I am sooo super sorry I've made you all wait so long for this chapter!!! I just haven't had any real desire to complete this story. Sadly I've grown up and now have much more stress to deal with, and much less time for the things I like to do. Anyways, I was reminded of my story and now feel slightly obligated to finish it, as perhaps someone out there would actually like to see how it ends.

BnK: Thanks so much for taking the time to review my story, and for letting me know about my mistakes!

Kitty365911: Thanks for reminding me of this story and I'm so happy you've enjoyed it so far!

Disclaimer: Ya ya… not mine… *sigh*

Chapter Three

Stepping into the kitchen, Kenshin located the kettle and water for tea. Grabbing two cups, he had just finished pouring the now hot water into them when he heard the sounds of visitors entering the front gates. Quickly setting down the cups, Kenshin hurried out onto the porch to see who was there.

Strolling into the courtyard were Sano, Megumi and Yahiko. Kenshin's shoulders sagged, but he cheerfully greeted the group as Sano commented loudly on his intense hunger.

"Yo, Ken-san! Where's Jou-chan and why don't I smell anything burning?" Sano yelled.

Oro, Kenshin thought. He definitely hadn't been expecting the group, in fact he had pretty much forgotten about everyone other than Kaoru. Now what was he supposed to say to cover for Kaoru? He couldn't very well tell them the real reason why she was still in bed.

"Ano… Kaoru-dono is feeling a little of this morning, and is resting in her room," Kenshin hesitantly told the group.

"Oh dear," said Megumi, "perhaps I should go check up on her?"

Crap, thought Kenshin. That had definitely been the wrong thing to say what with Megumi being a doctor and all.

"No, no, Megumi-dono!" he blurted out. "Kaoru-dono just needs some rest, that's all. It's nothing serious, sessha is sure she is just over-tired."

Much to Kenshin's relief, Megumi seemed to buy his story. She slowly sat down beside Sano and Yahiko, who had already made themselves comfortable on the porch. It wasn't until they all were settled that anyone noticed the absence of Kenshin's usual pink haori.

"Hey Kenshin," Yahiko started in a questioning tone, "why aren't you wearing a haori?"

Having completely forgotten his lack of a haori, Kenshin took a quick glance at his front, and then blushed deeply. "Oro, sessha was very warm this morning!" he blurted out.

All three looked at him, eyebrows raised. They were sure he was lying, as it had actually been rather cold earlier that morning, but they were soon distracted when Sano's stomach grumbled loudly.

"Well I guess if there's no breakfast ready I'll just have to settle for tea until Jou-chan gets her butt out of bed," Sano said. Megumi nodded her head in agreement while Yahiko mumbled something about 'Ugly always causing problems'.

Sighing, Kenshin rose and returned to the kitchen to make tea for everyone. He hoped Kaoru could wait a little longer for her breakfast, as it would probably be a little while before he would be able to return to her.

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

Meanwhile, Kaoru was lying in bed, waiting for Kenshin to come back with their breakfast. Had something gone wrong? He had already taken an extremely long time, maybe he needed some help. She would wait another five minutes and if he still hadn't returned she would go find him.

Five minutes passed quickly, and then another five as Kaoru convinced herself to wait just a little longer. Sighing, she finally disentangled herself from the blankets and rose from her futon. As much as she'd like to lie in bed for another hour or two, she knew it was getting late and she was starting to worry a bit for Kenshin.

Standing beside her bed, she glanced around the room and grabbed the closest piece of clothing. This happened to be Kenshin's haori, and she grinned, again remembering last night, as she slipped it on and tied it loosely around her waist. It wasn't all that big on her, but it was big enough it covered the essentials and she felt good wearing something of his.

With an even larger grin plastered on her face, she slid open her shoji door and stepped out onto the porch and into the light of the morning sun.

"Kenshin?" she called out, "Are you alright? I've been waiting for you to come back to me." She purred out the last bit, surprising herself, but she had no need to be shy anymore, did she?

* ~ * ~ * ~ *

More than a half hour had passed for the group seated on the porch, and Kenshin was started to fidget. He really wished they would just leave, so he could go back to Kaoru and run his hands through her silky hair, kiss her senseless and drive himself deep into her core once more, causing her to moan and cry out his name... "Kenshin!" she would yell, "Kenshin! Buddy, snap out of it!"

Quickly he snapped open his eyes, meeting the stares of a rather concerned Megumi, a questioning Yahiko and a grinning Sanosuke. He wanted to slap himself; this is neither the place, nor the time for Sessha to be thinking of things like this!

He attempted to grin reassuringly at the group, and had started to gather all of the empty cups when he heard the sound of a door sliding open to his left.

"Kenshin? Are you alright? I've been waiting for you to come back to me," a voice purred.

And there's the end for now… hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon, but I can't guarantee, what with my schedule right now. Hopefully you like this chapter!!