Author's Note: Welcome to a new short story collection! With the enjoyment I get from writing and the good responses I have received from my other collection, The Short Version: A Short Story Collection on Kenshin and Company, I decided to do one for Kenshin Himura and Kaoru Kamiya.

These two are one of my all time favorite couples in the Manga/Anime world and I decided to focus more on them in this collection of short stories. Expect reflections, continuations, and even missing scenes in this collection.

I hope you enjoy!

Now onto chapter 1, the first week of Kaoru and Kenshin meeting...

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Story 1, Who Are You Really?

Kaoru Kamiya could not help but watch him at times. It was hard to believe that this man, so gentle and kind with a hate for violence could do such a thing years ago. Kenshin Himura, a wanderer who was once the feared and ruthless assassin Bautossai. How did he go from the legendary manslayer to this person? How indeed?

Kaoru shook her head but continued to think about Kenshin and his past.

'I will not ask him. After all, wasn't I the one who said we have things in our past we do not wish to talk about? That I don't care about his past?'

Kaoru shook her head again and picked up her bokken, beginning her practice. She focused her other frustrations on the swings of her bokken. Holding the bokken steadily, Kaoru thrust it forward with delicate swings before moving her sword with faster thrusts. She had to now think about how to get her former students back and start the school again. It was a big source of her stress and frustration to watch as the school died slowly over these months. Money would dry up quickly and her father's legacy was on the line, nearly destroyed by the Gohei brothers who used Bautossai's legacy as a way to get her to sell the dojo.

'What can I do?'

"Miss Kaoru…"

Kaoru turned to see Kenshin standing in the doorway holding a laundry basket. He had that same goofy smile on his face and looked quite content.

"I am going to do the laundry now. Then I will make lunch."

With that, Kenshin left to do the wash and Kaoru looked after him. When Kenshin had agreed to stay here, he insisted on doing some chores. Surprisingly, he liked laundry and cooking. His food was certainly better than hers could ever be, not that she would admit it to anyone. Kaoru watched him set down the basket and begin to wash a piece of clothing in the pail of water. Feeling she was intruding, Kaoru went back to practicing her swings.

'Perhaps I will ask him at some point but it has to be on his terms. We barely know each other after all.'

Kaoru shook her head, 'No. It has to be on his terms and if he's ready. I will not pry.'

Kenshin continued to wash the last of the clothes and then began to prepare lunch. It was a simple meal of rice cakes, but would be enough for him and Kaoru. He smiled when he thought of Kaoru. He found her interesting. He had met kind people before but not one like her. Whenever someone discovered his past, they always shied away but not Kaoru Kamiya.

Kenshin then heard the noise of the door move and close. He turned around to see Kaoru coming in to the kitchen.

Kenshin smiled, "Hello Miss Kaoru. Lunch is ready that it is. It is only rice cakes though."

Kaoru smiled, "Rice cakes are fine. Let's eat outside though. It's a nice day for it."

The two found themselves outside on a wooden bench and began to nibble on their meal. Kenshin noticed Kaoru's frustration. He had for the past three days seen her become stressed and knew it was the worry over her school.

"Miss Kaoru do not worry. Your school will thrive again."

Kaoru sighed, "I hope so. At least the truth is out and the name Kamiya Kasshin Ryu is no longer ruined. I am planning to try and get my former students back but I need to build the school further."

"You really are passionate about this?"

Kaoru smiled, "Yes. Although I may be a woman, the sword is something I cherish. Father did not care if I was his daughter, he trained me to learn the sword or in this case the Kamiya Kasshin. He strongly believed in 'Swords That Give Life' and I do too. I want his legacy to continue on for others."

Kaoru continued to eat her rice cakes as Kenshin looked at her. He smiled, 'Yes. I am sure you will.'

Catching his smile and stare, Kaoru looked at Kenshin, "What is it?"

Kenshin shook his head, embarrassed about being caught staring, "Nothing. Though I have been wondering why you would still take in someone with my past?"

"As I said, I could care less about your past. How you live in the present is more important to me. You may think it too trusting of me to do so, but I have a good feeling about you."

Kenshin smiled, 'Yes. You are most kind Miss Kaoru. At times a bit of a risk taker, but you certainly are brave enough. Your heart is in the right place. You will go far in this world. I am sure of it.'

Kaoru looked at Kenshin through the corner of her eye, still curious about the redhead before her, "So Kenshin. Are you sure you are twenty-eight?"

"Oro? Yes, I am twenty-eight."

Karou was skeptical, "But you look so young."

Kenshin just smiled, "Guess I am just lucky is all. I should start dinner soon though."

With that Kenshin went into the kitchen with the dirty dishes to wash as Kaoru watched his retreating back.

'Perhaps as we get to know each other more you will tell me. All about you.'

End

I hope you enjoyed this little short story. I wanted to focus a bit more on Kenshin and Kaoru at the beginning during their first week together. It was a mixture of how the two "size each other up" along with their personalities to not tread into "uncharted waters."

Expect updates every Wednesday!

Thank you again and please review!