Disclaimer:

I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Summary:

She thought he was in love with another girl, when he realized that he was in love with her. This is a story of how a man falls in love with the best friend and how he will do everything to make her realize what he feels for her is true.

Note:

Kaoru is fifteen years old as Kenshin is eighteen years old.

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I'll make you… Chapter 5: Don't you see it's real…

Looking back, he saw how pathetic (for lack of words) he was. It was indeed only infatuation, and he is glad to have gotten over it. Now, he can move on without any hesitation. He did not long for Tomoe anymore, only cherishing her friendship had become enough.

His heart beat faster as Kaoru laid back into his embrace. How? Her scent wafted his senses. When? His blood was rushing to his face. Questions filled his mind, but looking at Kaoru everything became clear. It doesn't matter, when, where, how, why. Flustered he kept looking down at Kaoru. I love her… I…had always…that's what matters, I- His eyes gazed at her lovingly. I love you.

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Even though he got her a ring already, Kenshin couldn't help but buy her something else. After all, it was an engagement ring that I owed her. He blushed at the thought. But then he stopped walking and took a deep breath, and exhaled loudly.

So far, at the first weekend, Kenshin had successfully avoided Kaoru. Well, it helped a lot when she had to go to the province to her grandparents. He sighed. He already missed her. He looked at his ring and smiled softly. She's still a kid at heart.

He rounded the stores again, but still couldn't get any idea on what to give her. Looking up and down, left and right. Nothing just seemed right. Nothing seemed to be perfect. Nothing just passed his tastes… particularly those who were ogling at him from afar.

Sighing, he gave up, by the end of the day resigning to failure. Even though, she wouldn't have minded. He wanted to get her a gift too.

He went back to his apartment feeling dejected. As he entered his abode, he sunk into his couch and rubbed his temple slightly. But then he saw the clock. It was already 8 o' clock. He went over to his phone and saw that he had no messages.

That is strange. Kaoru said she would call at six. He crinkled his brows in worry. But then he remembered Kaoru mention that it maybe hard to call him as the reception may be bad.

With that he took a shower, changed, and cooked his dinner. All the while looking over at his phone in anticipation. When sleep was overtaking him, he went to bed. For the last time that night he opened one sleepy eye to look at his telephone by the bed's side and slept.

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The next day, he was awakened by loud consistent knocks on his door. He got up as he rubbed sleep off his eyes. When he opened the door he made sure he was fairly presentable. When he had opened the door, his breath was taken as a small bundle came hurtling at him.

Taken by surprise, he fell on the floor with the bundle. After a few swirlies, he looked up to see a grinning Kaoru, who went back to nuzzling him, when she was satisfied that he recognized her. Kenshin laughed as he hugged Kaoru.

Kaoru in the meanwhile enjoyed his warmth and soft rumbling of his chest. She was sleepy, and she was about to drowse off, when she heard Kenshin talk. She looked up with closed eyes to show that she was listening.

"You know, we could be seen by the hallway," he said as he lifted himself up propped up with the use of his elbows, without disentangling Kaoru's hold. Kaoru only shrugged.

Kenshin gave a sigh, and kicked the door closed. He looked at Kaoru and started petting her. After some time they stayed that way, when Kenshin realized that she was asleep.

He carried her towards his bed and made a move to go away. But Kaoru held onto him, and so he yielded and went under the covers with her.

"You returned home early. You must be tired," he whispered in her ear. Kaoru only nodded as she gave a small yawn before snuggling to Kenshin's warmth.

Kenshin still wanted to ask so many questions, but saw that she was not up to it just yet, and so he joined her in slumber.

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In an hour's time, they woke up. Kenshin prepared a breakfast for the both of them. Kaoru followed him to his kitchen and made herself comfortable in one of the high stools. As Kenshin cooked he asked her how she had come home.

"Brother, took me home," she said in between mouthfuls as she ate Kenshin's hearty breakfast. "But I forgot to get the keys from Mom and so I asked to be dropped by your apartment." Kenshin formed an 'o', but then he raised an eyebrow.

