A RK Cinderella Story
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer: They're not mine
Chapter 1: The Prince and the Country Girl
It was a bright and lovely day in a small town in the empire of Tokyo. The people were now nusy doing their daily chores and works. Some of them are selling this and that in the market. Some are already opening their shops. Children were now preparing for school and beggars are to be seen in some places. Few of them were just gambling and others were busy chatting. Everybody was busy making money and working, enjoying another long day.
Things were the same in the Kamiya households, everybody were busy, I mean Kaoru Kamiya is really busy, cleaning the house and everything while her stepmother and sisters were eating their breakfast.
"Oh! What a very lovely day!" she stretched and smiling brightly, tilting her head to watch the blue sky and the birds fly. "The sun is very good and the birds are already chirping so... sweetly, soothingly..." she giggled as a little blue bird flew closer to her.
"Hello there, little one." she smiled to the little creature. "hope you'll enjoy you're day, little friend."
"Oh, there you are, you silly girl." Megumi Takani, Kaoru's stepmother said coldly to her, making the little blue bird flew away.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Aunt Megumi! What is it that I can do for you?" Kaoru asked politely, turning to smile at her stepmother.
"I don't see what's good in the morning?!?" a young lady with a long dark hair and a cold eyes appeared behind Megumi, with another lady beside her.
"Oh, Gomen-nasai, Tomoe-san, Kamatari-san" Kaoru politely bowed at the two them, not taking her smile off.
"Gomen... gomen...." Tomoe said mockingly. "All you always say is a stupid sorry about this... gomen about that.... You're truly an idiot!"
"She really is." Kamatari giggled. "Look at her! She looks like an ugly racoon."
"Gomen..." Kaoru said shyly and looking down.
"Anyway, I want you to get me a new ribbon and I want a pink one." Tomoe said before disappearing in sight with her mother.
"And I want some sweets. I'm out of those." Kamatari said.
"Okay, I'll just change." Kaoru said.
"No, your old rag clothes would do just fine." Kamatari gigled more. "Don't change. As if you got some clothes better than that." Kamatari walked away with a flirtatious giggle.
"Hai." Kaoru nodded to no one sadly.
~*~*~*~
"Prince Kenshin! Prince Kenshin!"
"Hai, I'm here."
"Your father wants a word with you."
"Hai, I'll be going."
Kenshin stood up from his table and walked slowly towards the throne room. 'What do they want this time?'
As he entered the room, he saw Sanosuke Sagara, his bestfriend and personal assistant in everything he does. Partner in crime, that's what they say, especially when he wants to sneak out of the palace sometimes. He just smiled at him and continued walking.
"Father, the servant told me that you want a word." he said bowing at his father.
"Oh there you are, my dearest" Queen Yumi Komogata said.
"It's just that me and your mother are planning on who to invite for a ball tomorrow. And here, I'm asking your friend Sano for some suggestions." King Okina said.
"What? Another ball?" Kenshin asked.
"Oh c'mon son. We have talked about it last week."
"But I never remember saying yes."
"Here son, is a list of princesses that we're planning to invite. Princess Misao Makimachi of Kyoto will be attending the ball. And here is Lady Shura from Hokkaido..." the queen started mentioning names of young princesses and maidens from other empires.
Kenshin just shot Sano a here-we-go-again look and Sano replied with a just-let-it-pass-on-your-rght-ear-and-out-in-you-left-ear look.
"... and they are really pretty." queen gladly announced. "If you would just give them enough attentions, my dear."
"Those ladies may be beautiful but still, there's something missing. It's just that, maybe, I haven't really found the right girl for me."
"Oh son, but..."
"Don't worry mother, father. Once I found her, I'll tell you. And besides, I'm not yet ready for serious commitments or marriage. I still wanna enjoy my life as a bachelor." Kenshin said bowing politely at his parents before going back on his office with Sano following him.
~*~*~*~
"At last I'm finished." Kaoru took a deep breath as she finished her errands for the day. She sat on a bench in front of a bakeshop watching the people passed by and the blue sky.
