Creeping Up On You

Creeping Up On You: Chapter 2- Story About a Girl


Disclaimer: I don’t own RK. (Insert funny stuff here)
Everything that applied before is still true, it was a basic statement for the fic.
Something new: Pairing Kay/Aoshi and Kay/?
~!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!~

(Story about a girl)
(Story about the world)

Suddenly something I\'m not
You\'re something that you bought
Was it something I said, my friend
A little girl are you tripping on this
Are you tripping all over it
You better come up for air

Story about a girl
My
Story about the world
My

And are you waking up slowly
You\'re nothing but lonely
Are you waking up holding
Holding your breath
And are you looking for something
I promised you one thing
I promise I\'ll always
Always be
There

Baby girl, stand up and fight
This is not some paradise
Oh it\'s just where we live
And finally you think you\'re alright
And that it eats you up alive
You better get used to it


Story About a Girl- Our Lady Peace


~!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!~KAY

There were regulars, as there are at every little place you visit or work at. I could tell you all their names and what they usually ordered, except one. Every time I would remember, he would change it on me. It then became a game of sorts. Could I guess what he wanted that day? I had a choice of about five things on the menu, more often then not I was right. There was just something about him, I felt as if he was the scariest thing in the room and yet I felt as if I had known him forever. I had him in a few of my classes, his name is Soujiro Hiko. He didn’t strike me as the playful type, more like the serious quiet type, but for me, actually I have found for all women, he is playful. I appreciated it. Even though we never talk for long, I almost feel as if I had found some one who would understand me.

Hiko is tall, almost seven feet tall, I look small and dainty compared and I stand at 5’5”. His hair is as dark as a moonless night. I don’t know how he got passed my innate fear of the tall, but he made me feel comfortable with him. I know he is one of two friends I had made since that year, the year in which I don’t even remember living…I mentally shake myself. Its no use trying to force memories, besides I get the feeling I don’t want them.

I can feel my smile broaden as Hiko and my other friend Aoshi, step through the door of the café. My friendliness is just an illusion, oh I’m friendly, but I am trying to overcome a fear of people, of people I don’t know I guess. For partially the same reason, I am surprised that Aoshi and I are friends. He is taller then me, at well over six feet. He and Hiko about sent me into hysteria the first time I had seen him.

Aoshi is quite. He watches everything that happens around him. Hiko does too but in a different way. Aoshi is one that listens to everything that is said and done, finding meaning it in all. I don’t talk to him much. I can just sit with him and it seems as if we can communicate without words. I find a strange peace with him. They sit at different tables and I grab fresh coffee for Aoshi as he spreads out his books. He actually wants to be a teacher at the university level. He is taking a few courses to broaden his horizons so to speak. He reminds me of myself in a way. He has his own darkness to fight and I can see that, maybe that was what had drawn me to him.

I remember the first time I met him…

~!@#$%^&*()_+_)(*&^%$#@!~MEMORY KAY TWO YEARS AGO

I was so scared. Terrified really. I was walking home from the café, Meg, Mia and Sano were detained; they couldn’t walk home with me tonight. The Dark scares me, not in the primal way most humans fear the dark, but for some reason I can’t get past, I’m terrified of the dark. I was trying to be brave that night, I can do this, I can walk home by my self, no problem.

Oh God was I wrong. It’s the beginning of the winter semester, its cold, salt and ice crunch beneath my feet. I keep hearing crunching steps, almost in time with mine, a little faster, behind me. Every time I look behind me there is nothing. I feel so foolish, there is nothing to fear. It had snowed during the day, the street lamps were dim because of the ice and snow on them. It’s a distorted light to add to the shadows all around.

I was about to approach the stairs to my building, it’s usually nicely lit up but the outside bulbs were out. No light. I can feel my fear starting to drown me. I reach out to the lock, my keys in hand. Before I could unlock it the door swings wide open. I’m knocked to the side and almost fall down the stairs. That didn’t make me scream, the strong arms that kept me from falling on my butt did. I lost all reason and thought as I thrashed around. I start to hyperventilate, before I pass out…

When I came to, I was in a room, like mine but not. All the apartments of the building are of the same design, interior decoration is left up to the inhabitant though. My fear jump starts my heart and keeps a pounding rhythm. I see a shadow, I know where I am now, I’m in Sano’s apartment, at least that is what I tell myself, to fight the overwhelming fear.