"Did you tell that you were going to a guy's house?" he asked. She nodded as she took a drink of juice.

"Why didn't your brother come up? He could have stayed as well." Kaoru shook her head.

"Grandma called him up to go back, but we were already home then. So Grandma asked brother to come back immediately. So he couldn't stay even if he wanted to," she said as she took another bacon.

Kenshin, meanwhile looked at her as she ate the breakfast he made. She was such a pig but then she is my little piglet. He thought to himself.

As days passed, Kenshin saw himself more and more possessive of Kaoru. Not that he showed it by glaring at other guys, but by little thoughts commenting that everything she was, was his. Like, that's my best friend, that's my little one, or that this is what would my Kaoru would have done. And Kaoru is oblivious to it all for that he was thankful. Kaoru didn't want to be owned for she says that she can take care of herself.

He was a little surprised at himself. But then he thought, how could anyone not be possessive of Kaoru? She may not be pretty to be hung up on, but there is just something she exudes that makes you want to own a part of her. Like she would smile at you and only you a special smile or that she would think of you when she looked at a certain color. As you would want something from her, you would want her to own something of yourself.

Kenshin was driven out of his thoughts as Kaoru nudged him a little.

"Hey, you zoned out on me for awhile," she said as she finished her bacon and juice.

"I'm sorry. Was there anything you need? Is there anything else you want? Another juice, perhaps tea, or another stack of French toast and bacon?" he asked as she stood up to make some more. Kaoru only pulled him back at his shirt.

"You're going to turn me into a pig!" she said laughing. Kenshin reached out and gently rubbed of some crumbs. Nearing the lips, he swiped off a smear of butter and sucked on his finger.

"I even eat like one," Kaoru only blushed at how messy she ate.

"No, I don't think the fat could hold on. You're about as restless as a young pony," Kenshin said as he gave her a smile. Kaoru smiled back.

"Anyway, Kenshin," she said as she swayed herself from side to side as she still sat.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Where's my toothbrush?" she said looking around the kitchen.

"Oh yes, come," Kenshin shook his head and led her to his bathroom.

"Here," as he handed her a violet toothbrush and got his own white one.

"Thank you." And together they brushed their teeth. Then they lounged at his couch.

"You know, Kenshin, what would be good now?" Kenshin shook his head. Kaoru crawled to his side and looked don at his face.

"A good bath. So have you still got any of my clothes?" she asked.

"Now, that you have mentioned it… yes," he got up and went to a hidden locker at his room, where he revealed some of Kaoru's clothes, mostly uniforms and some casual ones and a pair of pajamas.

Kenshin's apartment was close to school so when Kaoru had messed up her clothes one way or another, she could just get some at his apartment.

"How convenient to have a friend like you," she said as she got some clothes, a towel, and kissed him on the cheek. With that she went and locked herself at his bathroom.

Kenshin only stood there shocked and caressing his cheek where she kissed him. "Friend?" he asked to himself. For some odd reason, his heart clenched and his brows furrowed at the mere thought.

But then he remembered. "Don't finish up the hot water!" he called to Kaoru.

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After they had freshened up, Kaoru proposed that they go out. And go out they did. They went to the park where Kenshin bought Kaoru an ice cream.

"It seems to me that you're always hungry," Kenshin teased as he wiped off an ice cream off her cheek.

"What can I say? I'm a growing kid," she said as she licked a marshmallow off.

"Kid is right." Kenshin looked at her. Warmth spread throughout him as he watched her it. He didn't even notice that he was staring at her lips.

"Ugh, you're so immature," she said as she rolled her eyes and made to over take him. But he held her in place. He wound his arms around her waist and swayed her a bit.

"Who you?" He smiled causing Kaoru to blush.

"Ye- No. I meant you," she said as soon as she recovered from Kenshin's antics. He was walking backwards carrying her along, each step with a sway.

"Is that so. Then I don't think you would want this anymore," he said as he took hold of her ice cream and turned to walk away from her. Kaoru was speechless for a while and when she recovered she ran after him and faced him.

