AN: Hiya everyone! Thank you for all the reviews. I'm feeling the love. I also appreciate the suggestions, they really inspired me and they helped make my chapters better, so keep them coming.

This chapter is a bit longer than the others, but I don't think you'll mind too much since it's about Kenshin and Kaoru in their teen years and a lot of you really wanted to see that. Actually most of the chapters from now on may be longer.

There are some Japanese words in this chapter, so there is a translation list at the end like last time. Also some other characters make an appearance and there is a few more to come in later chapters.

Anyway, nothing much to say this time so proceed. Remember, read and review =3

Disclaimer: Alright alright, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. Life is so cruel =(

Chapter 4

Three Summers Later

Kaoru – 13

Soujiro - 14

Kenshin – 15

Sano – 15

Megumi – 17

Tomoe - 17

Kenshin was not in a good mood. He had come to hate summers. To everyone else his age, summers meant a break from work and studies, but as the heir to the Hiten Mitsurugi throne he did not get time off like the other children whose parents were simply high-ranking lords and ladies in the court. He had to be educated and trained every day for long tedious hours. That morning he had had to endure three hours of Aoshi lecturing about government and politics, which in his opinion was one of the most boring subjects in the world.

Even though he knew it was necessary, Kenshin thought it was completely unfair that he had to have his nose stuck in stuffy old books, while Sano and his other friends got to do what they pleased. But what made it completely unbearable was that he had to share all his class with Kaoru.

Like him, she had to take classes during the summer because she was heir to the Kasshin throne, and since they were annoyingly encouraged to do everything together, her tutor Tae joined Aoshi to help teach both Kaoru and Kenshin together.

Kenshin gritted his teeth and his fists clenched at his side. All morning he had to deal with her know-it-all attitude and smug smiles aimed his way when he was not quick enough.

Kenshin put one hand on his hip and tossed his hair over his shoulder in an imitation Kaoru. "I thought it was 1746 not 1764 that the borders of Hiten Mitsurugi spread further south, but surely you know that Kenshin, being their prince and all." He batted his eyelashes and made sure to let his smile be wide and sickeningly sweet. He then gagged and continued down the hall to his room.

"She is so irritating. And they want me to spend a lifetime with her. Not a chance. I can barely be in the same room with her."

If he had to endure one more person hinting at what a great couple he and Kaoru would make, he was going to forget himself and draw his sword. He hated that everyone except him was planning out his future.

It was infuriating that as a prince, a future heir to the throne, he had enough power to rule a country and the lives of millions, but his own life was out of his hands. Apparently his obligations as future king far outweighed his own desires. It was actually something he had learned the day Kaoru and he was introduced.

Yes, Kenshin understood the reasoning and importance behind all of it; if he and Kaoru married both their kingdoms would combine, therefore providing a better life for their people in terms of economy and social standings with the other neighbouring countries. But even though he may understand that, it did not mean he had to like it.

Kenshin could feel his mood getting fouler as he thought about the unfairness in his life. Even now after a morning of studies, he only had twenty minutes to rest and get ready for training in the dojo with Hiko. His father was never gentle or patient when it came to teaching him the ancient sword style of their ancestors, and as usual Kenshin knew he would be stumbling out that dojo, his body and ego battered and bruised mercilessly.

Actually, since it was only a few days to the championship martial arts competition that Hiten Mitsurugi hosted every year, his father had been a tyrant, and Kenshin's unconscious body had had to been carried to his room on several occasions.

He suddenly realized he better move faster or he was going to be late, which was completely unacceptable in Hiko's eyes and resulted in, if possible, harder training. Kenshin considered himself lucky that he came out alive in those situations when he had arrived just a few minutes late.

The young teen quickened his step, but when he rounded the corner, what he saw made him stop and instantly his mood did a nosedive to pure blackness.

Kaoru was standing directly outside of his room, with a boy about his age with an unwavering smile on his face. Both their bodies were leaned slightly towards each other while they talked and laughed ardently.

Kenshin observed Kaoru's friendly smile and how her sapphire eyes were gleaming brightly as she looked up at the taller boy, and he rolled his eyes. "She's always flirting with Soujiro. Why doesn't she get a life?"

