Chosha's notes:

Welcome back, Minna-san, to my eighth chapter in the world of 'Fading Futures'. I have a little problem concerning a future chapter. I would like some suggestions for a song – a love song – that I can use. If you guys would be so kind, could you review and give me some suggestions, with Song-words or the address to where I could get the song-words from. I will be very, very happy if you could!

By the way, for those that don't know, I have also finished another fic – a one-shot called 'Behind those violet eyes' – my first go at a poem fanfiction. I hope you might give it a go too. I really could do with any comments or criticisms, seeing as I haven't even attempted poetry since I was eleven!

Anywho, Thank you everyone who's reading my fic. Thank you especially to Beth-kun and Hitokiri Taijiya for your reviews. I mean it, you guys never seem to have a bad word for it! I'm glad you liked my last chapter. I was sort of afraid I had disappointed people with it. Glad to find I was wrong!

Hope you like this Chapter!

Disclaimer: I would get hit on the head with several shinai and a sakabato if I even tried to say I owned RuroKen (pouts), but Chosha Kurenai does not want to be knocked senseless… I don't own RuroKen, but Shinya and this story line are mine.

Last time on fading futures:

Shinya, Sanosuke and Yahiko teamed up to help Kenshin and Kaoru get together and the red-haired rurouni and the Tanooki also have a very KK Kodak moment. Awww!

Tanoshimimas! (Enjoy!)

Chapter Nine

Alone Time

Shinya was sprawled across the porch of the dojo, his arms tucked behind his head as he watched the forms of cotton-like white clouds as they floated across the azure sky with disinterest. There were slightly more important things to think about – Like his ancestor's relationship, for instance. His violet eyes frowned with irritation. Things were just not going according to plan.

The tail ends of February had given way and the world had moved into springtime. The weather had grown warmer in celebration of its arrival. The branches of the trees had decorated themselves in a coat of sakura and haku baikou, their delicate blossoms intermingling as their soft scents perfumed the soft spring breeze. All over Tokyo the gardens flourished with a rainbow of new, rightly coloured flowers as bees gathered nectar in their tiny legs, while butterflies fluttered in the air like a dance. Birds of all shapes and sizes flew gracefully across the clear skies. The spring brought with it new love as animals and birds alike found life-long mates… in everywhere but the dojo of Kaoru Kamiya.

It had been several weeks since Kenshin had gone to 'save' Kaoru from being stuck in the tree and had shared a tender moment in each others company. But since then the whole thing had come to an abrupt halt. It wasn't from lack of trying. The poor red-haired rurouni and the Kasshin-ryu sensei had found themselves constantly in contact with each other… literally. Or they would suddenly find themselves with the dojo empty but for the two of them as the other dojo residents 'coincidentally' had other places to be. They found themselves tripping and falling into each other until they were almost afraid to leave the house in case more 'bad luck' decided to grace itself on them with its presence. Shinya had got so desperate; in fact, that he even found himself contemplating knocking one of them into the river after it had been flooded from a storm the previous day. However, he caught himself, immediately dismissing the idea. Accidentally killing one of them might just mess up the 'fix the past' stuff, he had reminded himself.

"We aren't doing too good, are we?" Grumbled Yahiko.

Shinya pulled his eyes way from a cloud that looked suspiciously like Tom Cruse to look at the young, spiky-haired samurai across from him. Yahiko sat with his legs dangling over the side of the porch, his chin resting in his hands as he looked across the garden in boredom, a rather comical pout on his face.

"Not totally true" Sanosuke interjected. He was leaning against one of the posts, trademark fishbone sticking out of the corner of his mouth. "I mean, think about it. They seemed to be doin' well when Jou-chan got stuck"

"Over two weeks ago" Shinya reminded him. "Those two are just plain difficult"

Shinya got up and stretched, suddenly feeling too restless to just lie around. Despite the warmth of the day, Shinya felt suddenly chilled and more than a little depressed. He needed to find somewhere to just be himself, to drop the act, to think. It would do him no good, however, to accidentally showing his worry and giving away the truth, along with everything else, but he needed some time alone.

