Sugar alert! I don't mean to overdose anyone, but it just came out that way! Even if I was the one who wrote this, some parts just made me giggle like crazy. Harharhar…Hope you'll like it.

I was afraid people will start to ask me about my other fics once I reposted this. I was trying to avoid that, 'coz as I said, I feel so guilty . I wish I could update it this month.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Hanakimi.

Eternity in One Moment

Chapter 5 Starlight


"I'm surprised you're still alive," Aoshi said coldly at his sister.

veinpop Kaoru hit the older man's head solidly as she passed behind him. "We weren't gone that long," she objected. Aoshi simply nudged at the girl's action and pretended it didn't hurt him a bit.

"You should have started your desserts without us," said Misao.

"It was alright. Aoshi's just pulling your leg," Kenshin assured with a bright smile.

"Thanks for waiting," Kaoru acknowledged before taking a sip in her now warm chocolate.

"The beach is open until midnight," Kenshin started once both couples have finished their desserts. "Would you like to walk afterwards?" Kenshin asked both girls.

"That would be lovely," they agreed.


It was a full moon. The sky was clear, allowing all the stars to radiate against the night sky. Aoshi, Kaoru, Kenshin and Misao were standing in front of the restaurant, quietly talking about where they would meet afterwards. 

"We'll meet the both of you after an hour, at the parking lot," Aoshi said.

"Ok," Kenshin replied.

"Take care of Kaoru, Himura," Aoshi told him seriously, more of a command.

Kaoru blushed due to embarrassment at Aoshi's warning. "I'm not a baby, Aoshi. Take care of Misao. See you!" she said while waving eagerly at Misao.

"See you later!" Misao responded with equal energy.

The men nodded their heads curtly before the two pairs parted ways at the coastline.






Wind was picking up, and Kaoru was beginning to feel chilly. Kenshin immediately sensed Kaoru's slight shiver, and without any hesitations, took of his coat and placed it on her shoulders.

Kaoru paused in mid-step, unsure of what to do other than to blush and smile at Kenshin's act of sweetness. She finally managed to murmur a "thank you" after a couple of seconds. 'The coat is still warm. Kenshin's warmth,' she thought before she felt her face heat up again. 'Baka. Hentai.'

She was still living in her own world when she heard Kenshin say something, but since she was busily condemning herself, all she heard was, "Tonight, Kaoru-dono."

"I'm sorry Kenshin, I didn't quite catch what you said," she said shyly.

Kenshin released a soft chuckle before replying. "Ah, that's because your mind was off somewhere."

"Gomen, I didn't mean.." Kaoru promptly apologized, completely embarrassed.

"No, that's alright," he quickly waved the subject off. "I hope I'm not boring you."

"Of course not Kenshin! It was my fault. Watashi…" Kaoru started. "Watashi wa…" she attempted explaining herself again. 'I can't tell him I was too busy relishing his warmth!'

"What I said a few moments ago was--- you look lovely tonight Kaoru-dono," Kenshin repeated

Kaoru halted her steps. This time, she heard Kenshin all too clearly. She gave another soft blush and mumbled another, "Thank you, Kenshin."

"Hope you are enjoying the evening so far," he continued.

"Of course I am. It was the best date ever," she replied, still with a huge red shade staining her cheeks. Well, I can't actually say that because I don't have any other dates to compare it with, not that it's completely my fault," she continued, her eyebrows slowly furrowing. "Ah! Not that I wanted to date some else, or wanted to date a lot of people, or..." Her confusing contemplation stopped when Kenshin's laughter registered her brain.

 "Mou! Stop laughing Kenshin! It wasn't supposed to be funny!" she exploded while hitting the man's arm repeatedly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh so hard. You just looked adorable while trying to figure things out," he said truthfully which earned a pink, flustered Kaoru. "Don't worry about it. I know what you mean," he added.

"Meanie!" she spat out, earning another chuckle from Kenshin.  'Mou,' she thought frustrated. 'Is his laugh supposed to be a good thing?'  "Anyway, thank you for tonight, Kenshin."


"There's no need to thank me," he said quietly at her, his laughter fading away, his face bearing an intense expression. He slowly reached for her hand, silently asking for permission to do so. Kaoru gently curled her slender fingers, giving Kenshin's hand a light grip.

'This is so perfect,' she thought as they continued to tread the coastline.

"Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin called.

"Kaoru's fine," she corrected.

