Disblahmer: The Princess Bride and Rurouni Kenshin belong to earthly beings other than myself.

Author's note: thanks so much for the response everyone! This chapter is pretty short like the last one, I know, but they'll be getting longer if all goes to plan. It's just short and sweet at the mo! I'll update again soon, I'm just very busy at the moment with all sorts. I hope this chapter is okay! Please R&R, your comments are GREATLY appreciated! big smile

Editing note: Okay, not much changed here, except for Kenshin's attitude towards That Woman- I thought it wasn't within his character to try and make Kaoru jealous, and have that kind of awareness of womens' feelings- he was always a little bit thick about that kind of thing in the series, bless his cottons- so instead, I've made him just put up with the visitor because he is, after all, a perfect gentleman. That's the only big change to this chapter.

The Princess Bride: Kenshin Style

Two

"Himura Kenshin."

As Kaoru listened to the farm boy tell the grand lady his name, she blinked hard to be certain that nothing horrendous- such as a tear- should appear in her eyes. She'd never felt this way before: it was like trying to reach an apple on a high branch, stretching all of your muscles out until you thought your joints would all pop out, and just. not. quite. being able to reach it. It was like sprouting wings, only to see the open blue sky from a cage, miles below the ground. And she'd never even known his full name until now! And she'd even called him- she inwardly cringed- 'farm boy' all this time! Oh, it was so embarrassing! At that point, Kaoru mentally slapped herself hard, being quite a sensible girl, really. She told herself this wild fancy was only a passing one. She thought-ordered herself sternly. Stand straight. Be strong. Show your control.

She immediately stiffened, her back straight as a poker, and hardened her face and eyes.

It was too late. Kenshin had seen the look on her face as he'd walked past her: he wasn't particularly blind, after all. Did he dare to hope…? No, he decided calmly. If she had, at last, started to feel something for him, he could do worse than wait and see a little longer. He felt somewhat intimidated by the grand lady visitor, as she barged into his personal space, and pawed at his hands. He already felt a dislike for her: she was far from ugly, true, but the proud and disdainful look on her face did her no favours, and he felt cheapened by the way she had outright stared at his body.

But, unfortunately for Kenshin, he was (as Kaoru had just noticed) a perfect gentleman, and he simply didn't have it in him to be rude to a lady. So Kenshin put on his usual pleasant smile, covering the almost nauseated feeling in his heart, and spoke to the horrid woman.

The woman laughed and smiled in a way that was not entirely innocent as Kenshin spoke to her. Kaoru wanted to punch her. Or rather, bash her over the head with her bokken- she could just envisage the exact move she could use, it'd give a nice solid, satisfying thunk as the wooden sword connected with that annoying head… Jealousy was an unfamiliar feeling to Kaoru, and she reeled slightly with it. Just a little dizzy, she thought. She just felt a little dizzy. That was all.

She wandered off to the ramshackle little stable behind the house, not even thinking about how impolite it would make her look. The stable was where she always went when she wanted to Really Think. Her pony looked up at her as she entered, and, oblivious to the stressed atmosphere she brought to the area, it ignored her and went on eating hay. Kaoru sunk down heavily into a pile of straw, and sighed. Tears filled her eyes.

Why, after such a long time, had she gone and done something so stupid as to think about liking Kenshin? He was only the farm boy, and he always looked a mess: his thick bright hair was usually a bit tangled, his smooth face had smudges of mud on it more often than not, and she'd seen for herself what he was like with a sword, despite the smooth grace in his stride, and the natural warrior-glint in the depths of his eyes. She thought about his eyes for a moment… Eyes like clouds lit with lightning in a storm…

If Kaoru had been really sensible, she would have stopped thinking about Kenshin's eyes right away, and fortunately she did… after a moment. She realised her mistake when her nervous energy made her hands fidget in her lap, try as she might to still them.

She decided to do the best thing she knew for clearing out her crazy head, and go for a ride. Her pony wasn't impressed to be interrupted in the middle of his hay-chewing, but he was a loyal little beast at heart, and obediently carried Kaoru out into the valley behind her home.

