Quick Note: hiya minna! I just want to apologize for taking me this long to post this chapter. Our computer is busted and is yet to be fixed. Anyway, here is chapter 7, I hope that you'll find this as amusing as the other chapters. Also, I'd like to apologize for the format of the first few chapters that I have posted. I forgot to put a space between paragraphs and I promise to never let it slip off my mind. I'll be sure to make the fics a whole lotta better in format and in its content. And if I get more free time I'll edit it and make a few changes. Especially in the grammatical errors and misspelled words.

(I sound so serious today ne? Actually I feel kinda weird...) I should warn you...if I'm in this weird serious sort of mood, this fic would be way too melodramatic and waffy...

And thanks again for the great reviews. So, here's the fic. I hope you enjoy it. Reviews, as always are highly appreciated!

A Date With A Senpai

Chapter 7

Underneath the stars

soft wind kiss across the sky

loved you more that night

It was one of those nights that one would wish that will never end. The cool air was soothing against the skin. Above them, the velvety midnight blue sky served as the perfect backdrop for silver-lit canopy of stars seemed to glow brighter than ever.

Underneath the shadow of a massive tree, the three forlorn figures stood quietly, seemingly unaware of the sight before them. The lake was calm and no ripples disturbed its surface. In fact it looked like the flat surface of a glass and the light from the moon made appear to be glowing. Fireflies surrounded them, dozens of tiny insects with dying amber glow hovering above, in between them and in front of them.

"Well, they're not here." Yahiko stated simply. Looking around him, snorting in disgust he added, "Maybe they went to the dojo," he paused, thinking about it, "nah, what could they be possibly doing there all by themselves?"

Sano shot Yahiko a murderous glare, shook his head and turned at an all too silent Kenshin. Images were probably already playing on the rurounin's mind, no doubt about that. Kenshin was probably the only person he knows that worry too much, in essentially every little, tiny teensy weensy small details of Kaoru's life. And yet the baka does not possess the courage to tell it in Jou-chan's face. He opened his mouth to give him a piece of his mind and shut it before the first syllable ever came out, because he suddenly realized that Kenshin would've easily kicked his ass about the whole brown sack thing and lucky for him, he was still very much alive. He silently thanked the gods above.

But he would no sooner shut his mouth and open it again. This time, if it was quite possible in a more careful manner.

"Hey, are you going to stay mute forever?" He asked the shadow beside him, looking for telltale signs that the Battousai just might want to suddenly sprang out and cut off his head.

Silence.

So Sano went right on. "Oi, Kenshin," He used the first name basis in case Kenshin dare forgets that they were buddies. As in real tight pals. "If you're mad at us...me and Yahiko here," he promptly reminded Kenshin that he was not the only one who bopped him in the head a few forgotten moments ago. "Just tell us alright? I never liked the silent treatment anyway. And besides, in case it passed your sensitive judgment, we we're just trying to help. Ne?"

Kenshin turned to look at him and Sano practically whooped in rejoice for the calm considerate rurouni was very present in front of him. Well, at least he seemed calm and collected.

"I was just thinking..." Kenshin began.

Sano cursed underneath his breath, "That's when a whole lotta problem starts you know. You over think. Try not to think too much Kenshin. I'm sure Jou-chan and Ichiro are still doing childish stuff..."

Kenshin blushed and Sano wasn't sure if it was because he was embarrassed or jealous. His guess was both.

"Not about that Sano. I trust Kaoru."

"But you don't trust Ichiro?" Sano said biting his tongue to prevent him from pointing out that Kenshin had been slowly but surely dropping the suffix -dono everytime he uttered Kaoru's name. And for that, Sano was eternally grateful, it was indeed a sign. A sign form the heavens above that he was not screwing up anyone's life here by messing around with Kenshin and Jou-chan's feelings.

"I...I don't know." Kenshin said looking up at the sky and not really seeing it's magnificent beauty, lost in his own thoughts perhaps. After a few moments of silence, where Sano was actually planning on shaking Kenshin to snap him off his dream like trance, Kenshin turned and met his gaze with eyes slightly flecked with amber haze. "I hope he does nothing to upset Kaoru."

