Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Ruruni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.




Author's Notes:

And here's the chapter 3. Ey! I forgot. I have already have the last chapter - the latest one.....silly me. It'll just post it in here, including the rest.









Chapter 3







Kokoro's eyes carefully watched his every quiet step. She

assumed that he will meet someone and had unintentionally forgotten his

umbrella. Meet someone? Who? The man turned right at the first

corner of the street. Kokoro would like to know where he's

heading. She won't be able to sleep if she doesn't find out. She had

to follow him. But before that, she put the boxes inside her nylon

backpack to secure it from further damage from the rain. She

abruptly yet silently followed the guy from the streets. Moments

later, the man stopped from one of the neighborhood behind the city

lights.



"This is close to my neighborhood. Hmm…" She tried to be more

careful this time as the man stood there, near the light post, light

bulb flickering – one of the darkest alleys of the city. Still

raining….



fresh flowers hidden from his coat, red and white luscious roses.

Equal in numbers, exacting to the number of years of lost hope,

guilt and loneliness. Kokoro couldn't perceive better of his

face. His silky bangs covered his eyes. His sharp-shaped collar coated his chin and below.

She decided to go closer to his side, not close

enough to be notice by him. She hid from the piles of uncollected

recyclable garbage just around the corner.



"What am I doing here in the first place?" Kokoro hid and

viewed him silently.



He slowly unwrap the bouquet and took two roses from it –

one red and one white. He smelled them and simply touched by his

lips the sweet damped petals of the roses, then gently laid it back

to the cement floor. After few minutes, he rose and brushed his hair bangs to keep the water out from his vision. He looked up in the sky with his palm drawing out the rain, very blankly. Rain still poured

heavily. The man turned his head - his vision to the flowers, closed

his pale eyes then walked away, going towards the main street. While

walking, he whispered something. Kokoro couldn't figure-out much

of its detail but she was sure that it came out from the bottom of his

feelings.



"Forgive me….." He solemnly whispered.



Kokoro's heart was struck from his melodic voice and

depressing message. But to whom is this message concerned of? As she

watched him, step by step, going back to the real world, to the real

streets of the city, he finally vanished from the crowd of people

and umbrellas. She was speechless. She felt very sorry of him. She

also felt guilty on arguing with him about the `non-sense

thing' happened earlier that afternoon. She could have at least controlled herself, just this once. But wait! It wasn't her fault to be

bumped at. Still, she felt awful about it. She walked out from her hiding place and went near the soaked roses. Strange, she took the two

roses the man had scented and kissed.



"Special roses for a special someone." She smelled it then smiled.



The harsh pouring was nearing to its end. Kokoro brushed the

bulb of the roses from her cheeks and remember something. Her

sisters! She abruptly placed her bag to her shoulders, got the roses

from her hands and ran as fast as she could to her home. She's

all wet yet didn't mind. There's a feeling inside of her tellingabu
abundant happiness. Is it because of the roses or the mysterious man?



Minutes after, Kokoro arrived to her home, at the front of

their steel gate. She's very soaked. She already thought many

excuses for her sisters' interrogations about coming home late

and wet. She opened the gates. It produced a crouching sound that made

her sisters heard it.



"She's here." The older sister said blankly while

watching her favorite soap opera in television.



"I know."



"Oh well."



Kokoro entered the house, took of her shoes and socks and

went to the living area.



"Tadaima. Sorry for being late. I was at Kaoru's house

celebrating Yahiko's 13th birthday. Gomen." She bowed down.



"We know. Kaoru-chan called us two hours ago about it."

Omasu replied without looking at her.



"Great." Kokoro sheepishly smiled. "I have to change my clothes

now. I brought these. Kaoru-chan's mom gave these to me, for you two.

Oyasumi nasai." excited to go up stairs



"Wait Kokoro-chan. What took you so long to get back to our

house? We usually take almost an hour. Honestly Kokoro-chan, where

did you go after Kaoru's place?" Okon asked melodically.



"Ah…eh….(Think Kokoro, think!) I just walked to the

downtown streets. I felt like walking and walking. That's all. Then it

rained. I didn't have my umbrella with me so I stayed for a while

in one of the street shelters. When I realized that I'm spending

lots of time waiting in the shelter and knowing that it's getting

late, I abruptly left, running in the rain. " Deep inside, she trembled.



Silence dominated over the room.



"Okay. You made your point. Change your clothes now before

you catch a cold." Okon commanded.



"Hai!" The youngest smiled, turned around and hurriedly

headed upstairs, to the bathroom.



"Didn't you notice what's in her right hand, Okon?"

Omasu asked.