"Ah yes…Kaoru," he said almost hesitantly. 'This will sound fast and crazy since this is just our first date.' Kenshin halted his steps.

Kaoru's heartbeat became a bit faster, unsure what was going inside the man's head. All she could see was a clear display of emotions on his face--- zeal, gentleness, uncertainty, passion, and distress.  "Are you ok Kenshin?" she asked, worried about his confusion.

Waves were splashing hard against the shoreline, and the wind was dancing with her soft hair. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear using her free hand and asked him again, "Kenshin?" 

'Nature is not making it any easier,' he thought before continuing. "I really had a great time tonight Kaoru, and I was wondering…" he paused.

'Yes?' she mentally demanded, but decided to wait for Kenshin instead.

"I was wondering if you would like to go out on a second date." he said. "Perhaps?" he added hesitantly. 'Baka!' he mentally screamed at himself.

'He asked me out again! Waaaa…I'm the happiest girl in the world right now!' she rejoiced.


"Kaoru? Are you alright? Please say something," he asked, nervously.

"I would love to," she replied timidly.


Kenshin gave out an audible sigh, and slowly pulled her into an embrace.

Kaoru literally froze. It was an unexpected move from Kenshin. She didn't know what to do, but to lean against his strong chest and inhale his warm scent.

"Aoshi's going to kill me if he sees this," he whispered jokingly. The movement of his lips etched on Kaoru's ear.

'You're going to kill me with all the chills I'm getting,' was what Kaoru wanted to say.

"But that doesn't matter. Let me hold you like this for a little longer," he whispered once more, as his arms wrapped her into an even tighter embrace.

 




"Thanks for letting Kaoru out on a date. It really made her happy," Misao started.

"Why are you thanking for her? Aren't you having a good time?" Aoshi asked in alarm.

"No, no!" she objected, arms stretched out in front of her waving 'no' animatedly.  "It's not that, it's just very kind of you to finally allow her. I know you try to protect her as much as you can," she explained hastily.

He stared at Misao and can't help but think, 'Such a caring girl.' Before he knew it, his hand has made its way to her cheek.

Misao turned bright red.

'What is he doing?'

'What am I doing?

Kirei.' Aoshi suddenly leaned towards her face, his lips a mere inch from hers.

Misao, who thought she was going to faint any minute now, because of all the blood rushing to her face, managed to remain standing up, not moving a muscle.

"Close your eyes," she heard him say. She obeyed him without any hesitations.

'Aoshi.'

Aoshi gently blew on Misao's cheek, making the girl have goose bumps all over her body.

"There was an eyelash on your cheek," he said as he pulled away from her.

"Ah..tha- thank you," she stuttered. 'An eyelash? An eyelash??? He almost gave me a heart attack,' she thought violently while attempting to swallow huge gulps of air.

"Are you feeling cold?" Aoshi asked noticing how her skin was reacting.

"Ah..no, What makes you ask that? I'm not the type of person who easily gets cold," she explained.

"Nothing, I just saw your arm, that's all," he replied.

'It was because of the eyelash thing you big moron! Oooh…I called him a moron. I didn't mean that, Aoshi-sama!!' Her quiet musings were cut short when his voice filled the air once more.

"We better head back. It's been almost an hour. Besides, I think the temperature will drop lower as the night progresses. I don't want you to catch a cold," she heard him say.

"Ah, hai," she agreed, trying to catch up with his long strides.

"Misao," he said his back turned towards her since he was still a feet ahead of her.

"Yes?" she responded curiously.

"I think it would be a bit warmer next week," he said as he turned to face her.

"Is that so?" she answered, unsure where this was heading to.

"Maybe we could stay a bit later the next time we come here," he said calmly.

'Is he trying to start a conversation? Or is he asking me out for a second date? If this kind of thing continues, I'm definitely going to be rushed to the hospital tonight.'

"What I'm trying to say is, would you mind to go out with me again?" he finally asked.

"Of course," she heard herself say. "Ah, what I meant was, I wouldn't mind it at all," she corrected herself, her eyes drifting down to her sandals, trying to hide her once more deep red cheeks.

He leaned, low enough for her to see his face despite the fact that she still held her head low, "Great. Thank you," he whispered as he gently rested his hand on hers.







