"You are Not Alone…"

Khmer Moon Blossoms

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. Or Kendo.

Author's Notes: Little shocker in this one!

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I felt Kenshin's hand on the nape of my neck, fingering the hairs of my ponytail there. I had put my hands against his shirt. My knees felt wobbly. I felt him smile against my mouth, happy to be here with me. I smiled back, which caused Kenshin to let out a small chuckle surge from the bottom of his throat.

"Kaoru?" a voice asked from behind me.

Kenshin and I pulled away quickly, both of us turning to my door. Sano stood there with a grin on his face, leaning on the door hinge and his arms crossed over his chest.

I blushed. "Sano!"

He merely grinned even wider. "I didn't mean to interrupt anything, sis."

Kenshin was still holding me and I finally realized I was still clutching him. Kenshin let me go first, and I followed, doing the same.

"Uh…" was all Kenshin could say. He readjusted his backsack on his shoulder more securely.

Sano went inside and shut the door, murmering: "Come in when you're done,"

I heard him snicker once the door was shut. I clenched my fists and fumed.

I would have to kill him once I got inside.

Kenshin took one of my shoulders and twisted me around, placing a firm kiss on my lips once more. I shot open my eyes in surprise at how…forward he was being.

But still, I was comfortable around him and loved him for everything he did.

He pulled away, and whispered: "Good night, Kaoru."

I smiled at him. "Good night."

I walked onto the porch steps and stole a glance behind me. Kenshin was still standing there, watching me until I was safe inside the house.

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Kenshin's POV

I walked into my house only to see Megumi with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

"You have to tell them," she said, as if it were a threat. She came straight out and said it, without even a greeting first…as if it were all she has been thinking about lately.

"I know," I replied.

"I meant, now,"

I sighed and walked upstairs to my room. "Later," I threw the word behind my back.

"I'll tell them myself, then," Megumi shouted, and stomped off into the kitchen.

I stood on the steps, trying to strain my ears and listen. I honestly didn't think she would tell.

Would she?

Both of my mother and father were in the kitchen. At first, I only heard Megumi's tone moving up and down angrily.

Then my mother screamed. And I heard my father's bellow adding in to the racket.

"Kenshin!" My mother screeched.

I guess Megumi did. I winced at my mother's voice and slowly descended the stairs into the kitchen.

I entered, my head bowed to prepare for impact.

"Kenshin," I heard my mother's stern voice low. She was trying her best to control her temper. "Tell me about Tomoe."

"I…I broke up with her weeks ago." I spat out the words slowly.

"And then lied to me this morning?"

"I…"

"Did you?" she interrupted hastily.

I didn't want to answer. I managed to find the courage to look up at my mother straight into her dark eyes and whispered: "yes,"

At that moment, I don't quite remember how my mother did it.

I found myself on the floor, with my hand covering my stinging, red cheek. Megumi was looking at me, mixed with satisfaction and pity. My mother hovered over me, her one hand at my side, and one hand up.

She had just slapped me.

The pain wasn't what I was stunned from. It was the actual action. My mother had never hurt me this way before.

"Kenshin, I've raised you ever since you were born and this is what you give me?" She turned all of the blame to me, putting me in the center of the room.

I heard sniffling behind me. Naturally stealing a glance, I saw my two younger sisters with horror on their face, wondering what their older brother has done to deserve such treatment. Tsubame was also looking at me, holding my two sisters by the hand and trying to pull them to bed.

But her eyes never left me.

"Mom," I pleaded, still on the ground. I tried to find an explanation, but nothing came after that. It was like my own throat was too stunned to even utter a sound.

"Kenshin, why?" she pushed out. "Why did you disobey me that way? Tomoe and you were…betrothed."

I hated that word.

"Mom, I don't love her!"

"I don't care!"

I felt my temper rise again. I stood up, clenching my fists. "Mom, how can I marry someone I don't even love?"