"And the view is very beautiful. If only I could enjoy the view here more often." she sighed and stood up again. "Better go before Aunt Megumi gets md at me."
As she walk, she wore a bright smile on her lips for everyone who pass by.
"Kaoru-chan!" a woman in a dress shop called.
"Oh! Tae-san!" Kaoru smiled at her and approached her. "How's business doing?"
"Very good. Come on in. I have some few designs here that you would like to try? It will definitely look good on you." Tae said with a smile.
"Oh, I would be glad too. Demo... my step mother would be mad at me if I go home late. I still have plenty of things to do." Kaoru said sadly. "Maybe, some other time."
"Okay. Anyway, always take care of yourself and don't let those 'women' ruin your day."
"Hai." Kaoru said with a smile.
'Oh Kaoru... always take care... don't worry... I'll always watch after you... just like how I promised you mother.' Tae thought watching Kaoru go away.
***
"So Sano, I'll be going now." Kenshin said after changing into a worn out magenta gi and white hakama, securing his sakabatou on his waist. "Take care of the things her while I'm gone."
"No need to tell me." Sano puts a thumbs up. "Just be sure to come back at exactly 10."
"Hai."
"And wear this bandage to hide your scar. and DON'T BE LATE WILL YOU?"
"Oro? Hai, I will not be late this time." Kenshin nodde before jumping out of the window.
***
Kaoru just finished doing her works and is really exhausted. All she wanna do is to go to her room,which is the former attic, before her father died, and sleep.
"Oh! I think I'll go get some sleep now..." she yawned and began to go to her room.
"Kaoru!" Megumi called seeing Kaoru passed by the living room.
"Hai? Aunt Megumi?" Kaoru said tiredly but managed to smile.
"I want you to go out and get my diamond ring in the shop. I had it cleaned yesterday and I wanna use it for tomorrow's ball." Megumi said without looking at Kaoru.
"But, Aunt Megumi... the coachman have already gotten home and who will take..."
"Then just walk! Just go! It's still 8:30, still early." Megumi said.
"Hai." Kaoru nodded and ran to her room getting her cloak and bokken.
"Better bring you with me, just in case." she said, grabbing the bokken tightly.
***
'It's wonderful here outside.' Kenshin thought with a smile. 'The people are so nice and kind. Though, some seems scared because I carry a sword. And the view is better here than on the palace." he took a bite of the apple an old woman that he have saved gave him earlier. He continued walking, humming in a tuneless tone that he didn't noticed that he have bumped onto someone.
"Ouch!"
"Oro? Uhm... sorry..." Kenshin looked back to see a girl carrying a bokken.
"It's nothing. I'm sorry too, I'm not watching my way." the girl bowed at him and smiled.
"Hey, why are you carrying a bokken? Are you going to fight someone?" Kenshin asked.
"Mou! You're carrying a sword too. A real one. If you don't want me to ask you why, don't ask me." the girl winked and turned her back to him. "Anyway, see ya!"
"Weird girl." Kenshin stared at the girl's retreating back. "But she's pretty, bad thing, I didn't get her name."
***
"Arigato, Takano-san." Kaoru said brightly to the jewelry shop owner, getting her stepmother's ring.
"You are welcome, Kaoru-chan. Be careful on your way home. There are so many bandits out there." Takano said with concern.
"Arigato. Takano-san, I'll be careful." Kaoru smiled again before walikng back home.
As Kaoru walked, she can feel her heart beats faster and faster in evry steps she takes. Yes, she brought her bokken with her and she knows a little kendo, but still, a bokken can no match to a real sword and no matter how hard she try, she's just a little girl compared to big nasty bandits.
'Mou, Kaoru-no-baka! Think positive. Nothing will happen.' she rationalized, starting to walk faster, turning on a block.
"Hey, hey. You must be a brave girl, walking here all by yourself." an evil looking guy said smirking at Kaoru's directon.
"Just let me pass." Kaoru said biting her lower lip and she continued to walk, but the man blocked her way. " I wanna go home."
