Nana Mae - Look, look! I updated! And look at how long the chapter is! It's all for you guys, so FEAST! Mwahahahahahahaha!

Disclaimer- I don't own RuroKen... -tears- Not like I could...

Rating- Rated T for adult situation, mild language and strange humor... XP

-drum roll- Well here it is! 'Touch'! The chapter you've all been waiting for! I hope it's even better than you guys were expecting! Have fun and enjoy!

Love At First Sense

Chapter 10

Touch

It had been about twenty minutes...

And Yahiko had finally tired of interrogating Kenshin about who he was, how he paid for himself, his job...

And he finally asked one more question as Kenshin waited patiently for Kaoru to come out of her room.

"So... What do you like about her?..." Yahiko questioned.

This had only been his second question involving Kaoru.

"... What?..." Kenshin was caught slightly off-gaurd.

And even though he'd heard the question...

"What do you like about Kaoru?..."

Kenshin blinked, "Uh..."

Yahiko waited.

"U-um... Well, she's very pretty, first of all..." Kenshin said, sounding slightly nervous.

That seemed to trigger something in Yahiko, "... Very pretty?..."

"... Yeah. I'd even classify her as beautiful..." Kenshin said with a smile.

Yahiko stayed silent, allowing Kenshin to go on.

"... Um.. And she's funny... Very quick and witty..." The readhead brushed his bangs from his amythest eyes as he thought.

Yahiko slowly started to smile.

"She's one of those people who make you feel really good about yourself when you know your... pretty much, the scum of the earth..."

"Oh, you can't be that bad!" Yahiko finally spoke up, hitting Kenshin's arm lightly, "I'm glad you like that much about my sis-"

"Yahiko! You're not scaring poor Mr. Himura away, are you?" Kaoru called from her room.

"No, of course not!" Yahiko called back innocently, "Of course... It's not polite to keep a guest waiting for twenty minutes!"

"TWENTY MINUTES?" Kaoru yelped.

Yahiko smiled as he looked to Kenshin, "Another thing she does when 'good-looking guys' are near... Loses track of time... Sorry 'bout that..."

"Oh, no problem..." Kenshin said with a smile.

Kaoru hurried out, her brush still in her hand and her hair still slightly damp, though it looked like she'd been blowdrying it.

"S-sorry, Kenshin!" She apologized meekly, "I was... um...I, uh... eh..." She slowly quieted, starting to brush her hair again...

... And Kenshin bursted into laughter.

That caused Yahiko to try to stifle his own laughter, resulting in a silly-sounding snort.

Kaoru blinked, "What?..."

Kenshin leaned back against the couch holding his stomach with one arm and the other reaching up to hold his head, "Ah, holy sh-... shoot..." Kenshin minded the fact that there was a fourteen-year-old in the vicinity.

"You're too cute..." He took a deep breath, attempting to sober himself.

Yahiko was chuckling, "And you said I might scare him away..."

Kaoru's eyes darkened as she glared at both males, "You two..." She muttered dangerously.

"I have to go meet Aoshi! See ya!" Yahiko jumped up, knowing what was coming.

"Love ya, sis, bye Mr. Kenshin!" Yahiko waved before kissing Kaoru's cheek and hurrying out the door.

Kaoru heaved a sigh, looking to Kenshin, "So.. What did you guys talk about while I was back there?..." She returned to brushing her hair.

Kenshin found his eyes following the brush as it slid through her silken, already-smoothed hair.

"Um..." He found it hard to think, "We... We were... talking about you..." He finally brought his eyes to hers... With some effort.

'Maybe once I feel her skin, her hair won't be so out of question...' He thought hopefully... Almost dreamily.

"Oooh..." Kaoru winced, "What about me?..."

The caught Kenshin's humor.

"Ah... I was asking him if he knew if you were any good in bed... But, you know, considering he's your brother a quite a bit younger-"

"Ew, Kenshin!" Kaoru was blushing furiously, but she threw the brush at him carefully.

