Disclaimer: I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin series or any of its creations. However, I do own Mina, Chanelle, Kenka and Toya. ^-^x

Code Catfight – Chapter 9 – By Cherry Chibi

 'Interruptions'

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Kenshin hadn't seen Kaoru after they had arrived back at warehouse. His men told him that she went out for a walk with Zanza but Zanza had just left with Tsukioka and a group of other men to go and drink. He hadn't picked up any strong ki around and started wondering where she could have gone.

 'She can take care of herself…' Kenshin thought as he stepped down the staircase towards the entrance of the warehouse. However, no matter how hard he tried to reassure himself, a part of him nagged him that he should be worried.

He walked towards the door and walked outside. It was quiet. He had allowed his men to take a couple of days off to go and relax and enjoy themselves so that meant that he would be here alone.

With steady steps, he followed his instincts and strolled along the gravel path. He looked up to the afternoon sky. A light blue with splashes of white clouds. The wind was blowing a steady, gentle breeze. How long has it been since he had felt a beautiful day like this?

Kenshin pondered about everything. He thought about how much he could have missed in life because of what he does. He thought about why one person brings such a smile to his face. He wondered about ways to describe how he felt and why he felt it.

 "He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me…"

Kenshin looked up and found Kaoru sitting on a log with her back facing towards him. He could see petals drifting to the ground and smiled. It felt odd that a usually tough girl like her would do something so menial and child-like. Then again, both of them did miss out on having fun and being happy as children.

 "He… loves… me… not." Kaoru dropped the last petal and sighed. She leaned back and stared up to the sky. "I hope that maybe one day, there'll be someone who I can share my-," She heard leaves crackle as someone approached her. Quickly, she glanced back and felt her cheeks blush into deep crimson red.

Kenshin approached her, his sword strapped onto his belt, head down, hands in pockets and what the most embarrassing part, he was smiling. "There's no need to be acting like that Kaoru." He said calmly.

 "Is that so?" Kaoru turned her face away and focussed on the distant trees. "Why are you here?"

 "There's nothing else for me to do. My men have taken a couple of days off." Kenshin replied. He took a seat beside her, "That means that we can take a break."

 "I suppose so…" Kaoru said with a sigh. 'Alright, keep your spirits up girl, act cool, calm and collected. He's just sitting next to you for a talk.' She was so busy at her thoughts that she didn't realise were she was looking.

 "Why are you staring?"

Kaoru returned to reality, "Oh, me? I was just daydreaming…"

 "Daydreaming?" Kenshin arched an eyebrow. This was pretty entertaining.

 "Maybe daydreaming is not the right word…" Kaoru said. She rubbed her hands together.

 "Don't worry about it." Kenshin said with a warm smile. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Shall we go to have lunch?" Kaoru nodded slowly. They both stood and then together strolled back to the warehouse. Kenshin thought about it quickly and made the decision that this might be his last chance in a while to tell her his feelings without anyone interfering. 'Make the most of it.' He thought. "Kaoru, why don't I take you around tonight?"

Kaoru's expression changed into a mix of emotions but there was one that stuck in her mind like a bee sting. She felt her guts hurl. She was terrified. How was she going to spend that much time with him and not feel weak? 'Gather up your spirits! You have spoken to him casually before, why not now?' She smiled. 'We're just friends right? That's all I need right?'

She was so busy in her thoughts that she had almost turned to the wrong direction. Luckily, Kenshin had taken hold of her arm and pulled her to the right direction before she walked or slipped down the steep path.

 "Daydreaming again?" Kenshin asked her.

Kaoru smiled. "I guess." She heard movement among the trees. The two of them turned their attention to where the noise was coming from and spotted an ex-member of Phoenix Claw walking with a couple of other women who use to be in Phoenix Claw as well. "What are they doing here?"

She took a step forward to check on them but was held back by Kenshin. He had a serious look plastered on his face. "I don't believe that you're prepared to go there yet."

Kaoru took Kenshin's hint straight away and nodded slowly. She frowned slightly and picked up pace towards the warehouse. She hastened to a run. Kenshin soon had to push himself to catch up with her. He took hold of her by the shoulders and spun her around.

 "Please Kenshin, leave me alone…" Kaoru said in a small voice. "I need some time to think." She made eye contact with him. Her crystal eyes held the grief that had shown many times before.

For this time though, it held the pain of loneliness. Kenshin pulled her into an embrace which she accepted. He felt her lean her forehead against his right shoulder. Her arms wrapped around his waist. For too many times in her life, Kaoru had known pain of all sorts. Loneliness, grief, anger, hatred… every one has their limits and she was just about to exceed that limit.

