Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Title: Chance for Love

Rated: PG-13

AN: This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic. Please bear with me as I get used to the process. I recommend criticism good or bad. The reviews are what tell me what you as a reader like or dislike. I won't change everything in the storyline, but I will try to add what you like.

Italics - Thoughts

BTW this is AU

Chapter 1: Escape to Freedom

Kaoru placed her hands over her ears trying to shut out the world and mainly her aunt and uncle screaming at each other. This was the normal routine of her life. Her aunt and uncle were constantly always bickering at each other. Sometimes when things got even worse, her aunt and uncle brought her into the conversation always saying how she was useless and that it probably was her fault that they were going broke and being thrown into a financial debt. Kaoru shut her eyes trying to hold in the tears. If only mom and dad were here... Kaoru thought sadly.

Her mom had died a few years just after she was born. Kaoru couldn't remember much about her except that she was a very nice, beautiful woman that smelled like jasmine. Her father had died over just a year or two ago when she was 15 in a car accident. After he had died, she was thrown into custody of her aunt and uncle. Both had disliked her very much and treated her as if she were a germ from the beginning.

Kaoru wrapped her arms around herself holding back a choked sob. She couldn't take it anymore, she just couldn't. She rose shakily to her feet and made her way to her very small closet. With shaking fingers she opened up a large box that contained over $10,000. It was the money that she had been saving up her whole life. From her quite useful check that she had received after selling the dojo that her parents had owned all the way to the 3 full-time jobs she had. Not once had she used any of it. Kaoru took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. This is it... Kaoru thought, it's now or never.

She bent over and pulled out a worn out looking suitcase and started stuffing in all that she owned. Clothes, shoes, some of the very little jewelry she owned, her personal belongings and anything that she could think of. She silently washed her face and quickly changed into a fresh pair of clothes. A navy blue shorts, a purple T-shirt, and a comfortable pair of tennis shoes. Kaoru pulled her hair into a tight, neat ponytail and tiptoed over to the door. She looked out and saw that her aunt and uncle were no longer yelling, but had gone to their respective rooms with pure hatred still in them.

After seeing that everything was okay, she walked silently over to the phone and with trembling fingers picked it up and dialed her best friend's number. After 8 rings and what seemed like eternity, Kaoru drew in a sharp breath and let some tears flow down freely from her face.

She's not there.. Kaoru thought sadly. Just as she was about to hang up a tired, sleepy, irritated voice came on.

"Hello? Who ever this is calling better have a good explanation for calling!!! If this is another prank call, I'll be sure to hunt you down and kill you with-"

Kaoru smiled brightly and cut of her friend by saying quickly. "Misao! It's me, Kaoru!"

After a silent pause, Misao answered in a low, quiet voice. "Kaoru? It's almost 2 in the morning....Are you alright? Did anything happen?"

Kaoru sniffed and answered in a hoarse voice. "Yes. It happened again. And I think the time's now. I want to do this."

"Are you sure Kaoru? You really want to do this...now?" Misao answered concerned.

Kaoru closed her eyes tightly. "Yes. I'm positive. I got everything packed. And I'm completely ready. All I'm waiting for now is for you to agree. Please Misao... I need to get out of here."

After another silent pause, Misao finally answered. "All right. I'll be there as quickly as I can. Wait by the bushes in front of the houses. I'll quickly pack as well and I'll be there ASAP."

Kaoru opened her eyes and wiped away her tears. "Thanks Misao. Please hurry."

After a short and quick goodbye, they both hung up. Kaoru drew in a shaky breath and pulled out a clean sheet of paper and walked back silently to her room. She quickly wrote a small note and placed it on top of her dresser. She read it once more just to make sure it was okay.

Aunt Tokio and Uncle Saitoh,

I know you never appreciated me as much as I've appreciated you. I know that we both don't like each other and who to blame? Anyhow, by the time you read this I'll be out of Kyoto and somewhere safe. Please don't worry...which I know you won't.

Kaoru

As Kaoru finished reading the letter she smiled sadly and grabbing her suitcase walked out of the bedroom and house for good. Looking silently back at the house for the last time, Kaoru then went and sat on the sidewalk near the bushes. Kaoru closed her eyes remembering back to why again was she doing this.

Flashback

Kaoru and Misao are sitting on the front steps of Kaoru's house chatting away. They had been childhood friends from way back. As they were talking they heard a loud crash from inside the house followed by loud yelling.

Kaoru placed her head in her hands and groaned. "Not again..."

Misao placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder and sighed. Being childhood friends for 17 long years, Misao was used to this and felt sorry for her friend.

"Kaoru? Why do you live through all this? Don't you get sick of it? Why don't you just come and live with me?"

Kaoru looked over at the short girl next to her. "Misao, I really want to. You know I do. But don't you think that if I do leave that they will find me eventually and do something worse to me."

