Disclaimer: I do NOT own Rurouni Kenshin.

A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed! Here are my responses!

WhiteRabbit5 – Ahh, I owe you so much! Thank you!

Kawaiimeeh – Thank you for the kind review! Oh, yes, the eyes… hahaha.

Anonymous – Oh, that's nice.

Megfan – Yes, I suppose I could write some Megumi/Sano…

StormHornet – Haha, yeah. I prefer Black-Red too. And yes! Sou is in this! See you soon…

Recap –

I left without a backward glance, although, as I left I could feel someone's eyes on me, and they were not the furious eyes of Misao, that I was sure of.

Before The Dawn – Chapter 2

"Hey Kaoru-san!" Someone called. I turned around to see Komo Rei waving at me. He ran up and smiled. "I haven't seen you in a while, Kaoru-san."

"Yes… I haven't seen you in a while either. Its probably because you haven't seen me in a while," Rei grinned at that, "or it was because you were away? Were you away?"

"Well, no. I have not been out of the house much, though. Since my mother Mina is busy I have to take care of a couple things at home."

"Oh." I smiled. A while ago this conversation would have never happened. About one year ago Rei asked to if I wanted to go out with him and I answered honestly. It was really awkward between us for a while, though now it's okay.

Rei looked at the sun and gaped, "Is it that late? Gomen nasai, Kaoru-san, I have to go!" With a wave Rei set off back the way he had come.

I shook my head and laughed. Rei was a bit odd. Smiling happily I walked on. Up ahead I saw Hiko's pupil Kenshin being bothered by Raikoji Chizuru. I shrugged. He wasn't important to me. In fact, Himura Kenshin annoyed me. He could be very arrogant when talking about his talent with swords. I admit, he is talented, but he bragged quite a lot. I mean, he is handsome enough, with long blood red hair and mysterious amber eyes, but really! He also had two mysterious scars that, together, made the shape of an 'X'.

But I was so sick of hearing his bragging while I waited for my kenjetsu lesson.

I casually walked passed them. As I went by, I could feel Kenshin's eyes on me. I felt extremely uncomfortable. Why was he staring at me? Didn't he have better things to stare at? I guess Chizuru noticed him looking at me because there was a cry of anger and the sound of her flouncing away.

I started walking toward the house of my friend Shura. Maybe she would like my company. Suddenly a pair of arms snaked around my waist. I turned violently and suddenly to find my face only inches away from Yukishiro Enishi's. "Get off!" I cried and tried to wrench his arms away.

My eyes cried out for help. They fell upon Kenshin. He was clenching and unclenching his fists. He looked absolutely livid. Why, I wondered? Oh, Kami… it wasn't Enishi and me he was staring at with such anger, was it? Did he like me? Himura Kenshin? Like me? Masaka!

"Konnichiwa, Kaoru-koishii," Enishi said alluringly. "How is my one and only doing today?"

"Get off, jerk!" I cried, and struggled to remove his arms. "I would hit you but I don't hit weak boys!"

Enishi grinned. "My dear, I am not weak."

"Then can I hit you?" I snarled, staring up into his face defiantly.

"Let go of her, Enishi." Kenshin said, his voice dangerously low.

"And what are you going to do if I don't?" Enishi taunted.

Kenshin came over and unsheathed his sakabato. What the hell? I mean, come on, it wasn't that serious! At least he wasn't using his katana.

Enishi laughed. "You must be joking. I mean, its just Kaoru. Relax, Himura." When Kenshin stepped closer Enishi stopped laughing. "Oh, please, its just a girl!" he said, rolling his eyes. "But, whatever! I'll see you another time, Koishii." He let go of me and walked off.

"Are you okay?" Kenshin asked, sheathing his sword.

"Fine." I looked at him. "Thanks but it's really okay, you didn't have to get out your sword, its just Enishi. I mean he's just annoying."

Kenshin blushed and mumbled, "Yeah… um… sorry about that." He seemed sad and I felt guilty. He had gotten Enishi to go away after all. So I walked over, stood on my toes and kissed his cheek.

I have never seen a face so red. I nearly laughed. I waved and ran all the way to Shura's house, leaving the blushing Kenshin far behind. And I didn't think that man could blush.

"Kaoru!" My friend, green-haired Shura, opened up the door, frantic. "Its my brother! He got into a fight and now he needs help! Those men hurt him! I would bring them down myself except…" she fingered the wound from a previous fight on her arm, "you know I can't!" She looked upset.

"Akira is hurt?" Akira was Shura's elder brother and Tomoe's boyfriend. "I hope that I can help!" I said. As I followed Shura into the house I did not see Kenshin following too.

When Shura and I came in the three men who were causing the problem laughed. One said, "Oh look, its Shura and…" he stared at me with a leering look I was most uncomfortable with, "her friend."

Another said, "She'll just end up like Shura's brother over here." He pointed to Akira, who was slumped against the wall.

