Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Hey there, all my darling readers. Thank you all for all your support and your wonderful reviews. They make me very, very happy! I hope that you all enjoy this chapter!

Healing by KatsunoCZ

Chapter 8

Enishi was in Koishijiro's office, sitting in front of his boss's desk.

"So, have you called her yet?" Koishijiro asked.

Enishi nodded, a smile on his lips. "I've patched things up with her."

Koishijiro nodded approvingly. "She is still your fiancé even though she is very strongly against this idea right now. She didn't say anything to you that might make you change your mind about marrying her, did she?"

Enishi laughed. "Even if she did, I wouldn't change my mind. I will marry her, no matter what. But I couldn't be on her bad side, so I told her that we could just start over as friends."

"Oh?"

"Yeah."

"That's clever of you."

Enishi grinned.

Kaoru changed quickly into her uniform, and apologized to Tae for being late. Tae, being the nice woman she was, told her that it was okay.

Kaoru thanked her and walked out to start doing her job.

There weren't many people in the restaurant. It was after all, only 5:20pm. Then, a young man with dark brown hair came in and sat down at one of the tables that she was supposed to serve.

Kaoru grabbed a menu and walked towards the table.

"Here is the menu, sir," she said, smiling warmly. The young man looked up at her and stared at her, his eyes inspecting her face.

Kaoru kept smiling and tried to ignore his scrutiny.

Finally the young man smiled and said, "It's all right, I don't need the menu. I would like green tea and the restaurant's handmade cookies."

Kaoru nodded, still smiling, scribbling down the order. "Right away."

Then, she walked off to get his order.

Okita watched her walked off, his eyes still lingering on her.

She was beautiful, even more magnificent up close.

Her silky black hair was scooped up into an elegant bun, delicate strands falling about her face gracefully. Her eyes were a vivid blue, her nose just right and her lips were soft and pink. Looking at her just now stopped his mind from working for a moment, and she continued to smile so sweetly at him and his heart stopped. Okita had struggled to tell her his order without stuttering.

Then, watching her walked away, he wanted her near again. He wanted to touch the milky, smooth skin of hers and feel the exquisite clearness of her face.

He had managed to look at her name tag on her uniform.

Kaoru…

What a nice name.

He watched her put the plate of cookies and the tea onto a tray. She was still smiling. There was something funny about her Japanese accent, but he couldn't quite put it in place.

She was walking towards him again, then she placed the cookies and the tea on the table carefully. "Here you go, sir."

"Thank you, Kaoru," he replied, smiling warmly at her.

She looked surprised at being addressed by her name. "You're welcome, sir."

Okita laughed. "I'm Souji Okita, calling me 'sir' makes me feel old."

Kaoru nodded, smiling back at him softly. "Okay, Souji-san. Enjoy your tea."

With that Kaoru walked away.

That man, Souji Okita was handsome. His eyes were brown and sparkling with mischief. He reminded a little of Sanosuke, only that Okita was shorter and more soft-looking.

Kaoru dismissed her thoughts and went on serving the other customers.

Okita waved at Tae and asked her to come over. He had become good friends with Tae since he came here quite frequently.

Tae smiled at him, "Souji-san!"

Okita nodded, "Tae-san."

"How are you today?" Tae asked kindly.

"Good, never been better…" Okita said as his eyes shifted to Kaoru when she passed by.

Tae followed his gaze and smiled at him knowingly. "You have your eye on our Kaoru-chan, ne?"

Okita turned back to Tae and was about to say something when Tae cut him off again, "I saw you just now, smiling and talking to her, you even told her your name."

Okita nodded. "Yeah, she didn't even seem surprised when I told her my name, it is like she didn't recognize it."

"Of course she didn't. She just came back to Japan from America."

"Oh, so that explained her funny Japanese accent."

"Yeah, but she is really a nice person. Very honest and generous."

Okita nodded and continued to watch Kaoru.

"She studies in the same university as my sister." Tae added.

"Tsubame?"

"Yeah."

