Disclaimer: Whoops I forgot to put this earlier, and characters used for this story that belong to the creators of Rurouni Kenshin belong to them. All original characters are mine. So please do not sue, this is for mere enjoyment purposes only.

Summary: Kaoru Kamiya, a spunky 17-year-old wants to prove to Aoshi Shinomori (21) that age doesn't matter when it comes to love, but he has his doubts. Growing most of his life with Kaoru, Aoshi makes sure she oblivious to his other secret life, the life of a feared Yakuza leader.

Last time:

Aoshi was oblivious to the tear that escaped Kaoru's midnight blue eyes. His mind tense and focused on the road, he was oblivious to Kaoru's blank visage.

What I Don't Understand About You.

Bright rays of sunlight made their way through Kaoru's bedroom windows, shining impertinently in Kaoru's face.

"Damn sunlight."

Finding it impossible to get back to sleep, Kaoru grudgingly opened her lids to reveal blue depths tinged with midnight. She stretched catlike on her bed and pushed away her comforter, grabbing a towel she trudged out of her room. In her sleepy haze, she barely skipped out of the way before her little brother Yahiko trampled over her foot.

"Ow! Yahiko watch where you're going! Dammit!"

Yahiko was a scrawny little boy, with short dark hair and dark eyes. He was only three years younger than Kaoru and never passed up the chance to tease and argue with his older sister.

"Well maybe I would've if your feet weren't so big, ugly!" He stuck out his tongue mockingly, "Ooh reverting to ugly language, how fitti-OW!"

Kaoru whacked his head again just for good measure and smirked superiorly, "Fittiow? I didn't know that was a word. You're getting dumber on me Yahiko, dear." With that Kaoru skipped happily to the bathroom, humming a merry tune.

Yahiko rubbed the bump on his head, looking at the closed bathroom door angrily.

"Damn she got one up on me. Ugly 2, Me 0."

*******

"Boring…blah blah black sheep jump over the hill"

Kaoru couldn't stand it English was so boring. Especially the lanky monotone voiced teacher she had, her voice NEVER changed tones. Even when trying to liven up the class with the joke, her level of voice never went up and never went down.

"Kaoru with the attention span you have, I'm surprised how you're even managing to pass this class. And what the hell you saying?"

Kaoru's best friend (aside from Aoshi) Sanosuke (aka; Sano) Sagara whispered from under his long chocolate fringes curtaining his equally chocolate eyes. He was laying back in a casual manner that screamed his lack of care for anything other than troublemaking, the look he was aiming for.

Kaoru remembered Sano saying that chicks dig a bad boy with spiky hair, or more specifically hot looks. She smiled at the memory of her snorting then slapping Sano playfully on the back of the head.

"Eh, who listens to this old coot anyways? As long as I do the homework and the boring projects I can pass this class with a good B, maybe a B plus." Kaoru mimicked his sitting position, letting her long raven bangs cover a blue eye as she smirked. "And I believe I never make sense when I'm bored enough to rip off my own arm just to have something to throw at the teacher."

"Ooh big words, but it's not possible for you to get that good a grade unless you suck up to her," Sano grumbled and yawned, closing his eyes, causing a nearby student to glare at his casualness.

He opened an eye to reveal a stunning deep chocolate eye, "And throwing your own arm at her will most likely not earn brownie points with her."

Kaoru pouted endearingly, "Feh, we'll see."

The bell rang causing most students to jump from their seats to rush to their next class, Kaoru smiled happily. She was finally able to leave this sorry excuse for an English class!

Sano leaned by the door waiting for Kaoru to pack her things and finish up her usual chat with her English teacher. Sano smiled slightly, it wasn't unusual for her English teacher to scold Kaoru for her lack of paying attention in class.

"Bye," Kaoru said to her English teacher as she strolled away with the swagger she used to show defiance, her wide blue eyes were sparkling in mischief.

"Hey there." She grinned cheekily, and brushed passed him, playfully hitting his shoulder. "Let's go, I'm hungry after all that note taking." Kaoru grabbed his larger hand, and they headed towards the large cafeteria their school offered.

