Rurouni Kenshin: Cinderella Story
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer's Apply: They are not mine. The great Watsuki-sama owns them.
Chapter 6: Some Sweet Conversation
(next day... morning)
'Kamiya Kaoru. She really is a very wonderful girl.' Kenshin frowned mentally. 'That can't be the same Kaoru that I know. That can't be.' he frowned again, barely listening to what Sano is saying.
"Can you believe the nerve of that psycho-bastard!" growled, unaware that Kenshin is not listening to him. "And who cares if he met a certain girl!! As if! Only a girl with some brain defects would dare go near him!" he spit out loud.
"I can't really understand why you're trying to be... should I say nice.. to him. I mean, you're not doing it because you're father told you, ne?"
"Did I really hear it right." Kenshin said more to himself, making Sano frown at him.
"Are you paying attention?!?" Sano raised an eyebrow. "I just asked you a question!"
"That can't be!" Kenshin stood up, facing the window. "That girl is a different Kaoru. This should be a different girl." he continued, still ignoring Sano.
"Hello? I'm here?" Sano said, waving a hand oh Kenshin's face.
"Oro?"
"What are you thinking?" Sano raised an eyebrow. "You are completely ignoring me."
"Oro? I am?" Kenshin scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, and you are muttering something under your breath." Sano smirked. "I think its a girl's name, if I'm not mistaken. C'mon pal, what is it?"
"Oro? I'm not thinking of any girl!" Kenshin said defensively.
"Fine, fine." Sano raised his hands in defeat. "I wonder what this girl look like anyway, to catch Yukishiro's eye. What is her name again?"
"Kaoru. Kamiya Kaoru." Kenshin sighed.
"Kaoru? Hey, was the name of that little missy of yours Kaoru too?" Sano raised an eyebrow remembering the girl Kenshin danced with the last ball. "Do you think your little missy and Yukishiro's Kaoru is one girl?"
"I don't know." Kenshin sighed. "I wish I can see Kaoru-dono now. I mean, just to be sure."
"Guess Yukishiro will be your rival, not only in this palace but also in the same girl." Sano smirked and Kenshin sighed.
"Then Kaoru-dono will surely choose him over me." Kenshin sighed. "I mean, I really think that she only sees me as a friend."
"C'mon Kenshin. Why would she like a man like Yukishiro?" Sano frowned. "I mean... she knew nothing about him."
"She knew nothing about me either." Kenshin said, looking again at the world outside.
"Why don't you go out, for a minute and let's say... bump into her again?" Sano suggested, trying to cheer his friend up. "I'll cover you up. Just go back here before dinner, ne? Your father and Enishi won't be here till dinner."
"Hai, hai." Kenshin nodded gratefully at his friend. "Thanks."
"Sure. What are pals for?" Sano puts a thumbs up sign.
***
"Hey, what's up busu?"
"Mou!" Kaoru stopped chopping some vegetables, when Yahiko entered the kitchen, sitting on a rice barrel. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that name!"
"You like old hag then?" Yahiko smirked when he saw Kaoru turned beet red in annoyance.
"Shut up, Yahiko-chan." Kaoru said, going back to her tracks. "I still need to make breakfast."
"I heard that you are getting along with their guest, ne Kaoru?" he asked curiously, picking up two tomatoes and started juggling it.
"Eh? Where did you hear that?" Kaoru turned her back to Yahiko to hide her blush. "That is not true."
"I heard the witches talking about that."
"Witches?"
"Yeah, you know what I mean." Yahiko smirked. "C'mon tell me, busu. How's it going? Maybe if you'll marry a rich guy like that Yukishiro, you can get out of here."
"I will never leave this place. This is where I grow up." Kaoru turned to Yahiko. "My father worked very hard to have this mansion and the dojo! I will never leave this place. Not with them."
"I see." Yahiko nodded more to himself. "I know that. Don't worry. I know how much you love this place."
"Thanks." she gave Yahiko a small smile, before continuing her work.
"No big deal." Yahiko smirked back.
***
"What will I do? What will I do?" Kenshin asked a couple of times to himself, hiding on a huge tree near the Kamiya mansion. He have been hiding in there for almost fifteen minutes.
'Baka! What if somebody sees you here.' He mentally kicked himself. 'All you need to do is to go there and ask if Kaoru is in there. No big deal!'