"Kenshin," My father yelled from behind my mother. "Your tone." He warned.

I lowered it back down trying to stop my shoulders from trembling.

"Don't tell me you've given up Tomoe for someone else," my mother hissed dangerously.

What the heck? I mind as well let it all out. My current mood set me up for too much trouble; I couldn't even control it anymore.

"I do have someone else," I sputtered out before I could stop myself. "Kaoru Kamiya."

"I never even met this girl yet, and you go dating her?"

"We're only friends right now," the kiss flashed through my mind, replaying over again. "We're more than friends, but we've never dated behind your back, mom."

My mom seemed a little relieved at that. I clutched my cheek again. The stinging was coming back.

"I don't want you seeing her anymore." She whispered, leaving the kitchen.

"What?" I thought I didn't hear right.

"I don't want you with Kaoru anymore!" my mother yelled. She closed her eyes. "If you can't obey me, then don't get what you want."

I stood, glued to the floor, and my eyes widened.

At that moment, I wished it was all a dream.

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Kaoru's POV

I closed the door behind me. I felt like exploding with joy. My trembling fingers found its way to touch my lips.

"Kenshin…" I felt my lips waver against my fingers.

Sano coughed to make himself noticeable. He was leaning against the door hindge of the kitchen.

I swung my head towards him, blushing.

"Kenshin, eh?" he teased. "How cute."

I just laughed and twirled on the wooden floor. "Isn't Kenshin the best?"

"Whatever," Sano murmered, grinning. "So, where have you been today?"

"Oh, only Kendo practice," I said carelessly, walking towards the living room.

"What, to watch Kenshin sweat or take off his shirt?"

I blushed furiously, my cheeks getting warm. "Sano!"

I smacked him on the forehead. He cringed but kept his smile.

"Where's dad, Sano?" I asked him, changing the mood abruptly. But I wanted to get this over with….

"In the kitchen." He answered, finishing his fun and running upstairs to his room.

I entered slowly and carefully into the kitchen. Without looking from his newspaper, my father said: "Hey, Kao."

"Hey, dad." I answered, trying to sound serious in opposition to his cheer. "I have to tell you something."

I only hoped he was ready to hear it.

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Kenshin's POV

I sat in my bed, staring out at the cold, black darkness of the sky. Even the stars weren't enough to light it up.

"Kenni?" a squeak came from my door. I looked up wearily, not in the mood to do anything.

Ayame walked in, taking my lap as a seat. I pulled her up straight.

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?" She wiped my cheek with her hand.

"Of course," I put on that same old smile. "I'm okay."

"You love someone? And mommy won't let you?"

"Yes, exactly." I whispered. "Kenni loves someone very, very, important to me."

"Is she a princess?" Ayame shot out another question.

I smiled. Thinking for a moment, I eventually answered her question. "No."

"She not?" Ayame looked at me confusedly. "She's not a pretty princess?"

"No." I smiled wider. "She's a beautiful goddess."

Ayame smiled, taking my hand.

My little three-year-old sister was able to cheer me up. I gripped her small hand back, kissing her on the forehead.

The door opened, and there stood Tsubame, holding Suzume's hand. My two sisters said nothing, just staring at me through the silence.

Then, Suzume broke it by running towards me and taking my free hand.

"Kenni, okay?"

"Of course," I answered, taking her to put onto my lap next to Ayame.

Tsubame came in last, that small smile of hers not present.

"Kenshin," she started. "I'm sorry,"

"It's none of your fault, Tsubame." I answered.

She sighed. "I guess…I just…I don't know." I read the confusion on her face.

"It's okay. I didn't think they would do that much to me, either."

"Kaoru sounds like a very nice girl, Kenshin." Tsubame gave me a hug and sat at my side.

I looked at my ten year old sister and hugged my smaller ones in my lap. "She is. She's the best in the world,"

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Author's Notes: Okay, so the two cannot see each other anymore, okay?

We'll see what they do.

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