Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. This is getting old.

A/N: Thanks to all!

StormHornet – Kenshin is a bitch? –rubs eyes- Oh, wait, no; I read it wrong. Ehehe. But yeah, he's a meany-face.

The Blue Sakura – You will find out soon! Thx!

KaoruAngel – Huh… you will find out the truth soon… heh… thx for reviewing!

Recap –

Kenshin met up with his friends outside his house just before he went to

meet Kaoru. He grinned slyly, and his friends snickered and gave him a high five.

Before The Dawn – Chapter 5

That night we were all assembled outside my house. "Konbanwa, friends!" I greeted.

Aoshi nodded, Misao waved, hyper as usual, Kenshin looked down, his face pink. I nearly blushed myself. We walked to the temple in silence, just enjoying each other's company. This was a first for Misao. As we walked, I took the time to think. I had fallen for 'Sir-Brags-A-Lot' whether I liked it or not. I wondered whether if I would ever actually tell him and if he would return my feelings. Of course, there was that day when Enishi hugged me and Kenshin did look very angry. I was so deep in thought that when we got there I did not notice. Only when Misao threw one of her kunai at me and it whistled past my ear did I wake up. I saw that the others were already starting up the stairs leading to the temple.

"Come on, Kaoru!" Misao called, hands cupped around her mouth. "This is your double date, after all!"

I blushed and retorted, "It is not a double date, Misao, and you know it!" I rushed up the stairs after the others as fast as my dress would let me. Oh, believe me, if I could be wearing pants right now, I would be.

We settled in the temple and prayed, each of us making a wish. I knew not the other's wishes. I had two wishes. One was all you could wish. Which would I choose, the selfish wish of Kenshin returning my feelings, or the wish of Sakura returning? Which wish, the unlikely or the impossible?

I knew Sakura coming back was so impossible, so shall I make my selfish wish? I decided too indeed, make my so selfish wish. I bowed my head and prayed my wish was granted.

Afterwards we walked away from the temple laughing.

Misao came up to me and whispered, "What was your wish? Did it have something to do with Kenshin?"

I blushed and whispered, "Mine is secret. What is yours?"

"A secret," Misao answered and we laughed.

Then Misao raced up ahead, leaving Aoshi and I to be the last two. I came up and asked him, "Aoshi, what was your wish?"

"My wish?" He took a deep breath. "I wished that I had enough courage to kiss you," he said.

"Nani?" was all I got out before he placed his lips on mine in a hesitant kiss. I stood absolutely still, doing nothing, and thinking nothing.

Then he withdrew and stared at me. "Kaoru…"

There were a lot of noises up ahead. We both turned our heads to find Kenshin staring at Aoshi and I, looking heartbroken. And then I looked at Misao. She was on the verge of tears. Then she ran up to me and shouted in my face, "I hate you! I hate you!" before running away, crying her eyes out.

"Misao…" I called, starting to running after her when Aoshi caught my arm. I turned to face him. His face was so sad.

"Kaoru…" he repeated, "do you understand why I kissed you?" his face looked a little desperate. "I love you, Kaoru."

"No… you love Misao! Misao, not me!" I said. Aoshi was wonderful, my friend, but I did not see him that way.

"No, Kaoru! Its you!" Aoshi looked frantic. He grabbed my arm. "Kaoru!"

"Let go, Aoshi! Let go!" I struggled, but his grip was very strong.

"Aoshi let her go!" Kenshin ran up to us and wrenched Aoshi's arms away.

Aoshi bowed his head. "I see." His head snapped up. "I see who you love, Kaoru, and it is not I." And he turned, and, without another word Aoshi walked the way Misao had gone.

"Arigato, Kenshin." I said, rubbing my wrists. "Arigato." Just then as Kenshin and I stood in the road, it started to rain.

"Kaoru… do you love Aoshi?" he spoke so seriously.

The rain fell heavily, so heavily that I could almost not see Kenshin's face. "I do not. I love another." I would let out no secrets, especially to the one I was speaking of.

"Sou ka. This man is lucky, ne? Who is it, de gozaru yo?" I thought I saw a flicker of sadness cross Kenshin's face but then it was gone. Who knows if it had ever been?

"I cannot tell you. Gomen." I could not tell him that my love was he, of course.

"Does he know of your love?" Kenshin questioned.

"I do not think he does."

"Is the one you love a friend of yours?"

"Well… yes. I suppose he is. Certainly, he is nice enough." The rain poured down. Should I tell him of my love through his questions? "Though he brags sometimes."

I thought I saw a smile on Kenshin's face. "Does he now. You should tell him to stop bragging."

"I will." I took a deep breath. "Stop bragging, Kenshin."

"I'm sorry, Kaoru. I can't help it if I'm excellent at swords, now can I?" Kenshin grinned, and took a step toward me.

"I bet you only brag because you are jealous of me!" I retorted. I couldn't resist. As a joke, I turned my back on him.

"Ah, 'tis true." Kenshin said, wrapping his arms around me.

I started in surprise.

"Kaoru, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?"

"Eeto… hai. Arigato, Kenshin, I would love too." I said, what I hoped to be a sweet smile on my face.

"Excellent." Kenshin let go of my middle and took my hand. "Perhaps we should go home. Its pouring rain and it is getting late." Kenshin, still clasping my hand, led me home. On the way, he said, "Do you know how long I have had these feelings for you Kaoru?"

"I know not. Since you saw me with Enishi, maybe?"

Kenshin laughed. "Iie. It was long before that. Do you remember that day six years ago? When you were playing with Tomoe and I came up and stared at you until you shouted at me to get away?"

"That long?" I gasped. "Really?" I looked at Kenshin through the rain.

"Couldn't be more true, that it couldn't." Kenshin let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "Are you cold, Kaoru?"

"Iie. I'm fine Kenshin. Perfectly fine." Truth was, I was freezing. I leaned my head upon his shoulder as we walked.

A quarter of an hour later, we stood in front of my house. "Arigato, Kenshin." I said, my eyes falling closed with weariness. "Oyasumi nasai." I stood upon my toes and kissed his cheek. He blushed again. Then I stepped in my door and waved good-bye. He turned to go and I smiled and closed the door. I was to tired to notice my father looking not so pleased at Kenshin in a window up three floors.

I twirled up the stairs in a daze, and Yahiko narrowly missed a collision. I ran into my room, very happy. Or I was, until I saw Mina's face. By now she had awoken, and she was very angry with me.

TBC…

A/N: Aww, sweet! Review please!