AC: arigatou for the reviews! gomen it took so long to update...i had writers block...sucky! well on with the chapter...!

i don't own rk


Kaoru, Kenshin, Aoshi, Sanosuke and some other students stayed after school for Kendo practice. Their big tournament was coming. Arisuke-sensei called for Sanosuke and Kaoru to practice with eachother.

"Go!"Arisuke-sensei called out. Kaoru and Sanosuke went into stance with their bokkons.

Sanosuke ran towards Kaoru, his bokkon aiming towards her. Kaoru stood there and smirked.

As Sanosuke was about to target Kaoru's side, she jumped. Sanosuke paused and watched her jump over him. Sanosuke almost dropped his jaw. He didn't know anyone that could jump that high over him since he was so tall.

Kaoru landed on her feet with her knees bended. Sanosuke quickly went back into stance. Kaoru ran to Sanosuke and soon disappeared. Dumbstruck Sanosuke lowered his bokkon and looked at his surroundings to see where she had gone to.

Suddenly he felt a light hit on his side. He looked down and noticed Kaoru was behind him and her bokkon and touched his side.

"Winner, Kaoru!"Arisuke-sensei called out. Sanosuke faced Kaoru and gave her a high five.

"Nice Jou-chan, didn't know you had that much skill"he smirked. Kaoru smiled and walked back to the bleachers next to Kenshin.

"Good job Kaoru"Kenshin said putting his arm around her waist as she sat down.

"Thanks Kenshin, but I'm not as good as you"she said resting her head on his shoulder.


The next day had rolled around, it had become a warmer day. Kaoru was in calculus silently studying for the next test, along with the rest of the class.

She decided to take a break from her studying and walked down the main hallway heading towards the waterfountain.

Kaoru felt so happy for some reason. Life was going good for her. She had deserved it after all the anxiety she had gone through this year.

She sipped some water out of the fountain and walked back to her classroom. Far from behind her Kenshin was staring at Kaoru. He thought that she didn't notice him, but he was wrong.

"I can see you Kenshin. I'm not a baka"Kaoru said spinning around facing Kenshin. He smiled and walked towards her.

"You know me so well"he said putting his hand around her back and pushing her closer to him.

"Kenshin no baka! We're in school!"she said giggling.

"Soo..."he said. Kaoru just smirked. She put her hands on his chest and kissed him.

They parted their lips and Kaoru rested her head on his chest.

"I don't want to go back to class...I'd rather be with you"Kaoru said softly. Kenshin lifted up her chin and kissed her.

"I'm always with you Kaoru..."he said putting his hand to where her heart was located. Kaoru smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

Kenshin had let go of his hold to Kaoru and watched her go back to class.


School had ended and Kenshin and Kaoru walked home together hand in hand.

"You seem tired Kaoru, are you ok?"Kenshin asked sweetly. Kaoru nodded her head slowly.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'am a bit tired though"she said softly. Kenshin smiled. Right now he just wanted to walk down the sidewalk with Kaoru close to him. He had fallen in love with her. He just didn't know what he would do without her. She was what made him happy and he would of done anything for her. One day he said that he would tell Kaoru that he loves her, but would she love him back? Well he was about to find out.

"Kaoru lets walk through the park it'll be quicker"he said facing the park. Kaoru just looked at Kenshin and nodded her head.

As they walked through the park, Kaoru noticed something very familiar. She saw the hill where her and Kenshin had their first kiss, which was not to long ago.

"Do you remember Kenshin?"Kaoru said who stopped walking. Kenshin was beside her, Kaoru's hands were around his arm now. Kenshin nodded.

"Kaoru?"Kenshin asked. Kaoru faced Kenshin.

"Yes?"she said sweetly.

"We've been together not too long now, but I've known you for a while. During our times together, my heart has grown to..er...I love you Kaoru...with all my heart"Kenshin said softly. Kaoru couldn't believe her ears. Her eyes widened.

Kenshin loves me? Kaoru was speechless at the moment. She didn't know what to say.

"K-Kenshin, I-I...don't know what to say..."Kaoru paused for a moment,"I'm not sure if...I love you back...I mean I feel so happy to hear that, but.."Kaoru was lost for words.

"Its ok..."he said sweetly although it kind of felt like his heart had recieved a small crack,"Tell me when you feel it through your heart..."he said. Kaoru smiled faintly. She felt so bad though.

What do I really feel for Kenshin?...Do I actually...love him?


A breezy Saturday evening rolled around, Yahiko spent the night at his friends house as Kaoru stayed home alone. She dressed into her pajamas letting her hair loose, locked the front door, and shut off all the lights.

She settled into her living room couch and turned on the t.v. with her remote. As she flipped through the channels she saw one channel that caught her eye.

"Early this morning, police found a women's body near Yurazaki street. The womans name was Yumi Takomoto. Police found fingerprints at the scene and claims that it belongs to Shishio Nakagawa who is in an illegal drug dealer and as yet still hasn't been arrested. The woman suffered five gun shots to the head. Police also found a note that layed next to the body. It read: 'The Kamiya girl will end up like the woman.' We'll keep you ahead on this breaking news, now back to you Hoshi."

Kaoru's eyes widened she nearly choked. She turned off the t.v. quickly and pulled her legs to her chest looking around in the darkness of her apartment.

At that moment Kaoru felt unsafe and scared. Why was Shishio after her?

Suddenly Kaoru heard the front door knob turn slightly Kaoru froze in her spot. She thought it was Shishio. The door knob kept on churning since the door was locked. Soon she heard banging.

'Bang Bang!'

Kaoru whimpered in fear, she was stiff and couldn't move.

"Kaoru! Are you in there?"yelled the voice outside the door. Kaoru suddenly felt relieved. She ran to the door and unlocked the chain. She swung the door open and saw Kenshin standing infront of her.

"Kenshin!"Kaoru said loudly. She threw her arms around Kenshin tightly. Kenshin put his arms around her also.

"Did you see it also?"he asked softly. Kaoru nodded, her arms were still around Kenshin, she didn't want to let go.

Kenshin directed Kaoru into the living room, he sat on the couch with Kaoru sitting closely to him. She rested her head on his chest her hair covered half her back. She felt content being close to Kenshin, but she still felt scared.

The wind outside became very strong. The moon shined in through the dining room window and left some light in the apartment. The trees rustled to the rythym of the wind where some leaves dropped from the tree and set sail with the nightly wind.

Twigs tapped on the dining room window leaving Kaoru more scared than she already was. She whimpered slightly in fear as she scooted her body closer to Kenshin. He put his arm around her back and stroked it gently. Kenshin hushed her.

"Hush Kaoru, I will not leave you..."he said softly,"I will protect you..."

What do you want with Kaoru, Shishio?...


In an abandoned warehouse downtown where no one believed that someone would live in, Shishio and his men watched the news on a small television.

Shishio turned off the small television that sat on his desk. He smirked.

"Hey boss, why'd you kill that braud anyways?"asked one of Shishio's men. Shishio just looked at him.

"To remind someone that they're not forgotten..."Shishio replyed,"We'll be seeing them soon...very soon"

AC: Heyz! i finished! god finally, well im on spring break so my head will be infront of this computer screen for the next week! maybe ill update reeeeallly soon...well reviews on this chapter! gomen if it was short! and also i forgot Shishio's last name so i just made it up gomen! on with chapter...20? omfg! 20? chapter 20! yay!