Disclaimer: Don't you get the picture! RK not mine!

Chapter 4- Getting Closer

BRRRRINGGG! Kaoru woke up to the buzzing of her alarm clock. She fumbled with the snooze button for a few minutes before throwing the blasted alarm clock at the wall, breaking it into tiny pieces.

She groaned and pulled the covers off of her. She glanced to where her alarm clock lay dead and groaned. 'Crap . . . that was my favorite one too . . .' She jumped off of her bed and went to her bathroom. She looked at the mirror, and there staring back at her was a girl with raven black hair flying out in different places, tired blue eyes and eyebrows that scrunched up together and formed a frown.

'I'm so tired . . . What time did I get home last night again?' Kaoru grimaced at herself and tried to remember exactly what time Kenshin brought her home. 'That's right . . . he took me home right after he saved me.' Kaoru smiled. 'He's so sweet . . .' She blinked. 'Sweet! What the hell am I saying! Kenshin is not sweet! H-he's a baka!' Kaoru blushed remembering what happened after he saved her.

Flashback:

"You coming?" Kenshin stopped in his tracks and looked back at Kaoru, a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Kaoru rolled her eyes and caught up to him, linking her arms with his.

They reached Kenshin's car a little later. He opened up the passenger's door for her and smiled. "I'll take you home. We don't want that little incident back there happening again, now would we?"

On the way to her house, Kaoru asked Kenshin how he was able to find her.

"Oh, that. I just tracked your ki which led me to that place. Which reminds me . . . why was that man so interested in you?"

"Long story"

"Oh? Try me."

Kaoru started to tell him but stopped herself. 'I don't need to tell him. It's none of his business!' "Will you shut up and just drive!"

Kenshin shrugged and remained silent.

They arrived at her house a moment later. Kenshin glanced around waiting for her to get off. Kaoru rolled her eyes with his lack of manners and started to get out.

"Hey uh . . . Kenshin? If you don't mind . . .Will you please not mention this around school? And don't tell Sano either. He's gonna blame himself for everything," Kaoru mumbled.

Kenshin scoffed. "Whatever"

They bid each other goodnight and Kenshin drove off leaving Kaoru staring after him

Kaoru's smile turned into a scowl as she remember how rude Kenshin had been. 'He's not gonna make a good boyfriend. He's a total jerk.' heat started to rise to her face as she thought about Kenshin being a boyfriend. 'Snap out of it Kaoru! Just because the guy saved you, does not mean he's your boyfriend. What am I thinking! It's not like I want him to be my boyfriend! No! I hate him!' Kaoru groaned and slapped her forehead. "Face it Kamiya, he reminds you of him." 'Yeah but Kenshin's nothing like him! He was a gentleman!' she scolded. Kaoru sighed, took her brush, and started brushing her hair. "No one is ever gonna replace him. I still love him."

Kenshin growled as his uncle pounded on the door. 'Geez! I'm up!'

"OY! Baka-deshi! Wake up, stupid boy! Stop wasting my money, and get up so you can get to school!"

Kenshin rolled his eyes and went to his bathroom to brush his teeth and change. He emerged half an hour later wearing his usual uniform and his low ponytail.

He went downstairs to be greeted by the sight of his uncle drinking coffee and reading the paper.

"Morning uncle"

"Hn. Sit down Kenshin. I want to have a word with you."

Kenshin did as he was told and sat down. "Yes?"

"Where were you last night? You know you had training to do. Why the hell didn't you show up!"

Kenshin groaned.

Hiko glared at him. "Don't give me that boy!"

"I was out."

"Then call next time! You're wasting my money paying for Saitou!"

"You have a lot of money uncle."

"That's not the point"

Kenshin glanced down at his watch and looked up at his uncle. "Whatever. I have to go"

Just before he was out the door, his caretaker, Rina, had appeared behind him. "Kenshin!"

Kenshin looked around and smiled at her. "Yes, ma?"

Rina laughed and said, "I just wanted to say goodbye" she kissed his cheek and patted his head. "Be safe okay?"

Kenshin nodded and drove off in his black Jaguar.

Kaoru smiled as she saw her father drinking his coffee, waiting for her. She went over to him, and sat down. "Hey dad."

Koshijiro smiled and looked at his daughter. "Kaoru-chan. School again huh?"

