Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ What Went Before ❯ Underneath It All ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer- *Looking through stash of goodness* Hmm… I own a whole bunch of RuoKen manga, figures, DVD, doujinshi and more, but I don't actually own Kenshin. *Sigh* It's at the top of my want list, though.

Kenshin: *Looks through Oni's stuff* Ano… Why does Oni-dono own some Yamaguchirow doujins?

Neko Oni: *Blushes* Th-they're not mine!

Sano: *Snickers* Suurrreee…

*

I'm a rabid doujin collector, and I do own all of Yamaguchirow's non-hentai books. I really like the art style and such. Eventually, I broke down and bought a few of the more racy ones, simply `cause I liked the others so much, and they're actually not that bad --compared to other hentai ones I've seen, grossness. They're usually very funny and sweet --very kawaii, but also very graphic, mind you. Anyway, now that you think I'm a perv let's move along to the story, shall we…

Chapter Contents- Foxes, tattoo's, piercing and long-winded babble is located below --Plus, the longest chapter, by far.

*

What Went Before

Chapter V- Underneath It All

The night before had been a terrible mistake. Never in his life did he think someone could be that scared of him. Well, actually, that would be lying. There were a lot of people that made it their priority in life to stay a way from him, and he intentionally placed the fear there in the first place. Others that were afraid of him were simply aware of his reputation, and rumors in his world were usually the truth, not based on lies. It was much easier for people to be scared of him, than trying to prove his abilities every time someone disliked what they saw. It was always some insult about his delicate, stringy appearance, but in the end they would regret their words. It was all so much easier to be feared.

But never, ever, did he think someone would be terrified because of the way he drove.

Kaoru screamed the whole way home for him to `slow down', or to `watch out', and the occasional `I'm going to die' remark. On the way over to the Skate Park he had only simply tested the car, not really pushing it to his limits. Kaoru did not seem that bad on the way over, but on the way back it was a nightmare when he raced though the streets. He would have nothing to do with it though, he was determined to play with his new toy, hysterical teenager or not. So, he stepped on the gas and played.

When they returned home, Kaoru sat in the car again, waiting to regain her baring on the world. Kenshin waited for her, busying himself with his skateboard, by rolling around the car a few times. They eventually made their way up to her apartment again, but the whole way she reminded him she was never going to drive with him again --even if it was the coolest car on the planet. Ken just smirked while silently agreeing and later that evening they went to bed, Ken on Kaoru's sofa, and Kaoru in her room, alone.

That night he did not get much sleep, do to the ever-constant effects of his condition. Sano rambled home during the early morning hours, causing Kenshin to wake up completely from the commotion. During Sano's drunken stupor they played a couple games of poker, evidently a continuation of Sano's night out on the town. Ken walked a way with a few more dollars in his pocket, while Sano's wallet felt lighter the next day. The male bonding moment ended with morning light cracking through the windows and Sano finally calling it a `night'. Kenshin returned to the sofa and tried for more sleep.

Around nine in the morning, Ken woke to Kaoru, telling him she was leaving and to relay the message to Sano. She muttered something about seeing boyfriends and left Ken alone, again. Not pleased with his wake up call, Kenshin showered, dressed, and went out to purchase some mattresses. He enjoyed driving his new car over to the store, but did not like how they told him he would be waiting a week before his order arrived. The next seven days, unfortunately, would be spent on Kaoru's black couch.

*

So, Kenshin found himself alone and very bored at one in the afternoon. Kaoru was gone, enjoying love ones, and Sano was still `sleeping it off'.

He walked through the boy's side of the apartments and looked around, really seeing what it looked like for the first time. It was a lot drabber than Kaoru's side, but definitely had a male feel to it. There was even a male sign --the restroom type-- hanging on the door, claiming the appropriate sex when entering through Kaoru's apartment. The ceilings were normal height, again, compared to Kaoru's vaulted ones. The couch huddled in front of the television was blanketed in an odd, blue coloured sheet, the couch underneath an even odder colour. The kitchen was bare with a few appliances, accompanied by the silly magnets hanging on the fridge. A few chairs, lamps, and the likes scattered through out, nothing that special. It was really the common male posters that hung on the wall that raised an eyebrow.

Ken sauntered up to a few pictures, looking curiously at the girls sprawled on the paper. A few blondes and brunettes littered the wall in different poses, but they were all defiantly, stark naked. The lesser majority consisted of band posters, more along the lines of punk or rock music. A few of which he liked, and he decided Sano had pretty good taste --that was among bands, of course, but the poster women were nice to look at it too.

