I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. The characters are not mine (like most things I want), but the story is (as to whether that's good or not I'll let you decide). 

Thoughts are in italics

Dreams are no different than other text, if only to confuse you.

Big words will be used whenever possible to make me look smarter.

Flames will be used to heat my bath.

Enjoy.

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   The whole world was warm and safe, as if nothing could possibly upset this feeling of peace and perfection in the air. She arched her back, feeling it press against his chest where he lay behind her, an arm resting over her stomach. She could feel him breathing softly over her ear.  An unconscious smile started slowly and spread across her face as she stretched out, waking her muscles and mind from sleep. Rolling over and reaching up to run a hand across his cheek, to brush through his hair, she loved his hair, she opened her eyes enough to see the pillow she was curled up against. Kaoru sighed, the dream now evaporating from her mind. Good Morning.

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Part 1 – Soapsud Fancy

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   Kaoru's attempt to hold back a yawn failed when she covered her mouth with her free hand, holding her hair in place with the other. She shook her head to wake herself again and quickly finished tying her ribbon in place, completing her usual look for the day. Rounding the corner to the yard stopped for a moment when her dream came rushing back. There he was, as he could so often be found. His sleeves tied back to escape the soapy water which came up to his elbows. A few stray locks of fiery hair fell to rest around his eyes. She loved those eyes. It was still early afternoon; she hadn't meant to sleep in.

I wonder why he didn't wake me earlier. Was he just being courteous?

   He always was, she reflected, never anything but the perfect gentleman. She smiled watching him. That sounded like something out of a little girl's bedtime story, that she would meet someone so seemingly perfect.

But he's not 'perfect'. No one is. He has a past. Just like everyone else, he can't be that common when looked at in that light. Could he?

   Maybe not, but he could seem like it.

   He paused in his work, letting the sopping clothes sink to the bottom of the washtub and brought the back of his hand up to wipe across his forehead. It was hot out today, for still being so early in the year.

"Kenshin?"

    He looked up at her while a bubble drifted aimlessly away from its pool of birth then popped after landing in his hair causing him to blink, "Hai, Kaoru-dono?"

"We're going to need some things for dinner tonight, would you like to come with me to get them? You could use a break and the walk would be nice."

Any time with you would be nice. Let's just be together.

"Hai,"  he replied standing up. Staying bent over the laundry for so long was beginning to cause his back to ache. Or was that age?

Oro! You're not 'that' old.

"Sessha would be glad to accompany you," he continued wiping what was left of the soap suds from his hands onto his hakama.

   Kaoru nodded with a grin as they started toward the gate, happy with his answer. He looked so, cute, she mused, standing there with the sunlight shining off of his red hair, sleeves back away from the soapy water he had just been working with. He probably smelled like the soap too, but she had to admit, if only to herself she was quite taken with him.

I have been since the day we met on the street, but standing there now, he doesn't look like the Battousai, just a man doing laundry.

She had to stifle a small laugh at that.

He's my soapsud fancy.

Kenshin could only stare as they walked, stare and wonder what in her mind she found so amusing and light hearted.

But, Sessha wishes she could smile because of him.