Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Taboo ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

“It's not funny.”

 

“I'm not laughing.”

 

“You never do. But I know you're amused in your own sadistic way.”

 

“True.”

 

Kenshin glared at his friend. He should have expected that he wouldn't get any sympathy from him. They were sitting in a luxurious, plush booth in a four-star restaurant they had been frequenting for years. They had just finished eating and were now having their after-dinner drinks. Kenshin lifted a small cup to his lips and finished its contents. “So what do you think, Aoshi?”

 

The colder friend smiled. Barely. “She asked you out on a date.”

 

“To a school dance?”

 

“She's probably desperate. How many years has she liked you?”

 

“Since I began teaching.”

 

“Which was . . .?”

 

“Five years.”

 

Aoshi nodded. “Desperate.”

 

Kenshin groaned. “I can't believe Shizuka-san convinced me to chaperone tonight so that she could benefit from this.”

 

“I can't believe you fell for it.” He paused. “Never mind.”

 

“This is the downside to teaching. Chaperoning school activities.”

 

A young, pretty waitress approached their table. “Would you gentlemen like anything else? Another bottle of sake, Himura-san?”

 

“No, thank you.”

 

“Green tea, Aoshi-sama?”

 

“Ah.”

 

She poured some tea in his cup from the kettle she had been holding. She placed a fine leather check holder on their table. “Take your time with that and let me know if you need anything else.” She walked away.

 

Kenshin took the holder and looked at the bill. The amount totaled to $82.73. “I'll get this.” He pulled a Platinum credit card out from his wallet and placed it in the holder.

 

“Can you afford it with your teacher's salary?” The cold man was mocking him.

 

Violet eyes flickered in amusement. “The question isn't about who makes more money, but who has more money.”

 

Aoshi smirked. “If you say so.” He sipped his tea. “What time is your date?”

 

Kenshin frowned. “It's not a date. The dance starts at eight, so I should be there by seven-thirty.” He looked at his watch. “As soon as I pay I'm going to go.”

 

The waitress came and silently picked up the check holder. Aoshi finished his drink. “What time does it end?”

 

“Eleven o'clock.”

 

The waitress returned with Kenshin's card and the holder. She placed a fountain pen in front of him. “Thank you, gentlemen, and have a good evening.”

 

Kenshin picked up the pen, calculated forty-percent tip, and signed the receipt. After tucking his credit card back into his wallet, he slipped on his leather jacket and began to walk out of the restaurant. Aoshi stood and followed him. Other diners tried not to stare at the two men exiting the restaurant, but some just couldn't help themselves. The taller man with black hair and cold eyes looked intimidating. His navy three-piece suit spoke of his wealth, his posture, of authority. The shorter man with scarlet hair radiated control and power. His eyes were intense and his strides purposeful. Although he was dressed casually, no one could deny his preference of high quality.

 

Aoshi handed the valet some tip and said to Kenshin, “I have to meet some clients tonight at a bar after ten. Not work-related. I'm practicing my social skills. Come if you get bored.”

 

“Ah,” Kenshin said as he swung a leg over his bike. He turned on his engine and drove to the school. He began thinking about the school dance, which led to thoughts about his classes, which then led to Kaoru. He remembered how she looked from yesterday morning. Her skin had been glowing from her recent bike ride, making her look fresh and radiant. It was nice being able to have a conversation with her as a teacher would to his student. Perhaps she stopped liking him. Kenshin found himself frowning deeply at that thought. He thought his feelings for her would wane since their talk in the teacher's lounge a month ago, but they remained unchanged. He saw her every morning and almost every afternoon. On most days they would exchange a maximum of five words, but he still looked forward to going to work just to see her lovely face. The chilly night air rushing against reminded Kenshin that he was still driving. He sighed and wondered what Kaoru was doing tonight.

 

_________________________________________________________________ _______

 

“I can't believe Ueda Keisuke, captain of the wrestling team, asked you out. He is really cool! Have you ever seen him flex? His arm muscles are probably bigger than your head!”

 

“Stop talking, Misao.”

 

She obeyed. Kaoru was over at Misao's house doing her hair and makeup. She had already finished her hair, which was done in a messy up-do, and was trying to finish applying the makeup. Finally, Kaoru dabbed some lip-gloss on the center of Misao's lower lip. “Done,” Kaoru said.