The shadow straightens and it isn’t Sano. I shrink back as the tall figure from my nightmares reaches for me. The hand and body stop their approach, I am too grateful to ask myself or him why. I relax ever so slightly, my fight or flight instincts, ready to take over. The shadow emerges as a man, one of intense height and coloring. His piercing greenish blue eyes ask the questions he will never ask for himself. But he does ask two.

“What is your name? Did I hurt you a little bit ago?” His deep, nearly gravelly voice, the kind of voice you can feel through your body and his if he’s holding you as he speaks, you know the kind, sent waves of calm over me. My body relaxed in a sense of almost comfort. I was still wary of him, but his voice and slow movements settled my nerves a bit. I shook my head, not really able to speak.

He moved toward me again and I tense up once again. He shifted back, frowning thoughtfully. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I’m Shinomori Aoshi, I am moving in tonight as I started classes today. You’re Kamiya Kaoru aren’t you; I saw you in several of my classes today. Nice to meet you though I wish it had gone differently.” He gave a rueful shake of his head. I felt surprisingly safe, and yet apprehensive with him.

I shakily held out my hand to shake it in a more normal greeting. “Nice to meet you, I’m Kamiya Kaoru.” I was surprised to find my voice so steady, despite the fact my hand wasn’t. He, almost painfully slow, reached out to shake my hand. I held my breath as he grasped my hand, holding the fear at bay for the small contact. We shook as normal people do, “Shinomori Aoshi, a pleasure to meet you Miss Kaoru.” His voice, it just smoothed out the fear as a hot iron rids clothes of wrinkles.

I pulled my hand back, less shaky then it had been before. I gave a tentative smile. I can almost feel my eyes brighten a bit. I finally noticed his sinfully dark hair, it hung almost in his unique eyes, obscuring them from sight only a tiny bit. The rest was the same length, a nice clean look. He was wearing a black turtle neck sweater and black jeans that fit him almost like a second skin. I hadn’t really noticed a man like this before. His skin glowed healthy, like someone who did manual labor, outdoors, in the sun. His skin was a sun loved light bronze color, giving a contrast to his hair and eyes. Even in the sweater I could tell he was muscled and his legs looked well toned if the jeans didn’t lie.

He moved with a smooth grace that usually came with martial arts and things related and I found myself appreciating every aspect. “I am sorry about earlier you probably think I’m insane or something.” I mumbled, looking away from his intense gaze, I was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable again.

“No I don’t, I understand, I think. It can be dangerous for a woman alone at night. May I walk you to your apartment?” he asked with such sincerity. I couldn’t say no.

“Thank you,” he moved to gather my belongings I had with me when I had come home, “please don’t worry about my things I can get them. Besides I don’t want to burden you more then I have already, especially as you are moving in.” I gave him a smile. “On second though, why don’t I help you? Do you mind?”

He gave me a smile that about melted me like butter. His smile is dazzling, almost blinding, and I couldn’t help but return the smile. I remember we spent nearly three hours getting everything out of the moving truck I had failed to notice in front of the building and to the top floor of the five story building…

~!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!~ KAY

Aoshi has been the silent strong type, I think I had gotten more words out of him that first night then I have since, not that that bothers me, it is just the way some people are. My other friend Hiko was the opposite around me. Hiko was actually Kenshin’s friend. I knew of him and had met him a few times but I didn’t get to know him till a few years ago. Nearly 2 years after the camping trip that I just don’t remember, I enrolled in the University. He helped me fill in all my applications and get settled in, but there were always the others around, I never had to deal with him on my own. That is probably a good thing; the man is huge, broad shoulders to match his nearly seven foot frame. I think his arms are bigger round then my waist. He is like a giant teddy bear, fun loving and easy to talk to, until some one threatens people he cares about.

