Disclaimer - Don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Nope. Not me.

A/N - Wow. I got a lot more reviews for the first chapter than I expected. Thanks everyone. And I thought no one would read it but my sister. Yeah, I originally put it on for her since she can't read my stories anymore now that I'm in college. So anyway, thanks to all the wonderful reviewers. Let me name you right now!

Chibi Binasu-chan - Glad you think that I brought out Sano's character. He's one of my favorites to write about, quite a funny guy. :-)

battousia-crazy64 - Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I so didn't hurry with this chapter. Sorry! *scolds self*

Gravity - So you're a Baltimore person too? YEAH! I just moved here for college, but I've discovered it rocks already!

Anti [.] Poptarts - Glad you were getting into my story. I feel so honored. *blushes*

jouchan-racoon-grl - Glad you liked my story. I haven't gotten around to visiting your page. Should I? Shouldn't I?

Mika - Kenshin is just too cute for words, isn't he? LoL

merryday - Well here's the next chapter!

Zalphinian - Glad you thought the character relationships were natural. That's what I was going for, but I didn't know if I overdid it. Thanks for your input!

fox_fire - Glad you like my story. Here's the more I said I'd write!

White Moon Universe Guard - You think my story is good? Cool! Here's the update!

BillabongBob - MCC icecream . . . Wish I had some of that right now . . .

ai so - Oooh. In this chappie, you're going to find out why Kaoru stopped kendo! Glad you caught on to the mystery. No one else seemed to. Extra points!

kleptomaniac sam - Your nose if filled with incents. . . That's . . . different. LoL. Glad you liked my story enough to review it!

Wolf - Great story? Thanks! And I did keep writing, all for you, LoL.

Nim - Awww. I thought it would make Kenshin cute to be shy around Kaoru. Not that Kenshin isn't cute doing whatever, lol. Here's that update!



Quondam Mistakes

Chapter 2 - Kaoru's Past

"Where are those two?" Misao asked impatiently. "It's almost seven o'clock. I'm hungry."

"I'm sure Sano will get him and his room mate here before then. He doesn't like to miss his meals." Dr. Gensai assured her.

"Yeah, especially if they're free. But he won't be taking my food this time," Yahiko declared.

"I still don't see how you and Sanosuke were arguing about food at a buffet," Kaoru mumbled.

"Yeah. But it was funny," Ayame giggled.

"Yeah. Funny," Suzume seconded.

"Hey guys," Sano's voice drawled from the right.

"It's about time," Kaoru put in. "I didn't see you coming. Oh, everyone, this is Himura Kenshin," Kaoru introduced, grabbing his arm. "Kenshin, this is my uncle, Dr. Gensai, my cousins, Ayame and Suzume, you already know Yahiko, and my roommate Misao. Oh, and Misao, this is Sano."

The 'hi's circulated and then Dr. G lead them all to the car. "I think you'd better sit in the front, Kenshin, so you can direct me to the restaurant Kaoru told me you knew."

"Oh sure. We should be able to get a parking spot within a couple blocks too. It's in Fell's Point," Kenshin agreed.

They all piled into the van. The drive was relatively uneventful and Kenshin announced that their parking spot was just two blocks away from the restaurant. They all piled out of the van and walked down the busy sidewalk, Kenshin and Kaoru in the lead, Sano, Yahiko, and Misao, bickering, in the rear.

"So how do you know this restaurant, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

"Oh, it's my uncle's. It's the whole reason we moved to the better section of town. He joint owns it actually, with a family friend named Tae."

"Wow. I'm impressed. I can't cook at all," Kaoru laughed.

"Really? Well no worries, I'm minoring in culinary arts, if you ever need a chef in a hurry. It was one of the conditions my uncle gave me since he's helped pay most of my tuition."

"You live with your uncle?"

"Since I was four. My parents died of cholera in Japan. I don't remember them that well, just Baltimore."

"Wow. I've never actually been to Japan, but my parents raised us knowing the main language and customs and all. How'd your uncle raise you?"

"Basically the same way, only my uncle was only twenty-seven when I came, so there was a lot more teasing and I could do pretty much what I wanted. But once he grew up, thanks to Tae, he got me to shape up and we moved to a much better part of town. So that's my story in a nut shell. What about you?" he asked, curiously.

"Um. Well, my dad was in the military, so we moved around a lot. Whenever he was home, he taught me his style of kendo, Kamiya Kasshin. I kinda of grew up like a boy, but my mom didn't mind, she was no push over herself. Let's see, when I was two, Yahiko was born. He's plagued me ever since, although he was a really cute baby," she smiled at the memory. "We lived in Virginia, Florida, California, Kansas, and Rhode Island. My dad retired from the Navy there, he'd gotten in his twenty years, so he opened his own dojo up there. He had it for a year before he and my mom were killed in an auto accident." She paused for a moment. "Then it was closed and we came to live with my uncle, who was recently widowed himself, with just the two little girls left. Then I went through high school and here I am now." Kaoru shrugged. "Of course a lot happened in there, but I don't want to bore you with it all."

"You couldn't bore me," Kenshin said absentmindedly.

