AN: Okay okay, there's no need to get violent *holds out next chapter with trembling hands*, there you go. I hope it lives up to all your expectations. Surprisingly I thought this part would be hard to write, but it poured out of me so easily. I wrote it in two days!! I hope that does not mean it did not turn out good. It sounds good to me, but there is a lot of pressure for this chapter to be good, because most of you have been waiting for it since the story began =D I really hope I don't disappoint you because what you guys think really matters to me. If your reviews meant a lot to me before, your opinion for this chapter means a 100 times that, so remember to tell me what you think

P.S. I mentioned this before; this story is not the whole Swan Princess story with the evil magician and princess turns into a swan thing. I never really liked that movie, but I did really like the part where Derek and Odette grew up together and eventually fell in love, so that's what I'm doing for this KK story. And I am adding on my own personal ideas as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. Siiiiiigggh….=(

Kamiya Kaoru – 17

Seta Soujiro – 18

Yukishiro Enishi - 18

Himura Kenshin 19

Sagara Sanosuke – 19

Shishio Makoto – 20

Kiyosato Yumi – 21

Kiyosato Akira - 21

Takani Megumi – 21

Yukishiro Tomoe – 21

Chapter 11

"Sore suru dame Sano," Kenshin growled as he tried to fight against his friend's insistent pushing. "Tomoe still has many people for me to meet."

"The party has been going on for hours now and all you've done is talk to people. You still have not seen Jou-chan."

At the same time, Kaoru was being jostled by her cousin in the hall on the other side of the room.

"Itai Megumi!" Kaoru exclaimed. "You're bruising my arm." She tried to wrench her arm out of the older girl's hand, only to have the grip tighten. Kaoru winced.

"Kenshin's waiting for you Kaoru," Megumi stated as she firmly guided Kaoru down the hall to room at the end. "You can't keep him waiting."

Sanosuke held Kenshin's shoulders firmly as he drove him forward.

"I know what you are trying to do Sano," Kenshin bit out. "I have long since outgrown the need for the stupid pushing and annoying hints." He dug his heels into the carpet, but his friend easily got him moving with a hard shove, nearly knocked him over in doing so. Kenshin growled again. "When will everyone understand that I don't need them to set me up with anyone? Especially not Kaoru. The idea of she and I joining has always been a lose cause, and I was able to find someone much better all by myself."

He then worriedly turned his head behind him, which was the direction of the Great Hall where his introduction party was still going on. His fingernails dug into his palm. If he found out Akira was flirting with Tomoe again, he would have to make his point clearer to the man this time around. Maybe he might even draw his sword.

Sanosuke shook his head, but he still did not cease pushing his friend to the abandoned sitting room. "You have been bewitched by Tomoe my friend and I'm going to help you get free."

"Mou!" Kaoru was yelling from the other side. "I will see Kenshin when I'm good and ready!" Her lips then went into a firm line and her blue eyes flashed for a second with irritation. "And I seriously doubt he's waiting for me, he seems much too preoccupied with his girlfriend."

"Oh Kao-chan," Megumi soothed. "Kenshin really wants to be with you, he just does not know it yet."

Kaoru stared at Megumi in wonder for a moment, but then she closed her eyes and shook her head firmly. "Iie! Kenshin and I are over, and I'm with Soujiro now. I will not do this now. You can't make me. I am tired of everyone trying to bully me into this." She tried to make a dash passed the other woman, but Megumi yanked her back.

Meanwhile Sanosuke had gotten Kenshin to the room, and he opened the door with one hand and shoved Kenshin through it with the other. Kenshin stumbled in, and by the time he regained his footing and turned back to the door, Sanosuke had already locked it.

"This is for your own good Kao-chan," Megumi snarled as she opened the other door to the room. "Just like before." She shoved her frantic cousin through the door and then quickly latched it closed, just as Kaoru heard the other door behind her open and slam back as well.

Kaoru pounded on the door. "Megumi let me out of here immediately!" She gave the door a solid kick and pouted. "I don't want to talk to that immature airhead," she grumbled and folded her arms huffily.

"Immature airhead, am I?" a curt voice said from behind her.

Kaoru closed her eyes and sighed. "Kami give me strength." She recognized the voice.

With his back still turned, Kenshin let his bitterness tinge his words. "I'm not the one who stormed out of Hiten Mitsurugi two years ago, and then refused to come back even for diplomatic reasons." He scoffed. "I think you're the one who is the true child between us, Kamiya Kaoru."

"And you Himura Kenshin, are as tactless as I remember," she retorted, not bothering to even turn around. "But that's no surprise; no matter how old you get you never change. You're still the same insensitive, stuck-up brat I met so long ago."

"And you are still the same improper, bad-tempered shrew I met."

"A shrew, am I?" Kaoru cried incredulously, and she furiously turned around to face him.

At the same time Kenshin spun around so he could glare at her. "Hai, a shrew! And another thing princess, you have no right to...to..." Kenshin suddenly found that the ability to speak was slowly leaving him. "Talk...to..." He finally lost what he was going to say completely and his tongue latched to the roof of his mouth.

Only after he swallowed several times he was able to get out a word.

"Kirei," he whispered in awe as he drunk in the sight of the stunning young woman before him.

Kaoru was also having trouble with the simple act of forming words. If Kenshin had not grown in maturity, he certain hand grown in physical maturity. He was even more handsome than Kaoru remember. The boyishness was still there, but it only served to add to the charm of the now finely carved features of his face. The dark blue gi and grey hakama he wore made his red hair, which was up in a high ponytail, more fiery and beautiful, and the yards of cloth did not even hide the obvious lean and finely defined muscles of his body that lay underneath.