Hiko sits in his chair, sideways with his arm over the back of the seat, and just takes in all the people, sounds, and actions going on around him. I smile even more when I see the menu in his hands. For the last three days he had ordered a toasted ham cheese sandwich. Today I had a feeling that he was going for the “Chicken Caesar Salad.” I knew I had hit it on the head.

His eyes flicked up to mine. “Kay, how did you know?” he grinned back at me.

“My secret,” I responded, holding my left pointer finger to my smiling lips as if to say “Quiet”. He just shakes his head.

“Alright missy, one Caesar salad,” he grabbed my hand just as I stuffed the note pad in my apron pocket. “Hey, Kaoru, what are you doing tomorrow night?”

I could feel my world going into a tail spin. Too fast, his hand, so big. I took deep breathes, trying to calm myself. I opened my eyes, I hadn’t even realized I had closed them. I gave Hiko a shaky smile. Before I could respond, Misao and Megumi were pulling me away into the back room.

“Guys, I’m fine!” I tried protesting but not very hard, that always happened when a male other then family and Sano touched me. Its worse when it happens so fast I feel then as if I have no options, no control, kinda deja vu.

This happened once when no on was around, during my senior year of high school, on my first day back. I about screamed bloody murder. It was just a class mate, he was just trying to help me up in gym class, but I snapped, I was so terrified. My teachers, at a councilor’s guidance made sure at least one of my friends, my original friends, were near by at all times.

I had learned to control it mostly over the last couple years; they didn’t need to hover over me. I shoved past them and headed for the dinning room. Hiko looked worried and I smiled, feeling a little better.

“I’m sorry but I work tomorrow night, but thank you.” I politely turned him down.

“But wait, what just happened, I have never seen you react like that.” The concern on his face was touching.

“I’m fine Hiko, nothing to worry about. I’ll talk to you later, ok?” I pivoted and very quickly walked, not run mind you, to the customer whom had just entered and seated herself. My step mother, Yumi, Yahiko’s (my younger half brother) mother had decided to show herself in public. It made me glad I don’t live at home anymore.

“How are you doing Yumi?” I asked, not like I really wanted to know, but hey family is family. My mother had died when I was really young, I barely remember her. My dad married Yumi shortly there after, she had already had Kenshin. He is nearly ten years older then me. Five years after Dad and Yumi married, she got pregnant with Yahiko. My dad died shortly there after. I was thirteen when dad died. Yumi married Shishio less then a year later. They have a daughter named Tsubame, she will be five soon.

Kenshin, being nearly 24 took me in, as he knew his mother hated me for being her child, less then 3 months after the wedding. Since Shishio and Yumi have done their best to ridicule me, I think they even know what happened the year I didn’t seem to live, and I think Kenshin is the one that keeps them from telling me. I’m 23 now, they can’t hurt me, but they can Yahiko, I try to be nice for his sake, he does love his mother.

Yumi had to be the biggest social butterfly I had ever seen, until she married Shishio. Now she is really seen in public, the fact she was here now meant nothing good. “You are to come home for the holiday, your father demands it”

I knew this wasn’t going to be pretty. I drew in a deep breathe, but before I could tell her off, I shrieked. A long shadow had fallen over me from behind. I was pulled into a back to chest hug, arms banded around my chest like a vice. I felt as if I was suffocating. Despite the kendo and martial arts I knew I weakly struggled to escape, I was terrified. I blacked out before I got loose…

~!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!~ 3RD PERSON

The café came to a near stand still as the cry of terror rang out from the waitress. The woman she had been talking to laughed like a hyena. The tall man that held her limp form laughed as well. The cruelty that emanated from the 2 of them made many think this was something that happened often with them. The other two waitresses, her friends, vaulted the counter to her rescue.

The older of the two punched out the woman and the younger took on the man, he looked to be in his late forties, maybe early fifties, he had burn scars all over his face and neck. He must be Shishio. The younger girl attacked the man, making sure she didn’t harm Kaoru. The older woman caught the unconscious waitress when she was let go.

