//Author's Notes: Hey all! I apologize for my last K&K fanfic, it was poorly planned and poorly executed. ^^; I was just trying to try my hand at some waff. Hopefully this one is better! Enjoy. ^_^//
Summary: What would have happened to the Kenshin-gumi (Yahiko, Kaoru, Kenshin, Megumi, and Sanosuke) if Shishio never tried to take over Japan? If Enishi never tried to take revenge? If the anime stopped after the Raijuuta incident? First chapter in a multi-part about what would have happened if Saitou had never knocked on the Kamiya Dojo's door.
Chapter 1
\\//"But seeing those two.. there's no need for worries."\\//
Kenshin sat smiling as he folded laundry. Yahiko, exhausted from his training with Kaoru, approached Kenshin and poked him.
"Mm?" Kenshin looked up inquisitivly.
"Hey, could you cook dinner tonight? Kaoru-dono's too busy to do it. /Thank god./"
"Okay, I'll get started right away." Kenshin smiled, set the clothes down, and went to the kitchen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kenshin, Kaoru and Sanosuke sat at the table eating. Yahiko had gone to the Akabeko to claim his free dinner for working there.
Sanosuke finished off his plate. "Ah... you've really outdone yourself, Jou-chan. You've never cooked stuff this edible before."
Kenshin sweatdropped. "Ah.. I made this, Sano. Kaoru-dono was too busy to cook tonight."
".... oh." Sanosuke sweatdropped. "Well, better be going! Bye, you two!" He rushed out the door to escape whatever Kaoru's response would have been.
Kenshin smiled and finished his own food. "Are you done, Kaoru-dono?" He was gathering the plates off the table. Kaoru nodded and handed her plate to him. He placed the plates in the sink and started washing.
After finishing the dishes, Kenshin turned around to see Kaoru. "Ah.. Kaoru, you're still here?" He began wiping down the table. "Do you have anything to do, or would you like me to do something for you?"
Kaoru shook her head. "No.. after all that's happened, it's nice to relax. I have nothing to do, so I think I'll just hang out."
Kenshin nodded. "Mm.. I've done all my chores. /Except I don't think I've finished the laundry, but that's okay./ Why don't we go to the lake? It will be nice and quiet.. we can stay there.. I'll bring some snacks, and you can have some relaxation."
Kaoru gasped. "Really?" She exclaimed in happy excitement. "Oh, that would be great!! Arigatou Kenshin!" She hugged him for the few brief moments before she knew what she was doing. "Oh.. er.. ummm.."
"I'll go pack, and you can change out of your battle attire." Kaoru nodded happily and skipped off. /Odd../ Kenshin turned back to start packing. /Why is she so excited about a simple picnic..? I mean, it will be nice, but.. it's not |that| special.. right?/
//"Hey daddy, how come those bugs can walk on the water?"
"Because they're so light, sweetie. Plus they have special feet just for skating on the water."
"oo, that's cool!" Kaoru smiled up at her father, then at the sunset. "Hey, how come the sun looks so neat when it's setting?"
"Because some things are meant to be beautiful. Like you, for example." Kaoru blushed and giggled.
"Oh, stop that, daddy!"
"Yes.." Her father shrugged. "I'm shameless, I know."
"Hey daddy, can we come back here again?"
"Of course, honey! Whenever you want!"
"Okay! Let's do this again tomorrow!"//
Kaoru smiled at her memory of 8 years. She looked at herself in her favorite blue kimono. /Perfect./ She grinned. /This is so great. I'm gonna get to go to the lake again-/ She looked out the window. /-and the sun is going to set too! I wonder how long we'll stay...?/ She grinned. /This is going to be so romantic.. I hope Kenshin doesn't back out or get nervous or anything.. I want this to be -perfect-./
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, Kenshin, I'm ready!!" Kaoru walked out.
Kenshin looked at her a moment, then managed to nod. /Kami-sama, she's beautiful../ "I.. I am also ready." Kaoru noticed he had changed into a new pair of clothes.
"Okay! Let's go!" Kaoru opened the door and they walked out.
Kaoru danced and skipped all the way to the lake. Kenshin walked a few steps behind her. /Ah.. all I can think about is her.. mm../ His eyes trailed on her. /Her beautiful body wrapped in her colorful kimono, her sweet innocence, the sparkle in her eyes that I always see, and most of all, the life that never fails to surround her../ He smiled at her. /I think.. I think she's an angel.. Oh? We're at the lake already../ He layed out the blanket for her and lay down on it. "Ahm.. come and lay down, Kaoru-dono.." /Mm.. that's it, right beside me./ He smiled softly at her and wrapped his arm around her.
/This is -so- great!/ Kaoru snuggled up beside Kenshin. /He's so hot../ She giggled inwardly. /He can sure be a hunk if he wants to.. huh?/ Kenshin pulled her in closer to him. /Aww.. that's sweet.. mmm he smells so good../ She buried her face in his gi. Kenshin smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The snack bag hadn't been touched and the sun had long since set. The two now watched the moonlight play on the water as the waves flowed. Kaoru was still leaning on Kenshin, who had wrapped his arm around her. Kaoru sighed happily. "This is so great, Kenshin.." She rubbed her cheek against his side. "Arigatou for taking me out here."
Kenshin smiled and blushed a little. "The pleasure is all mine, Kaoru. Besides, you deserve a break from Sano and Yahiko once in a while. I figured this was the surest way you wouldn't run into them." Kaoru just smiled and closed her eyes.
"Can we stay out here all night?"
Kenshin blushed furiously at the concept. "N- no, I don't think we'll ever live it down. You remember when Jin'eh captured you, don't you? Yahiko and Sano were bugging me for the whole day, and we had a good reason to stay out the night. If we don't, they'll never let up."
Kaoru giggled a little. "Ya, you're right.. okay."
Kenshin's conscience suddenly slapped him. /What the heck do you think you're doing, you dweeb?! Kiss her!/(1)
Kenshin blinked. /Well, that was strange.../
He looked down at Kaoru's figure. /No.. I can't kiss her. That would be wrong.. besides, I'm sure she doesn't feel about me the same way I do about her, and even if she did she deserves someone better./
His conscience groaned. /.. Ugh. I give up! I'm leaving./(1) Kenshin sweatdropped.
He suddenly noticed Kaoru's breathing had slowed; she was sleeping. He smiled and gently picked her up to bring her back to the dojo.
End of Chapter 1
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(1)Reference to Gypsy-chan's "Kenshin's Conscience", which can be found at her site. Love ya, Gypsy-chan! ^_^
Author's Notes: I hope ya'll like this! The first chapter is all waffy, but trust me there's gonna be action and battling and fun stuff like that. Okay? Arigatou for all that read and/or review this story!