Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I'm sooo happy! Also another reason to be happy--- I finally found the right codec to play the recent fansubs I received from a trade! Hooohooo…trying to figure out how to make the audio work almost made me crazy. I'm so happy I could finally hear something.

Tan Kimiko: Har…har…errr…I'll try to update the other fic someday. Ahihihihi…I feel bad. 


Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Hanakimi.

Eternity in One Moment

Chapter 4 Rendezvous


"The date will be a week from now. Have you found any good restaurants yet?" Aoshi asked Kenshin. Both were on their way to their first class after lunch. Kenshin grabbed a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Aoshi.

"Yeah, I was thinking about that last night. I wrote them down just in case I forget," he said. "These are the best in town in my opinion."

Aoshi quickly read through the list and handed the paper back. "Okay, which do you think will they like most?" Aoshi questioned.

"The Palace just opened a month ago. It's relatively small but the location's pretty good," Kenshin reported. "It's situated right in front of the bay," Kenshin added.

"Is that so? I never heard of it. How's the food?" Aoshi asked.

"Great," he answered.

Aoshi simply nodded before continuing, "We'll wait for you at the house around seven,  fetch Misao, then we'll go to the restaurant together from there."

"I'll take care of the restaurant's reservation," Kenshin volunteered. "Hey Aoshi, I've always wondered when you would ask Misao out. Surely it's not because of Kaoru's situation that you finally decided to do something, isn't it?" Kenshin assumed as he made his way inside their classroom.

Aoshi followed Kenshin before answering, "Misao's been Kaoru's friend ever since we moved here. She's like the unofficial resident of our house. I plainly saw her as my little sister's friend when we were younger." He sat down and looked at his schedule before continuing, "She's starting to become a lady, just like Kaoru. Let's just say I'm getting fonder of her. Besides, I won't go out with someone I have no interest on, even if Kaoru throws one of her temper tantrums."

"You'll never admit you love someone, won't you?" Kenshin asked half-heartedly earning a cold glare from his best friend. "It's not going to hurt you," he added while waving his right hand playfully. "Anyway, it makes me feel better knowing you're serious about this. Misao's my friend too," Kenshin said, suddenly with a serious expression on his face.

"I'll never hurt Misao. I'm not going to play with her," Aoshi assured him.

"Right. Well, good luck to both of us. Hope our dates turn out fine," Kenshin wished quietly, low enough so as to not get any attention from the teacher.

"Kenshin, don't do anything stupid, alright? I'll still be watching you. Don't be too relaxed," Aoshi warned him again.

"Hai, hai. I know," Kenshin replied with a small smile.






The week went by quickly. Kenshin arrived at the Shinomori's place as planned. He got there half an hour early, so he stayed at the receiving room with Aoshi, while they waited for Kaoru to come down. Both men were in their suits, equally looking gorgeous and anxious about tonight. It was exactly seven o'clock when Kaoru decided to descend.

It was worth the wait, at least for Kenshin.

 Kaoru was dressed in a crimson knee-length dress, with side slits halfway up her thighs. She allowed her hair to flow down her back, with little silver clips right above her ears, securing enough hair to keep them away from her face. She looked beautiful. The three of them traveled to Misao's house in Aoshi's sleek, black car. Since they were a bit late, Misao was all ready by the time they arrived. She was equally stunning in her blue-violet strapless dress, which hugged her body in all the right places. A simple diamond pendant adorned her neck, sparkling gorgeously against the endless waves of black hair freed from their usual braid.

They swiftly made their way to the restaurant just in time for their reservations, thanks to Aoshi's driving skills.





"Do you have reservation, sir?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes, Kenshin Himura, table for four," he replied.

"Yes sir. Right this way," the lady said while leading them to a table over looking the bay.

The two pairs sat down. The waiter gave them their chosen drinks and appetizers. After a while, they ordered their main course, and that left them time to talk privately among themselves. The two girls had no idea where the two men were going to take them tonight. They took this opportunity to ask and compliment about their chosen place.

"This place is simply beautiful. How did you two find this?" Kaoru asked.

"Yeah. This place is just like heaven. It's so serene," Misao added while looking dreamily at the water.

"We're glad you both liked it. We did a lot of research for this date you know?" Kenshin told them with a small smile.

"Of course, a special place is needed for such special girls," Aoshi said while looking intently at Misao. Misao blushed heavily, and then smiled back at him the moment her brain started functioning again. Kenshin looked at Kaoru also, making her smile and blush at the same time.

