Sentiments of gip-k: -Hello all! Yes… this is the NINTH chapter of SGCG2! I am so glad we've made it this far.

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Disclaimer: (Grabs Kenshin) He's mine I tell you, mine!

Kenshin: Ororororororo! (I… can't… breathe…)

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---A Change---

I woke up the next morning feeling… odd. I felt empty, in a way.

I got out of bed, then swiftly cleaned myself up and dressed. When I finally reached the kitchen, I opened the cabinet.

"What?" I shrieked. "It's… empty?"

I knew I had not been robbed… but I supposed we had wasted a good deal of food the day before. It was to the market I went.

I began my shopping in the paper section, as I always did. I was running a little thin on money, but not significantly. That just meant that I would have to find a few more would-be kenjitsu students to train. It was nothing overly significant.

After browsing the marketplace for a few moments, and having a woman actually convince me to buy some of her perfume, I was in full shopping mode. Nothing could get me out of it, or stop me from finishing my goal. To the produce stands!

As I was inspecting some vegetables, I felt two hands on my shoulders. I gave a start, and turned to round on the person who was touching me. I blinked.

"Kazuma?"

Kazuma was rather dirty, and wearing his hat and work clothes, but the concern on his face made him look like an angel. His hands stayed still on my arms, squeezing them to the point of near pain.

"Kaoru…" he said softly. "Kaoru, I saw you in the marketplace and I couldn't help but feel drawn to you."

I gave a sidelong glance at the man who owned the stand, who was looking at Kazuma suspiciously. Then I realized what I was smelling from Kazuma… fish!

"W- what do you want?" I asked, trying to meet his brown-eyed gaze as levelly as possible.

"I came to apologize, Kaoru," he said. "My actions of yesterday were… too…"

"Is thus mon botherin' ye, Missy?"

"Um, no!" I said, giving the man at the stand a look that told him to scram like a scared cat. He didn't, for which I was only a trifle annoyed. I returned my gaze to Kazuma, and concentrated on him. My heart flowed with pity.

"Of course," I said, momentarily looking down at the ground before saying the rest of my words. "You are forgiven."

Kazuma released my arms immediately, and let go a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," he said softly. I nodded in reply. "If you will please forgive me, Kaoru," He said softly. "I must be heading back to work."

"Where do you work?" I asked as he was in the middle of his bow.

"I work odd jobs at the docks," he said. "Cleaning, packaging, and helping to mend the ships." He looked at me uneasily, as though he thought I would be disappointed. "It gives me a lot of good money, though." He added a bit slowly.

I nodded.

"It sounds good," I said. Odd jobs? "I'm sure you work very hard."

Kazuma nodded and smiled at that one.

"Hai, I do," he replied happily.

"Well I guess you should be going-"

Kazuma gave a start.

"Oi! Almost forgot," he gave me a wry smile. "See you later, Kaoru."

I gave returned Kazuma's smile, and gave him a small wave to accompany it. Then he scurried off.

* * *

After that instance, things only improved between Kazuma and I. He came to visit me every night, save the nights that he was too busy- and then he would come in the morning. So it's safe to say he visited me every day, and the week flew by joyfully.

On Friday, when Kazuma and I were eating dinner, I noticed Kazuma gazing at me. This time, since I knew him so well, I did not just ignore it.

"Why do you always look at me like that?" I asked teasingly.

Kazuma started.

"Look at you how, Kaoru?"

"You don't actually take me for a fool do you, Kazuma?" I said, looking at him levelly. I smiled. "You've been gazing at me like that all evening."

"Hai, Kaoru," he said, face serious. His eyes were shining, though. "It's just that you're so… beautiful."

The night continued on awkwardly, and once Kazuma had left, I began giggling uncontrollably. I slept better than I ever had, that night.

Then on Sunday, came the true change…

* * *

I heard someone call at the gate, and I knew it was Kazuma. I was dressed in one of my finest kimonos- my yellow one with the white and orange swirly lines on the left-hand corner above the breast. I hurried to the gate, and gave him my brightest smile.

