A/N: Ok this is my first Rurouni Kenshin fan fiction…I hope everyone likes…J
Dedicated to Alex, if you weren't such a jerk, I never would have written this story. And to Savage Garden, God bless you're singing…
Italics: A character's thoughts Bold: Something said loudly Underline: Something is being emphasizedTruly, Madly, Deeply
Kenshin stood on the bridge crossing over to the town and watched the sunset. Orange and red highlighted the sky as the deep yellow sun melted into the high mountains and forest, which the river disappeared into. I need to do this, and until I do, I cannot allow Kaoru to be more then a friend. Kenshin turned and smiled at the oncoming group of people. Sano, Yahiko, Megumi, and Kaoru. Dear Kaoru, the one person who accepted him for who he really was. Yahiko ran up ahead down the road in the direction of the dojo, and Megumi and Sano stopped with Kaoru.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow," Sano smiled as spoke in a softer voice then usual, "Megumi and I are going to go for a walk, but you can bet I'll be there for breakfast Kenshin!" And with that Sano and Megumi wandered off back towards town. Leaving Kenshin and Kaoru to walk back to the dojo together.
"It must be nice," Kaoru spoke for what seemed like the first time that evening, "to be in love I mean. They look so happy together, and it makes me wonder what it would be like to love, and be loved in return." Kenshin looked up suddenly, a pang of guilt ringing through his body.
"Kaoru-dono?" He looked up, praying that she wouldn't get mad…
"Yes, what is it Kenshin?" She looked up worried, his voice had changed suddenly, and it had become huskier.
"I need to go back to Kyoto."
Kaoru gasped, of all the things he could have said right then…KYOTO! NO HE CAN'T HE…JUST…NNNNOOOOOOOOOO!
"How soon?" Kaoru then and there made a silent vow not to look worried.
"Well, tomorrow morning would be best, right after breakfast. And I think that I shall be gone for about two weeks. I hope you and Yahiko will be able to last that long doing your own laundry." Kenshin started to laugh, and Kaoru did to relieved that he was planning on returning.
"Well I managed before you came, I think we'll pull through." Kaoru giggled. Suddenly she felt Kenshin take up her hand. "Kenshin?"
He pulled away, "I'm dreadfully sorry Kaoru-dono. I didn't mean to…"
"Kenshin, shut up." Kaoru grabbed his hand and smiled, "It's really ok." Kenshin smiled back at her, his fiery red hair waving in the cool night breeze.
~~~
As the two got back to the dojo, the saw a small commotion going on inside the gates. The couple ran inside to find Yahiko being beaten and a tall lean person standing in front yelling at him.
"AGAIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
"HE LIVES HERE NOW LAY OFF!" Kaoru ran up in front of Yahiko and glared at the men about to pound her.
"Just try it." Kaoru looked up to see Kenshin pulling out his sword. Suddenly he was up in the air, and not even moments later all three men were down. Only their leader still standing there with a dull expression.
"Kaoru-san, I didn't mean to beat the boy, I just thought he was a thief. You left your dojo so empty. I'm sorry." The man looked at Kaoru, and she strained to see him in the dark.
"W-W-Who are you?"
"Don't tell me you forgot about me, after all we were through together. Koishii, you couldn't have forgotten."
"YUKIO!" Kaoru just about fainted, "What are you doing here?"
"Koishii, I thought you'd be glad to see me." The man smiled."
"I AM glad to see you, where have you been!" Kaoru flung herself in his arms, "OH! I've missed you so much! Come in! Kenshin can you please make some tea?"
Kenshin nodded, dumbstruck that some man called Kaoru koishii, and found himself a stranger in Kaoru's presence. "H-Hai." Kenshin walked up the steps into the house, then turned around and summoned Yahiko to come with him.
~~~
Hour's later laughter could still be heard through the halls of the dojo. Apparently, during the war, Kaoru's father had been worried about her safety and instead of letting her choose her husband; he pre-arranged a marriage with a young boy's parents that lived in the city. Yukoi was that boy. However, with the death of Kaoru's parents, Yukio's parents decided that the plans were off, and moved away. When Kaoru was about fifteen Yukio came back and renewed the engagement. But then three years later left to serve in the war. He had never returned.
"So, that is what happened koishii, I am sorry I did not return to you." Yukio had just finished giving a full account of what had happened.
"It's alright, Kenshin, Yahiko, Sano, and Megumi have kept me company." And after that followed a detailed account of the story of how the Kenshin gumi came to be.
~~~
"I know you know and love these people, but I feel odd about a bunch of men, and that…woman living here."
"But Megumi doesn't live here, and neither does Sano. And Kenshin saved my life when you weren't here, I let him live with me because it was the best I could offer in return."
"And the brat?"
"He's not a brat, he's obnoxious, but he isn't that bad, and he's a little brother to me, closer then Ayame and Sazume and that says something!" Kaoru couldn't believe she was having this conversation, he had only returned that evening and he was already giving her orders. "You have just arrived and you do not have the power over me that you used to. This is MY dojo, and I'll whatever the hell I want with it!" Kaoru whispered roughly. "And furthermore, I am no longer your fiancé so stay here if you wish, buy don't get too comfortable! I don't want you here for too long. I have feelings for the person that was here for me when I actually needed him." With that final statement Kaoru stomped off to her room, and slammed the souji. ARG! He's always like this; I had been hoping that he changed. But he's till the jerk that tricked me into an engagement! Well this time I'm not as naive! And with those thoughts Kaoru drifted off to sleep.
~~~
The next morning Kenshin got up and went off to make breakfast, he found Yukio sitting at the table sipping tea. They bid each other good morning and Kenshin started working on breakfast.
"So she loves you now." Yukio stated into the dryness and heat of the morning. Kenshin looked up from the pot of rice he was about to set onto the table.
"What do you mean by that statement Yukio-kun?" Kenshin looked puzzled, but quickly calculated he meant his beloved Kaoru, who he was about to ask to marry him, right after he said his good-byes that is.
"You know what I mean battosai." Kenshin quickly turned away.
"Kaoru-dono, yes, I-I hope she does…" Kenshin looked back at Yukio, he no longer seemed a solemn man that he had the night before. And I love her back… Just then Yahiko and Sano entered the kitchen and Yukio smiled happily at the two and stood to introduce himself to Sano.
~~~
"I'm leaving right now." Kenshin stated once the flurry of the morning had ended and everyone was eating his or her breakfast.
Shocked looks came from everyone but Kaoru, who just smiled and continued sipping her tea.
"Do not look so worried, I will return in two weeks. But I need to do something in Kyoto, and then I will return with a surprise for everyone." Kenshin added as he looked at Kaoru, his eyes filling with tears of joy to finally ask her to marry him. He looked down and his bangs covered his eyes as he blinked the tears away…
~~~
"Well, so long everyone." Kenshin looked up at the gumi smiling. Kaoru had made him leave some things behind like his fighting yukata. **"It makes me more sure you'll come back this time"** she has said…
Kenshin turned to leave; he took two, three steps, and suddenly felt someone hugging him from behind.
"Don't take too long, dear." Kaoru released him. And Kenshin Himura left Tokyo.
"And now with the battosai gone," Yukio turned to the gumi, "the dojo and its owner are mine again."
TBC…
:) I hope you like it so far!