Hello, Stranger
by Uenki

Chapter 3

Don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

The birds are singing, the clouds are floating, and the sun is shining down merrily on them. Kaoru stirred as she awoke from her slumber, as the sunbeams were blinding her eyes. She snapped her eyes opened, and saw that it was morning. Glancing at the digital clock, it showed 7:24am. She felt something heavy on her hands, and as she looked down, she saw Kenshin's hand were intertwined with hers. She gave a soft smile.

It had only been three days since she had found him –a friend and an angel. Remembering last night's circumstances, she blushed, it had been first time since she was being embraced by another gender, and Aoshi –a brother-like figure, was too strict for it. Shuddering at the temperature, it was then Kaoru realized that Kenshin had been staying in her room for the night with just a sweater and a pair of jeans on. Horrified, she pulled her blankets and draped it on him, over his shoulders, without the knowledge that Kenshin was a light sleeper. His eyes snapped momentarily open, and Kaoru gave a startled jump. Lavender eyes looked wearily at Kaoru, who was smiling. Seeing her smiling to him, he smiled back.

"Good morning, Kaoru-dono…" he murmured, standing up, only to collapse onto the floor again because of his legs that was numbed. Kaoru laughed, upon seeing him fell. She went off the bed and helped him up by his arm. Barely standing, which Kenshin was blushing from embarrassment, she helped him to sit on her bed.

"Well, cover yourself with thick blankets; I wouldn't want you to have a fever again… and I shall wash myself up in the bathroom, okay?" she questioned, and Kenshin nodded upon seeing her being all cheerful again, after a night sleep. As she headed for the door, he called out,

"Kaoru-dono!" she turned back, blue orbs wide, "Err… shall we have breakfast later?" he said, as she smiled and nodded before going out of the room. After she left, he gave a sigh of relief. Huddling down the blankets, he found himself filled with warmth, not knowing that he had drifted back to dreamland yet again.

With a towel lying on her shoulders, and wet tresses of raven locks, she went back into her room, surprised that Kenshin was once again sleeping. Sliding the cupboard door open, she took out the long, sheathed sword she had found, when she was taking care of him the day before. Even knowing that he was not a simple person, buried in the snow wounded, with a sword by his side and all, she trusted him, and she knew that he was a good person.

Walking to her bedside, she patted Kenshin gently on the shoulder. Slowly, Kenshin opened his eyes to be greeted by Kaoru who had just finished washing herself up, that includes bathing in such a cold weather. In her hands laid a sword, it was only then he realized that it was his sword.

"My… sword!" Kaoru nodded, yapping 'bingo!' and handed the sword to him. Kenshin smiled as he unsheathed the sword, Kaoru looked in awe as the sword glimmered. She then noticed that the edge of the sword was reversed.

"A Sakaba?" she asked, and Kenshin nodded happily as the sword reminded him of the times he had with his master, a person with a big ego. Laughing at his idiotic look, as Kenshin sheathed his sword, he stood beside her in a matter of seconds.

"I'll have a bath," he said, slowly, and went out of the room. After he left, Kaoru smiled devilishly, taking out two 'wonderland', an amusement park, tickets from the pocket in the jacket that she was wearing.

"Nope, we will not only have breakfast, but more." She whispered slyly under her breath. He is so going to take it.

I'll have to thank Sanosuke, Megumi and Misao later for purchasing tickets…

Kaoru thought inwardly as she folded the blankets and tossed the wet towel on the bed, the once devilish smile had faded into a genuine smile.

Maybe I am just too lonely after all… I am selfish in thinking that Kenshin was like a puppy, wagging his tail and following me whenever I go. He ought to have his own freedom too. Besides, I already have Haku-kun. I owed him a life debt. I couldn't just play around when I know that Haku-kun is going to die. Maybe, this shall be my last visit to the hospital… Maybe.

Her smile dulled slowly. Crushing up the tickets, she threw them in the bin by the desk. She sat onto the bed, and held the tear-shaped pendent on the necklace in her hands.

Haku-kun…

Kenshin knocked onto the door, and found Kaoru opening the door with big smile on her face.

–

They found themselves settling down on a nearby café, rather then breakfast, they were eating snacks and light meals. Kaoru chatted idly with Kenshin as they ate, laughing and smiling from time to time. However, Kenshin was a little apprehensive of the way Kaoru had acted till now. As happy as she looked when smiled, a hand of hers are clutching on her cell phone. She looked, anxious.

"Kaoru-dono, are you alright?" he asked, while Kaoru gave a reassured nod.

"By the way," she started off feeling uneasy, "I'm afraid that I'll be going out after breakfast to visit a friend of mine at the Yukizaki Hospital nearby." Kenshin smiled and nodded.

"It's alright. Besides, I am going to walk around too." He reassured and Kaoru's face finally broke into an authentic smile.

A while later, they went on parted ways, with Kaoru giving him a spare key to the house.

–

Kenshin went into a shadowed, dark and a deserted area. He stopped in his tracks as he turned back and watched as the shadows moved. His eyes darkened into a deep shade of blue, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Come out," he said coolly, "don't let me wait." At the far end of the area, a man with sleek black hair and beady black eyes stood out, wearing a ninja suit and some small sized-daggers in his hands. Kenshin eyed the man in disgust.

"I never knew… Kogoro-san would actually want to assassinate one of his members of the Himura clan. I would never know…" Kenshin said, simply. The man spat, and glared daggers at Kenshin.

"You are a trash. You are nothing but a rebellious fool!" He roared, his grip on the dagger tightened. Beads of cold sweat rolled down his cheeks. He was afraid of Death.

"Of course I am rebellious. I am so sick and tired of putting a cheery front in front of that –man, I hated him," Kenshin replied coldly, while his hands are on his sword. He was watching every movement of the man clad in a ninja suit. He aroused his interest.

"You must be killed… A fool! You should be honored to be killed in the hands of the member of the Butterfly Dream!" he shouted, while Kenshin was trying very hard to stifle his laughter. Snickering, he crouched down, hands on his stomach and laughed. Hard.

"Butterfly Dream? What kind of name is that?" he mocked, still laughing while crouching down. "Besides… I sensed fear in you." He finished off while the man shot out flying daggers to Kenshin, who had nothing as defense.

"Stupid, you are the fool here," Kenshin muttered. In less then a second, he was nowhere to be seen. The ninja bit his lips, as he felt a calloused hand on his shoulder.

"What do… you want?" he barked in fear and uncertainty. Kenshin smiled as he patted the ninja gently on the shoulder.

"I don't want to kill you, so please live well." The soft touch on his shoulder left, as soon as he was nowhere to be seen, he collapsed onto the ground, panting hard. Never did he know that there was only a line of difference between life and death. If he were to be angered by his words, he knew that he wouldn't be here by now.

–

After leaving the ninja, Kenshin held his hands on his stomach and laughed out loud, much to the on-lookers confusion. He really thought that the name, Butterfly Dream was really funny, albeit it contains members who had skills of a professional assassin. Yet he himself was not someone to be easily killed either, he had a tough luck to live.

–

AN: Whoa! Fast chappy! Chop chop! I'll send it for BETAing!

November 21, 2004.