Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I don't earn money for this. I don't want to be sued. =3

Title – What We See In the Rain

Summary – Kaoru, a 22-year-old volunteer worker for the police, was sent to live in a small rundown town to investigate the death of Tomoe Yukishiro and the parents of Himura Kenshin. Of course, dealing with a little romance. [A/U - K/K]

Kaoru cursed the evil landlady for the fifteenth time that night, which was very unusual for the carefree 22-year-old woman. Her hair was still in a long braid, as it usually was when she slept. Her clothes wear messily thrown on… buttons buttoned up in the wrong places… jeans muddy and would probably need a very good washing. She hated, with all her heart, that evil landlady.

Sighing, she lifted the umbrella higher so she could hold the handle more easily. The groceries in her arms were slowly becoming a burden, why had the landlady called her to buy groceries when she had full well known that there was a storm going on..? To torture me, that's why. Kaoru smiled wryly, looking about for any signs of cars. Of course there wouldn't be, this is one of the biggest storms they've probably ever had. One would be crazy to go out here. Heh, guess I'm crazy the- Huh?! What's that?

A flash of red caught had caught her eye as her head turned to look around for any signs of cars, she turned towards it slowly. Huh, guess I'm not the only insane one.  Kaoru crossed the street towards the old school the redhead seemed to be in, as she came nearer, she could tell that he was only a few inches taller than herself, had sad lavender eyes, and was in deep thought. Hn, I remember him from somewhere.. Ah! The photo.. he's Yukishiro's old boyfriend. What was his name? "Hey, you!!" she called loudly, trying to catch the person's attention. "Hey!"

Kenshin sighed softly, lavender eyes turning towards the sky. Perhaps in hope of drowning himself with today's storm. Tomoe.. why did you leave me so alone? He wondered sadly, continuing to drown himself in his own memories of his dead beloved. Oh, what did I do to deserve this?

It was only a little while before someone called out to him. Great, it's another one of those annoying teachers trying to get me back inside.. His eyes turned into a cold amber color as his head snapped towards the direction of the voice. "What do you want?" he hissed angrily, only to realize that it wasn't a teacher at all.

His eyes widened at the sigh of the beautiful girl in front of him, even in the most worst state of clothes she looked astonishingly beautiful. Shaking his head slightly, how could he just start liking another girl only a few days after Tomoe died? He felt guilty instantly, eyes darkening considerably.

He looked around suddenly; noting the downpour and that all the students had already left hours ago. Why hadn't I noticed before? Was I that lost in my thoughts?

Kaoru blinked blankly, how had the guy's eyes changed colors? Strange, but very interesting. She frowned at the tone the redhead had used, "Even though I'm a stranger to you, that's no way to talk to me.. anyways,  why are you here..? Drowning yourself with the rain?" she chuckled softly, bringing the bag of groceries closer to her chest and held the umbrella more tightly.

Kenshin frowned, then replied, none too politely, "It's none of your business."

Frowning again, "Well, I guess not. But, would you like to stay at my house until the rain stops, I'm sure your parents wouldn't mind, ne? They don't need a sick kid now.." she smiled now, opening the gate that kept the school closed and walked towards the redhead and would've extended a hand if her hands weren't already full.

She looks better than she smiles. He thought, on the verge of smiling himself, but he continued to glare at the woman and reluctantly replied, "All right."

"Good! I wasn't going to let you go home anyway. Here, you carry the groceries I'm bringing to.. that scary old hag of a.. the landlady!" Kaoru had muttered the 'scary old hag of a' part in a soft whisper, but continued to smile. She gave her burden to the redhead, and waited until he had it secure in his arms. "Try not to drop it, ne? I spent my own money on it. And here, the umbrella… to keep the groceries dry… if your dripping body hasn't already done so."

"You have a scary landlady?" he asked, already regretting that he ever agreed to go to the raven-haired one's home. "I think, I should go…"

"Nonsense! You're going to catch a cold!" Kaoru cut him off, seeming to read the poor guy's mind. She took the redhead's free hand, ignoring the shoot of electricity that shot up her arm as she did so. I wonder if he felt it too?.. "Let's go! C'mon!"

Kenshin was staring at their joined hands, but pulled away, though reluctantly. He smiled slightly as the raven-haired girl in front of him turned her head to look at him in confusion. "Well, I guess you don't like to be touched by a stranger, ne?"

She smiled again, leading him towards her house, "Didn't you know that school was over? It's not very usual that someone stays after school for no reason, y'know."

He sighed, "I was lost in thought."