Not overly thrilled with the boring apartment, he returned to Kaoru's, remembering she had the better cable package. Before settling on the sofa once more, he headed over to the fridge, searching through the contents for a drink. Inside, he noticed his Jack Daniel's bottle was still there, only a fourth way full because he managed to polish off a few more shots after Kaoru passed out at the party. The story he had told Kaoru was not a lie, but it was only part of the truth. He bent down closer, looking at the selection of pop; a few cans of Pepsi and whole bunch of Sunkist were his choices. He grabbed an orange flavored one, also picking up his Jack and placing it in the freezer where it would be kept cooler.

Sitting on the couch, Kenshin flipped through a few channels, looking for something suitable to watch. He finally stopped on the History Channel and relaxed, stretching the length of the sofa. A few minutes later he nodded off while the documentary about big crime heists played in the background.

*

Kenshin awoke to the door being opened rather vehemently. His eyes remained closed because he dearly needed to try for a longer nap, the night before had only provided him with a few hours of sleep, at the most. A few muffled sounds came from the other person and he deducted it to be Kaoru and not Sano. Keys slammed on a solid surface and he heard crunching footsteps approaching him. A few seconds later someone was removing his shoes and he silently cursed himself for being rude about leaving his flips on while he was on someone else's couch.

Drip.

Marginally curious at the sudden wetness, Ken opened his eyes to a doleful Kaoru. Her eyes were a little ragged, and a couple tears escaped her lids, causing one to land on his shin. Sighing, he sat up and placed a hand on Kaoru's that was peeling off his left shoe.

Surprised, she staggered and sniffed a few times at the touch. "You scared me."

"Sorry." Ken finished with the shoe-removing administrations, not really sure what else to do. "You okay?"

"I'm fine" Kaoru wiped her cheek and displayed a weak, pathetic smile. "Just don't put your shoes on my couch, again."

"Fair enough." She was not okay, and he was not dumb. Reading someone's emotions came along with his job skills for Christ sakes --plus, she was crying! "But I think your lying."

An exasperated sigh. "Think what you like."

He starred at her for a few moments, gauging any possibilities. He did not know her well, but something awful must of happened to make Blue Eyes cry. In the past couple of days she had clearly presented herself as a strong female character, kind of like the type that laughs hysterically at girls who weep when their nail breaks. "Something to do with that boyfriend you mumbled about this morning?"

He helplessly cringed when more moisture welled up in her eyes; it looks like he had assumed regretfully right. "He's a jerk."

Not so surprisingly at the sound of jerk boyfriends, Sano entered the room, quickly closing the distance to get at Kaoru. He easily picked her up, throwing the teen over his shoulder effortlessly. Kaoru was not pleased, and yelped loudly in protest, but all was in vain while Sano fizzled. "That asshole, wait till I see him again . . ."

"Sano, please. It's not what you think!" Sano scoffed. Yeah, right. "And put me down!"

"Nope." He turned to Ken, giving him an unlikely serious look. "Excuse us. I'm gonna talk to Kaoru about dick boyfriends."

"'Kay . . ."

"Hey!" Kaoru pounded on him a few times. "Down! Now!"

"Not today." Sano tightened his hold. "By the way --Mornin' Ken."

Ken nodded a return late greeting, and Sano carried a thrashing teenager out of the room into the other apartment, mumbled curses following. Sano was very protective of Kaoru, and silently declared that from the start. Kaoru and Sano both cared for each other almost too deeply, and Kenshin thought they should just date, and get it over with. Then again, he did not know their past; there might have very well been a suitable reason why they were not together. But, Sano sure did have an odd way of comforting her, he shrugged at the thought and settled back into the couch. It was really none of his business.

The earlier documentary about crime was now replaced with one describing the history of war, complete with little warriors from ages old running around on the screen. He leaned over to take a sip of soda that was placed on the coffee table. It was warm. Lovely. He crinkled his nose at the flat taste, too lazy to get up for some ice, and sat it back on the table. Defeated, he closed his eyes again and clicked the program off, willing himself back to dream land.

*

Megumi dug through her purse, searching for the ever-allusive house key. Stifling choice words, she rummaged through it again, and again. A couple of long minutes later the key was found, and she proceeded up the apartment steps --destination of one Kamiya Kaoru's abode. Once reaching the door, she unlocked it and entered. The welcoming of silence was not very different, but it was the red hair sticking out over the cushion that was out of place.

Checking the apartment for any other signs of life, she walked back to Kaoru's bedroom. Empty. Kaoru was not on her side of the apartment. Megumi glanced over to the door that connected the other rooms, and then shook her head. Nope, she was not going to go over there, and entertain that man if it was possibly avoidable. Her sights turned to the sleeping red head.

"Hey, are you awake?" Obviously not when quietness returned her call, Megumi walked over closer. "Miss, can you wake up for a second?"

Miss?! Dammit again.