'Demo… what will I say to her? Should I ask her directly if she likes Enishi or if she know any man by the name of Yukishiro Enishi? Oh… that would be too obvious! I mean… she will ask me how did I know Yukishiro Enishi… Why is this very difficult, anyway?!?' he sighed, looking up to the huge house.
'I know… maybe I'll just wait for her to go out. Then I could accidentally bump into her again… then, I could start a good conversation from then! Yeah, that's it!' he smiled inwardly at the thought. 'Yeah… that's a very good idea.'
"Oi!" a voice from Kenshin's back made him almost jump from his position behind a huge tree. He slowly turned around to see a boy with spiky hair, giving him a suspicious look.
"What are you doing, hiding from there?" the boy frowned at Kenshin. "Are you spying on us?"
"Oro?" Kenshin's eyes widen, searching in back of his mind for some answers. 'Baka! Think! Think! Baka! Baka!'
The boy just stood there, with his brows raised at him, waiting for his response. "…well?"
"Oro? I… I… was just…" Kenshin stammered for an answer.
"Yahiko-chan! There you are!" a sweet voice from behind, made Kenshin's eyes widen. He is sure! That voice is very familiar.
"Yeah, busu." the boy called Yahiko nodded at the girl who emerged from the house.
"Huh?" Kaoru frowned at the man, whose back was turned to her.
"K-Kaoru-d-dono… hi!" Kenshin turned to see her blinking at him with confusion.
"Kenshin? What are you doing here?" Kaoru said.
"A-Anou… I… I…"
"You know him?" Yahiko raised an eyebrow, coming to stand beside the red-haired man.
"Oh, Kenshin… that boy is Myoujin Yahiko. He's my friend." Kaoru said. "Yahiko… this is Kenshin, a new friend."
"Kenshin?" Yahiko blinked at Kaoru in shock. "Wasn't that the prince' name?!?" he turned to face Kenshin, staring at his red hair and on the scar on his face.
"You are the prince?" Yahiko asked the red-haired man in disbelief. "Look, the red hair and the cross scar on his left cheek! You are the prince!Oh… forgive my rudeness, your highness…" he added quickly, bowing at Kenshin.
"Oro?!?"
"Don't be silly Yahiko." Kaoru giggled at her friend. "Of course Kenshin is not the prince! He got that scar when he saved me from those bad guys nights ago. And besides… the prince wouldn't go walking around town, dress up like an ordinary person, just like us."
"Nah!" Yahiko pouted. "Who knows?!? He could really be the prince! What do you say his surname again?" Yahiko turned from Kaoru to Kenshin who 'oroed'.
"M-my s-s-surname???" Kenshin mentally frowned. 'Think, Himura! Think!!!!'
"Yeah, I have never asked you your surname." Kaoru said.
"S-S-Sur-n-n-name… Er……. Uhm…. It's… It's…." Kenshin searched for the back of his mind for any person he know. "Sagara! Sagara Kenshin!" he said quickly, as Sano was the first one who came out of his mind.
"Sagara." Yahiko nodded. "I see."
"See!" Kaoru smirked at Yahiko. "So… what are you doing here, Kenshin?"
"Eh? A-Anou… I was just… uhm… walking around the village…. when I thought that, maybe I could give you a visit… yeah! That's it!" Kenshin said, scartching the back of his head.
"Oh, I see." Kaoru smiled at Kenshin. "Really, you shouldn't be just standing there then, hidden in this huge tree."
"Yeah… How stupid of me…" Kenshin gave a nervous chuckle.
"Hehe… giving Kaoru a visit, huh?" Yahiko gave Kenshin a knowing smile.
"C'mon… let's not just stand here, okay?" Kaoru said, walking towards the house. "You want a cup of tea or something?" she asked opening the back door, connecting to the kitchen.
"Eh, that's fine with me." he smiled at her.
"Come in." Kaoru said.
"Come, Kenshin." Yahiko repeated. "While the three witches are still upstairs."
"Oro?" Kenshin gave a clueless look to Yahiko before following them inside.
"Say Kaoru, how about practicing with me, tomorrow?" Yahiko asked, watcing Kaoru boil the kettle, sitting casually on the rice barrel.
