Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: Kenshin is not mine! One can only wish.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

Fragile Balance

Chapter 3: First Encounter

Opening the door she flicked on the light and stopped short in shock. What little amount of clothes she had laid scattered on the floor. A movement flashed passed the corner of her eye. The closet door moved slightly. Kaoru was terrified. The person was in the closet.

'It's him! It's him! No it can't be! No!'

Kaoru began slowly backing up. She needed her shinai. Running toward the couch where she left it the lights turned off followed by the ones in the bedroom. Kaoru grabbed the shinai looking around frantically in the dark.

'Calm down. Calm down.'

Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she tried her best to control her breathing. She scanned the area frantically, but could see nothing.

'Concentrate.'

She almost screamed when she heard the rustling of clothing. Shaking violently, she closed her eyes to better concentrate.

'You will not be a victim again!'

She heard the noise again directly at her side. She swung her shinai in the direction. The person jumped back quickly. She heard them hit into the couch. She slowly started backing up toward the front door. Just as she was nearing it, she unexpectedly realized the person was behind her. She whirled around striking sharply. The shinai was caught and yanked from her hands. She heard it clatter on the floor. The person than grabbed her arm and whirled her around wrapping her in a strong embrace her back facing them.

'It isn't him! Who is this? What does he want?"

Kaoru went to scream, but felt a sharp blade at her throat moments before. A threat for her not to yell. Kaoru was losing to the terror welling up inside her.

'Stop it! It isn't over yet. Wait for him to drop his guard. Pretend like your helpless.'

She relaxed in the person's grip slightly. She suddenly felt lips pressed on the area where her shoulder and neck connected. His lips slowly trailed up her neck to behind her ear where he began pressing slow moist kisses. She felt his hot breath on her ear as he began nibbling it. He stopped his face pressed into her hair inhaling sharply.

"Jasmine," he whispered in a harsh soft voice sounding pleased.

Kaoru said nothing, waiting for her opportunity. He would pay for taking advantage of her. He brought his one hand around slowly moving her hair off the back of her neck. His other arm held her firm, the threat of the sword still there. He lightly nipped her exposed neck. She shivered in response clenching her fists at the same time. His free hand was running along her arm now. Finally his other arm began to lower, the sword dropping toward the ground.

'Now Kaoru!'

She shoved all her body weight into him slamming her elbow into his ribs before turning around and giving him a good hard groin shot. He grunted in pain, but recovered too quickly for her to get passed him. She had one other option.

"Sano! Sano!" Kaoru screamed while running to the kitchen and hitting the wall that connected to Sano's room.

She ran around hitting into the counter and exclaiming in pain. She hadn't turned the lights on, because there was only the one beside her bedroom door and by the front door. She didn't have time to turn them on. She looked up at a noise and saw a glint of amber eyes.

'Who is this guy!?'

Kaoru frantically searched the counter for the knife she had been using earlier to make lunch. Some weapon was better then none. A knocking was heard on the door. The figure approaching her stopped abruptly.

"Oi! Jou-chan. What's with all the noise?" Sano asked.

"Sano! There's someone in here! Help me!" Kaoru yelled desperately.

She heard Sano begin to hit the door. She heard the person in her room curse softly before disappearing into her bedroom. Sano busted through the door. It took him a few seconds, but he flicked on the light switch.

"He went into the bedroom," Kaoru said pointing with the knife she still held.

Sano took no time and ran in the bedroom. She fearfully began to approach the bedroom.

"What happened Jou-chan?"

Kaoru cautiously came into the bedroom. The window was wide open the lock on it busted. Sano was gazing out of it, but he didn't appear to see anything. He looked at her with concern. Kaoru was near tears with relief, but she hated crying and took deep breaths to hold it back.

"There was someone in here. He turned off the lights. He had a sword. I…" Kaoru stopped dropping the knife and walking back into the living room to sit on the couch.

Sano followed her sitting next to her.

"You need to report this to the police." Sano said.

"No!" Kaoru replied a little too fast.

Sano gave her an are you crazy look.

"I can't Sano. If I do he'll find me. He has connections with the police through his damn friend."

"Who? That guy that was just here?" Sano asked confused.

"No, I have no idea who that was! But I think he has been watching me." Kaoru replied.

