A/N: Thank you for your reviews. They're awesome, really.

Disclaimer: I don't own RK. Or Splenda.

Warnings: None.

Chapter 6: Remembrances of an Old Love

Kaoru had gotten through half of the day.

Phew.

She woke up early this morning - and luckily with no headaches. She felt dazed, but that was probably caused by waking up at 6:00 AM.

She was on her way on her lunch break to have a quick lunch with Misao. She had officially a week left of college and she couldn't wait to finally get a job, fall in love… though the second part had happened already. She said she was going to bring someone along, but she didn't know who it was.

They decided to meet at a restaurant called the Akabeko. It was slightly old – it had been around for six years now. But they had incredible food and the lines were usually out the door. Kaoru was personal friends with the owner, Tae, for reasons she preferred to keep secret.

The tiny jingle of the doorway always made her smile – she had always been fond of that sound. Even when she was a child. She'd constantly open and close the door just to hear that bell jingle. So she opened the door with a smile on her face.

"Kaoru!"

She immediately cocked her head to the right, which was where the sound came from. There sat Misao, her eyes sparkling and her voice giddy with happiness.

Kaoru's eyes widened at the sight of the person next to her giddy friend.

&&&&&&

Kenshin stepped out of his car after parking in the lot of one of his favorite restaurants. He was supposed to be meeting Tomoe and Shinta for a family lunch. The Akabeko was Shinta's favorite restaurant.

Entering the restaurant, he heard that familiar jingle – the one that would always bring back memories. He expected Tomoe and Shinta to be at the table to the right, where they always sat, but found something a bit more disturbing instead.

Her. Again.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, making her jump, as well as her friends, one a guy and one a girl.

Once she realized who it was, her face hardened with anger. "Don't I have a right to go to my favorite restaurant?"

Kenshin glared at her. "This is my favorite restaurant. This is my seat. Get out." He replied tensely.

"No! You have no right to do that, and no seat is yours," she argued. Tae came over when she heard the fighting.

"Kenshin, she came here first, and she's right – you don't really own the seat." Tae explained in an apologetic tone. "Please don't fight."

"Where's my wife and my son?" he demanded.

"We were right here all along," Tomoe answered, confused at the entire commotion caused. They were sitting right next to them.

Kenshin, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world, ignored the fact that the past three minutes just occurred and sat down next to his wife and son.

&&&&&&

Kaoru wore an expression of extreme irritation. As soon as she thought that she could escape that madman, he came right up in her face again.

"So, uh, who was that?" inquired Misao, suspicious yet curious.

"A stuck-up, immature brat named Kenshin Himura," she muttered, placing a napkin on her lap.

"Co-worker?" presumed Misao.

"Yeah, she's pretty annoying if you ask me," a loud voice said with irritation. It was the man from the other table, named Himura.

"Nobody asked you!" Kaoru replied loudly back. Kenshin scoffed and turned back to his family. "He's just so immature,"

"Anyway," Kaoru began. "What are you doing here, Sou? Aren't you supposed to be at the theater right now?"

"I took the day off," answered the smiling man across from her. His dark hair framed his face well, his eyes sparkled with happiness. For the second time in her life, Kaoru realized how intriguing he really was…

"Oh, that's good, you look a bit tired," Kaoru noted. Soujirou nodded. "How is the production going?"

"It's going great, but it isn't the same without you," he sighed. "Nobody's as good as you! The new lead dancer is just…" he screwed his face up in a look of disgust.

Kaoru laughed out loud. Soujirou was really funny. "I'll come and watch it as soon as it begins – in the beginning of October, right?"

"Yes, October eighth," answered Soujirou automatically. Kaoru smiled.

"I'll be right back, tell Tae that I want the big box thing at the top of the page, k?" Misao told Kaoru, getting out of the seat in heading to the bathroom.

"Sure," she called back. Two seconds later, Tae came with a little white pad.

"Misao wants the big box, as usual, I would like… the tuna box, and…" Kaoru stated for Soujirou to finish.

"I'll take the eel with the rice thing on the bottom…" he explained. Tae laughed and cut him off.

"Sure thing, hun," she replied, walking over to Kenshin's table.

&&&&&&

"Kenshin, can you please calm down? I think you're scaring Shinta," pleaded Tomoe, glancing worriedly at her husband. Shinta wore an expression of confusion.

"She's just so annoying!" he hissed. "She took our spot!"

"How do you know her?" inquired Tomoe curiously.