"Hey! Have you heard that guys?!? The little girl wants to go home!" and the group of nasty guys started laughing. Kaoru used this opportunity to run as fast as she could.
"Mou!" Kaoru cursed silently as she turned to a dead end.
"Hehe.. there's no way out, little girl. Just give us what you got."
"I got nothing to give you! Just leave me alone." Kaoru said starting to grabbed her bokken to defensive stance.
"Hey, you seems that you wanna fight. Tough girl! I like that!" the nasty guy laughed. "Don't worry I won't go easy on you." the man attacked at her trying to hit her with his fist but Kaoru was fast, the man was unconscious in a minute.
"Just leave me alone!" Kaoru said again, feeling a little confident. But one of the men just smirked and draws a real sword and splits Kaoru's bokken into half.
"Now you're unarmed. You're hopeless." the men laughed evilly.
"Mou! Don't come close! I'll... I'll... scream!" She said, glaring at the man.
"Then scream! We're so scared!" the guy said taking steps closer.
"HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!! SOMEBODY!!!!!!!!!!! HELP MEEEEE!!!!!!! EEEEEE!!!!!!" Kaoru screamed at the top of her lungs which only made the bandits laugh more.
***
'I swear I heard someone scream.' Kenshin instantly grabbed his sword. And began scanning the place. No one.
'Must be my imaginations. Anyway, I need to get back now. Sano would...'
"HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!"
"What the? Somebody really screamed and it sounded so near." Kenshin said and began to run to the direction of the noise.
***
"Go away!" Kaoru cried as she was now pinned to the wall, a sword on her throat. "Don't touch me!"
"Hmmm,,, smells sweet,,," the man said taking Kaoru's scent in.
"EEEKKK!!!! You nasty freak!!! Let me go!!!" she said, rather shakily as the man was about to stole a kiss from her but before he could do that...
"That's not a proper way to treat a young lady. That's not the work of a true gentleman." a red-haired swordsman said, the nasty guy turned to him and gasped in shock as he saw his other men lying unconscous in the ground.
"What the?!!?" the nasty guy frowned and attacked the red-haired man furiously. The red-haired swordsman only dodged his attacks before jumping up and hitting the nasty man on his head with his sheated sword.
"Are you alright, miss?" the red-haired man approached Kaoru
"Hai, arigato... hey..." she gasped as she saw the face of her savior. "...you're that guy!"
"You're that girl!"
"Hai." Kaoru nodded and smiled at him. He held out his hand to help her stand up and she gladly accept it. "Arigato, I don't know what would happen to me if you don't come just in time. Hey... wait... you're cheek is bleeding and your arm too." she added with a worried look on her face.
"Oro?" Kenshin placed a hand on his left cheek to find that it is bleeding and the bandage that he puts in it was gone. It's nothing. It's dangerous for a beautiful young lady to walk alone in the dark."
"Let me help you with that..." she said before pulling the ribbon off her long hair and started wiping the blood trickling down his face. "Whew... you got a scar on your face just because of me... and your arm too... " she added as she tied her ribbon on his wounded arm.
"It's nothing." Kenshin nervously said. 'I already have this scar long time ago.' he added to himself. "So, why are you out, this time?"
"Oh, it's just that my stepmother want me to pick up her diamond ring." Kaoru said then checked her pocket for the ring and sighe in relief. "Good thing it's still here."
"What?!? Just because of that?!? They let you go out in the middle of the night?!?"
"Don't worry nothing happened. It's alright." Kaoru smiled again. "Anyway, thanks. What can I do to pay for you."
"Nothing. Well, maybe, you're name."
"Kaoru Kamiya. And it woud be just fine if I'll ask yours."
"Kenshin." the red-haired man said without thinking.
"Hey, isn't that just the prince' name?" Kaoru said giggling.
"But it's true." Kenshin said.
"Nevermind, at least I have something to call you." Kaoru smiled. "anyway, thanks again, Kenshin."
