Subject: [KFFDisc] Now or Never Date: Mon, 19 Oct 1998 21:48:41 -0700 From: Miho Reply-To: kenshinfanfics@egroups.com To: kenshinfanfics Itz been a while. i jus wrote this fic outta pure depression.. but it turned out ok. I jus found out I scored 8% on a major math test. Ai Carumba! You have to read to the end in order to understand it... Itz my first shortfic. I was so tempted to make it long, but I HAFTA study! Anywayz here it is. Now or Never Something quizzical lay hidden in a thick layer of white mist. I stood perched on a shiny rock, watching the river flow with frightening speed. Strings of white spray smashed against the bottom of my sandals, cold water. But I ignored it, that wasn't important. Something was there. He called me form behind, his voice held a tinge of fright. "Kaoru-dono?" I ignored him, what did he understand? Did he want to declare that he was going to run away and never come back? Or was he just going to deny my feelings and run off with Megumi? I loved him. No. Now, I didn't even understand the meaning of love. I was tired of this stupid charade. I just wanted to run, escape.. Fall. The water engulfed me with terrible coldness. Like a thousand icy daggers piercing my flesh. It hurt so much, I couldn't even scream. The water towed me under as I flung my arms around helplessly. "KAORU-DONO!" ******************** The city lights glimmered with the brightness of a million fire flies. I was alone. Standing on a hilltop beside the rushing river that I had barely escaped. My Kimono lay in rags along with my breaths, my heart. "WHERE AM I?" I screamed at the full yellow moon. It just stared back at me with a maniac expression. I collapsed on the dewy grass and wept. I was tired, sick and tired of life. I felt a hand on my shoulders. "Keiko?" I looked up into the eyes of an elderly man. His eyes sparkled like twin stars, his voice shaking with surpressed joy. Then he began to cry. Startled I stood up, his hand not leaving me for a second. "Who are you?" The elderly man took me into his arms. His breaths racked his fragile body as he sobbed aloud. "My daughter, you've come back to me." "Daughter?" It took me a week to realise I was in a whole different world. It took me another two weeks until I was convinced I was in the future. Drawn into a world of cars, television, crazy pop stars. I had never been happier in my life! Living in a house, going to school, having a father. The old man I had met, had lost his daughter a year ago and it was no surprise when he told me I looked exactly like her. He was a kind, gentle man. Sakujiro was his name, but I called him Dad. He was the father I never had. Well, I did have a father, but he was dead, along with my past. I couldn't even remember much anymore, and I didn't want to. I was riding the subway, looking out the window at the lights of passing stations. It has been a year, and I was riding the train that would take me to my new University. I was nervous, barely able to breath. Time flew by so fast, I had barely gotten to know my friends before High school ended. I sat down and closed my eyes. The ride would be long enough for a nap. I let my drowsiness take my body and let my mind take me to Dream land. **************** When I woke up, the first thing I did was wipe the drool from my mouth. But when I did, my hand brushed against someone's shoulder. I looked up, alarmed. The young man dabbed at his shoulder with a blue handkerchief. I had drooled on him! Oh my god, I had just drooled on a total stranger! I stood up and bowed. "Sumimasen! I'm so sorry! I didn't even know.. I'm so sorry!" "That's ok." The man smiled. He shoved his handkerchief in his pocket. My eyes trailed to the emblem on his vest. Furiken kakuein. My school! He must have noticed the emblem on my vest too. "Freshman?" I nodded, my embarrassment forgotten for that brief moment. "Yes. You?" He laughed. "No. I'm just going for a one year course in business management." I raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?" "Well. I already took over my Mother's firm so I don't really need any other courses, just my business diploma." "I'm going into business too! That and like ten other courses though" He smiled. "Great! What's your name?" "Keiko. Morishima Keiko." He shook my hand with firm, strong hands. "Junta. Shinohara Junta." I smiled. "A pleasure to meet you." My jitters were finally over, I had made my first friend. There were over ten business courses, but out of pure luck Junta was in my class. He was a wonderful person, and over the months I found myself growing attracted to him. He was such a gentle man, extremely handsome and smart too. The year was