Kaoru glanced at him sharply, but he was looking at the store fronts and missed her look.

"Oh, here it is. The Akabeko," Kenshin announced, stopping in front of an exclusive-looking Japanese style building. He led the group in.

"Kenshin! It's so nice to see you. How's college going?" a friendly woman asked.

"Just fine, Tae. Thanks for asking. Do you have a room for eight? It's my friend, Kaoru's birthday," he informed her, pulling Kaoru forward.

"Why sure, for you, Kenshin. A party canceled their reservations and you'd all fit in just fine. Happy birthday, Kaoru," she congratulated her.

"Thank you," Kaoru said politely.

"Oh and I see you brought Sanosuke along too. I think it would be wise to go buffet style."

"Hey. Watch it, Tae," Sano spoke up for himself with a grin.

Tae laughed. "I'll be taking them back to the Indigo Room if you'd like to say hi to your uncle, Kenshin. He's in the kitchen. We've got a new chef and he's not used to the way your uncle runs the place yet, so watch out."

"Thanks for the warning, Tae. I'll be there in a few minutes guys, go ahead and start without me," he said before disappearing into the restaurant.

The Indigo Room was all old school Japanese with beautiful scenes on the paper walls and a low table surrounded by cushions to sit at. The dinner passed without much interruption, and everyone enjoyed themselves. Kenshin insisted that it was on the house, since his uncle owed him one and they all headed back to the college through the crisp Baltimore night.

"Hey, Sanosuke, can you get me tickets to your expedition game tomorrow? I really want to see you play again before I go back home," Yahiko asked from the van windows once Dr. G had dropped the four college students off.

"Sure. I can get you free tickets. Let's make it a party. Anyone else want to come?" Sano offered.

"Well I was going to take the girls to the aquarium tomorrow," Dr. G said.

"Yeah, we don't want to watch dumb basketball anyway," Ayame said, making a face at Sano.

"Yeah. Dumb basketball," Suzume echoed.

"Count me out too," Misao said regretfully. "I have volleyball tryouts all afternoon tomorrow. I really would've liked to see Aoshi Shinomori play too."

"I'll go with you, Yahiko," Kaoru offered. "I don't have anything planned."

"Thanks, Kaoru. Are you coming too, Kenshin?" Yahiko asked. He seemed to have developed a great liking for the redhead over dinner.

"Sure, I'll come. I haven't got much planned either," he agreed.

"It's settled then. I'll give Kenshin the tickets tomorrow morning and he'll go over and get you two," Sano said.

"Cool with me. See ya!" Yahiko called as Dr. G began to pull away. Goodbyes chorused around and all went their separate ways, Misao mumbling about dumb volleyball getting in the way of her and Aoshi.

"He really likes you, Kaoru," Misao said thoughtfully later that night as she and Kaoru lay in the dark in their dorm room.

Kaoru was silent for a minute. "That's what everyone keeps telling me, except Kenshin." She sighed. "Do you really think so?"

"Yeah. I hope you two hook up. He seems like a really nice guy. And that girl in my Calc class was right. He is hot," she giggled. "And Sano's cool too. He said he'll let me into his gambling group. I could probably make a whole bunch of money off those suckers," she snickered.

"Not you too." Kaoru groaned. "Goodnight, Misao."

*****************

"You spent all my money, you little brat," Misao muttered to Yahiko as they walked towards the kendo gym the next day.

"Don't call me little, I'm bigger than you, and you said you were rich. Besides, arcades are addicting," Yahiko defended himself.

"I told you to save me change for that ten and you gave me a quarter!" Misao raged.

"Shut up, we're almost there and the lights are on," Kaoru broke into the argument. "Someone must be practicing. Now you can see someone from the club in action, Yahiko," Kaoru said, wondering who it was. She held open the door and let them slip in ahead of her. She bumped into Misao and almost tripped. "Watch it. What is it?" she asked irritably.

"Is that Himura?" Misao asked, incredulous, mouth slightly open. Yahiko looked as stunned as she.

"Yup. That's Kenshin. I told you he was good," Kaoru said proudly.

"Yeah, but you didn't tell me he was good," Misao said in awe.

Kaoru smiled and herded them over closer.

Kenshin finished his bout with his invisible opponent and stopped, breathing shallowly.

Yahiko clapped.

Kenshin looked over, surprised to hear the sound. Kaoru noticed that he wasn't surprised they were there, just that Yahiko had clapped. He must have known they were there the whole time, however focused on the battle he had seemed.

"Hi, Kenshin!" she said brightly. "Sorry if we interrupted you."

"That's alright."

"You're really good! Where'd you learn that? What's it called?" Yahiko asked, practically bouncing over to Kenshin.

"The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu. My uncle, Seijiro Hiko, taught me since I started living with him. Oh hey, the tickets are in my dorm room if you came over to get them."

"Oh no. Yahiko just wanted to see the kendo gym," Kaoru explained. "Now we're heading back to the dorm room so I can get clothes with the school colors," she urged Yahiko.

"Yeah. And I have to pick up my volley ball stuff," Misao added. "You're real talented, Himura."