"Uhm... Kaoru, can I escort you home?" Kenshin asked.
"Sure." Kaoru said as she led her way home.
"You say you live with your stepmother, where's your real mother." Kenshin asked trying to begin a conversation.
"She died when I was just a little girl." Kaoru said, her smile fading.
"Oh, sorry." Kenshin just looked down.
"It's nothing. Don't worry." Kaoru smiled again brightly. "My mother died when I was just a little girl. Two years later, my father married my stepmother, Aunt Megumi. She has two daughters, a little older than me, Tomoe and Kamatari. I live with them."
"I see." Kenshin just said. "With your father too?"
"Iie, my father just died." Kaoru said, smiling sadly. "Anyway, that's our home!" Kaoru said finally seeing a mansion blocks away.
"You live there?" Kenshin raised an eyebrow. He thought she lived in a small house judging by the way she dressed.
"Hai." Kaoru turned to smile again at Kenshin A/N: Kaoru does a lot of smiling here. but anyway, she's cute when she smiles! "You must have thought that I live in a small hut or something by the way I look. It's just that I feel more comfortable with this kind of clothes." she lied. "And besides, no need for me to wear a beautiful kimono since I will only make it dirty. You see, I used to do all the house hold chores at home."
"Eh?You do?" Kenshin asked. "Your stepmother made you do that?"
"Iie." Kaoru only nodded. " I did it in my own will. I just want to help them you see. As an exchange to the foods and shelter they gave me." she quickly lied.
"But they're supposed to..."
"It's fine." Kaoru said. "anyway. I'm here, so, would you mind getting inside for a cup of tea?"
"Tea?" then a thought came to Kenshin, "Oh no! Sano is going to kill me. What time is it?"
"It's already 10."
"WHAT?!? I need to go." Kenshin turned and began to run but stop and turned back to Kaoru.
"Anyaway, its nice meeting you."
"Me too, thanks again and be careful." Kaoru waved at Kenshin before getting back inside.
TBC...
A/N: till next time. please do review. hope you enjoyed reading my fic!
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer: They're not mine
Chapter 1: The Prince and the Country Girl
It was a bright and lovely day in a small town in the empire of Tokyo. The people were now nusy doing their daily chores and works. Some of them are selling this and that in the market. Some are already opening their shops. Children were now preparing for school and beggars are to be seen in some places. Few of them were just gambling and others were busy chatting. Everybody was busy making money and working, enjoying another long day.
Things were the same in the Kamiya households, everybody were busy, I mean Kaoru Kamiya is really busy, cleaning the house and everything while her stepmother and sisters were eating their breakfast.
"Oh! What a very lovely day!" she stretched and smiling brightly, tilting her head to watch the blue sky and the birds fly. "The sun is very good and the birds are already chirping so... sweetly, soothingly..." she giggled as a little blue bird flew closer to her.
"Hello there, little one." she smiled to the little creature. "hope you'll enjoy you're day, little friend."
"Oh, there you are, you silly girl." Megumi Takani, Kaoru's stepmother said coldly to her, making the little blue bird flew away.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Aunt Megumi! What is it that I can do for you?" Kaoru asked politely, turning to smile at her stepmother.
"I don't see what's good in the morning?!?" a young lady with a long dark hair and a cold eyes appeared behind Megumi, with another lady beside her.
"Oh, Gomen-nasai, Tomoe-san, Kamatari-san" Kaoru politely bowed at the two them, not taking her smile off.
"Gomen... gomen...." Tomoe said mockingly. "All you always say is a stupid sorry about this... gomen about that.... You're truly an idiot!"
"She really is." Kamatari giggled. "Look at her! She looks like an ugly racoon."
"Gomen..." Kaoru said shyly and looking down.
"Anyway, I want you to get me a new ribbon and I want a pink one." Tomoe said before disappearing in sight with her mother.
"And I want some sweets. I'm out of those." Kamatari said.
"Okay, I'll just change." Kaoru said.
