Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. It's nice to know you all like my stories. I had something else to say but I forgot it. Oh well, I'll put it in the next chapter if I remember. :D


Chapter 2

Kaoru thinks to herself, "I've never seen a man with lavender eyes before. Are they real? Maybe he wears contacts."

She realizes he's saying something.

Kaoru asks, "I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?"

Man bows slightly and repeats his earlier question, "Hello, I'm Kenshin Himura, that I am. You are here to pick me up, yes?"

Kaoru blushes a bit, returns the bow and replies: "Yes, I'm Kaoru Kamiya. Okina asked me to pick you up and show you around a little."

Kenshin asks her, somewhat confused, "Okina?"

Kaoru chuckles nervously and explains, "Sorry. Mr. Kashiwazaki. We all call him Okina."

Kenshin nods in understanding. "I have all my things. Shall we go?"

Kaoru, as she leads him away, "Sure. Would you like me to help you? I can carry something."

Kenshin responds, "No, thank you. I have it."

Despite the obvious weight of his bags, Kaoru notices he still moves with a fluid grace, as if he carries nothing at all. She leads him to the parking deck and after stowing his bags, they drive out into the southern California sunshine. The drive to the hotel is made in relative silence. Kaoru waits while Kenshin registers and checks his bags.

Kenshin returns to the car and informs Kaoru of his situation. "My room is not yet ready, Kaoru-dono. Perhaps you would show me the city."

Kaoru agrees, "Sure. How about some lunch first? After your flight, I'm sure you're starving."

Kenshin smiles and says, "I am a bit hungry, that I am."

Kaoru nods. "I know just the place."

She drives to the outskirts of town. There, situated between an Asian market and a small gallery, sits the Akabeko. They enter and are greeted by a young girl.

The hostess speaks to Kaoru, "Hello Kaoru, it's nice to see you."

Kaoru responds, "Hi Tsubame, likewise. How's Tae?"

Tsubame smiles and says, "Fine. Would you like your usual table?"

Kaoru nods, "Sure."

Tsubame inquires, "How's Yahiko? I've haven't seen him lately."

Kaoru answers her, "He's fine. Sano and Megumi put him in a new private school, so he's been real busy. I'll try to drag him by this weekend."

Tsubame blushes and begins to turn away, "Ok. I'll get you some tea and be right back."

Kaoru looks at Kenshin once Tsubame leaves and explains, "Yahiko and Sano are my cousins. Their parents died two years ago in a car accident, so Sano and his wife, Megumi, take care of Yahiko. He and Tsubame have a little thing going. They don't think anyone knows about it."

Kenshin doesn't really know how to respond to her so he says, "She seems like a very nice girl."

A woman a few years older than Kaoru stops at their table and pours them each some tea.

Kaoru greets her, "Hey Tae."

Tae smiles back, "Hi. It's been a while."

Kaoru rolls her eyes a little and says, "Yeah, work keeps me busy."

Tae asks, "Who's your friend? He's cute."

Kaoru blushes bright red and introduces them to each other, "Tae Sekihara, meet Kenshin Himura. Kenshin just arrived from Japan today. Kenshin, this is Tae, she owns the Akabeko."

Kenshin sips his tea and responds, "An honor, Tae-san."

Tae inquires, "Himura-san. What brings you to LA?"

Kenshin answers, "I am to work for the Aoiya Agency making movies."

Tae claps her hands together and begins excitedly, "How exciting…"

Kaoru interrupts asking, "Kenshin, what looks good on the menu?"

Kenshin replies, "I'm sure I'll like whatever you are having, Kaoru-dono."

Kaoru orders their food, "Alright, sukiyaki, Tae."

Tae smiles brightly and turns toward the kitchen, "Comin' right up."

Kaoru once Tae is gone, tries to explain her behavior, "I'm sorry, that probably was pretty rude. But if I hadn't interrupted her, we'd never get to eat."

Tae returns with their food and Kaoru asks her to join them. It soon becomes obvious Tae likes Kenshin. Kaoru gets annoyed that she's hitting on him.

Kaoru thinks, "Really. The poor guy's only been here a few hours."

Kenshin is oblivious to the whole thing as he sips his tea and listens to the women chatter, occasionally interjecting a polite comment. They finish their meal and Kaoru begins her driving tour of LA. Suddenly, her cell phone rings.

Kaoru answers, "Hey Megumi."

Megumi, a little out of breath, says, "I need a big favor."

Kaoru sighs, "What is it know?"

Megumi explains, "I'm stuck here at the hospital and I need someone to be at the house when Yahiko gets home, then wait 'til the sitter shows up."

Kaoru whines, "Aww, c'mon. Can't he watch himself?"

Megumi, with an authoritative tone, replies, "He's only 12. He'll burn the place down."

Kaoru whines again, "But….I'm with a client."

Megumi responds logically, "I'm sure they won't mind since there's a child involved. Remember he gets a glass of milk and 2 cookies when he gets home. Don't let him talk you into giving him more than 2."

Kaoru is still trying to get out of it, "But…"

Megumi says, tersely, "Thanks, I really owe you one. Bye. click"

Kaoru mutters under her breath, "Crap!" To Kenshin: "Ummm, Kenshin?"

Kenshin replies innocently, "Yes, Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru asks, "How'd you like to meet my cousin?"

Kenshin's brow furrows in confusion, "Oro?"

Kaoru rushes to explain, "He just got outta school and I have to wait with him 'til his sitter gets there."

Kenshin acquiesces, "I would love to meet your cousin."

They drive to the house and no sooner get inside when the back door flies open to reveal a short spiky-haired boy.

Kaoru smiles and says, "Welcome home, Yahiko."

Yahiko growls, "Yo, Ugly, where's my milk and cookies?"

Kaoru getting irritated, "How many times do I have to tell you, don't call me ugly."

Yahiko dismisses her, "Whatever."

He spies Kenshin, sitting quietly on the sofa, reading a magazine.

Yahiko huffs, "Don't tell me. He's your boyfriend."

Kaoru explains, "Not that it's any of your business but no, he's a client."

Yahiko replies sarcastically, "I didn't think so. He's obviously not blind and he'd have to be to date you."

Kaoru responds irritably, "Eat your cookies, you brat."

He's saved from a beating by Kaoru's cell phone.

Okina asks, "How are you two making out, Kaoru?"

Kaoru answers, "Just fine."

Okina laughs, "Good because I'm assigning you to work as his assistant for the duration of filming."

Kaoru squawks, "What? Why?"

Okina explains patiently, "Because he doesn't have one and he's going to need you."

Kaoru sputters, "What do I have to do?"

Okina explains, "Drive him places, pick up his dry cleaning, walk his dog, whatever."

Kaoru growls, "Thanks. Thanks a lot."

Okina laughs again, "Adio-san."

Kaoru huffs as she hangs up, "Old geezer."

The front door slams open and a tall, spiky-haired man storms in. He immediately sees Kenshin.

He shouts, "Who are you and what are you doing in my house? Yahiko….Megumi…are you ok?"

Kenshin, puts his hands up in surrender and begins, "I am…"

The man interrupts, "Shut up mister. I don't care who you are. If you've hurt either one of them….nevermind, I'll just pound you now."

To be continued…