Sano just shook his head at Kaoru's antics, she was always managed to make him smile for some reason…and for that Sano would always be grateful. The spiky haired teenager grinned teasingly at Kaoru.

"What notes? I don't recall seeing even a pencil on your desk!" Sano looked thoughtful for a moment, "Oh wait, there was no pencil because there was no room with you using it all as a bed rest."

"Mou! Shut up Sano, I'm hungry!" As if on cue Kaoru's tummy growled loudly.

Sano grinned as a mischievous glint came into his eyes, "Hey Kaoru, wanna skip this period and go grab lunch else where?"

Kaoru stopped dragging Sano towards the cafeteria and turned to Sano, she raised an eyebrow and scowled playfully. "Now Mr. Sagara! You know very well that skipping is against the rules!" She thwacked the spiky haired teen lightly on the head and consented, "Okay! Let's go! Can we see a movie afterwards? There's this really awesome action flick I wanna see!"

"You're such a hypocrite sometimes, ya know that?" Sano smiled as they walked together towards the parking lot, "Alright, if you're talking about the movie I'm thinking 'bout then hell yea."

With a large grin on her face, Kaoru practically skipped towards Sano's green Honda.

*********

There was a wonderful bistro just a few blocks down from the school, so Kaoru hinted to Sano that it was a great place to eat at. He agreed, as long as she was telling the truth.

Kaoru watched as Sano munched as if he hasn't eaten for days, his cheeks were puffy. She held back a giggle of the thought of a chipmunk Sano. With a scolding face, Kaoru admonished loftily, "I told you this was a good place to eat at. I wouldn't steer you wrong!"

Inhaling the rest of his pasta, Sano rolled his eyes skywards. "Sure." He said simply and took a sip of his coke.

Before Kaoru could spit out a comeback, a cool monotone voice broke into their nice lunch conversation, "And I'm sure steering your friend in the right direction includes skipping class. Hmm?"

Both teenagers looked up to see Aoshi, a cool expression on his face, not betraying a thing as he glanced over Sano and Kaoru.

"Aoshi!" Kaoru squeaked, nearly jumping out of her seat and Sano held Aoshi's stare, his own dark gaze expressionless, "Hello Aoshi."

Kaoru glanced from Aoshi to Sano confusedly, "Sano, you have met Aoshi-san before?"

Aoshi gazed coolly at Kaoru and asked, dodging her question, "Why aren't you at school? It's not good to miss classes."

The raven-haired teenager waved her hand dismissively, and said loftily, "Who do you think you are? My keeper? Sano and I were hungry, and cafeteria food is not what we can call gourmet."

"You shouldn't be missing school, what would your father say?" The dark-haired man arched an eyebrow.

"You ARE NOT my MOTHER! Stop treating me like a child dammit!" Kaoru growled, blue eyes flashing angrily. Slapping down a few dollar bills she stomped out of the quaint bistro in a huff. "I'll be waiting in the car Sano."

Sano nodded, and waited 'til she was out of sight, "Aoshi, nice to meet you again."

If possible, Aoshi's ice blue gaze sharpened further, a firm frown on his handsome features. "Cut the pleasantries, when are you going to give us the money?"

Sano's eyes, unlike Aoshi's were dark brown, but there was still the hardness to his dark orbs. A scowl was marred on his lips as he brushed imaginary dust off his shirt and stood up. "You'll have it when you get it."

As Sano was brushing past Aoshi towards the door, the older man grabbed the teen's arm. Ice blue orbs flashed possessively, and he growled out menacingly, "You do anything to her, and you're life is mine." He flickered his gaze towards the green car belonging to Sano, there Kaoru was waiting impatiently on the hood. "Remember that."

The spiky haired teen tore his arm from Aoshi's grip, his eyes flaming with an unreadable expression, "I hope that's a promise." That being said, Sano stalked out of the restaurant.

Authors Notes: Wow! I didn't think I'd get that many reviews so quickly! I feel so loved Lol. Thank you reviewers! I really appreciate for taking the time to read this and let me receive feedback!

For any suggestions or constructive criticism comments…review or email me! At xshinimegamixktx@yahoo.com