The handle of the brush thunked his head lightly and he pouted, "Ow... Jeez, Kaoru, I thought you were happy to see me!"

"I-I am!" She crossed her arms.

"Good! So, let's get going!" He got up, starting toward the door.

"Wh-what?..." Kaoru blinked.

She was wearing a dark, cream-colored sleeveless top with a collar of hanging material, showing off an almost tantalizing amount of her beautiful collarbones and, much to Kenshin's liking, quite a few inches lower.

Her jeans were a perfect fit. Just tight enough, but not non-breathingly so. And they flared only slightly before leading to dark brown strapped high heels.

Someone felt fancy today...

"I'm taking you out on a date..." Kenshin said, standing at the door, "So, let's go..."

Kaoru blinked, "B-but, I'm not ready!" She whined, looking down to herself.

Kenshin nearly bursted into laughter again, "Are you kidding me?... You look beautiful!" He said with a dreamy sigh, "Gods... You're such a woman..."

Kaoru blinked as he stared, "... And... That's a bad thing?..."

Kenshin lowered his head, "You have five minutes to finish... Just... Don't pretty up so much that my appetite finds a new host..."

"What is that supposed to mean?..." Kaoru shook her head as she hurried back to her room.

"Don't make me spell it out..." Kenshin said simply as he lifted his head with a wicked grin, his hands sliding into his pockets.

Kaoru barely caught it, but she turned her head to look at him...

"... Pervert..." She muttered, a cute blush staining her cheeks as she hurried into her room, shutting the door.

Then she called out, "Oh, I like your shirt!"

xXoloXx

Kaoru played with the thin gold chained necklace with a real, tiny moonstone in the center of a small blue crescent moon.

She had also pulled on a fake gold bracelet, decorated in small crescent moons and white stars.

She'd pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and had grabbed a thin brown shawl.

Kenshin was finding it hard to tear his eyes from the incredible beauty beside him.

How she managed to knock out the beauty of every single contestant in the Miss America Beauty Pageant in such a short time...

He would never know.

Of course, he wasn't exactly concentrating on that at the moment.

"So... Where are we going, my prince?.." She asked as she smiled.

Her lipstick was light, but it was that shiny brand that was supposed to drive the men crazy...

And, damn, was it working on Kenshin...

"Well... Have you eaten?..."

"Just finished dinner with Yahiko..." Kaoru said, simply.

"Hm. We could..." Kenshin paused to think. as he turned off his car alarm, leading Kaoru to the passanger's seat.

He placed the key into the slot and Kaoru leaned carefully against the car...

"... You asked me out with no place in mind?..." She asked with a slight smirk.

Kenshin winced as he pulled open the door, "Well, I'm not good at planning dates..."

Kaoru laughed, "Ha! That's hard to believe!" She patted his left cheek as she slid into the seat.

... And for the first time... She noticed it...

Didn't quite feel right...

But she tossed it aside as Kenshin caught her hand before she could bring it back to her side.

"Hey, I may be unbarably gorgeous.." He said with a wink, "But that doesn't mean I'm good at anything else but looking sweet..."

"Oh.." Kaoru faked a pout as she patted his head, "Poor little Kenshin can't get laid?..."

Kenshin's eyes flickered and his innocent outerlook broke as he grinned devilishly, "... Are you suggesting that you're willing to help me fix that?..."

Kaoru smiled and pulled him down to her by the collar, "I'm suggesting..." They were a breath apart...

"That you start driving..." Kaoru said with a smirk as she pushed him back lightly.

Kenshin blinked...

Did she just-? ... No way... She didn't... Did she?...

Kenshin was snapped back to reality as Kaoru pulled her door closed.

Kenshin suddenly growled, "That was low..." He muttered as he made his way around to the driver's seat.

"And dirty..." He continued as he opened his door, thumping down into the seat grumpily.

