Rurouni Prom

Author's Note: Thanks again to RocknRoll Kenshin, I suck when it comes to rewriting a plot, I really enjoyed how she explained the Kenshin/Tomoe story and, again, she was kind enough to let me use the idea. Thanks to everyone else for all the reviews, you're all great, now with that said, on with the show!

A couple of days later Kaoru went back over to check on Kenshin and was more than happy when she saw him up and about, his color back and the tired look in his eyes gone, although she was a little disappointed to see that his hair was up again. Once she got inside she hugged him and kissed his cheek, "I missed you, are you feeling better now?"

"Oh yes, but I think I need a kiss just to make sure."

Kaoru giggled and let him pull her against him, placing a soft kiss to her lips before releasing her, "Yep, I'm better now."

Kaoru playfully put her hand on his forehead and smiled at him, "I don't think you are, I think you need some more treatment."

Kenshin couldn't help but smile as he leaned down towards her, "Well... if that's what the doctor ordered..."

Kaoru wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, sighing when he put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. She was really starting to enjoy the kiss then he pinched her, causing her to cry out softly as she pulled away, "That hurt, Kenshin!"

"What did I do?"

"You pinched me, you jerk!"

"I didn't pinch you."

"Then who did?"

Kaoru heard a giggle behind her and she turned around, coming eye to eye with an amused Kenji, "Hello Kaoru."

"Kenji you creep!"

Kaoru smacked him and they all laughed before Sanosuke and Aoshi joined the group, "So what's up, Kaoru? Besides certain parts of Kenshin that is."

Kenshin gave Sanosuke a warning glare and Kaoru giggled, "Not much, I came to see how he was doing."

"He's fine for now, hey listen, we've gotta run to town for some stuff do you mind waiting?"

"Not at all, Sanosuke, I'll be here."

"Ok, see ya guys, oh Kenshin, what kind of strings do you need?"

Kenshin sighed, "I already told you, I need an A, G, and E."

"A, G and E, got it, be back later."

They headed out the door and Kenshin rolled his eyes, "I'd better go with them, if I let Sano pick out my strings I'll end up playing like Barney on his banjo."

Kaoru giggled, "It's ok, I'll wait here for you."

"Thanks, girl, I'll be right back."

Kenshin gave her a quick kiss and hurried off to catch the others before they took off. Kaoru shook her head and started wandering around looking at stuff, an old photo album catching her eye as she passed a bookcase. She took it out and smiled at all the pictures of the guys, one had Sanosuke and Kenshin in ninja costumes pretending to be fighting with plastic swords. She had to laugh, they couldn't have been older than fifteen or sixteen, but it was still old enough for them to know better. Another picture was of Kenji and Aoshi asleep in the livingroom, Kenji laying his head on Aoshi's stomach as Aoshi's hands rested on his head. Kaoru read the caption at the bottom and busted up laughing, "This is Kenji and Aoshi after they lost a bet. They had to drink until they passed out and this is how they ended up and I couldn't help but take this for black male."

Kaoru continued through the book and at the very end she saw an old picture hidden under a slip of paper. She took the picture out and smiled, it was Kenshin when he was younger, but what surprised her is that he didn't have his scar. Also in the picture was a young boy with spiky black hair and a very pretty young girl with long black hair and dark eyes. Kenshin was between them and he had his arms around their shoulders, smiling brightly for the picture just as the others were. Kaoru turned the picture over and read the caption, "Enishi, Tomoe and Kenshin after the tournament. Kenshin placed first in forms and first in sparring, Tomoe and Enishi cheered him on and he even got a kiss from Tomoe as a reward."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow and put the picture back into the album before placing it back on the shelf, "Who's Tomoe?"

She shrugged the thought out of her mind and continued looking around, somehow winding up in Kenshin's room. She smiled at all the trophies and medals on his wall, most of them for swordsmanship and sparring. On his desk there was an old notebook and her curiosity got the better of her as she picked it up and flipped to the marked page. As she read she realized it was a journal and couldn't help but smile at the words there.

"Kaoru came to see me today and she even gave me a birthday present, thanks to Kenji she found out when my birthday was and now I'm going to find a way to 'repay' him for it. There was a note with my present and Kaoru said that she loved me, I couldn't believe it, this sweet and innocent girl actually cares for me! I know I've never told her but she's everything to me and I love her with all of my heart but I'm just so afraid of hurting her or losing her like I did Tomoe. I know deep down that it wasn't really my fault but the guilt still haunts me and I remember what happened each time I look at the scar on my face, the constant reminder of my past. I haven't told Kaoru who I really am, I'm afraid she'll hate me, or worse, be afraid of me if I tell her the truth. I know she deserves to know what she's getting into but... I don't want her to know what I've done unless I have to, I don't want her to know that the man she loves used to be a murderer. Each time I see her I become more and more certain that she's the one but I can't bring myself to tell her how I feel. I know for sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with her but I just can't bring myself to ask her to marry me just yet. Sano told me to stop being a coward and do it but my past holds me back, I know it's stupid but no matter how hard I try I can't forget about what I've done, what Battousai has done. I guess there's no point in hiding any longer, if I am to have a future with Kaoru... then I have to let go of my past and tell her everything, she's supposed to come over in a day or two and I'll tell her then. I know that I might lose her but... I love her too much to let her find out on her own or let someone from my past hurt her to get to me, for Kaoru's sake... I'm going to tell her everything. Kenshin."

