"You are Not Alone…"

Khmer Moon Blossoms

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Author's Notes: Enjoy!

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Chapter Four

Kaoru's POV

I couldn't help it…to only stare at the cracks of the sidewalks beneath my feet. What…what had happened last night seemed to surround me like a fog.

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"Father, Mom's not coming home." I told him when he entered the house with a glum expression on his face.

"I've already seen the accident on the way home." He whispered.

Yahiko and Sano stood behind me in shock. I was the first to let out a whimper of sadness before Father clutched me into a hug.

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I exhaled a breath of air. When I started to lift my head to find the high school before me, I saw a red headed boy walking on the sidewalk in front of me.

Him!

I felt an uprising joy overtake my body and I started to feel my legs run towards him, my school uniform's skirt cooperating with the wind. My lips started to open slightly and I uttered out: "Hey, wait!"

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Kenshin's POV

I heard a yelping tone behind me, followed by the padding of footsteps. I assumed the person was yelling for me, so I spun around to meet a pair of excited sapphire eyes.

I quickly recognized her right away…there aren't many girls who catch my attention like she did. It was that young woman…

I bit my lip out of fear again, hesitant of what to say; despite the urge of the overexcited need I felt to greet her. I can't believe I could see her again!

She took my silence as a sign to speak first, and after whipping out a strand of hair from her face, she spoke.

"Hi," She said simply, and her face brightened a little. Although she expressed her tone in happiness, it still seemed to show her sadness to me.

"Hi," I greeted back, releasing my lips from my teeth and smiled slightly. I mentally hoped that she would not return to the event of the other night…I couldn't bear to see her cry again. Out of the blue, my mind shouted at me.

Go on, it urged. Ask her for her name.

I mentally slapped myself. Of course.

I placed a hand behind my head and smiled sheepishly. I also hoped the change of the subject may keep her mind off of her mother.

"Ah…miss? If you don't mind, I never caught your name from the other night…" I let my voice faulter a bit.

"Oh, of course!" She blurted out, a small blush forming on her cheeks. "I'm Kaoru Kamiya," she held out her hand.

I saw that she was blushing out of embarrassment. I shook her hand, responding back by: "I'm Kenshin Himura,"

She nodded, her expression still blank. She pulled away her hand gently as I pulled away mine.

"I'm sorry," Kaoru said, still blushing a little. "I've been so rude to not have introduced myself the other night."

"No, it's alright," I smiled at her apology.

A shrill beeping sound cut off my talking. I saw Kaoru jump a little out of startlement. I turned to my wrist; it was my watch.

8:00.

I suddenly panicked. "Oh my gosh! I'm late for school!" I slapped my forehead.

Kaoru looked at me curiously. "Which school are you going to?"

The panic hadn't rushed out me yet, so I answered her quickly and absently. "Sakura High." I started to stare wildly around me, trying to find faster transportation. Since there was none, I waved at her and started to run. I felt stupid, running in a rush away from her like that. But I had to!

"I'll see you later, Kaoru! I hope to see you around town more often!"

She started to run behind me, giggling. "Kenshin, I'm going to Sakura High, too!" She shouted.

I stopped dead in my tracks. I'm sure she wasn't at Sakura High all year…I would've noticed. She caught up to me, placing her hands onto her knees and panting.

Did I hear right?

"You are going to Sakura High?" I asked, staring at her bowed head.

"Yes," She answered tiredly. "I just transferred there."

I pulled her shoulders up, looking into her eyes excitedly. I couldn't hold back.

I hugged her tightly, laughing.

"I can't believe it!" I shouted at her. All of my emotions slightly seemed to worry her. She pulled away gently, smiling. I see she had forgotten about her mother.

"Well, let's go before we're late!" Kaoru giggled, intertwining her fingers with mine, and pulling me inside of the school.

I blushed automatically at her touch, but I merely clutched it back tightly and ran with her inside.

While we were running, I asked her breathlessly. "What class do you have?"

"Chemistry!" she called back.

"So do I," I told her excitedly. "Turn to the next room!"

The school's halls were so empty. I let out a mental sigh. We were definitely late.

When we entered the classroom, the teacher glowered at us. I stood in front of Kaoru, almost protecting her from Professor Yushi's wrath.

"Sir, Kaoru's new. Please excuse her from the consequences," I stated kindly. I saw his eyes droop in a softening matter.

"Just sit down, Himura." He said. He then turned to Kaoru. "Welcome to Sakura High. We got your registration yesterday. Sit down next to Himura. He won't mind."

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Kaoru's POV

I watched Kenshin sit down beside me with curious eyes, empty handed. "You aren't eating lunch?" I inquired, eating the chips from my small bag.

"I'm not that hungry, Kaoru," he told me politely. He's shown me around school and everything. I was really grateful to have someone like Kenshin as a friend.

Wait…friend?

The thought hit me that I was possibly falling in love with him. He was so protective the other night….and so helpful to me now. But I wasn't a person to rush things. Anyone could've saved me the other night….anyone could be nice to me. I still needed to find out how Kenshin really was…at home…everywhere. And I found myself silently praying he was this Kenshin all the time, that he wasn't lying to me.

Why did I want him like this?

I already know the answer.

I like him this way towards me. It made me have…a life to live. Something to look forward to everyday…Kenshin at my side.

