Episode 12!! True romance...

Disclaimer: I don't own RK!!

Author's notes: I just dreamt of something this morning and I found out that I've been crying... Weird, isn't it? I can't even remember what my dream was...

Misao ran up the stairs into the audience's seats. "I've got to confirm it!!" she thought to herself and ran fast. She finally got out of the stairway and saw Kenshin and Aoshi sitting at one side and looking at the open court.

Kenshin suddenly noticed Misao running towards them. "Oh look, it's Makimachi." He said and smiled at Misao.

Misao blushed a little when she saw Kenshin. She shook her head. "No!! Himura-kun is only for Kaoru-chan!!" Misao exclaimed.

Aoshi looked at Misao too, and then turned away again.

"Why are you here, Makimachi?" Kenshin asked with a smiled on his face.

A fake smile.

Deep inside of him, he was hurt.

Tottemo...

Tottemo itai yo... (1)

Misao panted. She grabbed Kenshin's left arm and dragged him out of his seat. "I've got to talk to you, Himura-kun! It's something very important!" Misao exclaimed.

Kenshin blinked in confusion, but still relaxed in front of Misao. "We'll be back, Shinomori." He said to Aoshi and started to walk away.

Aoshi didn't look at them. He just waved a lazy hand and watched the game start.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Kaoru sat on the ground instead of the bench just near her. "I can't believe I let Misao-chan put into my own problem..." she thought. "It's not that I hate to be helped-

It's just that...I'm very sure that Kenshin does not like me... He enjoys Tomoe-san's company, and she enjoys his company too. They have been very good friends since grade 4. Even though Tomoe-san's in grade 9 and Kenshin is in grade 8, even though Tomoe-san's older than him, love knows no age, right...?

Who knows...?

If I know that I don't have a chance on Kenshin, why am I still pushing myself to him? He must think I'm a baka (2). Baka not to know that Tomoe- san's the one he likes the most...

Even if Misao-chan's going to find out if he really has 'something' for me, their love is not going to change. If he ever says 'no' to Misao-chan, I must give up. Besides, there's Sou-chan...

Yes, Sou-chan...

But it'll be hard...

Kenshin Himura is my first love..."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

"You WHAT??!!" Misao exclaimed.

Kenshin put a finger at Misao's lips. "Shh... Don't tell anybody, ok? Even Kamiya, don't tell her." Kenshin whispered.

Misao blinked many times and couldn't believe her ears. "You mean...Kaoru- chan's your first love???!!" Misao whispered.

Kenshin blushed and nodded slowly.

Misao jumped in joy. "WAII!! Kaoru-chan's going to be happy if she knows this!!" Misao exclaimed.

"No!! Makimachi, I'm begging you. Don't tell her that I like her. I want herself to find out, and I'm going to find out if she likes me too."

"Eh? But Kaoru-chan's--

Flashback...

"Don't ever, ever, ever, EVER tell Himura I like him! I want him to find it out for himself!!" Kaoru exclaimed to Misao. "Please don't tell him, Misao- chan..." Kaoru pleaded with her begging eyes.

Misao looked at her friend and nodded. "You can count me in!" she said with a cheerful smile.

Kaoru's smile widened and hugged Misao. "Misao-chan, arigatoo..." she whispered.

"Yorokonde (3)!!"

End of flashback...

"Hmm? What were you saying, Makimachi?" Kenshin asked.

Misao shook her head quickly. "N-Nothing!!" she said and laughed nervously.

Kenshin smiled.

"But, Himura-kun, can you exactly tell me how you fell in love with Kaoru- chan for the first time?" Misao asked.

"Well..." Kenshin mumbled, recalling the memory when he first fell in 'love' with Kaoru.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Kaoru shook her head and massaged her temples. "Ever since THAT day, I started to keep up my cool image in being calm whenever I'm around 'him'." She whispered to herself.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Flashback...

(Music cue: Haruyoi (4))

It was dismissal time.

Kaoru ran towards her home. Suddenly, she tripped over a stone. She dropped her bag and her notebooks scattered. She slowly sat up and looked at her wounded knee. She winced softly.

"Daijoubu ka?!" the voice exclaimed, full of worry and concern.

Kaoru's eyes widened and slowly turned around.

A red-headed boy, the cool and handsome Himura Kenshin was kneeling at her. He was in the same grade as her, grade 5, but different section.

Kaoru blinked many times and covered her wounded knee. "I'm ok..."

Kenshin held Kaoru's hand that was covering her wound and he smiled at him.

Egao... (5)

Egao...

Kaoru blushed slightly and watched Kenshin find something in his bag.

