IMPORTANT A/N: Okay, the only reason as to why I asked about the Kaoru/ Youko thing in the first place was because I, as a writer was curious about what other people thought. That doesn't mean that I'm automatically gonna go and change the pairing. There was a certain someone who thought otherwise and to you: don't you dare make assumptions. All you have to do is read it if that's what you want. There is no need to criticize. If you don't like the way that things are going in the fanfiction, don't spill your undying hatred into one compact little review. It doesn't help you, it doesn't help me. That goes for everyone else too, I really don't appreciate slaving over a piece of work like this, only to have it flamed. I don't care for flames and I'm sure that there are many authors that agree with me on that one. Please don't act spitefully towards the authors who take the time to produce fanfiction in the first place. It can really lower their self-esteem. So to sum it up, if you've got some really evil thoughts in the back of your mind, please keep them to yourself. Thank you. Please enjoy chapter 25!

Previously on Reaching True Feelings: She looked out of the window for about fifteen seconds before she felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Youko. "There's really no sense in arguing when we both know that you're going to cling to me like glue because of the shoes that you're wearing." His date scoffed. "Oh, c'mon Kaoru. Let's just go okay? Forget about what everyone thinks and if you can't, you can pummel me, kay?" He hopped out of the car and took Kaoru's small hands in his own. She felt better again. She always did when he talked to her in such a nice way. Especially when he offered her to beat him up. "Good, you're finally coming. Just have a good time." Kaoru stepped out of the limousine with her extravagant blue dress and matching shoes clinging to her perfect figure. She hoped that she would have a good time too…her relationship counted on that…

As soon as Kaoru got proper footing on the sidewalk (thanks to Youko), her male peers already began exclaiming at how wonderful she looked. The boys who already thought that she was beautiful couldn't stand that she was taken by Youko, since he was always formidable competition. They continued to look at her, jaws dropped in amazement. She really did look stunning. And Youko was proud to know that she was his date for the entire night. "Just stay calm, Kaoru. You may not be used to this but I'll fill you in, it's a little thing called popularity." She stepped on his foot with her blue high heel and he was very tempted to yowl in pain…but he kept it all inside. "You should know that it's my way of saying that they're all looking at you because you look nice."

"Let's just go." Kaoru said quickly, not wanting to become any more embarrassed than she already was. They began walking again, Kaoru's arm wrapped tightly around Youko's so that she would not fall again. Almost inside…good. They were still walking when suddenly, a group of girls came and blocked their path. They looked to be furious at Kaoru. Probably for accompanying Youko. "Yes, can I do something for you?" Kaoru said in monotone, hoping that they would get out of their way so that nothing more could prevent her from getting inside. The group of girls said nothing, they just gave Kaoru dirty looks. "If you're just going to scowl all night, please do so while I'm not around. It makes you look uglier than you already are."

"Shut it, bitch." Their ringleader finally managed to say. She grabbed Kaoru by the shoulders and pushed her hard, causing her to lose her balance and fall backward on the cold sidewalk. If it weren't for her shoes, she would have gotten up and given a new meaning to the term 'knuckle sandwich.' Kaoru stayed down and shut her eyes, trying to calm herself down. No one really wanted to see her lose her temper; that temper made her a force to be reckoned with…even against men. "I don't want you putting your dorky little hands all over Youko, do you hear me?" Kaoru said nothing. She didn't really feel the need to waste her breath when addressing low level trash.

Youko didn't feel like listening to them either. Instead he went up to help Kaoru but before he could do that, he was swarmed by the group of girls. Their ringleader, Tsukane, put her foot on Kaoru's stomach, ripping her dress fabric ever so slightly. "Would you get off of her?!" Youko said. "Tsukane, leave her the hell alone. I'm warning you, if you don't, she'll beat the shit out of you maybe not here…but back in school where she's not wearing all this stuff. You're lucky she's as klutzy as they come."

"Youko! Now's not the time to be insulting me! Help me up would ya?" He nodded and pushed all of the girls aside as fast as he could. "You know, you might feel bad hitting a girl but not me so I'll be more than happy to knock them all out once I get up!" Tsukane flinched and stepped back a few steps, allowing Youko to get to Kaoru. He immediately pulled her up into his arms where she was able to balance and once again: stand. "Hey you! Tsukane, turn around and face me!" Kaoru cried. "I don't know what the hell you have against me but let me tell you that I wasn't even planning on going to this thing!"