Kenshin groaned hatefully, another attempt at sleep was throated again, and the added fact of being called a female just simply irritated him. He was starting to hate Florida, and it's Americans jumping to conclusions. Scowling, he opened his blood shot eyes, summoning up a sleepy growl. "I'm not a `miss'."

Well, that was a `nice' acknowledgment, at least they were awake now. She peered closer, and blinked. "Oh. I guess not."

Kenshin suppressed his need to hit something. Not that he would ever punch a woman, but some inanimate object could, quite possibly, pay for his luck today. He shifted upwards into a sitting position on the couch, while the unidentified woman gave him the once over. "Anyway, what were you needing?"

Megumi carefully eyed the pretty man, and smiled. "Do you know where Kaoru-chan is?"

Ah, another Japanese native has moved to this tiny town in Central Florida too, he thought. The long black locks filing down to her waist was the first clue, along with the facial features. But the voice heavily laced with accent was the seal. "She's talking with Sano right now --she's rather upset, though."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "What about?"

Ken shrugged, that was none of his concern, really. "Something about a jerk boyfriend."

"It's about time." It was Ken's turn to raise facial features, a little confused by the comment. She inched closer to his head, seemingly interested. "What happen to your face?"

Face? Oh, that. "Nothing special."

"I'm a med. student." She got even closer, much to his discomfort. "Let me take a look at it."

"No, that's alright." He fingered the thin bandage on his cheek, backing away, but her hands flew up into his line of vision.

"Nonsense. I need someone to practice on anyway."

Practice? That sounded like fun. Not. "You won't be able to do much."

"Let my try."

"No thanks."

"You're not getting out of this." The women was starting to get scary, and the only way he was going to get out of the predicament is if he inflicted bodily harm. Megumi cupped his face and started tearing at the bandage, not willing her captor to be released. "Now, hold still."

Kenshin sighed, unwilling to hurt the med. student. Going to jail for assault was never fun. "Fine."

Megumi successfully rid the barrier and curiously looked over her patient's face, frowning. "I guess your right --I won't be able to do much."

"Like I said."

"But--" She traced her fingers over the marred wound, assessing the damages. "It's a very deep scar."

He already knew that, it had been there for a number of years, save to his annoyance. "Huh."

"Ah, Megumi, I knew you'd like him."

Sano smirked and Kaoru walked through the door behind him. They were use to her unannounced visits, so when they heard her voice they came crawling, possibly in hope to save their new roommate form her clutches --but it already looked a little late for heroics.

Megumi snorted and returned back to her patient, after acknowledging Kaoru with a smile. "Strictly medical, Sanosuke."

"Whatever." Sano walked around the sofa. "What's wrong with him then?"

"I was hoping to help him with this." Megumi tapped her finger on Ken's cheek. "But it's an old cut."

Ken rolled his eyes. Everyone was starring at him, seemingly entranced by the freak with a scar. But Sano just looked a little confused. "But why'd ya' wear a Band-Aid over it then?"

Megumi flipped her hair. "It wasn't a Band-Aid."

He scowled, correct medical term, Band-Aid. Whatever. "Anyway, So?"

Ken sunk into the cushions, rubbing his cheek. "Sometimes it tends to open up again and bleed."

"Hmm…" That's odd. Megumi placed her hand on Ken's chin again, looking him over thoroughly. "Really? Maybe I can do something then."

Kenshin was not convinced. "Like what?"

"I might have an ointment in my car that may help, if I remember correctly." Megumi straightened, and walked to the door. Intent on retrieving a few medical supplies. "I'll be right back."

"Hey, I'll come with." Sano followed, leaving the other two alone. Ken sighed and looked over to the quiet teenager, she had not said a thing during the whole `Kenshin-checkup' bit.

"So." Ken moved over on the sofa, making room for the girl. "Feel better?"

"Yes, thanks to Sanosuke." She plopped down on the sofa with a drastic out take of breath. Sano had coaxed her into talking about the breakup, and he had eventually made her feel better by silly remarks about dumb boys. "But he's still a jerk."

"Sano or the other guy?"

"Huh?" Kaoru blinked. "Oh. I mean the jerk ex-boyfriend."

Ken busied himself with his hair, pulling it out of the band. It seemed Sano had done well in cheering her up a little. "Want me to beat him up?"

Kaoru was generally surprised, but then, she giggled it off --It was just plain weird. "How old did you say you were?"

Shrugging, he separated his hair into three different sections, and toiled them into place. "How old are you?"

"Seven teen." She watched as Ken continued the hair activity, not really catching on. "What are you doing?"

"What it looks like." He finished, tying the band on the end product. "Braiding."

"That's kind of girly." He glared and she smiled sheepishly as an after thought. "I'm mean, it's kind of . . . different."

"Think what you like." Ken silently seethed. The whole world was making fun of him today, why not just add on another insult onto the huge pile. "So, you want me to beat him up, or not?"

