Hi!...Sorry this is out really late. I've been busy lately and haven't had the chance to type it out but finally I can. Hmm...about the last chapter. I want to apologize for my sudden hentainess in the story. I have no idea what came over me to add that whole getting aroused thing when it was suppose to be a fluffy moment. In this chapter,there will be no hentainess at all. So on with the story!

Disclaimers: No, I don't own Rurouni Kenshin...jeez, get off my case! Just kidding. P

Edit6-19-05 Like all the other chapters, I fixed up this one too.


The Heartbreaks of Love

By: Satin Elegance formly known as Yukimaru

Chapter Four: Dinner and Getting Over Past Love

Kaoru pulled away from Soujiro's embrace suddenly getting very nervous. The thought of going to dinner with Aoshi came to her mind as Soujiro looked down at her with a questioning gaze. She seemed to notice this because she looked up to his with many emotions coursing throughher dark blue depths.

"Is something wrong, Kaoru-chan?" He asked somewhat worried yet he still had his ever present smile on his face.

"Well...yes and no. You see, today I asked Aoshi if he would have dinner with me and surprisingly he said yes but...I have no idea what possessed me to ask him. Part of me is glad I did, andyet the other part isn't so sure if it was the right thing to do." She said with her dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Soujiro was slightly saddened by this. For as long as he could remember, he had this little crush on Kaoru. It started out as nothing but grew more into something unexplainable as he watched her grow into a beautiful young woman. The only thing that was in his way was Kenshin. If he hadn't of been the one to comfort her that day, it would of been him that she was in love with. Not Kenshin. Despite his feelings, he always kept them to himself never wanting her or anyone else to find out.

The brown haired man just smiled down at Kaoru reassuringly. One reason why he never wanted to tell her was because he wanted her to love him out of her own freewill not because he wanted her to. And even if she didn't love him in that way he only wanted her to be happy and nothing would ever change that.

"Don't worry, Kaoru-chan. I'm sure that you knew what you were doing when you asked him. Perhaps you can start your love life again." He winked at her and she slightly blushed.

"I guess you're right, Sou-chan..." She paused still pondering over the whole thing. "I just don't know if I can get over him so quickly. I mean, we spent most of our lives together..." Kaoru said lifting her nail to her mouth to gnaw on it.

This made Soujiro smile. Whenever she was unsure of something she would always gnaw on her nail and get this cute little confused face just as she was doing now. Her eyes looked confused, her eyebrows were furrowed, and she had this cute little pout on her mouth. This made Soujiro let out a small laugh. She glared up at him wondering about his sudden laughter.

"Mou! Why are you laughing? This isn't funny!" She whined as another pout formed on her lips.

"Sorry, Ru-chan. It's just that you look so cute when you pout. I couldn't help it but laugh." He said his laughter gone but a smile on his lips.

"Oh whatever." She grumbled as she got off the bed and fixed her dress.

The young doctor glanced at her watch briefly. Alreadythirty minutesto six. Mou! I should get going. She thought to herself as Soujiro just stared at his beautiful friend in front of him.

"I better get going, Sou-chan. I don't want to be late." Kaoru said as she leaned over to give Soujiro a hug.

He suddenly grabbed her and crushed his lips on hers which completely shocked Kaoru. He let her go and Kaoru looked flustered and confused. Soujiro just smiled. He had always wanted to do that and now he had an excuse to do it too.

"I just wanted to give you a good luck kiss." He winked as Kaoru blushed at her best friend. She eyed him suspiciously but he just smiled.

"Whatever you say, Sou-chan." Kaoru rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse heading toward the door.

"I'll visit you tomorrow." She waved without turning around and walked out the door. Soujiro just was left there smiling to himselfthinking tohimself that he finally got to kiss her.


When Kaoru got home, she was a bit nervous as she completely forgot about the previous events with Soujiro. Butterflies found their way to her stomach as she opened the door to thelarge apartment. She quietly sighed in relief as she saw no Aoshi in sight. He must of still be in his bedroom. The ebony haired doctor didn't know why she was so uneasy about this whole dinner. Never before had she ever gotten nervous with Kenshin. Everything with him just came so natural.

Sighing again, the raven haired woman found herself on the couch sitting down trying to calm her nerves. Twiddling her thumbs, her blue eyes darted around the room trying to find something to keep her attention on while she waited. Her dark eyebrows furrowed as she noticed she was still so damn nervous. It was really getting her mad because she couldn't find the reason why.

She felt like a freaking school girl that had the chance to go out with the hottest guy in school. Well, in a way that was sort of true minus the whole school girl thing. The okashira was very handsome compared to most guys.

"Bah! I have to stop this. It's just dinner with Aoshi." She mumbled to herself.

The sound of a door opening was heard. Kaoru looked to the direction of the door and had to hold in a gasp but failed miserably. He was absolutely breath taking, even more so than before, if that was remotely possible. He wore simple black slacks and a plain white, button-up, long sleeved, dress shirt. But it did his delicious body and striking features no justice. His dark almost black locks fell over his cold yet stunning icyblue eyes.

"You're early." He said as he walked over to her.

