Howdy! I'm back with the promised chapter! I'm leaving tomorrow for Michigan, so what ever I get out today will have to last you guys a while. ^-^" I wish I could stay home for the rest of the summer and write, but if I want to go back to the school that I like, I have to work. I suppose I could always bring my computer there, but it's such a pain lugging it back and forth every week... -.- Anyway... I'm hungry... I haven't eaten anything and it's already 12 pm. *Sigh* Okay, well, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I do own Rurouni Kenshin and all of the characters. Oops... Did I say that? ^-^" What I meant to say was... I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters... Heh... heh... honest mistake...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning every one woke up a little later than usual. Probably due to the fact they were up all night. They ate breakfast, piled into the limo, and took off, ready for a day of fun at an amusement park.

"What's this place called?" Asked Sanosuke.

"Six Flags Great America." Tougi replied, watching Kenshin like a hawk.

Kenshin could feel his icy glare, but pretended to not notice. He was seated next to Kaoru, who was now busily looking out the window.

"We have to make a short stop. I'm picking up a friend of mine." Tougi stated as the limo came to a stop in a driveway.

Kaoru watched as a figure walked up to the limo and opened the door. Blue eyes greeted her. She gasped, which got a reaction out of Kenshin. He had his hand on his sword, ready to do combat if this person so much as touched her (AN:Remember, he walked away before Kenshin got there, so Kenshin hasn't seen him before).

Seija silently got into the limo, sitting next to Megumi, totally aware of the fact that every one was staring at him, with the exception of Tougi. It took Misao a minute to recognize him, but when she did she scooted closer to Aoshi. He immediately noticed and looked down at her, earning a timid smile. He then looked over at the blue eyed stranger. It seemed that Kaoru and Misao had both seen him before. But where? And it seems like they were... afraid? Aoshi growled and silently vowed to decapitate him if he so much as thought about hurting her.

Kaoru's mind was racing. Did Tougi say this was his friend? Did he know how bad this guy was? Or was he tied in with the thugs somehow? She stole a glance at Seija, who's eyes were fixed on her. She growled inwardly and looked at Kenshin. His hand caught hers and gave it a soft, reassuring squeeze. She smiled and snuggled into him.

Sanosuke watched Kaoru and Kenshin. Since when had they gotten so intimate? And since when had Kenshin gotten up the guts to do anything about his feelings? Or had it been Kaoru? He made a mental note to ask him about it later.

After two hours, the limo pulled into a parking space at the amusement park and every one got out.

"I pre-ordered tickets so we don't have to stand in line to get them." Tougi said. He passed out the tickets and every one got in line to be admitted into the park. They got there just as they were starting to let people in.

"What's this for?" Kenshin asked a guy standing by what looked like a weird metal door frame.

"A metal detector. To see if people have any weapons on 'em."

Kenshin suddenly looked pale. He had brought his sakabatou! "What if the weapon is for defense?"

"Makes no difference. We don't allow 'em."

Kenshin swallowed. What would he do now?

"Could you hold on for a minute?" He asked, and took off without waiting for a reply. He was back within ten seconds, thanks to his incredible speed. He had put his sakabatou back in the limo, and stepped through the metal detector without any problems.

Tougi grinned as he watched Kenshin. His plan was perfect. No weapons were allowed in here, so they wouldn't have anything to fight with. That would make Seija's job a lot easier.

"It's a good thing I didn't bring my kunai." Misao said with a grin.

Aoshi said nothing. He hadn't left his kodachi at the mansion. He hadn't left it in the limo either. He watched people as they milled about. Why had he agreed to come in the first place? Oh yes. It was because Misao had wanted him to. That was reason enough for him, although he would never admit it.

Once they were all through the metal detectors, they all walked off in a group to the first ride.

"The Shockwave." Read Sanosuke. "That looks fun." He looked up at the huge blue and white roller coaster.

Megumi was shaking. "We're going... on that!?"

Misao didn't have a problem. "That looks so fun! Let's go!" And with that she grabbed Aoshi's hand and dragged him into line.