 

“That's it?” She thought putting on makeup would have taken a lot longer.

 

“That's it. Look in the mirror.”

 

“But isn't the lip gloss supposed to be all over my lips?” Misao asked without turning around.

 

“When you only put a dot on the center of your lower lip, it makes your lips look fuller. Now, will you look in the mirror?”

 

“But you didn't put on that much makeup.”

 

“Less is more.”

 

Misao gave her a questioning look. Kaoru had only put a bit of eye shadow, a swipe of eyeliner, a stroke of mascara, a brush of blush, and a dab of gloss. She wanted to look gorgeous for Soujiro tonight, but she felt like a plain Jane. Maybe when Kaoru left the room, she would hurry and put on some more. As she turned around expecting to be disappointed, she quickly thought of a fake-grateful response. `Oh, Kaoru, I love it.' `Thank you, I look so pretty.' `You did a great job.' Then her eyes popped out of their sockets.

 

Kaoru looked at her nervously. “Do you like it?”

 

The wide-open mouth turned into a smile. Misao pounced on Kaoru with a hug. “Oh my god, Kaoru! I love it! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I look so pretty! You did a great job!”

 

Kaoru rubbed her head from the impact of the fall and smiled at Misao. “I'm glad you like it.”

 

“Oh my gosh, Soujiro is going to freak!” Misao looked at herself in the mirror. The eye shadow Kaoru had chosen and carefully blended brought out the green in her eyes. Her face had a peachy glow and her lips looked inviting. Kaoru came and stood next to her. Then Misao sulked. “I look so . . . bland compared to you.”

 

“What? Are you crazy? You're not the only one wearing makeup.”

 

“Oh, stop it, Kaoru. You know you're the prettiest girl in school.”

 

Kaoru smacked Misao's head. “Cut it out.”

 

Just then, an old man popped his head in the room. “Oh! We have a guest! Wow! Misao! You look beautiful!”

 

Misao bounced her way to the old man and gave him a hug. “Thank you, Jiya!” She released him. “Jiya, this is Kamiya Kaoru. Do you remember me telling you about her?”

 

“Ah, yes. Your new friend at school?”

 

“Yeah! Kaoru, this is Jiya. He's my guardian.”

 

Kaoru bowed respectfully and smiled.

 

“Ho, ho, ho! She is very pretty!”

 

Kaoru blushed.

 

“And how are you two going to the dance?”

 

“Soujiro is picking us up,” Misao answered.

 

“That scrawny boy is your date? Misao, I told you that he's okay for your friend, but not for anything else.”

 

“Why not?!” the little one snarled angrily.

 

“Because I will not have my Misao attached to some bean of a boy who can do nothing but smile!” he snarled back.

 

“Take that back, Jiya!”

 

“You need someone who can control your temper and teach you to respect your elders!”

 

“Why do you always want me to be with someone serious and cold?!”

 

“Because I know what's best for you!!”

 

A car horn blared in the background.

 

“Oh!” Misao squeaked. “Our ride is here!” She beamed at Jiya and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Bye!”

 

“Have a good time!” Jiya said cheerfully.

 

“Come on, Kaoru!”

 

Stupefied, Kaoru followed Misao out the door. Soujiro came out of his car to open their doors. “Wow, Misao! You look great!”

 

She blushed prettily. He let her sit in the front. “Hey Kaoru! You look great too!” He greeted. “I didn't know you were coming to the dance.”

 

“Uh, yeah. Last minute plans.”

 

“Guess who her date is?” Misao asked Soujiro excitedly as he started driving to the school.

 

“Who?”

 

“Ueda Keisuke!”

 

“Really? Wow, Kaoru. I didn't know you guys knew each other.”

 

“We don't. Well, we kind of do. I met him a couple of times in the halls when I was talking to other friends.”

 

“I only met him a few times too,” Soujiro supplied. “He's a pretty cool guy. A little on the cocky side, but he's okay.”

 

Kaoru was relieved to hear that. She was a little worried that he would be some kind of weird freak. Like Shota.

 

“So how come he didn't pick you up?”

