Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin…

"Kaoru… dono."

Here I am again, rapping at your shoji, waiting for you to wake up so that we could have breakfast together. You once told me that there was no need for me to do this trivial thing and that you didn't want to bother me with the more important things that I have to do. But I want to, for my own selfish reason that I want to be the first person that you will see and to be the first person to discover how beautiful your eyes were in the morning. I don't want to share those looks with Yahiko or Sanosuke. Because just looking at your eyes I see the promise of a wonderful day.

And then I realized that we've almost shared everything. We've shared a home, friends, food, beliefs and even fought some battle. Only that I don't want to share you withothers. While you consider me as your protector because I let you see that mask. I no longer see you that way.

I didn't know when it started or how it all begun. All I know was that my feelings have changed. And though I wasn't made to wish or to want, but deep inside I truly want you to be mine.

I have no idea if you feel the same way for me. I don't want to misread your gentle care or your brilliant smiles because honestly, it's hard to take when you smile like that to almost everyone.

And then you came out of your room, bright and beautiful as ever. You wore your training gi and hakama with full confidence of a warrior. You have that fire in your soul that consumes me and for the first time I am not afraid to get burned. I want to feel the warmth of your fire since I lived in a dreadful cold for such a long time.

You looked at me and flashed that smile. How I love that smile! And I made a vow to myself that I will do anything just to keep those smiles. "Ohayou, Kenshin!" You said.

'It is indeed a good morning, my love.'

'Kenshin no baka!' Of course, those were not the words that came out from my mouth after all I am such a coward. Instead of saying what I longed to say, I answered you with just a simple "Ohayou, Kaoru-dono!"

One would think that the once hitokiri had no fear. They were all so wrong. I feared that if I tell her and if she doesn't feel the same way I will entirely lose her.

Perhaps one day I will gather all my strength and tell her the truth, but for today and the coming days, allow me to enjoy this morning habit and have this altogether to myself.