"Thanks, but Sano has already offered. Numerous times." Smiling, she studied the man. It was very cute he was offering to stick up for her, but Sano was all she needed in the pounding-in-the-boyfriend matter. Plus, Jason was a lot bigger than the petite man next to her was. He would probably only get trashed in the end.

"Suit yourself." Playing with his braid, he starred back at Kaoru for a couple of moments, she was looking at him in a precarious manner that he did not care for, and just wanted to be left alone because he was dead tired.

But there was more starring.

And then a glare.

But no response.

Another Glare.

Nothing.

Drat.

His scary glares had always warned people off before, but Kaoru was just not responding. Finally, he decided to regard the silent question as he drawled. "Yeesss, Kaoru-dono?"

"That's a nasty mark." Leaning closer, she traced the topic with her fingers, unfazed by the earlier and present dark look. "How did you get it?"

"The usual way." Ken dropped his braid and griped. Did everyone feel the need to touch him today, or what? "Someone else did it."

She thought about the weird answer for a minute, and concluded he must have meant he was probably involved in a fight --or something along those lines. The nasty cut was easily felt, raised and not smooth to the touch. "He got you pretty good then."

Kenshin smirked. "You should have seen him."

That was always a pleasant thought. Knowing that the stranger living with you enjoyed beating people up . . . well, anyone who caused such a scar probably did deserve an ass kicking. "That's… Nice."

"I thought so too."

" . . . Um." Noticing something else, she moved her finger to his nose, thumping on it lightly, very eager to change the subject. "What's this?"

He shot his eyes up heaven ward. "A hole in my nose."

"Duh. But what for?" She squinted her eyes a little more. "Hey, your eyes are kind of purple. Contacts?"

As if. "No."

"Anyway, your not saying you have a pierced nose, are you?" She placed both of her hands on either side of his face, turning it back and forth a couple of times. She would have to actually see him with his piercing in to make a final decision, the mental picture at the moment was not working.

Ken nodded in her grasp. "I do."

"That's…" Kaoru smiled, and shook her head. The response would only earn her another glare. "Never mind."

"Fine. But--" He reached his hands to hers. "--Would you leave my face alone."

"Oh. Sorry." Tingeing a little pink, she brought her hands back to her lap, quickly, but kept her eyes on the brash punk. "Your very different, you know that?"

Ken yawned and relaxed back into his seat, picking up the remote to flip through the channels, tired of her starring games. "Can't be helped."

Kaoru shifted back into the cushions as well, occasionally glancing over to her roommate. Long Red hair, pretty face, punk, scar, nose piercing --he was so very unusual, but also very exciting. She thought of him as quite striking before, but the little quirks Ken had just made him even more attractive. Misao was right the other night --Ken was beautiful. The deep crimson wound on his cheek made him utterly inciting and it spoke of trouble. Yeah, maybe she did like to go for the bad boys. Sano was proof, in all his street thug glory. She bet Ken had a very interesting story to go along with his life as well.

But the scar was definitely intriguing --A single strike, running parallel with his jaw line, etched on the left cheek.

*

"So, who's the cute guy?"

"Aw, Kitsune, your hurt my feelings." Sano grinned while Megumi shot him a glare. "I knew you'd like him when you saw'm. Him being a pretty guy and all."

"Just like you to think of him as that." Megumi sighed while she rummaged through her trunk. "Just answer the question."

"Red's my new roomy." Megumi shut the trunk, turning with a few articles in her hand. "Been here for a couple of days."

"Oh yeah? So what's he do?" They started walking back up to the apartment steps. "I mean, having that kind of scar, there's got to be something interesting about him."

"Don't know, really." Megumi was sharp when it came to judging people. And Sano also had an inkling that there was some kind of huge story behind his new roommate, but he knew squat when it came to personal facts. Besides, he had only been living there for a few days.

"Well, that scar of his was not caused by an accident." She searched her medical brain for some answers, but it was hard telling what caused such a mark. The thing was, it seemed so old, yet it was still there, not really fully healed. "It's very deep, and someone had to have intentionally placed it there, but then --what do I know."

Sano shrugged. "A gardening tool could of hit'm the face for all we care."

"I guess we should just ask." She sighed and, they rounded the corner and walked up to the first floor. "You'll have to properly introduce me."

"Maybe I can manage that. But, I'm not setting up any dates." Sano earned another glare as they reached the top of the steps, noticing a familiar figure.

"Sandy-baby!"

Megumi rolled her eyes, and Sano grinned at his personal nickname, even if only one person used it. The neighbor skipping towards them always seemed to get a reaction out everyone, good or bad. "Ah, Kammy-sweet heart, long time no see."