 

“I wanted to help Misao out with something, so I told him that I'd meet him at the front of the gym by nine. He was fine with it.” She paused. “So, what do you do at a dance?”

 

“I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that overly obvious question,” Misao remarked.

 

Soujiro smiled at Kaoru. “You just dance, talk to people, hang out . . . it's a lot of fun.”

 

“I don't know how to dance.”

 

“There's nothing to it,” Misao butted in. “You just move your body to the music. You'll get the hang of it.”

“Who taught you how to dance?”

 

“Jiya. That's probably why nobody ever wants to dance with me,” she jested.

 

“When I first saw him I thought he was your grandfather.”

 

“Yeah, most people do. I knew Jiya since I was very young. He loved me like I was his own granddaughter. When my parents divorced, I refused to stay with either of them and finally Jiya got custody of me.”

 

“What a good man,” Kaoru said admiringly.

 

“Yeah. He's the best. I love Jiya; but there's a couple of loose screws in his head, if you know what I mean.”

 

“How so?”

 

“He keeps saying that he was a leader of a ninja group called the Oniwabanshu in his past life.”

 

“Really? That is a little strange.”

 

“You're preaching to the choir. I mean, what's he going to say next? I was one of the ninjas? Ha!”

 

It was a little before nine when they reached the school. When they walked through the main doors, they could already hear the loud dance music echoing through the halls. They went downstairs to the gym. As promised, Keisuke was waiting by the front doors.

 

“Hey, Kaoru!” He went up to meet her.

 

“Hi, Keisuke.”

 

“Damn, you look hot.” Keisuke looked her up and down. She was wearing a pretty, short-sleeved blouse that was blue and silky. Her jeans hugged the curves of her body perfectly, while her sequined ballet flats made her look chic.

 

Kaoru's hands fumbled at her purse under his uncomfortable scrutiny. She cleared her throat. “Are you ready to go inside?”

 

“Sure. Yeah. We have to sign in first and show our tickets.”

 

“Okay.”

 

They walked over to the sign-in table where a teacher was sitting. Keisuke handed her the tickets.

 

“Names?” the teacher asked.

 

“Ueda Keisuke.”

 

“Kamiya Kaoru,” she said for herself.

 

“Okay, go ahead around the corner and get your pictures taken.”

 

They walked around the corner and saw a long line to take pictures.

 

Keisuke looked at Kaoru. “Do you wanna wait or do you wanna try later?”

 

“Let's wait. It looks like it's going by pretty fast.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Although the line wasn't moving as quickly as Kaoru suspected, she was glad that they decided to wait. An immense amount of people began lining up behind them, causing the line to back up in the hallway and wrap around the corner. Kaoru was hoping that the night was going to be fun. Maybe she would get to know Keisuke and develop a crush on him. Yes, that would be productive. She would go out on dates with him, create a relationship, and become boyfriend and girlfriend. Yes, then a certain redhead would be out of the picture. Kaoru sighed happily at her well-thought out plan.

 

“What are you thinking about?” Keisuke interrupted her thoughts.

 

“You,” she said, not realizing the misconception she gave him.

 

He puffed up. “I'm always good to think about.” He meant to say it as a joke, but Kaoru could tell he wasn't kidding. She rolled her eyes.

 

Thirty minutes later, they were next in line to take their picture.

 

“Okay, kids,” the photographer said, “Let's do this quickly.” He pointed to some tape on the floor. “I want you to stand right there,” motioning to Kaoru, “and you, Big Guy, stand behind her. Good. Now put your arms around. That's fine. Okay, smile!”

 

The flash went off.

 

“Alright, now face each other and put your arms around each other. Blue Eyes, a little closer. Closer. Just like that. Now, don't move.”

 

Kaoru was really uncomfortable. She was standing very close to Keisuke, holding her arms limply around him. He smelled slightly of sweat and something sour. She wasn't sure whether or not his cologne bettered or worsened the smell. She noticed the younger students waiting in line talking about them.

 

“It's Keisuke! Oh, he's so cute!”

 

“Who's that with him?”

 

“That's Kaoru! She's so pretty! I'm going to grow out my hair just like her!”

 

“She looks like a model!”

 

“She dresses so well!”

 

“No wonder Keisuke has her as his date. They're so cute together!”

