Author: Here's another Chapter of Fire Behind the Ice! Sorry it took so long! Please Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 4: Getting the Girl

"So how'd it go? You're going to have to tell me if you want the plan to continue!"

Sano had been following Yahiko around for most of the afternoon. Personally, he was getting tired of it. It was embarrassing for him to tell people about things like that. They may think he was soft and wasn't good enough to be a swordsman.

"I'll tell you later!" Yahiko said for the tenth time.

"No. I need you to tell me now," Sano said angrily. He didn't know why he was even helping the little brat. What had he done for him?

"Fine. But it has to be quick because I'm meeting Kaoru for lessons soon." Yahiko had to give in. There wasn't anything he could do about that. Besides, maybe it would be better to have Sano help a bit more.

"It went fine I guess." He said as he made himself comfortable under the tree.

"Did you do as I said? What did she say?"

"She said yes. We're going to watch the sunset on the roof tonight," Yahiko answered. He couldn't help himself from smiling. It was going to be perfect.

Sano gave him a friendly punch in the shoulder. "That's my little pupil. Well done! Now we must think of some things you should say to her..." Sano put his hand on his chin thoughtfully.

"Maybe I should just do that on my own," he said quickly. He was afraid that Sano would make him say things he wasn't ready to say or tell her. He was surprised at his answer.

"All right."

"Wha...?"

"I said all right. There's no sense in trying to make you say certain things. They might not come out right. It's better to just let it flow."

Yahiko let out a sigh of relief. Now all he had to worry about was not to sound stupid in front of Memaruu. Memorizing lines would have been a pain. 'Oh no. My lesson!'

"Ah! I got to go!" Yahiko got up swiftly and ran to find Kaoru.

"Good luck," Sano whispered under his breath before walking off.

I sat in the dojo with Kaoru. Yahiko was late for the lesson. Just as I thought, I don't have to start today. That would leave me time to finish my drawing for Kenshin. It was coming out nice.

"Is it all right if I draw again today, Kaoru," I asked sheepishly.

"Sure." Kaoru seemed a bit annoyed, so I didn't say another word. I knew there would be much scolding to come. I knew not to start my drawing till after that happened.

Yahiko finally arrived and was panting at the door.

"Where have you been?" Kaoru screamed. I assumed she had gotten over the fact that a guest was here. "Our lesson was supposed to begin at least 10 minutes ago! You better have a good explanation!"

Yahiko turned red as Kaoru continued to yell at him. I bet on a normal occasion he would have yelled right back, but I was in the room. I felt the need to leave but chose not to. There would be less commotion if I stayed.

He lowered his head and mumbled an apology.

"All right. But you had better not do that again. Now let's begin..."

I knew it was safe to start on my own work. I didn't like drawing when there were loud noises and chaos. It was more difficult to concentrate in those situations. It wouldn't be long until I finished my drawing of Kenshin. Then, maybe I would pay attention a little.

Time flew by as I finished touching up Kenshin's picture. I had to admit it was one of my best yet. I could probably give it to him immediately if I could find him. I looked up from my art and found that the lesson was still continuing. I figured it was time to listen, since I was going to be joining them tomorrow.

Without realizing it, I eventually got so bored that I accidentally feel asleep.

It was difficult for Yahiko to focus on his lesson with Memaruu sitting there, watching him. He looked over at her like he usually did every five seconds. This time she wasn't watching him. She had fallen asleep with her drawing in hand.

"Yahiko, pay attention! Did you even hear what I just said?" Kaoru yelled. He could have yelled right back, but he might have woken Memaruu.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

Kaoru sighed. "That's all right, Yahiko. Let's call it a day. Besides, you have a big date tonight," Kaoru teased with a wink. Yahiko looked puzzled and shocked at the same time.

"How did you...?"

"I eavesdropped. It's as simple as that." Kaoru had a sinister smile as she left Yahiko where he stood. He eventually got over it and looked back to Memaruu. 'She looks so beautiful and peaceful when she sleeps...' Yahiko shook his head. Did it really take just one girl to cause him to act so strangely? It was very unlike him to be thinking such thoughts.

'Maybe I should wake her.' He could bet she wouldn't have wanted to wake up in the middle of the night in the dojo.