"Okay…" Kaoru gave him a smile. "Kenshin, don't stand there." she turned her face to Kenshin, who is still standing by the door. "Take a sit. Sorry for this place… I mean, I can't let you in the couch… Aunt Megumi will be very pissed off."
"Hai." Kenshin nodded, taking a sit on a wooden chair near the table.
"Here." Kaoru smiled, giving Kenshin a cur of tea and some cookies. "You want some, Yahiko?" she turned to the boy who nodded.
"Make yourself, comfortable, please." Kaoru turned again to Kenshin as she picked some vegetables and knives from a shelf. "I just need to finish making lunch before Aunt Megumi and the others get angry."
"Can I watch?" Kenshin said and Kaoru gave him a nod.
'Full of spirits…' he thought, watching Kaoru chopped some radishes. 'She is sooo full of spirit… Kami-sama… I wish I could just sit here and watch her all day…'
Yahiko however, sat, his eyes wandering from Kenshin to Kaoru, from Kaoru to Kenshin. 'Heh… this guy must have something for busu… I mean, the way he is staring at her… it just say it… maybe I could do some more… test… to be sure…' he smirked mentally.
"Uhm, busu!" Yahiko called making Kaoru frown at him.
"Mou! Stop calling me that, Yahiko-CHAN!" Kaoru glared at him.
"About that guy, ne Kaoru?" Yahiko ignored the 'chan' comment. "You still never told me what you think about him."
"Eh?" Kaoru blinked at Yahiko while Kenshin, looked up, trying to catch her reaction.
"You know what I'm talking about, busu." Yahiko smirked. "That Yukishiro guy..." his smirk widened as he watched Kaoru blush a little and Kenshin frowned at the sound of the name.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Kaoru said, concentrating on what she is doing. "Just let it drop, Yahiko."
"But he told you that he liked you." Yahiko said, throwing a knowing smile at Kenshin's direction making the redhead looked down and started munching some cookies on his mouth.
"He must be kidding." Kaoru said with a frown.
"But he told you that he wants to know you more, ne?"
"He doesn't mean it." Kaoru gave Yahiko a hard look. "Just let it drop Yahiko."
"C'mon, just tell me, what you think about him." Yahiko said aloud, "You like him?"
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed. "What are you talking about?!? Of course I don't! Besides… how can you like a person that you only met. I knew nothing about him, I don't even know if he is a good guy or a bad guy."
"But you like the prince, ne? Even if you didn't even get glimpse of how he looked like." Yahiko said again, making Kenshin almost choked.
"Orororo?!?!?"
"Eh? Kenshin! Daijobou?" Kaoru ran to Kenshin's side, patting his back lightly. "Drink." She said, giving him a glass of water.
"Oro! Daijobou, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said. "Gomen."
"Mou!" Kaoru pouted at him. "You should eat slowly, you know."
"Hai." Kenshin said, scratching the back of his head. "I was just… hehe… er…"
"Ne Kaoru? You like the prince even if you still haven't met him, so this guy must really like you then." Yahiko insisted the topic.
"Mou! Of course not." Kaoru pouted, this time to Yahiko. "I only like to get a glimpse of how he looked like."
"Oro!" Kenshin choked again.
"Mou! Honestly Kenshin!" Kaoru started patting Kenshin's back again.
"Gomen, Kaoru-dono… hehe…" Kenshin again, scratched his head, making it a habit especially when he is in front of Kaoru.
"But that Yukishiro-guy is not that bad, though. I mean, I heard rumors that he looked good too." Yahiko said again, not wanting to dropped the subject. "They say… as if Yukishiro is as good looking as the prince."
This time, Kenshin spit out some tea, all over the table. "ORORORORO?!?!?!?!?"
"Mou! Kenshin! Why are you acting so weird!" Kaoru frowned at Kenshin, grabbing a rag cloth and started wiping the mess. "Mou!" she pouted again.
"G-Gomen-nasai Kaoru-dono. Let me help you there." Kenshin stammered, grabbing another rag cloth and helped Kaoru to wipe the table."
"Just let it drop, Yahiko." Kaoru scowled at Yahiko. "I don't like a person just because they are good-looking or whatsoever. As I told you, liking a person is a different thing."
"What do you like in a guy, if you mind me asking, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin asked, not ouching anything on the table this time, not wanting to cause anymore trouble.
