Disclaimer: I own nothing… SO BACK OFF ME YOU LUSTY LAWYERS!

Books

Sweet laughter echoed through his head as he drove back to his apartment through the rain. "Kaoru," he murmured the name of the woman who it belonged to. He shook his head roughly and tried to concentrate on something else…hell, anything else that would keep her OUT of his thoughts.

But she seemed insistent this day. The more he tried to block her out, the more she penetrated his thoughts and senses. Her inky black that was always thrown into its habitual ponytail; her nicely toned muscles from years of practicing kendo. Everything about her entranced him, even her dangerous temper. He chuckled slightly as he pulled into his apartment drive, looking for any signs of his girlfriend Tomoe's car. When he saw she was nowhere to b seen, he breathed out slightly from relief.


Sano glared at Kaoru as she bustled around the front room of their parent's house. "You know, the intensity of your gaze is beginning to burn a hole right through me!" she sang out as she continued to walk back and forth through the house.

"What are you talking about?" Sano snapped back irately.

Kaoru set down a box near the door and put her hands on her hips. "You've been like that since Kenshin left! What is up with you?"

"You call him 'Kenshin', now? Whatever happened to Himura-san?" Sano yelled as he set another book down near the door.

"Oh Sano, those titles are for the older generation! Besides," She waltzed into the entrance hall, cradling her Shitzu, Tofu in her arms, "He told me to call him Kenshin. He said Himura-san made him feel like he was fifty years old."

Sano sighed and decided to drop the conversation. It was obvious that his little sister didn't understand the ways of men. Kenshin was his best friend; he knew him inside and out! Nobody but Sano could see through the usual politeness to the 'deep admiration' he held for Kaoru. Sano refused to think that they could be liaison-ing behind his back, and had fallen in love already without him knowing.

Kenshin was a great guy, and at any other time, Sano wouldn't be so hesitant about letting him even come OVER while Kaoru was home visiting from law school; but Kenshin had a girlfriend, one he'd had for nearly two years. He should be considering marrying her, not getting cozy with my sister!

"Sano, I can't believe how overprotective you are being! You act as though Kenshin is love with me! We're just friends!" Kaoru snorted as she walked back into the foyer with another box.

"There's no such thing…" Sano muttered under his breath as he picked up a random book from on of the overweight boxes.

"What was that?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes and sat down on a step.

"I said that you should study." Sano blatantly lied and tossed the book at her.

Kaoru caught it in her lap, with a small 'OH!' and glared up at him. "This book isn't mine…" she thought allowed as she began to flip through it. The book was well-worn; highlighters of all colors had been used as well as footnotes, random pieces of paper and bookmarks. Suddenly, recognition dawned in her eyes. "Oh! Now I remember; Kenshin lent me this when I was studying to get into law school! That was nearly a year ago."

Sano simply grunted. Kaoru looked up at him and glared before continuing. "Well, I think I'll go return it to him; I'm sure he'll want it back."

"I'll take it back," Sano interrupted as he held his hand out.

"Shutup!" Kaoru shrugged into her jacket and grabbed her car keys off the table. "Kenshin's place is only about a fifteen minute drive! I'm a big girl, Sano. I don't need you to come with me and hold my hand."

Sano glared at the door as she closed it behind her. "Damned girl."


Kenshin downed his tea as he settled onto his couch, determined to get his mind off the girl if it was the last thing he did. Of course, his situation didn't improve when a soft knock sounded at his door. He opened it to find Kaoru looking up at him cutely with flushed cheeks and a bright smile. "I'm glad this is your apartment, Kenshin. The ass that is my brother wouldn't tell me what number and the mailboxes are all smudged." She rolled her eyes thinking back to the shouting match she'd had with Sano just minutes before over the phone.

"Ah, no problem, Kaoru." He moved aside so she could step into his apartment.

"Wow," she looked around in admiration. "This place is a lot nicer than mine." She clutched the book closer to her chest.

"Would you like some tea?" Kenshin followed behind her, shutting the door and watching her closely. Although he had just seen her less than forty-five minutes ago, she seemed just as majestic and beautiful then as she did now. Her hair was undone from its usual ponytail and cascaded down her back in longing rippling waves of ebony.

