeting this group that they weren't ones to remain content with calm and quiet.

Truthfully, I believe that with such wild personalities this would be a very entertaining group.

As I was one of the last to arrive, I was able to see all of these characters at once. That in itself was interesting; Myojin and Kamiya arguing, Sagara

flirting with Takani, Kamiya, well just about everyone here. I was not surprise, he seemed like the playboy kind, but what distubed me most was that he was

showing interest in Kenshin. So much like Fukumi...

Himura Kenshin was the reason I was here on this six month hell trip. I had made a promise to him almost five years ago; a promise that he broke...four years

ago, but I intended to uphold it as long as I believed he needed me. He was keeping secrets from these people, mostly he was just not telling them of his

bisexuality, but there were more things they should have known and...then again, I was holding my tongue on a few things as well...

"Shinomori," Sagara called my attention back to reality with his rolling voice. "Care to tell us a little more about yourself? As it is we already know

your name and homestead."

"What else do you want to know?" I asked, trying to force a soft smile. It lasted for a couple of seconds, but at least I tried. I was never very good at showing

emotion. I supposed that was what facinated me about Kenshin five years ago and what was amazing me about Miller, Kamiya too, now. Both the girls were open with their emotions letting them be read on their features clearly. Kenshin once was like that, but...but Sagara was speaking to me and I have to pay attention should I be able to answer.

"Well, you seem like the quiet type. So I'm guessing you like books, but do you like movies?"

I nodded to him, surprised that he was intelligent enough for his trail of thought to run so intelectually. Perhaps he was not as much like Fukumi as I originally thought. "Yes, I suppose I do like movies--"

"Wanna go to one?"

I stared at him blankly. Or perhaps he was like Fukumi. "No thank you, I'm straight," I replied without so much as a blink of the eye. He laughed at

this, though, as the others stared at him waiting for him to rephrase or defend his question. Kenshin looked particularly interested in his explaination, which

brought my brotherly protectiveness toward him to ball up, ready to pitch forward and hit Sagara right in the chest.

"Sorry, Shinomori. None of the girls were giving me an opening to set that one up, so I had to use you. Hope I didn't offend you."

Hmmm...he slipped out of that one. I smiled politely, trying to keep it on for more than a few seconds. "It's quite all right. I am straight, but completely open minded with how others lead their lives...," The smile switched to a ruthless grin, without my command. I could feel it though, almost baring my teeth. "Are you bixsexual, Sagara?"

Got him, the only way out was to lie or to be sincere. He blinked at me in surprise, not thinking I would have attacked him, and it was an attack. Both he and Kenshin were keeping their preferences a secret for fear of being ridiculed, so Sagara just became my experiment to see how the others would react should

Kenshin tell them. I also wanted to see just how much Sagara was like my old friend, Fukumi. Kenshin was angry, I could see him glaring at me, knowing what

betrayal I had just commited toward Sagara. Still that was the most attention the boy had given me this entire time and he must have known it was for him that

I did this.

The young man lounging on the couch cocked his eyebrow, almost looking as hostile as I knew I did. He, as well, saw now that I intentionally did that. He was

very intelligent and my cunning might be challenged here. The others were watching expectantly, either shocked I would say something so blunt, or confused by Sanosuke's hesitation, or in Kenshin's case, furious by my words.

A sly smile was creping over Sagara's features, his eyes darkening with mischief. "Why? You interested?"

"What?" I snapped, what was he thinking? Was he trying to open himself up for ridicule? He stood up from the couch and stalked over to me, trying to make his steps seem casual when I saw his boiling anger. He shoved me on the shoulder and laughed. The laugh sounded genuine enough to the others, but I could hear its false ring. His smile was sinister, as if warning me of something and somehow I knew that the two of us just got off on the wrong foot. Ah, well...so be it.

"Geez, Shinomori, if I'd known you were so uptight about it I wouldn't have joked at all. I'm open minded sure, but you don't need to accuse me of anything and

you don't need to make it sound like some sort of disease."

Now he was trying to turn the tables, the little bastard. Trying to make me look bad, look judgemental and homophobic. I could feel my fist clench and my

teeth bare. "I have nothing against bisexual or homosexual people, some of my good friends are such. I just do not find that I am attracted to men. I was

merely asking you if you had a certain preference, because you have been hinting at both sexes since our first meeting."

"This is our first meeting!"

"Please!" Kenshin's voice was a harsh and stern bark. I had not heard that tone from him for a long while, and never towards me. I froze and frowned, looking

away and folding my arms over my chest like a child. Sanosuke smirked at my childish behavior, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of my statement

changing, as it was I know my tone never rose, unlike his own, which was close to a shout at his previous sentence. Kenshin was pacing over to us, slipping

between us like a refere. "There is no need for this. There is no need to shout and no need to be so rude."

That hit both of us. I could tell by the pain in my own chest and the cringe in Sagara's features. I was trying to protect him and Sagara was trying to...well,

I have no idea what he was planning, but I do know that whatever it was it required him to be on Kenshin's good side and at this point it didn't look

like he was.

"Sorry," Sagara muttered, turing his face away, not looking at either of us. I met Kenshin's eyes when he looked at me and he scowled averting his eyes in some

sort of protest. Appearently I was not on Kenshin's good side either.

Kamiya was standing slowly as if she were going to say something. I prayed for her to break this tension, or nail Sanosuke in his half lie, either one worked for

me...my, when did I become so vendictive and protective of Kenshin? Sure he was a dear friend and so much like a little brother...well, there's your answer Shinomori. As an orphan I never had a family, Kenshin was as close to a sibling as I knew, and I was determinded to keep him away from boys like Sagara,

interested in him for only one reason.

Sagara pushed my shoulder as he walked by me, retreating from our cold war to see who would claim defeat and move away from Kenshin first. Meanwhile

Kamiya cleared her throat, her blue eyes worried and confused.

Kaoru

I stood slowly, biting my bottom lip a bit and glancing back and forth between the three angry men, my hands raised in a peacekeeping effort. I still didn't quite understand what had just happened, but I did know that starting off our first day together with quarrels probably wasn't a good idea. Especially not quarrels of this sort!

I mean, where did Aoshi get off with that line of questioning? Not even an hour together yet, and already interrogating someone about their sexual preferences? This was going to be a looooong six months! I knew that this sort of topic would arise sooner or later, it always did on "The Real World" but did it have to be sooner?

"Hey, let's calm down you guys…no need to be so hostile," I tried, my voice soft and hopeful…not exactly how I wanted to sound, but good enough, the three of them all softened a bit at my interference. "Maybe we should all go outside? I think these close quarters are making everyone a bit restless…how about we go out on the deck? The ship is scheduled to leave in…" I glanced down at my watch, "fifteen minutes or so. If we get up on the deck now, we can get a spot near the railing to wave goodbye." Ok, now I sounded juvenile, but I figured anything was better than getting someone's head bitten off.

"I think that sounds like a great idea!" Misao exclaimed, jumping to her feet and standing beside me. "Fresh air will do us all some good!"

Megumi also stood slowly, nodding. "I agree."

I looked anxiously at the guys, praying they would put away the testosterone for a little while…at least until we all got to know each other better. "How about it?"

Yahiko made for the door. "Sounds good to me! Anything to change the subject!" and a round of mumbles and shuffled feet from the other three revealed their surrender.

"Great!" I grinned, leading the way out of the cabin, and towards the open air, allowing myself some time to think about recent events.

There was obviously tension between Aoshi, Kenshin, and Sano, they all seemed to be saying things to each other without speaking them, and I for one was not picking up their meanings. Aoshi had almost a protectiveness about him, but who could he be protecting? We were all strangers, right? I suppose he could just be put off by Sano's obviously cocky air, but there wasn't any reason to be so angered by it. Kenshin...well Kenshin must have had some sort of motive, he really bristled at Aoshi's Sano examination, and he seemed generally miffed at the two of them. I glanced backwards down the stairwell at him, only to see him looking back at me with a strange expression…I couldn't read it at all. I turned back and faced front quickly, embarrassed that he caught me, and of course, now that I knew he was looking at me, I could feel his gaze burning my back. I wanted to whip around and say "what????" but I didn't. Was he mad that I interrupted their little male pow-wow back there or something? I sighed. Whatever.

We reached the deck now, and I smiled as the sea breeze flew through my hair. The sun was bright and warm, just what we needed. The others emerged from the interior and shaded their eyes against the brilliance. I looked around, noting how already most of the spots near the railings were taken by other passangers. I turned back towards my group. "Ok, well I don't think we can all fit next to each other, but if we split up, we can probably all find a spot…I'm going to head up to the top deck…anyone want to come?"

Sano grinned. "Sure Jou-chan, I'll come with you." He sauntered over, linking arms with me, and I smiled brightly at him, giggling slightly at the new nickname and hurting my neck a bit at how much I had to lean it back to see his face. I hated being so short.

"Ok, great! Sano and I will go to the top deck…anyone else can come with us if they want, or you can all go your separate ways…and we can meet up for lunch in the lounge…what do you say?"

Kenshin

This was very difficult. I didn't want him here in the first place, for that matter I had no idea how he managed to follow me here. Now he was threatening and

exposing Sanosuke because I was showing interest in him. The nerve!

I wanted to thank Kaoru, for being brave enough to step in like that. I wanted to explain to her what it was all about, but I didn't get a chance. She guided

Sanosuke away in attempt to prevent a fight and I ended up walking behind with Aoshi and Megumi, both of them quiet.

I tried to catch her attention with a glance, but she couldn't read my statement. She knew only what was shown on the outside, as that was how she expressed

herself. Perhaps I could teach her a thing or two so I could get her to understand my 'meaningful' looks. So I reverted to the childish. Excusing myself from the

remainder of our group after Sanosuke and Kaoru left, I attempted to follow them...well, I supposed stalk would be a more acturate term.

It was amusing to watch them on the high deck; Kaoru giggling and flirting innocently with the clearly more experienced young man beside her. At one point

Sanosuke lifted her up, threatening to toss her overboard. I almost blew my cover then, stepping out from the shade of the overhang with an open mouth and

an outstretched hand, but Sanosuke laughed at his mischief and put her back on the ground, her fists pounding into his solid chest in playfullness and slight fear.

I smiled, relaxing as I studied them. Both of them were absolutely gorgeous. Sanosuke's hair was becoming more unruly in the breeze, giving him a rugged and sexy look, as the ship sounded its departure loudly and began to pull from the port, and Kaoru was the picture of beauty. She double over a moment, gripping Sanosuke's arm for support as she muttered something I couldn't hear and Sanosuke laughed at her, ruffling her ebony bangs. She refused to let go of his arm even as he goated her. I wondered if she was scared of the ship? The thought made me want to go and comfort her, but as I stepped forward a hand grasped my shoulder and my entire body tensed. He found me.

"We need to talk."

I spun to face him, my eyes no doubt nearing an amber color. Don't ask me why, but for some reason my eyes change hue from violet to blue to amber when angered, sometimes straight to amber. I never could understand it, it was something that no one cared to explain, nor could for that matter. My features were probably pinched, jaw tight, eyes narrowed, mouth in a firm line, maybe a slight frown. My fist clenched at my sides. I didn't want to talk to him and my body

language said this clearly.

"Kenshin, don't look at me like that. Just...would you please come talk with me somewhere."

Like hell! "Why are you here?" I couldn't help the rising tone in my voice. I didn't look to see whose attention I caught, but I thought I felt Sanosuke's brown eyes on my back. "Why did you follow me? Why are you stalking me?"

"Kenshin, I'm not stalking you...You know why I'm here. You broke a promise--"

"Fuck the promise! I don't care about the goddamn promise! I didn't want to see you! Ever! I never wanted to see you again after...after...," Oh, gods, I just couldn't handle this. All the memories associated with this man. I didn't want them and now I couldn't escape them and now I gave him an opening to attack and now Sanosuke and Kaoru were heading over to us and now there would be a fight and now...and now...