Misao looked over at the raven-haired girl next to her. "I have enough money and so do you. We both are 17, practically adults in a year! Why don't we just leave Kyoto and move to Tokyo? No one will know. I'm sure of it!"

Kaoru took a deep breath. "But..."

"But Nothing!! You don't like them, they don't like you. Your parents died and so did mine. When my parents died last year, I came to stay with you for awhile until I got back on my feet. And there is no denying that when I lived with you, your house was a pure hell hole! Please Kaoru! Please! Promise me that you'll at least bring it into consideration and that you at least will think about it?"

After much hesitation, Kaoru finally answered. "Alright. I see your point. I promise I will think about it. Promise..."

End of Flashback

Kaoru opened her eyes and smiled. Misao sure could convince almost about anyone to do anything. Kaoru looked back up the road and saw Misao's car coming up the road. She then stood up and brushed the dirt off of her shorts. As Misao stopped the car in front of her, she instructed Kaoru to place her suitcase in the backseat. As Kaoru was done, she climbed on in the passenger seat. Once again Kaoru repeatedly thanked Misao for everything.

"Stop thanking me already! What else are friends for?" Misao grinned as she started driving.

As it seemed, Misao was done packing up all her stuff and had placed it in the trunk of her car.

No wonder Misao told me to place my suitcase in the backseat, Kaoru thought.

As they were driving to Tokyo and chatting on the way, a thought struck Kaoru.

"Misao! I just realized something! Where are we going to stay when we get to Tokyo? We can't live on all our money by staying at a place we don't even know. And what about work? Where are we going to work at? These days it's pretty difficult to find a job."

Misao laughed. "Stop panicking Kaoru ! Do you think that I would have chose Tokyo of all places to run away to? I have connections Kaoru. Don't worry. For our living, we're going to be staying with a very good, close friend of mine. Before my parents died, they used to work as partners with Sano's parents. So that's how I met him. Through my parents."

Kaoru nodded waiting for Misao to continue.

"You see, Sano was becoming quite sick living with his parents. So when he turned 18, he moved out. And now he owns a mansion. An 8 bedroom mansion. Some of his friends live with him. Though he says that we have to pay rent for the electricity and the food we use. But that's it. Out of the 8 bedrooms, 6 are taken and there are now only 2 rooms left. So I called awhile back and had them booked for us. I knew that this would happen and so I thought ahead and planned."

Misao took a sharp turn and turned into an exit. "We'll be arriving shortly."

Kaoru looked up amazed at Misao. "And what about work?"

"Oh yes. I forgot to tell you. Back then Sano and I used to be best friends when we were in Tokyo. And we befriended 2 girls. There names were Tae and Tsubame. We all 4 were the best of friends. Tae and Tsubame, they were sisters, well there father owned this very, very nice restaurant called the Akabeko. And the day that I called Sano I also called Tae and Tsubame. As you see, they have 4 openings. 2 openings for waitress, 1 for janitor, and I for a chef."

As Misao turned into a different road, she hesitated for a moment before continuing. "So I told them that we both are going to take the waitress's jobs. Is that alright? And one more thing, we'll be getting paid $15 an hour. Plus tips are separate. Some tips could even get up to $100. So, what I'm trying to say is that we could even make up to $500 or more in a single day."

Kaoru stared at Misao speechless. Upon seeing Kaoru like this, Misao smirked.

"Aren't I the best?"

"Best...?" Kaoru finally managed to utter. "You are far from the best. You are more than best. You are the...the...the Best of Best!!!"

Misao smirked. "I know."

"It's like you knew that this was going to happen and you planned all this so wonderfully. Wow! You're terrific Misao!"

Kaoru and Misao both broke out laughing.

"Hey..." Misao said as she pointed to a huge mansion. "That's the place. We're here."

Kaoru looked over at the mansion. It sure was a sight. The estate was large surrounded by lush evergreen trees and flowers that bloomed everywhere.

Kaoru rubbed her eyes. Anybody could mistake this for a dream...

As Kaoru and Misao both got out of the car a strong scent of wildflowers enveloped them in their scent. They both watched with awe as they looked at there surrounding. After finally getting out of their daze they went to the back to the car to get there suitcases.

Kaoru became all nervous and tried to reassure herself. What's wrong with you? Everything is perfect. This is what you had wanted...

As Kaoru and Misao made their way to the front door they both looked at each other uncertainly. They both took a deep breath and proceeded to knock.

Kaoru reassured herself one last time as she knocked on the door. Everything will be perfect. You're getting yourself into nothing. Everything will be fine. Nothing to worry about...Nothing at all.

She was wrong.

Well, what do you think? This is Chapter 1 and I'm almost done with the next chapters. R&R. Tell me what you think. I encourage criticisms. Good or Bad.