"Thanks. Well I was just finishing up here anyway. I'll blade along side you guys," Kenshin offered, putting his shinai on the rack and plopping down on the floor next to his blades. He had been training in his socks.

"Sure Kenshin. Oh hey, you've got to teach me how sometime soon. I need someone there. I haven't roller-bladed in ages and I was never really at ease with it," Kaoru confessed.

"Sure I'll teach you some time," Kenshin confirmed her request, tying up the laces on his blades. "Pull me up?" he asked Kaoru, reaching out his hand.

She grasped it, leaned her weight back, and he was up, still holding her hand for a brief moment longer than was necessary, then letting go and skating towards the door.

"Let's head out of here before someone catches me skating across the gym floor," he laughed, waiting for them to catch up.

Yahiko talked to Kenshin all the way back to the dorm hall, while Misao kidded Kaoru about the look Kenshin had given her while she was helping him up. Kaoru was relieved when they reached the dorm hall and Kenshin skated away. She was even happier when Misao left for volleyball and it was just her and Yahiko.

"Kenshin is really cool, Kaoru. At first I thought he wasn't cool enough to go out with you, but now after last night and seeing his Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu, he definitely is. He's definitely as cool as Sano, and he may be even cooler," Yahiko praised.

Kaoru gave him a withering look. "I'm glad he meets your approval, but we're not going out, Yahiko."

"Yeah, whatever. Can I get online until it's time to go?" he asked, eyeing her laptop.

Kaoru sighed, "Sure," she curled up on the bed. "Wake me up in 45 minutes okay?" she asked, thinking of Kenshin's violet eyes with the gold flecks before she closed her own.

*****************

"Kaoru I met the greatest girl while you were asleep!" Yahiko broke into Kaoru's dream. "She said her name's Tsubame and she brought over food for you to try that she cooked," he sighed. "We talked for ten minutes while I ate the food. I'm going to marry her, Kaoru." he finished.

Kaoru groaned. Where was the beach? Where was Kenshin walking up from the ocean, a surf board under his arm? No where, that's where. Just her brother. "What are you talking about, Yahiko?"

"Tsubame came, but you were asleep and she said not to wake you up. She brought food for you from her cooking class, but she gave it to me instead. Don't worry, you didn't snore. Tsubame is the greatest girl I've ever met."

Kaoru grumpily glanced at the clock, deciding to ignore her brother's little infatuation for now. "Yahiko! Kenshin's coming in five minutes if he's on time!" she screeched, jumping up. "Get out so I can change! My clothes are all wrinkled! I told you to wake me up earlier!" she raged, shoving him out the door.

"Kaoru! Did you hear what I said about Tsubame?!" Yahiko asked, pounding on the door.

"Stop it Yahiko, or you're dead!" Kaoru yelled, halfway into a new pair of jeans. She rooted around in her closet for the school sweatshirt she'd bought months ago and not worn yet, satisfied at the silence from the hallway. Finding the sweatshirt, she shrugged it on over her t-shirt and washed the sleep from her face with one of Misao's baby wipes in the mirror.

"Hey, Yahiko. What are you doing out here?" she heard Kenshin's muffled voice from the hallway. Swooping around the room, she grabbed her ID from her purse and stuffed it in her pocket, reasoned she didn't need a jacket, and put her hair up in a high ponytail with the customary ribbon.

"Kaoru kicked me out. She fell asleep and she hadn't changed her clothes yet." Yahiko explained. "You'd think she'd be a little nicer about it. I am leaving after the game and all."

Just then the door flew open.

"Hi Kenshin, I thought I heard your voice," Kaoru said nicely, giving Yahiko a death glare.

"Hey," Kenshin looked a little sheepish at the tension between the siblings.

"If you left anything in my dorm room, you better get it now," Kaoru said to Yahiko.

"Nope. Ready to go see Sano play," Yahiko said cheerfully, always glad to embarrass his sister.

Kaoru looked at him suspiciously for a moment. "Fine then." She let the door shut. "We're ready, Kenshin."

The walk to the gymnasium was uneventful. Kaoru and Yahiko were both surprised at how many people had shown up for the exhibition match.

"Is it always like this?" Yahiko asked as Kenshin handed the attendant their three tickets.

"Yup. Basketball's pretty big at this school and we won't be able to see a real game for a month yet, so this is pretty important," Kenshin answered as they walked through.

"Cool. Let's get seats in the middle so I can see, but in the front," Yahiko said eagerly as they walked through the lobby.

"No way! I'm not getting run over by some sweaty player or hit with the ball!" Kaoru protested. "I've seen them falling all over in the pros, and this is just college. What if they start to fight?"

"Spoilsport," Yahiko accused sulkily.

"I think we should just sit in the middle of the stands, Yahiko. Don't you agree, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked. They each turned to him.

"Um. Whatever you two decide is fine with me," Kenshin said, looking from one to the other.

"Don't glare at him, you're scaring him out of agreeing with me!" Yahiko accused.

"I was not glaring at him!" Kaoru accused, glaring at Yahiko.