With a mock pout to lighten the mood, Shinya said jokingly, "Oh stubborn baka as they are, I'm afraid it may take nothing short of locking them in the dojo till they hurry up about it." Shinya gave a laugh (he hoped it didn't sound too forced). "But Kami would they be mad!" He made his way towards the gate. With a cheery wave, Shinya said "Oh yeah, Kaoru asked me to get some Tofu for later – Kenshin's busy playing with Ayame and Suzume. I'll see you later"

However, Sanosuke wasn't listening as Shinya exited the dojo grounds. He had just had an idea that made him stop short. A mischievous grin came across his face. Yahiko, confused, couldn't help but ask, "Hey, what are you grinning about?"

Still grinning, Sanosuke said "I think Shinya's right. Kenshin and Jou-chan need a little time out. Come here, Yahiko-chan!"

"Don't call me CHAN!" Yahiko yelled, but found himself being hauled off by Sanosuke. "Hey! Put me down you stupid Ondori! Put me down!"

o0o

Kaoru was sitting in on the porch of the house. In one hand she held a cup of green tea, which gently steamed. In the other hand she held a novel. It was one of her old ones – she didn't have much money, living with four freeloaders and all – but it was also one of her favourites. It told a story about a swordsman, who fell in love with the princess of his Han in feudal times, but couldn't marry her, so were forced into a forbidden love. But when an evil daimyo of another Han made war and betrayed the peace-treaty after taking the princess, the swordsman had to go and stop the daimyo and rescue the princess with the help of a young farmer boy. The boy had been forced to fight against the evil daimyo, as there were not enough soldiers. (Chosha's notes: If you recognise this story from anywhere, you're probably right. This is actually based on the short story by Watsuki-sama in volume 6 of the manga!). Kaoru had liked this story since she was a child. She admired the swordsman and the farmer boy, even though the boy himself thought he was a coward.

She smiled as she thought about a curtain redhead who was never far from her thoughts. In a way, the swordsman kind of reminded her about Kenshin. Not in looks - where the swordsman was tall and, sort of looked like Hiko in armour, Kenshin had those dazzling Violet eyes and long, crimson hair that she longed to run her fingers through. No, what reminded her of Kenshin was the way he went to save the princess. It was that selflessness that reminded her of the rurouni.

Kaoru read the last few pages and sighed happily as she held the book to her chest. The princess and swordsman had kissed and were able to be together forever – a truly happy ending. Kaoru touched her own lips. She wished Kenshin would kiss her like that.

She had never been kissed before.

"Hey, Ugly"

Kaoru looked up, fuming. Yahiko had just come round the corner, Shinai resting on one shoulder. Ooo, that little brat! Not only had he called her 'ugly', even after instructing him to stop it, but he had also interrupted her little daydream too.

"Yahiko! How many times do I have to tell you? Stop calling me Ugly!"

"Yeah, whatever, Ugly"

Faster than lightning, Kaoru was upon him, yanking the sides of his mouth. "You. Little. Brat" she growled as she pulled. Yahiko squirmed in her hands. Finally she let go, allowing Yahiko to rub his now aching cheeks.

"Hey! What was that for! I was only going to tell you what Kenshin said."

Kaoru immediately calmed. "What Kenshin said?" she repeated.

Yahiko rubbed his face. "Yeah. Kenshin said he wants to meet you in the dojo in a minute. Said he's got something important to tell you."

Could it be…? Kaoru's heart thudded in her chest. Was he going to tell her, what she thought he was going to tell her? She hoped so. Oh Kami please let it be true! Shooting thanks over her shoulder, Kaoru bolted towards the dojo in a cloud of dust, leaving a swirly-eyed Yahiko trampled into the floor in her wake.

Meanwhile, Kenshin glanced up from playing ball with Ayame and Suzume to see Sanosuke coming towards him. Sano also seemed to have a message for him - this time from Kaoru.

"Oro? A message from Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin inquired.

Hands in his pockets, Sanosuke nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Jou-chan asked me to find you. Seeing as I was coming this way anyway, I said I'd pass it on. Jou-chan says she wants to talk to you in the dojo. Something about having somethin' important to tell you."

Kenshin sat there completely stunned. Kaoru wanted to tell him something important? Could it be…? Kenshin could almost hear his blood pounding in his ears, hardly daring to believe. However, Sanosuke was his friend and a reliable one at that. Sano wouldn't lie to him about something like that, would he? Trying to contain his excitement, Kenshin turned to Sanosuke with a small smile. "Sessha will go, that he will. Arigato."