*

Kenshin silently glowered over his wonderful string of luck since he had moved to the States. Kaoru silently planned revenge on idiotic, jerk, moron, ex-boyfriend named Jason. Sopranos on HBO played as background noise to their seething while they sat on the couch.

Unfortunately, the door jangled and opened, jarring them out of their unspoken griping.

Ken turned to regard the happy chatter taking place at the door. Another new face was recognized among Sano, and the Med. student. Short, brown hair accompanied a pink coloured sundress, complete with light makeup and cute shoes. The other girl was far from ugly, but something was not right, and he could not place a finger on the problem. A few more light words were exchanged, and Sano pressed a light kiss on the other girl's cheek as a goodbye.

"One of Sano's girlfriends?" Ken turned to look at Kaoru for answers; she was the best choice in such situations addressing the tall man.

"Kammy?" Giggling, Kaoru brought a hand up to her mouth, trying to suppress the light outburst. "Well, I guess you could put it that way."

A straight answer would be nice. "Oh."

Megumi strolled over to the couch, hands full with items she had fished out of her medical bag, just happy to shrug off the Kammy problem. "Some of these might help."

"Thanks." Ken took a couple tubes out of the student's hands, and read the labels. "But what are they?"

"There just a couple of creams that will help it heal, maybe even help the scar fad." Siting on the coffee table across the couch, she straightened the knee length black skirt she was wearing with a red shirt to match. "It's just normal stuff you could buy over the counter, but I had it in my medical kit I always carry around. So, I thought why not."

"I'll try them, I guess." Flipping the medicine over, he read the directions on the back, ingredients and warnings. Simple creams were not going to help, but he might as well humor the nice lady, even if she was a bit scary. Well, more like intimidating.

"I hope they'll work." Megumi watched Sano stare at the open refrigerator's contents. Her introduction was not coming anytime soon, the starring contest between him and the food could last a while. She turned back to face the couch's occupants. "So, I'm Megumi."

Finally, a face to go with the name. Usually patients learn their doctor's name before an examination, but he did not offer his identity first either --Oh well. "Ken."

Megumi smiled and nodded, believing she had just met another cute, American national. The red head sitting across from her in typical skater clothes and double chains hanging from the waist --And was his hair braided before?-- was simply Megumi eye candy.

Sano returned with his selection from the fridge contest, a chocolate pudding had lost to him. "Oi, Kitsune, are we gonna play today?"

She sighed, and then slowly smirked in anticipation. A chance to shame him would never pass if she had the time of day. "Of course."

Ken gave Kaoru another questioning look while Sano walked away again. "Play what?"

"They always do it." Kaoru motioned to the cup in Sano's hand. "They gamble every time she comes over. I think it has to do with some manly pride that was bruised a long time ago."

"And he always loses." Megumi got off the table and sat on the floor, across from Sano's seated position. "It started when he lost the first game against me. Ever since he's been trying to win, but he's such an idiot I'm surprised he even learned how to speak English --much less learn the rules of a game."

"Feh, I'm in too good of a mood after seeing Kammy to lose." Sano's smirk matched Megumi's perfectly as they daunted one another. Ken recognized the game they were playing instantly. Two dice and a cup sat in the middle of the table, a game he was familiar with in Japan. "So, prepare to lose lots of money today!"

"Oh, yeah?" Megumi grabbed the cup, the remark about Kammy irritating her to no end. "Let's bet on something else today --since you're so confident."

Sano snorted and swallowed some pudding. "Like what?"

"If you lose you have to wash my car for six months."

"Please." He yawned. "Is that suppose to scar me? Think of somethin' better."

"My practice patient?"

A nasty thought. Then he reconsidered. "Somethin' better."

"Fine. How about…" Thinking, Megumi thoughtfully tapped a finger on her chin. Kaoru sighed; getting them two together was worse then she and Sano. "You'll have to get something stupid tattooed on you --something really dumb."

"Megumi, are you crazy?" Kaoru knew Sano never won, this was just getting plain idiotic.

She rolled her eyes. "He'll just chicken out anyway, and have to give me some money for breaking the bet."

"I'm not losing, and I won't wuss out." Sano grabbed the cup from Megumi's hands and grinned. There was no way he was losing now, being called an idiot was one thing, but being called a wuss was another. "I'll even get your name tattooed on me. That dumb enough for ya'?"

"It's not dumb." Megumi smiled. "It's perfect."

He nodded and rolled the dice. "But if I win, you have to do the same."

"You're on."

*

Later in the evening, Kenshin found himself in a tattoo parlor. After they watched Megumi and Sano play Cho and Han for over an hour, Sano dragged him along, saying a buddy of his was an artist there. Driving over in Kaoru's Durango, Kenshin heard every detail about her recent break up with her boyfriend, since it was the only thing the two girls talked about while in the car. It was rather funny to listen to them squabble over evil boyfriends, but he decided he did not like the man. It turned out the end of the relationship was going to come sooner or later, but the bastard called her a few choice words, selfish, being the nicest one among the bunch. Ken secretly hoped Sano did go and beat some sense into the man, simply because he did deserve it.