"And if he does?" Sano prompted, hoping that he hears what he was waiting to hear.

"If he does..." Kenshin's tone was menacing. No, wait correction, it was dangerously threatening and had not Yahiko interfered Sano would have been glad to hear Kenshin's honest answer.

"Hey!" Yahiko suddenly hissed. "Busu's coming this way!"

And true enough, because god forbid it if Yahiko had been lying, Kaoru was on her way towards them with who else but Ichiro trailing not far behind her.

"And she's heading towards us!" Yahiko quickly informed them.

"Che, we know. We're not blind. And don't act so panicky!" Sano said with a dismal wave of his hand, "She ain't gonna come this way." He deliberately ignored the curses Yahiko was throwing at him not to mention the incredibly high pitched 'I AM NOT PANICKING!' sounds the boy was making and instead turned his back and solemnly faced Kenshin. "Ok pal, this is your moment. All you have to do is walk right up to them, ask them if there is any truth about the rumor that they have already announced their engageme--"

"I hate to say this Sano, but they are going this way!" Yahiko said, this time grabbing at the ends of Sano's blood red headband and yanking it to as far as his strength can manage. "Go ahead and see for yourself!"

Bent from torso upwards, with his head almost touching the ground, Sano muttered every vile curse words that he have known all throughout his years and added some more, of which he himself had recently authored. "I see them already! Now let go you stupid brat!"

Yahiko casually lessened his effort causing Sano to lose his balance and fall unto the dirt. The low thud echoed in every part of Yahiko's brain and he was tempted to roll on the grass and laugh till his death if it were not for the simple fact that Kaoru was slowly progressing towards them. And if she found out that he had played a major role in this date mix up, a thousand swings will be the least of his problems.

Getting up and grabbing the boy's collar, Sano hissed, "You little twit! You almost broke my neck and my back!" To which Yahiko only answered with a defiant look on his face, his arms crossed against his chest. Sano tried his best not to be violent. Violence begets violence, ne? And although he was seriously considering the idea of tying the boy upside down and hanging him on a tree he opted for a glare which he hoped, would send the sniveling imp shaking in his bed at night and silently promised revenge that would pay for the aching of his back and the dull throbbing in the base of his head.

Yahiko, in his laughter missed the look and the promise.

Kenshin however was watching another scene to notice the squabbling duo in front of him. Kaoru was walking beside Ichiro. Not too close really, her shoulder was not even touching Ichiro's, but the sight of them together brought a dull aching in his chest. He was already quite familiar with the pain. It was just then that he realized that there was something he can do about it.

But he would still remain in his stand. No matter how stubborn, how stupid it may sound to others. He was going to do everything in his power to make Kaoru happy, even if it meant distancing himself form her.

He watched, even though it was the last thing that he wanted to do. She was telling him something interesting, he could tell. It was with the way Ichiro hang on to every word that she was saying, the way he would look at her as if she was the only thing he would ever look at from now on. They were walking together. Like a couple.

He sighed deeply. And that's what they should be.

He could list every reason for him why he should not continue having strong feelings for Kaoru and yet he could list several more reasons why he should. A part of him knew that he deserved to be happy. That he deserved her. And yet he could not totally forget what he had been. What he had done. How could he ever be someone like Ichiro. Someone whose past does not constantly follow him around, a past that would forever bring danger and even death to the one's he loved.

Death by his enemies hand? Death by his own hands?

No. Never. It will never happen again. History repeats itself, does it not?

And Kenshin was doing his best that it never happens again. Not to her. Not his Kaoru.

She smiled at Ichiro's laughter. It had been ages since she was able to share her feelings towards almost everything in her life to someone. Sure, there was Kenshin, but she was always reluctant to tell him everything. Because even if she totally opened up to him, he would never do it to her. He would never trust her the way she needed him to. There would always be something between them

His past. His secrets. His fears.

