Chapter 2. Yay! I'm going to continue writing this in 1st person character pov. It'll either be Kenshin or Kaoru; it should be easy to figure out. 3rd person was hurting my brain, so I thought to take it easy on myself since I haven't been well lately.


It had been months since the hill incident, and incidentally, Kenshin's group has never set foot on the hill since. I hadn't either. I did not want a repeat of what happened before. I can brave the taunting and teasing. It's an every day occurrence for me.

I've become used to it.

Kenshin, however, I don't think he's ever had a glimpse of my suffering and his face that day...oh, his beautiful face.

He didn't show it but he suffered too.

I put him in such an awkward position with his friends. I never went to the hill again because I didn't want him to have to choose--his friends or me.

Maybe, I didn't want to know the answer.

I know that if he had to make a decision, there was no way he would give up his position in this school for me. A closet friend. Someone to hang with when no one else was near.

It made me sad, and frustrated but I endured because those moments that we were together were special. Just for us and I had every inch of his attention. I relished it; every word, every gesture I held close to my heart. In return I did everything possible to show how special our time together was for me.

Sometimes I wondered why he even took the time. Then again, it was easy. We usually were over his house. There were rarely any visitors there, Hiko, his father was very particular about house guests, so we didn't have to worry about being found out. The times we did go somewhere, though few and far between, we usually drove out a few towns over to go see this or do that.

I never really equated that with what it really was. Avoiding people who knew him. Avoiding people who would see us together.

On this particularly somber day I was heading home from the packie, swinging the black bag gently back and forth when I noticed a group of people in front of Kenshin's house.

Strange. As far as I knew, he always met his friends when they were going out.

The five of them were waiting on Hoji's car. I heard the door slam and Kenshin came down the front steps. He seemed a bit annoyed.

"Hey, you guys know my dad doesn't like visitors."

"Yeah, yeah...we were in the area and figured we'd stop by to see if you could come out and play." Yuuki purred sidling up to Kenshin.

I rolled my eyes at the sight and kept walking. I was about to cross the street when I heard...

"Ewwww...is that Kamiya?"

"What? Who?"

"Oh, you remember that reject that was on the hill," Hoji supplied to Amemiya.

"Right, that one." "Oi, Kamiya? What you doin here? You're not fit to walk on this street." Amemiya yelled.

"Shhhh, keep it down." Kenshin said.

I was grateful. Maybe he would finally grow a pair today. I snorted to myself. I could feel the frustrations of my life pressing in on me.

"The neighbors might get mad with all the noise. This is a prestigious neighborhood after all. Sides, she ain't really worth the attention."

Or maybe not.

That hurt. He never usually made any comment just shrugged and acted indifferent. Now I know why. I'm not worth the attention.

We weren't at school so I didn't have to pretend, and right now I wasn't feeling too bad for Kenshin. Besides he wasn't looking uncomfortable in the slightest. He didn't even spare me a glance.

"She's probably here to see a life she can't have. Go back to the ghetto where you belong skank!"

Oh no she didn't. I turned sharply to that bitch Shura. Forget crossing the street. I walked straight ahead with every intention of storming through the lot of them.

"For your information, I live here. Where do you live? Oh yeah, that's right, you live down on 88th don't you? Isn't that like, 2 blocks from ruffian row? You might as well say you live there."

"Why you stupid little whore!" Shura started marching up to me.

"Kaoru-chan!" A huge voice boomed that could only belong to Hiko.

I bowed respectfully. "Kon ban wa Hiko-san!" I waved and flashed a bright smile.

I didn't bother to notice the dirty looks I was receiving or Kenshin's look of surprise. Apparently he never realized how good Hiko was to me.

"Oi, get up here and pay an old man a visit."

"Hai Hiko-san!"

I marched up the front walk quickly, thankful for Hiko's distraction. He frowned at me when I got to the doorway.

"Kaoru-hime, what have I told you about that?"

"Gomen Hiko, I just didn't want to create problems and it's too weird for me to call you Seijuro or ji-san." I told him looking over my shoulder slightly to see Kenshin frowning.