"Battousai," a soft voice said at Kenshin's elbow as the siblings were arguing. "I'd like to speak to you for a moment."

Kenshin didn't even bother to look and see who it was. "Fine," he agreed coldly. "Kaoru. I'll be there in a moment," he told her, turning away.

Kaoru stared at him in surprise. Had Kenshin's eyes been gold, or were her eyes playing tricks on her? Losing interest in fighting with Yahiko, she let him win and followed him into the gym, glancing back at Kenshin's turned back as he talked with a black haired guy a few inches taller than him, wearing jeans and a blue jacket. Yahiko pulled Kaoru down on the bleachers and sat watching the home's team warm up shots.

"Go Sagara!" he screamed out of no where.

The fans around him jerked in surprise. Sano looked up and waved. Yahiko waved back , nudging Kaoru, who was trying to get a glimpse of Kenshin. Sano followed her gaze, saw Kenshin and the guy talking, and frowned. Noticing Yahiko had successfully got Kaoru's attention, he smiled and waved at her before concentrating on his foul shots again.

After a few minutes, Kenshin walked into the gym and over to Yahiko and Kaoru. Kaoru watched his relaxed approach. She wondered if his eyes really had been gold. They were back to their normal violet with gold flecks, and boy did she know those.

"Hi Kenshin. Who was that?" she asked as he settled himself beside her.

"Oh, just an old friend," he replied, looking for Sano on the court.

Kaoru decided to let the matter drop. Kenshin didn't look like he was going to say anything more about the subject.

All of the players had an especially good game, even if the sound of Yahiko's yelling and cheering and rushing onto the court at halftime was a bit distracting. The home team won the exhibition match without much struggle. Aoshi Shinomori was named player of the game, and the fans rushed on to the court to celebrate. Well Yahiko rushed onto the court, dodging the refs who tried to hold him back yet again, and everyone followed. Kaoru, afraid she would lose him, plunged in after him, and Kenshin plunged in after her. Somehow, they all ended up next to a crowd of Sano admirers.

"Sanosuke!" Yahiko screamed over the crowd's yelling. "You're better than you were in high school! See you on TV! Kaoru's taking me back now!"

"Really?" Sano yelled. "Hey, wanna come to the after party?" he asked Kenshin, Kaoru, and the other twenty people around them.

"Sorry!" Kaoru yelled. "I'm taking Yahiko back to the hotel!"

Sano nodded, having heard only the words 'Yahiko' and 'hotel'.

Kenshin leaned close to Kaoru and spoke in her ear. "I'll come too. It'll be late by the time you get back. It's already dark."

Kaoru smiled and didn't even try to reply over the noise. Kenshin's lips had been right next to her ear! She'd felt his breath! So what if that was as close to her as they ever got.

"Let's go, Yahiko!" she yelled, grabbing the sixteen year old's arm and leading him towards the gym exit through the crowd. Kenshin followed, waving at Sanosuke once over his shoulder, not really caring if he saw or not. In a choice between Kaoru or a drunken after party, it would always be Kaoru. He was sure he'd hear more about it the next morning from a hung over Sano. And it tomorrow was Sunday too. There went his day of rest. Maybe he should stay at church for a few hours longer than he had planned . . .

********************

"See you over Thanksgiving break!" Kaoru called again as she and Kenshin watched her family driving away. Once they'd brought Yahiko back, Ayame and Suzume had stolen Kenshin into their hotel room to play while Kaoru helped Dr. G and Yahiko pack. Since it was so late, Dr. G had dropped Kaoru and Kenshin off at the college, rather then have them ride the bus back.

"What did you do with Ayame and Suzume?" Kaoru asked Kenshin as they walked side by side to her dorm hall.

"We just talked about the aquarium and what else they did while they were here over an imaginary tea party. Oh, and they said they wanted to give Yahiko a make-over. Maybe I should have warned him," Kenshin said innocently.

"He deserves one after that game. I'm glad he won't be going to another one. You should've seen the look the refs gave me after he got past them the second time," Kaoru recalled with a smile.

Kenshin laughed. "Speaking of looks, you give Yahiko pretty impressive looks of doom when you're mad at him," Kenshin commented.

"Hey I can't very well hit the kid, he's my only sibling and he's bigger than me so it probably wouldn't even hurt him unless I had a weapon. I've perfected my look of doom over the years," Kaoru defended herself. "It's out of necessity."

"Sure," Kenshin teased.

Kaoru nudged him with her elbow. "So what do you think of my wacky family?" she asked.

"I don't think they're wacky. Well no more than my uncle. I think it was fun playing ring-around-the-rosie with Ayame and Suzume."

Kaoru laughed. "Ring-around-the-rosie?" She stared into Kenshin's eyes for a moment, then doubled up with laughter.

"What's so funny about that? I was getting in touch with my inner child," Kenshin said innocently, watching her with a grin on his face.

Kaoru looked up. "I didn't even know you knew how to play ring-around-the-rosie," she smiled.

"Everyone does," Kenshin assured her. He grabbed her hands and started turning them around in a circle. "Ring around the rosie, pocket full of - What?" he asked as Kaoru went into a hysterical bout of laughter.