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed a little. "What I like? Of course I want a guy who is kind-hearted, responsible and a guy who will never let others down. Just like my father." she sighed "They may say that he is stubborn, hard-headed or whatever… but whenever he puts his trust on you… he will stand up for you, no matter what the others will say…" she gave a small smile at Kenshin and Kenshin only blushed a little.
'I knew it…' Yahiko smirked mentally, watching the goofy smile, forming on Kenshin's face. "So… you don't like him, ne Kaoru?" he said aloud, watching Kenshin smile wider when she said 'no.'.
'I'm glad Kaoru-dono doesn't like him…' Kenshin smiled widely at the thought. 'That means… I still have my chance… Oro? Where did that came from?'
"Ahh… Better finish this now…" Kaoru said, starting to boil some water.
"Kaoru-dono… you say that you want to get a glimpse of how the prince may look like, ne?" Kenshin asked, watching as Kaoru puts some vegetables on the boiling water.
"Yeah." Kaoru said. "I said that."
"Why?"
"Well… let's just say it's a silly girl dream, ne?" Kaoru smiled at Kenshin, "A silly dream of one day they will meet their prince charming."
"Yuck!" Yahiko made a face. "Silly girl thing." he muttered under his breath.
"Yeah. You may call it stupid." Kaoru giggled. "Because it is."
"Oro?" Kenshin looked up at Kaoru.
"Yeah. But I'm still a girl after all. I have those… silly dreams too." she smiled again. "Anyway… it's just a dream, it will never happen, anyway…"
"But what if you are now in front of the prince… what will you do?" Kenshin asked, trying to look as innocent as he could.
"Eh? I don't know." Kaoru shrugged. "I don't actually wish to meet him… as in actually meet… to see him will be just enough for me…"
"Just to see?"
"Hai. Besides, even if I get to meet him… he will never give an eye for me, anyway…"
"Oro?"
"I mean… he have met several beautiful young maidens… why would he waste his time on a… 'no one' like me…" Kaoru said with an obviously sad smile.
"But you're not a no one!" Yahiko frowned at her. "Those witches just called you a no one because they're jealous of you! They're mad at you… especially that Megumi because you look exactly like your mother!"
Kaoru only shook her head at Yahiko. "They're right anyway, to call me a no one, because I am."
"That's not true, Kaoru-dono! I mean… why would you think so… lowly of yourself?" Kenshin said. "I mean… you are a very wonderful girl Kaoru… you made many people happy, you helped others…"
"Yeah." Yahiko agreed.
"And besides…" Kenshin gave Kaoru a soft smile. "The prince will never see you as a no one. I know… if ever he will meet you… he will be very happy… very thankful that he met you…"
"Eh?" Kaoru blinked, blushing a little at the smile he was giving her.
"I know… he will be very thankful for meeting a very wonderful and nice girl like you, Kaoru."
'Hehe… that says it all.' Yahiko smiled again.
"Arigato…" Kaoru smiled back at Kenshin. "You always made me feel alright… Domo Arigato…"
"Oro?" Kenshin could only drown on those sweet smiles she is giving him. 'How could she smile like that? How could her smile always take his breath away…'
"Ehem, ehem." Yahiko coughed, making Kenshin and Kaoru blushed and turn to look away from each other. "I think I better get going now, busu." he said. "I'm gonna take a look at the horses."
"Okay." Kaoru nodded, checking on the food that she is cooking.
"You like her, ne?" Yahiko whispered at Kenshin's ear, making him blush when Kaoru was not looking.
"Oro?"
"Wish you luck!" Yahiko whispered again before going away.
"ORO?!?" Kenshin turned beet red.
TBC…
A/N: Okiedokie! Another chapter done! What do you think? Like it, not? Tell me! I would like to hear more form you guys, negative or positive, anything! Review, onegai?
A/N2: To those who are asking for other couples... well, just read more! Hehe... I don't wanna leave some clues, who knows maybe some ideas would pop up on mu stupid mind! Hehe... Just watch out, ne?
A/N3: Guys, I have to make an announcement. Since school, will be up this coming week, I am not promising you that I can update soon... it may take some time before I update again, maybe a week, two weeks or a month... please bear with me...
by: nyllemnev
Disclaimer's Apply: They are not mine. The great Watsuki-sama owns them.