 

However, Kaoru didn't notice Hanai Manami, who was blended in with the line of students, watching the popular couple with burning eyes.

 

Keisuke opened the door for Kaoru and the walked inside the gym. The music was the first thing to attack her senses. It was blaring so loud that she felt the ground vibrating. The next thing to attack her was the strobe lights. The room was dark and foggy, and then suddenly the random colored lights would blind her momentarily. Then there was the smell. The massive amount of bodies dancing and moving around combined with a lot of heavy breathing caused the gym to smell sweaty and stuffy.

 

“Wanna dance?” Keisuke shouted at Kaoru.

 

“What?” she yelled back.

 

“Dance! You want to dance!”

 

“Sure,” she said over the music, “that sounds great!”

 

They walked to the center of the gym where everyone was dancing. Kaoru spotted Misao, Soujiro, and Reika and her boyfriend. “Can we go over there?” she asked loudly, pointing in the direction of her friends.

 

“Sure,” he yelled. “Stay over there. I'll be right back. I just want to say hi to a couple of people.”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Don't move, okay?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Keisuke disappeared into the crowd of people. Kaoru quickly went to her friends.

 

“Hey, Kaoru!” Misao shrieked.

 

“Hey, Kaoru!” Reika greeted. “Having fun?”

 

“What?”

 

“Having fun?” She yelled louder.

 

“I guess. We just took our pictures.”

 

“Oh. Daigo and I are going to wait until the line goes down. Hey! Let's dance!” Reiko moved her body to the beat of the music. Kaoru was surprised at how well all her friends danced. She didn't know what to do so she just watched.

 

“Come on!” Misao prodded. “Move those hips!”

 

Awkwardly, Kaoru imitated Misao's motions. She heard someone laughing behind her. She turned around.

 

“Shogo!” Kaoru exclaimed. “What are you laughing at?”

 

“Oh my god, Kaoru,” he gasped, still clutching his stomach, “you can't dance.”

 

Kaoru hit him square in the chest. “Say that one more time and I'll make sure you can't either.”

 

Shogo gagged, slowly regaining his breath. When he could speak, he pulled a pretty girl beside him. “Hey guys, this is Sakura. My date.”

 

“Oh!” Soujiro recognized her. “Misao! It looks like you're going to have to pay Shogo ten dollars. He won the bet!”

 

Shogo's eyes were madly widening at Soujiro, his hand motioning him to shut up.

 

“What?” Sakura said, drawing her arm away from Shogo. “A bet?”

 

“No, it's not what you think.”

 

“You're a such a pig, Shogo.” She walked away.

 

“No, no! Baby, come back! You're taking it the wrong way!” He grabbed Soujiro's shirt and growled, “Your ass is mine, Smiley.” He ran to catch up with Sakura. “Wait! Sakura! Come back!”

 

Soujiro smiled mischievously. “Oops. I slipped.”

 

The group laughed. They danced a little more until they realized Kaoru was having a hard time.

 

“I don't know what I'm doing,” Kaoru shouted.

 

“Just move with the music,” Reika said without pausing from dancing.

 

Kaoru looked even more confused. How was she supposed to move with the music?

 

“Do your own thing,” Soujiro suggested. “Nobody cares. Be wild! Free yourself.”

 

Kaoru digested Soujiro's words and began to swing her hips. She then incorporated a swimming motion. She knew she looked absolutely ridiculous, but at least she knew how to look ridiculous. Misao laughed and then did her own variation with fishing. Soujiro joined in and pretended he was showering. Soon the whole group was dancing as Kaoru was. One person would go in the middle and show off their move, then would switch off to the next person. Kaoru was in the middle doing an imitation of the robot, when Misao danced directly in front of her doing the running man, challenging her move. This continued for a while, the group of friends constantly laughing, cheering, and dancing their silly cares away.

 

Kenshin was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He was bored out of his mind. When he first arrived, Shizuka approached him to give him instructions.

 

“All you have to do is just watch the kids, make sure they don't get into any fights, keep them separated if they get too close . . . it's basic. If a student asks you to dance, decline. At least during the fast songs. You can dance one or two slow songs with the students . . .” her voice lowered, “or with staff.”