Kaoru felt her cheeks heat at the direction her thoughts had taken. Her eyes lowered, but then came back up again almost instantly, eager for one more look. He had also grown taller! His stunning lavender eyes were now just above hers, and had to gaze down to look at her.

Kenshin watched the rouge light up Kaoru's cheeks with great fascination. Her sparkling sapphire eyes, which were looking at him so shyly now, were as beautiful as he remembered it, maybe even more so, and her smile was just as luminescent, but what he did not remember were those plump lips, painted luscious red, those rounded curves that filled out the kimono so enticingly or that long river of silken midnight hair, held back by ribbons and elegant combs, it had grown out so long that it was now cascading down her back almost all the way to her feet.

Was this really Kaoru? His Kaoru? Was this the same awkward little girl who used to fall off anything higher than zori and scream at him when he was rude? This elegant and radiant creature?

A smile formed on Kenshin's face and pulled up on one side.

Kaoru felt her heart flutter wildly when she saw Kenshin practically beaming at her. And her knees started buckling when she noticed how his eyes were taking her in from head to foot.

She told herself she must be imagining it, but she swore she saw a look of longing deep in the depths of his eyes where the colour was always darkest with passion.

"Nani?" Kaoru asked slightly irritated at how flustered she felt. Kenshin was not supposed to be affecting her this way anymore, not after how much she had matured. "Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"

Kenshin made a deep rich chuckle that made Kaoru's inside quiver. He shook his head, his eyes still not ceasing to stare at her. "Iie." His voice was almost a whisper. "Nothing like that."

"Then why are you..." Kaoru began, becoming more annoyed.

"It's nothing really," he said distractedly as he admired the arched contours of Kaoru's swan-like neck. "It's just that I had not expected...." He was once again unable to finish his sentence, and his body was moving forward before the thought to do so even reached his brain.

Kaoru's eyes darted about anxiously as she saw him approaching; his movements were smooth and deliberate, almost as if he were stalking her, but when he was a few feet away he stopped. He stared at her closely for a moment and she could think of nothing else to do but stare back uncertainly. A mischievous grin that was more like the Kenshin she knew was suddenly on his face and he took her hand from where it was deep in her furisode and bowed his head over it.

He noticed with comforting familiarity, before his lips touched her skin, that her hands were still roughly calloused from doing kenjutsu.

A jolt of electricity shot through Kaoru's arm, at the touch of his hand and feel of his lips on the back of her hand. "Kami!" her mind exclaimed at the disturbing feeling trembling through her and instantly she rescued her hand by pulling it quickly away from Kenshin's grasp.

Kenshin found himself struggling against a tumult of strange emotions he was suddenly feeling. What had been that shock? It still had his lips tingling and all his nerves jumping under his flesh. It made him wish he could have held Kaoru's hand a little longer so he could think about the sensations some more.

He straightened and saw that Kaoru was now holding the hand to her chest protectively. Her cerulean eyes were slightly wider than usual and one of her feet was lifted and behind her as if she wanted to run.

Kenshin was feeling a bit shaken himself, so he slightly stepped back out of her space to put some distance between them. He was not even sure why he had kissed her hand; he had not done that since they were kids and he was forced to greet her so whenever she visited for the summer.

Remembering his manners though, he bowed to her again and said, "So happy you can come to my celebration, Kaoru-dono."

Her insides still were quivering from his kiss and now at how he had said her name like a caress, even though he had added the honorific to it. She almost forgot her manners, but finally she bowed back. "So happy to be here. Arigatou for inviting me, Himura-san."

"How is your father? Better I hope."

"Much better. Thanks to Dr. Gensai." She bowed again. "Both Tou-san and I are extremely grateful to you and Hiko-sama for lending us his excellent services."

Kenshin bowed back. "It is truly nothing. We were just so glad we could help in any way."

With the formalities put aside, a heavy stillness fell between them, though their eyes still shifted all around the room, sometimes shyly drifting back to each other.

Kenshin's eyes fell on the elegant furisode Kaoru wore, taking in how the bright red obi accentuated her slim waist. He cleared his throat. "That is a strikingly beautiful kimono Kaoru-dono. How daring of you to wear sunflowers in the winter. How did you think of such an original idea?"

"Oh," Kaoru said, her cheeks warming. "It's nothing really. For one thing they are my..."

"Favourite flower," Kenshin supplied, and when she stared at him curiously, he smirked in that way that sent her heart racing. "Hai, I remembered how much you loved them."

"Aa," Kaoru murmured, wishing she did not sound so flustered. She coughed nervously and went on. "And I wanted people not to think of the harsh winter around them when they looked at me. Everyone is wearing such dark gloomy colours, and I wanted to remind them of spring. A time of hope and prosperity. A time that would instantly fill them with warmth and happiness."

Kenshin nodded his head slowly; he was entranced by just the musical sound of her voice. "But one can simply gaze at your face alone and achieve that feeling," he said without thinking.

"Maa!" Kaoru exclaimed, her face felt like a furnace. "Is he flirting with me?"

"Am I flirting with her?" Kenshin was saying among the much jumbled thoughts in his head. "I have a girlfriend; what am I doing?"

"A-arigatou Himura-san." Kaoru stammered, not sure where to look. "You are too generous with your kind words. I don't deserve such…"

"Dame Kaoru!" Kenshin snapped, his own face was matching his hair colour and his heart was thudding so hard in his ears that he could barely hear the music from the party playing outside.

Kaoru started at his snappish tone. He was frowning at her and his chest was heaving with fast breathes.

"You do deserve it. Nothing I can say could fully express how lovely you have become." Kenshin heard his voice becoming frantic, but he was extremely anxious and his body was shaking with the words he wanted to get out. "One can only think Benten-sama, herself, has blessed you with bountiful eloquence and beauty."