And with Ichiro, it was different. She had told him about the first time she was ever defeated in battle which was in truth, the first time she ever tasted defeat in her father's very own dojo or the time she had cried when the boy next door broke her shinai and told her that girls were no use in fighting, that they should just stay home doing the laundry and cooking. Or how scared she would sometimes be because she would think that somehow, she had forgotten about her mother. Or had disappointed her father. Even the things that she would be normally embarrassed to talk about. She told him that she was a bad cook and he had laugh with her saying that his sister was probably the worst in Japan. She has yet to taste his sister's cooking but he had assured her, it was nowhere close to being edible. To prove it, he had invited her to dinner with his family at their ancestral home.

She paused and looked into his eyes. They were kind and warm and honest and she knew that what he feels for her may even be deeper than Kenshin's but there was no way she could ever feel the same for him. "Ichiro, I...we have so much in common...but I would love it if we stay as friends. You have treated me with kindness and had made me feel special in a way...but...I'm sorry. It could never be anymore than that."

He understood, although he never really knew why she could feel so much for just one person. She was till very young.

"And so are you." She argued. "I'm just a first of the many girls that you would be meeting. And one day, you'll look back and remember that not so long ago you thought you were in love with a tanuki girl in Tokyo...but couldn't remember her name." She smiled warmly at him.

He sighed and promised her that he would never ever forget her.

The first girl who broke his heart.

"Well, if there's any consolation, we got out hearts broken at the same day." She added softly, suddenly reminded of her argument with Kenshin. It wasn't even an argument. How can you argue with a person who refuse to argue with you? Detecting her change of mood, Ichiro began an upbeat story about one of his friends in the dojo who was dared to run naked around the whole school but was eventually caught and as punishment, he was to stay naked until the sun came down...or something like that. She was lost in her own thoughts but continued to walk silently beside him, but she had to look away, because she knew that Ichiro would soon notice that she was no longer with him. But in another time, in another place, with another man.

She thought of Kenshin, which didn't come as a surprise to her. She had thought of him constantly, althroughout their date even up to the moment that they have decided to take a stroll across town and had unwittingly stopped by here. At this very place, where the memory of his scent and of his strong-arms would be stronger than ever.

He was a major baka. That she was sure of and would actually bet her life on it, no questions asked. And when she gets home later to find him at her doorstep waiting for her with loving worried eyes, she'll shake his messed up head until he demands to be released and just kiss the stupid fool. And then make him beg for her.

Yeah. How realistic.

"What was that?!" Ichiro's panicked voice broke the mental image she had in her head.

"What was what?" Kaoru asked suddenly snapping into attention at something Ichiro was pointing at.

"There, behind the tree. There was something or someone moving there a while ago." Ichiro informed her, gallantly standing in front of her even though technically, he was just the student and Kaoru was still the master.

Kaoru squinted her eyes to see better in the dark. Behind the massive tree, she could not see anything except the dancing and swaying of the shadows. "Are you sure you saw something?" she asked frowning.

"Well, now that you mentioned it, I'm not really sure. But it was something...tall."

"Tall?" Kaoru asked, tossing the word in her head over and over again. She took Ichiro's hand and pulled him with her as she started towards the tree. "There's only one way to find out if someone's really there. C'mmon Ichiro."

Ichiro was too far gone to even realize that they might be walking into their death amongst the dark shadows ahead of them, he had Kaoru's hand in his and the only thing he could think of, was how disgustingly sweaty his palm was.

"Did they saw us?" Sano asked pressing himself flat against the trunk of the tree, that if he pushed any harder he would become the tree, Yahiko thought.

"No you idiot, they didn't saw us. They saw you!" Yahiko threw him an accusing look. "Now, we're all gonna die!" he added for effect.

"Shut up! They're coming this way!" Sano said under his breath. He certainly did not want to be caught hiding and following Jou-chan around, especially since it's quite obvious that he was the mastermind behind this grandiose plan. Hoping to extend his life for a couple of weeks, months hopefully, he turned and hissed, "They are coming this way! Hide!"

"Hide where?" Yahiko asked.

"Why should we hide?" Kenshin asked at the same time.

"Because...Kenshin do I have to explain this NOW?" Sano asked exasperatedly.

