Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: RK characters aren't mine.

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'…' Kaoru thoughts

*…* Kenshin thoughts

"…" Dialogue

Facing Adversity

Chapter 1: Kaoru, Akira, and Tomoe

Kaoru laughed playfully shoving Akira away.

"Hey, it's true," Akira said laughing along with Kaoru as he recovered his balance.

"That doesn't mean you should say it, even if it is true!"

"Ha! See you admitted it," Akira said pointing at Kaoru triumphantly.

Kaoru shook her head, "You shouldn't say such things about Saitoh-san."

"Say what things," Saitoh asked coldly coming into the room.

Both Akira and Kaoru straightened up immediately trying to hold in their laughter. Saitoh took a long drag of his cigarette before walking up to the pair and blowing smoke in their faces.

"Nothing but trouble," Saitoh muttered as he walked into his office closing the door firmly.

Kaoru's face turned red before she started giggling. Akira began chuckling along with her.

"You know you are acting like an immature teenager," Akira said trying to look gruff.

"Oh, and you're not!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Akira answered in an imperious tone.

Saitoh opened his door and looked out, "If you two have nothing better to do then sit there and chat, go home. There are no cases to worry about at the moment."

Kaoru and Akira nodded gathering up their things and heading for the door having finished the report they were filling out earlier.

"Oh and Kamiya," Saitoh said as Kaoru began to walk out the door, "Try to be on time tomorrow. Just because I'm short on people, doesn't mean I won't fire you."

"Yes sir!" Kaoru replied looking at Saitoh seriously.

Saitoh gave her a disdainful look before closing the door to his office. Walking out to the parking lot, Kaoru sighed.

"It wasn't my fault I was late."

"Well, if you hadn't been speeding you wouldn't have gotten pulled over," Akira answered.

"If I didn't speed I was going to be late."

"Then who's fault was it?" Akira asked looking amused.

Kaoru glared at him, "Don't push it Kiyosato. I swear I don't see what my sister sees in you."

"I'm handsome, charming, strong…"

Kaoru interrupted him immediately, "And egotistical to boot. But hey if you make her happy."

"I happen to be a very dependable partner. I've pulled your ass out of a couple of tough spots."

"I suppose you are reliable and loyal just like a dog," Kaoru said with a smirk.

"Hey!" Akira growled out in mock anger.

"You coming over for dinner?" Kaoru asked.

"Of course," Akira responded.

"Beat you there," Kaoru cried jumping into the car.

Akira shook his head. Kaoru was rather impulsive. He watched her peal out of the parking lot. He just hoped she wouldn't get herself in more trouble then she could handle. Sometimes she worried him. Akira's face suddenly lifted. Couldn't let her win this one too. He knew a faster route to her house, and he would be damned if he didn't make it there first.

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"Damn! Damn! Damn! How did he get here before me!?" Kaoru said hitting her steering wheel as she pulled into the already occupied driveway.

Trudging out of the car and up to the door she was greeted by a triumphant Akira. Kaoru threw her keys at his arrogant face. He easily caught them in the air.

"What am I going to do with you two?" A woman's soft voice asked pleasantly.

"Onee-san! He started it," Kaoru said pointing a finger at Akira.

"I wasn't the one that suggested…"

Kaoru jumped forward cutting him off with a warning glare, "Akira, you're right! Gomen ne!"

"When will you act your age, Kaoru?" Tomoe asked smiling.

"What twelve?" Akira asked knowing this would anger Kaoru.

"I don't ever want to hear that number again! Arrrrrgggghhhhhh! Twelve is an evil number. I do not look twelve!"

"Well now that you're twenty five you look thirteen," Akira supplied.

Tomoe interceded between the two, "Dinner is almost ready. Why don't you set the table?"

Kaoru shot a glare at Akira before heading for the kitchen mumbling under her breath about stupid people, who couldn't tell a person's age if their…the rest could not be heard. Tomoe giggled at her sister's antics. Akira watched Tomoe's face light up. He loved her so much, and one day he would marry her. This directed his thoughts to the beautiful ring he had bought for Tomoe that was resting in his pocket. Now if he could only get the courage to ask her.

"Tomoe," Akira said.

Tomoe looked over to him waiting for him to continue. Instead he dipped his head down kissing her lips before pulling her into his arms in a tight hug. Tomoe flushed slightly loving the feel of him holding her close.

"I'm so happy we met," Akira whispered softly.

Tomoe sighed contentedly, "Kaoru helped a lot."

Akira nodded kissing Tomoe again.

"Could you two get a room? You do have one right down the hall," Kaoru said with her hands on her hips.

"Just because you can't get anyone…" Akira started still holding Tomoe.

"Can't! I choose not to! Who needs a guy?!" Kaoru said her eyes blazing.

