A/N: Thanks much for the reviews. Here's my next chapter, promise there is more K+K action. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope, can't say it is mine in any way shape or form.

Chapter 3: Reassurances

Kaoru decided to show Mika around town. She didn't know how long Mika would be staying so she thought it would be a good idea if she knew her way around. They were going to go to the market first. Kaoru was going to introduce Mika to the members of the Akebeko. Mika stopped and looked at all the booths on the way there. In comparison to other towns everything was pretty much the same. People sold food, clothes, jewelry, and other items. In a strange way there was something about the place that made Mika feel at home.

"Look Mika, this is the resturaunt I told you about. It's called the Akebeko. We are friends with the owners here."

"Really? Do you guys get free food?"

"Well, there is only one of us here who seems to get away with eating for free…"

"Sano right?"

"Yeah, lord knows how much he owes this place."

Kaoru and Mika walked inside. Tae was quick to welcome them both and Tsubame hid behind her tray like she always did when meeting new people.

"Tae, Tsubame, this is Mika Yoshida. She is going to stay with us for a little bit."

"Nice to meet you Mika! I'm Tae and this shy little girl is Tsubame. Tsubame say hello!"

"Um…nice to meet you," Tsubame squeeked.

"You have such a nice resturaunt. I bet the food is fantastic!" Mika said.

"Well, since you are new around here you guys can come for dinner for free tonight, my treat."

"Really Tae, you'd do that for us?" Kaoru was surprised. Tae rarely did things like this.

"Oh it's fine Kaoru." She turned to Tsubame. "Tsubame why don't you show Mika around the restaurant."

"Okay, follow me Mika."

As soon as Mika disappeared around the corner with Tsubame Tae got an interesting look on her face.

"What?" asked Kaoru.

"Oh, I was just wondering how you took in another person."

"Tae!"

"I was just asking, I'm allowed to do that aren't I?"

"Well, Kenshin kind of saved her and she had no place to go so we decided to let her stay."

Tae smirked. "We?"

"Well, yes…it was kind of Kenshin's idea in the first place."

"Oh, so is she pulling moves on dear Kenshin?"
Kaoru blushed a very deep red. "No…she is not, at least I don't think so."

"You know you and Kenshin were meant to be, I don't know what is taking him so long!"

"Tae!"

"Don't worry, no one is going to hear me."

"All right, fine. Just don't tell anyone about this conversation."

"Okay, don't worry."

Just then, Mika came back with Tsubame. "Wow Kaoru, this place is great!"

"Oh, I'm glad you think so," Kaoru replied. "Well, thanks for everything Tae, I'll see you tonight."

"Yeah, see you guys later."

Kaoru continued to walk with Mika up and down the market place. They stopped to pick up some tofu and Daikon radish for lunch. Kaoru decided to take the long way home so Mika could see more of the scenery. As if by instinct she stopped at a particular spot by the river.

"Kaoru is something wrong?" asked Mika.

"No, everything is fine. It's such a beautiful day. I just wanted to look at the leaves. They are such a pretty color this time of year don't you think?"

"Sure, I guess." Mika knew there was something Kaoru wasn't telling her but she decided to let it be.

As they were making their way into the house Kaoru and Mika noticed Kenshin sitting against a tree. Mika was about to call out to him but Kaoru stopped her. Mika looked a little closer and noticed that Kenshin was sleeping. She looked back at Kaoru and nodded. They both walked slowly into the house.

"Mika, I forgot we had an extra room next to the dojo so you don't have to sleep in the kitchen anymore."

"Oh, thanks Kaoru. Also thanks for showing me around. You have some really nice friends."

"You're welcome. I hope that you feel at home."

"I do, thanks again." Mika proceeded to move her things into her new room.

Kaoru stepped outside again. She slowly went up to Kenshin and sat down next to him. She knew very well that he was awake. He was going to have to try harder in fooling her now. She just knew him too well. Kaoru reached out for his sword. Just as she thought, Kenshin slowly let go of the sword. Kaoru took it and unsheathed it slowly but still got no reaction from Kenshin. She was going to have to try harder. Kaoru fully unsheathed the sword and Kenshin's eyes twitched slightly. She got up and started to walk away when she felt a presence directly behind her.

"I wouldn't take that if I were you, that I wouldn't."

Kaoru smirked. "Oh, and who's going to stop me?"

In one swift movement Kenshin turned her so she'd face him and put his face really close to hers. Kaoru got excited for a second until he moved next to her ear.