"You . . . know what," she answered through her giggles.

"Aw come on. It must be too late for you to be up, you're getting hysterical," he mock-scolded, letting go of her right hand and pulling her along by her left. "Let's get you into bed."

"Stop it Kenshin. I can't stop laughing," Kaoru protested weakly, giddy from her laughter. "Wow. I needed that." She giggled again, catching up and walking at Kenshin's pace.

Kenshin turned to her, bemused, for a second. "I guess you did. It's been a while since I heard someone laugh like that."

"It's been a while since I laughed like that. I mean, I can picture you doing it . . . but it's just so funny looking."

"Are you saying I'm funny looking?" Kenshin asked.

"Yes!" Kaoru said, before going off into gales of laughter again.

Kenshin rolled his eyes up at the night sky.

Kaoru suddenly realized that Kenshin was holding her hand and had been for the past thirty seconds and stopped laughing.

"What?" he asked, startled. "Do you see someone?"

"No. I just realized you're - " she stopped. Woah, Kaoru, potential awkward moment if you'd said that.

"I'm what?" Kenshin asked, relaxing.

"You're - . . . never mind. I forgot," she said, with a contented giggle. Kenshin squeezed her hand. They walked the rest of the way in silence.

"See you, Kaoru. I better get back to the dorm before Sano does. If he's drunk, I don't want him puking on my side of the room," Kenshin half joked, releasing her hand.

"See ya, Kenshin." Kaoru smiled, opened the dorm hall door with her card, and let the door shut behind her. Happy, she practically skipped up the stairs and into her room. Misao was lying asleep, curled under the covers. Still smiling, she changed into her nightclothes and was just about to turn off the light, when she noticed a note on the floor near the door. 'It must have been there the whole time,' Kaoru reflected, picking it up, flicking the switch of the main lights, and plopping down on her bed. She turned on her bedside lamp and opened the note.

'Stay away from Kenshin Himura or the reason you quit kendo will come out. Basketball.'

Kaoru blanched. Who knew? Who knew about what had happened the night of Sano's last high school home game? If it got out, her whole new life at college would be ruined. She could never look Kenshin in the eye again. She couldn't bear imagining the look in Misao's eyes when she found out. But the person couldn't really know, Kaoru reasoned. Why would they want her to stay away from Kenshin anyway? There was no reason she could think of. No one she could think of who would do something like this.

****************

The next two weeks passed slowly for Kaoru. The notes kept coming until it became clear to her that who ever was sending them did know what had happened back in high school. Why would they want her to stay away from Kenshin? He had nothing to do with it. Sano hadn't even met him then.

Sano.

She'd felt like it had been all his fault back then, that was the real reason they'd broken up. Of course she knew it hadn't been his fault. She'd always known. Too bad she hadn't let herself stop blaming him until after he went off to college. Out of sight, out of mind. He reminded her of it.

It was also too bad she couldn't stop blaming herself. Kaoru didn't think she could deal with more people blaming her. She had the guilt of her parents death on top of the high school guilt. She didn't know if she could take anymore alone. And alone it would have to be. She couldn't bring Yahiko in on it, she felt guilty enough that she couldn't be more of a mother figure to him as it was.

When the note came saying the writer wanted Kenshin for themselves, Kaoru decided the easiest and most sensible thing would be to quit the kendo club. She could still practice on her own. She just wouldn't deal with Kenshin. She knew that he liked her, she just couldn't quite believe it. He'd get over it. She wondered if she would.

So Kaoru went to kendo practice as usual on Tuesday, but she was careful not to catch Kenshin's eye. She decided to go all out on this, her last sparring match. She actually beat Sae, the second strongest of the other women in the club. Only Shurra left to conquer, but that wouldn't be happening, would it? She scolded herself.

She took a long hot shower in the locker room. 'This is the last time I'll be in here,' she told herself. She would get Sano to tell Kenshin she was quitting. So it was cowardly. She wasn't feeling especially brave lately, hadn't been since the notes started coming.

Kaoru walked out into the gym and gave it a last glance. Slipping on her jacket, she turned off the lights and stepped out. She wondered idly if she'd ever walk down that same hallway again.

Kenshin came out of the guys' locker room as she was passing. He smiled. "Are you alright, Kaoru? You seemed a little distant today, though you did well fighting Sae," he drifted off, noticing the look in her eyes.

Kaoru decided she my as well tell him to his face. "I'm quitting kendo, Kenshin. I'm sorry." She walked away. She didn't hear Kenshin's footsteps following her. She thought that was okay.

Kenshin was stunned. He mentally kicked himself for letting Kaoru get more than ten feet away from him. She'd had such a horrible look on her face though. So sad . . .

"Kaoru! Why?" he asked snapping out of his daze and rushing up to her.

"Leave it alone, Kenshin. My past is catching up to me, that's all." Kaoru sighed.

Kenshin gave a start. It sounded like something he would've said. He wondered if it was his fault she was quitting. "Kaoru, you love kendo. I know you don't want to quit, so why are you?" he asked.