flying. Passing more than I liked. Time was such a horrible thing, he hadn't even asked me out yet. Junta no baka. I sat beside him on the long wooden bleachers of our huge classroom. We talked like old friends, but is that what we'll always be. Old friends? I didn't like that. I was standing in the gym, watching him shoot some hoops. His fair skin glistened with perspiration as I watched the lines of his muscles quiver through his body. Junta was gorgeous. The summer sun beat down on the open court as the warm breeze swept my hair back. He waved at me and told his friends he had to go. The smiled and joked, about something I couldn't hear, and he turned bright red and flung the ball at their heads. Hmmm. He walked up to me, towel in hand. "Let's go." It had already been 10 months since I had first met him. We went to school and back together and sat beside each other. I liked him so much, it hurt, but I would never ask him out. He was unusually quiet today. School was over in a month and he still wasn't making any moves. I was angry but there wasn't anything I could do. We walked under the shade of long waving branches sprouting with lush green leaves. It was beautiful. "Keiko..." "Hmm...?" He turned to look at me, his face startlingly serious. I looked at him and smiled. "What?" He took my hands into his own. I looked up at him, feeling a flush creep across my cheeks. "Go out with me. Tomorrow. Please." I blinked. "Go out?" He drew in a shaky breath. "Be my girlfriend, Keiko." He said it! He did it! I leapt into his arms. I wanted him so bad, and now he was mine. He hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead. Tomorrow. Tomorrow came in a blink of an eye. I was dressed in an indigo kimono, a blue ribbon tying back my butt length hair. The summer mazili exploded behind me as the sky darkened to a deep blue. Junta showed up five minutes later, dressed in a styling samurai outfit. He grabbed my hand and we weaved past the crowd and into the bustling festival. It was a night of magic. The fireworks set the night sky on fire. Junta insisted that we draw away from the crowd, and so we climbed a hill overlooking the city. The view nearly took my breath away. It had been two years ago when I saw it for the first time, but even with the smoke of the fireworks hindering my vision, it was still a lovely view. Behind me a river roared. Junta pushed me gently on to the grass and came above me, his head blocking the full moon. "You're so beautiful.." He leaned over and kissed me, I tasted the softness of his lips as he deepened it. My head was spinning. The kiss ended and we stared at each other. I wanted him so bad. I loved him. I truly did. . And finally I understood "You came after me..." He smiled, his warm violet eyes glowing with warmth. "Of course I did." He leaned over, I slid my hands up his naked chest. His breath was hot on my neck. "I love you." I brushed his long orange strands with shaky fingers. My eyes were watering over, my heart pounding as he kissed my neck over and over. He said it. No more games, no more charades. He pulled back and tore the bandage from his left cheek, revealing an X scar. I kissed him, pulled him down, ate him alive. "Kenshin.. " I breathed. He pulled me up and we both made way to the river. "It's time to go home." Goodbye father, goodbye my friends. I never belonged here. I love you all very much, but now it's time for me to leave. I took Kenshin's hand. "When did you figure out who I was?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. He laughed. "At the same time you did." I smiled. He hugged me and we held each other for eternity. And the river caught us. Cradled us as we went under. No longer were the currents icy and fast, but gentle and warm. And when we emerged, it was still that icy autumn day. The same minute. Fate worked in weird ways. It took us a whole new world to discover our feelings. As I got out my mind froze, everything went blank. Kenshin grabbed my hand. "Kaoru-dono, we're all soaked. We have to get home, fast." I smiled. "Hai." I hugged him from behind. Don't ask me why, I just did it. He turned his head and glanced at me with warm violet eyes. "Next time be careful. The currents were awfully strong." I smiled. "Hai, Kenshin. I'm sorry." He grabbed my hand and together we walked back home. Home. Yah... can we say retardo? Oh well.. C&C welcome. -Mihoshi **** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For the absolute lowest price on Video/PC Games visit: http://ads.egroups.com/click/58/1/bottomdollar Subscribe, unsubscribe, opt for a daily digest, or start a new e-group at http://www.eGroups.com -- Free Web-based e-mail groups.