Kaoru frowned, she never realized her sweet singer had so much burden on his shoulders or so much pain and guilt in his heart. On the outside he seemed to be a normal man with a scar on his face, she never guessed that his scar was painful to him or that it made him remember something horrible from his past. Out of curiosity she flipped to the first page and gasped when she saw the date, June 20, 1995. She sat down on his bed and started reading, "I'm finally fifteen! I thought I'd get killed by now but I'm still here! I have to go out and kill again tonight, Katsura says that this is a very dangerous man and he must be dealt with immediately, I really wanted to stay home and hang out with the guys but duty calls, again! Any ways, Tomoe came by to see me, her and Enishi were both happy for me and they even gave me a couple of gifts. Enishi gave me a new pocket knife, it's cool, it's got a dragon engraved in it and they carved my name into the blade. Tomoe gave me her bracelet, why I don't know, she said she couldn't afford anything so she figured she could give me that. I like it though, it's pretty cool for a girl's bracelet, it has black and red gems and on the end of it there's a dagger. Don't tell anyone, but after she gave me the bracelet we started listening to music and joking around, Enishi was in the livingroom watching Mortal Combat with Kenji, and I don't know what happened but we started play-fighting. I went easy on her because I didn't want to hurt her but she pushed me into the wall and kissed me! I've known Tomoe since I was seven and during that time I never once thought of her as a girlfriend, she was just one of the guys. Don't tell but... that was the first time I've ever kissed someone, I always thought kissing was gross but after Tomoe... I kind of like it. I have to go now, it's dark and I need to get my assignment done so Iisuka can clean up, but all in all, this has been a great day, even if I have to take another life. Kenshin."

Kaoru turned a couple of pages and found that it skipped almost ten years, it went from December 14, 1995 to February 6, 2005, the day of her prom. She raised an eyebrow and went back to the entry from December 14, 1995, her eyes going wide as she read the sad words, "Today is the worst day of my entire life! I killed someone I loved! I didn't mean to, if I could go back and fix it I would but I can't! I was sent out to kill someone today and Tomoe found out and wanted to come with me, I told her no but she followed me any ways. As I was fighting my target I found out he was a ninja and he threw something into my eyes and I couldn't see. Tomoe yelled at me and told me when to attack and I did. Blood got into my eyes and I could see again and I saw that I'd killed my target but I also killed Tomoe! He had a knife and was going to kill me, making it a stalemate death-match but for some reason Tomoe stepped between us and grabbed the knife to save me and I killed them both! First I took away her happiness by letting Kiyosato die then I took her life. Kiyosato was Tomoe's boyfriend a few years ago and also one of the officers on the force and one of my closest friends. He gave me the first part of my scar, he had some thug's dagger in his hand and he got shot and it caught my cheek as he fell into my arms. Tomoe had the ninja's knife and drug it across my face, giving me a cross, she smiled at me and asked me to forgive her! I took her life and she asked me to forgive her! I should be the one who's dead, not Tomoe! I can't change what I've done but I can change who I am, I told Katsura that I was never going to kill again and I threw away my sword. I realize that I can't help by taking lives, nothing good can come from killing, I was young and stupid when I told Katsura that I'd kill for him and became Battousai, but I understand my mistake and I intend to repent for what I've done. I'm going to devote my life to my music, I can make people smile that way and I can fight people in contests but not hurt them. I will never forgive myself for what I've done and I will never forget, for the reminder is on my face and each time I look in the mirror I will remember and feel the guilt, but if it helps me to be a better person than I happily embrace that guilt. I will make up for what I've done and I swear, no matter what, I will never kill again! Kenshin."

Kaoru felt a tear fall from her eyes, she had no idea that her Kenshin had such sorrow and pain in his heart, now she understood why he was still do distant towards her and why he always avoided the subject of his scar. She had asked him once before about how he got it but he asked her to not bring it up again and now she understood why. She wiped the tear away and went to the next page, the one that was dated February 6, 2005, "This is the first time I've written in ten years, I just haven't had the time or the patience to write lately but today was something to remember. Hiko called early this morning and told us that we had a gig at a prom, I didn't really want to but I figured it might be fun to see Sano's girlfriend try to get him to dance so we went along with it. It was a typical prom, the DJ sucked and all the kids were hyper and excited about meeting their friends afterwards. We pulled off the show without a problem and then I decided to get some air while the guys danced with their girlfriends. While I was out there I saw a young girl crying on a bench, she was so beautiful, she had long black hair and she had on a deep blue dress that was covered in glittering cherry blossoms. At first I figured I should just leave her alone but after a few minutes I couldn't stand to see her cry anymore, plus she was shivering from the cold and my soft side got the better of me. I went up to her and put my jacket over her and she looked up at me, she has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. After awhile she told me that some snobs were making fun of her and I decided to look after her. Her name's Kamiya Kaoru and she's a blast, she's a little hyper but she has control and I like that about her, she has quite a sense of humor too, she put up with me and didn't even hit me when I said something out of line. While we were resting a minute some of the other girls made some... unnecessary comments about us hanging out and I lost my temper and chewed them out. It was really amusing to see the girl's face turn pale when I told her I used to be an assassin. Any ways, Kaoru scolded me a little bit for it but we both forgot about it as we danced some more. After awhile she got tired and I drove her home and she even let me kiss her goodnight, it was unreal how wonderful it felt, she's so sweet and innocent and I guess that's why I'm attracted to her. I'm going to try and find out where she lives and ask her out, who knows, maybe she can get me back to normal, and even if she can't then it'll be a lot of fun to be with her, I can't wait to see her again. Kenshin."