Kaoru followed her with Kenshin in tow. Sanosuke started following them too.

"Come on fox. It's not that bad." He was still a little mad at her from the previous night, but he decided to put it aside for now.

Megumi nodded and followed him to the group standing in line.

"Hey, where did Tougi go?" Asked Sanosuke. Every one looked around, but could find no trace of him or Seija.

"Eh, must've bailed." He said, grinning and turning his attention to the ride before him.

The line was fairly short, so they were all strapped in in no time. Aoshi and Misao took the very front, Kaoru and Kenshin were behind them, and in a different car near the back held Megumi and Sanosuke.

"Please secure your possessions. Glasses should be taken off, and bags can be left here and you can pick them up when you get off. Please keep your hands inside the cars at all times, except when you raise them. Have a nice ride." The announcer said.

They started moving, and pretty soon they were on the track, going down the first drop, going through the loops, taking sharp turns, ect. Megumi was screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Woman stop your screaming!" Sanosuke yelled at her as they went through another loop.

Misao was throughly enjoying herself. Next to her, Aoshi looked rather disturbed.

"This is fun!" Kaoru yelled to Kenshin.

"Oro!"

Finally, much to Megumi, Aoshi, and Kenshin's relief, the ride ended and they got off. Megumi's legs almost gave out, and Sanosuke steadied her. They made their way to the next ride. The Batman.

"There is no way I'm going on that!" Megumi exclaimed. Kenshin and Aoshi silently agreed.

"Oh come on. I'm sure it's not as bad as the last one." Misao assured her.

They were finally able to drag her into line. By the time they got off, Megumi wanted to go again.

"That was so cool! Let's go again!" She said, going to get back in line.

"Hey, let's go on different ones." Kaoru said, grabbing her arm and pulling her along to the Raging Bull.

Soon it was lunch time, and every one decided to go get something to eat. They each ordered their own seperate meals and sat down together.

"The Iron Wolf was really fun!" Misao was saying. Sanosuke, Kenshin, and Aoshi looked at her like she was a lunatic. Misao giggled and whispered to Kaoru, "They're still walking funny from that one!" Kaoru and Misao started laughing.

"I heard that!" Sanosuke snapped.

(AN: For those of you who haven't been to Six Flags, the Iron Wolf is a roller coaster where you are basically standing, but you have something like a bicycle seat under you. So some guys tend to... erm... Get hurt, since they... Well... You get the point.)

They finished their lunches and wandered around for a bit.

"You know, I haven't seen Tougi and Seija all day." Megumi commented.

Kaoru and Misao exchanged glances.

"Maybe they're both gay and they went off alone so we wouldn't see them-"

"Sano! Don't say things like that!" Kaoru scolded.

"Well I can't help it. I don't like that guy at all." He rolled his eyes.

"Now that you mention it, there is something different about him..." Misao said.

"His aura feels dark, that it does." Kenshin said, pondering over it.

Kaoru looked around at all the people. She had felt it too. She knew there was something evil about him. He hadn't been like that when he was in Japan. What had made him change? Suddenly she felt a cold, sharp metal pressing against her neck and an arm pinned her arms to either side.

"If any one moves, the girl dies." Said a familiar voice.

Kenshin's ki flared as he watched Kaoru struggling to free herself. Some one in the crowd saw the knife and yelled "Murderer! Every one run!" The crowds cleared out, leaving the group to themselves.

"Stop moving!" Seija hissed as he pressed more firmly. She obeyed.

"There's only one thing to do." Kenshin said. All eyes were on him. "Run!" He said, bolting off into the distance.

"What the!?" Sanosuke spoke for every one as they all stared after him.

"Well I guess your man doesn't really love you." Seija sneered.

Kaoru's eyes opened wide. Why had he run away? That wasn't at all like him! Was Seija right? Did Kenshin really not love her? She growled. It wasn't true! He did! Didn't he?

"I'm going to kill you slowly, so you can feel the pain." Seija whispered to her.

Just then, Tougi stepped out from the shadows. "Seija, what are you-" He was cut off and appeared to have just fallen to the ground, except there were footprints all over him.