"No, your old rag clothes would do just fine." Kamatari gigled more. "Don't change. As if you got some clothes better than that." Kamatari walked away with a flirtatious giggle.
"Hai." Kaoru nodded to no one sadly.
~*~*~*~
"Prince Kenshin! Prince Kenshin!"
"Hai, I'm here."
"Your father wants a word with you."
"Hai, I'll be going."
Kenshin stood up from his table and walked slowly towards the throne room. 'What do they want this time?'
As he entered the room, he saw Sanosuke Sagara, his bestfriend and personal assistant in everything he does. Partner in crime, that's what they say, especially when he wants to sneak out of the palace sometimes. He just smiled at him and continued walking.
"Father, the servant told me that you want a word." he said bowing at his father.
"Oh there you are, my dearest" Queen Yumi Komogata said.
"It's just that me and your mother are planning on who to invite for a ball tomorrow. And here, I'm asking your friend Sano for some suggestions." King Okina said.
"What? Another ball?" Kenshin asked.
"Oh c'mon son. We have talked about it last week."
"But I never remember saying yes."
"Here son, is a list of princesses that we're planning to invite. Princess Misao Makimachi of Kyoto will be attending the ball. And here is Lady Shura from Hokkaido..." the queen started mentioning names of young princesses and maidens from other empires.
Kenshin just shot Sano a here-we-go-again look and Sano replied with a just-let-it-pass-on-your-rght-ear-and-out-in-you-left-ear look.
"... and they are really pretty." queen gladly announced. "If you would just give them enough attentions, my dear."
"Those ladies may be beautiful but still, there's something missing. It's just that, maybe, I haven't really found the right girl for me."
"Oh son, but..."
"Don't worry mother, father. Once I found her, I'll tell you. And besides, I'm not yet ready for serious commitments or marriage. I still wanna enjoy my life as a bachelor." Kenshin said bowing politely at his parents before going back on his office with Sano following him.
~*~*~*~
"At last I'm finished." Kaoru took a deep breath as she finished her errands for the day. She sat on a bench in front of a bakeshop watching the people passed by and the blue sky.
"And the view is very beautiful. If only I could enjoy the view here more often." she sighed and stood up again. "Better go before Aunt Megumi gets md at me."
As she walk, she wore a bright smile on her lips for everyone who pass by.
"Kaoru-chan!" a woman in a dress shop called.
"Oh! Tae-san!" Kaoru smiled at her and approached her. "How's business doing?"
"Very good. Come on in. I have some few designs here that you would like to try? It will definitely look good on you." Tae said with a smile.
"Oh, I would be glad too. Demo... my step mother would be mad at me if I go home late. I still have plenty of things to do." Kaoru said sadly. "Maybe, some other time."
"Okay. Anyway, always take care of yourself and don't let those 'women' ruin your day."
"Hai." Kaoru said with a smile.
'Oh Kaoru... always take care... don't worry... I'll always watch after you... just like how I promised you mother.' Tae thought watching Kaoru go away.
***
"So Sano, I'll be going now." Kenshin said after changing into a worn out magenta gi and white hakama, securing his sakabatou on his waist. "Take care of the things her while I'm gone."
"No need to tell me." Sano puts a thumbs up. "Just be sure to come back at exactly 10."
"Hai."
"And wear this bandage to hide your scar. and DON'T BE LATE WILL YOU?"
"Oro? Hai, I will not be late this time." Kenshin nodde before jumping out of the window.
***
Kaoru just finished doing her works and is really exhausted. All she wanna do is to go to her room,which is the former attic, before her father died, and sleep.
"Oh! I think I'll go get some sleep now..." she yawned and began to go to her room.
"Kaoru!" Megumi called seeing Kaoru passed by the living room.
"Hai? Aunt Megumi?" Kaoru said tiredly but managed to smile.
"I want you to go out and get my diamond ring in the shop. I had it cleaned yesterday and I wanna use it for tomorrow's ball." Megumi said without looking at Kaoru.
"But, Aunt Megumi... the coachman have already gotten home and who will take..."