It seemed since the moment I had lost my mother, I felt life was not worth living. But when Kenshin brought me in…I suddenly felt better. Maybe it didn't show that night…but I realize it now.

He truly saved my life.

Kenshin saw me daydreaming, concern etched on his features. He rested a hand on my shoulder, canceling the silence.

"Kaoru?" He called my name. I looked at him, smiling.

"I'm sorry, Kenshin. I was only thinking about something," I replied before digging my hand into the chip bag again.

He looked hesitant to say something, but said it anyway. "Is it about…" he cocked his head to the side, not finishing his sentence, knowing I'd understand.

"Yes…" I whispered. "That night,"

He gave me a sympathetic look. "You don't need to talk about it if it doesn't make you feel comfortable."

I put my chips onto the table and rose, wiping my hands onto a napkin. I then pulled his hand.

"I need to talk about it," I said, staring at him. "and I want to talk about it with you." I gave him a pleading look. "please."

He blushed, and I realized I was holding his hand for longer than I expected. To make use of it, I pulled his hand until we reached the outside.

I found a lonely tree at the edge of the playground. I dragged him towards it. I finally pulled away, and Kenshin walked towards the tree to lean on it, closing his eyes in thought. He let out a sigh, and it looked like as if he was getting ready for someone to beat him up.

I walked in front of him so that he could see me. I wanted to tell him so much of that night. It was strange, but I felt a need to let it all out to someone I trusted…Kenshin.

"Kenshin," I said, getting his attention. "That night…when you saved me,"

He nodded encouragingly. After a heartbeat, I decided to continue. "You truly did save me,"

He cut me off. "Miss Kaoru, you don't need to thank me,"

I felt the need to tell him everything. To make him understand, I put my index finger to the valley of his lips.

As I expected, he silenced. His eyes widened out of shock at my action, but he didn't budge.

"Kenshin," I said exasperatedly. "You did save me," I repeated. I finally put my hand back at my side. "I…" I looked down at the grass. "I almost killed myself that night."

Kenshin shifted uncomfortably. I knew he didn't like what I was saying. But he let me continue.

"I didn't feel like living after…." I paused, feeling hot tears brimming my eyes. But I challenged myself to go farther. I tried to blink the tears back…I wanted to let it out…but I had to be strong. I felt Kenshin's concerned gaze on me. I silently wished he wouldn't hug me. My tears would surely fall out if he did.

"my mother died," I said, letting it out. I heard my own voice crack, but the tears didn't fall out. I felt my mother's brave soul carry into mine. I was finally strong for her.

Kenshin slowly walked in front of my bowed head. I saw his shoes come into my view. They were only inches away from mine. But I dared not look up.

"Oh, Kaoru," He said, taking me by the shoulders and hugging me like that one night. I let my head fall onto his shoulder, sucking in my tears.

I didn't let them fall.

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Kaoru's POV

I walked alone, clutching my books tightly. Kenshin had helped me through so much. I felt so lucky.

He had left the opposite way, since his house was many streets away. He had offered me a ride, but I told him I wanted to walk. He felt that it was correct for me to have some time alone, and so drove away with a last wave.

Suddenly, footsteps arrived behind me. Thinking it was Kenshin returning to me to give me a ride, I swung around with a smile.

It was another boy. I caught myself before shouting out 'Hi, Kenshin'. I closed my mouth and stared confusingly at him. He had bleach white hair, but was a teenager like me. I was sure of it. His body structure was tall and lean, but very young.

"Hi," he said, pushing his black sunglasses to the bridge of his nose.

"Hello," I greeted back, wondering what his matter was.

"I heard you are the new girl, Kaoru. The one hanging around Kenshin?"

"Yes," I answered, staring suspiciously as to how he had gotten so much information already.

He smiled, walking beside me. "I'm Enishi Yukishiro. Welcome to Sakura High." He stuck out his hand politely. I shook it.

"Not many girls are as pretty as you here. You've definitely caught a lot of young men's eyes. But seeing you are already Himura's girl…."

"No, oh no!" I protested, hands in the air. "I'm not Kenshin's girlfriend. We only met." I blushed at the thought.

"I see," He grinned, folding his arms across his chest. "So you're his future girlfriend,"

I widened my eyes. What was he trying to prove? I felt the blush get deeper.

"No..well…I don't know…I guess, but if he doesn't want to…" I blabbered like an idiot, blushing like a maniac.

He laughed. "I'm kidding."

I stared forward, giggling a little. I saw my long shadows cast along the shadows and started to walk.

"Are you going home this way?" I asked.

"No, but I'll walk you and then walk the other way home. Its dangerous around here when it's late." He flashed a smile at me.

I felt my heart flutter and blush creep onto my face at my smile. I couldn't control any of it. Enishi seemed nice…

"You don't have to do that, I'll walk home."

Enishi only smiled again. "It's no problem. I don't mind."

"Thank you," I muttered, gazing away at the sunset. We walked, him talking mostly about school and how he was the captain of the kendo team at Sakura High. I listened admirably, nodding and smiling.

But in the back of my heart, I felt guilty….guilty because it felt as if I was betraying Kenshin somehow…

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Author's Notes: Read and Review! Hope you liked it!

Next Chapter: Kaoru starts to have feelings for both Enishi and Kenshin….who will she pick? (take a wild guess)