"How old is Tusbame?"

"She is turning nineteen this year."

"So Kaoru will be nineteen too?"

"No, she is twenty-four this year."

"How did you know?"

"I hired her, so of course there are forms that all employees have to fill out."

"Oh, twenty-four and still in university?"

"Further studies."

"What kind of further studies?"

"I don't know. That you have to ask her yourself, Souji-san."

Okita laughed. "You know very well that I can't do that. I can't just go up to her and ask her things. I think I'll talk to Tsubame first."

"Oh, so you are opting for the sneaky way."

Okita grinned roguishly. "You can't blame me. I need introductions, Tae-san."

"Whatever, Souji-san. You can go talk to Tsubame-chan if you want."

"Yeah, I'll call her."

Then, one of the customers called at Tae. "Tae-san!"

"Coming!" Tae called back cheerily. She looked at Okita and smiled again. "Ja! Souji-san."

Saturady, the day where Misao, Kaoru, Tsubame and Soujiro was suppose to go out together.

At Kaoru and Misao's flat…

"Kaoru-chan! What should I wear?" Misao whined.

Kaoru laughed. "Misao, I told you! The jeans and the tank top look just fine!"

"But I want everything to be perfect, I want to look pretty enough…"

Kaoru sighed again. "You are pretty! We've been dressing you for hours and you look great! Stop changing what you want to wear already!"

Misao pouted. "Okay, if you say so. What are you going to wear yourself?"

Kaoru sighed again. "Why, just like this of course…"

Misao looked at Kaoru's jeans and simple white t-shirt. "What! No, you are not wearing that, you look messy!"

Kaoru laughed. "I always look messy and it is not like as if I'm dressing to impress anyone. Unlike someone…"

Misao smacked Kaoru playfully on the shoulder. "Kaoru-chan!"

Kaoru jerked a little from Misao's push.

"But, Kaoru…you should try to dress up more, or else I will look so obvious that I am dressing to please." Misao added worriedly.

Kaoru sighed. "If we wait for me to change, we'll be late and you won't make a good impression! Let's just go! They won't notice!"

The truth was, Kaoru was lazy and too tired to change. She was exhausted from her part-time job, her studies and art. She actually wanted stay in today, just to sleep. In the evening she still have work at The Iwasaki's. Plus, she could not sleep properly at night with her mind always drifting to Hajime Saitou. He still had not called her yet, and she was getting anxious. On the other hand, she was telling herself that it was a good thing that everything ended before it could start.

She sighed again and called to Misao, who was still scrutinizing herself in the mirror, "Let's go Misao-chan...or we'll really be late."

Misao looked away from the mirror reluctantly and walked to Kaoru, who was now standing beside the front door.

"Are you sure I look all right?" Misao asked again, looking at Kaoru.

Kaoru sighed tiredly, "Yes, Misao. You look gorgeous, really radiant. No one will fail to notice you, I am sure."

Misao smiled, "Okay! Let's go!"

Kaoru rolled her eyes and followed Misao out of the door.

Finally!

Tsubame and Soujiro were already waiting at the café where they were supposed to meet.

"Tsubame-chan!" Misao exclaimed, bouncing up to their table. Tsubame got up from her sit and begun to talk to Misao excitedly, Soujiro looked up at them with interest and Kaoru could see that he recognized Misao.

"Kaoru-chan!" Misao called to her. "Come here!"

"Hai, hai…" Kaoru murmured, she was still a distance from them. She didn't have so much inexhaustible energy like Misao. She was practically dragging her foot on the ground.

Tsubame and Soujiro's gazed at Kaoru and Kaoru waved at them weakly.

"Is that Kaoru sempai?" Tsubame asked Misao, awed.

"Yeah." Misao said proudly.

"I've met you two before…" Soujiro said, looking at Misao, smiling warmly.

Misao blushed. "Yeah, Kaoru-chan and I were at The Iwasaki's a few weeks ago…sorry, I made a fool of myself."