But at the moment while they waited for Sano and Megumi to return, Kenshin was trying to decided whether he should throttle a couple of boys or not. Kaoru was hopping around the parlor, looking at various tattoo designs while two guys eyed her mercifully. For the most part, that would not bother him, but the words coming out their mouths describing her just irked him --almost like her ex-boyfriend's babble. It came in a string of sentences, mostly composed of vulgar terms, slowly pressing on Kenshin's nerves. One of the things he hated the most was when men treated woman like play things, and that's exactly what they were leaning toward.

He was resting up against the wall as he carefully kept an eye on them and the girl. He was not going to say anything, but then the idiots made the wrong move, by approaching Kaoru and tapping her on the shoulder. Kenshin racked a hand through his red bangs and pushed himself off the wall.

Kaoru turned to see two teens regarding her with silly grins plastered on their faces. "Um, yes?"

"You're pretty hot." One winked at her. "How about you come with us tonight to party?"

Another walked forward. "Girls at places like these always like fun."

Kaoru was disgusted, first day single and ugly men hit on her. How fun. "No thanks."

"We'll take you to a club."

"Like I said." Yucky, icky boys. "No."

"Aww, come on." The first put his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be fun, baby."

"She said no."

Kenshin silently separated the hand from her person, and calmly stepped in between the three. The two guys were not happy with their unexpected interruption and all but snapped. "Hey buddy, who ask'd you?"

Kenshin rolled his eyes, and took Kaoru's hand, leading her over to the door of the ink room. The other two bristled at the silent insult. "Jerk, we weren't done talking to her yet!"

He had mentally given them the option of a foot in the mouth, or to back down. The choice they were heading toward for was the one that hurt at the moment. Kenshin merely turned his head to the side, shooting them a glare. "Yes, you were."

"Ken, let's get inside." The teens were starting to get angry a little too quickly, and Kaoru did not want the little red head to get creamed.

Kenshin said nothing; he just gripped Kaoru's hand tighter when one of the two idiots walked up to them, clearly pissed. "No, where not!"

"Yes, you are." Ken wondered why angry people who wanted to fight, were always dumb too. Was it so hard to get a date that they had to pester a girl, who obviously did not want to go with them, and who was obliviously with another guy? "So, back off."

"Asshole!"

One of the two lunged forward and Kenshin backed a way when the second tried to shove into his shoulder. It seemed they wanted the foot in the mouth option after all.

Smack.

"Ow!"

Unfortunately, before Kenshin could connect his Entities shoe with the guy's face, Sano slammed the door open, hitting the guy in the process --very hard. Sano peered around the door and frowned. "Oops, sorry man."

"What's the big deal!" The man who got hit was a little shocked, but it just made him angrier after recovery. "Watch yourself, ass!"

"Then you leave my girl alone!" Sano thrusted his fist in the air, displaying his challenge pristinely. Kenshin watched a little disappointed, but he very well knew the door in the face was not an accident, and Sano was definitely in full `over-protective-Kaoru gear'.

The guy scrambled to his feet. "Why you--"

"Stop!" An employee of that tattoo store stepped through the door with a bat in his hands, clearly angered by the shouting. "I advise you to leave now, or you'll get hurt."

Men with bats were always convincing, so the two boys left, throwing a few unsuitable curses over their shoulders about `crazy shop owners' and `asshole short guys'. Sano folded his arms and watched them leave, making sure they were not going to try and come back for more. "Bunch of dicks."

The man with the bat was Kats, Sano's friend they met earlier upon arrival. He leaned the bat on his shoulder and sighed, shaking his long hair out of his eyes. "Sometimes, I really do hate working at places like this."

Sano shrugged. "They got off easy."

"You didn't have to hit them so hard." Kaoru wriggled out of Ken's forgotten grasp and walked over to Sano.

"Whatever, they're just lucky they're even walkin' right now." He hooked an arm around her shoulders, and Kaoru smiled up at him, knowing he was telling the truth. They were very lucky; she had witnessed men getting beaten to a bloody pulp before for far less.

"So, are you guys finished?"

Sano nodded. "Yep."

"Well, let me see." She giggled. "I still can't believe you guys did this."

"She's the one who started it."

"It's still crazy."

"She still cheated though." Sano led Kaoru back into the ink room where they worked on the tattoos, with Ken and Kats following behind. "Right, Kitsune?"

Megumi scowled. "Think what you like."

"Let me see already!" Kaoru pulled Sano's arm off of her. "Don't be shy."