"It was dirt low... and dirt dirty.. Mud dirty... filthy... That was, like... Hellshit dirty..." He adjusted his seatbelt.

"H-hellshit?" Kaoru tried not to giggle at the creative new word as Kenshin set the car in reverse and pulled out.

"You're lucky I'm merciful..." He said with a pout as he set his sleek car into drive and started out of the parking lot.

Kaoru couldn't help but giggle this time... And Kenshin finally let that taunting smile of his slip back into place.

xXoloXx

Kenshin was now driving down a popular night street as Kaoru looked out the window.

There were a few bars, a dance club, a hotel that was mostly for almost never-present tourists, and a few small resteraunts.

"Hey..." Kenshin said as he passed a bar, "You like to dance?..."

"... Mm, haven't danced in a while..." Kaoru said, not quite sounding like she was all there.

"But you like it?..."

"... Yeah."

"Good..." Kenshin smiled and quickly found a parking space.

Kaoru blinked, "Ah, wh-what did I just agree to?..." She asked quickly as Kenshin was already getting out of the car.

"Kenshin!" She whined as he opened the door, "I don't know how to dance!"

"You said you haven't danced in a while!" He laughed, tugging her gently out of the car.

"Ehhh, Kenshiiiiiiiiin..." Kaoru whined as she leaned against him, body language telling him he'd have to drag her in.

"Oh, c'mon, Kaoru!" Kenshin turned her to face him, "Please?..."

Kaoru stared into his beautiful amythest eyes for a moment...

"... I can't dance..." She stated simply, "I'll only embarress you, and then you'll leave me all by my lonesome to embarress myself as you go off with another girl!" Kaoru whined.

Kenshin gave a heavy sigh, "Kaoruuuuuuu..."

"Nope. No whining..."

"Please?... Kaoru?..."

"Nope, I'm not going..."

"Oh, my heart!"

"Stop being overdramatic!" Kaoru hit his head lightly.

Kenshin clutched his chest, "You're killing me! How shameful! I'm being turned down by the beauty who's stolen my heart! Oh... You wouldn't happen to have a knife on you?" Kenshin was leaning against her, as if he were actually losing life.

"Oh, fine!" Kaoru humphed and moved away stubbornly, "Big baby..."

Kenshin stood up with a wide grin, "Oh, but I'm a persuasive big baby..."

Kenshin took her hand and closed her door, setting his car alarm as he placed his keys carefully in his pocket.

Kaoru whined all the way to the front door.

Kaoru pulled out her wallet from her purse and showed the doorman her ID, Kenshin pulled just his ID from his pocket and flashed it to the doorman. He let them both by the remaining three feet.

"Okay... Now be the lovely lady that you are, Miss Kaoru, and walk in like you're ready to party!" Kenshin said enthusiastically, pointing toward the door.

He blinked when he felt Kaoru's head hit his shoulder, and he looked over to her, "Oi... You're a whiny beauty..."

"And there's nothing you can do about it..." Kaoru said dully as she opened the door.

Music was blasting, lights were changing colors and people at the bar were laughing nearly as loud as the music.

... And Kaoru smiled slowly...

Kenshin noted this and slipped the shawl from her shoulders, as well as her purse, "Lookin' better already..." He laughed as she turned to him sheepishly, "I-I forgot how fun it was in here..."

Kenshin could barely hear her over the music, but since his eyes were glued to her lips anyway, he could make it out just fine.

He laughed as she wandered over to the bar, motioning for him to follow.

He did so, slipping through the people between the dance floor and the bar.

When he made it there, Kaoru was sitting on a barstool, swaying slightly to the upbeat music.

Kenshin took a seat next to her, handing her shawl and purse to the barkeep and receiving a number on a piece of paper to pick it up later as the keep placed the items on the rack.

"Wow, this is a great song!" Kaoru yelled to him, blushing slightly.

Kenshin was almost unable to bare it.

