Chapter 3: Firecrackers and Dreams Part 1

By: Cutxlilxkitty02

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin and I'll never ever own it! So don't sue me! I can't afford it. Anyways..

Okay about Misao and Megumi's deaths. I thought it would be easier if they where out of the way so I'm saying that they died in an accident a while back. So yeah, I have nothing against Misao but I just thought it would be smoother without her there. Also I'm sorry about the OOCness of some of the characters but I thought it would be a nice little change.

Kaoru laid on her futon wondering about the other day. 'I never thought Aoshi had feelings. It's not like he's ever shown them before.' she thought to herself. She heard Sano and Kenshin arguing in the other room. There muffled argument didn't interest her for some strange reason. She fell asleep thinking of what was said.

"Jou-chan wake up." Sano said shaking Kaoru. Her eyes flicked open and she opened her mouth to scream at him but Sanosuke stopped her.

"Shhh.." He said removing his hand.

"What is this all about?" she demanded.

"Kenshin's still asleep so I thought we could go do something."

"O..kay" Kaoru said eyeing him suspiciously. Sano grabbed her hand and pulled her into a standing position.

"I'll leave so you can get dressed." Sano said leaving the room. A few minutes later Kaoru appeared wearing a purple kimono. Sano's eyes lingered on her for a second. He then opened the door and ushered her out. They snuck past the sleeping Kenshin and made a break for it. Unknowingly to them Kenshin was awake. He followed them for sometime. Kaoru and Sano reached the market out of breath. His eyes gleamed mischievously. She raised an eyebrow at him. He grabbed her hand and led her down towards the park. Other young couples were there picnicking and hanging out. He led her to on of the cherry blossom trees. Underneath it was a blanket and a picnic basket. She sat next to him on the light blue blanket.

"Sano what is all this?" She asked indicating the picnic.

"I thought we could have a picnic on such a fine day." He said smiling at her.

"You're acting very strange. Are you sure you don't have a fever or something?" She asked placing a hand on his forehead. He took her hand off his forehead and held it in his. Her skin was silky and smooth while his were rough from all the fighting. He gulped an looked in her eyes.

"You see Jou-chan I.umm... I have.feelings.." He but was cut of by Kenshin.

"I thought I'd find you're her, that I did." He said smiling at the two. Sano released Kaoru's hand and crossed his arms.

"Yea.. so why don't you join us?" He asked mockingly.

"I think I shall." He said sitting on the other side of Kaoru.

"Oh, Sano what was it you were saying?" Kaoru asked absolutely clueless.

"Oh, nothing I'll tell you later." He said waving his hand in the air as if brushing her word away. Kaoru shrugged and got out some food. She bit into a dumpling and paused. Her eyes began to water.

"Is my cooking that bad?" Sano asked. Kaoru shook her head.

"How is it that every one can cook better than me!" She whined as she continued to eat. Sano chuckled.

"I've never really cooked before, mainly because of my past." Sano said grabbing a sandwich. He eyed his cooking suspiciously but took a bite anyways.

"Wow it is good." He said after swallowing. They finished the picnic basket and talk a while.

"Um...Kaoru can I talk to you?" Sano asked. She nodded her head and Kenshin placed all attention on Sano.

"Alone." He added and Kenshin shrugged and walked off. Kaoru's attention was fully on Sanosuke.

"We'll like I was saying I have feelings.." He began but she cut him off.

"I know you have feelings." She said smiling.

"No you don't under stand my feelings are for." Sano continued but was once again interrupted by Kaoru.

"I almost forgot about the festival. Sano can this wait?" She asked. Sano sighed.

"Sure." He said. He was a little hurt inside but decided to shrug it of.

Kaoru arrived home and changed into a sapphire blue kimono that matched her eyes. It had pink cherry blossoms all over it. Kaoru tied her hair up using a pink ribbon. The kimono she wore showed her curves nicely and brought out her eyes. She applied some light pink lip gloss and waited for Aoshi to arrive. She heard arguing and went to investigate.

"My cooking is so much better than yours!" Sano said smuggly.

"I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you." Kenshin said calmly. Kaoru rolled her eyes and sat at the table.

"Has Aoshi arrived?" She asked. Kenshin shook his head. Kaoru frowned.

'Maybe it was just a joke.' She thought to herself. There came a knock on one of the screens and Sano opened it. Aoshi stood on the porch with a pink rose in his hand. Kaoru smiled at him. He wore his usual black shirt and white coat. Aoshi glared daggers at Kenshin and Sanosuke but when his eyes rested on Kaoru his expression softened. He handed her the flower and offer her his hand. Kaoru smiled at the flower and took his hand. Sanosuke opened his mouth to object when Kenshin shoved a carrot it in. The door had closed and Sanosuke spat the carrot out.

"What the hell was that for!" He yelled.

"We're going to a festival." Kenshin said mischievously. Sano cocked an eyebrow at him.

"What's come over you?" He asked. Kenshi ignored him and exited the house.

Hehehe I hope you like this chappie. It was fun writing it. Anyways you can always make suggestions. Kitty over and out. Meow ^o^