Soujiro just encouraged her with his compliments and smiles; he actually seemed to like her attention. To Kenshin's surprise, the other boys seemed to as well, and he had even heard a few of them, when they thought he was not listening, say that she was cute.

He observed Kaoru again. He did not see it. Sure her face was less freckly, her body had started to develop into noticeable soft curves and maybe she was not so klutzy anymore, but that was it.

When the other boys obsessed over Tomoe he completely understood; he readily joined in those conversations. Princess Yukishiro Tomoe, who was flawlessly beautiful, talented and graceful like a geisha. Just thinking about her made him blush, and when he was around her he felt so uneasy and foolish like he had never been around a girl before. All Kenshin felt around Kaoru was absolute frustration.

"What is the appeal that they see in her? Especially Soujiro."

He had great respect for the other boy; Seta Soujiro was his greatest opponent during the martial arts competition and had actually beaten him a few times in the past years, but if he liked Kaoru, maybe he was not so right in the head. "Maybe he should make an appointment to see Dr. Genzai."

At the same time Soujiro leaned in close to whisper something to Kaoru and she ducked her head to giggle into her hands. "Sou-kun, you shouldn't tease me."

"Sou-kun?" Kenshin lifted an eyebrow in irritation. "She's making a complete fool out of herself," he said out loud and folded his arms.

"I think you really kind of like her," a voice said behind him with an amused chuckle.

Kenshin gritted his teeth and turned to face his best friend with a glare. "I told you to stop saying that Sano. It's not true."

Megumi appeared from where she was hidden behind Sano's tall form, grinning widely. "For once I think the tori-atama is right," she said with a chortle of 'hohohos' and Kenshin swore he saw a pair of fox ears pop up on her head.

Kenshin frowned at her. If anything he mainly blamed Megumi for Kaoru's behavior. Ever since Megumi had started coming along with Kaoru to apprentice with Dr. Gensai, Kaoru had started acting like a ditz. All that eye fluttering, giggling and the way she swayed her hips when she walked was all in imitation of the older girl. He had actually seen her giving Kaoru lessons. It was completely ridiculous.

"Come on Kenshin, fess up," Sano persisted. "I see the way you're always lookin' at her."

Kenshin felt his face heating with embarrassment and anger, which only made Sano and Megumi laugh harder.

"Why Ken-kun," Megumi giggled. "You're turning redder than your hair."

Kenshin growled fiercely and balled his hands up in tight fists. "I do not like her!" he did not realize he was shouting. "Like I would ever like some ugly, overbearing, unfeminine girl like Kamiya Kaoru!"

Sano and Megumi had stopped laughing and were now staring over his shoulder with wide eyes, and Kenshin knew what he would see before he turned around. Still he blanched when he saw Kaoru standing behind him and he actually considered running.

Her slender body was practically shivering with rage. She glared at him with such pure fury swirling within the depths of her blue eyes that it was like icicles cutting into his flesh, and Kenshin almost stepped back in concern when he felt the power of her ki radiating toward him like a blast of fire.

"Oro,'' he said faintly, a sweat drop on his brow. "She's really scary when she's mad." He found himself grateful that she was no longer allowed to spar with him anymore; not for her safety but his. She might actually bludgeon him to death with that bokken of hers after something like this.

Soujiro was standing at her side, and even though the young lord respectfully said nothing, it was obvious he disapproved of Kenshin's behavior by the frown on his face. He must have been really angry by Kenshin's insulting words towards Kaoru, because it took a lot to take the smile off Soujiro's face.

Then suddenly, to Kenshin's surprise, the fury suddenly disappeared off of Kaoru's face and she turned to Soujiro with a winning smile. "Will you accompany me to the rose gardens, Sou-kun?"

The smile returned to the boy's face eagerly and he bowed deeply. "Always a pleasure my hime."

Kaoru blushed prettily at affectionate name, and when he straightened and offered her his arm she took it graciously. Soujiro nodded to Kenshin politely when they passed, "I look forward to competing against you in the competition ouji-sama." Kaoru brushed by without a word or a glance at him, but she did turn to Megumi.