Soujiro shook his head, "No, it was nice that you two suggested me as the employee of the week. You did not make a fool of yourself."

Misao blushed even more. "So, did you become the employee of the week for that week?"

Soujiro laughed, "Yeah, thanks to you and your friend."

Tsubame wasn't paying attention to Misao and Soujiro's conversation. She was too busy looking at Kaoru to notice anything.

Kaoru finally reached her destination. "Hello," she said, leaning against the table for support.

Misao introduced Kaoru to Tsubame, and Tsubame introduced Kaoru and Misao to Soujiro.

"I have another friend coming to join us later, is that okay?" Tsubame asked.

The rest nodded and they all settled in their chairs and begun chatting.

Misao was busy talking to Soujiro and Tsubame was occupied with staring and questioning Kaoru at the same time.

Kaoru tried her best to answer her questions without her mind wondering off to dreamland. Tsubame asked her about Medicine, studying techniques and Professor Suzukaze. Kaoru answered her earnestly and laughed heartily when they bitched about Suzukaze together.

Tsubame looked at Kaoru's laughing face and pondered why Okita Souji, that distant and secretive man needed an introduction with someone as friendly and out-going as Kaoru. She was sure that if he would just go up and talk to her, Kaoru would respond to him.

He would be coming soon but Tsubame could see that Kaoru was tired, though she appeared enthusiastic.

Okita had learned that Kaoru's last name was Kamiya.

He also found out that she was further studying in university on medicine and that she used to be in Princeton University in America. He also heard from Tsubame that Kaoru was extremely intelligent and witty.

No one had noticed yet that he was now walking towards the café, though they were all sat at a table next to the window.

Kaoru was talking to Tsubame and from Tsubame's awed expressions, he could see that Tsubame admired her very much.

He also noticed that Kaoru wasn't smiling as animatedly as he had seen her in The Iwasaki's, and her shoulders were also slightly slumped.

She was tired.

Okita walked into the café.

"Hello, Souji-san!" Tsubame said when Okita appeared in front of their table.

Kaoru looked up and recognized him immediately. So this is the 'friend' Tsubame-chan was talking about. It is such a small word…everyone seemed to know each other…

Kaoru smiled gently at him when Tsubame did the introductions.

Okita sat himself next to Kaoru, and studied her. Kaoru felt his scrutiny and Tsubame kept quiet and watched on with interest.

Kaoru ignored him and continued to chomp away her spaghetti, hoping that he would look away and start a conversation with someone else.

But no, he didn't. He stayed right where he was and continued watch her.

Kaoru finally turned towards him and stared back.

"Didn't anyone tell you that it's rude to stare at a girl when she is eating like a pig?" she asked teasingly, smiling.

Okita gaped at her and could not reply…her deep, intense blue eyes were sparkling mischievously at him and he could feel his heart beating faster.

He laughed. "Sorry."

Kaoru laughed as well, "It's all right…"

Later, they decided to go to a movie and Kaoru find herself not being able to take all the noise coming from the big-screened film. She whispered to the others that she needed to get some fresh air and that she would wait for them outside.

After she went out, Okita followed her.

He found her sitting at one of the benches outside the cinema, her eyes closed. He went to sit next to her, and Kaoru's eyes flew opened.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

Kaoru smiled lightly, "Yeah, just a little tired."

Okita leaned close to her, "Than you should go home and rest."

Kaoru nodded, her eyes closing again. "Maybe I should after I get enough energy to get up."

Finally, Kaoru stood up and said, "Souji-san, could you tell the others that I need to go first and that I'm sorry?"

Okita smiled, "No problem. You are going home, right?"

"Yeah…" Kaoru mumbled.

"Than I think I should bring you home,"

"It's all right, I'll be fine on my own. You'll be missing the movie."

"I don't care about the movie, but it'll be dangerous if I let you walk out there alone with you being so unfocused. You wouldn't be able to scream 'help' if someone try to harm you."