"Just leave me alone, Kenshin. I'm sorry I can't compete this weekend like I said I would."

Kenshin was struck by how wrong her voice sounded. "Why Kaoru?"

"It's none of your business," she told him flatly, looking down at the ground and not across at him.

"I care about you, Kaoru, so it is my business." Kenshin said, bravely risking her wrath. At least that truth was out. Now maybe they could get somewhere.

"Look Kenshin, this has nothing to do with you!" Kaoru yelled, finally looking at him. "It's something I have to deal with by myself. I'd appreciate it if you got out of my way," she ordered, throwing one of her glares upon him.

Kenshin gulped. So this was what if felt like to be on the receiving end of Kaoru's wrath. Well at least she felt comfortable enough around him to yell at him and tell him how she felt. It was unfortunate that she was feeling pretty pissed off, but he wasn't about to let her quit kendo and walk out of his life without a damned good reason. He wondered just how he was going to get that reason out of her.

Kaoru suddenly realized that she'd just yelled at Kenshin, the last person in the world she'd wanted to end up furious with. Her anger crumpled. "I'm sorry, Kenshin," she apologized, feeling tears well up in her eyes. Turning, she shut her eyes and started to walk away, but she felt arms around her, turning her around and pulling her towards a warm body.

"Kaoru. I want you to tell me." Kenshin said softly, holding her to him, feeling her sobs as she cried against his chest. He let his fingers drift through her hair. In a few minutes her sobs shrank to sniffs and she pulled away a little, looking up at him. "Does it have anything to do with you quitting kendo before?" he asked.

"Sano must have hinted then." Kaoru stated, her voice thick from crying.

Kenshin nodded, releasing her and pulling out a pack of tissues from his pocket, left over from the cold he'd had a couple days ago. He gave her the pack.

"I'll tell you then, Kenshin. I just hope you won't hate me afterwards." She blew her nose quite loudly and unladylike.

"I could never hate you, Kaoru." Kenshin said sincerely.

"Alright then." Kaoru said, taking a deep breath and leaning back against the wall. "I was sixteen in eleventh grade ," she said to a spot just over Kenshin's shoulder. "It was the end of basketball season and I'd been going out with Sano for three and a half months. He was the star of the basketball team and they'd just won the game that would send them to a win at states," she half smiled. "I was really proud of him. . . .

"Hey, Kaoru, congrats on Sano winning."

Kaoru blushed. "Why are you congratulating me? He did it."

"Yeah, but you two are a couple. Just tell him I said hi. I can't go to the party tonight."

"Oh, I'm not going either. I've got a test to study for and that kind of party isn't really my thing anyway."

"Damn. That must be a really important test. You have a way to get home?"

"I'd driven there alone and stayed later than I'd planned on after the game, talking to some friends. There'd been a fight after the game, and we were gossiping about who'd been in it and who'd won. You know how high school was. Sano got trucked off by some of his friends from the team for a party, but I said I didn't want to go, I had a big history test on Monday that I needed all weekend to study for."

Kaoru and her friend, really one of Sano's friends, walked out to the parking lot into the crisp spring night.

"I didn't realize we'd stayed so late. I better hurry home before my mom kills me. This is my car. See you Monday, Kaoru," she said, unlocking her car door and slipping into the driver's seat, tossing her purse in the passenger's seat.

"Yeah, see you. Hey, who was in that fight right after the game? I didn't see a thing."

"Oh I was right there. It was the twins Jordan and Johnny Smith, you know them? And then Christian Taylor and Scott Leone. They won against five of the guys from Chested, but Johnny and Scott got pretty beat up. They might all get suspended, I don't know for sure."

Kaoru mulled the names over in her mind, trying to place Scott. "Well I hope they aren't and that they don't get in too much trouble. The twins are always moaning about how strict their parents are."

"Yeah. I swear they make half of it up, but listen, I've really gotta go. Are you gonna be okay here in the dark?"

"Yeah, my car's right over there. See ya."

The other girl shrugged and peeled out of the parking lot.

By the time I got to where I'd parked my car it was only me in the parking lot. I wasn't worried though, because it was lit and people just don't think bad stuff can happen to them until it does," she glanced into his eyes for a moment and stayed focused on them.

"It was hot, so I'd unlocked the back of the car first to stuff my jacket bact there when I heard snickers. I whipped around and saw a gang of kids from the school we'd beat, all looking at me wrong. They were all drunk. They said they'd seen me talk to Sano and kiss him goodbye after the game. They said they wanted to get him back for taking the championship away from their school. That they'd had money riding on the game. They-they were going to assault me, rape me probably. I don't know."

"Stay away from me," Kaoru said shakily, knowing they wouldn't.

"Aw come on honey, we don't mean any harm."

"Yeah, we just wanna play."

"I had a bokken from training Yahiko that morning. It was in the back seat. I grabbed it and fought them off, screaming my head off for help when I could, because there were so many of them." she paused. Her breathing had gotten a little out of control. When it had slowed, she continued. "I could hear people coming, but there was this one guy that must've had martial arts training or something. . . Two of the guys had gotten back up and grabbed me, holding me so I couldn't move."