"I will," whispered Kenshin. He grabbed his sword and sheathed it.

Kaoru's excited and nervous feelings left abruptly. She was slightly surprised at Kenshin's forwardness. He never acted this way. Still, she was happy just to be close to Kenshin. "Okay, fine then. Just so you know, Tae is treating us to dinner tonight in honor of Mika joining our family."

"Oh. Would you like to go on another walk later?"
"I was just saying to Mika what a nice it day is. I'd love to."

"Should I ask her to join us?"

Kaoru didn't know if she made a face but inside she felt like screaming. Good things can only last for so long. "Well, if you'd like her to, I wouldn't mind."

Kenshin was quick to pick up a flash in Kaoru's eyes. He had never been too sure if she had really liked Mika. "Are you sure Miss Kaoru? She doesn't have to come…I mean it has kind of been our thing we do, that it has."

"Well, how about we go by ourselves, for old times sake."

"As long as you're happy Miss Kaoru, so am I."

Kaoru smiled, she instantly felt better after that comment. Mika had come out of the dojo and stopped. She watched Kenshin and Kaoru's actions, unsure of what they were doing. She couldn't hear what they were saying but decided that they probably wanted to talk in private. As soon as they were done talking she was going to intervene. Yes, she had only been there a little while but she was still intent on getting Kenshin. She approached Kenshin and Kaoru.

"Oh, am I interrupting anything?"

"No Miss Mika, we were just done talking, that we were." Kenshin looked over to Kaoru and winked at her. Kaoru was wondering what had gotten into him today. He was acting like…Sano. Kaoru winced at that thought.

Dinnertime came around and the group walked over to the Akebeko. Megumi, Dr. Gensai, Ayame, and Suzume came too. Of course Sano wouldn't miss a dinner at the Akebeko either so he came too. Everyone ate and laughed at Sano's gambling stories. He didn't think they were too funny though. Yahiko "accidently" drank some sake, which caused him to stop eating very quickly. Kaoru noticed for the first time in a while Kenshin didn't seem gloomy. He seemed to be thinking nothing of his past.

Kenshin looked over at her and smiled. They sat there for a while just staring at each other. Only Mika noticed this. She wasn't going to give up that easily though. There had to be a way to make Kenshin fall for her! Maybe the old Mika wouldn't have cared but the new Mika had confidence. She wasn't going to let anything stand in her way of her goal. By the way Kenshin and Kaoru were staring at each other she was going to have to act fast. Everyone finished up and started to walk back home. Sano had to carry Yahiko on his back to keep him from falling over. Yahiko was going to stay at the clinic for the night. Sano walked Megumi, Dr. Gensai, and the two girls home with Yahiko right behind him, literally. Kenshin, Kaoru, and Mika walked home the other direction.

"That was really great food. I'm glad we came," said Mika.

"Yeah, that food always tastes so great," said Kaoru.

Kenshin turned to Kaoru. "Miss Kaoru, we're going to have to take that walk some other time."

"Oh I know, it's too late now," Kaoru replied.

Mika looked over at Kenshin. There was one thing she still hadn't found out yet. "Kenshin?"

"Yes Miss Mika?"

"You don't have to tell me but I was wondering, how did you get that scar?"

Kenshin's face noticeably darkened. Kaoru almost wanted to yell at Mika for saying that. Kenshin had been happy the whole night until now. She didn't even know how Kenshin got his scar. She just guessed it was a really painful memory so she never asked him. She was positive that Kenshin wouldn't tell Mika if he hadn't told her yet and she was right.

"Miss Mika, I would rather not talk about that right now. Maybe some other time okay?" Kenshin flashed his rurouni smile at her.

"Oh, all right Kenshin," said Mika.

Kenshin looked down at the ground. He had a frown on his face. Kaoru knew that smile was used to cover his true feelings. She could have sworn she saw tears come to his eyes but it was too dark to tell. She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and nodded his head. Kaoru was now one hundred percent positive that the scar held dark memories for him. She knew in time he would tell her all of his past. Something flew past Kenshin's head. All he saw was Kaoru wince and fall over. Mika screamed. The next thing he knew he was on the ground with Kaoru's head in his lap. She looked up at him in pain and then closed her eyes. Kenshin saw the object that should have hit him. It was wedged in her shoulder. He carefully pulled it out.

"A poisoned dart…"

A/N: Oh boy, what's going to happen to Kaoru? You better review or else you'll never know. So how was this chapter? Enough K+K in there? I'm okay at WAFF, not great, but okay.