"Here it is," Kenshin said and brought out an alcohol.

Kaoru was scared at first because it was painful at first. She was silent and didn't show any worry in front of Kenshin.

Kenshin blinked in surprise. "She's strange... She's not scared of this rubbing alcohol thingy." He said to himself and brought out cotton. He applied the alcohol to the cotton and gently rubbed it on Kaoru's wounded knee.

Kaoru bit her lip and controlled the urge to shout because of the pain.

"There," Kenshin said after putting a band-aid on the small cut.

"A-a-no... Arigatoo, Himura-san..." Kaoru whispered as she touched the band- aid.

"It's okay. It's a good thing you know my surname... Perhaps you're the cool Kamiya who's always calm and brave?" Kenshin asked with a smile.

Kaoru didn't know what to say. "Um..."

"I finally witnessed it. You were relaxed and calm when I applied alcohol to your wound." Kenshin said and his violet eyes were filled with amazement.

"I was calm because I was searching for a way to calm my senses... I wasn't even relaxed! I was tense that very moment!!" Kaoru thought to herself.

"You know, Kamiya..." Kenshin whispered.

Kaoru nodded and swallowed hard.

"I like you just the way you are." Kenshin murmured to her ears.

Kaoru's eyes widened and felt a 'love wind' wrap herself into a cocoon of growing love.

Kenshin waited for her response.

"I like you just the way you are, too, Himura-'kun'. I like the way you are. You are friendly, kind, and you give your smile to everyone. You're a good boy, Himura-kun." She said while blushing crimson.

Kenshin felt a blush creep to his face.

(Music cue: Esto Gaza)

A breeze came...

A very strong breeze...

A cold breeze...mixed with warmth...?

Kaoru and Kenshin stared at each other for a long time while the breeze was flowing on them...

A breeze of a new friendship...

Once a breeze of an unborn love...

Now, the breeze is...

A breeze of eternal love...

"Well then...nice meeting you, Kamiya-san." Kenshin said and bowed with a smile.

Kaoru blinked, and then smiled too. "Nice meeting you too, Himura-san!" she said and bowed too.

They laughed after that.

End of flashback...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Misao's eyes were filled with amazement too. "Wow... Sugoii!!" she exclaimed.

Kenshin looked away, still blushing. "I don't know how to describe it, but...I think I was really attracted to her even before that incident..." he whispered.

Misao nodded. "I truly understand, Himura-kun." She said. Suddenly, something struck her mind. "Matte!"

"Hmm? What is it?" Kenshin asked.

"What are you going to do when...Seta-kun would confess his love for Kaoru- chan and for example Kaoru-chan's going to accept him?" Misao asked.

Kenshin's eyes widened. "You mean...Seta REALLY likes Kamiya?!" he exclaimed, holding Misao at her shoulders.

Misao nodded. "It's not like I hate Seta-kun... But I know you deserve Kaoru-chan!" she exclaimed.

"I knew it..." Kenshin mumbled.

"Eh?"

"I knew it..."

"You knew what?"

"I don't stand a chance on Seta, Makimachi!" Kenshin exclaimed.

Misao felt Kenshin tremble. "Himura-kun really is in love with Kaoru- chan..." she thought. "Nande? Tell me."

"Don't you know...? Childhood friends, especially in the opposite sex, are attracted to each other when they grow up. Without knowing before, they find themselves in each other's arms..." Kenshin explained while whispering.

"Oh no..."

Kenshin leaned on the wall. "Kamiya and Seta's situation is there... Would I still stand a chance?" Kenshin asked.

Misao looked at Kenshin seriously. Suddenly, she slapped Kenshin on his face.

Kenshin was surprised and touched his aching right cheek.

"Mou! I can't believe you, Himura-kun!! It seems that you really don't love Kaoru-chan!!" Misao exclaimed angrily.

Kenshin listened to her intently. "Makimachi..."

"Love finds a way, right??!! Why don't you find a way to get Kaoru-chan and love her deeply and make her love you too?!" Misao exclaimed. "I thought you're the kind of person who doesn't give up easily, Himura-kun... I thought you're the type of person who would fight for his love! But I was wrong!!"

Misao glared at Kenshin for a long time and watched him.

Kenshin was surprised and his eyes were wide. But then, suddenly, his face darkened and his red bangs covered his lavender eyes that turned to somewhat...different color.

Misao couldn't believe what she saw. She stared at Kenshin for a long time. "Himura-kun...?" she whispered.

"Urusai... (6)"

Misao's eyes widened. "Eh?"

"Urusai, baka--"

Misao blinked. She couldn't believe it. Is that really Kenshin?!