"Coming?" Kaoru asked her cousin.

Megumi gave Sano a wistful look and it was only then that Kenshin realized that both of them were holding hands. "That's new," he thought curiously. Kaoru seemed to have noticed too because her azure eyes widened in surprise.

Sano smiled warmly at Megumi and nodded. "See you later, koishii."

Kenshin thought he would swallow his tongue and Kaoru looked like her eyes would pop out of her head. He could tell she was thinking the same thing. "Koishii?! Since when?"

Megumi coloured and frowned at Sano slightly, but she returned the warm smile before she turned to answer Kaoru. "I guess suuhh-…" Megumi almost lost her balance as Kaoru already linked her arm and was now pulling her down the hall with her and Soujiro. He could hear Kaoru eagerly asking Megumi question after question, but for one moment she looked over her shoulder to aim a nasty glare at Kenshin. She had not forgotten what he said, and clearly would not any time soon.

"Boy is she mad at you," Sano sang in amusement. "I'd sleep with one eye open from now on if I were you buddy."

Kenshin glowered after Kaoru. He could not help the feelings of guilt rising up in him. He knew what he said had been pretty cruel, but he had been irritated and she was not supposed to have heard any of it. Already he could see his father's and Aoshi's disapproving gaze. They would say if he truly had any sense of morality and honor he would have to apologize, but he hated apologizing to her and he found himself doing that too much during the summer.

He sighed; he really did try to be nice to Kaoru, but she was so infuriating and it was difficult to keep his temper with her. When he was around her, the usual self-control he had learned from long hours of meditation and training might as well have not existed. He hated when she was here; she just constantly tested him and made him look like a fool.

Kenshin came out of his thoughts when Sano began waving a hand in front of his face. "Kenshin? Daijoubu? Your eyes are turning amber?"

"Gomen." He squeezed his eyes shut and took a few calming breaths. "I can't let her get to me, that's all."

"Who? Jou-chan? She's really not so bad."

Kenshin had to stare at the taller boy incredulously. Not long ago Sano used to be the one egging him on to play pranks on Kaoru, but now the two of them had developed into some kind of relationship, as if they were brother and sister. Sano still teased her, but there was always warm humor in his voice to take the edge off and Kaoru only responded similarly or gave Sano a light punch in the arm. She never gave Sano that absolute look of loathing like she gave him just now.

"Hey Kenshin, aren't you supposed to be in the dojo with Hiko right now," Sano asked.

Kenshin felt his heart drop to his feet. With a curse and a hasty farewell to Sano, he sped to his room to change. His twenty minutes were over, so he would never be able to change his clothes and reach the dojo in time. There was no argument about it; an afternoon of torment from Hiko was in his future, which made that day officially one of the worst ever. He had come to expect a lot of days like that during his summers.

"Stupid Kaoru," he thought repeatedly as he practically threw his practice clothes on and raced out the door.

Oroororroorororroorrororo

"Are sure you don't want some help Kenshin?" Sanosuke asked for the thousandth time.

Kenshin shook his head wearily and concentrated on making his legs move forward. "When did my room get so far away?"

He had arrived five minutes late and just as he had predicted his father was livid about it. As punishment Hiko had given him a grueling work out, making him do each kata until it was perfection. Hours and hours, late into the evening after the sun had set, over and over again, his much smaller frame just barely holding against his massive father's relentless attacks.

Sanosuke had been waiting outside of the dojo like a true friend. He was usually the one who carried Kenshin when he was too exhausted to move or unconscious, but this time Kenshin had refused his help.

His body protested the simple act of just standing, but the fact was that he was standing and that was what counted. This time he was lucky that he was able to get on his feet and walk as well. And with that miracle achieved, he was not going to stop now, no matter how tempting Sanosuke's offer was.

Sanosuke understood and he let him continue on his own, but he hovered close by, ready to catch him even if he teetered. Also the spike haired boy kept muttering reassuring things like "just a few more steps" and "we're almost there", but Kenshin felt like he had been saying that for hours and they were not getting any closer, and he was starting to wish Sanosuke would just shut up.