"Maa!" Kaoru cried again. "You shouldn't..." Extreme embarrassment stilled her tongue once more and her hand went to her very hot cheeks, where a huge smile was stretching into them. She giggled hysterically in her mind. "Those words seem good enough."

What was he doing to her? She had not felt this ridiculous for such a long time. Just seeing him again was turning her back into that silly gushing girl of her past. She had to stop this before she actually began giggling out loud.

Kaoru's eyes fell to her fingers shifting nervously on her pouch string. She then hastily opened it and pulled out the contents inside. She thrust what she held at Kenshin.

"Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu, Himura-san." she said in one rush of breath. She then grinned. "I know it's not quite your birthday, but I wanted you to have mine before anyone else."

Kenshin blinked at the cloth wrapped gift she held up under his nose. He smiled. She had actually gotten him a gift.

When he took it from her, Kaoru suddenly remembered she was supposed to be behaving indifferent toward him. Her face shifted into the passive expression she used for when she met other diplomats.

He observed the delicate cloth and he gasped when he saw that it was the elegant silk handkerchief he had once given her to dry her tears when they were stuck in the closet together.

She had kept it all these years! He looked up at her and she instantly blushed and turned her head away.

At the corner of the handkerchief was his initials embroidered in red. It was slightly lopsided, but still nicely done.

Handling the cloth with a careful hand he unfolded it to reveal a golden hair ornament shaped like a flame. It caught the light and shone as it clearly projected his reflection back at him.

"I thought it might suit you," Kaoru said, her voice cool, her face still turned from him. "You can wear it to your Seijin No Hi if you want."

"Aa, I think I will," Kenshin said admiring the ornaments shining surface and well formed flaming shape. His eyes though once more went back to the handkerchief and embroidered lettering. Kenshin recalled the hideous and pathetic patterns she used to do before and smiled. She had obviously gained a skilled and steady hand for such things since then. "Did you really do this?" he asked.

Kaoru hated that she could not stop blushing. "Hai," she said shortly. Did he have to sound so incredulous? "Thanks to Kamatari-sensei I have learned to do many things. Sew, embroidery, dance…" An edge formed in her voice and she turned to him with a frosty gaze. "Make cookies."

Kenshin bit the inside of his cheek and looked away. "I guess she's still upset about that." Another uncomfortable silence fell, and Kenshin was sure Kaoru must be hearing his drumming heartbeat.

The violins from the Great Hall suddenly reached his ears and an idea hit him. He lifted his eyes back to Kaoru, a scowl was still cutting into her elegant brow and her full lips were in a firm frown.

"You said you learned to dance," he said and eagerly bowed to her. "Will you dance with me?"

Her face fell slight with uncertainty and her eyes shifted from side to side nervously. "I'm not sure I remember all the steps," she mumbled. "And Kamatari-sensei is really a spectacular dancer; he could make anyone look good while dancing with them."

Dancing in Kenshin's arms! That would be a disaster! Kaoru tugged apprehensively at her long kimono sleeves; she did not know if she could handle that.

Disappointment filled Kenshin. He had really wanted to dance with her. How would she feel in his arms? Did she still smell of jasmine? He really hoped so.

He wistfully gazed at the young woman who was uneasily tucking a lock of her ebony hair behind her ear. A sly grin formed on his face for a moment, and then his expression became careless as he shrugged. "Well if you don't think you can. You'll probably step all over my feet anyway."

Kaoru glowered at him. He dared challenge her? Step on his feet would she?

Kenshin felt something inside him ignite when he saw Kaoru's face glowing with a confidence that lit up her features, and for a second he forget to breathe.

She approached him, seeming to glide across the floor, and when she reached him held out her arms. Kenshin swallowed when she fixed him with a look that seemed to pierce his eyes.

"Well," Kaoru said impatiently. "You wanted to dance with me, ne?"

Kenshin found he was unable to speak again so he simply nodded, and he hoped it did not seem as enthusiastic as he was feeling inside. He closed the gap between him and Kaoru in one step and his hands came closer to soon eliminate all space between them all together.

Kaoru's heartbeat was loud and was making her whole body feel like it was pulsing, but she held her chin upright and her eyes steady, as Kenshin's arm gently enfolded her waist. He then hesitantly entwined his fingers with hers with his other hand. The electricity came just as quickly as before, it's affect on Kaoru's senses just as powerful.

Kenshin was staring at their joined hands, his lavender eyes intent with curiousity, and Kaoru wondered if he had felt the same thing she did.

His stare eventually went to her, and Kaoru's heart kicked in her chest as it leapt, and at the same time Kenshin felt his chest constrict when his heart threw itself violently at his ribcage

The music from outside wove around them, the violins beautiful melody now accompanied with the soothing sound of a piano and singing harp, and the two began to move together.

Kaoru could feel her face burning. Kenshin's eyes were still on her, and she was worried she might lose her steps and make a fool of herself, but her feet moved skillfully along with his as she firmly held his gaze, refusing to let him defeat her by making her look away. But Kaoru had to admit that it was one of the hardest things she ever had to ever do. Him holding her, being so close, was more disturbing than she had predicted.

Their bodies were not touching, but that slight breath of space between them might as well have not existed. She could practically feel the heat of his body as if he was pulled flush against her, and the hand on her waist felt like it was burning through her clothes and touching her bare skin.

Kaoru felt herself begin to tremble, so she took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Kenshin closed his eyes as he felt her warm breath touch his face and stir his bangs. His blood was still pulsing from the sensation of her touch, but now her nearness was making it sing.