"After what, Kenshin?"

Gods, his voice was so calm! I covered my ears, trying to get away anyway I could no matter how childish. He tugged my arms down holding them at my sides, but that made him unable to raise my chin, so I kept my eyes down, unseen.

"Say it, Kenshin...say it."

No, no I wouldn't! 'Cause he was wrong! It was my fault!

"Kenshin."

"Aoshi, leave him be," Kaoru was saying softly trying to pry Aoshi's hands from my arms, but he was relentless and at his shout, a raised voice that I never heard from him, I snapped.

"Kenshin! Say it!"

I wrenched my arms away, smacking his hands in the process, and with unexplainable tears streaming down my cheeks, I screamed, "It Was MY Fault!"

Aoshi stepped back at that, his statement falling to that of concerned shock. "Kenshin, no..., No, it wasn't!"

He tried to step towards me, but Sanosuke was there, glaring and standing before Kaoru and myself. I sank into Kaoru's arms, not aware of shame as I cried on her shoulder. "Back off, Shinomori. I think you've done enough."

"You have no idea what is going on Sagara. If you had any clue you would be on my side."

I shuddered. Please, oh please don't tell him...

Sanosuke shrugged, as if not interested in Aoshi's side of the argument, and shook his head. "Yeah, well, all I know and all I care about is that you're hurting

Kenshin and I think you should lay off. Go back to the room. Take a shower, take a nap -- you seem kinda cranky -- and give little red a rest okay?" At Aoshi's

narrowing eyes, Sanosuke sighed, closing his eyes briefly. "If it makes you more comfortable, I will leave Kenshin with jou-chan. Will you trust her?"

Aoshi scowled and glared at Sanosuke, his eyes ice blue, then he glanced at me, as I was still collapsed in Kaoru's arms. With a deep frown he spun and walked away without another word. I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched his retreating back, closing my eyes. Sanosuke muttered something to Kaoru, ran a few fingers through my hair, which made me shiver slightly, then he too walked away. At that point I remember proper manners and jumped out from Kaoru's

embrace with a bright blush. Looking into her beautiful blue eyes I cringed. Boy, did I have a lot of explaining to do...

Misao

O.K. I was busy drinking ginger ale and listening to L'arc en Ciel when Shinomori walked past me looking very grim. Just to drown all the bad vibes he was giving me, I turned up the volume and started singing and dancing. Whatever I did just wouldn't drown the vibes out, so I walked in front of him and asked in his face, "Why in bloody hell are you so bloody angry?!?"

He just stared at me with those cold eyes and told me to go to Chicken-head. I took another can of ginger ale and changed the tape to some Gatekeepers for a happier mood. "Why the bloody hell is Shinomori so bloody down?"

Sano shrugged slightly. "Kenshin broke a promise. Say, you've got another can? I'm itching for something to cool my nerves." he replied. I pointed to the cooler and he marched right over there and took a can. "Tasteless. Why do you like this stuff?" Chicken-head asked me. I shrugged my shoulders and said it had a nice zip to it. "Say, what manga do you have?" he asked again. I enumerated every single manga I had in my bag so he took the one entitled Gatekeepers and walked towards Megumi. Me, I just shouted, "Yo! Rooster-head! Bring my manga back or else I'll send you to bloody hell!"

Megumi

Argh.... What in the seven hells is Shinomori trying to do? My goodness, he's just "attacked" Rooster.....Duh, I can almost see lightning falling between these two......Jeez, what the hell is going on?

Then Kenshin, surely fed up with the bad ass attitudes these two were giving us, shouted them to stop. Kenshin walked between Shinomori and Rooster...

And man, they are damn gorgeous!! Naaah, Megumi girl, take a grip, not really a time to drool over stupid guys!!!!

The tension was still there. Weird, I frowned and looked at the 3 men on the other side of the room, why is Shinomori so...aggressive, yeah he was aggressive towards Rooster. The latter was only playing around, flirting with everyone, males and females. Was Shinomori trying to protect someone?

Then, Kaoru-chan stood up and bravely proposed to go outside, Weasel-girl jumped on the occasion and I decided that Kaoru-chan was right, maybe some fresh air will cool down all the heated testosterone there. I stood up and agreed with her.

As we all stepped outside, I found myself walking by Shinomori.... Argh. Man, that guy is so cold! There am I, walking next to a complete stranger who had apparently tried to create World War III and for the first time of my life, I found myself speechless. I don't care, I just can make my mouth open to say something to him. Maybe his coldness is contagious that everybody in the area around him would freeze to death if he stays too long next to them... 6 months with him in the neighborhood......... 6 looooooong months. I quietly sighed and stepped before him on the deck.

The sun was high on the sky and so bright that we needed to shield our eyes.

Kaoru asked if anybody wanted to go with her to the deck.

Why not? It would give me a chance to know her better when Stupid Rooster grinned and almost jumped on her taking her away. I frowned, damn. I watched them leaving: she was way too short for him but they seemed to enjoy each other's company. A movement caught my eye and I noticed Kenshin running after Kaoru-chan and Rooster. I somehow felt betrayed. Stupid me, there is no reason to feel betrayal here! I mentally yelled to my mind, but it didn't take the heavy feeling away from my heart.

I turned to watch at the sea and leaned on the railings, upset. After all, he can do anything he wants to. I sighed and looked around, realizing that Shinomori too was missing: I shook my head, still annoyed about what had happened earlier.

What was all the fuss back in the cabin? This matter intrigued me to no extent: what was Shinomori trying to do? Was he attracted to someone Rooster flirted with? Hmm, no... He looks more like an iceberg... Talking about the devil, he passed before Weasel-girl not paying attention at what she was saying. When she started dancing. Maaaaaaan, what was she doing? I rolled my eyes and turned them back to the sea.

I was lost in my contemplation of the sea when I heard Rooster Head, talking to Weasel girl. He took something from her bag and walked in my direction with Weasel-girl yelling at him to bring her manga back. The sea breeze blew some strands of my hear in my eyes and upset I brushed them back. Where was Kaoru-chan? And Kenshin? Did he leave them together? For an unknown reason, I felt a weight being lifted from my heart.

Yahiko

Everyone had left. Everyone. I didn't know where they'd gone, I guess I

zoned out long enough for each and every one of them to make plans for the

rest of the afternoon- or the next couple of hours at least- and then carry

them out.

Everyone had left. Everyone. I didn't know where they'd gone, I guess I

zoned out long enough for each and every one of them to make plans for the

rest of the afternoon- or the next couple of hours at least- and then carry

them out.

I'd have to work on that.

Be alert, Yahiko, old boy, or it'll kick ya in the ass.

I stood up, stretching my cramped legs, and my back while I was at it. I

soon found myself on the deck, leaning against the railing and looking at

the endless sea.

I stopped that pretty quick.

I hate being seasick.

I took to lounging in a beach chair nearby, trying to ease my stomach, and

catch some rays meanwhile. Was that chicken-head and tanuki I heard? No

doubt Kenshin would be nearby. Then where were Aoshi and Megumi and the

weasel-girl?

It didn't matter. You can make friends later, Yahiko, now's the time to

relax; you may not get it again.

Closing my eyes, I tried to tune out the ship's rocking as much as I could,

focusing on something- anything- else that could take my attention away.

Shinomori and Kenshin?

I couldn't hear much of this confrontation, but just the tense atmosphere

told me I'd have some good secrets to learn tomorrow.

But that was tomorrow....

Kenshin

I felt my heart beating faster as she looked at me curiously, her arms still wrapped around my back and neck, her fingers brushing against my cheek to whipe away some stay tears. Her sapphire eyes probed into mine, trying not to but searching for answers that I really didn't want to give. She let out a delicate

sigh that was barely audible then asked, "Kenshin...are you ok? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to...and if you want to be alone, that's ok too."

Leave? I shuddered at the idea; to be alone right now. Without a seconds hesitiation I slipped my hand in hers, leaning my forehead against her shoulder for a moment, then shaking my head as it lifted. My voice sounding like a whisper to even me. "Don't leave me..." I couldn't form any other words. Should I try the tears would probably fall again. I turned away, looking at the planks of the deck with false intrigue.

Kaoru leaned into me, hugging me once again, her fingers trailing through my hair briefly. "Ok, I'll stay...It makes me sad to see you hurt, Kenshin."

I couldn't even attempt to smile at her sweetness. My eyes were brimming again. Kami-sama I felt so horrible for doing this too her. She probably thought I was

some mental patient; to be jumping around so emotionally. "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have brought you into that...I didn't want to...I just wanted to thank you for stepping in," I then attempted a smile, but failed and instead stepped closer. "I guess I should thank you again, because of what you just did...I'm just sorry you had to see that...I...just don't know." I lowered my head again, trying to hide my violet eyes beneath flame red bangs. No doubt, every secret I held was playing in my eyes.

I jumped slightly when she reached out a slender hand and brushed the bangs from my face, making me close my eyes immediately. "Hey, it's ok, I don't mind,

really." She was smiling softly when I opened my eyes, encourageing me slightly with the gentle curl of her mouth. "You don't have to explain yourself either... everyone has their reasons to be angry..." She trailed off a moment, thinking about her own secrets perhaps. Although I doubted she had many, I could feel something unsaid within her. She smiled again, brushing her hand over my cheek. "And don't worry about bringing me into things...we're gonna be

together for 6 months! I want to be involved!"

Oh, Kaoru...I shook my head, my violet eyes sad. "Not in this."

Her statement fell, softening even more so. "Well, I'm sure you're the one who would know...I am here if you need help though, Kenshin."

I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut and despite my mind's pleas my heart spoke out. "We knew each other...Aoshi and I...I don't know if you noticed; I'm

the only one he calls by first name..." I refused to lift my eyes to her, although she urged me to with a stoke of her fingers to my chin. My body was weary, I felt like I was going to pass out. Kami-sama, this was horrible.

"I did notice that...I had a feeling you guys had a history...," she said, with a single nod. Kaoru sighed and tilted her head, trying to look into my eyes. "You

can look at me Kenshin...I won't bite you."

I rocked back on my heels then walked past her, although with my hand still clasping her own she had no choice but to follow as I neared the railing and

looked down at the water and the people milling around below. "I haven't seen him for almost five years...I didn't want to..."

Kaoru leaned in the railing beside me, her chin resting on her shoulder as her back was to the railing while I folded over the bar with my stomach to it. Her

blue eyes remained on me. "I'm sorry you had to Kenshin, I know how much it hurts to see someone you tried to push out of your life."

What was this? I met her eyes with slight surprise probably clear in my own. That tone...she definitly had a few secrets she didn't wish to share. I smiled slightly, oddly happy that we had a bit of a connection. This time I succeeded; my mouth curling up and making her own eyes light up as I touched her cheek, my thumb running over her cheekbone. "It wasn't Aoshi really...Aoshi was a great friend. Its the memories that he brings with him and when he's says that it was...well, what he says is wrong," I scowl at my own words. What was wrong with me? To be revealing so much and opening myself for Kaoru to take Aoshi's side. She would too, I know she would, but neither of them were there! "It was my fault."

Kaoru's statement faultered, as if she were searching for words, or pondering if she should speak at all. She appearently found them, for a moment later she was saying, "I wish I could tell you that it wasn't Kenshin...but I think Aoshi's the only one that can...maybe if you don't always associate him with pain...you might find that it would be good to have a conversation with him again, especially since he was a great friend before...I'm sure he still cares about you."

"Sometimes I think he cares too much," I muttered softly, shaking my head. "I mean I know I'm like a little brother to him and since he was orphaned so

young --" with a quick bite to my lower lip I cut off, straightening slightly with wide eyes. "I probably shouldn't have said that. That's Aoshi's business to tell..."