"Gomen, Makimachi... I was triggered by 'something'. You're right, Makimachi... I mustn't give up easily. I will fight for my love for Kamiya, right?" Kenshin said and smiled.

Misao watched Kenshin smile. "What happened to him earlier... He changed his personality...? Or is he hiding his true personality behind that kind smile...?" Misao wondered. "I've got to learn more about him..."

"Yokatta desu ne, Himura-kun..." Misao whispered.

Kenshin smiled at Misao again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------

Kaoru watched Soujirou win the game for her. "Ganbatte, Sou-chan..." she whispered.

"Kaoru-chan, have you seen Misao-chan?" Tae asked suddenly, sitting beside Kaoru.

"Yup. She just made her way upstairs. She said she's going to talk to somebody..." Kaoru whispered. She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

"Oh... You look tired, Kaoru-chan..." Tae said.

"I am...? Gomen (7)..." Kaoru whispered and watched Soujirou play.

Must I give up on him...?

Must I leave my first love, knowing that he really doesn't 'like' me...?

Would I cling to Sou-chan...?

Would I...

Would I...

Would I forget Kenshin for the sake of Soujirou and Tomoe-san...?

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Author's notes: Konnichiwa! I'm going to give a reply on those who reviewed my last chapter!

Kenshinobsession: Sugoii (Wow)! Thanks for the review!! Don't worry, I'll put the translations. For now, just look below if you want to find out the translations of the words in this chapter that are marked by numbers inside the parenthesis.

Noner_89: Thanks for leaving a review that my story is great! I'll update as soon as possible!

Ultranova: Arigatoo! *bows* Real good? Hehehe... I'm flattered!

Kaoru gal: Koharu-chan, ureshii!! Thanks for complementing about my chappie! I appreciate it!

Kaoru182003: Thanks! I'm really one of the authors who make surprises in the chapters!

Kairi17: Onegai!! Don't do something bad to me!! Or else, I won't be able to update!! Hehehe... Of course, I'll update!! 6_^ Domo!

Kitsune Kenshin: OMG, OMG! ^_^ I can't believe you left a review! Koharu- chan, ureshii! Thanks for the wonderful review!

Shannon: Arigatoo! Neither do I, Shannon-chan. Anyways, I like your nick! ^_^

KaoruHimura66: Hello! Are you a Filipino or something? MABUHAY!! Good thing you understand Tagalog! Tee-hee! Anyways, if you're living in Philippines today, have you watched Star Circle Quest?? Hehehe... It's because my classmate is part of the contestants in Teen Quest. Anyways, thanks for the review! 6_6

Victoria: Well, here it is! The 'thing' you're wondering about! Thanks for the reviews, too! You supported me all the way starting in Love in spring!

Cherry: Thanks! What if it's not KK?? Hehehe... Just adding suspense! Well, I already emailed you! ^_^ Thanks for the reviews! By the way, when I'm typing your name, I always write, "Cheery"! 9_9

Roselle: Yup, I find it weird too... *wakes up and blinks* Uh, yeah! Sure! I'll make the guys here interesting! Just wait for the chappies, portraying their moments with Kaoru alone!!

Kimiko5: NO, NO, NO!! I really won't stop here! Hehehe... I'll update soon for all of you! Yakusoku!! Sorry fro not leaving a review on your chapters in "The Sweetest Thing". But I'll find a way to review it! ^_6

Niccw55: Thanks! Omedetoo! You must be good in math! Imagine, only minus 3!! Hehehe... Thanks for your support all the way! ^_6

Silver Teardrops: Oh... I can't believe you're crying!! Boo-hoo! *your nick* Tee-hee! Anyhoo, thanks for your review! Thank you also for reading all the chapters! ^_^

Me: Aoshi with Kaoru? Koharu-chan, wakaranai! MAYBE... Maybe it could be Aoshi and Kaoru... If you want to find out, just read the following chapters! Thanks for the review!

KOHARU-CHAN, URESHIIII!!!!!

Thanks for all the reviews!!!! Without all the people reviewing, this ficcie of mine is nothing!! ^_____^

ARIGATOO!! Bye!! ^_6

Meanings:

Very hurtful Idiot With pleasure! Love in spring Smile Shut up Sorry!

Additional:

Ureshii: happy Wakaranai: I don't know. -chan: used by friends that are really close to each other, especially girls -san: can be used as Mister, Misses, and Miss -kun: used for a male friend

Ich, ni, san, shi, go, roku, hichi, hachi, kyuu, ju, ju-ich, ju-ni... - are numbers in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6...