Chapter 2 ~ Rooster, meet Raccoon

            When Sano said Kenshin was buying lunch, he didn't warn the redhead about his apettite.  So, when Kenshin only grabbed a sandwich and a can of soda and stepped up behind Sanosuke on line to pay, he nearly dropped his tray when he saw the amount of food piled up on Sano's plate.

"You're going to eat ALL THAT?" Kenshin asked, eyes wide.

            Sano looked down at him and grinned.  "Yup.  Might even go for seconds." He chuckled when the redhead nearly pitched over, an "Oro!" squeaking out.

            So Kenshin paid, and the two found a seat near the back fo the cafeteria.  They ate in silence for a few moments before Kenshin finished his sandwich and sat back in his chair, smiling at Sanosuke.  "So what's your major?"
"Computer crap." Sano said around a mouthful of food, then washed it down with his soda.  "How about you?"
"English." Kenshin replied softly, taking a sip of his soda.

"Eh?  So you're gonna be a teacher or somethin'?" Sano asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know..." Kenshin sighed, then chuckled a bit.  "I guess I really have no clue what I want to do once I graduate."

"Me either." Sano agreed, leaning back in his chair.  "My Dad said that the world is all about computers now, so I figured I should do something with that."

"That makes sense," Kenshin nodded.

            Sano smirked and leaned farther back, laying his legs on top of the table.  "So, what year are you?  Freshman?"

"Sophomore," Kenshin corrected.  "And next semester I'll be a junior."
"Coulda fooled me.  You look like you should be in high school," Sano stated, picking a toothpick off his tray and placing it in his mouth.  "How old are you?"

"20." Kenshin smiled at the slight wave a shock that crossed Sano's face.  "I told you I wasn't a kid."
"Shit," Sano nodded.  "We're the same age."

            Kenshin smiled and took another sip of his soda--and nearly spit it out again when a pair of slim arms wrapped around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. "Here you are!" The person squealed, giggling.

"K-Kaoru!" Kenshin sputtered, coughing a bit.  "Don't DO that!"

"Sorry," Kaoru replied, taking the seat next to him.  She looked at him and jumped back out of her seat, taking Kenshin's face in her hands.  "What happened!  You have a black eye!"

            Kaoru Kamiya was a sophomore as well, but only in her first semester.  She was pretty, her raven-colored hair pulled into a tight ponytail with her bangs framing her face.  She had bright blue eyes and stood about as tall as Kenshin.  Currently she was wearing a pair of jeans and a pull-over sweatshirt, the school's logo printed on the front.

            Kenshin chuckled nervously and pulled away, smiling.  "Derek." He said; Kaoru nodded in symphathy.

"That jerk never leaves you alone, does he?" Kaoru sighed, patting his shoulder.  She sat back down and turned to Sano, raising an eyebrow.  "You're in my Digital Media class, right?  Sano?"
"The one and only," Sano nodded.  "You Kenshin's girl?"
            Both Kaoru and Kenshin sputtered and stared at him, both flushing slightly.  Finally Kenshin cleared his throat and forced a smile.  "No, just good friends."

"Oh." Sano drawled, raising an eyebrow.

"And besides...Kaoru is already dating someone." Kenshin continued, grinning at the now-blushing Kaoru.  "What's his name again?"

"Geez, Kenshin!  His name is Enishi, I don't know how many times I've told you..." Kaoru said, grinning back.

"I don't see any reason to remember his name if he's only going to glare at me all the time..." Kenshin replied.

"He doesn't glare at you all the time--" Kaoru cut off at the look Kenshin gave her.  "Fine, he does."

            Sano raised an eyebrow as the two went back and forth.  "Are you two SURE you aren't involved?"
"YES!" They both yelled, then broke down into giggles.  Kenshin continued, "I couldn't date Kaoru anyway, she's too much like a sister to me."
"And Kenshin's too gay for me--" Kaoru broke off and flushed brightly.  Kenshin followed soon after.

"Eh?  You're gay?" Sano said, seeming to perk up.

"Uhm...bisexual." Kenshin replied softly, averting his eyes.  Oh god, now this guy was going to hate him because of this and never talk to him again and besides he seemed like the guy that hated gay people and---

"Cool." Sano said, interrupting Kenshin's inner rant.

"Huh?" Kenshin replied intelligently.

"I said, 'cool'.  What, you thought I was gonna hate you or somethin'?" Sano asked.

            Kenshin's eyes widened and he nodded slightly.  Sano blinked, then guffawed, leaning over to slap Kenshin's back.  "It don't matter to me, man.  Besides, not everyone is straight, ya know?"
"EXCUSE me?" Kaoru snapped, glaring at the taller boy.

"Err...mostly everyone." Sano corrected sheepishly.

            Kenshin nodded, then sat back in his seat to study Sano for a bit.  Did that mean...Sano was...?