Disclaimer: I do Not Own Rurouni Kenshin and it's characters!

A/N: Well Hello Everyone! It looks like I'm back again, isn't it. And a million thanks goes to all those who have given in their Reviews. You're the one that keeps this story going! To Opp! Thanks for the E-card it was really sweet of you. To Anubhav. I didn't expect you to remember my birthday! Thanks so much for remembering!!! Bhav, I remembered your's too ; ). To Howard, my dearest friend. Once again thanks for putting up with me. You're the best. And this chapter wouldn't out come as quick if it wasn't for your editing! Love you!

Hehehe sorry for blabbing on for so long. So on with the story!!! Enjoy! And don't forget to Review!!! !

Oh oh I almost forgot the story format is as usual that is :

THOUGHTS

&

"SPEECH"

Chapter 9

Kaoru turns to her friend, Sano, who sat shrugging innocently at her. Then she turn her attention back to the approaching red-haired hottie who to her utter surprise had just shown up. Kenshin, who was still grinning walked over to the picnic blanket and kneeled down infront of young girl.

"Surprise." He said sweetly and without waiting for the young girl's consent pulled her into a kiss. Kaoru felt the now familiar sensation of Kenshin sweet kisses, and let herself drown into it. From very far away she could make out Sano's whooping. After what seemed like eternity Kenshin broke away from lack of oxygen. Kaoru, who was left in a very dazed state, was quickly pulled out of it, thanks to all the whooping and whooting Sano was doing.

"Was it something I did?" Ken shin asked mischievously at his all-time friend.

Sano laughed out loud at Kenshin's phrase and quickly make his best serious expression.

"No it was nothing you did, Mr. Himura. It's just that-----"then he had to duck a flying saucer that came whizzing in his direction.

"Hey , Missy that was dangerous you know!!!" He squeaked at the now fuming Kaoru.

"Kenshin why don't you kiss her again before she kills me, pal?!" he added nudging Kenshin lightly.

"SANOO!!!!" Kaoru shrieked.

And before Sanouke could do anything another flying saucer whisked through the air and hit him right in the head, knocking him out.

Kenshin stared at the still raging Kaoru and had to cringe at how scary she could be. Kaoru realizing what she had done silently turn Kenshin, "He's not dead is he?" she asked uncertainly pointing at her friend who laid motionless.

Kenshin poked his friend's side,"Nahh, He's just knocked out." He assured the young girl who now looked very sorry at what she had done.

"Heyy!...Oooh..Look like Sano did something isn't it." Megumi said as she flopped down onto the blanket. "Serve him right." She holds out a bag of snack towards Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Thank you, Miss Megumi." Kenshin mumbled take the bag from Megumi's hand.

Kaoru gaze at Megumi and was amazed at the older girl's reaction about how her boyfriend was out cold. She's thought Megumi would rush over and try to wake him up for yell at her for hurting Sano, but no. Not a single reaction. –Weird!- Then she turns to see Kenshin now munching happily on some crisps. –Gosh! He's another one. His friend's been knocked out. And he's acting as if nothing happened.—

She shook her head and shifted her gaze to the red haired guy beside her.

"I thought you're busy today and how did you know we're coming here?"

Kenshin stared back still munching on the crisp."Yeaa..I was busy—this morning and I thought I'd be busy for the afternoon but it turned out I misread my schedule...so..." he scratches his head nervously."..I just found out I got the whole of this afternoon off."

Kaoru just stared at him unbelievingly and shook her head. "So how did you know I'm here?"

Kenshin looked over to Megumi who now sat reading her novel silently.

"I didn't. I was on my way home when I drove pass this park and saw Miss Megumi rummaging for something in her car."

"Huh??"

"So I pulled up and asked her what she was doing. And she told me that you're around here with Sano..So that's it." He replied smiling mildly at the pretty maiden sitting beside him.

"Oh I see..." Kaoru nodded.

"Um actually I was planning to ask you to come and have dinner with me tonight."

Kaoru blinked confusedly..."Er??"