Everything about her was wrapping around him like a cocoon of tender stimulations as if her fingers were dancing over his skin. Her scent alone, which was still jasmine as he had hoped, was trying to break all the restraints that were preventing him from burying his face in her ebony hair that was caressing the hand he held at her waist. The hand that was itching to bring her closer and get rid of that annoying tiny space that was keeping them apart.

Kaoru let out another sigh, and Kenshin let out a small groan as her breath tickled his face again. Her breath smelled like strawberries, and he wondered if she still liked strawberry shortcake. Maybe she would let him feed her some like last time.

Kenshin's mind was little by little forming the appealing image of Kaoru licking cake crumbs off her succulent lips when suddenly her voice cut through it sharply.

"Himura-san? Daijoubu?" He hastily came out of his head and focused on Kaoru's real face, which was slightly perplexed.

"Nani?" Kenshin asked slightly winded.

"Dai-jou-bu?" she said slowly. "Your eyes are turning amber and you're breathing kind of hard." A concerned frown formed on her brow. "Am I dancing too fast? Am I doing it wrong?"

Kenshin swore to himself, but he let a reserved smile form on his face. He had to control his emotions. "Iie Kaoru-dono." He then laughed sheepishly. "I am the one who is dancing with two left feet, you on the other hand..." He paused to smile at her. "Are perfect," he finished in a hushed tone.

Kaoru felt her insides quiver at his look. She allowed herself to at least close her eyes for a moment to gather her scattering thoughts. How was he able to shake her so easily? Her cheeks still had not cooled.

In response, she was able to make a short huff, shrug her shoulders in a nonchalant way and say, "I suppose you are doing alright as well."

He chuckled and without warning he twirled her around. Kaoru gasped as the room spun around her. She was then pulled smoothly back into Kenshin's arms and they were once again dancing in synchronicity.

Slightly annoyed, Kaoru frowned up at him. "Show-off," she hissed.

Ignoring her glare, Kenshin took an opportunity to observe the room around them that he oddly had not noticed at all before. It was dim, and the only source of light was the many candles placed on every surface and the crackling fire in the fireplace that was filling the space with warmth and chasing away the winter chill.

Megumi and Sanosuke had definitely been trying to set up romantic atmosphere for them. Kenshin grinned. The whole thing reminded him of those ridiculous dates Hiko and Kaoru's father used to force them on.

"Do you remember how we used to dance like this on our dates?" he asked Kaoru, his grin becoming roguish.

Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me. Those dates were nightmares."

"Tell me about it," he sniggered. "I used to have to pretend you were Tomoe to get through them." He had not really meant to say that because he knew how awful it sounded, but he felt he had to say his girlfriend's name outloud, because it seemed she was too far from his mind at the moment.

Kaoru's insides grew cold at his words, and she felt the old resentment rising in her. It had almost disappeared through this whole meeting. Kenshin's stirring appearance after all this time of not seeing him and of course his always dazzling charm, had almost fooled her into thinking he was a different person, but she made a note to herself not to forget how insensitive he was and let her guard down again. She was just there to put them back on friendly terms, so there would be animosity or awkwardness between their countries, nothing more.

Kenshin was still chuckling, completely unaware that Kaoru's hand had tightened in his and she had drawn her body as far as she could in his close hold. He spun her around again.

"Those times were terribly awkward and torturous. I used to pray to Kami-sama to be anywhere else but there with you." His lips did not seem to want to stop. "Must remember Tomoe," he earnestly told himself. "She is much more suited for you."

A weak laugh escaped through Kaoru's now clenched teeth. Her anger was going to reach boiling point if she did not do something soon.

"I would rather have had been in the dojo..." Kenshin continued. If his eyes were not closed in amusement he would have seen the vein in Kaoru's head throbbing. "Doing rigorous training with Hiko beating on me, sounded a lot better. How I hated...Itai!"

Kaoru's foot had suddenly landed heavily on the toes of his right foot. He pulled away from her, wincing at the shooting pain going up his leg.

"Gomen nasai Himura-san," Kaoru cried, trying with great effort to keep the huge grin off her face. "I guess in some ways I'm still a little klutz."

Kenshin frowned at her suspiciously, but she simply smiled back innocently, her dark eyelashes fluttering, and offered her hands for him to take again. The grimace immediately left his face and he took her in his arms again.

They remained silent, as the music continued to fill the room around them. They continued to dance until another song began to play, slower than the last, and they both stared at each other awkwardly, unsure of what to do next.

They could have stopped dancing, but somehow that idea did not occur to them.

"Do you mind?" Kenshin asked, a red tingeing his cheeks. "Please Kami, let her not mind." "I don't think Megumi and Sano are going to let us out of here any time soon," he added quickly. "So we might as well."

Kaoru considered saying 'no', but she was nodding her head before the thought could even form properly.

Kenshin's hands were slipping around her before she felt she was ready. And she soon found her frame was fully enveloped by his larger one as his face gently rested against the side of her head.

She allowed herself to quietly sniff his hair and then she had to fight the urge not to let out a contented sigh. "Kami, he smells so good!" It was just like in the forest when he had to carry her on his back and she had her nose buried in his crimson mane. "Sandlewood, ginger and..." She inhaled deeply and the sigh escaped her. "Kenshin."

Kenshin wanted to press Kaoru's lithe but curvy little frame into his, but he was afraid he would startle her. He breathed in the sweet scent of her hair, and his mind yanked hard on the restraints that kept him from burying his nose in her tempting ebony strands. He sighed in such away, that somewhere in his mind he hoped she did not hear him. He then shook his head. At one time, had he really dreaded ever having to hold her like this?