"Must have been something interesting to think about.. Here we are!" she smiled brightly, home safe and sound… though very, very wet. She lived in a large two-story house, painted in a pale shade of blue. There was a sign in the yard, it stated in bold: Sold! It was yet to be taken off. "Now, here are the keys.. let me have the groceries.. I'm going to give it to the landlady.. yes, it's all right.. just go in!"

Kenshin was just shoved right smack into the door, "Oro.."

"Oh! Sorry. Anyways, I'll be right back, kay?"

"Alright." He inserted the key, and twisted the knob. Dreading what awaited inside, he entered through the door slowly and sighed. What am I being so cautious for? It's not like I'm going to be attacked or anything.. Just when he stepped into the room, a small black kitten attacked him. "M'rew!"

Right, wasn't going to be attacked. Right. his darker side muttered, mentally slapping himself over the face.

-Oro?- the darker part's counterpart blinked, then chuckled. –A little cat attacked you!-

"Sorry! Seva-chan seems to like pouncing on people." Kaoru giggled softly, prying the kitten's claws off from the male's shirt as . "You didn't get hurt by him, did you?"

"No, of course not. It's just a cat."

"Kitten." She corrected, grabbing two towels from the restroom and hurrying back. "Here."

"Thanks.." he replied, taking the bind that held his hair up out and rubbed his hair dry.

Kaoru had her towel thrown over her shoulder, "Hey.."

Kenshin lifted his head up at the sound of her voice, his eyes widening as he found himself looking face to face with the owner. She's very close. "Hey.." she repeated softly, moving even closer.. "..has anyone ever told you.. that you looked.. very.." he held his breath, waiting for her to finish her sentence.

"..feminine without your hair tie?" she stepped back and chuckled softly, "Anyways, you're dripping wet! And all over my floor too! Go take a shower."

Kenshin flushed deeply, nodding so his long bangs shadowed most of his face. He moved towards room she had been in before, shutting the door behind him. Ugh. Forgive me Tomoe.. but I can't help but like her. I don't even know her name.

Laughing quietly, she sat down on the brand new couch she had just bought a few days before. "Hm. Oh, what's he going to wear?" she stood up and walked into her bedroom, skimming through a couple of clothes. He seems to be only a size bigger than me, ah! These will do. Gathering what she had chosen in her arms, she made her way back in to the living room and dumped the clothes onto the low glass table.

Yawning softly, she realized how tired she really was. "Ah, tired.." Kaoru curled up on the couch, allowing sleep to claim her.

Kenshin came out of the shower, clad only in a towel. He peered out the door, and looked around. "What am I suppose to wear?" he had only realized that he couldn't wear his old clothes as he got out of the stall, and had grabbed the only towel left inside the room.

He found the girl asleep on the couch and some clothes on the table. "I'm guessing I'm suppose to wear these." There was a simple white shirt, a pair of navy-blue jeans, and a gray sweater.

"Hn," the raven-haired girl yawned, stretching her arms. "Oh, you're out! I fell asleep. I'm going to take a shower, help yourself to some food." Slam! The bathroom door slams shut.

"Oro." He made his way to the kitchen, or what seemed most likely to be the kitchen as he wasn't given a tour of the house. Kenshin glanced around, moving towards the refrigerator and opened the door. There's not much in here, just a few things enough to make a few sandwiches. Ah well.

In a few minutes, he was making a ham and cheese sandwich for the both of them. ( I really hope he washed his hands. ) And waited for Kaoru to come out, to him.. it probably took about an hour.

"There's not much food, ne? I try to avoid cooking, as my food is enough to poison the strongest of men." She chuckled, casually walking into the kitchen. "So, what's your name? I'm Kamiya Kaoru."

"Kenshin, Himura Kenshin." He replied, offering the second sandwich to her, which she took with gratitude.

"Who're your parents, I probably won't know them though." Baka! You know his parents died with Tomoe! Oh well, at least he won't get suspicious of me knowing anything.

"They're dead."

"Ohh. Where are you staying?"


"Nowhere, the guy who now owns my parent's house kicked me out." He shrugged nonchalantly, as if that was nothing.

"Where are your relatives?"


"Don't know any nearby."


"Well, how old are you?"

"17, what about you?"

"22.. you're going to have to stay with me then, we'll buy your clothes after school tomorrow and you can stay in the guestroom." Kaoru smiled, "Can you cook?"

"My parents don't cook, so I had to take lessons." She's.. 5 years older than me.. even if she doesn't look the part.

"Ah. We'll also buy some food too. All right?"

"I guess, I have no where to go now anyways."

A/N – Yay. Done. First chapter. O.o What do people think? It's the first time I've heard of Kenshin being younger and Kaoru being older.. and Kenshin's still in high school. o__O; Ara..

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