Kaoru sat, watching as Kenshin washed clothing. He apparently found this relaxing, but Kaoru couldn't see why. She sighed and watched the bubbles in the laundry tub over flow. There really was too much for her to think about.
Just a year ago Kaoru had been running through the streets of Tokyo in search of Hitokiri Battousai. Who had known the cute rurouni Kenshin would be it?
Cute. Kaoru laughed at this, but then rethought her reaction. She studied Kenshin as he scrubbed away the dirt, and she was taken aback. He really was cute, not like good looking, but adorable. The wind ruffled Kenshin's hair, making his ponytail shiver, and she smiled. How silly was it that he was 28? It didn't seem possible.
No, she told herself. You don't think it's silly. You think it's unfair. Kaoru knew this was true, but she would never admit it. There was a part in her that loved Kenshin, but the age difference was too great. It was like a foolish schoolgirl having a crush on her teacher; it would never result in anything. This thought wiped the smile from her face, and she lowered her head to stare at the ground.
A rustle startled her, and she looked up to see Kenshin sitting next to her. "Are you alright, Kaoru-dono? This one thought you looked a little hurt," he said, a worried look placed upon his features.
"Oh, it's nothing, Kenshin. I get like this when I'm thinking." She moved a bit of her hair that had escaped its ponytail from her eyes. Kenshin still looked worried.
Moving quickly, he wrapped her in his arms, giving her a hug. That was when she lost it. The tears flowed down her cheeks, and by the way Kenshin tensed, she knew he was as surprised by this as she was.
They stayed in this position for a while, until Kaoru hastily moved away. "I-I'm sorry, Kenshin. I don't know what came over me!" She turned away, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Kaoru-dono." Kenshin reached up and turned her head towards him. Quickly, their lips met in a kiss, and then he pulled away. Kaoru was sure her eyes were huge, and Kenshin laughed. "This one didn't expect that."
"That doesn't mean to stop, Kenshin." Kaoru grabbed him and kissed him, hardly noticing when Yahiko and Sanosuke arrived.
"What the hell is going on?" Yahiko yelled as he beheld the sight before him. Sanosuke, however just laughed to himself and moved along.