Seija's eyes opened. This wasn't part of the plan. What was happening? He looked around.

Kaoru heaved a sigh of relief as the blade was removed from her throat. She heard a cracking noise behind her. She turned. Kenshin was standing over Seija, watching him keenly with amber eyes. Seija was holding his nose and moaning. Blood was quickly staining his shirt.

"Kenshin!" She cried and flung herself into his arms. He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair.

"It's ok Kaoru." He said, kissing her forehead. Every one's mouths dropped. Since when did he call her Kaoru?

"Good job Kenshin." Sanosuke said, studying Seija with a grin. "You got him away from Jou-chan and you broke his nose."

"That's what happens to any one that tries to hurt her." He said, purposely making sure it was loud enough for Tougi to hear.

Tougi got up from his spot on the ground. "Was it you who ran over me!?" He asked crossly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you." Kenshin said. His voice was dripping with venom.

Tougi shrank back. He hadn't expected the red haired maniac to speak to him with such hate. There was something different about him. His eyes! They had been violet before, hadn't they?

"W-well, I think we've had enough fun for the day.." Tougi said.

"No! I want to stay!" Misao said, her arms crossed. Megumi was right behind her.

So it was decided that they would stay for the rest of the day. They went on almost all of the roller coasters, and had only one left when it got dark.

"The Whizzer." Said Sanosuke.

"I heard some people talking about this one! They said it's really fun when you go on it when it's dark and you have your boyfriend with you." Every one looked at Misao.

"What!? That's what they said, not me.." She grumbled.

They finally got up to the front of the line, and were about to get in.

"There's only one seat." Said Aoshi.

"Yeah. The guys sit in the back, and the girls sit infront of them, like this." Misao had Aoshi get in and she demonstrated. Aoshi's cheeks turned the slightest shade of pink.

The rest of the gang got in different cars. Sanosuke with Megumi, and Kenshin with Kaoru. They fastened their seat belts.

Kaoru leaned back against Kenshin. He smiled and put his arms around her.

Misao couldn't wait to go. Rumor had it this was one of the fastest rides there - and most romantic. Maybe some of the romantic atmosphere would rub off on Aoshi. She leaned against him. He akwardly encircled her waist with his arms.

Sanosuke wasted no time in holding Megumi, although she did hesitate to lean back on him.

At the end of the ride, all three 'couples' were in a rather romantic mood. Tougi growled as he lead them out of the park and back to the limo. He was suppose to save Kaoru, not Kenshin! Maybe he would have to just skip the whole saving thing and get straight to the point... Yes... He would do that.

"What is he doing here?!" Demanded Misao, pointing at Seija, who was in the front seat with the driver.

"It's the least we can do to drive him back to his house." Tougi said impatiently as they drove off.

"Whaddya mean 'the least we can do'!? He tried to kill Jou-chan! He's a murderer!" Sanosuke growled, loud enough for Seija to hear.

"Murderer or not, he's still my friend." Tougi said sharply.

"Shows how well you pick your friends." Aoshi commented.

"I picked Kaoru, didn't I?" Tougi snapped.

The subject was dropped and the ride home was quiet. They stopped to let Seija off at his house, then went back to the mansion.

"We have a pool out back. You are welcome to use it at any time of the day or night." Tougi said, addressing Kaoru more than the others. She nodded.

As the others were making their way up to their rooms, he held her back.

"I need to talk to you." He said.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Kaoru... I have a confession to make. It's been on my mind all day. And not only all day, but ever since it happened. And I would feel relieved if I told you." He said, unsure of himself.

Kaoru waited patiently.

"Kaoru... I... I've fallen in love with you." He said, taking her hand.

(AN: Some of you may have thought he was going to confess to his scheme with Seija. ^.^ That's how I wanted it to seem. Haha, he's so evil, isn't he?)

Kaoru fought the urge to smack him and as politely as possible pried her hand from his.

"Tougi, I'm sorry. I don't really feel that way about you..."

"But you can! In time you will! Kaoru, I want to marry you!" He said, taking her hand again.