She nodded slightly, not at all disturbed or shocked, as if she were dismissing the new information easily. "Love for younger siblings runs very deep...he

probably doesn't even realize that you don't necessarily need his concern..."

"But everytime we talk it always falls on Fu...a very bad subject and he tries to get me to see his way, but he's wrong," I shut my eyes as I spoke, gripping the

railing with my free hand, the other still gently holding hers. The emotions were welling up again, everything coming to the surface.

**"Will you relax!?"

"But I...I don't want...Fukumi, I'm scared.:"

"There's nothing to be scared about, just lay back and

relax. You'll enjoy it."

"But...I don't want to."

"What's your problem!? You've been asking for this

ever since we started dating. You know you want it!

Just give in alright."

"I...but...Fukumi, stop!"**

My body shuddered incontroablly when Kaoru's thumb rubbed over my hand as she held it. her voice lulled me out of whatever darkness that took me and I

couldn't describe the gratefullness I had towards her then. "I'm sorry you have to deal with things that are so painful...but I know that even if Aoshi is wrong...he just wants you to be safe and happy..."

My eyes opened and for a moment I just stared out at the sea as the ship skimmed over the blue waters. Sighing gently I looked back up at her and smiled genuinely. She almost yelped aloud when I took her in my arms, hugging her firmly. "Thank you, Kaoru. I know you're just humoring me, but your presence is comfort enough." If she had any idea how much...

Her arms rose slowly, unsure of what to do with my head pressed the back of her own, my chin to her shoulder. They wrapped around me and her voice became

even softer as if to prevent her voice's volume from being too loud in my ear. "I'm not humoring you Kenshin, I care about you...I mean, we just met and everything, but I still want you to be happy...I'm glad you think I'm comforting..." I could feel the heat of her blush when my own cheek touched hers as I pulled back and saw it crimson over her nose. "I don't have many other skills."

I laughed at that and she found herself smiling as well. "I'm sure you have more skills than that. For instance...hmmmm, how are you at Pool? I saw a table

in the billard room before."

Kaoru frowned. "Honestly? I'm very, very bad at pool." Her smile quirked slightly, happy to have the mood moving to more lighthearted, probably. "Sorry to

dissapoint you."

"Well then," I smiled, stepping back so I could just take her hands. "I suppose I could teach you...come on, let me make up for my episode of complete

psychoness."

She followed after me, her hand gripping mine a little tightly when I started leaving her behind. "Well...ok, but I don't learn very quickly when it comes to

hand-eye coordination...and it wasn't psychoness!"

I laughed again, partially ignoring her last comment as I dragging her down the stairs to the lower billiard room. "Then it will just take longer to teach you." I claimed, stopping to open the billiard room's door. She apparently didn't expect the stop, for she tripped and almost fell into me. I took her other arm by the shoulder and rose out, clasping hands to give her balance as she blushed at the no doubt mischeivious look in my eyes. "More time together, then."

Megumi

Rooste calmly walked to me as if we were complete strangers....Where the hell were Kaoru-chan and Kenshin? The nerve! Now, I was angry! Why though? I didn't know myself but still. Now, Megumi, my girl you're the one being silly. I shook my head.

"Oy! Fox, ya got a problem?"

YES! YES! My mind yelled, YOU ARE! But I decided against it and turned my nose up at him, upset.

"Hmpf!" was all I could dare to do: if I happened to open my mouth, I think people still on the docks would be able to hear me yell…

"Hey!" He exclaimed. "What's wrong with you? Now you, Kenshin and Icicle before? Pff, did the sea breeze give the lot of you some kind of sickness that attacked your brains?"

"Maybe…" I quietly said, turning to face him again. He was pretty shocked by my agreement, I could see it on his face but he had just angered me even more. "and if it didn't attack yours it's surely because you don't have enough brains to get a virus interested in!" I added, yelling in his face.

"Duh…Did your mum let you fall on your head when you were a baby?"

ACK… Then, I started laughing. Laughing at myself, at Rooster, at how ridiculous we were. After all, we've only met for a couple of hours. He looked at me as if I've actually gone mad. I put my hand on his arms and told him:

"Oh, look at ourselves: bickering like two years old brats!" We laughed together. Seeing his face lit up with laughter: his chocolate eyes twinkled with happiness, his mouth…hi lips…Hum, better not think about those lips…

We talked about everything and anything in particular, watching people waving at others, on the docks, smiling at kids who were running on the deck. Again, the wind played in my hair.

"Shoot!" I really should cut them!" I told him, upset.

"Don't." he quietly, looking damn serious. "I like girls with long hair." Wow, he actually was nice, after all. I blushed a little, man how cute he was in the warm light of the noon sun…Not just the basic, stupid Rooster Head around the corner.

"Plus what's a fox without its fur?" And he burst in laughter.

The…the little…the…My fingers were shaking out of anger and naturally I reached for his ear, pinching him as hard as I could.

"Owwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop it!!! That hurts!!!!!! Ya stupid Fox-lady!!!! Lemme go!!!!!" He yelled.

What a jerk! Here I was, being nice and cool to him, willing to make friends and he blew up everything with his big mouth.

"Stupid Rooster." I let his ear go and so we started fighting, calling each other names. People who walked past us either looked quite shocked or whispered among themselves. I was about to send another dirty remark about his lack of intelligence when I saw an old couple, holding hands looking sweetly in our direction. They walked next to Rooster Head and I, and the old lady told us:

"My children, you are so young. It's so rare, nowadays, to see so young people already married and so happily in love."

"Waaah! Wait a minute, ma'am!" Rooster said "We're not married!"

"Yes", I quickly added, blushing furiously "How can you ever imagine a girl like myself with a stupid Rooster Head like himself?"

"Yeah! What does that mean? That I'm-"

"You're so stupid that you need me to repeat myself to actually understand the words that come out of my mouth?" I cut him.

"That was in a movie." He grumpily said.

"Oh! I truly am amzed! You've been able to remember…"

But I couldn't go on, the chuckle coming from the couple next to us stopped me.

"Oh, we are sorry, sweetie." The woman said.

"Yes, you two… You remind us of ourselves when we were younger. We just couldn't get near one another without trying to eat the other's head." The man added, putting his arm around the woman's shoulder.

So in love… they were old enough to be my grand-parents and they looked like two newly weds. I wondered if I would ever be able to find a love as great as what these two obviously shared.

His wife nodded and the two of them disappeared around a corner leaving Rooster and I completely dumbstruck and mute.

"I need a drink." He said. "Wanna come?"

"Yeah, good idea."

And I followed him back to the cabin and to the bar.

"I'm jealous," I said. I looked over my shoulder in the direction of the old couple we'd just met.

"What?" Sano looked completely lost.

"I mean, they're still deeply in love after a so long time together…"

"Deeply?"

"You're stupid, Rooster. What have you got instead of eyes? Black holes? Haven't you seen how they looked so lovingly at each other? How he put his arm around her shoulder?"

"Huh?"

I shook my head and stormed past him, "You have the sense of romance of a rock."

I looked over my shoulder once again: Rooster had stopped, scratching his cheek, surely asking himself what I meant. Kami-sama, sometimes I wondered why you made men and women so different when it's about love… Maybe you're enjoying yourself watching us struggle in the web of love……. My god….Did I just admit that I was caught in the trap of Love? Me? Megumi Takani? NO WAY!

Damnit I really needed that drink!

Sano

I grinned to myself as I looked down at my drink. The sense of a rock, eh? Not true, not true, I knew exactly what she was talking about…I just enjoyed seeing her angry. When she was angry, her dark eyes narrowed and her body tensed and her cheeks flushed…and she looked absolutely gorgeous.

I wandered out onto the deck, thinking about more ways to make her miffed so I could enjoy her fiery company. I had 6 months to mess around with that woman, and then there was the little red head Kenshin, as well as the even shorter raven haired cutie…It was like living in candy land.

My ponderings of a deep and philosophical nature (heh. Yeah. Right.) came to a screeching halt as I spotted Aoshi standing on the other side of the deck, staring into space. Ok, so I was still a little miffed at the guy for interrogating me earlier, but if we didn't patch things up just a little, this trip could be a living hell…and I should at least find out why he seemed to hate me before I even spoke a word. I crossed over to him, leaning casually on the railing and clearing my throat.

"Hey there…how's it going?"

Aoshi

I wondered if he saw it; my entire body tensing. My, was he the last person I wanted to see. I didn't answer right away as my eyes panned to their corners slowly, taking in his form that was now beside me, leaning against the railing. Whatever you do, baka, don't tempt me to throw you over board. My voice was tight and firm. "Fine."

Sano

I nodded slightly, observing his muted harsh demeanor. I guessed I wasn't on his list of best friends at the moment… "Well, that's good. You don't get seasick then? Cause I think some of the girls have…" Hmmm not the most suave thing to say, but I wanted to break the ice a bit before I demanded what his problem was.

Aoshi

"No, I'm not one to get seasick," I countered, saving him and myself from a potentially disgusting line. I looked back out at the sea, pretending to be entranced by the shades of blue. Really, I wanted to punch this arrogant male, or run away...I really shouldn't be so harsh on him, but Kenshin needed...protection from guys who see his femininity and think 'conquest' or 'toy'. I scowled and turned my face opposite Sanosuke, biting out, "Thank you for your concern."

Sano

Heh…well, he sure wasn't talkative. "Ah, no problem man…I don't get seasick either. I've been on a lot of boats. How about you? Ever been on a cruise before?" Maybe if I found out a little more about his background, even such trivial information, it'd be easier to piece together why I was on his hit list.

Aoshi

My reply was simple. "No."

Sano

"Oh, well you're in for a great trip then. So, is that why you signed up for the show? You know, since you've never been on cruise before?" I knew he came on the show to keep a promise, but I might as well try and get him to introduce that topic to the conversation.

Aoshi

My eyes lowered, I wasn't exactly sure what to say to that. I wasn't one to lie, I don't believe I ever have. My cunning lay with being vague with the truth, but at the moment at didn't feel particularly clever. "Kenshin and I knew each other five years ago. He forced me to keep a promise, but broke it. I am here with the intention of keeping the promise, regardless."

Sano

Well, that was certainly more than I had bargained for. Sure, this was all very interesting, but how do I follow up on that without ticking the iceberg off? "Wow, you knew Kenshin? That's cool…from school? Kenjutsu? You guys both do that, right?"

Aoshi

"I do kempo and other hand-to-hand combat, more so that kenjustu. Although I have practiced with him once..." I laughed once, shaking my head as I remembered the consequence of that spar. "Never again. We were both making one to many cheap shots. I supposed we were both too competitive..."

Sano

I grinned, maybe he wasn't so cold all the way through. "I do some hand to hand too sometimes, but never really seriously. You're an instructor, right? I bet you have to train a lot to keep it up…and you both seemed to come out of the spar as one piece, ne?" I ran a hand through my wild brown hair, breathing in the salty sea air.

Aoshi

"Yeah, one piece," I mused. "But thoroughly cut and bruised."

I paused and stared out at the sea, frowning slightly as I answered the rest of his question. "I trained a lot back home...I suppose it will be harder here to find time and an area, but..." My eyes closed and I lowered my head, unable to stop the sadness in my tone. "I can't say the same for Kenshin. I don't even know if he still does kenjutsu... he hasn't spoke to me in four years..."

My gaze flashed over to Sanosuke, his mouth parting as if to make a comment on what I had said, but my next words prompted him to snap his mouth closed and tighten his jaw. "You need to say away from him."

