Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: Can you guess who doesn't belong to me? *frowns* yes it is Kenshin.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

Fragile Balance

Chapter 2: Kenshin again!

It was early morning and Kaoru was getting ready for her daily exercise. Looking around, she grabbed her red tang top, pulling it over her sports bra. She did a quick stretch to loosen up her muscles for the jog. Walking toward the bathroom she put her hair up in the usual high ponytail before grabbing her water bottle and shinai. On her way out she made sure to lock her door. She glanced at Sano's door as she passed, hearing loud snoring noises from it.

Stepping out into the brisk morning air Kaoru inhaled the summery scent of the season. After what she had been through, she had come to appreciate fresh air immensely. Kaoru began jogging down the sidewalk. True, the city was crowded, and she wasn't exactly in the most wholesome part of it, but it had a calming effect on her.

Kaoru began to pick up her pace loving the feeling of the air rushing past her, and the feeling of moving and being totally free.

Kaoru spotted the entrance to the park a few minutes later. She practiced at the park in the morning, because it was generally empty. She didn't go to any of the dojos, because she couldn't afford it and they were to far away. Having no car or bike limited her options on places to go. She didn't mind though. Kaoru stopped short seeing the man she had hit yesterday sitting at one of the benches.

'Aa, what is he doing here?'

At that thought Kenshin turned to look at her.

"What are you doing here?" Kaoru asked.

'Great, I sounded like a total…'

Her thought was cut short as Kenshin replied, "Sessha wished to give you this. It was lying on the ground where you had been practicing. Is it yours?"

Kenshin held her locket in his hand. It was the locket her father had given her for her birthday the day before he died. It contained a picture of her mother and father in it.

"Yes it is mine," Kaoru said taking it, "Arigato."

'I never wear this when I go to practice. I could have sworn I took it off.'

Kenshin smiled at her, "Do you come to practice here often?"

"Yes, I have no where else to practice, and it is really nice here."

"You do not practice at any of the schools in the city?" Kenshin asked.

"No, besides I am practicing my family's style. It has been passed down from generation to generation. Kamiya Kasshin Ryu." Kaoru declared proudly.

Once again Kenshin smiled at her words, "Do you mind if sessha watches you practice?"

Kaoru used to practice in front of people all the time. For some reason she felt awkward at the idea of Kenshin watching her. She didn't understand why.

"I don't mind," Kaoru replied.

Kaoru started her set routine. She placed her water bottle and shinai near a tree before stretching again. This time she spent more time stretching her wrists and arms, instead of her legs. Taking a couple of deep breathes to help her focus she picked up her shinai. She felt Kenshin's eyes on her, but it no longer bothered her.

She lunged forward, arm partially extended before whipping around slicing low and swinging it up in the other direction. Completing another move she jumped as high as she could, twisted around as if dodging an attack, landing in a crouched position her shinai held up in defense.

A second later she pivoted to the right with a downward swing leading into the most difficult combination in the kata. She still had difficulty with it. As she executed the move she was thrown off balance slightly, then landed wrong before striking without the grace she usually displayed.

She gave a frustrated sigh.

"Kaoru-dono, may sessha suggest something?"

Kaoru looked at him, "Go ahead."

Kenshin stood walking over to Kaoru. She glanced at him nervously.

"You need to focus more of your balance on your back leg," he said pointing to her left leg.

"And your grip," he said grasping the shinai and her hand, "must be higher and less tense. Here place your hands like this."

Kaoru watched him her heart beating faster as he helped adjust her grip.

"There, now try."

Kenshin stepped back making room for Kaoru to begin her kata. For the next half hour Kaoru listened as Kenshin gave her pointers. She was finally able to do the kata beginning to end with ease.

"I did it!" Kaoru exclaimed happily.

"You learn quickly," Kenshin replied.

"Where did you learn? How long have you been doing this?" Kaoru asked.

"Since sessha was a child," Kenshin said answering her second question, "But sessha prefers a real sword to practice with. A shinai is too light and becomes ineffective."

Kaoru frowned, "My family's style doesn't use real swords. A sword that protects is the idea of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. Real swords are not necessary!"

"A sword that protects," Kenshin said looking down.

"What!? Do you have a problem with that?" Kaoru said.

"A sword is a weapon. Weapons are used to kill," Kenshin said suddenly his voice becoming softer.

Kaoru watched him in surprise, "I challenge you then. I'll prove to you I am right!"

'Why can't I keep my mouth shut!?'

Kenshin looked at her briefly something flashing through his eyes before he began watching the ground again.

"Sessha no longer practices sword fighting."

"One match, or are you afraid I'll prove you wrong!" Kaoru said baiting him.

"I don't think you will Kaoru," Kenshin said his voice gaining an edge to it.

Before Kaoru could react to this abrupt change in demeanor he looked up smacking the side of his head.

"Gomen nasai, Kaoru-dono. Sessha was not paying attention to the time. Sessha doesn't want to be late to work. Gomen."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't mean to annoy you. I have a habit of doing that." Kaoru said frowning.

"Do not worry Kaoru-dono. Hopefully we will meet some other time."

