A/N: I have fainted as I received your reviews, dear readers...thank you for your comments! to those who can't wait for some A/K, this chapter's for you all! With a particularly long chapter, it shouldn't be very far from the ending...I'm happy!

Disclaimer: Nobuhiro Watsuki has told me to assist Kaoru's learning in western cookery...not an easy task mind you...

THWACK! "Ouch...hey..I thought that bokken is only reserved for Yahiko! "

COTTON CANDY 6
Aoiya - late at night...

Knock..Knock..

"Come in", Okina said as he busied himself with the sudden interest in Aoiya's financial figure...not that he wanted Aoshi to know he's hiding another one of his precious Geisha magazine, now, would he? He smugly smirked as he cleverly sandwiched the said magazine underneath the stack of accounting paperwork.

The shoji screen slid smoothly, albeit a slight creaking sound was heard as it slid, revealing the face of the ex-Okashira.
Aoshi stood at the door, his expression cool as usual…"I'd like to take my leave first thing tomorrow morning, Okina. When I pass by Tokyo, I'll drop off what you want me to give to the Kamiya dojo..", he said as his eyes observed the whole office in one swift glance.

Still as sharp as ever, this boy...Okina noted proudly.

"All right Aoshi. Here's what I want you to take there", he handed a rather thick envelope.

Aoshi eyed him suspiciously....'Hmm...how would I know if he's sending proper stuff to the people at Kamiya dojo? From the look of it..it might even be some of those presposterous magazines...'

Okina cut his train of thought abruptly, "Send my regards to the people in Kamiya dojo, especially to that blue-eyed beauty", he winked lecherously.

Aoshi had to roll his eyes. He straight away knew who Okina was referring to. Kamiya Kaoru was instantly portrayed right there and then…What a lecherous old man…

He was becoming normal each day, Okina noted, amusedly.

" I have left a note for Misao, the others... you could tell them if you want…", he continued.

'Hmm...even leaving a note'...Okina's face brightened.

Okina nodded in understanding. "Let us know if you need anything else", he replied.

Aoshi bowed down curtly as he took with him the envelope from Okina. Tomorrow, tomorrow he'll be tasting freedom and re-discovering himself in process.

In Tokyo...

Kaoru was busy preparing the lunch. She practiced when Yahiko's not home to cook what Jane had taught her. So far, it has been quite successful, she dares to say..she carefully lifted the pan's lid as her concoction simmered.

A nice smelling combination of spices wrapped her senses. She smiled triumphantly. She could cook, she could really cook! Ecstatic, she jumped up and down…

Almost everyday she's working at Sweet Treats and the gaijin couple were extremely kind to her. Now she could only think of them in family terms, just like Yahiko, Sano, Megumi and ..Kenshin….well..he is a family member too…no matter where he is now. We're the Kenshingumi and always will be.

She rewarded her success in making Western potato soup with a stick of…why, cotton candy, of course!

She was determined to show off her cooking to Yahiko and with her built up confidence, she dared him to even invite Tsubame, Tae and Doctor Genzai too for dinner tonight. Well, she had to do some sort of a dare with him. She dared him this morning before he left for work to invite those people for dinner. If people got sick eating her food, then she'll get Akabeko to cater for dinner everyday, she said. She pouted inwardly as she recalled Yahiko's scoff.

"Che, you don't even have to cook, Busu, whatta silly dare...I'm in though...", he grinned widely. He earned some more bumps today..Well...things are always done as normal at Kamiya's household, and today was no different.

But, this time she had to succeed… Megumi is still in Aizu to finish her two year practice in the Aizu clinic before she'd be back to help out Dr. Genzai once more, as the old doctor was going to retire very soon and the clinic would need to be taken over by younger doctors...and Megumi was more than capable of taking care of it single-handedly.

So.. Kaoru couldn't invite her to tonight's dinner.. Perhaps later, Kitsune would actually display a stunned expression on her face for a change, not only giving her teasing remarks her all the time..She grinned happily as she thought of Megumi's face expression.

She was on her way to the market to get a few more items on her shopping list, and brought with her a big pinch of her beloved cotton candy to savour on the way, when she bumped into something solid, right in front of the dojo's entrance. "Oof…", she winced as her body swayed off balance.

A strong pair of hands steadied her. She looked up to find, a pair of clear blue eyes with a tinge of aqua green looking back at her. Those ice-coloured eyes…could only belong to...

Shinomori!

"A…Shinomori-san", she swallowed her surprise. It's not everyday she meets up with an ice-block…a handsome one at that….Kaoru frowned at her own thoughts. 'Eh? he's in tokyo?'

"Afternoon Kamiya..", he voiced out..

Kaoru almost fainted. He could talk! Not just his usual curt nod or "aa.." replies!

Aoshi almost smirked at seeing Kamiya's eyes went wide in surprise. Somehow, Kamiya and Misao have got a very few similarities…one of them being the inability to hide their feelings….it's all written on their faces…like now, for example..

"Ah…good, great…nn..What brings you to Tokyo, Shinomori-san?", she asked politely, trying to hide her curiousity none too subtly.

"I'm just on a short visit. How's Battousai?", he asked.

Kaoru was silent for about five seconds. She looked like she was in deep concentration. When she looked back at him, she smiled and said "Well…in his last letter, he said he's well". Unsure as to why, she was itching to have some cotton candy.