"No!" I shouted and started to speak. "You will pay for –"

But before I could finish my sentence and prepare for battle the leader ran forward and brought his sword down. Such speed! This man also had no honor. I tried to shield myself from the blow. I did not want to die by this monster's hand. But I had some pride. I readied myself for the blow that was sure to come.

But it never came. I opened my eyes to find myself in Kenshin Himura's arms. Kenshin had picked me up and whisked me away just in time. I looked up into his face – and fainted on the spot.

"Kaoru! Kaoru! Wake up, Kaoru!" faces swam into view.

I blinked and murmured, "W-what? Where am I?"

"Kaoru! You are at home! Kaoru! Don't fall asleep, you silly girl!" I sat up – too fast. I moaned and clutched at my head.

There was a hand on my arm. I looked into Tomoe's face. I could see Sanosuke behind her. "T-Tomoe… Niichan…" I mumbled. Then I fell into a deep sleep.

Hours later I awoke once more. Someone was wiping a cool cloth against my forehead. I blinked, and the haze seemed to clear. Sakura was the one wiping my forehead. "Hello, Sakura-chan…" I whispered.

"Why, hello, Kaoru-sama. We were wondering when you were gonna wake up." Sakura beamed.

"We?" I asked.

"Yes. There are some people who want to see you Kaoru-sama. There is Koshijiro-sama, Tomoe-sama and Sanosuke-sama, and some friends of yours."

"Can I see my family first?" I asked. She nodded and ran to the door. I sat up so as to look more acceptable.

"Kaoru-chan!" my sister came in looking worried. Her dark eyes always portrayed her emotions, as did mine. "How are you feeling?" behind her were Sanosuke and Father.

"Better, Neechan, I am feeling much better." I smiled.

Sanosuke rushed forward and enveloped me in a bear hug. "I was so worried, Kaoru! Don't ever do that to me again! Jou-chan, I'm so glad that you are okay."

I hugged him. "I'm okay, Oniichan."

Father pushed through Tomoe and Sano with a stern look on his face. I had the urge to hide under the covers. "You could have been hurt, you foolish girl!" he reprimanded me. "What on earth did you think you were doing?"

Both Tomoe and Sanosuke cried out in protest. "Father!" Tomoe said worriedly.

"Let her be, Father!" Sanosuke cried, angered.

Father ignored them. "Well? What were you doing? Having a battle with the Keikoro-gumi, completely unarmed? Are you mad, child? If your friend had not gotten you out of the way you could have been seriously hurt, or worse!"

I started to open my mouth, but Father interrupted me: "I don't want to hear one word, Kaoru." My Father turned to go.

"No, Father!" He turned back sharply, fire in his eyes. "I was not completely unarmed, and you know it!" I sat straight up, meeting my Father's furious gaze with one of my own.

He shook with anger and left the room. I could hear him cursing me all the way down the hall.

Tomoe looked after him. "Ohh… he makes me so mad sometimes!" Then she gave me a quick hug and left the room too. I could hear her cursing Father all the way down the hall.

My eyes must have grown fairly large at that point. "I did not know Tomoe knew such words!" I said, shocked.

Sanosuke laughed. Then he bent over me and whispered, "Good job. I'm glad you stood up to father. I'm sick of him yelling." Then he winked, and sauntered out. "Tomoe and I are going on a trip for a couple of days. We are going to Yoka. We are leaving on the morrow, so I will probably not see you till I get back. I'll see you on the eve of my return," he called back.

"Hey – why can't I come?" I yelled. I could hear him laughing all the way down the hall.

Sakura came back from getting my nightdress warm and ready. She handed it to me and said, "Once you are changed, may I let your friends in?"

"Yes, arigato, Sakura-chan."

I slipped into the warm cloth and announced, "I'm ready!"

Sakura smiled and opened the door. I welcomed my friends, my arms outstretched in greeting.

"Oh, Kaoru-chan!" Shura ran into my arms. "I was so worried!"

"What happened?" I asked, "I was attacked and then… darkness."

"I saved you," came a voice from beyond Shura.

I let go of Shura and looked around at Kenshin Himura. I went as red as his hair. That's right. He brought me out of the way of the sword. "Oh… right." I was still blushing. Why am I blushing? "Arigato, Kenshin-san."

"You are quite welcome, Kaoru-san." He said smoothly, his amber eyes burning into mine.

Ohh… I feel very odd. Tingly. Was it Kenshin? How did he do that? I don't even like him! I don't like him… I don't! I shook myself out of my reverie and saw that Kenshin was still looking at me. "Um…" What was this feeling? I've never experienced it before. It can't be what I think it is… right? Its not… love? Masaka! I cannot be in love with Sir Brags-a-lot! "Um…" I said again. "I … uh… need my rest… um … I will see you two tomorrow!"

I looked at Sakura and she shooed them out the door. As they were going I unconsciously grabbed Kenshin's arm.

He turned to me. "Hai?"

I blushed to the roots of my hair. "Ah… ah… nothing."

TBC…

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