I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters for that matter.

Chapter 2:Bathes are for getting clean not for getting dirty

His breathing decreased as his body adjusted to the hot bath water. After the awkward incident that had happened this morning then the painful scene this evening Kenshin was in need of a soothing bath. Many things crossed his mind, something that he would like to let go of but there was a voice inside his head telling him that he was bothered by the entire situation.

It was not just this particular day that was secretly upsetting him, it was something else. A feeling in him that he could not explain or put into words. This feeling caused him to rejoice yet at the same time tremble with fear. The part that upset him was the fact that these emotions had not been felt since his scarred relationship with Tomoe.

A name that haunts him until this day. A name that he would like to rid him of but also never wanting to lose it. Kenshin had tried every morning and night to release her. All attempts failed miserably. Then he met another.

She was of an entirely different nature than his past love. The physical and mental emotions she presented to him caused him to change. He still debates weather or not this change was for the best or not. All he knew was that she meant so much, enough to change him in such a manner. A girl that could rearrange a solemn wanderer into a stuttering young boy once again must mean something.

But alas. It was not hard to figure out that she held no heart felt feelings for a man like himself. There was no way that a woman of her beauty and grace could accept a cold-blooded killer. Even though she welcomed him into her home, it was silly to think she would harbor feelings for him.

All Kenshin wanted though was for her to be happy. He would do everything within his power to make her so. Some men think it as a chore to rescue a woman in danger but not when it came to her. Risking his life became just a small fatality so that she would be able to live a full one. No longer did he want to see another woman that he loved become stricken with pain and agony. Not again.

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A woman who had large amounts of confusion clouding her mind occupied a step on the front porch of the entrance to the house. Gazing up at the night stars she became lost in deep thought. ' What in the world could be bothering me so? I have never felt this confused in my entire life, why now? Is it because I met Tomonori san? Why have I been acting so strangely?' These questions ran in and out of her head, she was overwhelmed with frustration. One mystery popped into her mind which she somehow felt the need to express by saying it aloud.

"And why is Kenshin acting so strange these days! I don't understand him one bit! Tonight he barely even touched his food. Also I could hear the tone in his voice change when I introduced him to Tomonori san. Could he possibly be...jealous?" Kaoru laughed at herself for even letting that idea cross her path. "Of course not, what am I saying? Kenshin, jealousy? Those two words never go together. What could he be jealous about anyway? I mean it's not like he has hidden feelings for me or anything! Does he...?"

She didn't think it right to fret over such things then decided she would go take a peaceful bath. 'I am sure that a bath will calm my thoughts that it will...woah...I am with Kenshin way to much...'

Kenshin heavily sighed as the warm water surrounded his head, lowering it deeper and deeper. Being fully submerged his reactions where slightly off balance although he still felt everything that occurred on the surface above.

In the distance feet were silently making their way to the direction of the bathhouse. The slightest sound caught Kenshin's attention. He slowly rose above the water where his eyes searched every inch of the area. 'Who would be walking around the dojo at this hour...not someone who is welcome that they are not.' Making no sudden movements the only thing that was heard were the sandals placed on the wood flooring.

Kenshin's arm reached for his sword that was placed on top of his neatly folded yukata. The sound was becoming clearer and louder. Kenshin stared at the soji silently counting in his head.

3...

2...

1

At one the soji slid open accompanied by a woman who was almost lost to the quick reflexes of a samurai sword ready to slit the throat of an intruder. The tip of the sword was not far from her throat. Her legs trembled at yet another near death experience that day.

Kenshin swallowed hard as he quickly lowered the sword to his side. Kaoru calmly collected herself until she lowered her head and saw something that she did not expect. She stopped but the redness of her face did not. Not saying a word Kenshin's entire body grew red with embarrassment. Once again he counted silently in his head.

3...

2...

1

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Kaoru took the closest wash bucket and whipped it in Kenshin's direction. He swiftly dodged it as she fled the bath house still in shock. Kenshin fell over into the bathwater. 'Oroooooo'.

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The next morning Kaoru awoke remembering the events that had occurred late last night. Somehow it felt like it was all a dream but she knew that she would soon have to face reality and see Kenshin. 'I don't know what I am going to say to Kenshin when I see him! I mean I saw him naked!...although may I say there were no disappointments...what am I saying! Snap out of it Kaoru! Must not think naughty thoughts, must not think naught thoughts.' There was no use trying to erase what she had already witnessed and she agreed with herself that it wasn't entirely her own fault. 'I am just going to have to act completely normal in front of Kenshin. Wait until I brag to Megumi about this one!'

Kenshin had been up early making breakfast and thinking about what he could possibly say to Kaoru that might make her not feel uncomfortable around him. 'What am I going to say? She saw me completely naked! Well it wasn't my fault, she was the one who walked in on me!'

"Kenshin!"

"Konnichiwa Kaoru-dono, I trust that you slept well...?" He was just going to play it off like nothing had happened at all, maybe it would work?

"Ariogatou Kenshin...I slept fine. I am going into town to...umm...go get tofu but I will be back shortly."

"Excuse me Kaoru-dono but sessha already went into town and got it this morning." Kaoru began to sweat a little, she had no clue what she was going to use as an excuse to go into town.

"Well I...think we should stock up on it, don't you? Be back in a little bit Kenshin, Bye!" Running out the door Kaoru sprinted as fast as she could so that he couldn't ask her any more questions. 'Mou! I have to come up with better excuses next time!'

Kenshin was left in the dust, pondering why she would want to stockpile up on tofu. It wasn't until he began his daily laundry routine that it hit him. 'Do you think that she was going into town to see that Tomonori-san? He did ask her to show him around town and she probably couldn't wait to do so! Why else would she want to get tofu. I know that it is wrong and if she finds out I am dead but I must follow her to see what she is doing.'

Once he finished hanging up the clothing he locked the gates to the dojo heading for town.

When Kaoru reached the edge of town she stopped running, slowing down to a fast walk. Her pace decreased even more when her eyes came apon a giant Ferris wheel. She halted and stood in the shadow of the big festival ride. Her heart fluttered with emotions. Out of all the western festival rides she enjoyed this one the most because when she was at the top she felt as if though she was on top of the world.

In the distance Kenshin watched Kaoru from behind the trees, hoping she would not see him. He smiled when he saw the emotion in her eyes as she stared at the large structure. 'Kaoru-dono is very fond of that Ferris wheel. I don't understand why though, she usually hates heights. This festival I am going to take her on it and when it stops at the top I am going to...uhah well lets not allow me to get ahead of myself.'

Kaoru moved on through the town in the direction of the clinic. She frequently stopped and gazed into shop windows to examine the beautiful new kimonos they had. 'Oh how I wish that I could buy a new kimono just for the festival. Maybe Kenshin would notice me...Oh please he is too dense to even care. Hm oh well, it's just wishful thinking.'