A/N: Since I recently found out that my italics doesn't work in my stories anymore because I just got an upgraded version of Word, all thoughts of characters will now be *'d. I repeat, all thoughts will be in between two stars! It may be a little confusing but don't worry! You'll adapt! Oh, and also…the recap for the previous chapter will always be only 1 paragraph…no more no less. So just wanted to make that clear too. So with that said and done, please enjoy chapter 14!

Previously on Reaching True Feelings: She put her hands on his shoulders and looked at him in a way that Kenshin had never seen before. *Could that be lust in Kaoru's eyes? I don't want to do anything to her that she will regret later on but she is too persistent. And…I've made it no secret to myself that I want her…more than I can comprehend.* "I needed to kiss you. And if you haven't figured it out…you are the one that deserves me." She said as she opened his car door and left him. The last thing that she felt from him was his saliva running down her lips…She looked back once more and saw Kenshin smiling at her. She then knew that she had to be in love with that man. ~~

"It's Tuesday…and that means that instead of gym, I have…" Kaoru paused and looked down at her schedule. "Introduction to reproduction?!?" She said with a shrill of a voice. "What luck, huh? Now I get to learn all about an erotic couple from some middle aged teacher. Oh well, that's health for you." Kaoru mumbled to herself as she stuffed her schedule in her bag as if it was nothing at all. She wore a cute red sleeveless blouse and khaki capris. It was still very hot out and so she wanted to dress appropriately. It was an ordinary day of school and nothing new occurred. Nothing except for that kiss that Kenshin gave her the night before. He was so gentle and lustful at the same time. Kaoru fanned herself as she walked down the halls. Just thinking about the way that Kenshin pressed his tongue against hers made her feel hot. *And if I'm lucky, he'll do that again but we'll go further than a kiss. I want him…that's all there is to it.* Kaoru clutched her books as she entered the health room and many students were already seated at desks. They all looked at her in weird ways because of her argument with Youko.

In no time at all, the health teacher stepped in the room and the students pulled out their notebooks and pens. "Welcome all! I would like to say first off that we will be covering an extensive amount of human reproduction. It will help you all in the near future and maybe stop you before you're about to get it on without any protection." Kaoru's eyes widened. "Now…I know I'm jumping the gun but I am going to pass out some diagrams so that we can start this right away…" The teacher went to her desk and pulled out a fairly large stack of papers from the filing cabinet. "It's such a shame that I only have you once a week, huh?" The class shrugged and the teacher put on a smile as she handed out the packets to each person. "Oh yes, I forgot to tell you all. We are going to learn about the male reproductive organ today. Lucky for the girls." Kaoru's face was beet red. She didn't want to learn about the male organ at all…even though she was very curious about it, she didn't want to be perverted. *I guess I am a bit perverted when all I can think of is Mr. Himura.*

The teacher slipped Kaoru a packet and as soon as she saw the explicit diagram, her heart began to pound. "Now class, I'm sure that you all have a packet now and I will begin by saying that this is a penis, which houses the sperm. You must have all heard of the egg and sperm in biology but what we will be covering is a bit more specific. Anyhow, this organ is used to enter the vagina and unleash the sperm. Now the sperm usually have a 24 to 48 hour life span and more than two thirds die off before even one reaches the egg…" Kaoru couldn't bear to hear her teacher talk anymore. She didn't want to feel the way that she was feeling at that moment, aroused. Ever since her moment with Kenshin, she felt that she wanted and needed more from him. She wanted him to merge with her completely and so all of the talk about the reproductive organ made her feel a little sick. "…The male organ is an interesting one indeed," the teacher said cheerfully. "During sexual excitement and intensity, the penis fills itself with blood, making it two or three times larger than its normal size." Kaoru gasped. "Yes class. And when a male becomes erotically charged, the organ may also stand erect because of a special desire for the woman…or male." Some students snickered.

Kaoru fiddled with her thumbs and started to breathe heavily. *Could he have? Could he have desired me that way? Could it have been enough to make him act that way? No, Kaoru don't think that. But then…why did he kiss me when I was about to leave? He stuck his tongue into my mouth as if he wanted me more than life itself. And make no mistake Kaoru…you loved the way his tongue felt against your own so maybe his…his…was erect too.* Kaoru began thinking very inappropriate thoughts as the teacher babbled on and on into graphic detail but Kaoru wasn't listening. She was too busy imagining the way that Kenshin looked when he kissed her and she was too busy visualizing his rock hard manhood. Sweat started to consume her as she also visualized them making love…

Since fourth period was over and done with, Kaoru went in the direction of english class. After what she had experienced in the health classroom, she wasn't sure if she could face Kenshin as her teacher. Maybe as her lover but the thoughts that popped into her head made her teeter on edge. It was true…she was in heat and it couldn't be helped. She wanted Kenshin with her entire being and she would continue to feel that way until he had actually succeeded in taking her virginity with him.