As they swayed in time with the sighing melody, both of them got lost in each other, and for a long time they forgot about everything around them, but suddenly it all came rushing back to Kaoru when she caught a whiff of a very familiar heady scent on Kenshin's clothing.

"So how long ago did you and Tomoe get together?" Kaoru asked and her heart wailed in protest at the fact that she was ruining the moment.

"Nani?" Kenshin mumbled, his mind still deeply wrapped around everything which was Kaoru.

"Tomoe," she whispered, and she sighed at how hard it was to say the next words. "Your girlfriend."

He then shook his head as if he suddenly realized what she was saying.

"Right. Tomoe." He pulled his head back and looked at her with an expression of one who had just awoken from sleep. "For about a year now."

He had forgotten about Tomoe again and Kenshin felt the guilt stabbing into him. He was turning into a letch. He frowned at Kaoru a bit. He was not sure if he was irritated because she had interrupted the moment or that she had an undeniable ability to make him forget about the one and only woman who was supposed to have his heart. He really should have known which.

"And what about you and Seta?" he said, his voice becoming inexplicably roughly. His irritation had suddenly become anger, and he was taken aback at how strongly it had come.

The music had switched to something else. A melody faster and stronger than the one before; much more rhythmic and unexpected. Kenshin and Kaoru fell easily into it, their hands once more joined and their bodies meeting and fleeing in time with the energized musical notes. The shadows of the candle light seemed to dance on the walls along with them.

"Six months ago," Kaoru was able to say; her restricting kimono was making it a little difficult for her to keep up with him, but she managed to match his quick movements. She was slightly bewildered though, because even though the music called for it, Kenshin's movements were a tad bit aggressive and his expression was severe.

"Six months ago?" Kenshin scoffed. His hand at her waist yanked her closer and Kaoru gasped at the proximity. He smirked. "What happened? Seta couldn't find the courage to ask you sooner than that."

Kaoru glowered at his mocking tone. "Iie," she answered and twirled around him and came back to face him. She aimed a sly grin in his face. "I was still considering Enishi."

Kenshin showed his teeth as he placed his hands in position on her body once more. The deeper sound of the cello dominated over all instruments and he began stepping forward, forcing Kaoru to follow his lead and retreat backward.

Her cerulean eyes stared back at him, unwavering and sharp like ice crystals. And the thought of both Soujiro and Enishi partaking in the magnificent experience of her dazzling gaze once again made Kenshin feel something strange and powerful inside him ignite, but it was not the warm and pulsing sensation like before. This felt more like something was gnawing mercilessly at his gut.

"Did you ever get your first kiss with either of them?" he blurted out, still chasing her back.

The music suddenly shifted to the high wail of the violins, and Kaoru began advancing forward. "Hai," she retorted. And it brought her great satisfaction to say it. "Of course."

Kenshin retreated. He almost growled at the frustrating fact that she did not say which of them it had been.

The music then called for them to join both their hands and lift them above their heads so they could step closer. Their noses were almost touching, their heaving chests meeting with brief touches and their quickened breaths mingled.

Her lips were barely an inch away from his, and his eyes lowered to them. The red paint on them made them fuller and they shined like the ripe skin of cherries. He wondered how many times the filthy lips of those bastards had sampled them.

As soon as their joined hands brought their arms down to the sides of them, Kenshin spun Kaoru away from him. "It doesn't matter," he thought. He watched with great satisfaction, her hair and kimono sleeves swirl around her as she spun gracefully like a ballet dancer. He then yanked her back in a tight embrace. A smug smile formed on his face as he gazed into Kaoru's now inquisitive eyes. "I got to taste them first."

Kaoru could not begin to unravel the tangled mixture of emotions that were swirling in Kenshin's eyes that were currently dancing with amber flecks. First they had been warm and inviting, then hostile and dangerous, and now they were almost feral and devious. A look she only saw when he fought against an opponent, and that one time when she had run away with him in the woods from Aoshi. Seeing them then had thrilled her too, just as they were doing now; her very fingertips were tingling with excitement.

She forced herself to reign in her emotions and tried to calm her sprinting heart.

The melody changed again, and Kenshin's arms held her longer than called for. When he finally let go she almost lost her footing at how fast she pulled away from him and the blazing heat of his solid body.

The music had become taunting; the cello and violin seeming to battle each other with short impulsive retorts, back and forth, like a tug-o-war.

Kenshin and Kaoru circled around each other, and Kaoru felt a strong magnetic pull from him, calling to her to get closer to him again. She was glad the dance required them to stay apart, because Kenshin's wild multi-coloured eyes even though they were making her toes curl, they were also scaring her a little at how fixed they were on her.

She had to find some way to distract him because she had a strange feeling that he might devour her if she did not. She suddenly grinned at him impishly as something she always wondered about crossed her mind.

"So how was your first kiss with Tomoe?"

Kenshin was confused by her expression, and he knew his face showed it, but he did not cease matching Kaoru step for step as they circled. His eyes never left her bewitching blue irises either.

"It was fine," he muttered, refusing to be distracted.

"Even though I was the only one you ever had practice with?" Kaoru said with a satisfied smirk and a giggle.

Kenshin stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. He looked into Kaoru's amused face and frowned. How did she know about that? He had eventually told Sanosuke. He glowered. Had he told her?

"How did you find out about that? Did Sano tell you?"

"Sano didn't have to tell me." Kaoru did not try to hide her triumphant smile. As she stepped around him, she turned her back and flashed it over her shoulder. "You...just did."

Kenshin's face paled and Kaoru bit back a laugh as he stumbled again.

When he regained his footing, he glared at her grinning face darkly. She had always been a tricky one, and he began to recall the pranks she played on him to retaliate for the ones he played on her.