He ushered me in.

Before coming in himself he bellowed, "Baka deshi, aren't you supposed to be doing laundry? Get to it! And get these people off my property!"

The satisfaction I felt was short lived as I could here the insults coming from outside as the door shut.

"Come Kaoru."

I followed him down the hall and into his study. There was a man there. He looked familiar.

"Hello Kaoru." He said.

"Kaoru, you remember your cousin Aoshi?"

"Oh! Aoshi-san. I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you. How are things?"

"It has been a long time. I am well, and you?"

"I'm good." I said a bit too cheerfully.

"As you know Kaoru, I have adopted Aoshi into my family. He is here for Kenshin and your graduation. After he will return to study abroad."

"So soon?" I was saddened by this. "We won't get a chance to know each other then."

"I'll be back in a few years. We can catch up then."

"I'm sorry about your parents by the way. I had only heard of it recently."

"Not to worry, I don't think our parents were fond of each other, so such news would have easily been ignored."

I knew our parents hated each other. Actually, his parents hated my father, especially after my mother died. So I didn't get to know Aoshi too well. They lived further south so visits were limited to the few family gatherings we had, but I do remember that we always had fun when we got together.

"I hope that you and I can start over then. Our parents dislike should not be passed forward."

I really wanted to get to know him better. I missed the sense of family I had been missing for some time now.

"Aa."

There was a knock at the door and Tae came in with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"Oh, hi there Kaoru, here to play with Kenshin again?"

Her words were innocent enough but they made me blush.

"Speaking of Himura,"Aoshi saved me a reply. "He owes me a spar, I think I'll collect, the plane ride has made me a bit stiff."

"Alright, give him hell Aoshi. He deserves it." Hiko said.

"So I have heard." Was all Aoshi said before leaving HIko and myself alone.

"Hiko, I got you something from Sae's."

His eyes lit up.

"Really?"

I pulled out the bottle of Sae's sake. Hers was the best, or so Hiko tells me. I handed him the bottle.

"You didn't have to Kaoru."

"I know, but I was going that way and I know how much you like it. So I picked you up a bottle."

"Arigato Kaoru-hime."

"What were you headed over there for in the first place?"

"Ano..." I stuttered looking at the black bag. I didn't want to have to say it out loud. It made everything too real.

He followed my gaze and knew. He always knew.

"I see. You know Kaoru, if you ever need..."

"I know Hiko, and thank you. It..it means a lot to me."

Small tears fell down my cheeks. No one knows my suffering. Hiko understands, but he doesn't truly know.

He came from around his desk when the door flew open. Smacking the wall behind it.

Kenshin has arrived.

"Kaoru! Thank god you are still here. Aoshi was trying to deter me requesting a fight but...Hey, what's wrong?"

I shook my head.

"Are you crying?"

"I'm fine Kenshin, nothing is wrong." I smiled a smile only for him. It would ease his worries and stop further questioning.

He gave me a weird look but shook it off.

"Alright then let's go! I need some help with this problem and you are the only one who can help me."

"Ah, Kenshin I can't. I have to get home. I've been too long as is. My father is waiting for his, for me."

"Nonsense, we'll just give him a call."

I looked helplessly toward Hiko. Kenshin noticed this and scowled.

"It's fine Kao-chan. I'll have Sano bring it over and explain everything to your father. You can spend the night here."

Sano was home too? I didn't let the surprise show on my face even as I was dragged along to Kenshin's room. I was too worried over the alcohol I was supposed to deliver to my father. I was really late now. He was going to be hell to deal with tomorrow.

"So Kao-chan,"I frowned--Kao-chan? He never calls me that.

"I wanted to ask you about the suit I got for the graduation dance. Wait there and I'll go try it on."

I couldn't speak. He didn't give me a chance. I blinked as I was quickly pushed into a chair.

It took me a few moments to register what was going on.

"Gah! Kenshin what the hell are you doing? Go into the bathroom to change!"

"What's wrong? It's not like we've never changed in front of each other before."

