Note that it is not rare in Japanese homes to share the same hot bath water after showering. Hope I'm not giving away too much! Lol

Also note that I do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters. Although I did try to keep them in character…. Somewhat!

Probably will include some lemon to zest things up!

A Slip on Water

Part 1- The Bathhouse incident

It was a breezy, full moon kind of night. They had just finished their dinner and Kaoru was washing the dishes while Kenshin was preparing a hot bath for her. Yahiko was out helping at the Akebeko restaurant again, usually staying out late or not coming home at all recently.

Probably because he's smitten over someone…

"Miss Kaoru, your bath is ready, that it is."

Kaoru slightly jumped at the sound of his voice. His footsteps were always so light that it made it hard to tell where he was sometimes. "Thank you, Kenshin. I'll be in there after I put up these dishes."

"Okay, let me help you since I'm done with all the other chores." Kenshin gently stepped over next to Kaoru and placed the clean plates near her into the cabinet. Kaoru peeked at Kenshin from the corner of her eyes as she put away the utensils.

He doesn't even give me a chance to decline his offer. No one in this world is as kind as he is… "Thank you, Kenshin." Kaoru beamed a soft smile at him.

After the dishes were put away, Kaoru left to her room to grab her yukata. There, she undid her hair and took off her 2-toed socks. One of her pet peeves were wet socks- such a disgusting feeling! Walking barefoot to the bathhouse, she shouted to Kenshin, "I'm going in for a bath now!"

Kenshin popped his head from around the corner. "Please tell me if the water is warm enough so that I can adjust the temperature to your liking, Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru closed the bathhouse door with a click from the lock. "Kenshin, thank you. It'll be fine! Don't worry about me, just relax in the room and I'll let you know when I'm done!" He's always so worried about me... Why's he such a sweetheart?

"Yes, ma'am!" Kaoru heard Kenshin reply from outside.

The heat from the water made so much steam in the bathhouse that her face immediately had condensation forming on it. She swiftly undid her obi and neatly laid her kimono on a table near the door. With quick precision, she twisted her hair with one hand and brought it up to the top of her head. She then wrapped a small towel around her head with a small knot at the front. She walked over to the wooden tub, gently placing her fingers in it, making an 8 formation with her fingertips to test the temperature of the water. Perfect… She reached for a nearby bucket and carefully poured some water from the bath onto herself, avoiding her hair. Adding some liquid jasmine soap to a scrub, she gently cleansed herself, relishing the scent of jasmine that quickly filled the bathhouse. She sighed in content and then rinsed off the soapsuds. After doing this, she slowly dipped one foot into the tub, followed by the other, gradually allowing her body to sink into the tub until it reached her chin. Her face was flushed from the heat, so she rested the back of her head on the ledge of the tub and closed her eyes in relaxation. However, her thoughts would only be filled with one man, as they were every night…

I really wish I could just ask him how he feels about me. But I don't want to make things awkward… If I could get some kind of sign from him that he's interested in me the way that I am interested in him, that would give me all the courage to take a step forward because right now… things feel so stagnant. She let out a sigh and drifted off into a light sleep.

Meanwhile, Kenshin was lying in his room, waiting for Kaoru to finish her bath. Unbeknownst to her, he was also thinking of her.

I know how she feels deep down about me, but it isn't possible for me to act on my feelings. I want to greatly confess to her… How nice that would be, that it would. But she is the one who took me in and is allowing me to stay with her. I can not take advantage of her kindness anymore than I already am. But if she were to express to me her feelings, there would be no way that I would or even could hold back. He fell into a light slumber, thinking about Kaoru. Her sweet voice, piercing blue eyes, sultry lips and… voluptuous body.

His eyes snapped open in an instant and groaned in guilt. He shouldn't be thinking about her in that way… He slowly sat up and made his way to the door, quietly sliding his shouji door open. It's his own rule that being loud is bothersome to others, so always be considerate as possible.

He made his way over to the bathhouse and looked up at the steam escaping from the high window. "Miss Kaoru? Are you done yet?"

No answer.

"Miss Kaoru?"

Still no answer. He looked at the foot of the front door and saw no sandals. Perhaps she's done already? He turned his head in the direction of her room and saw a light flickering inside. I guess she is done.