How could he have been so stupid to fall for such a simple trick? He was not thinking clearly. Her flowing limbs were hypnotic like the movement of a snake and her jasmine scent was clouding his mind. He had to control himself if he wanted to come out of this exchange with his pride intact.

But just when he had taken a deep breath and felt like his nerves were steady enough to reply with a clever retort, the music reached a part where the violins started singing a slow and seductive song, and Kenshin's mouth went dry as Kaoru whipped out a fan, seemingly from nowhere, and began moving to the tune.

Kenshin's blinked in astonishment as he watched Kaoru transform in front of his eyes. Her eyes were focused on him like they had been for the whole time they had danced, but now they smoldered and sparked as they peered over the fan she turned with gentle flicks of her hand, and her body was like a tai chi master as it flowed enticingly with slow, controlled movements.

Her arms stretched above her, and her furisode sleeves continuously recoiled and went back into place as she moved. Kenshin's breath began coming out unevenly as he caught the teasing glimpses of her bare wrists, and he knew that his eyes must have been bright gold by now.

He and Tomoe had done this dance together many times before, and Tomoe had done this part beautifully and gracefully, but somehow Kaoru's movements were stirring him much more than hers had. While Tomoe had all the coolness and calm of winter, Kaoru had the glow and vibrancy of spring, and she was as alive as the bursting yellow blossoms on her kimono.

Kaoru was struggling against the butterflies fluttering viciously in her stomach and tried to abate the heat that was traveling down her neck. She had to concentrate on her movements to carry them out perfectly, but the way Kenshin was looking at her was distracting. And his eyes. She had forgotten how amber they could get and they seemed like the very heart of the sun as they practically drunk in every one of her movements.

She swallowed a giggle threatening to escape her throat. If her father even got an inkling that Kamatari was teaching her geisha dances and seductive techniques, he would have not hesitated to wrap his large hands around her teacher's very elegant, but narrow neck.

It had come to the point in the music where Kenshin was supposed to approach and retrieve her, and his feet were moving before the notes could barely form. She reached out to him, beckoning, and when he was near enough he took her hand, reinstating their stimulating connection.

Kenshin guided her gently to him. "Oya," he said in a hushed tone. His insides were still humming and he had to swallow before he could go on. "You were magnificent."

They went back into their dancing positions. The instruments outside waned, once again taming their movements.

"Arigatou," Kaoru whispered with a bright blush painting her face. The giggle finally vibrated through her lips. "You should see Kamatari-sensei do it. He's much better than me."

Kenshin's face blenched and his face twisted slightly as if he had suddenly become ill. "Uh, I don't think so." His eyes suddenly became intent, and his thumb brushed her exposed wrist. "I much rather watch you do it."

She giggled again, nervously this time. He was being so bold. Even though she had started it by doing that dance. What was she thinking? What would Soujiro say if he knew? Guilt filled her. And what about Tomoe? Kaoru did not really like the woman, but she did not deserve to be disrespected like this, and Kaoru had been taught better.

She gazed sadly into Kenshin's eyes; she had to end all of this as soon as possible, before she did something she would regret. This would be their last dance. Her chest squeezed at the realization.

The music was coming to an end. Kenshin could hear it as they slowed and made more declining and haunting notes. And somehow he knew that when it ended it would completely terminate whatever it was that he and Kaoru had at that moment. Their temporary moment of stolen time, away from everyone else.

Her eyes were sad, and he wondered if she felt it too, and if so, did it fill her with as much sadness as it did him.

As they continued to dance, and the end loomed over them, Kenshin hand tightened at her waist, pulling her closer, and his hand merged his fingers between hers as if he was afraid her hand would slip away too soon.

Even though she knew it was wrong, she allowed her head to fall against Kenshin's chest. She sighed as she listened to his heartbeat that sounded just as erratic as hers. Her eyes closed against the tears forming in them. "Stop it Kaoru," she scolded herself. "You learned long ago that you can't have him." Her chest constricted with the old pain. "You and he just don't make any sense."

Kenshin rested his chin on Kaoru head. He tried to store to memory everything about what it was like to hold her in his arms, because he doubted he would ever get a chance to do so again. He sighed wistfully, and nuzzled his nose in her hair. It did not matter anyway; they had no future together and what they shared at the moment was just a fairytale; enchanting and unreal, therefore temporary.

The music ended and they came to a stop. For one more heartbeat they held each other, but finally they tore themselves away and stepped back. The gap was large between them, but the memory of their previous joining hung heavy in the air.

Kenshin's hands clenched and unclenched behind his back, he did not trust them not to reach back out to her. His eyes already could not stop absorbing her. He bit the inside of his cheek; she was still there, but he missed her already. Just as much as he suddenly realized he had missed her when she was gone all this time. There had been an empty hole in him that he had not really acknowledged before, even though he had felt it ache from time to time, but he never knew what it was until now.

His forehead wrinkled. He blamed Kaoru. She had left. Why had she left? Why had she left him? He had to ask her before he lost his nerve to do so again.

Kaoru's hands were twisting anxiously around her pouch string. What was she supposed to do now? Certainly not what she really wanted to do, which was leap back into Kenshin's arms, but they were still locked in and Kaoru could feel the awkwardness weighing down on her like firm push on her shoulders. She took a hesitant look at Kenshin and saw that he was staring at her with determination swirling in his lavender eyes.

A feeling of dread rose in her. What did he want from her now? She was already drained, and she was afraid if he engaged her again she would not be able to resist him.

"Kaoru?" She shivered at the sound of her name on his lips.

"Hai Himura-san?"

He shivered too, but with irritation. His hand formed a fist at his side. "Please Kaoru...call me Kenshin."