The two couples met at the parking lot an hour after as planned. Aoshi drove the car again with Misao in his passenger seat, and Kenshin and Kaoru seated at the back. Their ride was made in silence probably because of exhaustion from all the excitement. They first stopped at Misao's house. Aoshi offered to walk her to the door, while his sister and friend waited at the car.

"Thanks for the dinner and the walk," Misao said before starting to blush again.

"You're welcome. Goodnight Misao," he said before kissing her cheek.

 
"Right. Goodnight Aoshi," she said softly.

And for the first time ever since they first met, Misao saw Aoshi smile, a tiny, lopsided one, but none the less a smile. Misao's mom opened the door for her and let an extremely happy Misao inside.

Since Kenshin's car was parked at Kaoru's place, Aoshi didn't bother to offer to Kenshin to drop him at his house. He simply drove straight home. Kaoru moved to the passenger seat when Misao was brought home. Aoshi dropped the couple at their front door, and parked the car in their garage, leaving the two teenagers enough time to say their goodnights.

Or so they thought.

"I had a nice time, the best time," Kenshin said smiling.

"Me too Kenshin," she said. "Good night."

"Goodnight Kaoru," he murmured before leaning for a goodnight kiss.

They were an inch apart.

When they heard someone clear his throat.

'Damn,' Kenshin cursed, as both he and Kaoru jumped away from each other as if each of them was on fire.

"Your car is parked right there Himura. I would think you wouldn't have any problem finding it," Aoshi remarked sarcastically.

"Ah, yes of course. I'll see you in school Kaoru-dono," Kenshin bid, reverting back to his usual polite addresses.

"Drive safely," she replied while waving casually.

"Inside. Now," Aoshi commanded not leaving any room for objections.






 




"We've been friends for months, and I really like you. Sometimes I think it's even more than 'like'. Tonight I was finally sure about how I felt. Sorry if it took a long time before I finally gathered the courage to ask you out.

You're such a pure girl. I would never want to hurt you. So, I took the time to think my feelings over and over.

Tonight, I felt very calm, contented, and fulfilled. I only feel this way whenever I'm with you.

I love you Kaoru.


That was what I wanted to say tonight!" Kenshin said frustrated.

"And what did I say instead?

'I was wondering if you would like to go out on a second date.'

Argh!" he groaned.

"Actually it wasn't too bad since she said yes, but still!" Kenshin continued to talk to himself.

"I'm such a wimp," he whimpered.

'To top it all, I didn't even get to give Kaoru a goodnight kiss!' he remembered. "Aoshi, you hypocrite!" he yelled crushingly at the ceiling.

"Kenshin, keep it down!" he heard his mother say. "You'll wake the neighbors, if you don't."

"Sorry Mom!" he apologized.

'I saw him give Misao a kiss. Why can't I give Kaoru one?' he debated childishly.

"I'm definitely giving Kaoru a goodnight kiss on our second date," he concluded as his eyes slowly drifted shut.

A/n: Wha! Another chapter made! Major changes were done. Did anyone notice? Ah, obviously this isn't the last chapter. I was reading the reviews comparing the original version and this one, and I read some say that the former one's ending was rushed, so I decided to take things slow (as planned). Hope that was slow enough, but not paralyzing slow ^.^

Thank you to everyone who reviewed and to everyone who read this!

Individual thanks, answers, notes….

The line "Aoshi you hypocrite!" was inspired by one of the reviewers, who's also my beta-reader for Other Side. (Thank you Tan Kimiko!)

Shiko: In the original version, Megumi and Sano appeared briefly in the last chapter (chapter 5, supposedly this one). But since things are going slower, who knows, maybe they'll have a longer appearance! I can't promise anything though; I'm simply stretching out what was already written. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Kriska: I like bonking people on the head, arm, (wherever) too. Ahehehe...I think I got that from playing Tekken too much when I was younger.

Genocide: Harhar...glad to know this fic made you laugh [though I don't know why myself ^_^] I'm updating this pretty fast, don't you think? Thank for your hyper review, made me all hyper too!

MP: Other Side of the Moon? What are you talking about??? o.O Hihihi….just kidding. I have to do something about that fic really soon, don't I?

To the other authors: Do you ever look at the enhanced statistics? There are so many hits on each chapter but only a small percentage actually leaves reviews. Isn't that a bit sad?

Translations:

Watashi: I

Kirei: Beautiful

Gomen: Sorry

Do I have to include "wa?" ..hihi.. to simply put it 'wa' is a topic marker.

Reviews make me high. So, please?