Sano

My jaw dropped for a minute, before I recovered. That certainly was abrupt. For a minute there, my heart reached out to the guy, the sadness in his voice when he spoke of Kenshin was painfully obvious. His last comment though, that angered me just a little. "Well, I was going to suggest we train sometime, but you obviously believe I have some contagious disorder so ask Kaoru…she trains and you seem to like her," I scoffed, not able to keep the glare from my face. I did nothing to deserve his wrath. This was ridiculous.

Aoshi

If he thought his words would hurt me he was sadly mistaken. I was pretty much born on the streets, a little name calling was nothing compared to a gunshot wound in the leg. "Kamiya is decent. She is sweet, compassionate, and intelligent." I pushed off the railing and faced him, my blue eyes, no doubt, icy. "Apparently, these are things you lack. For that matter, I know guys like you; the ones who think their romantic interests are merely their play things!"

I stepped forward, leaning into his personal space and most likely calling the attention of unsuspecting people who knew nothing of our conversation. The cameras were already hovering around in anticipation of a fight. "I know you and your kind from the moment I see you. A man like you destroyed the Kenshin I knew, and I will *not* let you destroy what's left!"

Sano

I stepped back quickly, threading my fingers through my hair and pulling in an effort not to strangle Shinomori. Who did this guy think he was? As much as I wanted to smack him back into line, starting a fist fight would not get across the message I was trying to send. "Do you know how heinous you're behavior his?" I finally hissed. "You've known both Kaoru and I for all of…what, an hour? And yet, you've managed to conclude that she's an angel and I'm death incarnate! I am NOT out to get Kenshin!" I slowly brought my arms back to my sides and locked eyes with Aoshi. "I'm very sorry that you and Kenshin had a terrible experience, but you can't label me like you are before you even get to know me."

Aoshi

I had to step back, and stare. He was right...god damn it, he was right! I turned back to the railing and leaned against the metal, gripping it tightly to prevent myself from screaming. I refused to apologize. "Sagara, do you have any siblings?"

Sano

That question was a blow to my heart, and I swallowed heavily as I focused on my reply. "I did…" I said softly, almost a whisper. "I had a sister." I looked back to the horizon, remembering her bright eyes and dark hair, her giant smile and tiny giggles…

Aoshi

"Yes well...she was a younger sibling I'm guessing...you no doubt looked out for her," I didn't dare look at him. Should I do so I would lose my courage to say this. Just by his tone I could tell there was more of a history there, a deeper meaning, but that couldn't be taken into consideration. I did that with, Fukumi, I considered Kenshin to be good for him, I though Kenshin would help him with his past and traumas, but instead he gave the innocent young boy issues of his own. "I was abandoned on the streets, earlier than I can remember. So I never knew my real parents let alone any siblings. Kenshin was a little brother to me." I looked at the other male than, his expression still full of emotion I had apparently forced to the surface. "So when someone hurts him, or I think someone is going to hurt him, my initial reaction is to beat them to the ground whether it be verbally or physically...I will try not to judge you so harshly, Sagara, but anything and everything you do in his presence, will weigh heavily on my opinion of you. And if you even hurt him mistakenly...you will be answering to me."

He licked his lips, rocking his neck back slighty as he rolled onto his heels then back again. I raised my chin slightly, meeting his eyes directly. "You must understand, for I am sure you would have done so for you sister."

Sano

I listened intently, accepting that at least we had some sort of mutual understanding, even if it seemed like I was hardly getting any slack. I nodded. "Yes, I would have…" I choked, surprised at how my voice failed me. "I do understand what you're saying…I'm sorry you think you have reason to worry." Left on the streets eh? Seemed like everyone had some screwed up past.

Aoshi

My hand went to my mouth as I leaned over the railing, resting on it in a thoughtful position. If Sagara was looking at me right now I would have no doubt he could see the distress in my gaze. "I just wish he would talk me again...without getting so defensive...I suppose its partially my fault. Our past always gets brought up one way or another and I just get so made at him for thinking that he was a fault, when that--" I closed my eyes. Oh, no. Not in front of him Shinomori, don't lose your composure in front of him. "We always end up arguing...and I want it to be like it used to...when I could have a normal everyday conversation with him, without tossing blame back and forth."

Sano

Well, then stop bringing up the subject buddy. I wanted to say that, but I didn't…I had the feeling Aoshi did not want my advice. "You keep speaking about fault…" I really whispered this time, being familiar with blame myself. I opened my mouth to say more, but then closed it. All the things I wanted to say would all sound like advice.

Aoshi

My head lowered further; forehead almost touching my folded arms. "It's not his fault...something like that...he didn't ask for it...regardless to what he says."

Sano

"Maybe it's-" no advising! I sighed, exasperated. "Well, I don't think either of us are really ready to talk about this without masking it with something else so…" I racked my brain for a new subject. "You got a girlfriend?"

Aoshi

I laughed, I couldn't help it and he looked thoroughly shocked to see me do so, but the comment was so off-topic, too out of context that I couldn't stop myself from emitting a few chuckles. "No, Sagara...no I don't. Not at the moment."

Sano

I grinned, glad to lighten the mood for a little while. "Single is the best way to be when entering 'the real world'…or so I've observed. What do you think of the girls on this trip?" Maybe if I made it clear that I was also interested in women, he'd be a little less nervous about me. People tend to be that way for some reason.

Aoshi

I eyed him slightly, and shook my head. His smile faded quickly when he saw my own had disappeared already. "Why don't we save that for another bonding session, huh, Sagara?" I wasn't about to discuss such things with him. He made me laugh, which is a feat of its own, but I was in no form comfortable talking man-like with him quite yet. For that matter I didn't really enjoy talking about women in such a manner anyway. I nodded to him and turned starting down the sun deck, deeming it a good time to let the conversation drop.

Sano

Well, so much for that strategy then.

I sighed and leaned on the railing, running a hand down my face. Aoshi was going to be a tough one. We had made some progress today though, and I did have half a year…I'd just have to be careful and play my cards well. I had the feeling though, that it might be difficult to be careful around Kenshin…

And while we're on that subject, what were Kenshin and Jou-chan up to, anyway? I decided to see if I could find them. Their conversation had to be cheerier than that last one.

..."More time together, then."

Kaoru

I stepped onto the floor, walking ahead of Kenshin and glancing behind me. "Well, that wouldn't be so bad," I laughed, biting my bottom lip. I made my way to a pool table in the corner, eyeing it apprehensively. "You know, I don't even know how to hold a cue ."

Kenshin

I reached around behind her to snatch up one of the long pool cues and spun it around to look down the length. Satisfied at its straightness, I handed it to Kaoru. "Give me a second, lemme get the rack set." She watched me as I set up the fifteen colored balls in a triangular rack lining them up with the other side of the green table, then pulling the triangle away from the pool balls so they remained in the triangular formation. Then I walked over to where she stood grasping the cue like a walking stick. I laughed as she jumped when I came up behind her, one hand at her waist to prevent her from escaping. "Relax, I'm going to show you how to hold it."

Kaoru

I giggled kind of nervously as he placed my hands on the cue gently and bent over a bit showing me how to slide it between my fingers. I wondered if he could feel how fast my heart was beating. *Of course he can...he's not an idiot, and you're the most transparent person ever to walk this Earth* I thought somewhat bitterly, but continuing to pay attention to what Kenshin was saying.

Kenshin

I held one hand at her waist, my body pressed right up against her as she leaned over the table. With my right hand I clasped her own, positioning to cradle the end of the pool cue between her fingers. She gasped when I moved my hand at her waist, consequently brushing her side lightly, to wrap my left hand over her own around the back of the stick. My breath was on her neck as I nuzzled close to her ear. Both of us could feel the eyes of the other occupants in the room and she blushed knowing the cameras circling us were picking up everything we were doing.

"Ease up, loosen your grip or you won't be able to hit it."

Kaoru

*Ease up? He wants me to ease up? How can I ease up when the closest I've been to a guy in almost a year is being broadcast all over the nation?* I swallowed nervously and tried desperately to loosen my grip on the cue a little bit. I could feel Kenshin chuckle softly at my obvious anxiety and I blushed a little more. I took a deep breath. This was the way things were going to be for six months, so I better get used to it...I can't get nervous whenever someone is looking at me. I set my eyes determinedly and visibly relaxed quite a bit. "Ok," I whispered a bit huskily, "what do I do now?"

Kenshin

"Just let me lead, loosen your grip and let the stick move easy," I said smiling into her hair. Gods, it smelled so good. I pulled back on the stick from behind, her hand following my motion obediently, shuddering at the feeling of the wood sliding through her fingers as we pressed to the green fabric of the table. Then I lurched it forward and smacked the white cue ball before the stick. It went vaulting across the table and cracked against the triangle of balls. All of them scattered, three --two solid, one stripe-- slipped into three different pockets, thunking with satisfaction.

"Now," I said, retreating from the warmth of Kaoru's body. She looked back at me, holding the cue awkwardly. "You try."

Kaoru

I looked at him helplessly, my blue eyes almost terrified. Now the nation gets to see me suck at pool. I smiled apologetically at the nearest camera, knowing I wasn't supposed to do that, but unable to resist, and leaned over the table. I drew the cue back like Kenshin showed me, except for the fact that my arm was a little less firm, a little more wobbly, and quite a bit less muscular...all of those things could account for the way I thrust the cue forward, hitting the cue ball and sending it careening off of the table. It hit the wall, fell to the floor and rolled and rolled and rolled to stop right at my feet. I looked at Kenshin again. He was obviously trying his best not to burst out laughing at me, but it wasn't working very well. I smiled awkwardly and picked the cue ball up, placing it back on the table where it was before.

Kenshin

I couldn't contain my laughter for much longer as I turned away and started cracking up. I knew she was probably pouting behind me and blushing profusely no doubt, but I just couldn't help it. Controlling my chuckling and clearing my throat, I turned back to her. I almost started to laugh again when I saw her meek expression and slight smile. "Hey, now don't worry about that. I remember the first time I played pool was a much worse situation." I walked over to her and took up the same position as before, my voice softer in her ear as I was much closer again. "Yeah the ball went flying off the table, but my opponent --a male friend-- was standing in just the wrong spot. He was not pleased with me..."

Kaoru squirmed a little as she laughed, my breath tickling her ear. "What," she gasped between giggles, "did he do to you?"

"You can ask him yourself," I said with a mischievous smile, neither of us bothered to hit the cue ball. I just wanted to stay this close to her for a few seconds more. "It was Aoshi."

Kaoru tilted her head a little so she could look me in the eye, a surprised but amused look on her face. "No wonder he's so serious all the time!"

I laughed again, leaning my head against her shoulder. With a shake of my head, I continued. "Really, he didn't do anything. Just smacked me over the head and told my b...my other friend that *he* was playing against me. It took him a few months before he would play pool with me again."

Kaoru thumbed the hand of mine that covered hers on the cue absently, tilting her neck a little to accommodate for my head on her shoulder and shifting her feet a bit so that her thigh brushed against mine. "Well, with me playing, it's a good thing you're standing on my side of the table!"

I shivered against her, trying to control the sudden wave of arousal that came over me. I closed my eyes and took in a breath. "Okay, well, what happened was that you didn't have a firm grip at the back. The hit should by just that- a hit. Steady and short, the power should be determined by the distance. In this case, since you got two solids in you want to go after the solids." I felt myself growing slightly uncomfortable with having her so close. Not that I didn't like it, far from it, I just didn't want her to notice the tenseness in my muscles or the heat that I just knew I was radiating. "Lets go for the five, it seems to be in a good position." Lining up the shot slightly, I held her elbow this time, to keep her arm stiff. Once again the balls cracked against each other and the five bounced against the pocket then sunk in.