Chapter 6: Some Sweet Conversation
(next day... morning)
'Kamiya Kaoru. She really is a very wonderful girl.' Kenshin frowned mentally. 'That can't be the same Kaoru that I know. That can't be.' he frowned again, barely listening to what Sano is saying.
"Can you believe the nerve of that psycho-bastard!" growled, unaware that Kenshin is not listening to him. "And who cares if he met a certain girl!! As if! Only a girl with some brain defects would dare go near him!" he spit out loud.
"I can't really understand why you're trying to be... should I say nice.. to him. I mean, you're not doing it because you're father told you, ne?"
"Did I really hear it right." Kenshin said more to himself, making Sano frown at him.
"Are you paying attention?!?" Sano raised an eyebrow. "I just asked you a question!"
"That can't be!" Kenshin stood up, facing the window. "That girl is a different Kaoru. This should be a different girl." he continued, still ignoring Sano.
"Hello? I'm here?" Sano said, waving a hand oh Kenshin's face.
"Oro?"
"What are you thinking?" Sano raised an eyebrow. "You are completely ignoring me."
"Oro? I am?" Kenshin scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah, and you are muttering something under your breath." Sano smirked. "I think its a girl's name, if I'm not mistaken. C'mon pal, what is it?"
"Oro? I'm not thinking of any girl!" Kenshin said defensively.
"Fine, fine." Sano raised his hands in defeat. "I wonder what this girl look like anyway, to catch Yukishiro's eye. What is her name again?"
"Kaoru. Kamiya Kaoru." Kenshin sighed.
"Kaoru? Hey, was the name of that little missy of yours Kaoru too?" Sano raised an eyebrow remembering the girl Kenshin danced with the last ball. "Do you think your little missy and Yukishiro's Kaoru is one girl?"
"I don't know." Kenshin sighed. "I wish I can see Kaoru-dono now. I mean, just to be sure."
"Guess Yukishiro will be your rival, not only in this palace but also in the same girl." Sano smirked and Kenshin sighed.
"Then Kaoru-dono will surely choose him over me." Kenshin sighed. "I mean, I really think that she only sees me as a friend."
"C'mon Kenshin. Why would she like a man like Yukishiro?" Sano frowned. "I mean... she knew nothing about him."
"She knew nothing about me either." Kenshin said, looking again at the world outside.
"Why don't you go out, for a minute and let's say... bump into her again?" Sano suggested, trying to cheer his friend up. "I'll cover you up. Just go back here before dinner, ne? Your father and Enishi won't be here till dinner."
"Hai, hai." Kenshin nodded gratefully at his friend. "Thanks."
"Sure. What are pals for?" Sano puts a thumbs up sign.
***
"Hey, what's up busu?"
"Mou!" Kaoru stopped chopping some vegetables, when Yahiko entered the kitchen, sitting on a rice barrel. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that name!"
"You like old hag then?" Yahiko smirked when he saw Kaoru turned beet red in annoyance.
"Shut up, Yahiko-chan." Kaoru said, going back to her tracks. "I still need to make breakfast."
"I heard that you are getting along with their guest, ne Kaoru?" he asked curiously, picking up two tomatoes and started juggling it.
"Eh? Where did you hear that?" Kaoru turned her back to Yahiko to hide her blush. "That is not true."
"I heard the witches talking about that."
"Witches?"
"Yeah, you know what I mean." Yahiko smirked. "C'mon tell me, busu. How's it going? Maybe if you'll marry a rich guy like that Yukishiro, you can get out of here."
"I will never leave this place. This is where I grow up." Kaoru turned to Yahiko. "My father worked very hard to have this mansion and the dojo! I will never leave this place. Not with them."
"I see." Yahiko nodded more to himself. "I know that. Don't worry. I know how much you love this place."
"Thanks." she gave Yahiko a small smile, before continuing her work.
"No big deal." Yahiko smirked back.
***
"What will I do? What will I do?" Kenshin asked a couple of times to himself, hiding on a huge tree near the Kamiya mansion. He have been hiding in there for almost fifteen minutes.
'Baka! What if somebody sees you here.' He mentally kicked himself. 'All you need to do is to go there and ask if Kaoru is in there. No big deal!'