Kaoru struggled to break free of their grasps, holding on to the shinai with all her might. She knew it was her only hope.

"You're not getting away, bitch."

"See that guy over there? He's gonna mess you up real bad. That weird kung-foo you do with that stick of yours isn't going to help."

"Somebody help me!" Kaoru screamed out as she struggled. But she knew that even if someone did hear her, they wouldn't get there in time.

She sank slowly down on to the floor. "At the last second, I hit one of them away, but it was too late to draw the bokken out in front of me, so I let the guy run into the hilt . . . He doubled over and fell slowly on to the blacktop. The other guys ran and part of the crowd chased them. I was okay, a few bruises, a black eye, brush burns. . ."

Hands lifted the weight of her attacker off of her. They grabbed her wrists and pulled her up. The bokken clattered to the ground.

"Oh my God, kid! Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine." Kaoru managed shakily. She winced as a bolt of pain shot through her knee and she almost collapsed. The man supported her.

"Did you do all that with a stick? You've got guts kid."

"Somebody call an ambulance! I think this kid might be hurt bad. Looks like he tried to attack her and ran into the butt of that stick thing the girl had."

"But the kid . . . It had gone right into his stomach, and he died from complications a few hours later. . . . There was never any question that it was self-defense, that he shouldn't have died, but I remember the look on his parents' faces at the hearing."

"Kaoru, let's go home," Dr. G whispered in her ear. He slipped an arm around his niece's waist and helped her stand.

"Did you see that way they looked at me?" Kaoru asked, staring at the retreating backs of the kid's parents as they exited the courtroom to face the press.

"Honey, let's go home. Yahiko and your cousins are waiting."

"Did you see the way they looked at me?" she asked again, paying no attention to him. "They hate me and I can't blame them. I hate myself."

"Don't say that. Kaoru, you have to pull yourself together. The press will be outside."

"I don't care." Kaoru choked out, tears coming to her eyes.

Suddenly the girl she'd been talking to the night of the basketball game rushed up to her. She was there because she'd had to testify. She hugged Kaoru and sobbed. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

Kaoru snapped out of her daze, confused. "It's not your fault."

"I shouldn't have left you all alone that night. I'm so sorry, Kaoru. Can you forgive me?"

"I forgive you." Kaoru said softly, the soothing nature in her coming out. "It was never your fault. It's my fault."

"Don't you ever say that," the girl said fiercely, pulling away from Kaoru. "If only that boy hadn't been so dumb. He ruined everything." The last word was a sob.

"Excuse me, miss. You have to start leaving now."

The girl nodded. "I'm still sorry, Kaoru." She turned and walked away.

"You too, Dr. Gensai." The official said in an apologetic tone.

"And sometimes I wake up from a nightmare and I have blood on my hands. It can't be true because there was never any blood from him that night. . . . Do you hate me now, Kenshin?" she asked, looking up. She caught the look of horror on his face, looked down at her hands, and wept softly.

Kenshin was horrified that she'd had to go through so much. It was different for him, but she was too good a person to deserve the guilt. She shouldn't have to live with it. How could he tell her that he knew how she felt from experience, but his wasn't quite so innocent as hers? "Kaoru." Kenshin said, alarmed that she was crying again. He got down on his knees in front of her. "Kaoru."

She looked up at him.

"Kaoru, I told you I could never hate you." he reminded her.

"Kenshin. Thank-you." Kaoru said, hugging him, tears slowing down.

He let her tears subside for a few minutes, wrapping her in his arms and rubbing her back. "It was fate," he said simply once she had calmed down. "But I still don't understand why you have to quit kendo."

"Oh." Kaoru said, sounding a bit embarrassed and coloring even more than from her tears. She pulled away from him. "Someone was jealous of you and me and they've been sending me these notes for the past couple weeks. They just got me so worked up . . ." "I'm sorry, Kaoru," Kenshin said, regretful that he'd caused her so much pain, even if he hadn't known about it.

"Don't be, Kenshin. It wasn't your fault. I don't know what the person was thinking. There's not really much to be jealous about. Anyway, I see now that quitting kendo wouldn't really help anything." She sighed unhappily.

"First of all, I hope there is something between us to be jealous of," Kenshin said, leaning forward and brushing her forehead with a light kiss. "But you can't quit, Kaoru. That would be giving in." He frowned. "I wish I knew who it was."

Kaoru smiled up at him. He'd kissed her. Why did Kenshin always make her feel so much better? "That's okay. I may as well be the one to tell everyone before whoever it is does. It's not like the story's that much of a secret. It was in the paper. I do want Misao to hear it from me first though."

"If you're sure, Kaoru. I'm behind you all the way." Kenshin said simply.

"Yes, I'm sure. Thanks, Kenshin." Kaoru breathed. "I feel a whole lot better, more controlled. I guess I was just bottling it up inside."

"Promise me you'll tell me everything from now on."

"I promise, Kenshin."

"Alright. Can I walk you back to your dorm room now?"

"Sure, Kenshin." Kaoru agreed, letting him pull her up.