"Well, you see, I-"

"Shh, don't say a word my love." He said, forcing his lips upon hers.

She smacked him. Hard.

"I told you, I don't feel that way about you! I'm in love with some one else!" She said, and with that she stormed off to her room.

Tougi growled. "She thinks she can just blow me off and get rid of me that easily? She's got another thing coming... I won't give up just because I was refused. I'll make her mine! She'll wish she had never rejected me!" He said to no one in particular.

Kaoru sighed as she put on her blue two piece bathing suit. "I hope he understands... I love Kenshin. Not him" She put on her matching blue beach cabana (AN: Ya know, the pieces of material that wrap around your waist, almost like a skirt) and grabbed her towel, heading for the pool.

It seems that every one else had the same idea. Megumi, Misao, Sanosuke, Aoshi, and Kenshin were all there. The pool area was well lit, thanks to the many lights lining it (AN: When I say the lights are lining the pool area, I don't mean they're right next to the pool. ^-^"). Kaoru smiled as she switched a chair to a reclining position, then layed down. Kenshin came over to her.

"Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yes. I'm fine." She said, smiling. He smiled back, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. They were care free.

He sat down next to her. "Kaoru... Tougi is... well... he's..." Kenshin paused, wondering how to word it. "He's not the friendliest person. And his aura.... it's that of some one with a black heart."

Kaoru's smile faded as she became serious. "I know Kenshin. I could feel it too. But, we should try to help him, shouldn't we?"

Kenshin smiled. Her care and concern for every living being, no matter how evil, never ceased to amaze him. She definately had a heart of gold. And he loved her for it.

"I guess you're right, that you are." He said, looking at her lovingly. He softly caressed her cheek with a finger.

Kaoru smiled. His soft touch was sending shivers down her spine.

"Kaoru... Ai-" He was interrupted by a shout from the pool.

"Hey, Kaoru! Come on in, the water's fine!" Misao was saying.

Kaoru smiled. "Okay, I'll be right there!"

Kenshin sighed and watched as Kaoru took off her beach cabana. His eyes grew to the size of plates as he blushed and managed a muffled "Oro..."

She was beautiful. She had a perfect body. Long shapely legs, a thin stomach with a slight indication of a six pack, and well rounded breasts. He finally tore his gaze away and took his shirt off.

Kaoru's mouth almost dropped open. Kenshin was perfect! He had well chiseled arms, a built chest, and very defined six pack. His legs were also very muscular. She blushed and walked with him to the pool. They both got in and joined in the fun.

"Hey! Sanosuke stop splashing!" Megumi screeched.

Sanosuke grinned and splashed her more.

"Hey! Cut it out!"

Misao was busy dunking Aoshi underwater. She was finding it very amusing. Aoshi, on the other hand, was trying to yell underwater, but only succeeded in creating a lot of air bubbles and making sounds that could only be heard underwater.

Kaoru smiled and relaxed in a corner of the pool. She hoped she did the right thing by telling Tougi. Maybe he would send them all back to America because he didn't get what he wanted. Either that or he would try again... Kaoru rolled her eyes and sweatdropped. She'd just have to drill it into his brain that she simply wasn't interested. And she would never marry a man she couldn't love. She felt something grab her leg. She screamed and kicked what ever it was. The others stopped what they were doing.

Kenshin floated to the surface, eyes swirling, mouth open, and a red bump on his forehead.

"KENSHIN NO BAKA!" Kaoru yelled, chasing him around the pool. He had to swim as fast as he could just to keep a few feet in front of her.

Every one else went back to what they were doing. About an hour later, every one got tired and got out of the pool, heading for their rooms.

Misao had just changed into her night clothes when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in." She said, taking her hair out of her normal braid and brushing it.

"Misao?" Aoshi's head peeked into her room. The rest of him followed.

"Yes?" She asked.

Aoshi's face turned a light shade of pink, catching her in her night garnments. She wore a periwinkle (AN: A shade of blue) tank top with pink hearts and white bunnies, and matching pants. She was adorable! He looked up into her eyes.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked.

"You just did." She said, giggling. "Sure, anything."