Kaoru

Sure, I had been listening, and I understood what Kenshin was saying, but most of my attention was focused on the low rumble of his voice as he whispered to me, and the way his muscles shifted around me. I smiled ruefully to myself, knowing that when my friends saw this they would call me immediately and go on and on about what a skank I was to be so obviously physically hitting on a guy when I'd known him for all of…what, 2 hours? I sighed inwardly. I probably wasn't giving the world the best impression of my character, but I promised herself before I entered this trip that I would stop trying so hard to be what everyone else wanted me to be, and to focus on what I wanted, and right now what I wanted was… I reluctantly shifted my gaze from Kenshin's set jaw to the pool table, where he just sunk the five ball. I blew some bangs out of my face and tried to decide which ball I should aim for next, but I was very distracted by the warmth coming off of the man standing not so far behind me (right up against my back, actually.) I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to focus, but was instead suddenly assaulted by some things I had been trying to forget…

**"Why are you so tense?"

"…"

"Am I making you nervous?"

"…y-yes, a little."

Chuckles. "You're cute."**

I opened my eyes slowly. Let's see…I wanted to stop being obvious, stop bending myself to other people so much, and…goal number three: forget about things I could never change…

Kenshin stepped back a little, allowing me to try now, and I took advantage of the open space, determinedly pushing the cue forward again, but keeping my arm steady like it was when Kenshin's hand had been so conveniently placed on my elbow. This time, I hit the cue ball dead center, with not as much force as before, so at least it didn't go ricocheting off the table again. Instead it rolled slowly across the table and bumped the seven ball, sending it flying past the pocket it was intended for and settling on the opposite side of the table.

I groaned and let my head fall back as I stared at the ceiling lamp. "Well, at least there were no potential injuries this time."

Kenshin

I smiled and nudged her with my elbow playfully. I walked over and pulled out another cue stick, leaning over the table and aiming for a striped ball. I felt her eyes on me, but couldn't determine what was running through her mind. With the way she was leaning against the pool table with a soft smile, I could guess what she was thinking, but I didn't want to be too obvious or too hopeful. Yeah, it was clear that I was flirting excessively with her. I liked her a lot. I sank two stripes, then purposefully missed the third. "Right, your turn."

Kaoru

I cocked my head slightly at him, smiling, before turning back to the table and wondering what to do next. I shrugged eventually, deciding whatever I decided to do, I would do it wrong, and leaned over again, aiming for the nine. I drew the cue back slowly, determined to at least get the right ball, then began to push it forward carefully, when I heard a loud crash and looked up, my grip slipping. One of the waitresses in the lounge has been trying to get in view of the cameras and had tripped over the tripod, spilling everything on her tray. I smirked slightly, looking down at the table just as the cue ball hit the 10, bouncing of the side of the table and slamming into 3 stripes, sending them in separate directions until one of them hit the 9, which then floated gracefully into the corner pocket. My eyes widened and lit up as I leaned my cue against the wall, jumping up and down. "Look! Look! Did you see that Kenshin? I got one in! I got one in!" I grinned and ran around to where he was standing on the other side of the table. "I did it!" I cried, hugging him fiercely. "Thank you! You're a great teacher!" Although, I new that it had little to do with Kenshin's skill in teaching...I had excellent luck. At least most of the time.

Kenshin

I was shocked for a moment, unsure what to do, then when I felt her slipping from my arm, I wrapped an arm around her as if to prolong the contact for a moment longer. Our eyes met and I felt himself melt in the view of those amazing sapphire eyes. "Proud of you." She blushed at my breathed words, and lowered her head, releasing her arms which were wrapped around my neck. I let her, my fingers brushing over the small over her back. "But you still aren't holding the cue firmly enough."

Kaoru

I mock glared at him, my blush fading. "Well," I said slyly. "If I can do that without even looking, imagine how great I'll do when I learn how to hold the cue correctly!" I sauntered over to the other side of the table again, leaning my palms on the side and watching intently for Kenshin's next move. At first when I had hugged him I was a little nervous because he just stood there, and I thought maybe I had gone a little overboard, but he seemed comfortable enough with my embrace by the time I released him…I wondered if he found me any where near as interesting as I did him. I smiled, my true modesty returning. "I'm just kidding."

Kenshin

"Come here," I sighed, as if tiring of teaching her this game. Honestly, I was far from bored, every touch was like a bolt of lightening and well...I wanted more. When she raised her eyebrows at me in either concern or confusion I smiled, walking over to her slowly, as if stalking. Suddenly she was against my body, my pool cue pressed against the small of her back and my hands grasping the stick on either side of her. The shock was clear in her eyes, but I just smirked, "I said; come here."

I let go with one hand and spun her so she was in a position much like the first shot. She was startled enough to be shaking and I half regretted my abrupt forwardness, until she smiled at me and nudged me with her elbow to my chest.

Kaoru

My breath caught in my throat as the pool cue pressed into my back, crushing me against Kenshin. I blushed terribly, remembering that cameras were catching every moment of this distinctively sexy situation.

"I said; come here," Kenshin smirked.

I was about to smile when for the second time in half an hour my memory betrayed me.

**"I said, COME HERE!"

"Please…please calm down."

"Shut UP already!"

"I…"

"RIGHT NOW! Why are you just standing there? Are you DEAF or something?"

"N-no"

"THEN GET OVER HERE!"**

I shuddered, shaking those thoughts from my head and returning to the matter at hand. Kenshin had me leaning against the table again, and I guessed he was going to attempt to teach me once more. I felt bad because I was obviously starting to annoy him, and I didn't mean to be a nuisance. He paused, probably curious about my sudden withdrawal and I smiled encouragingly, elbowing him lightly in the chest.

Kenshin

"You okay?" I asked with concern, noting the slight falseness in her smile. "I'm not annoyed really." I let go of the cue, letting her take it as I turned her towards me by her shoulders, suddenly very concerned.

"I was just joking around. You know that right? Really...I like... spending this time with you..." I was looking down now, I knew I was blushing, I just prayed she didn't notice. My hands dropped from her arms and I glanced at the pool table, slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry I'm being forward. I hope I haven't offended you..."

Kaoru

I smiled brightly, genuinely. "No, no you didn't. I really appreciate your help...it just reminded me of something else...don't be sorry about being forward either." I paused, trying to communicate my sentiments with a suggestive smile. "I really don't mind." I noted happily the faintest blush tinting his cheeks, and was relieved that I wasn't the only one who thought it was getting warm in the room. "In fact..." I said, "I think I could use a few more lessons." I swallowed my shyness momentarily and turned around, leaning back over the pool table as I took his hand gently, placing it back where it had rested on my waist.

Kenshin

I was very thankful that she had her back against me, for then she didn't see how my eyes rolled back slightly with another flash of desire. Damn, I never knew my sex drive was so hyperactive... The cameras picked it up, that was for sure. Good god to explain this to her later.. I wrapped my hand around the cue stick and leaned over the table. "Put your hand on mine, feel how its supposed to be done." I paused and laughed nervously. "Sorry, that wasn't supposed to sound demeaning."

Misao

So everyone except me and Shinomori-kurai are spending time with other people, ne? Time to get a nice can of Ginger Ale and read more WeiB Kreuz. Hold on. Kaoru-chan and Himura are playing pool, ei? They look so bloody sweet together! I hope Himura gets along with her! So I head over to the bar and order a Ginger Ale and looky-loo. It's Shinomori-kurai. Looking all kurai as usual.

Hey, that reminds me of a song from a WK album! So I hum it as I head out to the deck. Ah! The sweet sea air! I wonder where Tori Atama went? Oh well. I'm the group's freelancer and I love being bloody free! Although I wish I could do other things rather that sit around listening to Ayumi Hamasaki over and over again. I WANNA KICK SOME BLOODY ARSES! Just then, that Yahiko boy just passed by walking around for no reason. Perhaps we could chat a bit over some Ginger Ale or simply debate on which anime is the coolest. Ah. There goes Ayumi again. Well then, I pin my favorite Gatekeeper badges and fixed my long braid. The day with headphones on your ears and your eyes fixed on the manga featuring the most bloody cutest bishounen on the face of this planet, which of course in my opinion bloody, bloody, brilliant WeiB Kreuz, is beginning to look bleak. So I come up to Yahiko and ask, "You're bloody bored, aren't you, old chap?"

Yahiko

"Hmm? Nom spying." She startled me, and I really was bored, but I wasn't about to admit that- lord knows what she'd do to me. I'd seen Kenshin and Kaoru head into the rec room a while ago, and I used that as an excuse.

"Spying? Spying on what? Say! You remind me of a chap from one of my mangas, black hair and all. What's your favorite manga, Yahiko-chan?"

I let that one slide, although my hair was bristling, and settled on "I don't read."

"Oh, well, that's too bad. I've got tons of 'em right here, and-"

"Shh!!!" Sano came around the corner in the middle of her enchanting speech, and although I wasn't really spyin, I would play that game if it meant she would shut up. I flattened myself agaisnt the wall and used my arm to make her do the same. For a moment, she remained silent before calling out.

"Ooh! Yahiko! I didn't know you cared!"

I clapped a hand over her mouth seeing Sano head this way. Now she kept quiet, as did I, but to no avail. Sano spotted us.

"Ah, Yahiko-chan, being a good boy?"

"Not chan," I growled, taking my hand away from Misao. "And yes, I am."

He only chuckled, before entering the rec room with a shake of his head.

Misao watched him go, finally saying, "So much for spying, eh?"

"Spying, right..." I muttered, walking again toward the rec room, hoping that would be the last I'd hear from her for a while, but I had no such luck; I found her following me not long after.

"I hear they have table tennig over there!" She called to me, catching up to my side. "And it's not too much fun with only one person, do you wanna play?"

She was right, ping-pong couldn't be played by myself, so I reluctantly agreed.

"Great!" she concluded, running ahead to grab paddles and returning to say; "Y'know, I think we could fet along pretty well, you and me, whaddaya say?"

I could only manage to crack a smile. I just wanted to play ping-pong! What was I getting myself into...

SANO

I came rumbling down the stairs of the rec room just in time to see Kenshin leaning over Kaoru and the pool table, her back pressed tightly against him, and his eyes rolling back slightly. It looked kind of like the first scene of a porn movie or something. I smirked at their unabashed flirtation and wondered how long it would be before I found them in bed.

They didn't seem to notice me as Kenshin whispered something in her ear, his blush increasing slightly. I grinned and waltzed up behind them, slipping my long arms around Kenshin's waist and clasping them in front of Kaoru's stomach. Well, if they get to "discreetly" act out their fantasies, who said I couldn't join?

They both jumped. "Well," I said teasingly. "Isn't this cozy?" I rested my chin on Kenshin's shoulder and looked down to see Kaoru looking up at me through the curtain of Kenshin's flame colored hair. The look in her eyes was priceless. She had been caught in quite the compromising position and the incredible fear and embarrassment in her eyes displayed that quite nicely. She was like a dear in the headlights, only she was a girl all snuggled up to a guy she just met.

I laughed out loud. "So, whatcha doin?'"

KENSHIN

My face was crimson, I knew it. Not from being caught flirting with Kaoru, I was a guy, it was as to be expected, but with Sanosuke pressed against both of us some very odd fantasies flitted through my mind that I knew I shouldn't be entertaining. I cleared my throat, nudging Sanosuke's chin up and slipping his body away from both of us. "Hey, Sano...we are...playing pool, obviously."

KAORU

Well, this replaced the time the popular girl in school put my bra in the freezer at my birthday party as my most embarrassing moment. That's ok though, it was time for me to have a more mature most embarrassing moment. I stood slowly, turned slowly, slowly pressed my hands on the table to remain upright and fight the faint I felt coming on, surprised I hadn't passed out yet.

"Ah….um…" I struggled to say something…anything, but nothing remotely intelligent came to mind. "Yeah, we were playing pool." I stammered.