"Hide where?" Yahiko repeated impatiently, turning his head to see where and how far Kaoru and senpai boy was from their position. He gulped. They were closing in. Too close for Yahiko's comfort and Sano and Kenshin are having a discussion! "Hello! Our lives depend here! If we're going to let busu see us, we might as well have a reason why we are here! But if you ask me I'd rather hide!" No one paid attention to her. Sighing, he took a deep breath and then began to climb up the tree, grateful for the dark and praying that his movement would go unnoticed. Settling in a thick branch at the top most, he had a clear view of Kaoru and Ichiro heading towards them and god help those two, because they were still on the ground talking!

"Yes Sano. Didn't we come here to ask Kaoru if..." Kenshin began.

"Not now! Not when I'm with you. You have to do it on your own or she'd think that we forced you or something..."

Kenshin raised his eyebrows but Sano wasn't up to playing stupid games. Clenching Kenshin's g he said, "Read my lips. She IS not going to be happy if she finds out that I am responsible for this whole fiasco and YOU are going to be in the receiving end if she loses her temper."

Kenshin actually loved it when Kaoru couldn't hold her famous temper anymore, especially since those were one of the times when her blue eyes would be darker than the infinite sky.

Sano snorted in disgust, looked around him to find any hole where he could squeeze in.

"They are coming this way. Would you two just get on top of the tree?" Yahiko asked. It was a terribly bad thing that Sano was loosing his wits while Kenshin was daydreaming of a certain raven-haired blue-eyed goddess. Terrible timing indeed. "Sano, climb up the tree!"

Sano shot Yahiko a venomous look, "Are you trying to be amusing or helpful? Because the answer is NEITHER!"

"Fine! I stay here and save my ass." Yahiko said, effectively disappearing from amongst the thick collage of leaves.

"Kuso!" Taking a deep breath, Sano found his way up the tree. Hoping and praying that the old tree could hold their combined weight. He looked down expecting Kenshin to do the same and stifled a loud groan to find him standing as still as a dead corpse underneath the tree. "Kenshin!" He called out. Wide, questioning violet eyes met his. "What the hell are you doing? Get up here!"

Kenshin shook his head. Berated himself for being a fool and for actually following Sano's crazy orders. But let's face it; he wouldn't be here in the first place if he didn't want to. He could have easily said no. But he had to come here; he had to see her with another man. He had to...

"Would you please climb the fucking tree NOW!" Sano said through his clenched teeth. Any moment now Jou-chan will discover his little plan and then all hell will probably break lose.

Kenshin sighed, evidently, he had to climb the damn tree...

"Uh-oh. Kiss your life goodbye Sano, cuz here comes Kaoru..." Yahiko mumbled.

Sano gave Kenshin a wild pleading look but found himself staring at the ground, he then felt the light shaking of the tree, whipped his head and then there he was...the insufferable dork smiling innocently at him. "How the hell did you do that?" He asked.

"Does it matter? I'm here now. We should just probably stay quiet." With that Kenshin settled into a trunk, not as thick as Yahiko's or Sano's for he weigh less than them and watched as the pair circled the tree. Hand in hand.

"Well, seems like no one's here." Kaoru summarized. "Maybe you were just seeing things."

"M-m-maybe" Ichiro managed to say, more like croak. Her hand was soft and it vaguely reminded him of her mother's favorite velvet kimono. "Um, Kaoru-chan?" He asked slowly, suddenly aware of how close they were and how dark it was underneath the tree that he could barely see her, except for her radiant blue eyes.

"Yes?" Kaoru asked leaning forward. She was having a hard time seeing Ichiro, the thickness of the branches and it's foliage kept the light form piercing on this spot where they stood.

Ichiro could smell her scent. Jasmine. It was jasmine! How cool was that!? A girl who really smelled like a flower. He decided right there and then, that they may never be a couple but at least he should ask her for a kiss. A small, chaste kiss that would surely complete this day.

Watching them closely, Kenshin could see them clearly, as if he was cursed to be so accustomed to the dark from his years of being a hitokiri that he should see something like this.

And smell her too.

Was he really going to let her go? Just like that?

