A RIVAL FOR KENSHIN

Chapter III: Moonlight Rendezvous



Sad though it may seem my dear friends, but we must leave our previous scene and move forward a few hours later where we see our Kenshin wide awake in the middle of the night. Well, we can't really blame him. This just wasn't his night at all. And the fact that Yujiro is sleeping in the next room doesn't seem to improve his mood any. And besides something about that guy smell pretty suspicious, so as such he cannot bring himself to fall asleep. (Personally though you would probably agree with me, I think it was because of what had happened between Kaoru and Yujiro, but let's give our hero the benefit of the doubt, shall we?)



"He's going to stay with us for a while" Kaoru had said earlier to the three of them. "He and his mother have some issues since he chose to go to England with his father. He doesn't want to push things between them so he came here first….I asked him to stay with us!" "But Kaoru, he's weird!" Yahiko said. "He's my friend and I've known him for a long time and he needs my help. He's staying here and that's that!"



Kenshin would have said something then too but he was still getting some sort of control over his confused emotions. Thankfully, he had enough training that he was able to restrain himself and still look calm when Kaoru and Yujiro held each other. He can't help holding his breath though.



He looked at Sano who was snoring loudly. Sano felt the same about this Yujiro guy, that's why he stayed the night….or at least that's the reason he gave. Kenshin thought it was more like he was enjoying the action here a little too much. He looked serious though when he said he didn't trust that guy.



Suddenly, Kenshin felt something…..he listened carefully and located the source of the sound. "Someone's out there," he thought and instinctively reached for his sword. Like a panther, Kenshin stalked his prey swiftly, but silently. He could the feel anxiety of the other party. Kenshin is now sure that his "prey" is actually Yujiro trying to leave the house as quietly as he can. Kenshin watched as Yujiro tiptoed across the yard. Years of experience taught our Battousai the art of patience. He was in no hurry to confront their guest, but whatever Yujiro is up to, he's determined to find out what it is.



"Yu-chan!" someone said and both Kenshin and Yujiro froze. He couldn't see her, but Kenshin knew it was Kaoru who called out to…… "Yu- chan!?!?!" "What is that" Kenshin thought, "some kind of pet name?!?" But Kenshin didn't have time to ponder over this as Kaoru walked over to Yujiro. "What are you doing out here?" she asked and Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he saw sweat roll down Yujiro's forehead. "I'm sorry if I woke you up Kaoru but I thought I would go out for a walk." "That's a lame excuse" Kenshin thought and he waited for Kaoru's shower of questions.



"Do you want me to come with you?" Kaoru asked, to Kenshin's surprise. "Kaoru is a good judge of character, why can't she see that he's lying?" Yujiro smiled slightly and said "Not tonight, Kaoru." Kaoru nodded and smiled at him. "I know you have your own ghosts to face here in this town. Go ahead, go for a walk if you want, but if you need to talk, you know I'll be here." For the second time tonight, Yujiro stepped closer to Kaoru.



"What is this I'm feeling?" Yujiro asked himself. "I'm here to do a job, and not….not to have these emotions towards Kaoru. But by God, she is beautiful!" Yujiro felt this great desire to kiss Kaoru then and there, if only she was staring at him in a different way, and not just like a concerned sister, he would have….. "Thank you" he whispered hoarsely and abruptly turned and walked away. Kaoru watched him leave, still worried but also a little confused at the way her friend acted just moments ago. But before she could reflect on what happened, she felt something, no, someone watching her. She turned her head, she didn't see him, but she knew him, without a doubt….Kenshin.



Kenshin, suddenly brought back from his shock of almost seeing someone kiss Kaoru couldn't think of any clever way to escape. Kaoru felt him, he knew for she was walking towards him, even as he is well hidden in the shadows. In full view, Kaoru looked more desirable to Kenshin. Her face blossomed under the light of the moon. Her black silky was hair braided and hung over her shoulder, the tips just grazing her breast. Kenshin swallowed hard, he has become much more aware of Kaoru's femininity in the past few hours.



"And what, may I ask are you doing here at this time of night Mr. Wanderer?" Kaoru demanded as she approached him. "Uh…nothing, I was just…..uhmm, going for a walk" Kenshin said smiling weakly and scratching the back of his head. Kaoru didn't buy it for one moment, but a thought did enter our Kaoru's mind…. "Was Kenshin going out to see another ….girl!?!?"

……..to be continued(c",)