Kaoru ran into the english room and to her seat before she even took one glance at Kenshin. He however, glanced over at her and instantly thought about their kiss. He too wanted it to go further…much further but there was no way that he would dishonor Kaoru by claming her as his own once he had made love to her. *I won't do that to her…ever. I won't unless she really wants it from me. If she does, she'll be persistent like last time and I don't think that I can hold off much longer. I want her touch.* Kenshin could no longer deny the fact that he thought that Kaoru was unbelievable in more ways than one and he couldn't shake off his feelings for her.

"Hey you…yeah you." One girl said as she came up to Kaoru. "Yeah I wanna talk to you about the track team. I heard what you said to that hunky Youko guy and I thought about it." Kaoru arched an eyebrow and was a bit reluctant in trusting the girl. "I want you on my squad." Her eyes widened and she couldn't believe what she just said. That statement made Kaoru forget all about the arousing pictures that popped into her head and for a brief moment, she felt happy. "That's right. I, being the captain, choose you to be on this team. I know you run so don't you dare deny it. And I won't take no for an answer either. So, with that out of the way, practice is today promptly after school." She concluded and walked back to her desk.

She couldn't process what just went on in those few seconds. Did she actually make the track team? Was she finally accepted? Apparently so… Kenshin watched her expression and his warmed as well. *I'm so glad that she finally asked Kaoru to join. I just hope that they don't play some cruel joke on her because if they do…* Kenshin clenched his fists and his eyes narrowed into slits. *I wouldn't be able to take it. She should just take it easy at first. I hope my talking to the board helped Kaoru's case.* He watched her again and saw that her eyes shimmered. *So is she truly happy? I really hope so…I don't know what I would do if she cried like she did yesterday because of Youko.* Everyone directed their attention to Kenshin as he began the lesson…

"Kaoru?" Kenshin called as soon as the bell rang. "May I speak with you?" Kaoru nodded and made her way to his desk. The odd part was that she didn't feel so uncomfortable around him anymore. He watched her in satisfaction and she smiled back. "Well actually Kaoru, I have two things to discuss with you. I will write you a pass, make no mistake." Kaoru nodded. "I'll start with what I overheard that young lady saying to you. That she wants you on her team. Frankly, Kaoru, I couldn't be any happier for you because you finally made that team regardless of what they thought of you."

"I'm glad too. I just wanted to be on that team so much but if they wouldn't allow me then so be it."

"They did and…Kaoru?" She looked up into his eyes and froze. She saw a stern look envelope his face and it frightened her. She took a step back but Kenshin's hand clenched around her arm, preventing her from going anywhere. "The other thing that I wanted to talk to you about…what happened to us yesterday?" Kaoru froze once she heard his rugged tone of voice. "Do you know?"

"We…kissed." Kenshin nodded. "Twice…" She said in a faint whisper. Kenshin held onto her arm and if she knew better, he was gripping her harder.

"Do you know what that means, Kaoru?"

"I don't, Mr. Himura. Tell me, what was so wrong about that?"

"What was so wrong?!?" Kenshin boomed. Because of his harsh tone of voice, Kaoru cringed and turned away from him. "What was wrong is that you let me do that to you, Kaoru!" He took his other hand and grabbed her other arm, making her face him. "Why? Why did you do that? Why did you let me violate you?" He said in a loud tone.

"I just…I…" Kaoru felt her tears escaping and Kenshin gasped as he was the one that made her cry…again. "You, Mr. Himura…you…are…" Kenshin released her as he saw tear after tear silently make their way down her cheeks. Instead of leaving her there, he gently brushed his hands against her face, taking the tears with him and away from her. "Mr. Himura…you made me feel…"

"Used?" Kenshin said as he looked into her bloodshot eyes. He knew that he shouldn't have yelled at her that way. It was just that he felt awful with himself for kissing her a second time of his own free will.

"No…loved." Kenshin's eyes widened and Kaoru looked up at him with a wide smile on her face. "It's…true…"

"Kaoru…I took advantage of you."