 "Kaoru, you need someone to be there for you," Kenshin said calmly while stroking her raven locks of hair. 'And I want to be that someone.' Kenshin couldn't bring his courage up to say that last sentence. No matter how desperately he wanted to say it. Instead, Kaoru held him tighter.

 "No matter what I do, I'm always alone." Kaoru said. "Since my childhood I have felt alone. My growing up was no different." Her hands clutched onto the material of Kenshin's shirt tighter. "How will the present and future be so different?"

Kenshin stepped back from her to see her face. "I don't want you to ever say that again." He said sternly. "You will not be alone for always. I don't believe that you should be alone." His hands held onto her shoulders firmly.

There was a moment of silence. After a while Kaoru replied, "You're right." She smiled at him and then walked towards the warehouse. "Shall we get to lunch?" When Kenshin took a couple of steps to catch up, she hesitated to do something.

 'Oh come on,' Kaoru thought, 'Can't be that hard,' she opened her mouth to speak but shut it and continued walking. 'How would I know if he feels the same way if I don't say anything?!' She thought. 'Then why on earth would he give me a hug? He isn't that type of guy who is open…' She spaced out again, unaware that she was under Kenshin's gaze. 'I'm sick of being scared like this!'

Pure sense of protectiveness was boiling inside of Kenshin. 'I shouldn't forget that Kaoru is also a leader of Rising Sun and that a leader would do anything to keep their group safe…' Amber meets amber.

 "Is there something wrong Battousai?" Akurei asked.

The two of them hadn't realised that they had entered the warehouse already and stopped walking. "No." Battousai replied. He smirked.

 "Very well," Crystal blue eyes smiled innocently. Kaoru was leaning against the wall; she made no reaction when Battousai leaned forward towards her. She felt his warm breath brush over her skin. His hands were positioned against the wall beside her shoulders.

Sweet silence.

 "I…" Battousai said huskily, he was getting close. Kaoru didn't say anything; she listened intently as he pulled her close to him. She cautiously snaked her arms around his waist. Lips brushed over each other gently.

Kaoru felt her nerves twist. Half of her wanted to listen and wait for what he wanted to say while the other half told her to say or do it herself. She leaned forward…

 "Jou-chan!" Sano banged on the warehouse door.

The two stepped away from each other. Battousai felt the urge to give Sano a punch and maybe a sword slash.

Kaoru cleared her throat and smiled at him. "Looks like he came for lunch," She opened the door. "What is it?"

 "You said something about take-away, I thought that it would be better if we go to the city." Sano said, "It's been a while since you've been to the Akabeko right?"

 "Yeah…" Kaoru said, "I was going to be on my way with Kenshin." She glanced at Kenshin questioningly to come.

 "Then let's go!" Sanosuke took her hand and rushed her to the car. Kenshin followed.

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A/N: There's another chapter done! How many of you want to kill me now because of what I wrote and because I've updated late?

I must thank you all for the feedback! I'm really grateful that you are all reading this story. ^-^x

RKKL: *Nods* Yes, Oh my… Lol. Thanks for reviewing my fics; I'm glad that you're enjoying them.

Tsugoi Karkalena: Here's another update. You seem very enthusiastic reading this fic. *smiles* I'll hopefully update again this Friday. I'm trying to update on Fridays only and if I don't, I try to within the next three days. ^.-

Noner_89: Thanks for your review. ^-^ Happy readings!

Nee-chan: You don't need to apologise for making a request. After all, what is the point of me writing a fic where I people would get confused unnecessarily? … Thanks for reading! ^-^x

Arizosa: Hope you liked this chapter!

BabyKaoru-Sama: Hey! Welcome back! I know, sometimes I have problems logging on as well.

Ixchen: Another chapter completed. I hope you enjoyed it. ^-^x Hope to see you next time!

Moonlight's Sorrow: I didn't really think anyone would miss my replies. *smiles* Well, I've updated yet again and I will try next week. Thank you so much for reviewing fics.

Annabella5: Here's another chapter for you. I update every Friday in case you didn't know. *silly me* I forgot to put that little detail on my profile… hope you enjoyed it!

Thunderstorm2: *blushes* Thanks for your comments. But it is a shame that your computer won't let you post up your fic… I would like to read it.

Wolf: I'm glad that you love this fic. ^-^ Thanks for reading!

Well, what can I say but thank you all for reading! You've all brought a smile onto my face just by asking me to update soon. Although, now that it is Term 4 of my school year, I'll be pretty much busy and once again, my schedule will be stuffed up, it may affect when I update *frowns* and then after that, I'm on a holiday to Perth. Well, until next time!

~Cherry Chibi