Okita was right, but she didn't know him so well too. "But…"

"Don't protest anymore, Kaoru…I won't hurt you. I'm just bringing you home," he said, as though he had read her mind.

Kaoru nodded and decided that having Okita bringing her home would be the safer choice.

They were going up the stairs when Kaoru stumbled and almost fall off. Okita grabbed her and held her close to him.

"Good thing that I persuaded you to let me bring you up…" he said jokingly.

"Yeah…" Kaoru murmured, suddenly aware of how close they were.

Okita put his head to her hair and inhaled deeply. She smelled like fresh jasmine…making him so dizzy in the head. He also noticed how small she was, and how his arm seemed so big around her tiny waist. Her small hands were holding onto his shoulders for support and Okita wanted it to stay like this, just him holding her in the silence.

"Souji-san…" Kaoru said, more firm in the voice this time.

Okita let go off her instantly, "Sorry."

"It's okay. I'm fine now and my flat is on this floor. Thank you for bringing me home and walking me up here," Kaoru said, smiling. She unlocked her flat's front door and went in.

"No problem. Take care, Kaoru."

Kaoru nodded and closed the door behind her.

She walked into her room and slammed herself onto the bed. For a moment there when Okita was holding her, she thought that he had pressed himself against her hair and held her closer than necessary. Or maybe she was just hallucinating because she was so tired.

The heck with it…I'll sleep first…

Kaoru managed to sleep enough to go to work that night, though she was still a little dazed.

Just as she walked past a table full of sniggering males, one of them smacked her on the butt. She turned around and glared at him, but because she didn't want to cause a scene or lose her job, she let it go and continued walking.

The man grabbed her wrist roughly, "So feisty, eh? Don't go yet, babe."

He was obviously drunk.

Kaoru tried hard to wrestle her wrist away from his firm grip. The whole restaurant came to a silence as the customers witnessed the scene before them.

Tae gasped and rushed over, "Sir! Please, let go of her!"

The man laughed, "Back off woman! What's your problem? This is a restaurant right? And you people are suppose of service the customers to the best, right?"

Kaoru cried out in pain as the man tightened his hold on her wrist. He was going to crush her bones!

Tae glared at the man angrily, helpless. "We are supposed to serve our customers to the best of our ability, but what you are doing now is hurting my employee! Let go off her and leave my restaurant at once!"

The man chuckled deviously, "Who do you think you are, woman? Ordering me around this way?"

Then, he raised a free hand to slap Tae.

Kaoru looked at him in alarm. Instinctively she kicked the man hard in the groin and the man staggered back painfully. He fell onto the floor.

"Don't you dare touch her," Kaoru said menacingly, glowering at the man.

The man was very, very angry by then. He got up and so did the rest of his friends. Kaoru was ready to fight when the man suddenly fell onto the floor again with a loud thump.

She looked up and saw Saitou standing in front of her. There he stood in his black suit, towering over all of them.

Kaoru almost didn't believe that it was him, his sudden appearance sent flutters through her heart and she watched him, studying him all over again. Savouring every detail.

"Leave the restaurant at once or you will be truly sorry," Saitou said calmly, his golden eyes hard on the man.

The man who had hurt didn't move but moved closer to Saitou. "Who the hell do you think you are, trying to show off in front of the ladies? Stay out of my business."

"I am," Saitou gestured at Kaoru, "this lady's attorney. I can assure you that we'll be suing you soon and by the end of it, all your property will be lost. Leave at once and maybe the lady will spare you."

The man glared angrily at Kaoru and Kaoru stared back fiercely. The man snorted, "Let's go."

The rest of the men followed after him.

Kaoru's mouth hung opened. She couldn't believe it! Saitou was here, the man she had been thinking about all the time was here, right in front of her and defending her!

Saitou…

A/N:Yeay, I'm glad that this chapter is finally done! I took quite a while with it because I kept pondering over the interaction between Kaoru and Okita. I also tried my best to edit it, so if you guys notice any grammar errors, please forgive me. Do tell me about them.