I couldn't help it, I brought my hands up to cover my face and moaned very softly. It figures. It really does. The one time I get the right mixture of spontaneity, hormonal drive, and fearlessness to make a few moves, I get caught in the act by Sano…and the entire world actually. I miserably examined the six or seven cameras from between my fingers. What in the world was I thinking? Now Sano thought she was a slut, Kenshin thought she was slut, and when I got home, I'd receive horny letters from jail inmates across the country. Smooth Kamiya.

SANO

I surpressed my laughter at the interesting display they made, but chose to change the subject to give Kaoru some time to collect herself. I turned to Kenshin curiously. "Pool huh? You any good?"

KENSHIN

I thanked the gods that Sanosuke was being decent about the situation. There were so many ways the young man could have made the scene worse, but I could see the paled expression of sickness on Kaoru's face and I had a feeling that Sanosuke saw this too and took her state into consideration. I motioned to her with a smile, trying to lighten the mood and make her feel better, but for some reason my voice sounded more playful than I wanted it too. "I'm teaching her how to play. She's got a lot of potential, but not enough confidence." Then I leaned over toward Sanosuke, in some stupid gesture just to get closer to the tall young man, cupped a hand over my mouth and muttered though I knew Kaoru could hear. "Too modest."

I didn't know what was coming over me, slipping from playfully flirting with Kaoru to playfully flirting with Sanosuke. I knew it was unfair, to Kaoru mostly. The poor thing looked as if she were going to faint. Yet, for som reason beyond me I poked Sanosuke in the arm with the end of the cue stick and winked, puffing my chest out in mock confidence. "But I'm a master at it."

KAORU

I swallowed, still a little sick to my stomach. I excused myself and decided I better sit down, so I took a seat a few feet away and watched, trying with all of my might to fade out of sight.

Was I too modest? I certainly didn't think so, what with all of those wiles I was putting to use just moments before. But then, maybe I was being modest about being modest.

It was amazing the way another male's presence can change the way a guy acts. I watched interestedly as Sano suggested a game.

SANO

I chuckled slightly as Kaoru sat down, feeling slightly sorry for her, but not too much. Babe, this was the real world.

I turned and grinned at Kenshin. "A master eh? How about a game then sire?

KENSHIN

My competitive spirit kicked in and I smiled wickedly. "You're on." Then my violet eyes blinked wide and I looked over to where Kaoru was sitting, almost curled up and over herself in a near by chair. I held up a hand to ask Sanosuke for a moment, then walked over to her. "Hey."

She didn't answer me, her eyes somewhat glazed over and her head bowed. I kicked my cue stick, consequently tapping her foot with the cue. "Hey." She glanced up at me and blushed. I merely smiled and leaned down tapping her on the nose. "Hey, hey, there is no need for that blush. I was flirting, you were flirting it is no big deal."

I glanced over my shoulder at Sanosuke who was racking the balls for another game. Kaoru looked away from me as my attention was drawn away and tried to stand from the seat and slip away, not wanting to deal with me and her embarassment. I saw her movement and quickly place both hands on the arms of the chair, not letting her stand. She looked at me with a pitifully meek expression, her lips in a bit of a pout her eyes brimming with tears. My expression softened. "Hey, wait a minute. Oh, darling, don't cry! Kaoru, please. Please don't think you did something wrong. I had fun, it was fun and...and I like you so don't you dare shy away okay?"

KAORU

I sniffled. Hey everyone, look at the 18 year old virgin cowering in the corner who is ashamed of flirting and is going to cry about it. I sucked it up and swallowed, hastily wiping away the one tear that fell with the back of my hand. I nodded hurridly, unable to tear my eyes away from his gentle violet gaze. "It's ok, I'm ok. I'm just a little embarrassed about being so blatant when it comes to telling someone that I like them also..." I succeeded and sat again, my gaze returning to my sandals and my blue painted toenails. Toenails were realy fascinating at times like these.

KENSHIN

I smiled at her and pulled her face up with one finger under her chin. "Do you mind if I play a game with Sano? I know it's rude of me to cut our lesson short, you're welcome to play with me. The two of us against the idiot?"

Kaoru laughed lightly at that as Sanosuke, who heard that last line, tossed a chalk square that he was chalking his cue stick with at me, hitting me in the back of the neck. I laughed and chucked the square back at him. The young man caught it and frowned as if upset, when it was clear he was not.

KAORU

I bit my bottom lip indecisively. I could say yes, and possibly save some face, or I could say no and sit and be silent and regain my composure. I was very temped to say no, but...well, why not? I offered a small smile and pulled my head back away from Kenshin's finger tips as I stood next to him. "Ok, but maybe I better just observe at first. I wouldn't want to get in the way."

KENSHIN

I smiled brightly, my eyes twinkling. Good, I could make up for flirting with Sanosuke and practically forcing Kaoru into the corner. "Right, then. Okay Sano," I turned stancing as if ready to pull the pool cue out like a sword at my side. "I challenge you to a...pool game!"

SANO

I watched Kenshin speak to Kaoru curiously out of the corner of my eye as I prepared the pool table. Wasn't she over reacting a bit? It was really no big deal...but then, Kaoru was certainly different from the other girls on the trip...more sensitive if I had to define it in one word. Kenshin on the other hand was very hard to place when it came to personalities. One minute he was sarcastically explaining his unique appearance, the next he was in tears over some ancient broken promise he made to Shinomori. One minute he was playful and teasing, the next he was warm and compassionate. And the most interesting of all to me was, one minute Kenshin was flirting with Kaoru, the next minute I could have sworn Kenshin was flirting with me, and then back to tugging at Kaoru. Interesting. I smirked as Kaoru gave in and stood by Kenshin, causing the red head to grin and go back to silliness as he medievally challanged me to a pool game. Not having any gloves to slap Kenshin with, I settled for nodding and grinning. "Hardly fair though Kenshin, Kaoru is going to whoop my ass."

KENSHIN

I raised my eyebrow, but didn't say a word as I motioned to the table. "You break." Sanosuke nodded, and leaned over the table aiming, then expertly breaking the pool balls from their triangle formation, two balls rolled into the left and right corner pockets at the other end of the table from them. The entire time he took his turn, rising and moving to sink another ball, I was watching him. Studying his movement, the way his body moved lazily and gracefully at the same time and every motion had an edge to it, the same edge his looks and voice had. The edge, in one word, was sexy.

My smile was almost an apreiative grin, when I realized Kaoru was standing beside him and slightly panicked I looked at her to see if she noticed my leering gaze upon Sanosuke. I breathed a sigh of releif when I saw she was staring in interest at how Sanosuke was playing. With a chuckle at her attentiveness I ruffled her black hair.

KAORU

I watched eagerly as Sanosuke opened the game. This time there was another guy playing and he was standing on the other side of the table and if I sent a cue ball flying...well, that would just put the cherry on my day. Kenshin tensed momentarily beside me and I looked up at him questioningly as he reached out to ruffle my hair. I smiled somewhat confused and feeling at least a little like a little girl watching her big brothers do something I couldn't. Well, aside from the fact that you aren't supposed to check your brothers out.

SANO

There he goes again, all wishy-washy. I could feel Kenshin's admiring gaze wonder over me as I made my shot, but when I looked up, Kenshin had an odd expression on his face and was playing around with Kaoru's hair. Interesting. I smirked and leaned on my cue, holding out a hand to signal Kenshin's turn.

KENSHIN

"You wanna go, or should I?" I asked glancing with a questioning gaze at Kaoru. She shook her head, her lower lip between her teeth as she swept a hand for me to take the floor. I did as I was told and paced around the table, noticing that Sanosuke pushed me into a corner that would be very difficult to get out of.

With a showy pout, I glared up at Sanosuke, who only smiled, knowing the difficulty of the shot. I sighed as if in defeat, aimed like I knew the shot would be meaningless, then as the white cue ball vaulted across the table, it bounced off one edge, knocked a stripe, then sunk the solid on the other side of the stripe and another solid when it nicked it at one of the corner pockets.

I smiled confidently at Sanosuke's shocked expression and walked toward him, brushing against him as he passed. "I told you I was a master."

KAORU

I giggled at the machoness, watching the guys size each other up. I stepped back as Sano paced around to her side of the table, examining the position. I glanced over at Kenshin, who still wore a cocky grin as he shook a few bangs out of his face, his eyes set intently on Sano. "Wow," was all I said. Kenshin's shot had been seemingly impossible, but he did it.

SANO

I cocked my head back at Kaoru, smiling at her amazed expression. She was so very cute. I turned back to the table and chose my next move, bending down and skillfully completing the combination, before looking back up at Kenshin with an amused glint in my eye. "Your turn, master."

KENSHIN

"Careful I could get used to that nickname," I punned, then waved my cue stick before Kaoru, enoying the confused shock in her bright blue eyes. "Come on cutie, your turn. I can help if you want."

KAORU

I smiled dissmissively, holding my hands up in front of her. "That's just cruel Kenshin, no way I can follow that." I stepped back a bit. "Besides, I'm having fun just watching."

SANO

I cocked my head, again observing their interaction with interest. I wondered if she could sense any of the undertones between Kenshin and I, but guessed that she probably couldn't. "Aw, c'mon Jou-chan, don't skip your turn out of pity for how bad we're going to look, we can take it."

KENSHIN

Urging her on, I pressed the stick into her palm and guided her to the table by her shoulder, leaning my chin to her shoulder and smiling at her when she looked at me from the corner of her blue eyes. "Now do you need me, or would you like to nail it yourself?"

KAORU

I laughed somewhat sardonically. "I would like to nail it myself, but I need help." On the other hand, was I comfortable getting that close to Kenshin again now that there were even more spectators? Probably not...I turned my back on him abruptly as he was about to lean down and crossed to the other side of the table, squeezing my eyes shut and quickly taking aim and shooting without even thinking about it. Might as well get this over with. I waited a few seconds and opened one eye, just in time to see the desired ball roll clumsily into the desired pocket. I just remained there for a second, half lying on the table, the edge pressing into my stomach because I was so short. Then my jaw dropped open a little and I stood again, half wondering if one of the guys had nudged the ball when my eyes had been closed, but they looked as shocked as I was. "Wow..." I breathed. Then I grinned, dropping the cue and clapping my hands. "Hey! I did it! Two in a row!"

SANO

Iwas a bit baffled. Kaoru obviously could not play pool. Her arms weren't stiff enough and her aim was way off and she wasn't even looking at the ball, but some strange trick of fate had enabled her to make a very difficult shot. I should take her with me the next time I go gambling, this girl was made of luck.

KENSHIN

I gave off a laugh then nudged Sanosuke who stood beside me. "Hell, man, you probably *are* going to get your ass whooped by her." Sanosuke glared at me with good humor and swiped a hand out, only catching my hair with the my quick reflexes. I chuckled again, then cupped my hands over my mouth rooting, "Go for another one, Kaoru!"

KAORU

Another one? Hey, maybe I shouldn't press my luck...I shook my head shyly and picked the cue up, handing it back to Kenshin. "No," I said, " that was a one time thing...I think I'll quit winners."

SANO

I laughed. Yeah, something had to be done about that modesty. "Ah, stuff it Jou-chan. Your style is fascinating, please let me have the pleasure of seeing you in action again."

Kaoru looked up at me a little confused, saying only: "You're silly, Sano."

KENSHIN

I burst out in laughter at Sanosuke's comment, holding my stomach and using the cue stick to hold myself upright. The sarcasim was clear in his tone, but so was the flirtation, making me start wondering if I could have a little fun with my little triangle. "So will you take his challenge, Kaoru?"

KAORU

I glared mockingly at Kenshin for laughing at me, but shook my head again. "No." I stepped back, indicating Kenshin should go, and smiled. These guys were really confusing.