 

Kenshin had smiled at her politely before ridding himself of the dean's presence. Her perfume aggravated his nose. Later during the dance, Shizuka spent large amounts of time by his side, talking to him about herself, and asking strange and personal questions about himself. Whenever she went away, he would attempt to escape by walking to the other side of the gym, or by talking to students with his front facing the wall. Yet somehow she always managed to find him.

 

When Kenshin was on his way to hide from Shizuka again, he noticed a group of students that were dancing in a circle. They were dancing in the goofiest way possible, but they looked like they were having a great time. Then he saw a familiar face dancing in the center. It was Kaoru! She was doing some sort of fifties dance, twisting her legs, body, and head all around. He started laughing. He never thought such a beautiful person could be such a terrible dancer. She looked so free, shaking her body about and laughing with her head thrown back. Not being a dancing man, Kenshin didn't especially want to join her, but he thoroughly enjoyed watching Kaoru and her friends dance in wild abandon. He then noticed a boy tap Kaoru on her shoulder. He said something to her and she followed him to the other side of the gym. He recognized the boy from yesterday's after-school conversation. Was he Kaoru's date? The boy began dancing, supposedly with Kaoru, but she was as stiff as a stick. This other group wasn't dancing like Kaoru's friends. She apparently didn't know what to do because he kept instructing her and coaxing her to move. She looked very uncomfortable. Kenshin decided he should rescue her.

 

“Isn't it sickening?”

 

He froze. Shizuka was suddenly beside him, touching his arm. He ground his teeth. “What is?”

 

“The way the kids dance. They call it `freaking'. They bump and grind their bodies together claiming that they're dancing. If you ask me, it's more like dry sex.”

 

“Do you allow this?” Kenshin asked, his eyes narrowing.

 

“Up to a point,” she responded airily. “If they get too . . . intimate, then we should pull them apart.”

 

Kenshin looked over at Kaoru and the boy. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he saw.

 

Kaoru felt Keisuke press himself against her and pushed him away in shock. “What are you doing?”

 

He looked at her, baffled. “Dancing. Don't you know how to dance?”

 

She vehemently shook her head.

 

“It's not that hard. I'll teach you. I'm really good.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her close to his body. “Just shake your hips to the beat of the music. Your body will automatically know what to do.”

 

Kaoru gave it a try. She twisted her hips back and forth to the sound of the bass. She felt like a fool. She heard Keisuke laugh and glared at him.

 

“I'm sorry,” he said, holding up his hands in defense. “Here,” he grabbed her hips again and pulled her to him so that their hips were pressed against each other. Kaoru felt her ears turning red. “Move the way I'm moving.” He began to dance, rotating his pelvis into hers. She was so shocked she didn't know what to do. She could feel his member through his jeans. Her face was burning with embarrassment as they continued to dance. And then she felt someone behind her, grinding against her back. What's going on? Keisuke was yelling encouragements at her, telling her that she was doing great and to relax and have fun. Kaoru bared her teeth in an attempt to smile. She had never been this close to a boy before. In fact, she had never been this close to anybody before. This style of dancing was raw and almost animalistic. Keisuke seemed like he was having a good time. He was dancing with two other girls and they were laughing and teasing each other. Perhaps this kind of dancing wasn't so bad as she felt it was. She wanted to be a good date so she continued dancing with him and his friends.

 

After a while, Kaoru had been freaked multiple times by a boy, a girl, a boy and a girl, and two boys, and two girls. She was dancing with Keisuke again, but this time he grabbed her bottom and lifted her off the ground. He began to grind against her when she wriggled violently out of his grip.

 

“Stop!” Kaoru yelled. “Stop it! Stop!”

 

Keisuke put her down, confusion evident on his face. “What's wrong?”

 

“You are dancing too close.”

 

Keisuke and Kaoru looked to the side where the spine-chilling voice came from. Kenshin was standing there with his eyes intensely fixed on Keisuke. The boy swallowed nervously.