She dragged/carried Kaoru away from Misao, the youngest waitress and the man that had scared the bejeesus out of Kaoru. Both the young men that had walked in the door before the woman stood and made their way to Megumi the oldest waitress. She shook her head and sent them back to their seats..

~!@#$%^&*()_+_)()*&&^^%$#@!~ MEGUMI

Ah fuck! This cant be happening! Kenshin usually warns us when the wicked bitch of the west crawls out of her hole. And on top of that she brought the asshole from hell, with her, shit, shit, SHIT! Mia and I knew this wasn’t going to be Kay’s day but this was ridiculous. First Hiko, and I’m surprised he has known her for as long as he has and hasn’t done that before. But then he hates it when she shies away from him when he moves as quickly as he sometimes can. I was hoping that would be the worst. It wasn’t. Her Step parents take pride in tormenting her at any given opportunity.

I didn’t have to tell Mia twice something was going down with Kaoru, she heard our friend as well as I did. I never thought anyone could jump that damned counter, but we did. I went straight for Yumi. The hyena bitch was laughing! I socked her as hard as I could in the face, I think I broke more then just her nose, ah, the sweetness of the crunching sound.

I knew not to waste time on Yumi. I pivoted to help Misao with the jackass. She hit him just right, she didn’t hurt Kay and our friend landed in my arms. Way to go Misao! Kay isn’t as light as some would think. Her weight came from her muscle, from kendo. She didn’t remember the way she practically attacked kendo as if it were her hold on sanity, but we remembered, I remembered. The doctors after intense physical therapy, wanted her to keep using her left arm the most she could. They told her and us, that she would never have full use, hell she would be lucky for half use of her left arm. She proved them wrong. And the really scary thing was that wasn’t the worst that had happened to her during that camping trip from hell.

~!@#$%^&(*()_+_)()(*&^^^^%$#@!~MISAO

Oh, Hell no! Who ever decided Kay’s destiny should be freaking shot! I heard her scream, and knew nothing good was going to come from this night. Megumi and I were the only ones here tonight with Kay. Sano had to study tonight, we can’t afford him not being on campus to help out, and his grades were about to get him kicked out of the University. I have to admit, it was a rush going for Shishio as I did.

I usually don’t have to fight like I was doing but this was a different situation. Those two humiliate people left and right and Kay is one of their favorite targets. I didn’t stop hitting him. He never had a chance to stop my strikes, they were so fast and stronger then ever. He deserved every strike I landed and then some. His face was bloody and nearly broken by the time I finished with him.

I looked up and around, searching for Meg and Kay. Meg made a glorious catch when I made Shishio let go of our Kay. I found Kay’s two other friends, standing, but not near Kay, Meg must have shooed them off. Kay would not do so well if either of them were near her when she came too, hell Sano and Kenshin stay away when something like this happens.

I found Meg behind the counter, what a smart place, and she sent me to find Sano. Kenshin was working at his club until Kay came to work later tonight. I figured I can make the two useful.

“Hey, guys, will you do me a favor?” I could just see the anger swimming in their eyes, on their faces. Hiko bit out “yes,” His eyes blazing, pissed that he couldn’t help Kay in any way before now. Aoshi nodded, his body taut with the effort it took to not continue what I had been doing, beating the shit out of Shishio.

I nodded my thanks, “please get Sano, he should be at his apartment.” They turned on their heels with out a word. The people of the café had just begun to act alive again when they saw the animal grace that stalked out of the door, most cowered in their chairs as the two men passed by.


~!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!~

Author yada yada
Response to reviews:

Jodibetz- yes I am sorry I am just that creul, but I hope it makes you feel better that every time I turn around, I give some hint before I am supposed to so it is hard to write like this. A hint hhmm, that I just might be able to do. Look at the list of men in the fist chapter. All of them are suspects, now the other thing I can tell you is that this will be a Kaoru/Aoshi fic but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the stalker. There are you hints. I hope you will continue to read this