"Hello, Kazuma!" I cried.

"Hi, Kaoru," he replied cheerfully. He sniffed the air. "I smell something good."

"Yes," I replied. "It's dinner, silly."

"Mmmm," Kazuma said contentedly. "I cannot wait to eat."

"Then come on in!" I said with a smile.

Kazuma and I were soon seated at the small table on mats, but the moment we sat I noticed a change in Kazuma's attitude. He seemed to be... anxious.

"Are you all right, Kazuma?" I said, momentarily setting down my chopsticks.

"Er, no- I mean, yes- uhm, of course, Kaoru!" Kazuma exclaimed. He began digging into his food with his chopsticks. I shrugged, might well eat, too.

After gobbling down so much food so fast that our stomachs bulged painfully, we sat down outside to watch the sunset. Kazuma and I watched quietly. I had taught him to how to understand and to enjoy nature.

When the last few birds finally made their way into the branches of that large tree, Kazuma spoke.

"Kaoru." He said.

His voice called for attention, so immediately my head went up. I let out a gasp when Kazuma took one of my hands in both of his. His eyes shone with that same beautiful look of affection and anticipation that he often showed, only this time it was stronger- much stronger. I felt like I was drowning in his eyes.

"There's…" Kazuma sighed. "There's something I have to tell you, Kaoru. Something that I should have said a long time ago- the day we meant. I…" Kazuma paused, flashes of nervousness and nausea flickering across his face.

"What is it, Kazuma?" I asked softly, giving his hand a squeeze. I peered deep into his gold-brown orbs. "You can tell me. Don't be afraid to."

Kazuma opened his eyes, and they were looking at everything but me. He was quiet for a long moment, and seemed not to breathe.

"I… love you, Kaoru."

I was so shocked I almost released Kazuma's hand.

"What?" I croaked almost inaudibly.

"I loved you since the day we meant, Kaoru," he said, finally returning his gaze to me. "I know you don't like me at all but… I'm telling you anyway."

Kazuma's words hit me like heavy weights in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me. He… loved me? Me? But… why? I looked deep into Kazuma's eyes, and I noticed that I had this feeling on the inside of me. Perhaps his anticipation was swallowing me up…

"I love you, too," I found myself saying. He loves me?

Kazuma's eyes continued to drown me. I felt my heart begin to beat faster. Kazuma's brought his face close to mine. I could feel his hot breath on my face. I inched closer to him, and our lips touched. I kissed him. I never dreamed it would feel so good. I had not kissed anyone in my entire life…

I broke away from him, letting out a deep breath.

"Kazuma," I whispered, half -trembling.

Kazuma's finger brushed my soft cheek and flowed across my lips. I collapsed into his arms, and began weeping on his shoulder, laughing. I was shaking so hard I could barely breathe, and my heart was beating like a hammer in my chest. Kazuma did not say anything, just held me in his strong, warm embrace. He held me…

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gip-k's Post chapter Statements: -That was fairly short. That's why, thanks to my good luck on this Sunday night, am going to attempt to update with 2 chapters at once! Savvy, I should say! :D

And yes, Female Hitokiri Battousai, they "kissed up" I was planning it forever. :D FOREVER! Mwahahahaha…

Okay, before Kenshin's heart is broken, let me give you my special thanks.

Dragon Ladysupreme

Yip-dee-do you reviewed again! That's a song of joy in my ears! I am sure glad you're enjoying this story, and even Kaoru's sadness! Well, she isn't sad anymore, but there is more yet to come. So fasten your swords on and get ready to go! (I say swords because you are the great Aya with the authoress power and the ability to make Sesshy-san love you!)

Brittanie Love

Things do be going SO well! I am slowly bringing you guys out of the over-dos of morbidness so now you can survive without crying your eyes out! Or being too awestruck with pain to speak more than a few words in a review! Freedom! :D (o.0)

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