Kenshin set off, leaving Sanosuke to take care of Ayame and Suzume. As soon as Sano was out of sight, Kenshin bolted to the dojo, hoping beyond hope that this meant what he thought it meant.

When Kenshin arrived at the dojo, he found Kaoru already waiting for him. She wore a plain, sky-blue kimono that made her sapphire eyes seem an even deeper blue, a neat indigo obi tied about her slim waist, done into a complicated bow at the back. Her raven-dark hair was tied back into its usual ponytail with an indigo ribbon to match her obi. Kenshin couldn't help but think about Kaoru's favourite indigo ribbon that Kenshin had, unintentionally, ruined when his blood had soaked it during the battle with Jin-e. Kaoru had had to throw it away, though it was now in Kenshin's possession. It was a little of the girl that Kenshin knew he did not deserve, but couldn't live without.

Shutting the shoji behind him, Kenshin approached. Kaoru's smile was dazzling; he was surprised that he could even think straight in the presence of such an angel.

"Was there something you wanted to tell Sessha?"

Was it just his imagination, or did that smile slip a little? "Yahiko told me that You wanted to tell me something." She said, a little hint of impatience in her voice.

Kenshin frowned. "Sessha didn't ask Yahiko to do that. Sessha was told by Sano that you wanted to see Sessha, that he did."

Kenshin and Kaoru were silent for a minute and winced when they realised that Sanosuke and Yahiko must have set them up. "Ooo, when I get my hands on them…" Kaoru growled, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. Kenshin was inclined to agree. If it weren't for the fact he had sworn a vow never to kill again, he would have throttled them himself!

Kenshin sighed and moved to open the door again to let them out and let out a startle 'Oro'. The door wouldn't budge. He tried again, harder this time, but it was shut tight. Behind him, Kaoru was getting impatient. "Mou, Kenshin! What is taking so long?"

Kenshin winced at her tone of voice. However, he turned round to face her. "Kaoru-dono, the door is locked."

Kaoru blinked. Then all hell broke loose.

"WHAAAAT!" she screamed "WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THOSE FREELOADING JERKS, THEY ARE SO DEAD!"

o0o

"We are so dead!" wailed Yahiko as the dojo sign dropped from the gate as the vibrations of Kaoru's holler ran through the building like a miniature earthquake. "Couldn't you have at least picked a place where Kaoru wasn't within arms reach over every brokken in the place, stupid Ondori-atama!"

Sanosuke was inclined to agree. Not that he was going to tell him that…

"When we let them out they are going to be thanking us for giving them the chance to admit their love. Not that you would understand Yahiko-CHAN"

"Don't call me CHAN!" growled Yahiko as he landed on Sanosuke's head and began to gnaw at his hair.

"Ga! Gerroff, you're gonna give me split ends!"

"Yeah, well, with hair like that, a few split ends might be an improvement!" Yahiko countered.

"This looks like fun." Sanosuke and Yahiko whipped round to find Shinya coming through the gates, tofu in the bucket in his hands. He had heard the yelling and had to raise an eyebrow at the dojo sign on the floor, Yahiko gnawing at Sanosuke's head and the barricaded door to the dojo. "Ano… did I miss something?"

Sanosuke and Yahiko looked like naughty kids who were about to be scolded by their mother. "Well… nothing really…" they started. Why did Shinya already feel as if he already knew what had happened?

"Why is the dojo locked?"

"Oh, we were just…"

"Sano…"

Even Sanosuke had to wince at the warning tone in his voice. Even though he was nearly twice as tall as the violet-eyed boy was, he suddenly felt about six inches tall. Sanosuke gulped. "Well, I, erm, just followed some advice… and, ano, we locked them… in the dojo…" He finished in a very unmanly squeak.

Shinya's eyebrow twitched. Why did he have the sudden urge to burst out laughing? "You locked them… In the dojo…"

Sanosuke coughed. Suddenly, Yahiko thumped him on the head. "Yeah, and it was all his fault. And then he didn't even get rid of the bokkens in there, either. Kaoru's gonna kill us!"

