A/N: hey guys, I'm back. Sorry for taking so long on updating. Mid terms were hard especially anatomy. Thank you for your patience and reviews. Please enjoy chapter 8.

Chapter 8 Valentine's Surprise

It was now a cold and snowy February. Kaoru dreaded Valentine's day that was approaching soon. This would be her first Valentine's Day without a red rose from her ex-boyfriend, Enishi in three years. What was worse to Kaoru was that after five months she couldn't stop thinking about the kiss her and Mr. Himura shared all those months ago. It was still so fresh in her mind that sometimes she felt like he was near her, kissing her, only to discover it was her imagination.

'My feelings toward him must be more if I can't stop thinking of him' she thought in her head 'even if I don't know all that well.'

Kaoru finished dressing and walked to school with Misao and Megumi. They didn't talk about their valentine's dates because they didn't want Kaoru to feel uncomfortable or left out. Kaoru knew this and although she appreciated it, she still felt saddened about Valentine's Day. It was the most romantic day of the year and she didn't have anyone special to share it with. Kaoru hid her disappointment so her friends wouldn't ask her about it.

Kenshin was at school, preparing for his first period class with the ninth graders. He looked at his calendar and saw that it was Wednesday and two days away from Valentine's Day. At school, People were buying roses of yellow, pink, red, and white from the Cultural Diversity Club for Valentine's Day. Kenshin had tried long and hard these last five months to forget Kaoru, but he couldn't. The kiss they had shared all those months ago was something he had never experienced, not because she was a student, but because he hadn't experienced that kind of kiss since his late wife.

'I must be falling for her. She may be younger than me, but she is very beautiful and so wonderful. She is special, I know that, if I can't stop thinking about her' he sighed 'I know what I will do' he thought with a grin on his face.

February 14

It was Valentine's Day and Kaoru felt sad and empty. She wanted nothing more than to crawl in a ball and hide in a corner. She had never felt so miserable before. However, she was in for a surprise. Kaoru came to her locker and was surprised to see a red rose taped to her locker with a note on it.

"Kaoru you have a rose taped to your locker? I thought you didn't have a date for tonight?"

"I don't Misao. I'm as shocked as you are."

"Oh, I see the raccoon got a rose."

"Raccoon? Megumi don't call me that" she said glaring daggers at her.

"Relax Kaoru, I'm only joking. Why are you so serious?"

"So, whose the rose from Kaoru?"

"I'm checking" Kaoru gently opened the note "It reads, Kaoru, I've seen you around school and I think your nice and beautiful. Please meet me at the bus station on Fifth Avenue at seven tonight. Please dress casual. I'll sit next to you and say, You look lovely tonight. That way you know it will be me. I'll await for you tonight. Signed, your secret admirer."

Misao's eyes widened and said, "Wow, a secret admirer."

"Someone sure likes you, I must admit."

"Yeah, should I go?"

"You should Kaoru."

"Yeah and if he turns out to be a pervert" Megumi said while rummaging through her purse "use this" after pulling something out and placing it in Kaoru's hand.

"Pepper spray?"

"Yes, I always carry it with me."

"Be careful with it Kaoru because it stings your eyes pretty bad."

"I will Misao and I will go tonight."

Later that night

Kaoru reached the bus station on Fifth Avenue. She sat on the bench and waited. She wore a pink sweater and jeans with a winter coat, hat, and gloves. She checked her watch and it read 6:59.

'Just one more minute' she thought breathing out clod smoke from her breath.

"You look lovely tonight" said a voice that sounded awfully familiar.

Kaoru turned to see whom her admirer was and stared wide eyed at what she saw.

Sorry to leave you guys hanging. I was hoping to get this out a few days ago, but with Christmas and everything I got busy. Chapter 9 will be out as soon as possible. Please check out my new story, The Baby That Brought Us Together, if you'd like. Thanks for reading and please review.

Merry Belated Christmas!