Disclaimer: I wonder what it would be like to own Rurouni Kenshin? To bad I'll never know...

Hey, I'm back. Well...until marching band starts up again in augusto-novembre. Hehe, impressed by mi espanol? Neither am I. On with the story!

-

Laying on my futon, I looked up at the ceiling, red locks blocking my view. I didn't move them. I couldn't. My body was still paralyzed at the words exchanged that night with Kaoru. I was surprised I was able to breathe correctly.

My head was pounding. Whether it was from disillusionment or from me banging my head against the floor, both were the cause of Junior. Oh, how I hated Junior at that very moment... I knew why I did. Such a silly reason too.

He was perfect. In every way. He was 22, good-looking, respectful and he didn't have all these evil people chasing him around because he was safe. He being safe meant Kaoru would be as well.

I closed my eyes, the stinging sensation of tears tearing at my heart. I was torn up inside, needless to say. Kaoru was so important to me and I wanted to be something I couldn't. Something that wasn't destined to be me.

For a split second, I hated myself. I couldn't stand to be in this body. I wanted to die. I wanted... I wanted so much so to as Junior. Young, strong . . . and most of all, I wish I was safe to be around.

But I wasn't nor would I ever be. Sensei Hiko was correct when he had told me when I was his pupil that when I entered the war, it wouldn't know what to do with me. That I would be tricked into thinking that killing for another would be right. Then I realized . . . I was just as bad as the one's killing innocent people . . .

The one's I wanted kill were also fighting for their right. They're entitled to they're opinions and shouldn't be slain for it. It was after that that I had disappeared.

But because I was involved in it, anyone I get close to could very easily die. Including . . .

My thoughts were interrupted when I saw two shadows out of the corner of my eye against my screen to my room. One was Kaoru's, no doubt about that. Her height and long hair gave it away. The one next to her was Junior.

For the first time after I had met Junior, I didn't slant my eyes. I just watched with a torn heart as his hand went to the side of Kaoru's face. It leaped up to my throat when she pulled away. I saw her mouth move and then I saw Junior's in response.

His thumb and index finger tilted her head up to meet his. I narrowed my eyes when a sharp pain passed through my spirit when he kissed her. I couldn't tell whether it was on the cheek or the mouth; shadows make it hard to tell.

When his face left hers, Kaoru looked down and nodded. Junior bid her farewell and left the dojo. Her hand came up to touch her cheek then looked at my door.

I quickly shifted myself to face the opposite wall and closed my eyes when the door slid open. Her soft footsteps made my heart beat faster. The shadow of her beautiful body hovered over me.

"Kenshin . . ." she whispered softly. The long obi ribbons made a soft rustle against the floor as she kneeled beside me. I held my breath as her silk hand graced my cheek ever so gently.

Something wet hit my scar. It drizzled to my mouth, leaving only a salty flavor. A . . . tear?

"I had wanted to go with you . . ." she whispered softly. My heart took another leap up to my throat. There was a small sniffle before she continued. "I love you more than Junior does me . . . I love you but . . ."

I raised my eyebrow in curiosity, anxious to hear what she was going say. "But . . . you just seem as though you to be friends . . . why? Why don't you acknowledge my feelings . . . why . . .?"

Kaoru . . . I thought.

I heard the floor board creak as she returned to her feet. Her shadow soon shrunk away and the sound of a sliding door assured me she had left my quarters. I sat up and watched her shadow retreat back to her room.

My eyes softened. I had forgotten how sensitive she could be. She had lost her parents and her dojo had been ruin thanks to someone running around pretending to be me using the Kasshin Style.

I lay back down and looked out my window, up at the stars. I could see very few since the street lights had just been lit. It was my last memory as I drifted off to sleep.

-

Yahiko's voice was what awakened me the next day. I had over slept, for the first time in Kami-sama knows how many years. Standing up, I began to undo the ties that bond my yukata.

The smell of miso soup greeted me as I opened my door. Kaoru was sitting silently, sipping it while Yahiko pretended to die from it. I raised a brow and smiled. Despite how much he enjoys torturing her, I know he cares about her. I'm sure he'd rather have her cooking than die of starvation.

Though, if he doesn't learn to shut his face, he may die due to Kaoru. I can see the headlines now. 'Death by Katana'.

I took my seat next to Kaoru and almost as soon as I had sat down, Kaoru stood up and walked out of the kitchen. I looked after her with curiosity.

"Geez, Kenshin," Sano commented, "what'd you do this time around?"

I cocked my head to the side. "Sanosuke, did Kaoru hit you yet today?" That wasn't meant to be an insult, I was really wondering.

Yahiko answered before Sano. "No, she hasn't hit either of us. Even though we've both been making fun of her cooking, she hasn't said a word to either of us. Not even an evil glance."

Sano finished off his cup of sake before interrupting him. "Yeah, all she did was look down at her food. We've actually been putting it on high trying to snap her out of her trance-"

"Trance?" I intermittent, "What trance?"

"Missy was mouthing something and just playing around in her breakfast with her chopsticks."

Yahiko wiped his face with his sleeves. "Yeah, like she was some sort of zombie or something."

"Hey, Kenshin! You shouldn't be so concerned," Sano said as I got on my feet. "She's probably just having a bad morning. Just leave her be."

I stepped out of the dojo with Sanosuke still calling after me wanting my breakfast.

Not be concerned? It'd be easier if it weren't for the woman I'm in love with.

-

Mwuhaha. This didn't take me forever and a day to do and it's longer than the last chapter...I think. Anywy, reviewies! Thanks!