'Demo… what will I say to her? Should I ask her directly if she likes Enishi or if she know any man by the name of Yukishiro Enishi? Oh… that would be too obvious! I mean… she will ask me how did I know Yukishiro Enishi… Why is this very difficult, anyway?!?' he sighed, looking up to the huge house.
'I know… maybe I'll just wait for her to go out. Then I could accidentally bump into her again… then, I could start a good conversation from then! Yeah, that's it!' he smiled inwardly at the thought. 'Yeah… that's a very good idea.'
"Oi!" a voice from Kenshin's back made him almost jump from his position behind a huge tree. He slowly turned around to see a boy with spiky hair, giving him a suspicious look.
"What are you doing, hiding from there?" the boy frowned at Kenshin. "Are you spying on us?"
"Oro?" Kenshin's eyes widen, searching in back of his mind for some answers. 'Baka! Think! Think! Baka! Baka!'
The boy just stood there, with his brows raised at him, waiting for his response. "…well?"
"Oro? I… I… was just…" Kenshin stammered for an answer.
"Yahiko-chan! There you are!" a sweet voice from behind, made Kenshin's eyes widen. He is sure! That voice is very familiar.
"Yeah, busu." the boy called Yahiko nodded at the girl who emerged from the house.
"Huh?" Kaoru frowned at the man, whose back was turned to her.
"K-Kaoru-d-dono… hi!" Kenshin turned to see her blinking at him with confusion.
"Kenshin? What are you doing here?" Kaoru said.
"A-Anou… I… I…"
"You know him?" Yahiko raised an eyebrow, coming to stand beside the red-haired man.
"Oh, Kenshin… that boy is Myoujin Yahiko. He's my friend." Kaoru said. "Yahiko… this is Kenshin, a new friend."
"Kenshin?" Yahiko blinked at Kaoru in shock. "Wasn't that the prince' name?!?" he turned to face Kenshin, staring at his red hair and on the scar on his face.
"You are the prince?" Yahiko asked the red-haired man in disbelief. "Look, the red hair and the cross scar on his left cheek! You are the prince!Oh… forgive my rudeness, your highness…" he added quickly, bowing at Kenshin.
"Oro?!?"
"Don't be silly Yahiko." Kaoru giggled at her friend. "Of course Kenshin is not the prince! He got that scar when he saved me from those bad guys nights ago. And besides… the prince wouldn't go walking around town, dress up like an ordinary person, just like us."
"Nah!" Yahiko pouted. "Who knows?!? He could really be the prince! What do you say his surname again?" Yahiko turned from Kaoru to Kenshin who 'oroed'.
"M-my s-s-surname???" Kenshin mentally frowned. 'Think, Himura! Think!!!!'
"Yeah, I have never asked you your surname." Kaoru said.
"S-S-Sur-n-n-name… Er……. Uhm…. It's… It's…." Kenshin searched for the back of his mind for any person he know. "Sagara! Sagara Kenshin!" he said quickly, as Sano was the first one who came out of his mind.
"Sagara." Yahiko nodded. "I see."
"See!" Kaoru smirked at Yahiko. "So… what are you doing here, Kenshin?"
"Eh? A-Anou… I was just… uhm… walking around the village…. when I thought that, maybe I could give you a visit… yeah! That's it!" Kenshin said, scartching the back of his head.
"Oh, I see." Kaoru smiled at Kenshin. "Really, you shouldn't be just standing there then, hidden in this huge tree."
"Yeah… How stupid of me…" Kenshin gave a nervous chuckle.
"Hehe… giving Kaoru a visit, huh?" Yahiko gave Kenshin a knowing smile.
"C'mon… let's not just stand here, okay?" Kaoru said, walking towards the house. "You want a cup of tea or something?" she asked opening the back door, connecting to the kitchen.
"Eh, that's fine with me." he smiled at her.
"Come in." Kaoru said.
"Come, Kenshin." Yahiko repeated. "While the three witches are still upstairs."
"Oro?" Kenshin gave a clueless look to Yahiko before following them inside.
"Say Kaoru, how about practicing with me, tomorrow?" Yahiko asked, watcing Kaoru boil the kettle, sitting casually on the rice barrel.