They walked back in silence. Kenshin wondered if she liked him more than a friend. He sure had almost come out and said 'Kaoru, I love you.' She'd been so upset though, he doubted if she'd caught on to it. He did want to walk her back to her room now, and not just the building. Maybe he'd get the chance to see one of the notes for himself. But there was no note in the doorway to Kaoru's room. Misao wasn't there either. Kenshin thought that was just fine though. She was probably at volleyball practice or out partying with Sano. The two had really hit it off in the two weeks since Kaoru's birthday and Sano's exhibition game, even though Sano did complain about her winning his fair share of gambling money.

"Thanks for everything, Kenshin." Kaoru said, giving him a hug and standing back to look at him.

Kenshin just smiled.

She leaned forward, kissed his cheek, and looked up into his eyes.

He looked down into the dark blue eyes he'd found himself dreaming of lately, even when he was awake. "Kaoru, do you like me?" he asked, immediately wishing he hadn't said something so dumb.

Kaoru looked surprised. "Of course I do." She wondered what Kenshin was getting at. Well he could get at whatever he wanted. He was just too dreamy for words sometimes. See, there she was, having relived that horrible night not ten minutes ago and already thinking about how dreamy he was. She'd never gotten over it that quickly before. He really was a miracle man. She found out what he was getting at when he tilted her chin up with his hand and kissed her. Surprised, happy, pleased, she responded. It was a soft, innocent kiss, a perfect first one.

"Sorry, Kaoru." Kenshin said when it was broken. "I've been wanting to do that for a while."

Kaoru smiled. "Well I'm not sorry," she replied, reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck. She'd never had the guts to do that with a guy before. She just felt extremely relaxed around him. Closing her eyes, she felt him wrap an arm around her waist and pull her closer to him just before another kiss, this one deeper and longer.

"Well I'll give you time to think. See you after kendo day after tomorrow, okay?" Kenshin asked, releasing her, wanting to think about what had just happened.

"Okay," Kaoru agreed. She felt special and at ease, as if he walked her home and they parted with a kiss everyday. They shared another light kiss before he turned away and Kaoru went inside her dorm room.

Kenshin wondered why he couldn't get up the nerve to tell her that he knew how it felt, the guilt, because he'd killed before. He supposed he didn't want to shatter that image she had of him. He hoped for Kaoru's sake that Misao would be understanding. If she wasn't, he supposed he'd have to make her understand, but he was confident Misao was a better friend than that.

***********************

Kaoru was nervous as she waited for Misao to come back from wherever she was. Misao was hanging around Sano a lot lately, at first because of his connection to Aoshi, but now, just because she liked him and his friends. Kaoru hoped Misao wasn't drinking too. As long as she didn't come home drunk, Kaoru supposed it was okay. Sure, Misao was a little behind in her studies, but wasn't everyone lately? And who was Kaoru to criticize the behavior of her roommate? It wasn't not like she was Misao's mother. Kaoru just hoped she wasn't out drinking with Sano, because then she could be a while.

She need not have worried, Misao came practically skipping in around ten o'clock, saying something about a party with her volleyball team. Kaoru, who had been studying for her chemistry lab, tried to act her usual cheerful self, but Misao saw through the cheerful facade on her face right away.

"What's wrong, Kaoru?" she asked, plopping down on the bed next to her. "Is this about kendo? I know you've been worried about it lately for some reason. I mentioned it and you went all pale. You're not going to quit again, are you?"

"No. I'm not going to quit again. But it is about why I quit the first time."

"Really? Well then tell me because I've been waiting for you to tell me since we first met practically. Sano has hinted that it would be good for you if you got it out. Come on Kaoru, you've got to tell me. We all have our secrets, but none that should be shared with only Sano." Misao reassured with her light teasing, looking earnestly over at Kaoru.

Kaoru took a deep breath and slowly narrated the story. By the time it was over, both she and Misao were crying and Misao was furious with whoever was blackmailing her. Once they had settled down, Kaoru felt much better about the whole situation, as if yet another burden had been lifted. She lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, listening to Misao's quiet breathing.

"Kaoru?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna get that blackmailer."

"You don't have to you know. Now that I've told, she can't hurt me."

"Yeah, but she doesn't know that. I'm going to watch our hall and see who's leaving the notes tomorrow. You don't think Himura will tell anyone that you told him, do you? I don't want him to blow my cover." Misao worried.

"He won't tell anyone." Kaoru assured her.

"Cool." There was a moment of silence. "You know, I like the fact that this has brought you and Himura closer together. I didn't think either of you were going to do anything about your mutual attraction."

Kaoru smiled into the dark. "Is it really that obvious?"

"Yes! Everyone who sees you two around each other knows." Misao sighed dreamily. "I swear you were meant for each other. You just . . . fit together. I wish Aoshi would come to his senses and admit that we fit together," she pouted.



A/N - Well that's that. I hope you liked it. Tell me if you did with a review. And please check out my other Rurouni Kenshin story if you liked this one. It's called Silver Cross. Just click on my name at the top of the screen and check it out. The chapters are just as long. . . . *hint hint*

Please review!