SANO

I laughed a bit, causing her to look up at me and innocently say "what?" her blue eyes wide and uncertain. It was I who ruffled her hair this time, catching Kenshin's eye with a glimmer of my own. "Oh nothing," I said, still looking at Kenshin. "You're just silly, Jou-chan."

KENSHIN

With a contented and mischeivious smile, I moved off to the table, concentrating on the aim of the cue and where I should hit to sink as many balls as possible. I felt Sanosuke's eyes on me, Kaoru's out of the corner of her eyes, it wasn't making me nervous, it was making me want to show off. So with my own violet eyes flickering up to meet Sanosuke, I went for the more difficult move, and scored one of the two targets.

Sanosuke's mouth curled up into a smug smile and I held my eyes even as I hit the next ball in. At my third turn I missed, blinked and looked away from Sanosuke. The stare we shared was enough that I was sure my eyes were already changing in color, as they did with insense emotions. "Your turn, Sano."

KAORU

I didn't miss the slight amber flash of Kenshin's eyes, and it only served to make me more confused. I had the feeling that whatever was going on was beyond me, and I should probably move on so that the guys could finish their game without having to accomodate for me. "Well, I think I'm going to go see what everyone else is up to..." I backed slightly towards the stairwell. "Thanks for humoring me Sano, thanks for teaching me Kenshin!" I smiled brightly and waved, making my way up the stairs.

SANO

I nodded at her as she waved, grinning. "See ya at lunch...hey, you're going to have to play me again sometime, and next time, no throwing the game!"

KENSHIN

I watched Kaoru leave with a mixture of relief and disappointment. I smiled nevertheless calling out a promise to see her at lunch as well, then turned my attention back to the game, motioning for Sanosuke to continue, trying to control the irrational urge to grab Sanosuke by the lapels of his shirt and kiss him. Goddamn I was being hormonal!

I settled for stalking around the other side of the pool table and watching Sanosuke as he took his turn, getting two stripes in before missing. My eyes met his when he looked up from his aim and a small smile touched the side of my mouth. Amazing how swiftly I could switch gears from playful to intense, I was more fickle than I knew.

SANO

I shrugged a bit as Kaoru dissapeared from view. Her presence served oddly as a kind of comic relief of the obvious intensity between Kenshin and I. Oh well, pool was a man's game anyway. I chuckled inwardly and made my shot, keenly observing Kenshin's fixed gaze, and noting how once again the mysterious short guy switched personas. Now that Kaoru was gone, it was like unleashing a lion, Kenshin was certainly not holding back with his double edged looks. I missed and looked back up at Kenshin, smirking a little, and decided to say something. "So, you and Jou-chan looked pretty comfortable when I came in...don't worry, I won't make anything out of it..." I winked, leaning on my cue a little and examining Kenshin's finer features. His slight frame was vertically challanged but well built, and I could clearly imagine what that red hair would feel like sliding through my fingers...I masked my thoughts with a very skillful but practiced poker face.

KENSHIN

My smile was nothing less than sexy, I knew, I had used it many times before, on both men and women, but found that guys like Sanosuke found it more intising than others. I leaned over the table, Sanosuke directly opposite me. "She's a cutie, this is true and I like her, she's got a great personality, but...my goals are a bit higher than just her." The cue ball hit the solid 2 and sunk it in one of the side pockets. My eyes were amber tinted now, I was sure of it, but for some reason feeling Sanosuke's rough edge I couldn't help but be more sexy than playful. My eyes rose meeting Sanosuke's and looking for a reaction.

SANO

I smiled wryly, amused at Kenshin's sudden harshness towards the recently departed, but definitely picking up his "hidden" meaning. There was no question about it: Kenshin swayed.

I smirked. "Well, I'm pretty tall." I threw my head back a bit, sending my chocolate brown bangs out of my eyes, before I looked back down at Kenshin, who was smiling slyly at my comment. Amber eyes...very interesting. Everything about this guy was intersting, and I had a thing for interesting people. I twirled my cue absently in one hand and tilted Kenshin's chin up with the other. "I am very high."

KENSHIN

Istared up at him, my eyebrow raising and my smile quirked mischeviously. Then I pushed Sanosuke's hand away from my chin and pressed the same hand against the tall young man's chest. "Excuse me," I claimed softly, twining my fingers in the fabric of Sanosuke's shirt and pulling him towards me. I could tell by the stumble in Sanosuke's step that he didn't expect me to do something like that and he was even more startled when I tossed him to the side with a smile. "It's still my turn."

SANO

I swallowed, my smirk faultering momentarily as I made way for Kenshin. There was something irrisistable about this guy, and I shifted my weight to the side as I raptly watched Kenshin make his next move, not missing the way his muscles tensed and shifted, or how his long crimson bangs fell into his eyes as he bent over the table. "Forgive me master," I smirked. "I was merely clarifying just how high your goals were." Kenshin stood straight, raising an eyebrow, his lips curving into that smile again and causing me to internally shiver. Did he know what kind of feelings he stirred with that look? I judged by Kenshin's cocky expression that he almost definitely did.

KENSHIN

I knew Sanosuke was getting a little overheated, which made me smile even wider. It looks like what Aoshi had declared so tactlessly was true. Sanosuke was also bi. Straightening from leaning over the table, letting the cue ball skidder across the green felt uslessly, purposefully missing his target, I turned to Sanosuke. "Oh, but deshii (*student) my goals are higher than just you, too."

I heard the audible swallow hiccup down Sanosuke's throat, when I leaned into him and smiled. Oblivious to the fact that I was acting too agressive and that the cameras were picking up every word and motion. I was, no doubt, looking very fickle to the crew.

SANO

"Ah well then shishou (teacher/master) you still have much to learn." I reached behind Kenshin silently, and slowly ran my index finger down Kenshin's spine and leaned down quite a bit to whisper in his ear. "There are no goals higher than myself." My hand lingered tantalizingly on the small of Kenshin's back, before I snatched myself away, casually picking up the cue and making my next shot as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occured.

KENSHIN

I had to close my eyes, breath in and out. Damn, I hadn't expected that and now I was a little frightened. Sure I asked for this, I was tempting, teasing, and testing Sanosuke in any way I could imagine and Sanosuke took up the challenge and came on to me just as agressively. When I heard a ball sink into the pocket right next to me he jumped and spun. My violet eyes wide when Sanosuke started advancing him on again. Oh shit...

SANO

I passed Kenshin to move to the other side of the table, an amused expression gracing my features. "Hey, you alright there Red?" I asked calmly as I leaned over the table again. "I think the fox has some motion sickness crap if you're feeling under the weather."

KENSHIN

I nodded my head in a vauge motion. Once again I was overreacting. Sanosuke was a very nice, playful, and damn sexy young man there was no need for me to think Sanosuke would take advantage of me. It intimidated me that Sanosuke was so much bigger, height and muscle, but if anything happened it would be my fault, I was the one leading Sanosuke on. With a sigh of resolve, I turned back to the table and smiled at Sanosuke.

"No, I'm fine, you just startled me a little," I said honsestly, then tilted my head. "I'm a little ticklish too."

SANO

I smiled slightly, leaning my hip against the pool table and surveying Kenshin's suddent vulnerability thoughtfully. "You know," I said casually. "You remind me a bit of my last boyfriend.

KENSHIN

I blinked. Well that was blatant. "Really? How so?"

SANO

I shrugged. "Hard to decribe." I closed one eye, aiming for a difficult shot. "Pixie like I guess...slippery." I executed the shot perfectly. "But then, my last girlfriend was like that too...I guess those are just the kind of people that catch my eye." SI smiled wryly at Kenshin, who was still a little struck at my revelation. "Hey man, sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I just don't enjoy beating around the bush too much." I missed the next one, horribly. The cue slippped a bit in my secretly sweaty hands and scraped the table with a long low "scraaaaatch." I swore under my breath, but tossed my head. This was salvegable. I drew my thumb into my mouth, sucking on it lightly before using it to smooth the narrow white mark left on the table, glancing back at Kenshin with a provacative grin.

KENSHIN
My smile had returned, half cocked with my eyes no doubt smoldering. That was a shot that Sanosuke could have made easily. He was nervous. The thought made me relax, Sanosuke was nothing like any of my girlfriends, obviously, but nothing like my boyfriends either...well, maybe Taro, but only in the beginning of the relationship before Taro got involved in drugs. Rolling my shoulders to get ready for my turn, I noticed that we only had a few more minutes of the game; only five more balls on the table and one was the cue, another the 8 ball. Part of me regreted this to end, maybe I could rope him into playing another round.

"No, I'm not uncomfortable. I'm bi, too." I replied, hitting the cue and getting the last of my solids into the corner pocket. I smiled at Sanosuke, in order to get where the cue ball was I would have to be in the exact spot where Sanosuke was leaning against the table, but with the game so close to ending and my being so close to winning, I doubted Sanosuke would be so kind as to move willingly. "Hmmm...the deciding shot. Looks like the master will surpass the student once more, huh?"

SANO

Sano grinned, easing into the suddenly relaxed atmosphere. "Maybe so, this time. But honestly, it's all cause you had Jou-chan on your side. I said in the beggining that the odds weren't even." I winked and stood my ground, knowing I was in the spot Kenshin had to be to win the game. "You're very good though, we'll have to have a rematch sometime."

KENSHIN

I hummed an affirmative and stood beside him. "You going to move so I can win?" Sanosuke's eyebrow raising over his mischeivious dark eyes told me enough. With a mock sigh I tried to aim from right beside Sanosuke. No good, it would only clip it. I eyed Sanosuke from the corner of my eyes, then set the cue on the table. When I stood straight I flicked the lapel of Sanosuke shirt, his hand trailing down to press against the tall male's solid chest. "You know, you are making this very difficult."

Sanosuke smiled smuggly and leaned down, his face only inches from mine, another few centimeters and we would be kissing. My heart fluttered.

SANO

I offered a small smile as I brought my right hand up to brush some fiery bangs from Kenshin's face. "What?" I whispered, sending soft puffs of breath across Kenshin's almost parted lips. "You don't like challenges?" I closed his eyes and bent his neck a bit more, anticipating contact when a low growl was heard from a few feet away

"Kisama."

The voice was angry and laced with venom, causing my eyes to fly open as I stumbled backwards, my head snapping to where the voice came from. There, standing in the doorway was none other than Mr. Cranky Pants himself.

I lowered his eyebrows, annoyed. "What do you want, Shinomori? You sure have excellent timing."

AOSHI

"I certainly do!" I roared, stepping closer to the pair. "You said you were leaving Kenshin with Kamiya, but then I found her on the deck with Takani! How dare you! I probably scared the girl to death demanding your location!"

SANO

"And did she tell you?" I asked calmly, a little disappointed in Kaoru, she knew Shinomori didn't want us alone together, even if she didn't know why. Hell, even I didn't *really* know why.

AOSHI

"No," I spat, "She didn't tell me, she said she had no idea where you were. But now I know that you've gone and corrupted another one Sagara! Getting her to lie for you? How could you stand for this Kenshin?" I demanded, turning to face the red head. "You know I'm doing what's best for you! Why can't you just listen to me??!???"

SANO

"Hey!" I interrupted. "Lay off already! Kenshin is all grown up now, contrary to how you're treating him. He can make his own decisions!"

AOSHI

It took all my will power not to haul off and slap the young man. That was a very close call and I was very perturbed that Kenshin would let it go so far. I felt like I just walked in on my little sister about to make-out with the class playboy, and in the rawest of instances, he was. I stepped up to Sagara, my glare peircing. "Something tells me with you in the room, he does not have a clear mind in which to make descisions."

