Disclaimer: I don't own RK.

Rating has been moved up. For language and the rating may still move up later on in this story.

I have decided AK.

Last Chapter:

"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?

Chapter Two:

The days of Kaoru's recovery went by quickly, consisting of Tae coming in to check on her progress constantly. Four days later, Kaoru was in good health, and was brimming with excitement. She wanted to pay Tae for her generosity even if it was only by working hard in her restaurant.

"Let's see… I can't go out in this filthy thing."

Dressed in the same outfit on the night she ran away, she walked over to dresser and found a couple of waitress outfits, and chef robes. She donned on the waitress outfit thinking about the horrifying times of when she had attempted to cook something edible for her father. He had lain in bed with food poisoning for a week. She smiled at the memory. The doctors had been utterly puzzled at how tofu could become lethal.

Otou-san…

Against her will, memories began to surface in her mind of times they spent together, happy and carefree. Her knuckles became white from gripping the back of the chair. She couldn't understand how it all went so wrong.

Battousai. She spit out the name in disgust. That's how. The conniving bastard murdered her father unbeknownst to her and now she was to be married to him. In the past, those amber eyes sent thrills of happiness up her body… but now all they served was a remembrance of a blood thirsty murderer.

"I HATE YOU!" In a sudden burst of rage, she threw the chair against the wall and slumped down to the floor with her head in her hands.

Aoshi didn't question Tae's order not to go near the storage room, but the loud crashing sound took all of his willpower to resist barging through those doors. Hearing his name, he was broken out of his reverie of wondering who was behind those doors.

"Aoshi! Table 3 needs water, and Tae said Table 5's food is ready."

"Hai, hai." Reluctantly, he tore his eyes away from the door to go about serving his waiting customers.

Table 3? This was the fifth time they needed water. Two scantily dressed women who barely passed the dress code of the Akabeko. As he neared the table, the appreciative glances thrown his way did not go unnoticed. He fought the urge to throw them out of the establishment.

"Hello again…" One of the women glanced at his name tag. "Aoshi."

The way his name was said in what she assumed was a sultry tone made the 26 year old roll his eyes in disgust.

"Anything else I can help you with ladies?" Aoshi forced out the restaurant protocol with barely veiled repulsion.

"You." This woman leaned over to grab the dessert menu from his waistband, while lightly grazing his waist with her fingertips.

He grabbed her wrist with enough force to cause slight pain.

"Touch me again and I'll break your wrist. Here's your check. Leave."

He threw her wrist back at her harshly, jostling the table. Her water knocked over spilling the liquid all over her and his pants.

"Well I never!" They paid and left in a huff claiming they'd never come here again.

He reached over and counted the cash.

Damn! No tip again. If this keeps happening I won't be able to pay the rent. Keep your temper in check Shinomori!

Unwillingly, his eyes strayed back to the storage room. He needed a new waiter outfit… maybe Tae wouldn't mind if he retrieved it himself. He took a few steps toward the door when out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Tae mouthing "Table Five. Food!"

He sighed and turned back toward the kitchen, just barely missing Kaoru step out of the storage room.

Otou-san father

Reviews!

Whiterabbit5- I agree. Hopefully as the story goes on, you see that it is original. Hopefully. Thanks, I like her that way too. Well I hope that some of your questions have been answered, and as my first reviewer for this story, it was your review that got me to do AK against what I was going to do instead of KK. I'm also a huge AK fan, and think that there needs to be more of them.

Gabyhyatt-thanks!

Chibi angel puff- thanks! Sorry it couldn't be KK, you'll get some Battousai/Kaoru later in the fic though!

Chapter Two was already out when I recieved these review for ch. one since ffnet decided not to show ch.2, so I just edited.)

Bradybunch4529- whoa. seriously. Do you know that I'm a HUGE FAN. like HUUUUUGE fan of your story Kaoru's music? Man. Please update that one soon, I love it. And thank you so much for the compliment! That made my day! It's decided AK!

Devil's 99th angel- yep, it's already AK.

It's AK guys! Thanks for the reviews, I loved them. And as I stated earlier, the rating moved up. Posting a new chapter about 12 hours after the first one… that's a record for me. That's why it's short. Hopefully I get to keep it up… I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled out this Thursday. Ouch.

Review! It's my joy in life! Tell me what you think, any questions and so on!