"Kaoru-chan…" Tomoe said in a placating voice.

"I'm beginning to think you're a lesbian," Akira stated his face straight even though he was cracking up on the inside.

"What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru screeched out coming after Akira.

"Kaoru-chan! Akira! That's enough! I would like to have a peaceful dinner. I don't know how you two work together if your are always fighting like this!" Tomoe said stopping Kaoru and Akira in their tracks.

It was rare that Tomoe raised her voice. Kaoru grumbled and headed for the kitchen.

"You told her…" Akira trailed off at Tomoe's look.

"You are just as immature as her. You wouldn't know you're only three years older then my sister," Tomoe said taking Akira's hand and walking toward the dining room.

Kaoru sat down at the table set for three. Akira took his usual place being a regular guest over the house. Tomoe went into the kitchen. Once she did Kaoru glared at Akira, while he just smiled with a sickeningly sweet expression meant to annoy. Just as Kaoru opened her mouth to say something, Tomoe came in with the food.

"I wish I could cook," Kaoru said smelling the delicious food.

"I offered to teach you," Tomoe reminded Kaoru.

"Yeah, but even with the master chef teaching me, I almost burnt the kitchen down. Man, when you guys finally get it together and get married, I'm going to have to live with you. I might die trying to eat my own cooking," Kaoru said grabbing the delicious looking food off the plate and onto hers.

"We'll just have to find you a guy, who can cook," Akira said.

Kaoru got a thoughtful expression on her face, "Rich too. My job pays well, but the stress from my partner…"

Tomoe smiled watching the interaction between the two. It was funny how they fought all the time, but she knew they were totally different when they had a serious assignment. They became very professional. Tomoe had visited them one time when they were doing an action report. She had never seen two people be such total opposites outside of work. She loved them both so much. Tomoe listened vaguely to the conversation as she ate.

It was three years ago Kaoru had trained hard to join Saitoh's organization. It was hard to describe what they did. Tomoe was not privileged to all the information. She knew they did all kinds of jobs. It depended on what was needed to keep the peace. Tomoe had spent her time earning her place as a respected chef during that time. Kaoru always declared how envious she was of Tomoe, but Tomoe had to admit she was envious of Kaoru. She seemed to live such an adventurous life. Kaoru had gone out of her way working vigorously to prepare herself for Saitoh's training program. Kaoru had been the youngest person at twenty-two admitted to Saitoh's services. Tomoe was proud of her.

And that was how Kaoru had met Akira. She had been paired up with him from the beginning proving to be an excellent team during their training together. A year later Akira had come home with Kaoru, who had a mysterious twinkle in her eye. From there everything had fallen into place. An immediate attraction was felt between her and Akira, and it didn't take long for them to start dating. They had been ever since. Tomoe worried for Kaoru and Akira. Their job could be dangerous at times. All she could do was greet them with a smile and a warm hello.

"If you say that one more time…" Kaoru started.

"Kaoru-chan, I said a peaceful dinner," Tomoe interrupted.

"Gomen nasai," Kaoru said sitting back in her seat.

The rest of dinner was as nice and peaceful as it was going to get. After finishing Akira volunteered to help Tomoe with the dishes. Kaoru stretching made her way into the living room. Slumping onto the couch she sighed her stomach full. Kaoru closed her eyes completely content with her life. She had her sister and best friend. She didn't need anything else. Becoming partners with Akira had afforded her the chance to really know his character. He was a great guy, dependable, intelligent, and when he really wanted to be, a true gentleman. Kaoru had never been interested in Akira in any other way but a friend, but meeting a decent guy was rare and she wanted Tomoe to meet him. They hit it off much to Kaoru's delight. She was happy for her sister. Life was perfect.

Kaoru's eyes snapped open and she groaned. She completely forgot she had to get up early to practice with Saitoh. He insisted she knew how to handle a sword like all of his employees, but Kaoru believed he had something against her. Saitoh made her get up really early to practice with him. She had earned his respect and should be grateful according to Okita Soushi, Saitoh's right hand man. It was an honor only one person earned every four years. Okita was the first to earn this honor. Kaoru questioned Saitoh respecting her, and what an honor it really was being trained by him. Kaoru remembered the first day she had to train with Saitoh personally. It was five in the morning and Kaoru had to drag herself out of bed.

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"I know how to use a sword. It was part of the training. Besides I have a gun," Kaoru had said grumpily.

Much to Kaoru's relief Saitoh was not smoking. He had a sword at his hip and a glare in his eyes.

"Your gun will fail you, and you will find your sword necessary," Saitoh replied in disdain.

Kaoru whipped her gun out pointing it at him, "But I could have shot…"

Kaoru trailed off as she realized she was speaking to the wall. Seconds later the cold sharp edge of a sword was pressed to her throat.

