a love-triangle, which started with an awakening, an arrival and a union,

where rejection is not an option. (k/k/...) Standard Disclaimers apply. We don't own it. We never will. Chapter 1

A couple of years after the incident, Kenshin managed to move on with his life with the help of painting. He took his shishou's advice to immerse himself in art in order to calm down and collect himself. His still carried his grief with him and it reflected in his artwork. His paintings were usually dark, depressing and angsty.

Sano entered the studio quietly and he saw Kenshin staring at another piece of his painting.  "So how's your collection going?"

"I still have nothing." Kenshin sadly said.

"What do you mean you don't have anything? You have a lot of paintings here. Why don't you post them in the exhibition?"

"They're not good enough." Kenshin replied.

Sano slapped his forehead with hand. "Kenshin, maybe you should try painting something bright or happy?" his best friend Sano asked.

"Sano, how can I paint something like that when my soul is nothing like that? My hands are tainted. How do expect me to make something pure when I myself am not pure?" Kenshin replied.

"Che! Stop being so dramatic." Sano smirked. 

"I don't know Sano, I can't seem to find that light in myself that is why I can't even paint to express what I feel."

"Whatever. Hey! Why don't we eat at the cafeteria? Maybe you'd find a beautiful inspiration there. Like y'know sashimi, sushi, katsudon…"

"Sano, I know you just want to mooch from me again."

"That's cold Kenshin!" Sano gritted his teeth as he slapped Kenshin on his back.

"Okay, let's go! I need to get my mind off things." Kenshin took his jacket and motioned to leave. Inspiration, eh? Well, if you are out there somewhere, I need you!

~~~~~~

            Kaoru looked around the crowded airport, scanning for any familiar faces.  She had called her best friend since she was a child, Soujiro, to tell him when she'd be arriving.  Even though the plane was delayed, she was hoping he would still be there. Kaoru searched the crowd slightly dreading to be alone and be able to find Soujiro.

            "Kaoru-san!!"  Soujiro pushed through a crowd of people and stood in front of her, smiling. He eyed her from head to foot, slightly blushing. Oh! I see Kaoru is not that little girl I used to play with. She is now a beautiful woman. A very beautiful woman indeed.

            Kaoru noticed Soujiro staring at her and she blushed. "Soujiro!  It's so good to see you again!"  Kaoru laughed lightly as she pulled him closer for a hug. Her eyes widened when she noticed the changes in Soujiro's physique. From a scrawny little kid, Soujiro has grown to be a fine young man with a well defined body.

            Pulling apart, Soujiro said, "Here.  Let me take your bags for you."  Their hands brushed slightly and Soujiro blushed at the contact.

            "Thanks." Kaoru said warmly as she handed her bags to Soujiro as they headed to the campus dormitory, "You never changed Soujiro, you're still that gentleman I used to play with."

~~~~~~

            Walking on campus, Kaoru and Soujiro talked to each other, catching up on the times they were apart. Talking to each other was awkward at first since they hadn't spoken to each other for a long time but as hours passed, they grew more comfortable with each other.

            "So how was school in Europe?"  He asked her with his ever present smile.

            "It was hard, but fun.  Although I did miss everyone in Japan very much."  She sighed, looking thoughtful for a moment, then brightened up again.

            Soujiro leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Yeah.....I missed you, too."

            Kaoru looked puzzled for a while and then smiled lightly, happy to hear she was missed.  "Come on.  I don't want to be late for class on my first day."  She laughed, heading towards the corridor, slightly feeling wary of the way Soujiro was looking at her.

            "Yeah...." He trailed off, following her inside.  Kaoru....You will be mine.  You always were, whether or not you realize it.

Authors Notes:

I got the idea of Kenshin being a painter in the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The character Zhang Ziyi played was an awesome swordswoman, which allowed her to be also good in calligraphy. So I guess in the context of this story… we made Kenshin a painter!

Everyone please review!!! Reviews will greatly cheer up Crystal Okamino who is currently grounded L

Comments and Suggestions are welcome!

Special Thanks to Gypsy-chan who pre-read this!