A/N: My first fanfiction ever! Let me know what you think! There's tons more ready to be uploaded if people actually like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Rurouni Kenshin! I'm just a fan! If I did own it, there would be more lovable KenshinXKaoru moments! Also, the poem is actually lyrics to a song called I Will Remember You by Sarah Mclachlan. Check it out if you haven't already =]

Hope you enjoy!


CHAPTER ONE

I'm so afraid to love you

But more afraid to lose

Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose

Once there was a darkness

Deep and endless night

You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me life

[6:23 AM]

"Kenshin..." A gentle voice pierced through his thoughts.

Wiping the soap off his hands, Kenshin tilted his head back and examined a smiling Kaoru watching him from the wooden corridor. She had not yet tied her hair up, so the summer breeze playfully swirled several strands around her face. Kaoru blinked adorably and tucked some of the loose hair behind her ear.

"Kenshin?" she repeated. "Is everything alright, Kenshin?"

Abruptly snapping himself out of the daze he was in, he frowned sheepishly. "Oh good morning, Miss Kaoru! I didn't think you'd be up so early. You had quite a busy day of classes yesterday, you did." Noticing his genuine concern, a warm sensation tickled her cheeks, and she waved away his comment.

"I'd have an even busier day today if I didn't wake up early. Besides, I feel rested enough now."

"That's certainly good to hear," Kenshin smiled and looked down at the laundry he had been washing. "Just a bit more and I'll be done here. Then I'll go down to the river and see if I can catch some fish for later." He watched her nod and start shuffling down the corridor in one of her vibrantly hued kimonos.

"Alright, that sounds good Kenshin. I guess I'll go wake Yahiko up...Oh, and by the way, Dr. Gensai is going to be dropping off Ayame and Suzume..." Her voice trailed off slightly as she continued walking. "So if you could take them with you.." she added. "I hope it isn't too much to ask..."

"Oh, it's alright!" He cheerfully called out after her as he watched her disappear behind the corner. Kenshin turned back to the bucket of soapy clothes and thoughtfully resumed his work.

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[6:34 AM]

"Yahiko! Wake up! It's a new day!" Kaoru stood with one hand on her hip and her trusty broom firmly gripped in the other. She glared down disapprovingly at her young apprentice.

"Uuuuurghh...Why...Why do ugly girls have to be so annoying!" He whined and shifted on the futon.

"Yahiko..." He braced himself, as he heard her growl his name through clenched teeth.

Swoosh...SMACK!

"OWWW! Why'd you do that for? Jeez! I'll get up already..." He muttered and rubbed the throbbing bump on his head.

"Hmmph!" He watched as the assistant master of the Kamiya Kashin Style dojo stormed back towards the door. "Yahiko, we have alot of work to do so you'd better hurry up! Kenshin's already been up doing his chores, you know!" she scolded.

"Yeah, yeah...I know..." Yahiko slumped his shoulders, defeatedly. Kenshin never complains...He always does as Kaoru commands...he thought, sullenly. "Grrr...Kaoru!" He exclaimed, jumping up to his feet unexpectedly.

"Huh?" She looked at him in bewilderment.

"I gotta be strong like Kenshin one day! I don't care how many chores you give me! I'll get them ALL done!" He clenched his fists, and looked up at her. Kaoru stared wide-eyed at the determination that shone in the kid's eyes. She smiled. She was certain that if that was what he truly wanted, then that is what he would ultimately achieve. She just wished he would be like this every morning.

"Alright, Yahiko...but first you should concentrate on beating ME!" she taunted. "Hurry up and go grab a rag and a bucket of water and clean the drill hall," she ordered, and with that she slid the shoji screen shut. She looked past the garden, towards the entrance, and saw Ayame and Suzume running over to Kenshin's hunched over figure. Dr. Gensai tottered in behind them and waved cheerfully over at Kaoru before heading over to chat with Kenshin. Kaoru sighed and began sweeping the hallways of her dojo, humming a quiet tune to herself.

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[8:35 AM]

"Oh, Dr. Gensai, are you leaving already?" Kaoru called as she walked towards the old doctor standing at the entrance of the Kamiya dojo.

"Oh yes..I have a couple appointments to attend to this morning. I couldn't possibly leave all the patients to Miss Megumi now!" The old man chortled.

"Yes, I understand, Dr. Gensai. Thank you for stopping by even though you're busy."

"No, no, I should be thanking you, child! Ayame and Suzume really enjoy visiting." He replied as they walked through the gate.

"Mhm..Kenshin will be taking them out to fish by the river today," Karuo grinned knowingly. "That should use up most of their energy! After a meal they'll be ready for a nap!"

As Dr. Gensai and Kaoru spoke, Kenshin finished hanging up the last piece of laundry to dry. Ayame and Suzume darted past him, chasing each other. He glanced over at Kaoru and saw her waving goodbye as the doctor left.

"Ayame...Suzume..." Kenshin turned to see them whizz past him once again.

"Yes, Uncle Ken? -Uncle Ken?" they squeaked in unison, obediently grinding to a halt.

"Would you like to go fishing with me at the river again? You could make more of those nice flowery tiaras, that you could!" he coaxed, smiling down at them as they enthusiastically accepted.

"I get to ride on Uncle Kenny's back this time!" Ayame chirped. She tugged insistently on Kenshin's sleeve until he knelt down and helped her eagerly climb on to his back.

"Noo, no! I wanted to, Ayame!" Tears glistened in Shizume's eyes.

"Oro...Shizume, how about you get the piggy back ride on the way back? Would that be alright?" Kenshin asked earnestly.

"Okay Uncle Ken." she sniffled. With one hand holding on to Ayame's ankle, Kenshin walked over to the tool shed and picked up the bait bucket.

"Shizume, you can carry this because it's very important!" he said matter-of-factly. The little girl clutched the bucket proudly. Kenshin grabbed the fishing pole leaning near the door before locking the shed on their way out. As he walked down the path he could not help but recall the time when Miss Kaoru had locked him in there. It seemed so very long ago...As the wind tossed his fiery red hair against his cheeks, he smiled, deep in his thoughts once again.

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To be completely honest, I didn't know where I was headed with the story at this point. Well turns out I liked it enough that I wrote several chapters...The story is complete on paper..still have to type it and upload it all! But I wanted to see if anyone likes it at all or if I should just move on to something else. Please review, and let me know! Thank you so much!