 

Kaoru's eyes filled with horror as she realized Kenshin saw the way she was dancing. “I need to get some air,” she said to Keisuke before running out of the gymnasium. She rushed down the hall, ran up the stairs, and burst through the main doors where other students were standing around. They looked at her briefly and continued their own conversations. The cold air shocked her lungs as she took deep, gulping breaths. She felt like crying. Kenshin saw me dancing. Kenshin saw me dancing like that. Oh god, I'm so humiliated. He must be so disappointed. I'm so disappointed. I can't believe I danced like that. All I wanted was to fall for Keisuke so I could forget about Kenshin. I shouldn't feel like this but I can't help it. Kenshin . . . he saw me.

 

“Kaoru-dono.”

 

She cringed as she recognized the voice.

 

“Are you okay?” Kenshin's voice was hard.

 

Karou couldn't look him in the eyes. She stared at the ground and nodded.

 

“Was he your date?”

 

She nodded again.

 

Kenshin remained silent and stared at her. There was no reason for him to be upset. She wasn't required to tell him that she had a date to the dance. She could do whatever she wished; and if that included dancing with her date in the raunchiest way possible, then so be it. All the students danced like that. It was practically normal. He was supposed to say something a teacher would say to a student, perhaps a reprimand or a word of comfort; however, the only thing he wanted to say were words of anger and jealousy. Words reserved for a man to his belonged woman. Words he had no right to say.

 

At that moment, Keisuke came running through the doors. “Kaoru!”

 

She turned to look at him.

 

“Kaoru! Are you alright?” He saw Kenshin standing in front of her. “Hey, man. Sorry about dancing too close and all.”

 

Kenshin only nodded.

 

Keisuke smiled. “Come on, Kaoru. My friend is having a party at his house. It's gonna be awesome! Let's go! I'll drive.” He grabbed Kaoru's wrist.

 

Before Keisuke could drag her away, Kenshin's eyes pierced Kaoru's. Don't go.

 

Her sapphire eyes were filled with sadness. I have to.

 

Kenshin watched them drive away. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. “Aoshi. Which bar did you say you were going to?”

 

_________________________________________________________________ ______

 

“Yeah! Alright! Do it, baby! You're glamorous!” Keisuke shouted encouragements as Kaoru vomited in the toilet. When Kaoru thought she had finished, she leaned her head against the toilet seat and groaned. Then she threw up another round. Kaoru had only consumed one bottle of beer at the party, but she apparently had extremely low tolerance of alcohol. Keisuke helped her to the sink and she rinsed her mouth. He dug through the drawers, found some mouthwash, and gave it to her. Kaoru gargled for ten minutes.

 

“You good?” Keisuke asked when she remained still.

 

Kaoru nodded.

 

“Great! Let's go back to the party.”

 

She groggily followed him out. Granted, she felt much better after throwing up, but she still had a pounding headache.

 

The house where the party was held was a nightmare. About one hundred high school kids were scattered all over the house drinking, talking, and horsing around. People were in the front lawn, the living room, the kitchen, upstairs, and the backyard by the pool and patio. The student who lived in the house was having mini heart attacks every five minutes. Someone was going to break a vase, a couple went in his parents' room, or drinks were being spilled on his white carpet.

 

Keisuke and Kaoru returned to the patio in the backyard where Kaoru had her beer.

 

“Hey! You made it!” one of Keisuke's friends said.

 

Kaoru smiled weakly at him. She silently watched the group of students whom she was standing with. They were all at least on their third beers. She didn't know how they did it. Beer was the worst tasting liquid she ever put in her mouth. The thought of alcohol made her stomach heave. She tapped Keisuke's arm. “I think I need to sit down.”

 

He looked disappointed and annoyed. “Alright. Hey guys, we'll be back.”

 

“No, you can stay,” Kaoru insisted. “I just need a couple of minutes.”

 

“You sure?” Keisuke asked a little too eagerly.

 

“Yeah. I'm fine.”

 

Kaoru found a vacant pool chair and watched everyone with glazed eyes. The chlorine smell wasn't making her nausea go away, but having her stomach lower to the ground seemed to help. She wondered when Keisuke was going to take her home.

 

“What do you think you are doing here?”

 

Kaoru looked up and saw Hanai Manami standing in front of her. She was wearing a short skirt and white blouse.

 

“I'm with my date,” Kaoru replied dully.

 

“Oh really? Since when did trash have dates?”