Kaoru hesitated, her eyes looked away for a moment, but then they focused on him again. "Hai...Kenshin?"

His eyes closed, savouring how sweet his name sounded coming from her. Maybe making her do that had not been a good idea.

His eyes opened again to look at her. "There's something I really want to ask you." Her eyes became inquisitive. He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling nervous about what she might say. "I've always wondered..." He paused again. "Why did you really leave before? Surely you knew I did not mean what I said back then?"

Kaoru remained silent for a long while. Music still filled the room around them. It was light and cheerful, completely different to the atmosphere around them.

Honestly, she understood how frustrated Kenshin had been that day; all that pressure on him and having to deal with Shishio, it was no wonder he had snapped at her. But even if his callous words were not meant, they still had hurt, and at that moment, standing in that hall over a year ago facing Kenshin, she had realized a lot about him.

Kaoru sighed jadedly; she really did not feel like getting into explaining to Kenshin why she had left, but he was waiting for her to answer and there was no escaping it. She did have to tell him eventually if she wanted to achieve the long overdue closure needed between them.

She opened her mouth to answer, but stopped when the door behind her suddenly unlatched noisily and swung open.

"Kenshin!" Misao came dashing into the room wearing her short dark blue Oniwabanashū ninja outfit with the pink obi around the waist. Aoshi entered the room from behind her, and Kenshin's eyes snapped to his mentor and the double kodachi at his side. It was a long time since Kenshin had seen the man wear it.

Aoshi was his usual calm self, but his ice blue eyes were intense as they gazed at him. Something had happened.

"Gomen Kenshin; we are interrupting." And Aoshi's eyes briefly fell on Kaoru and the candlelit room before he went on. "But we seem to have a situation."

Just then a huge explosion lit up the sky outside the window and Kenshin saw a glowing orange light bloom over the area where the harbour lay. Both Kenshin and Kaoru shared an urgent gaze; the same horrific thought going through their mind.

"Shimatta!" Misao swore violently as more explosions were heard and the glow grew brighter. "He's already attacking! That yarou deceived us! His real target was not Kasshin; the plan to burn there was just a distraction. He really had his sinister eyes set on Hiten Mitsurugi!" The young kunoichi made a frustrated scream. "I don't know how it got passed us. The Rengoku just seemed to appear out of nowhere and Shishio's people are assaulting the city."

Rage blazed in Kenshin. Shishio was actually attack Hiten Mitsurugi? The man had really gone insane! Kenshin sneered; well if he wanted a fight he would give him one. A mad dog had to be restrained - his hand ran over the sheath at his waist where he knew the reversed edge sword lay – or maybe even killed.

Kaoru watched the anger darken Kenshin's face. She could feel the fury rising in her too. Her eyes went to the dancing fire that was spreading rapidly over the buildings and homes near the harbour. Smoke could be smelt in the air.

"All those innocent people," her mind and heart whispered fiercely in both anger and concern.

"We must move quickly," Kenshin announced, his voice was level. At the sound of it, Kaoru's eyes immediately turned to him. His face was surprisingly calm; all the rage was gone or more likely reined in deep inside of him. "Misao?" he snapped. "Are there enough Oniwabanashū ninja left in Hiten Mitsurugi to help us?"

"Hai," Misao readily answered. "There are not as much as we would've liked, but they can handle it. They are down there now, protecting the civilians."

"Sugoi," Kenshin said with a firm nod. "You go and join them, they'll need there Okashira."

Misao nodded in affirmation and was out the door in a shot, her tiny figure seeming to fly down the hall outside.

As soon as she was gone Kenshin turned to Aoshi. "Has Sōzō and Sanosuke been informed?"

"Hai," the other man confirmed. "They and the Hiten Mitsurugi soldiers are already on the move. Your father is heading to the stables as we speak. A carriage is waiting to take you both to the harbour."

Kenshin gripped his sword hilt eagerly as he felt his ki begin to swell and radiate around him. Everything was in place and soon he would face Shishio himself.

"Come with me," he commanded Aoshi, his eyes distant and already seeing himself in the task ahead.

Aoshi nodded and moved aside to allow Kenshin to lead the way.

Kenshin was heading toward the door when his gi sleeve suddenly stiffened and tugged. He halted, not bothering to turn around.

"I want to help too," Kaoru said firmly.

"Iie," Kenshin said sternly. He pulled his sleeve away rather harshly and rounded on her.

Kaoru nearly stepped back at the fierce expression on his face, but she held her ground and stared back just as furiously. "I'm coming, and you can't stop me Kenshin."

After a moment of trying to stare her down, and it not working, Kenshin's eyes fell to the floor and he let out a weary sigh. When his eyes lifted back to hers again, they were pleading. "Please Kaoru." He enclosed her hand in both his and squeezed it. "I will not be able to do this if I don't know you're safe."

Kaoru held his gaze for a stretched second. Her instinct to protect struggled against her good sense. She longed to let it dominate her, so she could save all those who could not protect themselves from that deranged, heartless monster. But Kenshin was begging her, and she did not want to do anything that wonder hinder him in protecting his kingdom and his people.

She nodded. "Hai. I will stay."

Kenshin let a relieved sigh rush out of his mouth. He squeezed her hand warmly again. "Arigatou Kaoru."

She smiled and then reached behind her to yank the blue ribbon free from her hair. "Take my favourite ribbon. It will keep you warm and bring you good fortune." She wound it around his neck securely and dazzled him with a brilliant smile. "And I want it back, okay? So make sure you return."

Kenshin touched the soft ribbon around his neck briefly and then smiled at her affectionately. "Hai," he nodded. "Of course." He then reluctantly let go of her hand and turned away from her. With his hand on the hilt of his sword, he stalked passed Aoshi who immediately followed after him.