He couldn't help it. From the looks on their faces to the muffled shouts coming from the dojo, the entire situation. Helplessly, Shinya doubled over as he started to laugh uncontrollably.

o0o

Night had fallen and everyone had retired to his respective rooms. Sanosuke, having nowhere else to bunk, used the spare room. Outside the sky was clear, the stars shinning like thousands of fireflies twinkling in the dark shadows of the night. From the house, Yahiko was snoring loudly and was quite audible even in the gardens of the dojo. Apart from the silvery glow of the moon and stars, there were no other lights to speak of. However, In the building of the dojo itself, a flickering golden light of a candle could be seen through the barred windows.

Kenshin and Kaoru sat at opposite ends of the dojo, gazing into the flickering flame of the candle. When they had found that they were locked into the dojo, and after Kaoru had finished her rant, the redhead and the kenjutsu sensei had found a single futon and blanket. Fully realising what Sanosuke and Yahiko had wanted them to do, they had spent the most of an hour turning every shade of red under the sun, before spending the better part of another hour arguing over who should have the futon and blanket with every excuse they could think of until they were reduced to 'you have it' 'no, you have it'. Finally, realising neither of them were going to back down, they had sat down and silently stared at the candle's flame, the only source of light in the room.

Kaoru risked a glance at the rurouni across from her. His face was shadowed by bangs of the richest crimson that framed his face. He sat with one leg drawn up to his chest, his sheathed sakabato resting against his shoulder, one hand resting loosely over the saya. The soft glow of the candle deepened the marks of his cross-shaped scar. Idly, she wondered how he came to get such a mark marrying his cheek. In all the time she had known him, he had never once mentioned his scar. Even though she had told him, when she first invited him to stay at the dojo, that she didn't care about his past, sometimes she wished she hadn't. Oh, it wasn't because she regretted asking him to stay, even after she had seen the reason he was called 'Battosai' for herself. It was just that if she even thought about asking him about the past, she would feel guilt-ridden for doing so. But she knew he might never tell her the secrets of the mysterious scar. She loved him. She wouldn't care what it was, if he told her. She would still love him. Her rurouni, yet no-body's Kenshin… Suddenly, she realised she was staring and quickly averted her eyes.

Kenshin, seeing the movement glanced up through his bangs to look at the slim girl opposite him. In the candlelight, her sapphire eyes shone like stars, her long, raven hair silky smooth in his mind eye. He wished he could run his fingers through that hair, but knew he shouldn't. She was pure, innocent, not stained by the blood of thousands. He never wanted to stain her with his bloody past, with his mistakes. He did not deserve such happiness, not after what he did to all those people. Not after what he did to… her.

"That be as it may," Shinya's voice spoke from the back of his head "does that also mean that Kaoru doesn't deserve that happiness too?"

Kenshin realised she was shivering. The night, even though it was mid-march, was still cold. Kenshin, of course, had lived through much worse during the revolution, even more so as a rurouni, so was used to the cool of the night. Kaoru, however, had not had to suffer through such conditions, so the night's chill clawed at her skin, making her shiver violently. Worry rushed through him. He did not want her to get sick.

"Kaoru-dono, you should use the blanket, that you should" He said softly. Kaoru shook her head stubbornly.

"No. That's not fair, Kenshin. Then you wouldn't have a blanket and you'd get cold."

Kenshin blinked. Was she really worrying that he'd be cold if she took the blanket? How could she be so selfless? After all, she had let him live in her home, eat her food. She had given him a reason to live after so long of feeling he had no reason to but a promise he made to the dead. She had given him so much without asking anything in return. The least he could do was let her use the blanket. So selfless, his Kaoru.

Suddenly, he squashed that thought. No, not his Kaoru. Never his Kaoru. She deserved better than a man like him. She deserved to be happy, to live with a man with a clean, un-blooded past.

Once more, a small voice came from the back of his mind. "If someone says those words before you, would you act like you are now? Could you watch while someone else has what you could have had? Then again, I don't think she could love anyone else. Could you let her live like that? With you, yet still all alone? You can't just walk away now, either, because it will break her heart. Kenshin, if not for your own sake, can't you tell her for her's? To protect her heart?"

Kenshin bit his lip and looked at Kaoru again, shivering miserably. He sighed. For now, for her sake – he would only do this for her, so she wouldn't be sick. Never for himself. Never would he do this for him.