"Jou-chan, why didn't you say something, and who are you hiding from and why?"

"My ex-boyfriend is a little bit crazy. I left because of what happened with him. But now, I don't even know who was in here. I was so scared… I." Kaoru was rushing out with the words.

Sano grabbed onto her pulling her into a gentle hug, and cutting off her words.

"Shhh. Calm down. Take it easy. You don't have to say anymore. I'll stay here for tonight. Tomorrow I'll get the landlord to fix the window. Let's just discuss the rest tomorrow. Get some rest. It's getting late."

Kaoru felt tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't remember the last time anyone had been so kind to her.

"Arigato, Sano." Kaoru said pulling away from his comforting embrace.

She grabbed her pillow placing it at the other end of the couch. She lay down putting her feet on Sano.

"Arigato," Kaoru whispered one more time.

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Kaoru woke up to Sano's loud snoring. He was still sitting on the couch, but his head was thrown back mouth wide open admitting those loud snores. She tried not to laugh, but couldn't help herself. Sano woke up with a start looking around disoriented. Kaoru sat up smiling at him.

"Morning, want some breakfast?" Kaoru asked.

"Can you cook?" he asked rubbing his eyes.

"Of course I can!" she replied angrily.

"Okay, then I am going to go get the landlord. Will you be fine by yourself? I'll be right back."

"I'll be fine." Kaoru said.

"Alright. I'll be right back."

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The landlord came in looking at the window. Instead of getting angry and yelling he said he would have it fixed by this afternoon. She looked over at Sano suspiciously. He just shrugged his shoulders. The landlord was probably a worse gambler then Sano and owed him something. Kaoru appreciated what Sano was doing for her though.

Kaoru and Sano were eating the eggs and toast she had just finished making after the landlord left. She was becoming increasingly angry at the numerous faces Sano made while eating the food.

"If you don't like it! Don't eat it!" Kaoru said.

"It's good," Sano said, "The eggs are just a little dry and the toast is burnt."

"It tastes perfectly fine to me!" Kaoru replied.

"Jou-chan," Sano started, "I really think you should call the police. That nutcase could come back anytime."

"I can't."

"Jou-chan, are you going to be all right. I mean your acting like this is a normal everyday thing," Sano said.

"Sano, I'm okay. I can't dwell on what happened. I just need to figure out this on my own. Maybe I can buy some locks and check my house, or…"

"I am not going to argue with you, but why don't you come live with me." Sano started, "Don't give me that look. It would be much safer."

"I can't do that. Megumi-san would flip out if she knew." Kaoru reasoned.

"I am not letting you stay alone with some freak that is stalking you."

"I'll think about it. We can discuss this later. You have a date with Megumi-san, and I have a shopping trip with Misao-chan. Can you please not mention this to anyone?" Kaoru said.

Sano put a hand to his forehead, "I don't think you are taking this threat seriously."

"I won't live my life in fear," Kaoru declared hitting her hand on the table.

"Okay, okay. We'll discuss more tonight. Are you going to be all right by yourself?"

"Yes, I'll be fine," Kaoru reassured.

Sano got up mumbling something about "damn women…stubborn…don't know what's…"

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Kaoru was sitting outside waiting for Misao. She began remembering the person's lips on her neck. Kaoru didn't want to admit it, but it had felt strangely good, almost right. She was absolutely disgusted with herself.

'What the hell are you thinking? He was taking advantage of you.'

The person had not been much taller than herself. Maybe by an inch or two. Definitely not her ex-boyfriend, who was taller than her. Kaoru had no idea who this person could be. She began to recall all the times she had seen those amber eyes. Someone had been watching her. It wasn't just her overactive imagination. Kaoru saw Misao pulling up in her car.

"Kaoru-san," Misao shouted cheerfully.

Kaoru came to the passenger side of Misao's car and got in. She chose not to tell Misao what had happened. She was just going to enjoy the shopping trip.

"So did you get any further with Aoshi?" Kaoru asked.

Misao pouted, "No, I think he thinks I am a little girl or something."

"I don't. Didn't you ever notice that he only lets you hang around him? And when you aren't working he isn't there."