"What are they doing? I can't see?" Yahiko whispered leaning heavily at Sano,

"Shut up brat. I can't see either. Hey Kenshin, what are they doing? Why are they suddenly silent?"

Kenshin couldn't find his voice to answer. And even if he did have the voice, he will not be able to tell them that Ichiro was going to kiss her and because he had been such a stupid, stupid jerk, Kaoru might just decided to let him.

Would she kiss him back?

The though of another man tasting Kaoru in such a sweetly intimate way was enough to send Kenshin's blood in fire. How could he let this thing happen? He could've stopped it from beginning in the first place. He knew that Kaoru wanted him to say not to go with Ichiro. But what did he do? He agreed to let her go into this date.

Maybe it was time that he do something about his feelings. And for once, start thinking of himself for a change. He probably have not yet suffered much, but the mere sight of Kaoru in someone else's arm was enough to stir his anger. Why was he acting like a six-year old boy anyway? He was nearly thirty years old, he should now by now that when you find someone special, someone who is destined to be yours, you never let go. You hold on to them.

His eyes flashed instantly, he would neither be the rurouni who fled at the slightest hint of getting too close with anyone nor would he be the battousai who would be too guarded to let his feeling shows by fiercely protecting Kaoru while putting a wall between them. He was just going to be Kenshin, who loved her and would be ready to risk everything just to let her know that simple truth and then she'll have to decide what to do with a thickheaded baka like him.

If Sano hadn't been busy trying to find the right spot to take a peek at what Kaoru and the young boy was doing, he would've seen the change in Kenshin's eyes. The way it glowed in the night, not as amber gold but a determined purple that have finally decided to do something right.

Kaoru caught her breath at the look Ichiro gave her.

"Kaoru-chan. I know that you and I would never really be what I hope we would, but I dare ask," he took a deep breath, pausing for half a second before blurting out, "Can I kiss you?"

They may not see at this very moment, but they can definitely hear.

Sano and Yahiko gasped in surprise and leaned forward, praying for light to cast upon the two couple and hopefully have a glimpse at the kiss.

A witness to Jou-chan's first kiss, Sano instantly felt sorry for Kenshin.

Kaoru smiled warmly, "Really Ichiro, you could be so formal. Actually, you need not ask, I was planning on giving you one before the night ends....'

Ichiro didn't know if he had put the words in Kaoru's mouth and had heard her wrong. He was about to laugh out his embarrassment and tell her that it was ok, that she shouldn't take him seriously, he was just kidding...

Kaoru leaned forward and smiled shyly at Ichiro.

Ichiro was going to die. Or worse, he was going to pee.

"I can't see! I can't see!" Yahiko complained, pushing Sano further.

"Cut it out brat...." He pushed back.

The pushing, wriggling, pulling and whispered swearing continued until an almost inaudible sound pierced through the silent night.

SNAP!

The horror-stricken face of Kenshin and Sano disappeared through the night as the force of gravity fell down on them.

"Oh holy shit!

"Ororororororo"

"What the..."

The bodies of Sano and Kenshin lay sprawled on the ground, arms and limbs on a weird tangle.

"Get off of me!" Sano grunted.

"Oro?"

Sano swore again. He could vaguely hear Yahiko's tightly controlled laughter in his ears and Kenshin's 'oro'. "Oh fuck..." he muttered darkly trying to find his leg and his arms, for a brief moment, he almost wished that their fall have rendered them unconscious. It was certainly, not his luckiest day.

Ichiro backed up taking Kaoru with him. He was asking several questions at the same time to barely notice his date's reaction.

Kaoru was laughing hysterically and wiping away the tears in her eyes. If it hadn't been such a funny sight, Kaoru would've kicked Kenshin and Sano on the ground. But, gods...this was turning out to be the best night of her life! And she couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.

Author's note: Well, that's chapter 7. I hope it was ok, considering that it took me so long to finish it! To part 8 shall we?

And I promise to do my best to post the remaining chapters faster. Hopefully, we have 2 to 3 chapters more before we conclude this fic. Keep the reviews coming! I really appreciate all of them!

On to part 8