"If you want, that is." Kenshin quickly added.

Kaoru felt so excited that she felt like jumping up and doing cartwheels. But since that would have been pretty nerve-wracking for herself. She decided to play it cool.

"Um...hmm..okay sure." –Yesss!!! Another dinner with him!!-

"Great Kenshin smiled widely." But instead of pulling out his cell phone and dial the restaurant for a reservation, like he usually did. Kenshin just turn to Megumi and said cheerfully, "I'd be so glad if you'd join us Miss Megumi."

Kaoru's gaped at the guy beside her. –Why is he asking her to join us for!! Is he in his right mind??!- She wailed inwardly. But had to keep smiling on the outside.

Kaoru had to admit that at first she had only thought of Kenshin as someone who would go out with her, so that she would not feel left out among her friends who all got their own significant other. But things had changed lately. She didn't care if Kenshin was a famous singer or a car washer. If he was rich or poor. She had found that she really cared for him. And that she wanted to be with this him forever. So she would be glad to have as much time to spend with him alone.

The young girl frowned inwardly and stole a glance at her friend. –Please, Megumi say you're not free! That you don't want to come.-

Megumi looked up from her novel looking bewildered. "Excuse me Ken san, what did you just say?"

- Kenshin she didn't even hear your invitation. Just say you're just saying what a lovely day it is!- Kaoru pleaded mentally, for she was really planning on a romantic dinner date tonight but if her friends are coming it would be anything but romantic. But it seems like it was not a day for her at all when Kenshin merely chuckles,"I said I'd love it if you would please join Miss Kaoru and I for dinner, tonight."

At that Sano who had appeared to be knocked out all along, sprang back up speedily,"Sure! Thanks a lot. So where shall we eat tonight?"

"About time to Sano..." Kenshin replied grinning lightly.

"Yea, couldn't stay quiet at the mention of food can you?" Mused Megumi scooting over to her boyfriend.

"What? I was really out cold, you know. I thought you'd show me abit more sympathy, foxy lady." He cooed pulling his girlfriend into an embrace. "Riiight! I saw you blinking afew times." She replied slapping his arm playfully. "Thank you for inviting us Ken san." She smiled mildly at Kenshin who sat looking satisfied.

"But looks like Kaoru wouldn't want us around." She added gazing at her friend who sat smiling in a very weird fashion.

At the older girl's comment Kaoru quickly reject, "No. I'd—err – Do come and join us.."

"Okay then! So where to?" Sano quickly said pulling out of his bagpack a very thick book. This caused Megumi to roll her eyes,"Always prepared aren't you." She muttered.

Kaoru squinted at the title and if she hadn't been quite disappointed that another one of her plans had been ruined, she would probably have to laugh. 'Cause the book that Sano had just pulled out and now leafing through it at a lightning speed was called '199 Good Restaurant Guide'.

"Hey there's this Italian place..'Calderazzi', what do you think Kenshin?" Sano asked excitedly not bothering to look up from his book.

"I've got a better place." Kenshin answered his eyes glinting mischievously.

"Oh...hmm..How about this Chinese place, "Red Dragon' something I couldn't read." Sano continue to read out from his book."The chef came all the way from China. Hmm.. really interesting. His name is chef Lao something."

Kenshin's grin widened."What about Chef Himura. Are you interested?

That caused Sanusuke to peer uncertainly up from his book.

"What's that??!"

Kenshin chuckled lightly back at his friend. "I said what about Chef Himura, interested?"

"Y-you mean you're going to cook? As in go into the kitchen and cook? Again?!" He asked looking very amazed and at the same time as if his he would go into hysterics.

Kaoru looked at her friend weirdly. –What is wrong with him. Why is he that excited. I'm not even surprise that Kenshin can cook.-

Megumi also stared at her boyfriend nervously. Clearly the way that Sano acted had weird her out as well.

"Duh..yea. How else could a person cook?"

"Oh Great!!! This is really good!!" Sano cried wringing his arms around Kenshin's neck.

That choked the tinier man but then the two them burst out laughing merrily.