Misao began to blush, but a huge smile crossed her face, "I hope you are right, Kaoru-san."

"Of course I am!" Kaoru said.

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Kaoru frowned at the bathing suit selection, "Misao-chan, I don't need a bathing suit."

"Then how are you going to swim at my pool party for my birthday."

"Your birthday! A pool party! When did you plan on telling me about this?" Kaoru exclaimed.

"Now," Misao said holding up a green bathing suit.

Kaoru began to look at the bathing suits. A particular deep blue one caught her eye. Picking it up she looked at the price. She frowned putting it back down. She could buy a couple shirts with much more material with that price.

"Here try this one on." Misao said handing Kaoru another blue bathing suit.

This one had tiny silver stars on it. It was really adorable. Kaoru checked to see if it was in her price range.

"Time to try them on." Misao said dashing for the dressing room.

Kaoru waited outside the door of Misao's dressing room. All the others were being used.

"Misao-chan, are you done yet? I want to see."

"I love it!" Misao said unlocking the door and showing Kaoru.

Now Misao may look young, small, and scrawny in many of the outfits she wore, but Kaoru had to admit she had an awesome figure under all the clothes she wore.

"That looks great on you. Aoshi would definitely not mistake you for a little girl."

Misao blushed again jumping up happily. She closed the door to get dressed. Once she finished Kaoru went into the dressing room. Kaoru began to change putting on the bikini. She looked at herself in it with a frown. She didn't like how much was showing. She didn't really go swimming and had only owned a one-piece bathing suit when she was younger.

"Hey, are you going to let me see or what?"

Kaoru reluctantly opened the door. Misao's jaw dropped.

"I am soooooo jealous!!!" Misao shouted.

Kaoru turned red as a couple people in the dressing room turned at the shout.

"Quiet down!" Kaoru hissed.

"Kaoru-san, I wish I had your figure! Then," she flung out her arm in her excitement hitting a person passing by.

"Oro!"

The man took a couple steps back.

"Kenshin," Kaoru said surprised to see the red head.

"Gomen nasai! I didn't mean to hit you!" Misao said.

Kenshin was rubbing his nose. He looked up at Kaoru.

"Sessha is fine," he said speaking to Misao but watching Kaoru.

Misao did not miss this fact. Kaoru realized she was now standing in the middle of the dressing room hall in a bathing suit. She self-consciously jumped back into the dressing room.

"I better change."

She changed as fast as she could. She heard Misao start talking to Kenshin. Kaoru stepped out of the changing room holding the bathing suit.

"Well, sessha must be going now. It was nice seeing you again, Kaoru-dono. It was nice meeting you Misao-dono."

"Bye," Misao shouted after him as he left.

"Misao-chan, what did you say to him?"

"I invited him to my party. He said he would think about it." Misao said.

Kaoru looked at Misao with shock, "You don't even know the guy and you invited him to the party!"

"Well, I figured you might want him there, since you seem to know him, and he obviously is attracted to you."

"Where are you getting this from?" Kaoru asked.

"I could just tell. But enough about that! We have to finish shopping!"

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After the shopping trip, Misao had dropped Kaoru off at her apartment. Kaoru had spent more then she had meant to, but it couldn't be helped now. She walked up the steps to her room. Stopping outside the door, she took a few moments to open it up. She cautiously walked around the room, approaching the bedroom. Opening the door, she gave a sigh of relief. The window was fixed, the closet doors were wide open, and everything was neat and ordered like she left it.

Kaoru walked back out to the living room. She set the alarm clock on the floor to go off at 4:30p.m. before flopping onto the couch. A thirty-minute nap before she had to go to work sounded good. She dozed off into a fitful sleep.

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Hiya everyone! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! It was a little longer this time too!

I would like to thank Alannah, Chibi-Nikoru, Kiki, Gypsy-chan, Apple, me me me and only me, marstanuki, cevgar, Sujakata, Sabrina-star, Kamimura Kaoru, Kawaii sakura-chan, Lina, Vesca, princezz kaoru, Shizuka, Chiki, Crystal, Misanagi, Tsuria no Tenshi, and Shunu No Miko for all of your reviews.

Sorry I didn't do individual thanks, I like to and will next time.

Kyaa Kyaff saying hope to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!