 

Kaoru never spoke to Manami before. There was never any need nor was there any desire. Don't stoop to her level. Blue eyes slowly narrowed. “How am I trash?”

 

“Isn't it obvious? You're leftovers. Second rate material. Keisuke was going to ask me to the dance first, but he knew I was going to say `no'. He didn't have anyone else to ask to the dance, so he asked you.”

 

Kaoru stood. Her father taught her that Kamiyas were never talked down to. “Why don't you skip the name-calling and tell me why you're breathing on me?”

 

Manami took a step closer to Kaoru. “You think you're so cool, don't you? Just because you became popular in a week you think that everyone loves you.” Her voice pitched a high, sarcastic tone. “Oh! Kaoru! You're so cool! You're so pretty! I want to touch your hair! I want to kiss your feet!”

 

Kaoru clenched her fists. You're better than she is. Don't do anything you'll regret.

 

“Are you going to hit me? Oh god! I'm so scared! That's probably why everyone says you're so pretty. They're afraid that you'll kick their ass if they don't.”

 

Everyone in the backyard stopped talking.

 

Kaoru's eye twitched. “Are you done?”

 

“Don't you try to play hero. You think by not saying anything you're the better person? Here's a reality check, Kamiya Kaoru. You're only popular because you look like a slut. You're nothing but a pretty face.”

 

Kaoru took a step closer to Manami. “You're really good at playing everyone for a fool. They think you're tough and confident when really you're so weak with your low self-esteem that the only way you can bring yourself up is by pushing everyone else down.”

 

Apparently Kaoru struck a sore spot because Manami's face turned red with anger. “You bitch!” She slapped Kaoru with all of her strength. Except Kaoru ducked. The momentum from Manami's intended slap caused her to slip and fall in the pool.

Everyone in the backyard hooted and hollered, cheering for Kaoru. Manami came up sputtering and cursing.

 

Sirens were heard in the distance. Keisuke grabbed Kaoru and ran to his car. “The cops are coming! We gotta get outta here!” He shoved her in the front seat, and drove away.

 

Kaoru was still angry. She was glaring straight ahead of her.

 

“Forget about Manami. She had a huge crush on me for a while. She thought I was going to ask her to the dance, but I didn't. I guess she flipped.”

 

`Flipped' was an understatement. Kaoru looked at the clock. It read two thirty-three.

 

“We had quite an adventure, huh?”

 

“Yeah,” she said quietly. This was the worst night of her life. She upset Kenshin, disobeyed him and went to the party, got drunk, threw up, and became enemies with Manami. She couldn't think of anything that could top this at that moment.

 

“Is this your place?” Keisuke asked when he pulled up at an apartment.

 

“Yeah. Thanks for the ride home.”

 

“No problem.” He was staring at her in a funny way. “I had a great time tonight.”

 

“Me too,” she said automatically. She reached for the door handle. “Bye.”

 

“Hey, Kaoru,” Keisuke said before she could leave.

 

She tiredly turned to him. “Hm?”

 

His lips were suddenly on hers. He didn't grab her, he didn't hold her. Only his lips were pushing against hers in a sloppy, clumsy way. Kaoru was no expert at kissing, yet she knew for a fact that this boy wasn't doing it right. He smothered the outer part of her mouth with the inside of his lips, while his tongue slithered back and forth against her clamped lips. She was in so much shock from his slippery, slimy lips that she was couldn't believe it was happening. No, this can't be my first kiss. It can't be. She opened her eyes and saw Keisuke's eyes closed. He moaned. Disgusted, Kaoru pushed roughly against his chest. He was panting. She used every ounce of self-control to resist wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

 

“Sorry,” Keisuke said with a cocky smirk, “Sometimes I can get too passionate.”

 

Not knowing what to say, Kaoru nodded and flew out of the car.

 

When she got inside her apartment building, she wiped at her lips like nobody's business. I can't do it. I can't fall for Keisuke. I can't. I won't. Her hand shook as she unlocked her apartment door. What was I thinking? I shouldn't have gone. I'm so stupid. She felt a lump growing in her throat. I'm such a coward. She kicked off her shoes. I know I don't deserve it, but I wish I had someone to hold me. She thought of her mother, her father, and Kenshin. Kaoru crawled into bed, curled up in a ball, and cried.