"Okay…" Kaoru gave him a smile. "Kenshin, don't stand there." she turned her face to Kenshin, who is still standing by the door. "Take a sit. Sorry for this place… I mean, I can't let you in the couch… Aunt Megumi will be very pissed off."
"Hai." Kenshin nodded, taking a sit on a wooden chair near the table.
"Here." Kaoru smiled, giving Kenshin a cur of tea and some cookies. "You want some, Yahiko?" she turned to the boy who nodded.
"Make yourself, comfortable, please." Kaoru turned again to Kenshin as she picked some vegetables and knives from a shelf. "I just need to finish making lunch before Aunt Megumi and the others get angry."
"Can I watch?" Kenshin said and Kaoru gave him a nod.
'Full of spirits…' he thought, watching Kaoru chopped some radishes. 'She is sooo full of spirit… Kami-sama… I wish I could just sit here and watch her all day…'
Yahiko however, sat, his eyes wandering from Kenshin to Kaoru, from Kaoru to Kenshin. 'Heh… this guy must have something for busu… I mean, the way he is staring at her… it just say it… maybe I could do some more… test… to be sure…' he smirked mentally.
"Uhm, busu!" Yahiko called making Kaoru frown at him.
"Mou! Stop calling me that, Yahiko-CHAN!" Kaoru glared at him.
"About that guy, ne Kaoru?" Yahiko ignored the 'chan' comment. "You still never told me what you think about him."
"Eh?" Kaoru blinked at Yahiko while Kenshin, looked up, trying to catch her reaction.
"You know what I'm talking about, busu." Yahiko smirked. "That Yukishiro guy..." his smirk widened as he watched Kaoru blush a little and Kenshin frowned at the sound of the name.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Kaoru said, concentrating on what she is doing. "Just let it drop, Yahiko."
"But he told you that he liked you." Yahiko said, throwing a knowing smile at Kenshin's direction making the redhead looked down and started munching some cookies on his mouth.
"He must be kidding." Kaoru said with a frown.
"But he told you that he wants to know you more, ne?"
"He doesn't mean it." Kaoru gave Yahiko a hard look. "Just let it drop Yahiko."
"C'mon, just tell me, what you think about him." Yahiko said aloud, "You like him?"
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed. "What are you talking about?!? Of course I don't! Besides… how can you like a person that you only met. I knew nothing about him, I don't even know if he is a good guy or a bad guy."
"But you like the prince, ne? Even if you didn't even get glimpse of how he looked like." Yahiko said again, making Kenshin almost choked.
"Orororo?!?!?"
"Eh? Kenshin! Daijobou?" Kaoru ran to Kenshin's side, patting his back lightly. "Drink." She said, giving him a glass of water.
"Oro! Daijobou, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin said. "Gomen."
"Mou!" Kaoru pouted at him. "You should eat slowly, you know."
"Hai." Kenshin said, scratching the back of his head. "I was just… hehe… er…"
"Ne Kaoru? You like the prince even if you still haven't met him, so this guy must really like you then." Yahiko insisted the topic.
"Mou! Of course not." Kaoru pouted, this time to Yahiko. "I only like to get a glimpse of how he looked like."
"Oro!" Kenshin choked again.
"Mou! Honestly Kenshin!" Kaoru started patting Kenshin's back again.
"Gomen, Kaoru-dono… hehe…" Kenshin again, scratched his head, making it a habit especially when he is in front of Kaoru.
"But that Yukishiro-guy is not that bad, though. I mean, I heard rumors that he looked good too." Yahiko said again, not wanting to dropped the subject. "They say… as if Yukishiro is as good looking as the prince."
This time, Kenshin spit out some tea, all over the table. "ORORORORO?!?!?!?!?"
"Mou! Kenshin! Why are you acting so weird!" Kaoru frowned at Kenshin, grabbing a rag cloth and started wiping the mess. "Mou!" she pouted again.
"G-Gomen-nasai Kaoru-dono. Let me help you there." Kenshin stammered, grabbing another rag cloth and helped Kaoru to wipe the table."
"Just let it drop, Yahiko." Kaoru scowled at Yahiko. "I don't like a person just because they are good-looking or whatsoever. As I told you, liking a person is a different thing."
"What do you like in a guy, if you mind me asking, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin asked, not ouching anything on the table this time, not wanting to cause anymore trouble.