She rode the stubby creature with ease: next to practising with her bokken, riding was her favourite thing to do. She'd been roving about on this pony's back for as long as she could remember. She supposed she should have given the pony a name at some point, but it had just never really happened. She'd never been able to think of a name that really suited the naughty/nice creature. She reached forward to scratch behind his hairy ears affectionately, and, with some alarm, found herself wishing she was scratching Kenshin behind the ears. She laughed out loud, wondering if he washed behind his ears: she might get a nasty surprise otherwise. Then, so shocked to be behaving so much like a girl, she hiccupped.

She tried swallowing, but just hiccupped again. She nudged her pony into a trot, hoping that the bouncing movement would cover her jigging hiccups and maybe jolt them away.

As she held her breath and swallowed again, holding the breath for so long that she felt dizzy, her pony pulled up suddenly. She looked down, fish-faced with cheeks full of air. She let out the breath very quickly, feeling extremely self-conscious.

Kenshin was stood in front of her, his robe up around him decently again, though parted generously at the front, reminding Kaoru of how he'd looked just half an hour ago, all smooth bronzed skin and perfect abs…

She hiccupped, and blushed furiously, turning her face to tear her eyes from Kenshin and his damned body, and to try and hide her red cheeks.

Kenshin, being a perfect gentleman, smothered the irresistible little smile that rose inside him, and stood straight and calm.

"What is it, farm boy?" asked Kaoru. She clipped her words, desperately hoping she wouldn't hiccup mid-sentence. Her shoulders bounced with another one as she waited rigidly for the young man's reply. He simply looked at her. His eyes were deep and full of colour, seeming to watch something within her that she didn't know was there. He waited.

"Oh, I suppose mother wants me back to have tea with that woman." She tried not to bark out those last words, realising she had been rather rude, after all, just walking off without a word. "I will ride back. Be sure to get back quickly and see to the water, so that it is boiled by the time I reach the house." She hoped she sounded as bossy as usual.

Kenshin's face stayed perfectly the same. "As you wish," he said, just as he always did. He turned and strode on ahead of her, and was soon out of sight.

Kaoru sighed with a full and heavy heart. She'd spent her whole life wishing for something exciting to happen to her, but as she looked over the lush green valley she'd always known, she found herself torn between wishing this adventure had never started, and wishing it would never end. Though she was, indeed, a fairly sensible girl, she felt too full of emotion to be rational at that moment. Those feelings she'd had for Kenshin earlier had not gone away as she'd hoped. I think this might be it for me, she thought dolefully.

You see, she'd just given in and realised the biggest problem with that scraggy little farm boy.

She was hopelessly, head-over-heels, off the edge, out of her tree, unimaginably, inconceivably, off for Cloud Nine and past the Point of No Return gone for him.

Notes to reviewers:

Kyaa-Kyaff: Thank you for being the first to review my story! Here is the next chapter, as you requested. Hope this catches some more attention from you! -

Jeniffer: It is so cool to get a review in another language! Thank you! I think I just about got what you said laughs at my own ignorance

Akai Kitsune: I'm glad you love them both, it means you can appreciate both sides to this story. You're right about Kaoru- she is normally quite accepting of others, but as you surmised, I had to tweak her just a little for this story, and figured she may well be annoyed with someone who had greater chances of fighting well, being in the dojo himself, and yet seemed useless. And yes, I intend to have her order Kenshin around quite a bit!! -

AngelsExist: I'm currently thinking about various 'twisty' opportunities- wait and see! Cheers for the tip on anonymous reviews- I checked the box. I'm not going to be fussy about who can give me feedback- all advice is good advice, I think.

Coherentidiot: Yes, I had to have a sexy Kenshin. I see what you mean about Sano- don't worry, he'll be popping up sometime… - I've never been a great fan of Aoshi tho, sorry! I'll always love Kenshin best, cos he's so strong and skilful, and yet is so kind and perceptive. goes all googly-eyed I hope I can convince you to love Kenshin as much as I do with this fic!!

Silveriris: The movie is definitely worth seeing, and the book even more worth watching! You'll have to wait and see how far Kenshin will go, tho!

Eve of Mirkwood: Yeh… scratches back of head sheepishly I couldn't resist putting in some naughtiness on the Kenshin side of things… And knowing me, I guess I'll probably do it again before this story's over! grin

Thanks to all! Keep that feedback coming: I want to know if anyone thinks I should put some serious twists in this story, or just keep it really sweet and simple and straight from the book/film. Let me know your thoughts!