Kaoru gaze over to Megumi who stare back at her and shrugged. –Oh! Well!- the young girl sigh and smile mildly back.

Misao stomped into her house, very ill tempered. For one she didn't need Sanosuke to make fun of her. Secondly she didn't need to be reminded that her boyfriend is not around. When Kaoru had asked if she wanted to join the gang at the park, she thought that spending some time with her friend will take her mind off Aoshi, but heck how wrong she is. The area was clearly shouting out 'No third wheel wanted'. She reduced her pace at the stairway and listen to the muffled up sound coming from her grandfather's office. ( A/N: Even though Okina had officially retired but he still keep a room in his house as an office.) Misao pressed her ear onto the closed door. From inside she could make out her granfather's voice talking to someone. And then she starts to grow worry, the tone of the elderly man was not jolly, but was very anxious about something. She tried to catch what he was saying but to no avail. The old man had turned on the stereo lightly presumably to muffle his own talking incase someone is going to eavesdrop.

Shaking her head, Misao continued down the hallway. Whatever her grandfather's up to is not her business, as long as it doesn't concern Aoshi. –Hope it's got nothing to do with Aoshi.-

Inside the office, Okina was deep in conversation with no other than Aoshi who just got back from his business trip.

"I see you're doing very well with the company." Okina said sipping a cup of green tea.

"Not good enough." The young man whisper causing the elder to look over and shake his head.

"You must have confidence in your..ability and." he replied tapping his temple with his index finger.

Aoshi nodded, a worried expression still written over his features. "I feared that it will not only be a business matter...Yukishiro Enishi is..as we all know."

Okina drew out a breath. "What will happen have to happen sooner or later, Aoshi, all we can do is try to make it effect us as little as possible. "

The young man stare back clearly understood where the elder man is getting to. "I see."

"Step aside if it's going to get us out of the whirling storm. Oniwaban Entertainment is already strong as it is. Your parent will be very proud to see their company blossom by your hands." He said mildly placing a hand onto the younger man's shoulder. "Don't take risk with something that might destroy both you and the company."

Aoshi nodded and stood up. "Thank you, for your advice. I think I better get back into the office."

Okina smiled. "I think..you better stay for dinner. From the slam just now I'm pretty sure Misao is somewhere in the house. She'll be glad to see you."

"But, I.."

"No buts, business can wait. Or you don't want to meet Misao?"

Aoshi stood still causing Okina to smile contently. "I take it that you're staying. Great! I'll start cooking this instant. Make yourself at home. I'll get Misao for you."

With that the elderly man whisk out of the room. Aoshi could hear his voice pretty clearly from where he stood.

"MISAO!! MISAO!! AOSHI's HEEERE!

Not even a second later, Aoshi could hear unmistakable the thundering footsteps of his girlfriend thudding down the stairs at a speed of lightning.

He let a small smile grace his lips and at that moment the door banged open to reveal a panting young girl whose face broke into a large smile at the site of him. He offers a small smile and before he knew it the girl had pounced at him causing him to sway slightly.

Kenshin laugh outright. He hadn't had so much fun in such a long time. After he had whipped up a tremendous dinner for his friends, the four of them had retreated onto the balcony where they sat looking at the stars and talking merrily, thanks to Sano who keep coming up with some jokes.

"Ken san, You'll have to give me the recipe for that cream soup alright?" Megumi turning to meet the redhead while leaning onto the balcony's railing.

Kenshin grinned at her,"Sorry Miss Megumi that's my little cooking secret."

Megumi pouted playfully and replied. "Fine. Mine's better anyways, right Sano?"

Sano walked up to his girlfriend and smile broadly.." ER---Not really.." He didn't even get to finish that sentence for Megumi whoose's eyes had turn murderously green had conjured up a large fan out of nowhere and was hitting him furiously with it."Oi, Me-Megumi, That hurts. Ouch..hey I was going to say, Ouch! I was going to say that nothing can really match your cooking!" He cried causing his girlfriend to resume to her sweet self and snuggle closer.