"I did. Let her be." Okon smiled then watched again her

favorite soap.



"Yes. Our little sister is growing up now. I'm glad"

Omasu joined her sister on watching the television. Then suddenly,

"Okon,"



"Nani?"



"Its ten years already. Haven't you noticed it?"



"I know. Time flies so fast, isn't it?"



"Yes." Omasu stood up and walked towards the sliding window,

viewing the fading rain and the wonderful fcrescrescent of the moon.





*******



Kokoro took off her damp clothes and disposed it to the

laundry area. She arranged all the necessary things she has to do

before bathing. Then, she smoothly dipped herself to warm water in

the bathtub wicentcented aroma therapeutic flowers floating. At the

end of the tub with a towel folded, supported her head. She

reminisced the incident happened. She smiled, for no known reasons.

Somehow, she was simply glad, from the bottom of her heart. The mellow

message somehow touched her heart. She closed her eyes, imagining it

all over again. She asked herself why. Why does she react this way?

Shadows from the corner of the alley, she saw the man standing,

tolerating the continuous flow of water into his. A tear from his

eye. She saw it. She had distinguished a tear from harsh flow of

rain into his face. But how could she? No. A tear? The man wept.

She opened her eyes and looked straight to the awning window above,

opposite to her. The rain had finally stopped.



"He cried." Kokoro hissed then finishes her bath.



After the warm bath, she wore her pink pajamas, switched

off the lights and went to her bed, still wondering. She cuddled her

big fluffy pillows to her bosom. Within the darkness, she stared at

the two roses on her small vase at the top of her wooden desk near

the window. The roses shined beautifully upon the touch of the

moonlight on its gracious petals. So wonderful, so serene. She's

glad having them. No guilt akinaking them away. The man. Who is he?

She wanted to know and tell him about the roses. The roses.



She slowly closed her eyes and fallen asleep.



Morning. The sun almost peaked at the horizon, a new day to

enjoy with. Kokoro was still sleeping.



"Kokoro-chan! Wake up!" Omasu shouted downstairs as she

repaired her breakfast and lunchbox.



She woke up and immediately does her morning ritual. She

rushes downstairs, had breakfast then left the house. Her lunchbox was,

again, forgotten. But this time, it wasn't reminded on time.



School. Many students were rushing towards the gate of thesch
school, including Kokoro.



"Out of my way!" she shouted to the rest, moving very fast.



She hopped at each of the front barricade of the neighboring

buildings, as she always did. Then again, due to her hurriedness,

she forgot about one of the brick walls. She slipped off then

someone caught her in the nick of time. To his arms, Kokoro was

safely held; close enough to his built chest. She was in shocked.

Many students paused upon seeing her at the arms of a man. Man?!

This is interesting. No male had become this close to her – NO

ONE! For the first time of her life, she was touched by a man (not that!) this close, close to his body, to his heart.



"Try to be more careful next time." He looked impassively at

the girl's shocked eyes, still holding her firmly into his sturdy

arms.



"H-hai!" She shivered but then, she smelled something

awesome. Sweet strawberry perfume….a body mist….to his shirt,

to his chest.



Students kept staring and made Kokoro instantly blushed. She

tried to get loose from his grip, he then followed. He helped her

stand. She dusted off her uniform. The school's clock rang loudly

making the late comers panic as they hurriedly went to each of their

rooms. Kokoro didn't move. The man left her and continued to walk

inside the school's vicinity. She stared at him, minding only

him. His smell. His sweet strawberry scent. It made her stunned while

looking at his back. The man had already entered the building. Oh

no! Kokoro's late – again!



"Baka! I'm late!" She went to her lockers quickly.



*******



"Hello Kokoro-chan! Are you alright? I was afraid that you

were sick because of the rain last night. But to the looks of it,

you're perfectly normal. I mean, fine!" Kaoru examined her from head to toe.



"I'm okay." Kokoro sat to her seat.



"Are you sure? You seem to be very pretty occupied, Kokoro-

chan? Is that about the new sensei again? Don't worry. I'll

come with you." She smiled.



"It's not that. Never mind." The other rebuked.



The teacher, again, arrive late, good thing for the late

comers. Hours past until lunch break came. Kokoro searched for her

lunch in her bag yet she found nothing. She remembered what she did

and berated herself. Kaoru noticed it and shared her lunch. Kokoro

was still impassive. In her thoughts, she repeatedly thought the man

whom she followed last night and the guy who caught her with his

arms this morning. She was thinking if they were the same person or

not. It might be. It has to be. Their scent is similar. Sweet

strawberry body mist. It's a perfume for a woman, now worn by a

guy. Kokoro tries to remember his face but the rays of the sun behind him made her eyes startle, fluttering. She hadn't view him clearly.