"Yeah, come on." Sano smirked at the loser. He had told Megumi he was going to win, but nooo, she did not believe him. Now look at what happen to her, beaten by just a few points to spare and all inked up. It was the best victory he ever had, and rubbing it in was mandatory.

"Fine." Megumi sighed and turned around, lifting her shirt to reveal black letters printing out `Sanosuke' on her lower back. Sano had made her go for the full name --he wanted to push his winnings as far as they could go.

Kaoru bent down to get a better look. "Did it hurt?"

"Nope." It was Megumi's turn to smirk.

Kaoru was confused; she had always thought tattoo's hurt --Pointy needles could never be a good thing, right? "Why not?"

"It didn't because she cheated." Sano stuck his hands in his pockets, pouting, and Ken walked over to see what he meant. He took a look at Megumi's `tattoo' and recognized exactly what she was talking about.

Megumi huffed. "It's not my fault you never said what kind of tattoo."

"Cheater." Megumi stuck out her tongue, directing it at Sano for the unnecessary comment.

Kaoru was still confused. "What do you mean `cheated'?"

"He thinks I cheated because I did not get a real tattoo." Megumi pointed to the tattoo supplies on the counter. There were a few inkbottles and brushes on top, but no needles. "I got a Hanna tattoo."

"What's that?"

"It's just ink brushed on, meaning --not permanent." Kats explained, being the very artist who scrolled on the letters. "It will come off in a couple of weeks."

Sano silently wondered how Megumi was so tactful all the time. If he had lost the bet he would either be sporting a real tattoo at the moment, or be paying her off in cash. "You're still a cheater."

"No." Megumi pulled down her shirt, and smiled. "I'm just smart."

*

Leaning against the cool metal of Kaoru's car, Kenshin waited until the others were finished with their conversation, and bid Megumi farewell. They had returned to the apartment complex and were still arguing over the fine details of the bet, but he had to hand it to Megumi, she was indeed, quite smart. The woman probably had a backup plan from start, knowing very well gambling was a game of chance, and a loser does not always lose. Still, small win or not, Sano was happy his name was plastered on Megumi's back for a couple of weeks.

Through the humid evening a distinct snap of a slap was heard, and Ken perked up, only to see Sano holding his cheek, looking rather sheepish. Shortly after the abuse followed by heated words, Sano made his way toward Ken, muttering a few things about sly foxes, and the girls giving him the evil eye until he was far enough away to stand.

"You always seem to get hit by the girls, Sano."

The accused rubbed his cheek and grinned smugly. "Yeah, well, they just don't understand my humor sometimes."

"Maybe you should consider a new approach."

"Nah." Sano rested up against the car next to Ken, smoothing over his tender skin. "I can take hits from girls --besides, it's worth it most of the time."

Ken folded his arms, and shook his head. He himself may have had a quick tongue, but he knew when to stop before getting assaulted by aggravated women. "Do what you like."

"You can bet on that." Sano nodded his head to affirm the claim. For nineteen years he had survived with his attitude and was not about to change just because of a couple angry females. Most of the time he was just having fun, and not being serious, Megumi usually retaliated from his snide remarks, but Kaoru definitely had the stronger punch. The guys in the tattoo parlor were lucky she had decided not to snap and wallop them for the idiots they were. "Hey, Ken. About this evening . . ."

"Hn?"

"Thanks for looking out for Jou-chan." Sano shifted to lean on his side, facing Ken. He was glad Ken had stepped in to help Kaoru, he would be damned if anyone ever touched her again. Kaoru's recent boyfriend was very lucky he had even allowed Kaoru to date, let alone with a guy he despised. He had just been happy she found someone to get along with, and try to have a normal, healthy relationship. Of course, it all turned out to be a mistake. "I can't afford for anything to happen to her."

Ken shrugged, the whole incident had been small, and he would have done it for any girl. "It's no big deal."

"I like ya', Ken." Sano smirked, and clapped an arm around the shorter man's shoulder. "You're a modest one."

Yep, Sano sure did have a strong grip, Ken made a double mental note to never get in a fight with the man, while he was being smashed along his side. "It's your call."

"Sano, Ken!" Megumi shouted. "Bye!"

Just a little, Sano loosened his hold to wave at Megumi, who was getting in her car to leave, Ken gave a small, half smile, unable to do anything else because his arms were still trapped in an awkward bear hug. "All right roomy, let's get inside."

"Sure." Ken wiggled. "But let me go."

"Sano, let the poor guy go." Kaoru frowned, then turned and quickly giggled as they started for the apartment's metal steps, clinking up as they went. "He's a lot smaller than you, you'll end up crushing him."

"Che!" Ken sighed in relief when he was finally let go, rubbing his arms thoughtfully. Sano snorted and shrugged. "He can take it."