"We were in like, second grade! Go! Never mind I'll go!"

I got up and headed to the door but he caught my wrist. I turned to look at him surprised by the his quickness.

"Don't leave Kaoru. Please."

His voice was soft and husky. I felt myself blush as he pulled me toward him. His chest was bare as he was successful in stripping himself of it during my momentary lapse into space.

"Kenshin?"

He hugged me close and nuzzled my neck. I couldn't do anything but hold him tight as I brought my arms around his beautiful torso.

"I'm sorry Kaoru. I'm sorry for everything."

I was so entranced by the feel of him, his scent filled me sending me to a world of hopes and dreams.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me Kaoru."

I stifled a sob. I had wanted to hear such words from him since middle school started and I realized that the emotion I equated with Kenshin was love. I love this man, everything he is and everything he could be.

"You mean a lot to me too Kenshin." I replied softly.

Then I felt it. His wonderful lips. They gently brushed the side of my neck. Moving lower and around. Easing to the other side. I tilted my head following his lead. It felt so right. It felt so damn good.

He took the glasses off my face never missing a beat. His kisses became more fervent and I felt his tongue trail a line up the center of my throat ending with a gentle suckling of my bottom lip.

I shivered as new feelings took over my body. I had only heard about this sort of feeling, only read about how love was supposed to feel between two people. Now I was experiencing it.

My hands acted of their own accord. Grazing the expanse of his back then coming forward to slide sensuously up his tight abdomen to splay across his chest.

As he took my lips fully into a passionate kiss, my hands flew into his hair for leverage trying to convey all I felt with the same intensity he showered on me.

It wasn't long before my shirt found the floor followed by my bra.

"God you're beautiful Kao. I always thought so."

I just pressed closer to him wanting to feel his skin. The contact was arousing. The friction of our undulating bodies was indescribable. He ground into me and I felt a tingle.

He groaned as he kept pressing further into me.

My pants met the ground as he picked me up and pushed my back into the wall. From there he was able to undo and step out of his own jeans. He brought me down slowly gliding the center of my undergarment along the course of his boxer-briefs.

I felt something hard rub against my small bundle of nerves and I couldn't help the moan that escaped from my lips. Nothing mattered anymore. Just as long as I could feel this. As long as it was Kenshin who was showing my body how it felt to love.

He smirked into my breasts.

"You like that Kao? I liked it too. You feel so good. You make me feel so good." He shivered as he kept a slow pace of sliding me up and down the length of him.

"Kenshin," I whispered. "Kenshin, I just want to feel you. All of you."

With that he brought us over to his bed and gently laid me down. Moist kisses trailed down the length of my body leaving me trembling. With the kisses went my panties.

My brain was non functioning at this point.

I could only feel an animalistic need for pleasure. Kenshin shifted as he took off his own underwear.

Agonizingly slow he made his way up my body starting with my toes.

Kneading my thighs, I could feel a moistness gather between them.

I felt a puff of air over my most sensitive area and then my world shattered.

His slick tongue glazed around me where I never imagined such heights existed. He took my newly budding flower in a kiss of hypnotic passion. Swirling and building a force in me I couldn't vocalize.

The sheets were tightly squeezed in my left fist and my right was buried in his silky hair holding on for dear life. Afraid he would let go leaving me in despair.

I pushed into him as something else pushed into me. His hands, magnificent hands, his creative fingers were working in tune with his sweet succulent mouth expanding the force inside me to explosion.

I cried out in ecstasy, pleasure I did not fully understand but could only want more of.

"God Kao, that was amazing. You taste so good. I want so much of you."

Such words from his mouth.

" I need something Kenshin." I said pleadingly.

"Please, I want to feel you inside me. Your fingers made me feel so good." I practically moaned out.

"I can't imagine how it would feel if you were inside me. I want to feel you."

That was enough for him. He brought his body over mine and pressed our lips together as he slid seamlessly inside of me. There was no pain as my senses were so filled with anticipation over our joining. Stretching to accommodate his size brought an onslaught of feelings. As he moved in and out of me the pleasure wrought from his talents was both intense and incredible.