KENSHIN

"Aoshi, that isn't fair to Sano," I declared, surprisingly more calm that I thought I would be. My eyes had reverted to innocent violet and my expression was one of concern. The last thing I wanted was for my 'big brother' and prospective lover to duke it out. I slipped under Sanosuke's arm and pushed back on Aoshi's chest, staring into his face although Aoshi didn't take his eyes off of Sanosuke, nor did he step back with my pressure.

"Please, Aoshi. I don't understand what is wrong. You trust me with Kaoru and I'm interested in her as well." I covered my mouth startled. I wasn't sure if it was from the fact that I was saying that I was interested in Kaoru in front of Sanosuke or if I was saying I was interested in Sanosuke in front of both of these men.

SANO

I raised an eyebrow. Kaoru and I? Interesting combination considering the we were almost complete opposites. Could this be what Kenshin was indicating when he spoke of goals? Che, this guy thought fast! I was lost to reality for a few moments as I imagined what the three of us would be like...not bad, not bad at all! Although, I couldn't vouch for Kaoru's agreement. I smirked. "Yeah Shinomori, you better watch out for Jou-chan as well, she's a real tiger. I'm scared for Kenshin."

AOSHI

My fist clenched as my eyes narrowed further. "You stay away from him."

Kenshin pushed on my chest again, making me finally look down at the smaller male. "Aoshi, stop it! You have no right to say this! You are not my brother!"

The cringe in my features was clear enough for both of them to see and I gently pushed Kenshin's hand from my chest. "I'm the closest thing you've had to one for five years, Kenshin."

KENSHIN

I blinked at that, feeling my emotions welling up. I knew Aoshi was looking out for me, but I just didn't understand why. Closing my eyes for a moment, I shook my head. "Aoshi what do you have against Sano? I started this, not him."

The answer was without hesitation. "He's just another Fukumi."

The slap was audible and sounded particularly painful, making Sanosuke cringe behind me. I glared up at Aoshi, eyes amber-violet and hand fisted to backhand Aoshi's accosted jaw again. Aoshi's eyes were wide as he looked down at me, then he stepped back and frowned.

SANO

I gawked at the unexpected assault of Kenshin's on Aoshi. I was definitely surprised at Kenshin's actions considering how gentle and caring I had just witnessed him to be. I mentally chided himself, Kenshin was always switching moods it seemed, and I should probably stop being so surprised. Still...Aoshi did seem to think he had Kenshin's best interests in mind, and I didn't think Kenshin smacking him was neccessarily the best tactic. "Hey, Kenshin...maybe we should work this out..."

AOSHI

My eyes flickered up to Sanosuke and for the first time since we met they weren't narrowed. I stumbled another step back when Kenshin pushed me back and snatched up Sanosuke's hand.

"Forgive me, Aoshi, that was uncalled for, " Kenshin muttered, though his tone said that he wasn't entirly sorry. Sanosuke said nothing more as Kenshin lead him out of the billard room, merely glancing over his shoulder at mei in confusion and slight concern, his eyes narrowed in appraisel.

I met his dark eyes with his own vivid blue ones and frowned. "If you knew the truth, Sagara, if you truly care for him, you would be on my side."

Sanosuke blinked at me, then stumbled a step as Kenshin was still walking pulling him up the stairs and only releasing his hand at the top of the steps, where I knew Sanosuke could no longer see me. Sighing I glanced at the cameras then the pool table, before I grasped the disgarded pool cue, aimed it, and sunk the 8 ball.

KENSHIN

I reatreated into the sunlight, leaning over the railing on the mid-deck and breathing in and out. I had no doubt that he was about to be onslaught me with questions and my body was already shaking with regret of what I had just done. Aoshi was only trying to help me, but he was wrong, it was my fault...the past was my fault...Aoshi just didn't understand...

I shuttered when I felt Sanosuke's shadow block the sunlight beside me. When I opened my eyes, squinting them too look up at the young man, he was merely staring out at the endless ocean with a contemplating frown on his face. I lowered my head and awaited his questions. Something told me this would not be as easy as it had been with Kaoru. Twice in one day...my soul couldn't take much more of this...

SANO

My eyes rested calmly on the vast blue of the ocean all around us, sorting through my thoughts and choosing my words carefully. "You know Kenshin, I'm on your side...it was kind of obvious that Aoshi and I didn't exactly 'click' from the beginning but...I have trouble oppossing someone who really seems to care about you. Now, I'm not turning around or changing my mind, but any information you could give me about why I'm suddenly public enemy number one with Aoshi would be helpful..."

KENSHIN

I hid my expression under a curtain of red bangs, my voice in a sort of monotone. "Aoshi has a major big brother complex. We met almost five years ago when I was dating his neighbor...He and my b...boyfriend had a few disagreements, then Aoshi and I had a few disagreements and we've been on rocky terms since."

SANO

I nodded, accepting the term "disagreements" for the moment. "And you're why he's on this trip?"

"I guess, appearently after avoid him for four years he found me and now it just feels like he's stalking me or something..."

"He must really believe he has a point to make if he followed you all this way...have you ever considered what he's trying to say?" I shifted my stance so I was leaning my side against the railing, facing Kenshin.

KENSHIN

My head tilted away from Sanosuke, my eyes squeezing shut. "I know exactly what he's trying to make me believe, but I know what he says isn't true...what happened to me was my own fault, he wasn't even there!"

SANO

I inhaled and blew the breath out slowly between my teeth. We weren't getting anywhere, so I decided just to get it over with. "What happened to you?"

KENSHIN

I met his eyes, my own bright blue violet, turning my body to face him. My expression was unreadable, mouth in a firm line, brow pulled down just the slightest bit to show distress or anger, shoulder and neck muscles tight and fingers gripping the railing. "Nothing. Nothing that I didn't ask for, nothing that was unnatural in the course of a relationship, nothing that I am not to blame for, could we just not talk about it!"

KAORU

I grinned as I rounded the corner of the deck, my feet sliding on the newly waxed floor. I'd just heard the lunch bell and I thought I would let the guys know in case they couldn't hear it in the pool hall. I was looking forward to seeing who won, and making sure that Aoshi hadn't found them. The stoney man had been pretty angry at me when he discovered I was not with Kenshin, and I found it exceedingly difficult to convince him that I had no idea where they were...I was bad at lying. Very bad. I had the feeling that Kenshin didn't want to be found though, so I just played dumb when it came to Aoshi's interogation. My jog slowed as I saw Sano and Kenshin over by the railing, and I pushed a stray tendril of raven hair behind my ear nervously. Kenshin looked upset...maybe I shouldn't interrupt...he had thanked me for interrupting last time though, so I stepped forward quietly, trying not to be too disruptive. "Hey," I said softly,

concerned. "What's wrong?"

SANO

I glanced up at Kaoru, who was standing tentatively a few feet away from us. "Ah, we were just talking about touchy subjects," I explained, looking back at Kenshin's stormy appearance. "We had another confrontation with Aoshi..."

KENSHIN

With a huff and a turn, I spun to face Kaoru and plastered on a small smile. "It was nothing, but did you need something?"

I ignored Sanosuke's incredulous stare and stepped away from the railing, trying to get the tall young man out of my peripheral vision.

KAORU

I was visibly hurt at Kenshin's harshness towards me. I knew that smile was fake...why was he suddenly so cut off from me? Wasn't I the one who held his sobbing frame not too long ago? My eyebrows knit with confusion and uncertainty. "Kenshin?" I asked timidly. "Did I say something wrong?

SANO

I felt bad for Kaoru, knowing that she had no idea why Kenshin was so cold at the moment, only that she was recieving the the butt end of things. I laid a hand reasurringly on Kenshin's shoulder for a moment, before stepping towards Kaoru and slinging an arm lazily over her shoulders. "Ah, don't worry Jou-chan, Kenshin's just in a bad mood. You didn't do anything wrong, so stop looking like that." Kaoru looked a bit relieved, but still concerned for Kenshin, so I flashed Kenshin a movie star smile, and said "Oi! Kenshin! Whaddaya say we get some grub?"

KENSHIN

My eyes fluttered, blinked, then closed and I shook my head. My body language said defeated, but my muscles were still tense and my voice was strained, hiding tears. "No...no I think I'm going to go back to the room...I'm not too hungry."

KAORU

"Kenshin wait!" I called. "Do you want me to go back with you? The boat has been making me feel not that great, so I'm not very hungry anyway..." Well, I had already gotten over my initial motion sickness and I was a bit hungry, but Kenshin's voice was thick with destress and I didn't want him sitting in the cabin alone.

KENSHIN

I swallowed, taking in deep breaths. I shook my head. "No, Kaoru, I doubt you want to have me sobbing against you again...really its nothing...just the past coming up and biting me in the ass. I'll," I stopped looking at her concerned blue eyes, her mouth in a small pout and Sanosuke frowning with his head tilted in my direction, hands in his pockets and waiting to assess the situation. Something told me that neither of them would let me be alone right now. I smiled, this time somewhat genuine as I felt my heart touched by their concern. "I'll be all right...I didn't eat breakfast this morning, so I guess lunch would be a good idea, so I don't pass out of something."

KAORU

I smiled, relief washing over me as Sano held out his other arm to hook around Kenshin. I wondered if Kenshin would ever feel secure about his past...or if I would ever feel secure about her own for that matter. Pasts were funny things...even though they couldn't physically hurt you anymore, it was the most painful thing Kaoru I ever experienced, and I could imagine Kenshin's was equally traumatizing...if not more so. "So," I said, changing the subject. "How did the pool game go?"

SANO

I grinned. This was really the life...free trip on a high class ocean liner, beautiful views, a cute girl tucked in your right arm and a gorgeous guy in your left. I blushed very slightly at Kaoru's innocent inquiry though, and swallowed once before answering. "Kenshin killed me, but at least I lost to the master."

KENSHIN

I smiled, my own blush barely noticable as Sanosuke brushed off the comment quiet easily. "I didn't kill you. You only had two more to sink yourself. If I had misjudged the last shot you could have had me--" I hiccuped and covered my mouth for a moment, blushing at the inuendo that I prayed Kaoru didn't pick up. I bit myower lip and glanced up at Sanosuke, ishing the sentence with a little more of a carefree nature, "We'll see what happens in that rematch though."

KAORU

I smiled, getting in step with Sano and swinging my free arm, my other one being slung around his waist. I hummed quietly to myself, admiring the newness the ship boasted, and feeling as carefree as ever. "Ah, I knew Kenshin would win," I said after a while. "It was that lucky shot I made, that gave him the advantage." My laugh was soft and bell-like, and my eyes twinkled with jest.

SANO

I fought to contain laughter. All of those double meanings had just flown right over her tiny little head, and I grinned, glancing down at her swinging ponytail. "That's right Jou-chan, next time I'll have to play both of you seperately."

KENSHIN

Blinking in shock, I elbowed Sanosuke in the side. The tall male looked down at me in confusion, then at my raised eyebrow and sly comment of, "Appearently someone only likes it one-on-one," Sanosuke understood the unconscious double meaning he had put in the line and smirked.

I rolled my eyes but noted mentally that Sanosuke didn't deny the fact that he was coming onto Kaoru a little. Well, that could be interesting, but then again I wouldn't want to drag Kaoru into something like that. Hell, I wasn't sure if I was comfortable with something like that.

"So," I started, changing the subject to something that Sanosuke and myself couldn't put double meanings into. "Are the others at lunch already?"

KAORU

I shrugged, well as much as you could shrug in my position. "I told Megumi I'd meet her there, and Yahiko should be there already...I'm not sure about everyone else. Last I saw Misao she was listening to headphone and reading manga..."

SANO

I repressed laughter once more. Kaoru wasn't even phased. I glanced at Kenshin through the corner of my eye and smirked, wondering if Kenshin found Kaoru as amusing as I did. We were going to have some fun with this girl...what kind of fun? Well, let's just say that when these 6 months were up...Kaoru would recognize an innuendo like that when she heard one.

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