The blue eyed doctor blushed slightly and looked down at her hands as if they suddenly got very interesting.

"Yeah...I finished a bit early so I decided to check if you were ready." She said refusing to look at him.

He thought of how cute she looked when she was being shy and nervous. Not knowing what came over him, he held out a hand to her. Kaoru curiously looked up but soon the curiosity turned into surprise as she stared at his open, inviting hand.

"Shall we go?" He asked somewhat softly.

Kaoru just put one of her best smileswhile noddingand placed her hand in his. Both ignore the warm, fuzzy feeling that coursed through their bodies when their hands touched.

The young doctor had chose a small, quiet yet expensive and romantic restaurant that she had seen on her way to the hospital. The sun had already disappeared over the horizon a couple of hours ago, so the elegant restaurant was lighted by dim lights and flickering candles set up all over theplace as well as on the tables themselves. Kaoru marveled at the beauty of this wondrous place.

Aoshi was also impressed. He had known about this restaurant but never went because it was a place to go with someone and the young okashira was not one to have much company. Yet with her, it felt somewhat right as if it was always meant to be this way. His emotionless eyes travel to the raven haired beauty beside him. He noticed how the soft flickers of light accented her flawless features.

The ebony haired doctor walked over to the hostess. The woman there eyed Kaoru with a look of arrogance and superiority, yet the young doctor just ignores it. Her narrowed eyes traveled over to Aoshi instantly noticing his attractiveness. Kaoruwas disgusted by this so she grabbed the stoic okashira's hand and wrapped his arm around herself.

"Table for two, under Kamiya Kaoru." She said with an innocent smile.

The hostess spared a glare at her for a split second before checking the list. Aoshi had to hold in a smirk at Kaoru's almost jealous actions. It was rather unexpected on her part. He gently squeezes her hand reassuringly and almost affectionately as she looks up to him with her stunning smile.

Finally finding the name, the hostess grabbed two menus and lead them to a quiet table away from the others. The okashira pondered about the location of the table and looked over to Kaoru who had a small smile gracing her mouth.

"I know how you don't like to be around people so I specifically requested the most quietest table they had." She said in a soft voice as they both took their seats.

Aoshi felt his lips quirk up in a small smile. How considerate she was, he thought to himself. He could hardly believe she would do such a thing for him. Surprisingly, he found himself opening up more and more with each passing moment he spent with her. Her smiles and her laughter became addictions that he would do anything just to see or hear.

"So what do you think of the restaurant?" She asked as the candlelight made her sapphire eyes sparkle.

"It's...acceptable." He said after a while trying to find the right word even though Kaoru knew it was more than acceptable to him but decided not to comment further.

"I'm glad you think so." She said turning to look at the other couples in the restaurant.

He decided to do a little teasing remembering the incident with the hostess when they first arrived.

"I noticed that hostess was giving me looks." He said trying to hide the amusement in his voice.

Kaoru instantly whipped her head and narrowed her eyes dangerously. She huffed remembering that arrogant slut eyeing her date.

"Hmph...stupid hostess...who does she think she is...looking atyou like that." She mumbled quietly more to herself than to Aoshi but he had caught it and let out a small smirk.

"Well, she was actually very pretty." He said leaning back into the chair and watching Kaoru carefully.

"Wha-what?" She almost screamed out getting the attention of some of the people near their table. Kaoru blushed and looked away from the people feeling embarrassed at her sudden outburst.

Kaoru was feeling angry at Aoshi. She did not think that dumb bimbo was pretty at all! In fact, she's seen homeless people more prettier than that stupid hostess! She scowled quietly as she thought about Aoshi's words. She felt somewhat hurt that he would think that bimbo was pretty. It was obvious she was only looking at him because he was really attractive.

"You seem jealous, Kaoru." He said in a smooth, velvety voice.

She just frowned and looked away not wanting to comment on that statement because it was true. She was jealous! Why wouldn't she be? Mentally sighing, she watched as the couples in the restaurant seemed like they were so much in love. It got her thinking if she would ever experience that again. After Kenshin, she wasn't quite sure if her heart could handle another heartbreak.

Cold blue eyes traveled to the doctor's lovely face. He noticed how the light highlighted her eye-catching features making her more stunning than she already was. Her dark blue eyes sparkled like the ocean on a star filled night. He could think of only one word to describe her. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful.

"You look beautiful tonight. Even more so than that hostess. Compared to you, you put her face to shame." He said softly.

Her head turned to face him as her eyes slightly widened. Slowly a pretty blush graced the creamy skin of her cheeks. Her eyes lowered to the side. Kaoru could feel all her anger and doubts fade away into nothing.

"Thank you." She said flushed at the compliment.

She then felt something warm on her hand as it laid on the table. Blue eyes widened again as she saw it was another hand. Gradually, her sapphire orbs traveled to the hand's owner. Sapphire locked ontoicy blueas her gaze met his. Kaoru noticed how his eyes were swimming with many emotions. This surprised her greatly but she just smiled softly.

"Kaoru..." He said affectionately.

