Hey everyone, I'm so glad that some people like my story. It really makes it worth while. I'm sorry if all this happens very fast but I can't think of any ways to change it at the moment so that's how it's going to stay, lol. And thanks to the people who reviewed it really means alot.

Kitsune-Blue: thank you very much for the comment and I hope you like the rest of this story that's to come.

Sessinu girl: ok, here's the next installment so you don't have to wait anymore. I'll also post the next chapter up very shortly, once it has been edited and thank you for your comments.

samuraiduck27: thanks for your comments and I hope you keep reading.

Tanis Ryuu: thank you so much for your advice, I'm shocking with the whole present and past tense thing if you couldn't already tell, lol but I'll keep an eye out for more of those problems. And I'm hoping to finish this story sometime this millenium so I'm trying not to make it too long, I'll save that for when I've had a bit more experience. Thanks again.

Special thanks to you guys who took the time to review. I really appreciate it.
Bye for now, luv Co chan.

DISCLAIMER

Yahiko: to all you younger people out there, you might wanna' skip this chapter coz' it gets a bit mushy...

Co chan: what do you mean skip this chapter?!

Yahiko: it's gross!!

Co chan grabs Yahiko and bonks him on the head with a bokken.

Co chan: just say the disclaimer and nothing else... geeze.

Yahiko: sigh, ok. Rurouni Kenshin and its' characters do not belong to Co chan.... although, I think Sanosuke might be in a bit of trouble.

Sanosuke: what do you mean? what happens to me?

Yahiko: I don't think you want to know.

Sanosuke: just tell me you brat!

Yahiko: no way, I think I'll let you find out for yourself.
Yahiko runs off.

Sanosuke: YAHIKO, GET BACK HERE!!!!

Sanosuke runs after Yahiko screaming.

And now on to the story....

Chapter 3

Kenshin looked at Kaoru and sighed, 'she looks so beautiful in the moonlight.'

"What is it Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

"Sessha was just thinking how lovely you look in that kimono, Kaoru-dono," he replied.

Kaoru blushed in response.

"I dont look that good Kenshin," she argued.

"Sessha must disagree. You do look lovely, that you do," he said smiling.

'I've never seen him like this before,' Kaoru thought, ' I wonder what has changed to make him act this way. It really doesnt matter though, I actually like it when he's like this.' All of a sudden another thought crossed her mind, 'I wish he'd hold me.' She shivered at the thought.

Kenshin noticed this small movement and asked, "are you cold Kaoru-dono?"

"Just a little," she said in a small voice.

He then put his arm around her and pulled her close.

"This is better, is it not?"

"Much better."

She looked up into his face and gasped.

'He looks like he's glowing in this light. His hair looks like fire and his face looks so soft and gentle.'

She reached up to touch his face. When her hand touched his cheek she realised that it was real and not a dream. At this she let out a happy sigh and rested her head on his chest, a smile lighting her pale features. Kenshin looked down at the beautiful girl that was Kaoru and smiled. He started absent-mindedly stroking her hair and took in the moment. He half expected to wake up and find it was only a dream, but in his heart, he knew it was real.

'I wish this night need never end,' he thought.

Suddenly Kaoru spoke, "Kenshin?"

"Yes, Kaoru."

"Will you ever go back to being a rurouni again?" she asked.

"Perhaps I will one day, why is it that you ask?" he replied.

"It's just that I dont want you to go off wandering again."

Kenshin was a little taken back with this answer.

"Any reason why?" he pushed.

"B...because I love you Kenshin," she admitted quietly.

Kenshin sighed happily.

"I love you too Kaoru," he said.

'He loves me? and he didnt use any honorific?' she pondered excitedly.

Kenshin gathered Kaoru tightly in his arms and lifted her face to look at his.

"I love you Kaoru and as long as you are here with me I will never wander again."

Kaoru started to cry when he said these words.

'I cannot believe she would love someone as unworthy as me, but I am glad anyway.'

He brought her chin up until their lips touched and they shared their first kiss.

"You have made me very happy Kaoru," Kenshin stated and then kissed her again.

'Now I do wish that this night would never end,' he thought.