Just when Kenshin thought he was never going to make it and the hall seemed a perfect enough place to sleep, he suddenly realized he was outside his bedroom door. "Sweet bedroom door," he thought with relief. He could have kissed the wooden panels, but he chose to lean against them instead.

"You made it buddy. We're here," Sanosuke cried happily.

"Thanks Sano, I'd never have known," Kenshin snapped.

He knew Sanosuke was trying to help, but he was bone tired and was feeling a little resentful toward his friend, who had spent most of his day lazing about with his apparent new girlfriend. Plus the fact he still had to apologize to Kaoru hovered over him like an annoying fly. A few times during his training today he had gotten distracted when the image of bright sapphire eyes staring at him with pure contempt appeared in his mind. He had gotten some pretty bad cuts and bruises when Hiko took advantage of his unfocused state.

"Where is your head, baka deshi!" Kenshin flinched as he remembered his father bellowing at him early. He thought he had seen Hiko's tonsils the third time he was caught staring into space.

"Stupid girl. Baka na onna no ko." He blamed Kaoru.

With a sigh he leaned off the door and prepared for the walk to his bed, where he would sleep maybe for a day or longer. With Sanosuke still warily watching him, he turned the knob, pushed open the door and went in.

It happened so suddenly that Kenshin thought he had passed out, but he was still on his feet. It was odd though, and his mind was slow with fatigue. He had opened his door, walked in and only saw the usual layout of his room for a brief moment before something hard fell over his head and plunging his vision into darkness. And before he could make sense of that, his face was already twisting in disgust as he felt something cold and slimy oozing down his face, into his training gi and pooling at his feet. The strong smell of miso soup filled his nostrils.

"Oro," Kenshin moaned tiredly, puzzled.

He then realized he could hear a tinkling laugh behind him in the hall that he recognized as Kaoru's, and then slowly his brain began put it all together. By the time Sanosuke, who was trying really hard not laugh, helped him take the bucket off his head, Kenshin was shivering with rage.

"Way to go Jou-chan," Sanosuke said between chuckles. "Who knew she had it in her."

Kenshin glowered at his friend for a second before turning to aim a particularly nasty glare at Kaoru, but already he could hear her laughter, now accompanied by several 'hohohos', and some fox ears he was sure, hurrying down the hall and eventually disappearing. Kenshin snarled; if he was not so tired, dripping miso soup everywhere and the prince of Hiten Mitsurugi he would have chased them down the hall.

Then to make matters worse, from behind him he heard an all too familiar soft voice say his name. All weariness vanished immediately. As he turned slowly he closed his eyes and prayed hard, but alas, it was still Tomoe standing there, perfect in her exquisite sea-green kimono and looking both perplexed and repulsed by his state.

"Kenshin, what has happened to you?" she said in her breathy tone.

"Oro," Kenshin heard himself say embarrassingly, and then add sheepishly, "Miso soup fall on head."

Tomoe nodded slowly, her soft brown eyes even more confused now.

Sanosuke was next to him, currently leaning in the doorway, holding his side, laughing uncontrollably.

And Kenshin, his fatigue back full force, was wishing he still had the bucket on his head.

A perfect end to a miserable day. He really hated summers.

Aw poor Kenshin, I'm so mean to him, but he just asks for it. Any who if you liked it, hated it, got no reaction review and tell me, it helps a lot. So thanks in advance =3

Translations:

-Kun - is used by persons of senior status in addressing or referring to those of junior status, or by anyone when addressing or referring to male children or male teenagers. It can also be used by females when addressing a male that they are emotionally attached to or have known for a long period of time

tori-atama – rooster head

bokken - is a wooden Japanese sword used for training, usually the size and shape of a katana

hime - is the Japanese word for princess or a lady of higher birth. The word can initially refer to any beautiful female.

ouji-sama – prince

koishii – sweetheart, beloved

Jou-chan – Little Missy

Daijoubu? – Are you okay?

Gomen – Sorry

baka deshi – idiot student

Baka na onna no ko – stupid girl