"Miss Kaoru, I'll be taking my bath now!" He lightly shouted over to her room. He then headed back towards his room to grab his yukata and towel.

An unknown amount of time passed before she lazily opened her eyes. The heat puts me to sleep really easily. Time to get out and go straight to bed. She slowly peeled herself out of the tub and tiptoed towards the table near the door, leaving a small trail of water behind her. She went to reach for her towel that she usually left with her yukata, but could not find it.

Crap, did I forget my towel?

She lifted up her kimono and gently shook it, hoping a towel would magically appear from it. Sighing, she slightly opened the door and peered out, hoping Kenshin could grab a towel for her.

"Kenshin?" she asked into the night softly and hesitatingly.

No answer but crickets.

Well, this was a little bit embarrassing for her. Should she just make a run for her room where she had left her towel? Hahaha, no way, that sounds a bit ludicrous. Imagine if Kenshin were to see her running naked to her room! She closed the door and went back near the tub. Hmmm… I guess I can use this small head towel I have on to dry myself off. Ugh, it's like the size of a rag though! I guess it's better than nothing. Letting her damp hair fall down to her waist, she began lightly patting herself, working her way down from her neck.

After Kenshin grabbed his yukata and towel, he walked silently over to the bathhouse. He gently pulled the door open, leaving his sandals in front of the door as he took ginger steps into the bathhouse. He was used to a wet floor after Kaoru took her bath, so he always advanced with caution. However, he was definitely not used to the sight he had just walked in on.

Through the light steam, he could see Kaoru standing there facing the wall, naked as she could ever be. Patting her neck with a small towel as her hair clung to her back and face, she continued down her collarbone and towards her breasts. Was it a minute? Or an eternity as he continued to stare, gazing at her finely toned body. The steam in the room made it impossible to remove the sheen of condensation that formed on her skin. Time stood still as Kenshin stared at Kaoru, half in awe, half in fear of what she would do to him once she'd notice his presence. Swallowing the knot forming in his throat before taking one quiet step back, he was just about to turn around and fly out of there when a gust of wind audibly slammed the bathhouse door shut.

Kaoru's head snapped towards the door in surprise and her eyes widened as she saw Kenshin standing there with the same expression that she had. Utter disbelief.

"KENSHIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!" Kaoru cried in visible embarrassment mixed with anger. She quickly reached for the bucket on the floor to throw at him, but in her haste her foot slid on the water she had left on the floor. She felt herself falling towards the hard floor when suddenly she felt her head hit something soft and hands lightly gripping her back. Kaoru had her eyes gripped shut, ready for the impact.

"Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked meekly, having just saved her fall. "Are you alright?"

Kaoru slowly opened her eyes. She was bent over, her hands gripping Kenshin's gi and her face was smothered in his chest. She slowly raised her gaze to meet his. Though Kenshin could barely keep his gaze on hers. Her ass was sticking out and it was shining from the condensation on her. He quickly tried to look away by looking down into her eyes. Her breasts lightly grazed his abs as she looked up at him and he had to take in a sharp breath as his heart began to pound in his ears from the sensation.

"K-Kenshin, don't look at me! G-Get out of here and get me a towel!" Kaoru pressed herself firmly against him so that he wouldn't be able to see much of her, as if to hide in his gi. Kenshin quickly shut his eyes in abidance, although he still had his hands tenderly placed on her back. Kaoru's face continued to flush as she realized their proximity after what she had just done. Oh God, my breasts are completely pressed up against his chest! And why are his hands still on me?! With her hands that were gripping his gi, she abruptly turned him around and shoved him out the bathhouse door. Kenshin landed with a loud thud outside as the door was slammed shut with a very audible locking of the door. She definitely made sure the door was locked this time.

Kenshin sat there for a second, sitting in disbelief of what had just happened. He quickly snapped out of it and went to retrieve the towel that Kaoru had angrily requested.

I just saw… all of her. I just felt her with my own hands… He couldn't get rid of the heat that was reaching his head.

How will they deal with their next encounter after this ordeal? Find out next time!

A/N: Well, how was it? What did you think? Please let me know in the comment section!