"Still, Sano." She skipped up the last couple of steps, and passed a few doors before she got to her own --room two thirteen. She rose an eyebrow when she noticed a package placed by her entrance, carelessly abandoned for anyone else to take. "There's mail, but I wasn't expecting anything."

Sano stepped forward, fishing for the apartment keys. "Who's it from?"

"Don't know." Picking up the package, she noted the brown paper box was a little heavy, and read the white label. "Oh, it's not for me --here Ken."

"Hmm?" She handed the box to Ken, who frowned upon the package, slowly inspecting the box. Only a few people knew of his current residence, and they would only be sending him something if it was important, or if something was about to happen.

"Did you get something form your family already?" Kaoru asked hopefully.

"I highly doubt that." He turned the box a few times, skimming over the letters printed on the labels, everything in Japanese except for the apartment's address, but there was one thing that stood out amongst the Asian text. "There all dead."

" . . . Oh." Fumbling, Kaoru grabbed Sano's hand, gripping it tightly. Sano just nodded down at the girl, and smiled faintly, he knew what she was thinking and why. Kaoru was in the same predicament as Ken --parentless, the whole reason why the two had moved to the States, and more. Brown Eyes quickly glanced at their roommate, his countenance was the complete opposite of Kaoru's, not the type expected when they had just told a tragic tale.

Ken starred at the Kanji depicting the sender's address, intricate lines expressing a reaction that had not come for many years, a complicated feeling. He was slightly relieved, but at the same time utterly stunned and not sure how to take the situation, everything treading on a fine line.

It was the last person he ever expected to here from, especially there, and then.

How? Why now?

*

To be continued . . .

*

Next Chapter- What's in the box? School starting, and a little more in-depth Kenny.

Long Author's Notes- Long chapter, sorry, I got carried away. I think the chapters will stay close to the previous two's length, but not shorter. Updates will be about one week, to two weeks, but not longer unless something stupid happens and messes up my timetable.

I've got piercings and tattoos --cherries and stars, my favorite things just like Kaoru (Yes, your author is a little unorthodox, so watch out for that in this story while I play). This includes a nose stud, and I wanted someone to have one in the story too. I would have made Kaoru get one, since I'm slightly basing her off of me, but I wanted to keep her more on the preppy side --unlike me. I'm probably more like Kenshin, now that I think about it. *Sigh* Oh well. Remember, I did say the characters were going to be a little OOC, simply `cause I like writing about a bad ass Kenny. And it's the future for heaven sake!

Anyway, if anyone is looking for romance in this story, it will come. I have it planned, but in the future. I just don't care for the thought of people liking each other from the start, then they kiss and fall in love, the end --that's dumb. So, I'm going to make it a little more real life, so to say. Sorry to those WAFF lovers, but there will be some in the future between characters, I promise.

Ken's scar, as in only half, and incomplete. Think real hard and you might get where I could possibly be going with this plot line. *Evil laughter* You'll never guess though… *Bets you to try*

Okay, Kaoru's car --the Durango, I also had one of these, they're nifty! Now that's an expensive truck for a college kid, but lets just say Kaoru is not poor. I'll explain her financial situation --and Sano's-- in chapters to come; it goes with the plot.

Kats and Kammy (sorry for her short, confusing appearance, it was meant to be that way) will be very minor characters. Both of them are people you should be familiar with too.

Hanna Tattoos --I think that's what they're called, remembering from my Daytona Beach tattoo parlor lingo-- are like those fake ones you wet and stick on, but are actually ink painted/stenciled on instead. They usually last less than a month, being temporary and all.

Long, long notes, but thanks all for reading, and please drop me a review, flame or not!

*

Review peoples- Thank you all for reading, with out you there would be no inspiration, but my own self entertainment, and that's not very self gratifying at the moment . . .

MysticPrincessMoonlight- Ah, like I said in the notes, I'll have fluff, but not at the moment. Can't really say when, since I'm going chapter by chapter basis at the moment, but it will come. For now, I guess it will be kind of like the mysterious type, as you put it. Yeah, Kenny is OOC, but there are big reasons as to why he's like that, it'll all be explained later. Thank you again for your lovely reviews!

Kakarlena Tsugoi- updated!

Espi- Thanx for your kind words.

Garasu- As always, thank you for your response. What did ya' think about Megumi? *Shudders with you at the thought of I-4* To get anywhere remotely cool in FL you had to take that stupid road, I always dreaded the traffic, road construction, more construction and the darn accidents that seem to take place every single time I drove on that cursed highway. Plus, I had to drive a Camaro down I-4, and when it started raining, well, let's just say it got really scary sometimes, with all the road diversions and afternoon thunder showers mingled together. Ha! And I want to go back to FL! Silly me . . .

Momo- Thanx for the e-mail!

*

Thanx!