It was the scent that made her thoughts to go elsewhere. Definitely, this feeling is new to her. Frightening yet exciting. Deesideside, she's very delighted. She grinned unknowing her best friend was staring at her eyes a foot away.



"Kokoro-chan! Wake up!" Every one in the class heard

Kaoru's voice. Kokoro, was alarmed and looked at her.



"Nan desuka, Kaoru-chan? Is there any problem?" surprised.



"Not me. YOU! Your mind is flying to God knows elsewhere.

What's the matter with you, Kokoro-chan? This isn't you. You

are energetic and obnoxious to some. What were you thinking back

then?"



"You worry too much Kaoru-chan," she snatched her hand, "I'll tell

you everything after my training, eh?"



"You should be." She hissed.



Kokoro smiled at her then stared outside from her window.

The day is bright and shining.



*******



The class was dismissed around five in the afternoon. Kokoro

had to attend to her weekly training, now to her new sensei. A

mixture of fear and excitement was endowed to herself. Assessing with

her mind, she thought many possible physical features of her new

teacher. The person could be a muscular and barbaric like her old

one. She's used to withstand with all expected teacher's tantrums.

Perhaps, someone like thin yet too boring to duel with. An old man,

around a century year old monk or an out-cast master of some sort of

unknown school of martial arts. The possibility is endless. The

possibility of having her sensei as a woman is another good option.

Suddenly, Kokoro briefly thought about the man, the new guy lurking

in her campus. Strange yet he seemed to be worthy to be her sensei. He

could be a very good candidate. She blushed. She blushed? She was a

bit terrified of herself knowing that she doesn't do these kinds

of nonsense in her life. Her mind was very confused on things she newly

encountered. She told deeply to herself she she came here to learn,

not to flirt – or whatsoever. Just to learn, and nothing else.



Towards the busy corridors of their school, Kokoro and Kaoru

waited outside of their classroom until everyone gets home. Several

of their classmates bid them goodbyes and luck. After that, both

girls went to the locker room. Kokoro had already finished packing

her things to her sports bag. She wore her training uniform, a white

tank top and black jogging pants with red linings at each side then

white rubber shoes. She preferred wearing them in her training –

suitable for more movements and comfort. Her friend also helped her,

from her clothing, to her other necessities.



"Boy! I'm excited to see your new sensei and learn some new

stuff, new defending techniques." She blurted as continuously filling water on her friend's squeeze jag.



"From the looks of it, you seem to be far more excited than

I am." She raised an eyebrow.



"It's not like that. Not all of it." She laughed lightly.



Kokoro checked her wristwatch. It's past 5:30, and she has

to go to the gym.



"Are you sure you want to come? I don't know what time

he'll dismiss me on our training class." She carried her sports bags to

her small well-built shoulders.



"I'm fine and besides, I'll assist you in some of your

BAGGAGES – your school bag and other book assignments." She

winked at her.



"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You never cease to amaze me, Kaoru-

chan. Ha!" Kokoro walked towards the door.



"Aren't you going to tie up your hair into ponytail? Your

braid might get severely tangled when you exaggeratedly move around

in your training – when the education gets more drastic. You

know."



"I'm not bothered. I got used to it." Then the two

walked to the gym hurriedly.



They arrived and opened the main door of the gym. Bright

lights beamed, flashing directly to their eyes then slowly entered.

The place was empty. No students roaming around, no other players use

the court. It was simply reserved private for her, for her special

training. The floor mat for the exercise was already laid –

prepared. All were perfectly arranged but there's one problem

– the new sensei isn't here yet. The two girls scanned the whole area

yet no one was found. The gym projects unbearable silence than the

outside world, very unusual to them when they're inside the

place. They continued searching.



"Where the heck is my new sensei?" Kokoro scratched her

right temple.



"Beats me. Don't know either. Seems freaky, isn't?"

Kaoru went close to the friend's side.



"Baka! This isn't a haunted place, Kaoru-chan. You know

sometimes, you make me laugh." Both girls giggled.



A shadowy figured hid from one of the darkest area of the

bleachers, examining them from a far.



"You're late Shiawase-san." A harsh voice prompted.



"Ah, eh, Gomen nasai, Sensei! It will never happen again!

Gomen!" She sarcastically replied, cursing her sensei from her

deepest thought.