"Give me back my ice cream!" as she tried to grab hold her ice cream. Kenshin only dodged her attempts without breaking a sweat.

"Nuh-uh, you eat anymore and you might grow bigger," he said playfully, holding the ice cream dangerously close to his open mouth. Kaoru fumed.

"Yeah, I'll grow and I'll be taller than you!" she said as she jumped on him. But he just raised the cone where she could not reach it.

"I meant you grow bigger – here," he grabbed her by the waist, and ran.

"Ooh… Give it back!" she ran after him. But then slid to a stop as she was about to hit Kenshin who only caught her before she fell.

"Hmm… Only if you give me something in return," he said as his drew nearer hers. She glared at him.

"It's just ice cream!" I can't believe he won't give it back. Kenshin smiled and thought, It's not just any ice cream. It's your favorite… and I know how much you've missed it. Too bad I ruined your diet, neh?

"Then I guess I'll eat it then," he held the cone close, and then closer, and closer still -

"But you don't eat ice cream!" she said appalled.

"There's a first time for everything. Besides, if I remember you wanted me to try it." Kaoru fumed, when he caught her.

"I didn't mean my ice cream!" she retorted back, thinking of nothing else to say.

"But I bought this." He countered.

"You gave it to me!" she countered back.

"Then I'll get it back." Kaoru was as red as his hair with rage. But knew she had to give up. She took a deep breath and -

"Oh, what do you want? That's the last scoop of Double Dutch," she said exasperated with childish mood. Kenshin crinkled his brows as if in thought. In truth, he already knew what he wanted. Then he brightened up as if he got it. He looked at her with a gleam in his eye. Kaoru backed away, frightened.

"I would like a kiss," he said as he drew near.

"A kiss!" she fumbled, she stepped back.

"Yup," he stepped forward, his smile growing bigger.

"Oh well, that won't be too hard," she recovered and held his face. She kissed him on the nose. But he stopped her as he held her face and made her face him.

"Here –" he said as he motioned towards his lips.

"But – " she blushed.

"Sigh. Hmm, Double Dutch… The last scrumptious scoop," he moved away and acted as if he were about to take a bite off it.

"O…Alright already," she sighed in defeat. He gave her ice cream knowing she won't back out as she made a deal. Kaoru took it dejectedly to make him feel guilty. Kenshin did but he waited too long for the opportunity.

When she finished, she couldn't look at him in the eye. He held her chin and made her look. He smiled softly; she bushed. He drew the gap between them to a close, and through half lidded eyes he kissed her. Kaoru's eyes widened and fluttered to a close as she blushed some more. Kenshin likewise closed his eyes and drew her nearer grabbing her at the waist.

They were in their own world.

Kenshin drew their kiss deeper wanting it to be memorable for it was his best friend's first time. Best friend. He eyes drew open and looked at her flushed face. No, I want her more than that. I love you…

Kaoru was lost. His kiss were demanding and yet so soft, she couldn't get enough. She wrapped her arms around him. When she felt him smile, she got her sense back. She opened her eyes wide and moved away.

"Short and sweet," she said to herself as she unconsciously touched her lips. Kenshin was looking at her. Anxious, of what she would think of him now. Baka! You should have waited when you confess, he thought to himself.

His heart's beat raised as he saw her look at him, with unreadable expression. His heart had nearly burst, when Kaoru lifted a side of her lips. After a few seconds, her grin turned into a smile.

"Wow, Kenshin. You're a great kisser." Kenshin did an anime drop. He looked up and saw Kaoru giggling at him.

"Kao-"

"Kenshin, let's go to the carnival." She cut him off. Kenshin clenched his fists, but smiled warmly at her. "I would like that."

And the kiss was driven to the back of their heads… or at least Kaoru's. Kenshin couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. I love you, Kaoru. You're so dense. His fist unclenched as he grabbed her hand. Kaoru looked at him curiously but he just smiled at her. But that's you… and I love you.

Resolute, one thing crossed his mind, I'll make you…