"Yup. Dad I have to tell you something." Kaoru debated whether or not she should let him know that someone had tried to kidnap her last night. She sighed and decided she had better do it. "Dad . . . Last night . . . one of Shirai's men . . ." she watched as her father's expression turned from surprise to fury, to worry.

"What? Shirai? Kaoru . . . don't tell me they tried to kidnap you again . . . Kaoru, maybe you should . . ."

"Otou . . . don't worry. I'm safe aren't I? I'll be fine . . ."

Koshijiro Kamiya looked apprehensive. "I won't feel better unless I know you have someone there to protect you," he said sternly.

"I'm not bringing a bodyguard otou." Kaoru protested.

"I'll call Sano. He'd be willing to protect you. That boy's like a hawk when it comes to watching over you."

Kaoru sighed. "Fine. But promise me you won't send someone to watch over me or spy over me okay?"

Koshijiro coughed. "I've never done that Kao."

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him. "Yeah? Last year."

"Oh, that."

"Daddy, I told you . . . I'll be fine."

"Okay. You win. Be careful okay?"

"Hai."

Kaoru bid him goodbye and headed on to school, leaving her father worrying about her safety.

Kenshin watched as Sano searched the crowds looking for his cousin. 'I feel almost sorry for Kaoru. Almost."

"I shouldn't have left her alone! Damn it, damn it, damn it all!" Sano mumbled so only Kenshin could hear. "What if she had been hurt? You said you didn't see her last night? But you must have . . . I called you remember? To get her home?"

Kenshin snorted. He wanted to tell his best-friend that Kaoru was okay because he had saved her. "As if I'd listen to you."

"Whatever. But still . . . that kidnapper must have been really lousy then, to let Kaoru escape like that."

'Yes. He was indeed lousy. Fat. Ugly.' Kenshin snickered slightly to himself. "Uh-huh"

Sano took a look at him. "Wait . . .you . . ." Sano shook his head. "Never mind. So what did you do after Aoshi and I left? You just left my cuz there too?"

Kenshin nodded. "Hn."

"So when I called you, you were on your way home."

"Tha's right."

"But I called you house and Rina said, you weren't home yet."

"I was off somewhere."

Sano shook his head again to keep himself from getting confused. He went back to his searching and caught sight of Kaoru a moment later, walking side by side with Megumi. "Hey, jou-chan!"

Megumi and Kaoru headed towards them, Megumi glaring angrily at Sano and Kaoru looking really sorry for him.

WHACK. Megumi's hand had collided with Sano's face.

"OW! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!" Sano yelled angrily, rubbing his sore cheek.

"KAORU COULD HAVE BEEN HURT LAST NIGHT YOU STUPID ROOSTER!"

"Well why slap me!"

"Because you weren't thinking and left her at the theater without making sure she had a nice ride home!"

"I . . .!"

"If something had happened to her, it would have been you fault! Damn irresponsible imbecile!"

Kaoru rolled her eyes as she watched Sano and Megumi argue yet again. She noticed Kenshin and went over to him smiling. "Hey."

Kenshin raised an eyebrow and looked around to make sure she was talking to him. "What happened to the 'I still hate you' thing you said last night?"

Kaoru glared at him. "I just wanted to say hi and thank you. Is that so bad?"

Kenshin smiled sheepishly and grinned. "No. I like it this way. Tell me. You're falling in love with me aren't you? All it had to take was a little heroism from my part."

"Baka! Why do I even bother to talk to you!" Kaoru started to walk away.

"Hey, I'm kidding." Kenshin smirked. "You sure got a helluva temper woman."

"And you better put a sock in your mouth before I put one for you." Kaoru smiled fakely. "Anyway, thank you again Kenshin."

"Nah. It was no big deal. But since I did you a favor, you gotta return one for me too." Kenshin smirked, mentally praising himself for coming up with such a good idea.

"What is it?"

"Go out with me."

End

A/N: So? What do you think? Shall I make her say yes? Or no? E-mail me for suggestions! And um . . . Please review!

Thank you to the following people: xxlivietgurlxx, DragonBlade666, half-breed-demon-fox, Miko Kagome Archer, kenshinlover2002, Kagome1992. (Thanks for the reviews! Really appreciate it!)