"Eh?" Kaoru blushed a little. "What I like? Of course I want a guy who is kind-hearted, responsible and a guy who will never let others down. Just like my father." she sighed "They may say that he is stubborn, hard-headed or whatever… but whenever he puts his trust on you… he will stand up for you, no matter what the others will say…" she gave a small smile at Kenshin and Kenshin only blushed a little.
'I knew it…' Yahiko smirked mentally, watching the goofy smile, forming on Kenshin's face. "So… you don't like him, ne Kaoru?" he said aloud, watching Kenshin smile wider when she said 'no.'.
'I'm glad Kaoru-dono doesn't like him…' Kenshin smiled widely at the thought. 'That means… I still have my chance… Oro? Where did that came from?'
"Ahh… Better finish this now…" Kaoru said, starting to boil some water.
"Kaoru-dono… you say that you want to get a glimpse of how the prince may look like, ne?" Kenshin asked, watching as Kaoru puts some vegetables on the boiling water.
"Yeah." Kaoru said. "I said that."
"Why?"
"Well… let's just say it's a silly girl dream, ne?" Kaoru smiled at Kenshin, "A silly dream of one day they will meet their prince charming."
"Yuck!" Yahiko made a face. "Silly girl thing." he muttered under his breath.
"Yeah. You may call it stupid." Kaoru giggled. "Because it is."
"Oro?" Kenshin looked up at Kaoru.
"Yeah. But I'm still a girl after all. I have those… silly dreams too." she smiled again. "Anyway… it's just a dream, it will never happen, anyway…"
"But what if you are now in front of the prince… what will you do?" Kenshin asked, trying to look as innocent as he could.
"Eh? I don't know." Kaoru shrugged. "I don't actually wish to meet him… as in actually meet… to see him will be just enough for me…"
"Just to see?"
"Hai. Besides, even if I get to meet him… he will never give an eye for me, anyway…"
"Oro?"
"I mean… he have met several beautiful young maidens… why would he waste his time on a… 'no one' like me…" Kaoru said with an obviously sad smile.
"But you're not a no one!" Yahiko frowned at her. "Those witches just called you a no one because they're jealous of you! They're mad at you… especially that Megumi because you look exactly like your mother!"
Kaoru only shook her head at Yahiko. "They're right anyway, to call me a no one, because I am."
"That's not true, Kaoru-dono! I mean… why would you think so… lowly of yourself?" Kenshin said. "I mean… you are a very wonderful girl Kaoru… you made many people happy, you helped others…"
"Yeah." Yahiko agreed.
"And besides…" Kenshin gave Kaoru a soft smile. "The prince will never see you as a no one. I know… if ever he will meet you… he will be very happy… very thankful that he met you…"
"Eh?" Kaoru blinked, blushing a little at the smile he was giving her.
"I know… he will be very thankful for meeting a very wonderful and nice girl like you, Kaoru."
'Hehe… that says it all.' Yahiko smiled again.
"Arigato…" Kaoru smiled back at Kenshin. "You always made me feel alright… Domo Arigato…"
"Oro?" Kenshin could only drown on those sweet smiles she is giving him. 'How could she smile like that? How could her smile always take his breath away…'
"Ehem, ehem." Yahiko coughed, making Kenshin and Kaoru blushed and turn to look away from each other. "I think I better get going now, busu." he said. "I'm gonna take a look at the horses."
"Okay." Kaoru nodded, checking on the food that she is cooking.
"You like her, ne?" Yahiko whispered at Kenshin's ear, making him blush when Kaoru was not looking.
"Oro?"
"Wish you luck!" Yahiko whispered again before going away.
"ORO?!?" Kenshin turned beet red.
TBC…
A/N: Okiedokie! Another chapter done! What do you think? Like it, not? Tell me! I would like to hear more form you guys, negative or positive, anything! Review, onegai?
A/N2: To those who are asking for other couples... well, just read more! Hehe... I don't wanna leave some clues, who knows maybe some ideas would pop up on mu stupid mind! Hehe... Just watch out, ne?
A/N3: Guys, I have to make an announcement. Since school, will be up this coming week, I am not promising you that I can update soon... it may take some time before I update again, maybe a week, two weeks or a month... please bear with me...