The next day at 6.00 p.m. Himura Kenshin appears at the KITCHEN and Sano avoiding him. He went to his usual corner table and waited for someone to take his order. As it took time, he pulled his chair closer to the window and started to watch the outside world. Suddenly a sweet fragrance made him turn back and he almost fell off the chair. Kaoru was standing there with his usual order. She was looking stunningly gorgeous in that meroune kimono with big bright yellow flowers in it.

Kaoru : Good Evening, Mr.Himura. Hope u had a good day today.

Himura : Hai. Thanks for asking [without even looking at her face, and starts to eat

Kaoru was disappointed and it was shown in her face

Kaoru : Please call me if u need anything else. I am Kamiya Kaoru. She waited for a response but getting none, she moved away.

As usual Himura paid his bill and left the KITCHEN.

Megumi [coming neat Kaoru Hes one heck of a cold guy. Never seen anyone like him. Dont get upset Kaoru.

Sano : I dont get why u have to like him in the first place.

Yahiko : Yea me too.

Kaoru : I am not upset at all Megumi. Infact I am happy. I got to talk with him and he did respond politely. He is not cold. Hes just acting to be one. I am sure hes got a very sad past that he want to forget. Thats the reason hes acting the way he is.

Sano : His past has nothing to do with us. Then why do he have to be like this to us.

Kaoru : Sano Sano Sano, Dont u get it? He feels insecured everywhere around him. and i am determined to change him

Sano : Whatever. We are here if u need any help sis, but i really like to fight him. It has been long time since i had a good fight. Let me see if his sword can cut me. [punches his right hand into his left

Kaoru : You didnt notice it, did u? His sword is a reversed edged one. He cant kill anyone with that. and thats why i am damn sure that he has got a tortured past. I have seen him smile and play with children in the remote area of the lakeside. He also teaches them the basic sword fights. He was feeling very happy then. That was the first time i fell for him. Ohhhhh hes so kawai when hes smiling. [Kaoru folder her hands under her chin and started shifting from side to side

Megumi [went near Kaoru here take this hanky and stop drooling now.

Kaoru going all red, chases Megumi again.

Sano suddently started towards the gate. Megumi called to him

Megumi : Hey Sano, where are you going?

Sano : I suddenly remembered something about your Red Cross Man

Kaoru : Red-Cross Man?

Sano : Red haired, cross cheeked

Megumi : ah i see.

Kaoru : You better call him by his name or you may have to face consequences.

Sano : will see about that. going to see Tsukioka. Have something to clarify.

Sano stepped out to visit his friend Tsukioka whos a journalist.

Kaoru : I too have to go to the market to get some Tofu. Bye guys and Megumi take care of the KITCHEN.

Sano returned from his friend' place to see Himura paying off his bill and he stepped out with him and put his Zansa infront of Himura. Himura looked at him questioningly

Sano : Battousai Himura! You cannot hide now. Come and fight me.

Yahiko : Hey Sano do you think you are doing? There are customers here.

Sano : Lets do in in the riverside. and Yahiko dont open your mouth in front of Kaoru. Megumi keep the medicines ready.

Himura [stepping aside I dont fight unneccesarily

Sano [swinging his zansa, You have got to fight.

Himura swiftly avoided it by jumping above the zansa. Sano, tried once more and Himura have to protect himself with his sword. The fight started just outside the KITCHEN itself befoe they realised it. They continued this for about an hour till they finally fall down exhausted. Both have cuts and briuses all over them though not serious.

Sano [panting thanks buddy. that was a good fight.

Himura [stared at him going red So you found out my past.

Kaoru just entered the scene and was horrifid to see both of them in such a state. She immediately ran towards them as Sano was already taken care by Megumi she went to Himura. But Himura wouldnt let her take care of his wounds. She forced him to sit and yelled at Yahiko for medicines.

Himura : Thank you Ms.Kamiya, you are so kind. I apoogise for the damage caused here and i wont come here again. But may be you wont let me here after knowing my past.

Kaoru : Baka Kenshin. Your past has nothing to do with me. And you are not going anywhere till your wounds are healed.

[Himura was taken aback hearing his name. [Turning to Sano angrily, what happened here?

Sano : Nothing sis. just fight between powers. And yes Mr.Himura, you are welcome to stay here. your past has nothing to do with anyone here. I just wanted to have a good fight with you after hearing your legend and i also heard that you left your Battousai ways to be a rouroni. Well you can join our family, if you like that is.