This blushing and smiling moment was interrupted when the waiter arrived with their entrees. Dinner was eaten quietly except for the glances and smiles exchanged by both couples. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the smiles were present on three out of four people.

"Are you ready to order for dessert, coffee or hot chocolate?" their waiter offered after clearing the table.

The two pairs exchanged questioning looks before Aoshi finally nodded at the waiter.

"And what would the ladies like?"

"Hot chocolate for me," Kaoru said.

"And for the other lady?" the man asked again.

Misao blushed when she saw everyone was looking. "Tiramisu would be great. Thank you."

"Excellent choice," replied the waiter.

"Pardon me, but I need to go to the powder room first. Misao, may you accompany me?" Kaoru asked.

"Sure Kaoru. I need to go myself. Please excuse us," Misao excused herself politely.

"Please," Aoshi answered as the men gently stood from their seat.

"Take your time," Kenshin added.

"We will," Kaoru replied then gave him a smile, which made Kenshin blush this time. Aoshi subtly signaled Kaoru and gave her his 'this-is-too-much-stare.' Kaoru simply stared back at her brother and gave him her 'you-too-are-doing-it-stare,' earning a light 'Hnn' from Aoshi. With a triumphant smirk, Kaoru the grabbed Misao's wrist and lead them towards the powder room.

"Seems like you are having a great time, Himura," Aoshi said sharply once the waiter finished taking their orders.

"Yes. I think you too are," Kenshin replied.

"I think the stares and the smiles are too much," Aoshi said bluntly.

"What do you mean?" Kenshin asked, clueless but a bit offended by Aoshi's remark.

"Can you make the flirting more subtle?" Aoshi asked frankly.

"What are you talking about? Yours and Misao's are worse you know?! The intense stares and all?!" Kenshin said huskily and defensively slowly leaning towards Aoshi's direction. "What about 'a special place is needed for such special girls,'" Kenshin quoted sarcastically. "Talk about subtle," Kenshin barked. 'What's up with the sudden hostility?'

'Childish. Both of us are making idiots out of ourselves. Still...' Aoshi thought. "I'm warning you. This is my sister we're talking about. This is her first date, so take it easy," Aoshi answered strongly, his eyebrows furrowing in concern.

"I know that already," Kenshin assured him. 'I guess he didn't realize earlier how a date would affect his protective nature, or else he wouldn't have agreed on this in the first place.' "Trust me," he said while patting Aoshi's shoulder.

"I'll try." Aoshi answered coldly, hand clenched under the table.




Meanwhile inside the powder room---


"You and Aoshi are flirting too much. I didn't expect this, it's almost surprising," Kaoru told Misao who was busily retouching her make up.

Misao blushed lightly before saying, "What do you mean by that? That you didn't really actually believe that he likes me?" She pouted playfully before adding, "I'm hurt."

Kaoru giggled softly. "Baka. You know what I mean. You know Aoshi doesn't show emotions much, especially in public. But with you...whoa...I think he absolutely likes you," Kaoru nudged the girl then flashed a knowing smile.

Misao's face turned scarlet, eyes became glassy and her smile could not possibly become any bigger, "You really think so?"

"Well, yeah! Isn't it obvious? You're such a denial queen," Kaoru remarked.

"Me? A denial queen? Look who's talking. Who actually said that 'It's just a date Misao,'" she quoted with a mock Kaoru voice and gesture.

"Argh! Stop it!" Kaoru erupted with a red face, as she bonked Misao on the head.

"Hahaha, ouch, Kaoru that hurt! And now, I think both of you are so in-love. And you know it," Misao ended her true speculations with a wink.

Kaoru blushed even deeper, and murmured a 'Mou.' Both girls stared at each other for the longest time, restraining themselves from releasing a mountain of giggles. Their control didn't last very long.

"We better get back, its taking us too long," Kaoru realized while wiping the tears that resulted from laughing too much.

"Yeah, they might think you ate too much or something, that's certainly unlady-like," Misao added complete with batting eyelashes.

"Eeew..Misao! Stop it already!" Kaoru bonked the girl again.

"Ow! Ok, stop hitting me!" Misao agreed, following Kaoru out of the powder room, with a hand still resting on her head.

A/n:  A page longer than the original. About Kaoru hitting Misao, hihi..well she does get a bit violent doesn't she. I can't let her produce a kendo stick out of mid air during a date, so the old fashioned knuckle will do the trick. Sorry Misao!

Again, the next chapter and possibly final chapter will be up very soon! Until then, make me happy and click on the little button! Thank you very much!