"That would have been a smart move. As stupid as you are for actually showing up, I admire you…trying to think that you're high and mighty with Youko here by your side. You can't even get up off the ground without his assistance. Though it makes me jealous though, you can cuddle in those arms of his…" Kaoru cringed. "Well anyway, a bitch is still a bitch, huh?"

"That's IT! You asked for it!!!" Kaoru ran towards Tsukane and gave her a hard punch in the cheek, causing her now to fall backwards, holding her face in excruciating pain. Kaoru wiped her hands off and looked at the group of girls. "So are you ready to get yours now?" Youko snickered. He knew that she was pissed off and once someone did that to her, she wouldn't stop thrashing people until she saw fit. "Here I come!" Kaoru ran again but was suddenly stopped by someone who lifted her off of the ground. "What in the world is this?! Take your hands off of me right now! You know that you don't want to make me angrier!"

"Dame, Jou-chan." Sanosuke said as he put her down gently. "I think you made your point. If you keep doing this, they'll probably throw you out." She scoffed and folded her arms. "And as for you five," he began strongly, "if I see you hurt this girl over here, I'll be the one throwing punches. Unlike Youko over here, I have no problem hitting women who like to cause trouble…" The entire group fled away, including Tsukane who now had a bruised left cheek. "See? This is quality entertainment," he said as he nudged Kaoru.

"Sanosuke…I think that it would be best if I could cool down before you touch me." He squeaked and then nodded, the four of them now entering the outer courtyard. It was very pretty. The bushes were sculpted into cupids and doves, representing the couples' love. There was also a very nice fountain in the middle of the dance floor, captivating the opinions of all the female guests. "It's beautiful…" Kaoru murmured as she took hold of Youko's arm again…she felt that she was going to trip in the near future. Youko could see the look of beauty on her face and smiled. He knew that she liked the scenery. He just hoped that she could stay happy throughout the entire dance.

"Kaoru?" Youko stopped her and looked deeply into her azure eyes. Sanosuke and Laura snickered and walked away so that they could spend some time alone on the dance floor. He was hesitant in saying something to Kaoru, that much she could already see. "Ano…would you dance with me?" Kaoru said nothing. Instead, she listened to the now mellow tune of the current song that they decided to play. It sounded so soft, so inviting and so she nodded her head very slowly. "Come on then." He guided her to the center of the dance floor and everyone began exclaiming how odd it was to find the two biggest rivals dancing together. Some couples were happy to move out of the way for Youko and Kaoru…others were as jealous as could be. It mattered not. Neither Youko nor Kaoru cared about what their peers believed was justice, they simply wanted to enjoy but one dance together.

It all happened very slowly, Kaoru put her arms around Youko's neck and his arms around her waist. Their movements were the opposite of choppy…very connected, smooth, and graceful. The two childhood friends (or rivals, I should say) started at each other the entire time. It seemed as if they were in their own world, listening to their own romantic song. His body pressed up against hers as the tempo of the music began to quicken. Both having looks of determination on their faces, Youko dipped Kaoru elegantly and she came right back to him as if she were a boomerang. People cheering, the bass booming, Kaoru's breathing became somewhat irregular. But she didn't want to stop dancing. The heat and passion of the moment was very exciting to them both. I didn't know that he could dance this well. The only thing that I really knew about him before I actually…befriended him was that he was a cold snake. She was very excited and wanted to dance harder and harder, grind hips with her dance partner. She got what she wanted, the song suddenly changed. It was 'Dead or Alive.'

The tune began. Youko's grip on Kaoru's waist was harder than ever. The song began with an upbeat tempo in an instant. She could see his eyes narrow…those chestnut brown eyes of his. They were telling her that he was ready for her, ready for what she might do. The fire in them showed her that he too was going to excite them both. And to this, she was ready.

"Kaoru?" Youko asked slowly as he grabbed onto her shoulders while her hips shook. She was only focused on how the bass sounded at the right moments and how full of energy the song was.