"Ah, he's..away?", he carefully asked. Strange…

She nodded " On a mission", she explained .

"I see…", he replied. 'Hmmm...'

'I can't believe I am having a normal conversation with Shinomori Aoshi', Kaoru thought.

"Nn…if you don't mind, Shinomori-san, I was actually about to go to the market to get some ingredients…if you'd like to wait inside…", she offered somewhat reluctantly...'Is this wise, to let him wait inside, on his own?'

"I'll accompany you", he replied, sensing her hesitant offer.

What? She was surprised at hearing his answer.

"A..sure…let's go then", she pointed him to their direction and they walked off.

" That's all I need", she said, smiling in relief as she checked her list. Some fresh meat, green vegetables and an assortment of other ingredients were contained in a few bags, held in her hands.

He quietly took the bags off her hands... 'I never noticed how small those hands actually are...to think she is practicing martial arts'... He silently remarked.

Kaoru stayed quiet after she nodded her thanks. No big deal...Kenshin used to be holding her groceries for her... however, she could feel her cheeks were tinged with a pinkish blush. 'Well, he-llo..! he's not exactly Kenshin...this is Shinomori, holding my groceries!' Baka Kaoru! She scolded herself for thinking that far, then busied herself into thinking about tonight's dinner. The menu was all set in her mind. Aoshi observed his azzure-eyed companion's numerous facial expressions quietly as they walked side by side along the busy road of Tokyo.

'Kamiya Kaoru was quite odd..For one thing, Battousai's gone off on a mission, but this time she looks allright, even contented and happy', he'd say.
'What's with the change of attitude?' He pondered.

They walked in a companionable silence for a while. But Kaoru suddenly remembered something "Oh, I've almost forgotten to ask, that was very rude of me...how is Okina, Misao and the others? She's not coming this time?", she asked casually…rather surprised that the energetic Itachi wasn't there this time. She was always around the stoic man for as long as Kaoru has known her...'Maybe she's coming later…'

"They're all well, thank you..Misao..no, she's not coming…", he said..rather oddly. "Oh, and Okina sent something for you too", he said, extracting an envelope with one of his hands, then handing it to her.

Kaoru looked at him for a second, rather confused, before nodding her thanks…then the next thing she knew, she blurted out..

"If you want to stay in Tokyo for a while, you could stay over at our place, Shinomori-san…I know it's not much, but it should be quite sufficient…", she generously offered, a smile never failed to grace her features..

Aoshi couldn't say why, but he thought that Kamiya's smile was quite enchanting "Thank you for the offer Kamiya-san…I'd appreciate it very much.." he replied.

"Great…then let's have dinner with us tonight too.." she cheerfully said.

'Now, why do I always seem to do that? First was Kenshin, then Yahiko, then Sano...now, it's him...of all people...' her conscience promptly reminded her. Her eyebrows twitched slightly as she thought about that..

'Hmm…he's been told countless of times by Misao that Kaoru couldn't cook to save herself..why does he think that it's not such a good idea to say 'yes' to her?'

Before he could stop himself, He managed to nod his head. 'Darn..how could I say no...Thank you for your offer, Kamiya-san..but lodging without meal is fine by me...? huh.'.

Kaoru smirked. Great! One more person to show off her cooking to…

They have arrived in front of the Dojo. Its surrounding was still quiet around this time as that brat hasn't come back from a lunch shift at Akabeko. As if reading his mind, she suddenly said,

"It's rather quiet still..Yahiko isn't back yet until dinnertime usually...Megumi's still in Aizu, and Sanosuke..well...we don't exactly know where he is...", she chuckled in remembering Sano's word.

Aoshi closely observed her words. 'She has refrained herself from mentioning Battousai at all...well..she did say that he's off to a mission before... ' He switched back to his normal "Aa.." reply.

"Here's our guest room...", she showed the room to Aoshi as she led the way around the house.

"Please make yourself comfortable, Shinomori-san….The bath house is at the back, close to the washing area, if you need it.. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just be in the kitchen..", she said to him, failing to notice that he still observed her.The room she gave him was adequate. It was small but neat, complete with a desk, wooden wardrobe, a desk and writing material, Aoshi looked around.

Then, she walked past him on her way to the kitchen, and he could smell something nice. 'Mm…sugar?' He thought..and a rather subtle jasmine blossoms… nice….

'Shall I go and have a look at Kamiya's attempt to cook?' He thought after a while.

'Better not…she looked rather excited about her cooking dinner tonight…I'll just be prepared for whatever she's cooking, I suppose…' he set down his small luggage on top of the table, let out a deep breath and sat on the tatami mat, resuming his meditation routine that has been neglected for a long while.

Kaoru was really loving every minute of her being in the kitchen, thanks to Jane, she was getting a bit confident on her cooking. Tonight she'll cook up a small feast, enough for eight people, including Dr. Genzai's grandchildren….

O..kay…grilled beef ribs and gravy, potato soup, steamed vegetables, sauteed onions, potato puddings…and her favorite of all so far is the skewered kabobs..with seafood. All right, so she was feeling rather generous, and spent a bit more than she usually does, but this is an important event! she reasoned. 'Oh, I'm just so in love with Western food!', she supressed her squeal of delight with all of her willpower.

Let's just hope everyone tonight enjoy her rendition of Western cooking.