"Sure,"

Ten minutes later….

Kaoru had removed her jacket and shoes and was seated comfortably next to Kenshin on his couch. She didn't know why, but she felt as if she was at home with him; she had never felt more comfortable in her life and the ensuing silence was not at all tense or uncomfortable. "So, what brings you by?" Kenshin asked casually.

Kaoru opened her mouth to respond…and found that her mind had totally erased any information, save Kenshin. It was as if as soon as she saw him, her mind went blank, leaving only this goofy, tingling sensation coursing through her veins. She struggled to come up with something as not to seem like a silly infatuated idiot. Infatuated…? "Er…."

"Sano found one of your books in my boxes! I came to return it." She blushed at the sudden outburst and buried her face in the steam of her tea.

Kenshin noticed her flush and reached over, lifting her chin delicately. Kaoru's flesh was immediately scorching. "Something the matter, Kaoru?"

"No…" she mumbled, entranced by his mesmerizing amethyst gaze.

Kenshin smiled friendly, whilst his mind was shouting commands to remove his hand from its current position. "Good. I wouldn't want you to become ill, that I would not."

Kaoru giggled softly at the way he spoke and her flush disappeared gradually until all that was left was a lovely glow. Kenshin did not miss it. "You're sweet. Tomoe is lucky to have you,"

Kenshin was unsure whether the comment was a friendly observation or something more… "Would you like more tea?"

Kaoru looked down at her cup and noticed that all her tea had been drained. "I'm so scatter-brained!" She laughed but shook her head all the while. "No, I think Sano is probably going out of his mind by now," they both laughed heartily.

"We should get together before you leave," Kenshin suggested boldly. "You know, before you…" he trailed off and scratched behind his head, donning an embarrassed grin.

"That would be great, Kenshin!" Kaoru had pivoted to leave when….

"Wait! I forgot…I've got a new book for you." Kaoru was slightly puzzled as she waited for him to return to the door. He soon did, clutching a green book with blue binding. "It's, um…it's not quite educational."

Kaoru gazed up at him and then looked down as she opened the book to read the title. It was printed on the first page in raised gold print. She ran her fingers across the title as she whispered its title. "Amoré…" She looked again at Kenshin in some slight surprise.

"Keep it for as long as you like," Kenshin smiled at her. Kaoru said nothing, but stood on her tiptoes, leaned up, and kissed him on his cheek. Backing away she slipped out the door.

"Oh, I will…"


Kaoru closed her bedroom door and dimmed the lights, yawning and stretching. She walked up to her bed, ready to collapse in it and snooze until about noon, when the book caught her eye. It was resting comfortably atop her desk, spotlighted by her lamp. She approached it slowly, a weird notion that there was something more to the book than she had first examined.

She flipped through the book but stopped suddenly. Flipping back, an entire page, written over in red ink, was in Kenshin's handwriting. She sat down so she could read under the lamplight.

Kaoru,

I doubt that you'll ever receive this book…But in case you do, just know that I have had this book for months. Be assured that my feelings for you are genuine and persistent; perhaps this is why I still have it. No matter how long I have tried, I have been unable to push you out of my mind and my heart. When you come home…my feelings for you reawaken, strong than ever before. What I'm trying to say Kaoru is that I love you. With my entire heart. I don't know if when you receive this I will still be involved with Tomoe or not. You may think I am a crazy fool for falling love with my best friend's sister while I am involved with someone else, but I cannot help that I love you. You entrance me and I find it impossible to escape from the trap you have set. I do not expect you to get this book as I said, but if so, just know that you do not have to respond. You don't have to tell me that you love me too, but please follow your own heart and I will follow mine.

-Kenshin


Kenshin tossed his newspaper away as he rose to answer the door. Fumbling with the lock, he blinked his eyes tiredly and affirmed that he would take a nap when whoever was at the door would go away. However, when he opened the door, he was unable to speak as someone launched themselves into his arms and locked their lips with his. Kaoru… he thought as he whiffed her scent of jasmine. Sinking into his feelings, he began to kiss her back happily, and decided that his nap could be put on hold.


Okay…I don't like this one either. BUT DAMNIT GIVE ME REVIEWS!