"I'm under the impression that you and Kaoru have seen that Seija guy before. My question is where."

Misao seemed to drop the cheery act. "He was with the thugs that day... Kaoru had seen him even before that, although I don't know when. They said some stuff to eachother, and then he just walked away."

"What did they say?"

"Well, all I remember is Kaoru saying he tricked her. Then she got mad and said she came by accident, and not to see him. He looked kind of put out and told her he was sorry that's how she felt. Then he left."

"Hmmm..." Aoshi thought about all the possible scenarios that they could have met in prior to the Chicago incident. "Okay, that's all."

Misao nodded and waved as he walked out. "Goodnight!" She called.

"Goodnight." He returned and closed the door behind him.

Once she was sure he had returned to his room, she snuck into Kaoru's room.

"Kaoru?" She asked.

"Yes Misao?"

"I just came to visit." She said with a smile.

"Oh. Well come in and sit down." Misao followed her instructions.

"Kaoru, when did you meet Seija? I mean, before Chicago."

"Well... It was when we were shopping earlier that day. He bumped into me and knocked me down. Then he helped me up and said he was sorry. His sister came looking for him, so he gave me that address and left. Like I told him, we wound up there by accident."

"Oh." Misao sighed and looked around Kaoru's room. "I wish Aoshi had feelings for me."

"What makes you think he doesn't?" Kaoru asked.

"He just... he just doesn't want to open up to me. I mean, I know he doesn't show emotion often, but he's getting better now. And still no sign of any interest in me whatsoever."

"I'm sure he likes you Misao. He just needs time to sort out his feelings. After all, these emotions are new to him, and he might not know how to deal with them." Kaoru said, giving the smaller girl's shoulders a light squeeze.

Misao smiled. "You're right Kaoru. I'll give him time. I'd wait forever for him to love me."

Kaoru returned the smile. "I know how that is."

Misao giggled. "Good night Kaoru."

"Good night Misao." Kaoru sighed as soon as she heard the door shut. Suddenly she had a headache. She turned off her lamp and crawled under the covers of her bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~

Howdy! I tried to make this chapter longer since I'm going to be gone for a while. It's not enough to last you until I get back, I know, but I need to go to bed. I need sleep for tomorrow.

Japanese

"Kenshin no baka" - Basically "Kenshin you idiot!" Or "Stupid Kenshin!"

donna8157 - I'm glad you found the Aoshi scene humorous. ^.^ That is, after all, how I intended it to be. It was funny while I was imagining it, so I put it in. I love K/K waff too. It's my favorite kind. Tee hee... You could probably tell. But there will be some A/M waff, and also some S/M waff. It's just that Megumi and Sano are too stubborn to admit they like eachother, so it naturally takes longer. And poor Aoshi is probably overwhelmed with all these emotions that he needs time. I'm glad you like the story. ^.~ And shucks, I'm not really that good ^-^'' thanks for reading!

CurlsofSerenity - Lol! Yes, Kenshin has finally come to terms with his love for Kaoru. ^.^ So he will be doing quite a few cute and romantic things from here on out. This chapter didn't have as much. I was kinda out of it while I was writing. ^-^' But yeah... I wonder what Tougi is scheming this time...

EVERY ONE - May I just take this time to say that the weather man is insane! He's sitting here, telling his life story! "Back in blah blah blah, I had a roommate named Bruce... Hi bruce! Yaddah yaddah yaddah." What the!? "At least you won't have to run around the house in your underwear, it'll be nice and cool..." This weather man is truely insane! o.O

marstanuki - lol! Cho chang... It's been so long that I forgot who she was... I vaguely remember, but not much. ^.^ Guess I'll have to refresh my memory. ^.~ Thanks for reading!

Aku-Kitsune - Thank you ^.^ Glad you liked it! Is this soon enough? ^_^

Aislinn - Yay! I'm glad you liked it! I'll try to throw in some more Megumi and Sano scenes, just for you. ^.^ Just as soon as I get back home ^_^" Hope you keep reading!

Well, I'm off to Michigan! Until the next chapter! Ja!

~Seien