Kaoru watched him walk away from her.

Tomoe was standing further down the hall. Kenshin stopped and took his girlfriend's face in one hand. Her usual steady brown eyes were full of concern as she looked at him. He stroked her perfectly soft white cheek with his thumb. "I will be fine. Please make sure our guests are safe."

She nodded, and Kenshin found she looked so dependable and stable as she stood there, like an immovable solid statue, that he got a sudden flash of an image of both of them standing together as strong supporting pillars that could hold up Hiten Mitsurugi forever.

His next words were out of his mouth before he thought.

"Anata wa aishiteru," he whispered to her.

A thrilled smile spread her rouge lips, and he was actually able see her face soften with affection through the white mask on her face as she leaned into his touch. "Anata wa aishiteru," she returned.

Kaoru watched their tender exchange until her heart begged her to look away. "Let him come back safely," she prayed, and she looked back in time to see Kenshin kiss Tomoe's cheek. Her chest ached with the poison of bitterness and she felt she should add to her pray, "...even if he's not coming back to me."

"We must keep moving Kenshin," Aoshi firmly reminded him.

"Aa," Kenshin replied, and they were moving hastily again.

Kenshin only took a moment to look back, and he saw the two most important women in his life staring after him. He prayed he would be able to fulfill his promise to both of them.

He set his gaze forward, refusing to look back again. He had to keep his mind on what he was now walking into, the lives of many depended on him and as their prince he could not fail them.

He and Aoshi raced around the corner and were soon out of sight.

Another explosion lit up the darkness, this time it was close enough to shake the palace. Both Kaoru and Tomoe looked out the window where the fire in the city had become like a red raging doppelganger of the calm sea at the harbour.

The snow would stop the fire from spreading too fast, but if the flames were not put out soon, almost half of the city would be burned by morning. And Kami only knew how many people would die.

Kaoru's knees wobbled and threatened to spill her to the floor. Her friends were out there; fighting for the lives of themselves and everyone else, and soon Kenshin was going to be in all that chaos as well, and she may never see him again.

Her chest ceased painfully and her eyes went back to Tomoe who was still standing in the hall.

The other woman's almond eyes were on her, observing her coolly and intently.

They both gazed at one another for awhile, but finally Kaoru looked away.

She and the woman finally had something in common.

Kaoru barely heard the sound of Tomoe's kimono as it rustled away, her anxious blue eyes were drawn to the window again.

"Kenshin."

Orororororororororo

Shishio's feet were planted firmly on the rocking deck of the Rengoku. His arms were tightly folded on his chest and his eyes were fixed on the burning buildings near the harbour. He was vaguely aware of Yumi, who was draped over his side, her head resting on his shoulder. She was humming contently.

Hōji was barely able to keep his wild giggles to himself as the awe at what he was seeing continued to spread his expression to an insane level.

"You are magnificent Shishio-san." Hojo's voice was frenetic and trembling with unshed tears. "This is marvelous."

"Yes Hōji. Soon this country and all others will be kneeling before Makato Shishio."

A smirk formed on Shishio's dark lips as he heard the chorus of screams rising from the fire. It was his music and all would join in to sing it.

On the edge of the snow covered dock stood three figures, facing the Rengoku. One in a ninja outfit, the tallest among the three and holding a short sword in either hand, another, also tall, with spiky hair, looking like a street fighter in a white shirt, pants and bangages wrapped around him. And finally between them and much shorter, stood a familiar redhead with a katana at his hip. His ki radiated more powerfully than the others; it was a mixture of strength, determination and rage.

Shishio glared, knowing that even at this distance the three would feel his malice. Especially the one in the middle.

The frozen waters of the harbour prevented the Rengoku from getting any closer, but it did not have to, not when he had the Armstrong cannon. And if either of those fools tried to attack directly, he had the Gatling gun loaded and ready.

"Your move little prince," Shishio thought smugly and then cackled loudly as another volley of explosives shot out of the cannons and sped toward the shore and the trio on the dock.

So whaddya think? I put all I could into it. Yeah I know, it was actually Saitou not Aoshi that was with Kenshin and Sanosuke when they faced the Rengoku, but Saitou's not in this story, so there…Blppphht =P

I hope no one thought Kaoru was acting like a ditz in this. If she seems a little gushy, please remember it's only because she had a crush on Kenshin first, before he was ever really attracted to her so this meeting would fluster her more than him.

Well this chapter was posted much earlier than the last so I hope all of you are happy. I don't want to hear any more threats and anyone hassling me for the next chapter. Understood? =( Hee hee, just kidding, be free to say what you like, I don't mind. Threats just show me how much you guys like my work and everyone knows the best authors get them.

Anyway later beautiful people. Hugs and kisses! =3

Translation List:

Sore suru dame – Don't do it/Stop it

Kirei - beautiful

Zori - are flat and thonged Japanese sandals made of rice straw or other plant fibers, cloth, lacquered wood, leather, rubber

Furisode - literally translates as swinging sleeves—the sleeves of furisode average between 39 and 42 inches (1,100 mm) in length. They are the most formal kimono for unmarried women, with colorful patterns that cover the entire garment

Maa - Oh my! Gee! ("Maa" is used by women only)

Dame - That's wrong/no good

Benten-sama - Benzaiten, goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music. She is one of the Seven Lucky Gods/Seven Gods of Fortune in Japanese mythology and folklore.

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu - Happy Birthday (formal)

Shimatta - shit

Kunoichi – female ninja

Sugoi – great/excellent

Okashira - "the head," "boss" or "leader"

Anata wa aishiteru – I love you