She looked at him expectantly but he was interrupted by the waiter. The ebony haired woman cursed under her breath at the sudden interruption. He looked like he was about to tell her something that could possiblychange her life.

The okashira had to also curse the waiter's poor timing. For just that moment, he felt like he should let her see the man behind the façade. But did he get to? No, his moment was ruined. Yet Aoshi did not get his hopes down. He knew now that he definitely felt something for her. It wasn't only lust but something more. Something that was completely foreign to him. Something that he had never felt before for another person. But by the end of this night, Aoshi swore to himself, he would finish what he was going to tell her.

The rest of the dinner went by wonderfully yet surprisingly fast. After paying, Aoshi decided to take Kaoru somewhere so he decided to drive.

It was a silent, comfortable drive. Kaoru seemed spaced out because before she knew it, they had came to a stop. Before she could question about their whereabouts, Aoshi had already stepped out of the car. Quickly following, the raven haired doctor got out and trailed behind the okashira.

She stopped to admire the place where they had gone. Kaoru looked in awe at the beautiful park. The park was lighted with fire using street lamps giving the trees a magical orange glow. A warm breeze flowed through her ebony locks as she continued to follow the silent okashira.

He stopped right in front of a small lake that resided in the center of the park. The moon glittered in the clear blue depths of the water as it appeared to have countless of diamonds swimming within the endless depths of blue. Kaoru stood beside Aoshi as she marveled at the ethereal beauty of the place.

She closed her eyes listening to the comforting sounds of the gentle wind blowing through the tree's leaves making them rustle in protest. She could also hear the almost inaudible sound of swishing of water within the waves of the lake. Never before had she been to a place this beautiful or this peaceful. The young doctor was shaken out of her reverie when Aoshi decided to speak.

"I always come here at night. This is the only place where I feel I can be alone." His smooth yet quiet voice sent shivers down her spine.

He suddenly turned to her with his usual blank eyes swimming with many conflicting emotions. Kaoru could do nothing but fall deep within his stunningly beautiful pools of deep blue. It was as if she was utterly mesmerized by his gorgeous orbs. She then felt a warm, affectionate hand caress her cheek. Unknowingly, she leaned into his touch relishing the feeling or warmth.

Aoshi slowly leaned closer to her. Closer and closer until his lips met hers in a soft, gentle kiss. Unlike their previous kiss, this kiss was less about lust and more about something that was more deeper than that. It was something that neither could explain. It amazed then both how their lips just melded together.

When they finally broke apart, both were utterly speechless. Kaoru had yet to open her eyes as she was so taken by that one single kiss. The okashira watched as her sapphire gems for eyes opened slowly. The ebony haired doctor was shocked to find a small smile gracing Aoshi's handsome face. He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear as he gently kissed her cheek lovingly.

"Kaoru...when I'm with you...you make me feel so many things that I have not even experienced in all my life. You know that I don't usually show emotion but there is something about you that I can't seem to hide from." He said confusedbut his voice gentle and soft. A small smile formed on Kaoru's lips as she brought her own hand to his cheek. She could hardly believe it. All of this was like some dream yet she somehowknew it was real. Perhaps she could finally let go of Kenshin and move on with her own life.

"Say no more. I understand." She said pulling him down for another kiss.

For the rest of the night, Kaoru had experienced how to get over the heartbreaks of love. She knew that she was slowly falling in love with the cold, emotionless okashira of the Oniwabanshu, Shinomori Aoshi.


Author's Notes:

I hope you all liked this chapter. D. I'm sorry it's so short. I wanted to make it longer but it seemed that I couldn't think about anything else to put in it. But then again this whole chapter was only suppose to be about Aoshi and Kaoru but I decided to add a bit of Kao/Sou in there just to make it longer than it already was. I already have the idea for the next chapter so be out on the look out for it. I'll either put it up tomorrow or the next day but most likely tomorrow.

Answers to Reviews:

moonlightsonata: I'm sorry but it will be an Aoshi/Kaoru fic but for your reading pleasure. I'll be sure to add a bit of Kao/Sou action for ya. wink wink I hope you liked the moment in this chapter. And I'm so glad that you share my opinion about Tomoe D. In the next chapter, I will explain why Kenshin forgot about Kaoru so be on the look out for it ! Part of it has to do with Tomoe. So stay tuned to find out! Thank you for your review. I hope you liked this chapter.

angelicm: I'm glad you like the pairing. Thank you for reviewing. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!Kim: I'm happy you like my stories. Thank you for your review and enjoy this chapter.

Clemen: I'll e-mail you right as soon as I post up this chapter. I'm glad you like my story. Thanks for reviewing.

Orchidaceae: Wow, you reviewed on all three chapters. That's really cool! Yes, I agree with you about the whole cooking thing. And I hate the way Yahiko and Sano make fun of her cooking in the anime so I just thought she could have lessons and become a better cook. Yes, I decided that I wouldn't have Kaoru be moping around because I think her character is actually more stronger than she lets on so I decided to make her strong and independent. Don't worry about the pairing. It will be Aoshi and Kaoru in the end. I hoped you liked this chapter because most of it was Aoshi and Kaoru! Thank you for your review. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!