"Listen to me…You did no such thing. You only did what I wanted you to do. I wanted you to kiss me, to hold me. And do you know why?" Kenshin felt his eyes water but he just looked directly into Kaoru…nothing else mattered to him in the slightest bit at that moment in time. "It's because you were so kind…so gentle. I had never felt what I felt when I was around you. Every time I entered this classroom, I would blush or feel strongly because you were here. You are the first man to ever show kindness and compassion towards me and I will never ever let go of that. You can't even tell me to."

"Kaoru. I am twenty-eight. And you are seventeen. This can't happen. I am strictly your teacher and you…my student." Kaoru shook her head. "Youko is in love with you, I saw that when he kissed you."

"But *you* kissed me. What does that mean to you, Mr. Himura?" Kaoru whispered.

"It means…nothing…it has to mean nothing for the sake of both of us." Kenshin whispered back as he took Kaoru's hands in his.

"I don't believe you! If you kissed me right then and there, when I was just about to leave, it had to have had some sort of meaning!" Kaoru said as the tears came back. Kenshin put a hand on her face and she violently pushed him away. "You can't lie to my face. I call that disrespect. And I know that you aren't the kind of man to disrespect a woman…or girl."

"You're a woman Kaoru, that much is certain."

"Then please treat me like one. I want to know what that kiss felt like. I want to know what you were thinking about when you pulled me close to you and stuck your tongue inside of me. I want to know…what it was like to have my body pressed against yours."

"Stop! I will not! Not!" Kenshin boomed again. Kaoru backed away in fright and looked at him as if he was some foreign stranger. "I will never do that to you again! I don't want to hurt you or make you do something that you will regret later on! I took advantage of you and I can't bear to look at you now! You are wonderful in every way possible and to think that I had the nerve to kiss you in that way…" Kaoru's blue eyes changed. They blanked out and as she heard Kenshin shout those words, she felt that she was broken. "I had the nerve to taste you! I don't want to ever do that again!"

"Mr. Himura…it was right. Not wrong. You loved it and so did I. I loved the way that you held me in your arms and made me feel invulnerable to anything."

"Do you really think that me kissing you was right? Think carefully."

"I don't need to. You are special to me now. And…and…"

"Yes…?" Kenshin coaxed.

"I don't EVER want to stay away from you again!!" Kaoru said as she ran into his arms and wrapped herself around him. Her sobs grew with each second that she laid in his warm embrace. "You are wonderful. You are my…prince, my soldier, my…friend." Kenshin gasped as she gripped him tightly and sobbed some more. "Please tell me the truth."

"All right…Kaoru." Kenshin said as he cleared his throat. "You…made me feel good. And I…I wanted us to go much further than that one kiss…I wanted to make love to you right then and there but the reality is…I cannot." Kenshin said as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. Kaoru suddenly felt something hard pressed against her lower stomach…his manhood. "I can't tear myself away from you. Ever since I saw you walking to school on that first day, I knew that you were beautiful from the start. I knew that I would have a hard time staying away from you and when we were in the car yesterday, and when you kissed me, I thought that it could work."

"It can!" Kaoru harped as her face was still in his chest.

"No." He simply said as he gently pushed her off of him. "Here's your pass." Kenshin whispered as he put it in her hand and covered it with his own. "We can't do this. I don't want to hurt you. If I were to make love to you and something made you hate me, you would regret ever touching me in the first place." Kaoru shook her head and looked him in the eyes, his amethyst eyes. "I want to touch you, that much I know."

"Well then let it all be." Kaoru said as she took hold of his hand and placed it onto her smooth face. "You have no idea how much I want this." She started crying again.

"The same can be said for me, Kaoru." He said, as a silent silver tear ran down his cheek. "I will always care about you. Even if I cannot show you how much I care…" Kenshin said as he guided Kaoru out of his classroom door.

"Please don't do this! I need you!"

"It's for the sake of the both of us. Please…take care and give Youko a chance." Kaoru shook her head and ran away from him, not being able to believe what words he had managed to utter. *I love you, Kaoru. With all of my heart I do. And that's why I have to let you go. I care about you too much to see you get hurt, that I do. But don't forget that there will be someone here to protect you and console you. I will never let you get hurt, no matter what happens to us. And even though I won't be able to hold you, I want you to know that…Aishiteru.* And Kenshin watched Kaoru run down the hall, his eyes stung with the tears that he shed for…Kaoru. ~~

A/N: Hope that wasn't too confusing…what with the *'s and all. Anyway, I am glad that so many of you seem to enjoy this story! Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! Tee hee! Well, anyway, please drop a review anytime soon! You all know that I love your feedback!! ^___^x

Son Christine