He tried to casually walk over to her, but that simply failed all together. He came close to her face, his cheeks reddening by the second. He eventually decided that a tap on the shoulder might suffice. So he did just that, but she did not wake up. He shook her with a bit more force. Luckily, she began to wake up. Slowly, her eyes began to open. She made contact with Yahiko and her eyes began to bulge. She stood up, brushed herself off, and picked her things up. She gave him a quick nod before rushing out of the room.

Yahiko just sighed and followed suit. He had to get ready for the big night ahead of him.

I waited patiently for Yahiko to tell me that it was time for us to watch the sunset. I began to grow impatient since it was nearly almost time. I figured drawing would calm me, so I did the final touches on my picture for Kenshin. It didn't take long before I finished.

With still no sign of Yahiko, I began searching for Kenshin to give him the drawing. I could feel myself grow more nervous with each step. I was about to give the legendary hitokiri, the man my family idolized, a picture I had drawn. My father would have been so proud.

I walked around the dojo and found Kenshin setting up a bath for Miss Kaoru. I was too embarrassed to actually walk in, so I knocked softly. Before I even hit the door once, Kenshin swung it open and greeted me with a large smile.

"What may this one do for you Miss Memaruu?" He asked in his usual way. I only took a moment to hesitate before I held out the drawing to him.

"I...I finished. I finished the drawing for you," I stuttered. His eyes softened slightly as he looked over the drawing.

"Well. This is quite a drawing, Miss Memaruu." Kenshin then kneeled down to my eye level. "This one is very grateful for this gift. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I answered brightly. He turned away to finish what he had been doing. I then left to see if I could find Yahiko.

Before I knew it, Yahiko was standing in front of me as I turned a corner. He was shaking slightly and looking down. I was too embarrassed to speak anyway. He finally looked up with a smile. That was a relief.

"It..it's almost time for the sunset, Memaruu. We better get to the roof top before its too late," Yahiko said as he let out his hand. Out of instinct, I took it and he led me to another part of the dojo.

On the side of the building, there were loosened boards and vines. Yahiko demonstrated by going up first and I followed behind. My clumsy side took over as I slipped. Luckily, Yahiko caught my hand and helped me the rest of the short way.

Eventually, we made it to the roof where two futons had been left out with snacks at their sides. As I scanned the roof over, Yahiko's face reddened. I would have done the same though. He seemed to really try and prepare for this.

"Oh...look! It's starting!" Yahiko grabbed my hand and led me to the futons. He sat on one and motioned me to the other, where I took a seat. I watched the spectacle with delight. I had never had time to just sit and look at a sunset. The mixed colors look so beautiful with the night sky above them. While I watched the sun go down, I didn't even realize that Yahiko and I were still holding hands.

'Haha! I did it. Wait till I tell Sanosuke!' Yahiko thought as he looked from Memaruu's pleased face to the sunset before them. Everything had worked out perfectly. And tonight, they were going to sleep under the stars. In case they get hungry, he prepared food. Everything was perfect.

Among all these thoughts, Yahiko had forgotten that he was still holding her hands. As he went to pull it away from embarrassment, Memaruu only held it tighter. As long as she didn't mind, Yahiko sure didn't mind. 'This is absolutely perfect.' Yahiko thought as the sun finished its decent below the horizon.

"Thank you for this, lit...Yahiko." He looked over to see Memaruu smiling brightly at him.

"Uh...You're welcome," Yahiko answered as he smiled shyly back. Yahiko thought he would never like something like this. He thought if he turned soft and wasn't tough that he would be angry with himself. But, instead, it was all right. He figured it would be fine to be both as long as he still became strong one day. Now he had another reason to be strong. He could be strong for Memaruu, and protect her...

Memaruu finally let go of Yahiko's hand when she laid down in her futon to go to sleep. He watched her fall asleep before he went to sleep himself.

"Well. Isn't that a cute sight!" Kaoru said as she clasped her hands.

"This one thinks you are right. I'm glad for Yahiko," Kenshin said in agreement.

"Well...I see that my work here is finished. Yahiko owes me big time." Sanosuke said with a victorious expression.

"You didn't really do much..." Sanosuke slapped Kenshin on the back.

"Of course I did! Look at those two. This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for me!" Sanosuke argued.

"Whatever you say Sanosuke," Kaoru whispered before looking at the pair one more time. "We better get to sleep ourselves."

"Kaoru-dono is right. Best we sleep now." Kenshin said before walking to his room.

"Yup...g'night everybody." Sanosuke yawned.

Author: That's it for now! Please review! I'll try and update sooner! In the next chapter, Memaruu starts her first day of training. Woo!