Notes on Amakusa Shougo, Sayo and Okita:

Amakusa Shougo and Sayo (also known as Magdaria ) appeared only in the RK anime, in the Shimabara Arc. They lead the Christians in Japan to fight for their faith together. Amakusa Shougo is their leader. Later, they were betrayed and Sayo was killed by a gun shot by one of the men who had betrayed them. Though she was already very sick with tuberculosis at that time, the gun shot was fatal. She died in Sanosuke's arms.

Souji Okita appeared both in the RK anime and manga very briefly. He is the leader of the 1st Shisengumi squad. He is always smiling and cheerful (always teasing Saitou!) He is also very skilled with the katana, perhaps even more powerful than Saitou. He doesn't let his emotions get to him while he slays people. In fact, he is a character model for Seta Soujiro. Okita died young because of tuberculosis.

I hope that you find the info useful and do review to let me know what you all think! Feedback is always appreciated!

gabyhyatt: thank you for letting me know what pairing you preferred and I hope you like this chapter!

Kaori-Angel: Woah, thanks a bunch for reviewing again and letting me know what you think. It's great to know what every reader notice. Hahaha…Enishi is just really cunning and sneaky, eh? Yeah…if Enishi do show up at The Iwasaki's (he is going to soon!)…I agree with you…holy crap! (it's going to be VERY interesting! Wink wink!) Hahaha let me know what you think of this chapter!

tooqie: thank you! I really like your reviewer name, it's cute! Saitou will be appearing a lot from next chapter on, so no worries, the hot guy is coming back! Thank you for answer to my survey and pls review again!

FairyMage: Thank you so much for pointing out my grammar errors! If you notice anymore in this chapter, don't hesitate to le me know! I appreciate it! Thanks also for telling me which parts that you like and I'm glad that you like the fight scene! Do review again!

ShadowElite: Hahaha, yeah…I want Kaoru to end up with all the guys, but I can only pair her with one guy only…I haven't decide which! They all seemed so yummy! LOL! Thank you for answering to my survey and I hope that you like this chapter! Pls review again!

Jrz: Yo dude, haha…you're welcome. Thanks for reviewing all the time and what have you been doing this days? Hahahhaha…..hope you like this chapter dude.

nannon: Thank you! I'm glad that you like the fight scene! Thanks for telling me which pairing you prefer and I think Saitou is so cool too….woahhh…let me know what you think of this chapter!

tameka: Thank you for answering to my survey and letting me know what you think of this fic! Sorry there isn't much Sou/Misao interaction here, but there will be some heated action soon! I'm happy that you like the fight scene! Kenshin is going to make an appearance, but only much later…let me know what you think of this chapter, pls review again!

anime pixie: wow, thank you so much for all the compliments! (Katsuno blushes as red as Misao) hahaha thanks also for letting me know which pairing you prefer and I hope that you like this chapter! Pls review again!

random fan: Wow…I think your review is very cute! Thank you so much for calling this fic a true piece of art! Thank you! Your reasons for me to write a Shougo/Kao pairing is very reasonable…infact, other people wants this pairing as well! LOL. Your review is just so CUTE! I haven't decide yet which guy Kaoru should end up with, my mind is still wavering…but I hope that you like this chapter and pls review again to share with me your thoughts!

Pixel-the-evil-fairy: Hey there, thanks for the review and I'm happy that you like the last chapter! What do you think of this one? I'm glad that you like the Kaoru fight scene! (YEAH!)Pls do review again!

Kura-sama: WOW. Thank you so much for your review! And thanks for the answer to my survey! (made me happy!) You can find some info on Sayo above, sorry for not providing the info sooner! Sano is in America, in Princeton University. Sayo is studying in America as well. Yeah, Kaoru used to go to the same university as Sano but is forced to move back to Japan by her controlled-freak father (yikes!). Sano and Kaoru will meet again soon, either one of them visiting the other. And there will be some Sano and Kaoru interaction! I hope that you like this chapter and pls review again to let me know what you think!