Chapter 3
The red leather-bound book fell to the floor with a soft /thud/.
Kaoru's eyes closed and body relaxed as she slowly fell to the floor. But, instead of hitting the ground, she felt someone's arms catch her, wrapping around her gently as they gently set her on the futon.
Kenshin brushed her hair out of her face as he looked at her. He picked up his private journal with a soft sigh and set it in her arms.
Kaoru slowly opened her eyes to see Kenshin. "Ken.. shin?"
Kenshin looked up at her from his thought. "Yes, Kaoru?"
"Did you.. write that...?"
He nodded. "Yes, I wrote that. You may read the rest if you like."
She slowly took the book. "Mm...."
Kenshin blushed at he recalled the words he wrote ridiculously early that morning.
//I can't believe it.. I spend one sweet night with her wrapped in my arms and this is the result?! What kind of man am I to dream of such an innocent girl that way!
Anyway.. I don't remember much of it... I don't even remember why I was.. um.. loving her.. or even if in my dream we were married...
God, it felt like everything at once. I was the sweetest thing I've ever known. Just like I'd want it to feel.. /of course, that would be because it was a dream..../
But... it felt so real. I know, I know I shouldn't.. I know I shouldn't be thinking of her like that.. or even look at her that way, but.. but ever since I've woken up from that dream I've wanted to....// the words trailed off in his mind as Kaoru closed the book and asked him, "Why?"
"Ah--" He was at a loss for words. "G- gomen, Kaoru-dono. I don't know why." He bowed his head as a few teardrops fell.
Yet despite his trying to hide it, Kaoru noticed. "Why are you crying, Kenshin?"
He didn't answer for a minute. "Kenshin...?" He was still silent.
The moment before she was going to ask again, he told her softly, "Because I don't know what to do. I really enjoyed living with you, but now that... you've discovered my thoughts, I'm afraid it will destroy our relationship."
He went on to say, "You are rather naive, and that's one of the things I like so much about your personality, but now you have every reason to throw me out of the house... you can't trust me, with my thoughts. I can't even trust myself."
Kaoru smiled and shook her head. "Kenshin, I have every reason to trust you."
Kenshin looked up with a tear stained, yet puzzled face. She went on. "You've been so sweet to me, even when I've been demanding and harsh. Besides, it's not like you.. advanced on me. The only reason I know.. your feelings for me, is because I picked up that book and read it.
"Kenshin, I-... I know you may not be able to trust yourself, but I trust you. I feel safe when ever I'm with you, and... besides, you're-" She started blushing with every word. "You're 28. That's pretty old to um.. not think that way.. when you live with a.. er.. a single girl.. especially if you're at all attracted to her..
"I.. forgive you, if indeed you've committed some kind of crime by what you can't control. Please, don't feel bad." She wrapped her arms around him for a brief, sincere, sweet moment. "I've found the answer to my question. Thank you for.. being so sweet to me." She stood up and walked out.
Kenshin lay down and cried.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knock. Knock.
No response.
Knock! Knock!
.... Still no response.
"Kenshin!! Come on, I know you're in there!"
KNOCK KNOCK!
"Kenshin!! I'm coming in there!!"
... No one.
"Kenshin...?"
".... KENSHIN!"
End of Chapter 3
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Author's Notes: MUAHAHAHA! I am the KI- I mean QUEEN of evil cliffhangers!! Hehehehehehehe...