"Yes, that would be nice."

Kenshin began walking away.

'What a strange guy.'

Kaoru shrugged her shoulders. Turning she began another exercise.

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"Try not to lose," Kaoru told Sano.

"Oi! I am a good gambler," he replied defensively.

"Sure you are," Kaoru said.

"You better watch it Jou-chan."

Kaoru and Sano were walking to the Akabeko. It was 5:00. This was a routine the two had picked up. He went to the Akabeko to gamble with his friends, so he usually waited for Kaoru. Then he would walk with her home to make sure she was safe. Kaoru was grateful. She felt safer when Sano was around. Walking through the city at night by herself really wasn't a high point on Kaoru's list.

"You better stop gambling. Megumi-san doesn't like it at all."

"Megitsune will just have to deal with it. She can't resist me." Sano said confidently.

"I think it is the other way around Sano," Kaoru replied.

"Don't know what you are talking about."

"Well, have fun working tonight." Sano said as they reached the entrance.

"I'll try," Kaoru said dryly, "Try not to lose all your money."

"Kaoru-san!" Misao shouted from across the room.

"Misao-chan," Kaoru said approaching the girl, "Aoshi here tonight?"

Judging from the huge grin on her face he was.

"I'll be back in a second. I have to go clock in."

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Work that night was mostly the same. Misao would slip over to Aoshi whenever she could. Kaoru couldn't help smile at this. She just hoped the guy would stop being a block of ice. The whole night Kaoru had an uneasy feeling that someone was watching her again. There were a lot of guys in the room, but it was a different feeling. And every once and a while she thought she saw a flash of amber eyes watching her.

'Someone with amber eyes. Right? I think the lights are getting to me tonight.'

She began to feel jittery.

'He's not here. You got away from him. He doesn't know where you are so stop it!'

By the time it was 11:00 p.m. Kaoru was ready to go home. Clocking out she met up with Sano outside.

"So how did you do?" Kaoru asked.

"I won some. Lost some." Sano replied, "But I have enough to pay the rent and play another game tomorrow night."

Kaoru laughed at this. They walked back most of the way in companionable silence. Going inside the apartment complex Kaoru stopped.

"Sano," Kaoru started.

"Yeah, Jou-chan," Sano asked.

"I want to thank you. You barely know me, but you have really been there for me these past three weeks."

"No problem Jou-chan," Sano replied.

"I just want you to know I truly appreciate it."

"Go get some sleep. All this gushy stuff is making me sick," Sano said smiling.

"That's the last time I try to be nice to you!" Kaoru said returning the smile.

Kaoru walked away entering her room. Turning on the lights, she looked around out of habit. Everything was where it was supposed to be.

'I really am paranoid.'

Sitting down on the couch she thought of what she was going to do tomorrow. She had another late shift at the Akabeko, but before that her and Misao were going to go shopping. Misao had a car and told Kaoru they were going out to buy some new clothes. Kaoru really didn't have the money. She figured she could find some clothes on sale though.

Kaoru went into the bedroom to find some pajamas. She didn't use the bedroom to sleep in. It had no bed, and the couch was in the living room. She didn't feel like moving the couch into the bedroom. It was more open in the living room.

Opening the door she flicked on the light and stopped short in shock.

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Oh no I've already started with the cliffhangers. He! he! That wasn't a really bad one though, right? Next chapter will be longer!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all who reviewed!

Chiki- Hiya! Yay! I hope you liked this chapter too! Love hearing from you! And I absolutely love your new fic. An arrogant Kenshin, you have to love it! Thanks for all your support and constant reviews! ^o^

Kamimura Kaoru- Well, I hope to hear from you again! I love getting reviews. It let's me know you guys want me to continue!

Sujakata- Kenshin… hmmm. Can't let you know what he's up to just yet, but thank you for reviewing. Hope to hear from you again!

Lina- Thank you! Thank you! I'll be updating my other story, probably Friday night! Hope to hear what you think of it!

Jim- He! He! It's all good cause it happens! I'll be waiting to hear from you again.

Jason M. Lee- Thank you for reviewing! Hope you liked this chapter too. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Crystal- Nice hearing from you with this fic too! I'll be updating my other story this weekend. Hope to hear from you!

Anonymous reviewer- Hi! I am glad you enjoyed it. Hope you found this chapter interesting!

Sabrina-star- Enishi…hmm…maybe. But anyway I'll be waiting to see what you think of this chapter!

Omochi- Yeah, I would freak out a little bit *really a lot* if I thought someone was looking through my window. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Marstanuki- Here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoyed!

Apple- I didn't really leave that bad a cliffhanger. Just something to keep you guessing right! Well, it was great hearing from you. I always appreciate your reviews. I'll be updating my other story this weekend! I have it written, I just have to type it up! Until then! ^_^

Vesca- See I updated it quick cause I was inspired. I love your constant reviews, they motivate me!

Isis 13- Here's the next chapter! Tell me what you thought! Please!!!!

Kawaii sakura-chan- Stalker… maybe…*ahem* anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter! Hope to hear what you thought on this one too!

Kyaa Kyaff saying til next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1