"You are dead, Kamiya," Saitoh's whispered in her ear.

Releasing her from his hold Kaoru pressed a hand to her throat, "How did you move that fast?"

"I will teach you," Saitoh replied simply.

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Okay, so Kaoru was grateful for the training. She found herself becoming stronger then she had ever imagined. One of Kaoru's goals was to become strong, so no one could ever harm the ones she loved again. She wouldn't be helpless anymore. Kaoru glanced over as Tomoe and Akira came into the room. Akira appeared nervous to Kaoru. Tomoe didn't seem to notice as she walked him to the door. Kaoru sat up as Akira stopped Tomoe.

"I have to do this before I lose the courage to. Sorry this isn't romantic, but…" Akira got down on one knee in front of a wide-eyed Tomoe.

Kaoru was definitely awake now her gaze riveted on Akira, who reached into his pocket pulling out a box. Tomoe turned red and her hands began to tremble. Opening the box Akira looked into Tomoe's eyes.

"Will you marry me?"

Kaoru's mouth dropped open. Akira hadn't told her about this, and he told her everything.

"Yes," Tomoe replied softly as tears gathered in her eyes.

Taking her trembling hand in his, he slowly slipped the ring on her finger. Standing up he held her to him as she tried to dry the tears that kept falling. Kaoru ran over to them joining in the hug.

"Akira, you dummy! You didn't tell me about this!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"I didn't know how to," Akira replied looking far beyond happy.

"I'm so happy for you two," Kaoru said fighting her own tears.

Letting go of each other Tomoe looked at the gorgeous ring on her finger. Kaoru eagerly took her hand gazing at the ring and proclaiming it beautiful. After some laughter and talking Kaoru yawned loudly.

"I'm going to bed. I'll leave you two alone," Kaoru said with a wink.

A grin split Kaoru's face as she walked down the hallway to her room. She had been happy before, but now she was ecstatic. It had been her and Tomoe for a long time after the death of their parents. Now she was gaining a brother-in-law, who would make her sister happy. Going into her room she changed into her pajamas before flopping onto her bed. Just as she got comfortable she remembered she had to set her alarm to get up early for the training session with Saitoh. Kaoru reluctantly got up to set her alarm. She had it across the room, because she had learned if it was near her bed she would continue to hit the sleep button until it was way past time for her to get up. Getting back into bed she curled up with the book she was currently reading.

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Akira watched Kaoru walk down the hallway. Smiling he hugged Tomoe tight, "We can be a family."

"I would like that very much," Tomoe replied resting her head against his chest.

"Do you mind if I stay a little longer?" Akira asked.

"Of course not," Tomoe said leading him over to the couch.

Akira sat down pulling Tomoe into his arms, her back to his chest. She leaned her head against his chest. He squeezed her closer to him.

"I love you," Akira said softly.

"I love you," Tomoe replied with a gentle smile.

That night Akira and Tomoe spent the night talking softly to one another about the future, their dreams together, and when they would marry, even how many children they wanted to have. Tomoe had never felt as complete as she had that night being held by the only man she had ever loved, gazing occasionally at the stunning ring that graced her finger.

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Kaoru woke up with a start when she heard the horrible beeping noise from her alarm clock. An evil sound that made her cringe and wonder, who was crazy enough to invent such an annoying but necessary invention. Kaoru hit the button to shut it off with a sigh of relief. Making her way slowly in a zombie-like state, she went to the bathroom to take her shower and get ready. After her shower and getting dressed Kaoru felt a little more awake. Turning on the hall light she walked into the living room to see Akira asleep with Tomoe in his arms. Kaoru wasn't too surprised to find them like that. They had done it before. Kaoru sighed. They looked so sweet together. It amazed Kaoru that they could fall asleep like that. It looked so uncomfortable.

Kaoru went back into her bedroom quietly getting her camera. Another thing she loved, taking pictures. Creeping back into the living room she looked for the right position before taking the picture. Tomoe and Akira stirred slightly but did not wake. Unable to resist Kaoru took two more pictures before realizing she was going to be late if she didn't hurry. Throwing her camera back into her room, Kaoru grabbed her stuff as she walked to the front door.

Kaoru watched the two as they slept, smiling tenderly, "I love you both. …Well, off to practice."

Kaoru opened the door quietly and stepped out, already anticipating the bumps and bruises she would receive from today's practice with Saitoh Hajime.

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Kyaa Kyaff here again! Yup another story! But don't worry I will be keeping up with my other two! Weekly updates and all! This idea hit me and I just had to write it, so I hope you enjoy! And don't worry the chapters will be a little longer than this!

Kyaa Kyaff saying hope to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!