Megumi : Actually you have no other choice. You have to work with us till you repay for all the damages you have caused us. You both have scared all our customers away. and there is damage to the walls. So till everything is back to normal you have to be here Ken-san.

Himura [sweat drops[thinks to himself "arent they afraid of me. Everyone treats me as though they have known me for long. One calls me baka another ken-san and other comes after to fight me. But the weird thing is i am not at all tensed now i feel relaxed and calm and there is no feeling of insecurity. "

Kenshin : Hai. I will work here till i settled the damages. I can do a little bit of laundry and cooking.

Kaoru : Well, you dont have to think about your chores till you get better. Now, Yahiko, take him to the room next to dojo. [turning to Kenshin You can relax there.

A couple of days passed by. Himura starts to like his new surrounding. Sano and Yahiko grabs whatever opportunity they get to spar with him. Kaoru was having hard time getting off Megumi from him. Dr.Genzai had come in to visit the Kamiya family and told that Himura would get better in few days. His grand daughters grew more friendly with him. Himura said to himself, "so this is family". He became very soft and very calm. Everyone made him feel secure and he almost suddenly became a new guy. He felt miserable and cold only when he think about his past. But everyone made sure that he was not left alone and so he rarely kindled his past. He also fought with himself not to think about his past.

Himura got better and went to meet Kaoru whos busy preparing meals for her customers in the kitchen.

Himura : Miss.Kamiya

Kaoru : Hai Himura San.

Himura : ummm.. I am feeling better now. so i would like to work here to compensate the damages.

Kaoru [looked at him for a moment, your wish Mr.Himura. What would you like to do?

Himura : I am good in cooking and i can do laundry too

Kaoru looked at him in surprise. Himura continued, seeing her expression

Himura : had to learn when i become a ruronin

Koaru : You can prepare today' dinner us. Now you can take care of laundry. she said smiling

Himura : Hai. Thank you Ms.Kamiya. [he returned her smile

Kaoru : and you can call me Kaoru just like others

Himura : Hai Kaoru-dono

He went to take care of the laundry. He saw Yahiko practising his sword. Sano was loitering around and when he saw Himura, he came towards him and enquired about his health.

Sano : Hi there Mr.Himura. how are you today?

Himura : I am fine Sano and please call me Kenshin.

Sano had a broad smile and said,

Sano : Ofcourse Kenshin

and went out of the KITCHEN.

Later in the evening, Kenshin, set table for the dinner and called everyone. Dinner was served and everyone was dumb-founded.

Yahiko : How in the world was i eating the food made by Koaru all these days. now this is called food.

Kaoru [too was busy enjoying the taste en? what did you say? you are the one who fight with sano to gobble the last bowl everyday. Now you find a better cook, and you insult me. [she searches for a stick to hit him

Sano [unconcerned about whats going on around hey Kenshin, another bowl please.

Kenshin : Here you go Sano.

Yahiko quickly grabs it and stuffs his face. Now Sano and Yahiko starts fighting.

Kaoru [shouts KENSHIN, HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU COOK BETTER THAN ME?

Kenshin [slightly blushes Kaoru-dono, i have been cooking for myself for the past 10 years.

Kaoru [grabs him by his gi and shakes him thoroughly YOU COOK BETTER THAN ME!!!!!

Kenshin [now thoroughly shaken, sweat drops

Sano : dont be surprised or shocked Kenshin. This is our real Kaoru. Shes a master in Kamiya Sword Style and was a sensei but had to quit because we wanted to do something for our living and the sword lessons arent paying much.

Kaoru [was stuffing her face too i have a plan everyone. [she said suddenly

Everyone just stared at her.

Kaoru : I better leave the KITCHEN and the laundry to Kenshin and i am going back to my teachings

Yahiko : The best suggestion you have ever said. [got a bloody glare from kaoru

Sano : Nice plan sis. Hey Kenshin, you agree?

Kenshin : umm.. I am here only till i pay off the damages. so i cant accept your offer Kaoru-dono. But thanks.

Kaoru [now very mad you are leaving nowhere till i say so.

Kenshin [shocked to see such an expression Ha.. Hai Kaoru-dono.

Kaoru [with sweet smile good. now thats settled, i have got to clean the dojo. Yahiko you have to do it.

Yahiko : Why me? I am not gonna listen to you. If you want then do it yourself.

Kaoru : Ok then. I will ask Tsubami to help me.

Yahiko [going a slight red I will do it. [not raising his head from the bowl

Kaoru smiled evily.