Chapter Four:

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin! Grrrr!

Hours later, we were back at the reception area. The earlier encounter I had with Kenshin was still fresh on my mind. Walking together along the narrow halls, I acted as if nothing happened. I never dared to talk to him. I have just made a realization that I already had too much.

Reaching the entrance, I saw Misao with her eyebrows meeting at the center of her forehead. I must have given her a burden of worrying about me. It's her wedding day and she's supposed to be having fun. Sanosuke and the others had the same expression as they saw the both of us entering.

"Hey, you okay?" Sano rushed towards me and asked me anxiously, his eyes reflecting the worries he felt inside.

The whole gang also went our way to meet us. They were all freaking worried about us.

To their surprise, I answered, "Of course!" They didn't expect to see me smiling cheerfully at them after all that had happened earlier. Plus, they all knew our story.

I looked at Kenshin and faked a smile, signaling him to just forget about everything and go with the flow. He stared back at me saying that he knew what he was doing.

Sano was unconvinced. "Are you sure? Do you wanna go home now?"

I punched him jokingly. "I'm okay! Okay?"

Misao patted my shoulders slightly. She whispered, "I'm just here, okay?"

"I love you Mi.." I answered Misao genuinely as I gave her a big hug. Doing that gave me a big relief from all the troubles I've been feeling inside.

"Enough of worries! Let's celebrate guys! It's Misao and Aoshi's day." I laughed a bit as I let go from the tight embrace. I was very vulnerable at the moment yet I was able to fake it somehow. I believe they thought I'm really okay because of the relief I saw from their faces. Well, except for Misao. She knew me that well.

After sometime, I glanced at the redhead who was just right on the other part of the circle. Looking at him just makes me remember the hurt I feel inside. There he was—just staying cool and relaxed, as if nothing had really happened. Tears started to water my eyes again. I looked away for them not to notice it. I tried hard to stop it before it could freely flow.

"You can do this Kaoru. You're tough," I told myself.

"Yes let's celebrate for our friend Aoshi and Misao!" Sanosuke added to end the dramatic scene.

Surprisingly, warm hand held mine. I froze realizing the unexpected act Sano did. I quizzically looked at him as he looked straight into my eyes. I knew there was something different about how he stared.

The sudden change of Sano made me look at the others who are also surprised and are waiting for answers. Then I looked at Kenshin's confused face. I knew exactly that Sano made everyone see us as he held my hand.

The others who were staring at us shifted their attention to Kenshin, then back to ours again.

The whole scene just made me more puzzled than before. Stirred, my hand escaped from Sano's grasp.

Then awkward moment was cut short when Kenshin's phone rang.

"Excuse me guys." Kenshin hurriedly stated. The call must be very important because he quickly turned away and went somewhere quiet to answer the phone call.

Misao, Aoshi, Megumi, and Yahiko's faces were full of questions, as they looked at me. I stared back at them with the same expression. Then as if the last resort, all attention was now on the rooster-head.

"What-" Confused, I didn't really know what to say that I decided to drop the sentence. Instead, he again took grasp of my hand and dragged me to the seat where I was seated earlier. I was never confused like this. I allowed myself to be dragged along as I look at the others who were left thunderstruck.

"What's happening here?" I asked myself.

"Stay here. I'll get you something to drink, okay?" He told me caringly. And then he went to get me a glass of water. I was left with full of questions in mind. I gazed throughout the area and found Yahiko dumbfounded beside Megumi who was also surprised at the sudden change of our friend.

I roamed my eyes to find Kenshin. His back was facing me and he was still talking on his phone. "He's so near yet so far…" I allowed myself to wander into my thoughts again.

Suddenly, a glass of water blocked my eyesight. I looked up and found Sano smiling at me—differently. I've never seen him smile at me like that before. I've imagined him laughing hard at me about all the stuff that had happened but he didn't. I might have misjudged him.

As to not confuse my mind, I just smiled back at him and took the glass of water.

"Thanks," I told him. "You know?" I asked. "You're acting weird today!"

Instead of the expected smile, I saw a serious expression. "I'm concerned about you." He was acting unnatural. "You made me worry a lot," he scolded me.

"Really? Whoa." I said, unsure. "Is that you Sanosuke Sagara?" I joked about him being suddenly nice at me in such a peculiar way.

"Did he hurt you?" He asked, dead serious.