With a deep breath, hopping she couldn't see him blushing like a teenager with his first crush, he said, "Then, why don't we… share?"

Kaoru looked up at him, wide-eyed. Quickly Kenshin continued before she could take it the wrong way. "Well, if we shared the blanket then the blanket and us will keep each other warm. But only if you want to do that, Kaoru-dono" He said all this very fast.

Kaoru blinked, stunned. Never had Kenshin said anything like this to her before, let himself get so close to her before. The only time he had ever done so was before the fireflies. The day he…left. Yet here he was, willingly letting her close. But now, Kenshin was not going to leave. He had made a promise he would never leave again. Okay, this was all to keep each other warm, but nevertheless, it made her heart swell with joy.

Quietly, she nodded. "Alright then."

Nervously, she went to retrieve the blanket from the top of the futon and went over to Kenshin. She sat by his side as Kenshin draped half the blanket over her shoulders, half over his own. Immediately, she felt the warmth of Kenshin's body, close to her own, fill her cold body with a warm sensation. Kaoru looked up at him sternly. "You had better not try anything hentai, Kenshin Himura"

"ORO!"

Kaoru laughed silently at the cute noise he made, feeling him blush. She knew Kenshin was an honourable man. He would never do anything like that. Kaoru frowned in the sheets. Sometimes he was entirely too honourable.

Kaoru felt her eyes droop. The sense of warmth flooding through her body, the soft, earthy sent of Kenshin, the strong arms that made her feel so safe, all left her feeling comfortably sleepy. With one last look at the rurouni's handsome face, she snuggled into his arm and was soon fast asleep.

Kenshin stiffened slightly as he felt Kaoru nestle into his arm. Glancing down, he saw her body relaxed against his, saw the even breathing of her chest. But Kami, her smile. Never could he remember her smile in such a way that almost stopped his heart out of longing. Truly, she was an angel. With love reflected in eyes of the deepest purple, deeper than they had ever been, Kenshin gazed upon her sleeping face. Unable to resist, Kenshin brushed his lips against her forehead, feeling the soft skin against his, feeling her sigh as she relaxed against him.

"Oyasumi… Kaoru…"

To be continued…

Chosha's notes:

I was going to have this chapter go up to when Sanosuke, Yahiko and Shinya let them out of the dojo, but when I got to this point, I thought, ending it on such a sweet note would be beautiful. I almost wanted Kaoru to wake up when Kenshin kissed her, and I'm the one writing the story!

Originally, this chapter was meant to be part of chapter eight, 'accidents happen', but then I realised that the chapter would have been twice as long as all the others! When I did get to this chapter, though, I was unsure how to get the two in the dojo in the first place. I wanted Yahiko and Sano to do something on their own, without taking orders from Shinya. I mean, come on! Since when do they follow orders? Besides, Shinya has just used up a month out of those few he has, so needs some time to cool off. He has also been keeping up an act with the Gumi, and I know that sometimes you just need a little time to yourself, so I gave Shinya a break. Hope you weren't too disappointed at all. It seems Shinya is being quite popular with those pranks of his, so I did let him give Sano the idea. I sort of feel sorry for them when Kaoru gets out though!

I found writing the beginning of this chapter rather funny. Think about it. I was writing about spring in November. How ironic is that? Put it this way, it got me out of those winter blues anyway! Heh! By the way, don't ask me about the cloud looking like Tom Cruse. I was kind of watching 'The Last Samurai' when I was writing the chapter, before I got it on the computer (that's what you get when you dear old dad decides you can't have the Internet at all. I have to post chapters in my breaks between lessons, or if my nee-chan is feeling generous and isn't at university anyway!)

Oh, one last thing. In case you haven't gathered, this fic is based a year after the Kyoto arc of the anime. Therefore, Kaoru and the others won't know about the Tomoe stuff yet, as the revenge arc doesn't occur in the anime…I think.

Next time on 'Fading Futures'

Kenshin and Kaoru finally get out of the dojo and the guys desperately think of a way to avoid being pummelled by Kaoru. Will they manage it? Find out on chapter ten, 'hidden gift'

Mata Aimasho, Minna-san! See you next time…

Chosha Kurenai xXx