I was quickly lost in a world where nothing existed but feeling--and what a feeling it was.

Several hours later as he was dosing I couldn't help myself. I leaned down to him and whispered my true heart.

"I love you Kenshin."

His eyes shot open and we just stared at each other. He only pulled me down into his embrace and held me like a life line.

Then he let go.

"I should get dressed. Hiko might get the wrong idea if I'm not in my room soon." I said deadpanned.

He got up too and started to dress.

Before I left he called out to me, "Wait!"

He spun to the side then front again.

"How do I look?"

Oh, right, he actually did want me to check out his new suit.

I swallowed hard. I couldn't get the lump out of my throat.

"Good!" I said cheerfully. "You always look good Kenshin."

My face softened and I smiled to him.

"Are you going to the dance?"

Was he going to ask me?

"Ano...no, I wasn't planning to."

"You should go! It'll be fun and it might be the last time we see some of our friends."

I gave him a look that clearly said 'are you kidding me.'

I didn't have any friends at school. Only acquaintances who didn't really care about going to such things.

"Well, it's only a couple days away and I don't have anyone to go with anyway."

Ask me you idiot!

"That's no problem! I can ask Yuuki if her cousin can take you. He's in town for the graduation and doesn't have anything to do. You could also ask Sano or Aoshi, but it's not really their type of thing."

He didn't notice when my face fell, when my heart dropped awaiting the inevitable break with the answer to my next question.

"Why would you ask Yuuki's cousin? What does she have to do with it?"

He looked at me with fake surprise. I could tell because I knew him. I knew that he couldn't handle things like this.

"Well, Yuuki and I are going to the dance together. I figured that since she is responsible for her cousin and you didn't have a date than maybe we could all go together. You know, double date?"

My jaw almost hit the floor at such a ridiculous suggestion.

"If you didn't notice Kenshin," I grit out getting angry, "Yuuki hates me and she is not my favorite person either."

He looked down, he knew.

"Besides dances really aren't my thing either." I gave an indifferent shrug.

What I really wanted to do was bash his head in then curl into a ball and sleep forever at my and his stupidity.

His lack of courage.

His lack of faith.

His lack of trust.

His lack of pride.

His lack of honor.

His lack of confidence.

His lack of consideration.

His lack of honesty.

His lack of love.

He made me sick with all that he is lacking.

I can't do this anymore.

I gave myself to a boy who might never be the great man he has the potential of being losing himself to the will of others.

I don't need this right now. I have other things, more serious things to deal with.

I'm too young for all the havoc around me.

Why can't he understand and comfort me, be the man I need him to be.

The answer is simply that he won't let himself be that man. As much as he may want to, he simply can't find it in himself.

"Kaoru...I. About tonight I..." He started but I cut him off. I was done.

"Don't worry about it Kenshin!" I smiled brightly through all of my pain.

"I won't tell anyone. I know you wouldn't either, I mean, your friends would totally disown you." I said turning to leave the room.

"Kao that's not..."

"Kenshin, it's fine! Tonight never happened."

"No..Kao..."

I turned sharply to stare eye to eye with him and sternly spoke, "Kenshin."

He shut his mouth and dropped the subject. He gave up--just like I knew he would.

I walked out into the hall and made my way to my room. The tears were already streaking down my face.

I thought he was sleeping when I told him how I felt. I didn't want him to hear such a declaration. It would only cause problems. Despite what we did tonight, I knew nothing would change in the real world. It just took too long for my eyes to open.

Reality sucks.

I must have been crying pretty loudly. I felt the side of my bed dip with weight I knew couldn't be Kenshin.

I was pulled into strong arms and rocked back and forth to soothing words. I cried myself to sleep.


I finally updated something! I know I take forever, truly I apologize. I can promise that none of my fics will be abandoned though.

I know there really isn't much to this chap. it's probably boring but I needed to show some relationships and make sure K/K was established or at least some feelings brought to light. The next chapter should be a bit more interesting and will be in Kenshin's POV, that baka!