"Then just walk! Just go! It's still 8:30, still early." Megumi said.
"Hai." Kaoru nodded and ran to her room getting her cloak and bokken.
"Better bring you with me, just in case." she said, grabbing the bokken tightly.
***
'It's wonderful here outside.' Kenshin thought with a smile. 'The people are so nice and kind. Though, some seems scared because I carry a sword. And the view is better here than on the palace." he took a bite of the apple an old woman that he have saved gave him earlier. He continued walking, humming in a tuneless tone that he didn't noticed that he have bumped onto someone.
"Ouch!"
"Oro? Uhm... sorry..." Kenshin looked back to see a girl carrying a bokken.
"It's nothing. I'm sorry too, I'm not watching my way." the girl bowed at him and smiled.
"Hey, why are you carrying a bokken? Are you going to fight someone?" Kenshin asked.
"Mou! You're carrying a sword too. A real one. If you don't want me to ask you why, don't ask me." the girl winked and turned her back to him. "Anyway, see ya!"
"Weird girl." Kenshin stared at the girl's retreating back. "But she's pretty, bad thing, I didn't get her name."
***
"Arigato, Takano-san." Kaoru said brightly to the jewelry shop owner, getting her stepmother's ring.
"You are welcome, Kaoru-chan. Be careful on your way home. There are so many bandits out there." Takano said with concern.
"Arigato. Takano-san, I'll be careful." Kaoru smiled again before walikng back home.
As Kaoru walked, she can feel her heart beats faster and faster in evry steps she takes. Yes, she brought her bokken with her and she knows a little kendo, but still, a bokken can no match to a real sword and no matter how hard she try, she's just a little girl compared to big nasty bandits.
'Mou, Kaoru-no-baka! Think positive. Nothing will happen.' she rationalized, starting to walk faster, turning on a block.
"Hey, hey. You must be a brave girl, walking here all by yourself." an evil looking guy said smirking at Kaoru's directon.
"Just let me pass." Kaoru said biting her lower lip and she continued to walk, but the man blocked her way. " I wanna go home."
"Hey! Have you heard that guys?!? The little girl wants to go home!" and the group of nasty guys started laughing. Kaoru used this opportunity to run as fast as she could.
"Mou!" Kaoru cursed silently as she turned to a dead end.
"Hehe.. there's no way out, little girl. Just give us what you got."
"I got nothing to give you! Just leave me alone." Kaoru said starting to grabbed her bokken to defensive stance.
"Hey, you seems that you wanna fight. Tough girl! I like that!" the nasty guy laughed. "Don't worry I won't go easy on you." the man attacked at her trying to hit her with his fist but Kaoru was fast, the man was unconscious in a minute.
"Just leave me alone!" Kaoru said again, feeling a little confident. But one of the men just smirked and draws a real sword and splits Kaoru's bokken into half.
"Now you're unarmed. You're hopeless." the men laughed evilly.
"Mou! Don't come close! I'll... I'll... scream!" She said, glaring at the man.
"Then scream! We're so scared!" the guy said taking steps closer.
"HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!! SOMEBODY!!!!!!!!!!! HELP MEEEEE!!!!!!! EEEEEE!!!!!!" Kaoru screamed at the top of her lungs which only made the bandits laugh more.
***
'I swear I heard someone scream.' Kenshin instantly grabbed his sword. And began scanning the place. No one.
'Must be my imaginations. Anyway, I need to get back now. Sano would...'
"HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!"
"What the? Somebody really screamed and it sounded so near." Kenshin said and began to run to the direction of the noise.
***
"Go away!" Kaoru cried as she was now pinned to the wall, a sword on her throat. "Don't touch me!"
"Hmmm,,, smells sweet,,," the man said taking Kaoru's scent in.
"EEEKKK!!!! You nasty freak!!! Let me go!!!" she said, rather shakily as the man was about to stole a kiss from her but before he could do that...
"That's not a proper way to treat a young lady. That's not the work of a true gentleman." a red-haired swordsman said, the nasty guy turned to him and gasped in shock as he saw his other men lying unconscous in the ground.