Kaoru smiled and set the book back where she found it, so he had been attracted to her back then. She shook her head and turned around to leave, running into something warm and solid as she did so, letting out a scream before she saw who it was, "Kenshin... you scared me..."

"Sorry about that, did you find anything interesting?"

Kaoru smiled and pretended to be dumb, "What're you talking about, Kenshin?"

"I saw you reading my journal, what all did you find out about me?"

Kaoru flushed, embarrassed about being caught, she looked to the ground and laughed sheepishly, "I um... think I should... go now, bye Kenshin!"

Kaoru moved past him and ran out of the room and headed for the door but just as she touched the doorknob she felt strong arms around her waist as she was pulled back into Kenshin. She struggled to get away but he simply tightened his grip on her and chuckled, "You can't get away, Kaoru, so you might as well just tell me what you found out."

"I can't... I don't want to... upset you."

"Let me guess, you read the part about my scar right?"

"How'd you know?"

Kenshin set her down and turned her around to face him, a sad smile on his face as he explained, "I knew you'd find out one way or another, I was planning on telling you myself but I guess the journal works too."

"Why didn't you just tell me, Kenshin? You know I'd never hate you."

"I know that now, but... I grew up not trusting anyone and when you came I... had to change my way of thinking. I have done things I regret but that doesn't meant that I have to let it rule my life, right? I know I won't be forgiven so the best thing I can do is to live my life to the fullest and make you happy."

Kaoru smiled and kissed his cheek, "You don't have to try and make me happy, you do that by just being yourself, Kenshin. And I don't care about your past, so what if you were Battousai, everyone makes mistakes but you're making up for it. You go around helping people and you make them happy by singing and playing your guitar. What would make me the happiest is to see you happy, Kenshin."

Kenshin smiled and hugged her to him, burying his face into the crook of her neck, "You're my happiness Kaoru, you always have been and always will be and I have something to tell you."

"What's that?"

Kenshin pulled away enough to look into her eyes, his shining with love as he ran his knuckles over her face. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers gently before pulling away with a smile, "I love you, my sweet Kaoru."

Kaoru's eyes lit up and she hugged him tightly, "I love you too... Battousai."

Kenshin couldn't help but chuckle, it had been so long since anyone had called him that and any other time he would've taken it as a challenge, but coming from her it sounded almost... gentle and kind, for her he could live with the guilt, for her he could be happy. His thoughts were interrupted when he suddenly felt soft lips pressing against his throat and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped him, "What're you doing, Kaoru?"

"Seducing you."

"You've got it backwards, love, I'm supposed to seduce you."

"Yeah right, I'm tougher than you."

"Oh really?"

Without warning Kenshin lifted her up and put her back against the wall, kissing her deeply once she was firmly against his chest. Kaoru sighed and let him do as he wished, she really did love him and she knew he'd never hurt her. She put her hands on his waist and tried to push his shirt up but found that difficult to do once she realized it was tucked into his jeans. After a couple of moments she finally managed to untuck his shirt and started to pull it off of him then the phone rang and Kenshin let out a groan, "Hold that thought, I'll be right back."

It only took a couple of minutes for Kenshin to finish the phone conversation and he came back scratching the back of his head as if he were nervous, "Hey Kaoru... that was Hiko... he said he needs us to perform tonight and..."

Kaoru smiled, "Don't worry about it, I know how it works, Hiko threatens your life and you listen to him and do as he says or he'll either kill you or tell me something you don't want me to know, right?"

"Right, but listen I want you to be there, we can have fun afterwards, so will you come?"

"Sure, can I bring the other girls?"

"Of course, it'll be our own little party."

"Great I'll see you tonight then, bye for now."

Kaoru kissed his cheek and left, not noticing the mischievous smile Kenshin had playing on his lips as the others came in from town, "Well, how'd it go, Kenshin?" Aoshi asked

"Just fine, it was easier than I thought it would be. Hiko just called, he said everything's set up and I've already invited Kaoru so all we gotta do is go to Seijiro and get this over with."

"So the plan's working out just fine, huh?" Sanosuke asked with a grin.

"It sure is, let's head on over and start getting ready, tonight's going to be a night none of us are going to forget."