From the shadows, a man appeared, walking towards the

confused girls. He's tall, has a slender yet muscular body –

from the looks of his clothes lining from every edges and curves, and

most of all, handsome – looks too young to be her sensei compared

to the previous one. Kokoro was shocked and very nervous, as well as

Kaoru. An aura of seriousness and discipline enveloped his whole

persona. Kokoro gulped profoundly, having no clue of what and why

she's been reacting this way. The man stopped, stood at her

front, seeing her frightful eyes trying to hide from its honest feelings. He stared at her as Kaoru silently walked towards the nearest bench. Kokoru felt very unease. Her new sensei is far more different from her previous teachers. In fact, he's exactly the opposite of the

last one – from looks to his igniting charming aura. Her heart pumped faster. Faster than the usual. As the new teacher kept staring on her big blue eyes, the girl suddenly smelled or sniffed something – something fascinating on him. Strawberry

body mist scent. She looked blankly at his lower chest, exacting to her

standard height.



"Is this the guy? The guy who….." She raised a doubtful

stare to her sensei. She wasn't supposed to get nervous. She

rebuked to herself repeatedly. Her heart pumped vociferously.



"Shiawase-san," he turned his back to her, crossing his

arms ", before anything else, I would like to make this formal.

My name - my name is Shinomori Aoshi."



"Shinomori Aoshi. Sensei Shinomori. Aoshi-sama." She mumbled.



"Let's start." He roughly uttered.



Aoshi walked to the far right end, outside the mat, away

from his student. Kokoro looked at him, the way he moves, the way he

postures himself – so nicely and properly etiquette.



For known causes, she bit her corner lip and continued to

stare, examining her sensei. Her heartbeat, still, incessantly pumped

like a wild goose chase. She's, perhaps, afraid to get yelled at

or treated her skill as second rate. Meaning, mixture of fears –

doubts to herself and great disappointment from him and so as the waiting embarrassment baffled in her young mind.



"Show me what you got." He crosses his arms again.



Kokoro gulped and starting to perspire even though her

training wasn't started yet. Tiny drops of her salty juices

gradually appear from her scalp and elsewhere to her body. As she

stared to his wailing eyes, she walked slowly, placing herself in

the middle of the khaki mat. She breathed freely and solemnly, as

she always did. Legs, neck and arms were initially stretched, releasing some left-over tensions to her bright and petite body.

Kaoru watched silently as she patiently awaited her friend's

demonstration floor exercise. She knew she could show him; show him

what she's made of. All of her hidden talents will be burst into

flames and he will be amazed – very likely. Much of her trust was

all of her to give.



"And now…." She shifted her body into starting position, a sign for readiness. Her sensei waited, seemingly skeptic.



Then the demonstration began.



*******



"You can go home now. Practice more. We'll meet 3 times a

week here in the gym - Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. By this, we'll very much improve of your so-called `skill' in kempo. Remember, my

rules should come first if you want to be strong enough and win. No

questions until I say so." Aoshi exited the gym without looking

back at his confused and newly wrecked-pride student.

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"He's good. Far more than I expected." Kokoro lay on the

malmoalmost twisting her body from the attack made by her sensei.

She wasn't hurt physically but her pride – her pride to herself

cracked a bit. She continuously stared him as he makes his grand

exit.



Kokoro jabbed the mat forcefully. She's expecting something

applause will be made, will be heard from his hands but instead, an

unexpected short attacked was made by her sensei while she

demonstrated her skill. She was about to land to the mat after

jumping so high in the air when suddenly, Aoshi transported himself

near to her and stroke his right fist to her cheek, barely untouched

yet the intensity – the force of his fighting aura - was still

there. She was horrified and committed mistake on landing on the

mat, slipping. Her head was about to slam on the outside boundary of

the mat when Aoshi immediately caught her in his arms.



"You lack concentration and complete awareness to any

surprise circumstances, Shiawase-san. You are too full of

yourself." Aoshi looked at her stunned eyes. Kokoro breathed hoarsely, filling herself air to sustain her need for more oxygen. His scent. She

could almost feel him, wanting his sweet aroma at this very extent.

Pls. stay….. – happened a while ago.



He gently laid her to the mat and stood. He inserted his

hands to his side pockets and walked towards the door, exiting,

giving her instructions and advices she drastically needed. Kaoru

quickly went to her side and help her stand up. She was also amazed

the way Kokoro's sensei move so fast just like a blink of an eye.

He's a master indeed, they say.



"I saw two image of him but I'm not that sure." Kokoro

glanced at her friend.



"Me either. You know, he's good. He's perfect to be your

sensei. And I know that very dearly." She smirked and raised an

eyebrow.



"Kaoru-chan!" blushing, "Let's go home but before

that, help me fixing this mess up."





tbc