Louder the volume, harder the clashing, Youko pressed his lips onto the shell of her ear. She couldn't think straight, unaware of what Youko was really doing. Many of her peers were now whooping and clapping excitedly. And it was Laura who was shocked. She, as Kaoru's best friend didn't forget that she was in love with Kenshin at all, no she just wanted to see if Youko thought of her as a girlfriend. Kaoru…you'd better hope you know what you're doing right now. I just hope that the excitement of the song isn't getting to you. Laura watched the way that Kaoru began to get loose, her dress now sagged due to the violent movements of her body.

Slowly…but surely, the song died out after about five minutes of dancing and so, their dance movements died out. They struck one final pose and that was when everyone started applauding in a wild frenzy. Both Kaoru and Youko were very much out of breath and so they both stepped off the dance floor to get a drink. She wiped her fevered brow with the back of her hand and sighed heavily. "So I take it that you're having a good time, huh?" Youko spoke up, handing her a glass of punch. "I had no idea that you could dance so well, Kaoru."

"Yeah well, same about you." She took a huge gulp of her juice and smiled. "Thanks for the dance. I enjoyed it." Youko grinned. But Kaoru knew that even though she did enjoy it, something was wrong. Something that she did during their dance was wrong. I…can't believe that I danced like that with him. I…didn't mean for it to get that intense but I just couldn't stop. And the way that he…kissed me like that while it was all going on. Why am I doing this to Kenshin? Why didn't I stop him? Kaoru put her glass down and started to walk away from him but she couldn't get very far, for her date clutched her arm. "Oh, sorry Youko. I'm just going to get some air. I don't know what got into me just now…I'll be back soon, okay?"

"Okay, I'll wait for you." She smiled at him and then she turned around. "Oh and you might want to take those shoes off. You won't get very far with those…" Kaoru nodded. "Kaoru? Did I make you act the way that you did? If I did, I'm sorry. I just wanted to get you pumped up and happy seeing that you looked pissed off…thanks to Tsukane."

"No, don't blame yourself. Like I said before, I just don't know what happened to me back there. Don't worry about me, Youko. It's not like you to worry." Kaoru slipped off her shoes and walked away from him, feeling as if she would burst into tears because of what she did to Kenshin. She walked a little faster now, eager to get away from everyone. I can't do this anymore…It's just tearing me apart. I let him kiss me…why the hell did I do that?! I can't keep this a secret from Kenshin now. I have to tell him what I did because I know that honesty is the most important element in a relationship. And he deserves to hear the truth from me because he loves me and I love him. So I have to tell him tomorrow. Kaoru walked down to sit on a curb so that she could think about what she did. No one really noticed that she was gone but it was okay. She needed a little time to herself every once in a while…

"Kamiya Kaoru…You don't know what you do to me. Having to worship you from a distance like this kills me day after endless day. I love you but I am too shy to say it to you. To your beautiful face. Your eyes pierce me like the sharp gleam of one thousand suns. All of the other so-called women in this school. Bah! They're all rubbish. You…my sweet and beautiful porcelain doll, my sweet angel…I know that I must hide it no longer. But what is a man to do in this situation? What is a man to do…when he is aware that you must not even know that he exists? I cannot rush things. I need to tell you my undying feelings when the time is right." He paused and recomposed himself. "That yarou…Tasekano Youko…taking advantage of you when I know that…I know that…" He couldn't bring himself to say it. But he knew the truth. "When I know that you love Himura Kenshin." He pounded his fists on the ground. "You…my cunning little beauty, are able to get away with stealing two men away, with all of your grace, your poise, your perfection. But now it is time for them to realize the truth. Starting with that man, Himura. And that is why I have made this tape…of you dancing with Tasekano." He stood up and began laughing like an uncontrollable maniac. "And only then will the truth be revealed and I will be there to comfort you! Wahahahaha!"

A/N: I know this last part may be confusing but you'll see how it works out in time. And yay! I finally mentioned Youko's last name! Okay…don't ask. I DON'T own Yuusuke's songs…(for those of you who know that Dead or Alive is a YYH song…) Well anyway, I really hoped that you liked this chapter! Please review minna! Oh and don't disregard my first A/N notes, onegai…

Arigatou

Son Christine