"What the?!!?" the nasty guy frowned and attacked the red-haired man furiously. The red-haired swordsman only dodged his attacks before jumping up and hitting the nasty man on his head with his sheated sword.
"Are you alright, miss?" the red-haired man approached Kaoru
"Hai, arigato... hey..." she gasped as she saw the face of her savior. "...you're that guy!"
"You're that girl!"
"Hai." Kaoru nodded and smiled at him. He held out his hand to help her stand up and she gladly accept it. "Arigato, I don't know what would happen to me if you don't come just in time. Hey... wait... you're cheek is bleeding and your arm too." she added with a worried look on her face.
"Oro?" Kenshin placed a hand on his left cheek to find that it is bleeding and the bandage that he puts in it was gone. It's nothing. It's dangerous for a beautiful young lady to walk alone in the dark."
"Let me help you with that..." she said before pulling the ribbon off her long hair and started wiping the blood trickling down his face. "Whew... you got a scar on your face just because of me... and your arm too... " she added as she tied her ribbon on his wounded arm.
"It's nothing." Kenshin nervously said. 'I already have this scar long time ago.' he added to himself. "So, why are you out, this time?"
"Oh, it's just that my stepmother want me to pick up her diamond ring." Kaoru said then checked her pocket for the ring and sighe in relief. "Good thing it's still here."
"What?!? Just because of that?!? They let you go out in the middle of the night?!?"
"Don't worry nothing happened. It's alright." Kaoru smiled again. "Anyway, thanks. What can I do to pay for you."
"Nothing. Well, maybe, you're name."
"Kaoru Kamiya. And it woud be just fine if I'll ask yours."
"Kenshin." the red-haired man said without thinking.
"Hey, isn't that just the prince' name?" Kaoru said giggling.
"But it's true." Kenshin said.
"Nevermind, at least I have something to call you." Kaoru smiled. "anyway, thanks again, Kenshin."
"Uhm... Kaoru, can I escort you home?" Kenshin asked.
"Sure." Kaoru said as she led her way home.
"You say you live with your stepmother, where's your real mother." Kenshin asked trying to begin a conversation.
"She died when I was just a little girl." Kaoru said, her smile fading.
"Oh, sorry." Kenshin just looked down.
"It's nothing. Don't worry." Kaoru smiled again brightly. "My mother died when I was just a little girl. Two years later, my father married my stepmother, Aunt Megumi. She has two daughters, a little older than me, Tomoe and Kamatari. I live with them."
"I see." Kenshin just said. "With your father too?"
"Iie, my father just died." Kaoru said, smiling sadly. "Anyway, that's our home!" Kaoru said finally seeing a mansion blocks away.
"You live there?" Kenshin raised an eyebrow. He thought she lived in a small house judging by the way she dressed.
"Hai." Kaoru turned to smile again at Kenshin A/N: Kaoru does a lot of smiling here. but anyway, she's cute when she smiles! "You must have thought that I live in a small hut or something by the way I look. It's just that I feel more comfortable with this kind of clothes." she lied. "And besides, no need for me to wear a beautiful kimono since I will only make it dirty. You see, I used to do all the house hold chores at home."
"Eh?You do?" Kenshin asked. "Your stepmother made you do that?"
"Iie." Kaoru only nodded. " I did it in my own will. I just want to help them you see. As an exchange to the foods and shelter they gave me." she quickly lied.
"But they're supposed to..."
"It's fine." Kaoru said. "anyway. I'm here, so, would you mind getting inside for a cup of tea?"
"Tea?" then a thought came to Kenshin, "Oh no! Sano is going to kill me. What time is it?"
"It's already 10."
"WHAT?!? I need to go." Kenshin turned and began to run but stop and turned back to Kaoru.
"Anyaway, its nice meeting you."
"Me too, thanks again and be careful." Kaoru waved at Kenshin before getting back inside.
TBC...
A/N: till next time. please do review. hope you enjoyed reading my fic!