"You mean it??" she cooed into his ears.

"Yep! Not even Kenshin's cooking can ever match your's" Sano said nodding at his now smiling girlfriend.

Kenshin and Kaoru watch this little scene and had to laugh.

"What's so Funny???!!" Sano wailed. "You should have Kaoru hit you with that fan and you'll know it's not funny at all."

"Alright, alright! I won't laugh." Kenshin replied putting on his mock serious expression.

"Kenshin, if you want to know what it feels like I think I can easily arrange that for you." Kaoru said lightly a mischievous grin on her face.

That cause Kenshin to lean in closer to her and whisper "Sure, but only when they are gone..I'll let you do more than hit me."

Kaoru blushed beet red and glided off to join Megumi and Sano nervously. She had never gotten used to the way Kenshin can be when they're alone.

"Hey Sano?" Kenshin called making Sano to turn around

"What?"

"I was going to ask for sometimes now. Er-Why don't you move into this building. It's closer to college isn't it."

Sano stared back because he had been thinking along that line for sometimes now.

"I was thinking about that too. But this place is usually full isn't it."

Kaoru gaped at her friend. She couldn't believe that Sano would even think of living in such a place. –How on earth would he afford the rent.- She knew Kenshin make an incredible sum of money from singing but Sano, well he didn't even apply for a summer job. So there's clearly no way he could afford to rent such a luxurious apartment. Actually thinking about it, she didn't know how he affords to pay for his current renting as well. She knew that his parents are working abroad, but she's pretty sure that they're not rich. But are they?

"If you really want to...I'm sure I can pull afew strings." Kenshin said as a matter of factly.

"I know you can, but..." Sanosuke whispered back.

"No buts. One word, yes or no." The idol said folding his arms across his chest.

"Okay then. Tell me when it's done."

Megumi smiled at her boyfriend. "Great! 'Cause I was going to tell you that I've already apply for a room at the building next to this one."

Sano's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!"

"Well other stuff came up." She answered sheepishly causing the spiky haired guy to shake his head iritatedly.

Now Kaoru starts to panic. If Sano moved out of her building then, she'll be all alone. All the years she had lived in that building she had never known a single person besides Sano and Yahiko. What would she do if she have problems with her living room lighting or the plumbing? Obviously Sano wouldn't drive across the city to fix it up for her.

As if sensing her worries Kenshin turns to her and smile reassuringly."Miss Kaoru..I know this might sound strange and you that might object but...there's a free bedroom here...If you don't mind. I'd loved it if you'll er—you'll er- move in."

Sano and Megumi exchanged a look and smiled broadly.

Kaoru blinked processing what she just heard over and over again. –Did she just hear him say. That he wanted her to move into this apartment, his house??-

"If you don't want to it's okay." Kenshin said his voice faltering

-Ohh My! God! Move in with him???! But that doesn't sound right. I'm a girl after all and he's a guy.-

"ER—but I'm really messy! And I couldn't cook and I'm dreadful and cleaning and doing the laundry." She manages to utter.

That makes Kenshin laugh,"This is a fully serviced apartment, Miss Kaoru there's someone who takes care of the cleaning and the laundry and as you can see I can pretty much cook."

"Hmm...I guess..I'll go think it ove---"

Ding Dong, Ding Dong, Ding Dong.

The bell chime caused everyone to look over to the front door. Kenshin raised an eyebrow. No one really pay him a visit except Soujirou. And his manager never rings the doorbell. Curious at who it might be he glided into the warmly lit living room and make for the front door. All of his friends at his heel all wanting to see who it was.

Ding Dong, Ding Dong, Ding dong.

Kenshin threw open the door and grasped. He was shocked beyond words. His whole body seemed to be made out of steel. He couldn't seem to move any part of his body. Behind him he could hear Sano grasp as well. His eyes widen and he couldn't seem to find any word to say...

A/N: Another long chapter. I really do hope you like it. Hehehe! Well have a wild guess who is at the door. And once again Please, Please and Please Review!!