"Work, she's new," explained Kenshin, still bothered by the presence of her. He glanced over at her table - she was laughing with her male friend. He laughed bitterly.

"Oh," answered Tomoe. "Well, you should be a little nicer to her; after all, you're working with her,"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he muttered, taking a look at the menu.

&&&&&&

After lunch was finished, Kaoru came out extremely happy – though she didn't know why.

Misao ranted on about Aoshi, while Kaoru and Soujirou listened. Sou was a good listener, he always was. Kaoru just learned how to let information pass through one ear and go out the other.

She watched Misao wave goodbye from her car and speed away.

"So… how are you?" questioned Soujirou softly. They were alone now.

"I'm – I'm fine, why?" she stammered.

"Just wondering… dating anybody?" he inquired.

Kaoru froze at the sudden question. What should she say? She didn't want him to think that she was a loser that couldn't get more than one boyfriend…

"No, I was more focused on getting a good job…" she explained. Soujirou nodded.

"Yes, that's important," he said, to fill the silence between them. "I have to go, I – have to meet someone in ten minutes,"

Kaoru was about to say something, but decided to keep her mouth shut. Last time something like this happened, she lost her boyfriend – she didn't want to lose her friend too.

"Bye, Kaoru," he called from his car.

"Bye," she replied softly, looking at her sandals. The right one had a black smudge. She watched him as he sped off into the distance. As he turned a corned, she sighed and headed back to the office.

Her happy mood vanished like vapor into the air – she couldn't catch it as it flew away. The replaced mood – a depressed one, held her down like a stone. What Kaoru was left with was mindless paperwork and a cup of bad coffee.

Oh, Sou…

That lunch was a mistake. She knew that Misao was planning to bring him.

She wanted me to get back together with him! She thought furiously, taking a large sip of steaming coffee. Just when things were getting back to normal, she just had to do that!

"Kaoru, hun, are you alright? There's no Splenda left in the bowl, is that it?" soothed Kamatari. "It's because I stole it. Here, I'll give you a pack,"

"No, its fine, I'm okay," murmured Kaoru, loosening her grip on the mug.

"You sure?" he asked again.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a bit – tense," she managed to muster.

"Okay, just tell me if you need anything," he answered, heading to the bathroom.

She sighed and began to think while doing her paperwork.

It was a college thing! Yes, I did love him, but he broke my heart! How could he…

I'm supposed to be over him. I was until I found out that he was working at the same dance company as me. Coincidence? I really don't know.

And then things were getting back to normal. We were comfortable with each other. We were friends. I mean, we didn't see each other too often, he was working on set design... but we were still friends.

And Misao had to ruin it all! She knew it was still hard for me…though I was over it.

She sighed with aggravation.

Oh Sou…I don't know what to think now…

A/N: Dun dun dunnnnn!

How did you like this chapter? I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while… I was busy.

Please review! I want to know what you think. AND VOTE FOR:

TAKE MY HAND:
-Summary: A tidal wave crashes upon the heart of Tokyo. Kamiya Kaoru has just barely escaped the disaster, but how will she survive? With the help of a mysterious, red-haired, purple-eyed man. AU. KK. What may seem like the end could just be the beginning.

CONFESSIONS OF A RACOON:
-Kaoru is a writer with big dreams. She one day gets an inspiration to write a thrilling, fresh, novel. Little do the readers know, that this novel is an autobiography. AU. KK. Writing really is a true form of expression.

CRYSTAL CLEAR:
-People tell me I was born with a curse - blindness. They pity me. But little do they know, I can see much more clearly than they ever could. I am Kenshin Himura. My job is to open people's eyes, to help them see. AU. KK. For a blind person, I can see crystal clear.

KEY TO ROOM 414:
-Kaoru is the manager of a major hotel in New York City. Life had always been the same for her. Routine. Never once did she do something spontaneous. But one man can change that. AU. KK. It's feels good to break free for once.

(title/summary pending)MY PERSONAL DIARY(suggestions are welcomed):
-After a heart-shattering accident, Kaoru loses her entire memory. With the help of a mysterious red-head, she begins taking tiny steps towards regaining her memory, but until then, she needs a personal diary. AU. KK. Patience is a virtue.

TAKE MY HAND: 1

CONFESSIONS OF A RACOON: 6

CRYSTAL CLEAR: 6

KEY TO ROOM 414: 6

MY PERSONAL DIARY: 2