When they broke apart Kaoru looked into Kenshin's lavender eyes and put her arms around him.

"I'm never going to let you go," she sighed.

"That is fine as long as I can hold on to you," Kenshin answered lovingly.

They sat like this as the hours of night rolled by. At one point Kaoru fell asleep and Kenshin got up to retrieve a blanket for her.

"Where are you going?" she asked drowzily as she felt him get up.

"I'll be right back," he assured her.

When she felt him wrap her up in the blanket she mumbled, "arigato Kenshin."

He sat back down and planted a kiss on her forehead. Soon afterwards Kaoru fell asleep again and Kenshin felt it was time to put her in her room. He carefully picked her up and silently carried her to her quarters. He lay her down on her futon and tucked her in. After a time of watching her sleep, he thought it time for him to retire. Kissing Kaoru goodnight he whispered "pleasant dreams," then quietly left the room.

It was early the next morning when Kaoru woke. She sat up and listened to the things around her. To her surprise there were only the sounds of nature. No voices, no footsteps, no banging, nothing.

'Everyone must still be asleep,' she thought. 'Perfect time to go out for a walk.'

She quietly got dressed and left her room. She got outside and paused, taking in the beautiful day she had awoken to. She started walking but stopped when she heard a voice.

"Where are you going Kaoru?" the voice inquired.

"I'm just going for a walk, I'll be back soon," she replied.

"If you would not mind i should like to accompany you."

"That is fine Kenshin, shall we go?" and with that they headed off.

After a time of walking in silence and taking in the scenery Kaoru finally broke the silence.

"Kenshin, what happened last night?" she asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean did something happen or was it a dream."

"I've been wondering the same thing but your question confirms it. Something wonderful happened, it was not a dream," he said smiling.

At that point he reached for her hand and pulled her to a stop.

"I'm glad that it was not a dream Kaoru, that i am," he said softly.

"So am I," she agreed.

"Kaoru."

"Yes Kenshin?"

"Aishiteiru."

"Aishiteiru Kenshin," she said and Kenshin pulled her into a warm embrace.

Another half an hour passed before Kenshin and Kaoru arrived back at the dojo and by then everyone was awake and awaiting breakfast.

"Geeze Kenshin, where have you been? I'm starving," Yahiko exclaimed.

"Funny, you dont look like you're starving to me," Kaoru snapped.

"Gomen, gomen Yahiko. Sorry to keep you waiting," Kenshin said, hoping to prevent a fight. He hurried inside to start cooking after saying good morning to everyone.

'I wonder what busu and Kenshin were doing to be out at this time,' Yahiko pondered.

While Kenshin was preparing breakfast Aoshi decided to go and meditate and Misao discreetly followed behind him.

Sano grinned at this and said, "Aoshi won't be able to get rid of her now."

This got him a whack on the head.

"Hey!! What was that for fox?"

"For putting your nose into other people's business, that's what. And I do have a name you know," she added curtly.

"I know you do but fox is so much better for you," he replied, a cheeky grin on his face. "or do you have a problem being called it or something?"

"I would just rather be called by my real name than some silly nickname."

"So does that mean if I call you by your real name I'll have a better chance with you?" he asked and winked.

"You have the same chance when you call me either," she stated bluntly.

"Ouch, so cruel."

She walked up to him and whispered, "I like to play hard to get," and then gave off her trademarking laugh," mwahohohohoho."

At that he grabbed her around the waist, pulled her in close and growled. She giggled at this and Yahiko rolled his eyes.

"It's nice to see you two getting along so well but could you keep it from the public's eye."

Sano moved to punch him but Megumi got there first. WHAM!!

"For once keep your smart mouth shut," she snapped.

Sano burst out laughing at the lump forming on Yahiko's head.

It was at that point that Kaoru snapped out of her dase due to the shouting. She chuckled at the scene unfolding in front of her. Yahiko was biting Sano's head while Megumi was trying to get him off. She watched this for a few more moments and then decided that she wanted to lie down before breakfast. When she was in her room she lay down on her futon and thought about the night before.

'It's still hard to believe it happened,' she thought.

She continued this train of thought with a smile on her face.