He's totally strange. I saw how serious he was that I didn't dare to joke around. "Let's just not talk about it."

He sat right beside me and stayed with me all throughout the celebration. The newly weds were back to their business of entertaining the guests. Then the routine of every reception went on. There were cake slicing, wine drinking, dove freeing, bouquet and garter throwing, and the usual stuffs. I stayed and didn't dare to participate in the activities. From time to time, my eyes would mist and I'd start to cry but Sano tried to make me laugh at those corny jokes he had. And when my eyes try to wander again around the area to look at something, he'd get my attention.

It was already dark and the celebration has finally come to an end. The guests were all leaving and the only people left in the area was the gang. We were all gathered on the round table. Aoshi and Misao sat together on the other side. Then, Megumi and Kenshin were talking on the other part of the table. I was beside Sano, and Yahiko was fast asleep on my lap.

Sano initiated the toast. "For the newly weds," he said as he raised his glass of wine.

Then we followed, "For the newly weds!"

"Thanks guys! You're the best! I'm gonna miss you all!" Misao cheerfully thanked us. "We're off to Dos Palmas in Palawan tonight. I'm excited about it!" she exclaimed as she held Aoshi's hand.

"Aoshi right here is nervous eh?" Sano teased Aoshi. "Honeymoon… lalalala… yiheeee," he hummed happily.

We all laughed hysterically at Aoshi's flushed face. As usual, he didn't respond to any of Sano's snide comments. He just smiled.

"You should bring us something when you come home huh?" Megumi spiced up the conversation. "I wish you'd enjoy the one-week vacation! …And Misao, behave!" she emphasized the last sentence.

"I've heard there are lots of beautiful ladies there," Kenshin pointed out to Aoshi. "So better not take your eyes off Aoshi, Mi," he warned Misao.

The atmosphere wasn't just right. Still, they tried to make the chitchat lively. I guess there are gaps that should be filled in before the gang could be the same as before. Plus, It feels so weird having Kenshin around. It's not just right. It seems like I no longer know how to act around him.

Before, there was only he and I. During those times like this, we'd laugh together and we'd sit beside each other. Under the table, we'd hold hands and they don't even notice it. There were super simple things that we'd do that can make the moment very special. Now I realize that things just pass right before our eyes. In a blink of an eye, I'd see that everything has changed.

Lost in my rumination, I didn't notice I was staring at Kenshin intently until Sano tugged me from the side.

"You okay?" Sano asked. He's worried again.

"Yeah," I insisted. "You were asking me the same question for the nth time already!"

"You sure?" He asked cutely.

His constant query of my state just made me smile. I glanced at Kenshin and found out that he was staring at us too. When he saw me looking at him, he changed his mood and straightened his posture.

He said, "I'm inviting you all guys to my engagement party."

All eyes were on him.

Sano's hand reached out to mine. And I didn't mind it. In fact, I needed someone to hold on to.

"That would be on the 23rd. I still don't know where it will be held but I promise I will not forget to inform you," he stated confidently.

My grip has tightened after every word he said.

"I'll be expecting you all there. Can I count on you guys?" Kenshin continued.

Silence filled the air. It was as if an angel passed by.

Then to fill in the gap, Megumi answered. "Of course!" She looked at us to second the motion. "Right guys?" She didn't give up on the matter.

My grip tightened again.

This time, Sano interrupted. "Yeah sure buddy. Kao and I will be there for sure."

My eyes grew wide in surprise. I gaped at Sano. My face now was about to frown.

He looked at me assuredly. "Right?"

I didn't answer. I didn't know what to say.

He shook my hand to make me say something.

I was about to say something when suddenly I felt my phone vibrate from my handbag. I freed my hand from Sano's clasp and I stood up to answer the call. I left Yahiko under Sano's care.

"Hello?" I answered as I looked at the group to excuse myself to answer the call.

"Kaoru!" a feminine voice exclaimed from the other line. "I'll be back!" Her shriek could damage my eardrum.

Like a lightning strike, I realized who she was…

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Author's Notes:  sorry for the late update! Super duper sorry! I got a lot of things to do and gosh! School works are taking all of my time. I just got the chance to write this one because we had no classes today due to the storm. Thanks and super thanks to all who reviewed. You rock!

Please do leave a review… Mwahugz!  Thanks a lot in advance!

PS: I didn't have the time to edit this one… coz I'm super sleepy already. I just wanna post this one immediately… hehe excited… 