Title: To Smile Again

Disclaimer: I don't own RK. But this story is my blood and sweat.

Summary: AU Kaoru ran away right before her engagement party to a mafia boss. He wasn't what he seemed to be. With a broken heart, she leads a new life, with a new love… but what happens when the past catches up with her? K/K or A/K?

Rated K for now... might move up.

Kaoru knew it was now or never. She'd never escape his clutches if she didn't take the jump. She looked down into the raging river weighing her choices. Even if she died, anything would be better than the life her father had left for her. The sky loomed above her, rainy, dark and the lightning briefly illuminating the steep fall beneath her.

BANG BANG

She barely heard the gunshots behind her over the booming thunder. But the lance of sudden pain on the outside of her left arm let her know they were close to getting through those double doors. Kaoru whirled around from her position, with one leg already over the railing of the balcony, fearfully looking at the doors to her room. They were shooting at the lock! She hadn't expected them to shoot at the doors knowing she was inside. Gritting her teeth, she ignored the jarring pain shooting up her left arm and looked back down at the river. She hastily threw her other leg over the railing as she heard a crashing sound that even the thunder couldn't mask behind her. Without looking back, she knew the doors had been smashed through. Her vision fading from the blood loss of the gunshot wound in her left arm, she used the last of her strength to pitch her body forward.

The shouting of the men in her room, the thunder, everything fell deaf to her ears as she headed toward a black oblivion. Images of her koishii betraying her came back to haunt her as she felt the wind whooshing past her as she fell toward the violent waters below her. She'd never trust another man again. The impact of her body hitting the water came, and then… nothing.

Kaoru slowly opened her eyes. What? Where am I?

"I… I'm alive!" She tried to get up, but pain flitted up and down the entire length of her body making her wince. Settling back down on what seemed to be a cot she looked around the room for clues on her whereabouts. A small room, whitewash walls, with the bare necessities, the cot, a chair and a dresser. The door opened to reveal a young woman dressed in a frilly apron and a simple dress, carrying a tray full of food.

"You're finally awake!" The lady beamed down at her as she crossed the room to place the tray down on the chair.

"I was so worried when you wouldn't wake after that horrible fever broke. How do you feel?"

Kaoru opened her mouth to respond but realized that she could only make a croaking sound in her throat. "Wa..waa…wat.."

"Water! Here. Drink this." The lady brought the glass of water to her mouth and gently let the liquid drop into Kaoru's open mouth. She then backed away with the glass in hand.

"Wh… Who are you?" Kaoru asked.

The lady again smiled at her. "My name's Tae, and I own this restaurant, the Akabeko. I found you on the bank of the river behind this building about a week ago. I cared for you since then, dressing your wounds, and making sure you got rid of the high fever you had."

"Nani! A week! What's the date today?"

"June 11th."

June 11th! Ten days and he still hasn't found me yet! I've been a free woman for ten days!

Unable to contain her excitement, she looked up at Tae with gratitude. "Thank you. I owe you my life, and eternal gratitude. I don't know how I could ever repay you."

"Just get better. Do you think you need to go to the hospital?"

"Ie!… I mean… I'm fine. A few days rest, and I'll be as good as new." She couldn't afford to go to the hospital knowing that he would have his men combing through all the hospitals in the area. She couldn't get caught! This was her chance to live her new life.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize Tae was talking to her.

"Miss… Miss? Do you have anyone to call? A place to stay?"

"No one. Do you think… could I stay here? Just until I get better?" Wistfully, she looked at Tae.

"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. From the looks of that wound in your left arm, I'd say you're in a bit of a trouble. How about this. Once you're all better, would you like to work as a waitress in my restaurant for the summer? I'm a bit shorthanded, and you could reside here."

Kaoru was overjoyed. "Hai! Arigatou!"

Tae nodded. "Then it's settled. I need to get back to work, but please help yourself to the food I've brought you and rest." With that, she left the room.

Kaoru sighed. It was perfect. She was free... but for how long?

Koishii: Beloved/ Lover

Nani: What

Ie: No

Hai: Yes

Arigato: Thank You

So what did you think? Bad? good? Things I should change? Spelling mistakes?

I wonder if I need a beta reader? I quit writing for good, but… I couldn't get this certain idea out of my mind. So here I am…. Please read and REVIEW so I get the a-okay to go on… and what should I do? K/K? or A/K? I'm leaning toward Kenshin/Kaoru only because it's easier to write, but Aoshi/Kaoru is a possibility. Please vote.

REVIEW!