Good lord, this woman was adorable!

The song was quite fast, mostly the work of drums and a keybaord DJed to the max.

Some people that were sitting at the tables to the side were clapping to the rythm and 'doo-dee-dah'ing merrily with it.

But the song came to an abrupt end... the norm for most of those types of songs. Everyone on the dance floor started to clap and a few of the tired ones found a place to sit.

Kenshin watched Kaoru as she smiled and listened as the next song started.

It was slower... much slower, actually, but had harsh beats every now and then that made it more lively.

"Kaoru..." He smiled, standing and taking her hand.

"Uh... Yes?..." She knew where this was going...

"... Wanna dance?..."

"Well, I don't know, I- Ah, okay!" Kaoru yelped as Kenshin hauled her into his arms and hurried to the dance floor.

Kaoru giggled when she was finally put down at the center.

"Ahhh, Kenshin..." Kaoru held onto his shoulders, "I don't know h-"

"Oh, you said you would!" Kenshin took her hands off his shoulders and swung them lightly in his.

"B-but..."

"You like the song?..."

"Y-yes, I like that song, but-"

"You like me?..."

"Of course I like you! But, Kensh-"

"Then why not?.." He started to move, grinning and luring her to follow.

Kaoru blushed.

Okay... She always thought dancing only made people look a bit sillier...

Oh, but this man...

She slowly brought her eyes away and crossed her arms, "Well, seems you've got it down..." She muttered.

"Kaoru..." Kenshin wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rested his chin on her shoulder as he whispered, "Dance with me..."

"... N-no..."

"We already went through this..."

"So what?..."

"Are you flustered?..."

"What? No!"

"Mm, I think you are..."

"Why do you think I'm flustered?..."

"Because flustered people don't dance..."

"... I'm dancing..."

"... Oh yes... I see your doing the latest move... Or non-move. The 'stand still and have to be coaxed into dancing by your very willing partner'... Please... Kaoru?..."

"... Fine... Fine. I'll dance... Look, I'm dancing..." Kaoru started to sway slightly.

Kenshin grinned and moved back, "You know, moving your feet might help, too..."

He started to dance again, moving to the music and flashing her taunting grins.

Kaoru blushed.

Then clenched her fists.

This man was annoying... infuriating... unnerving...

Insipiring...

Kaoru marched up to him and grabbed his shoulders, "Fine. I'll dance with you, Kenshin Himura..."

The red light that was holding at the moment caused Kaoru's eyes the flash dangerously.

And Kenshin bit back a shiver.

She moved around him, smiling as she pushed him lightly from behind.

Kenshin stepped forward, turning his head to watch her.

And completely froze when she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, her breath seeming to scorch his skin and her voice sounding more alluring then ever...

"Why aren't you dancing, Kenshin?..."

She twirled skillfully to his front and leaned over to him... pushing up his dropped jaw.

"Y-you said you couldn't dance!" He said as he followed her, slowly beginning to dance along.

"Yeah, but I also said I liked your shirt..." She said as she danced around him.

Kenshin gasped, "Hey, are you saying you don't?"

"Maybe..." Kaoru smirked as she continued to move.

Kenshin couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

The way her hips swayed as she stepped to the music. How her long, lovely arms came above her head as she twirled. Her silken hair swayed with every agonizingly graceful movement...

Kenshin grinned...

He took her waist and gently pulled her to him.

He kept moving as Kaoru's movement's became more sheepish.

She tentativly rested her hands on his shoulders and looked up into his eyes, "... Kenshin?..."

She sounded so innocent...

Kenshin smiled, "Dancing is classified as a close-contact sport in some areas..."

That caused Kaoru to smile slightly, "Mm?... Somewhere in groin area, I suppose..."

Kenshin smiled innocently, "Oh? Are we that close?..."

Yes. In fact, their hips were pressed flush against eachother and their chests were almost touching.

Kaoru's eyes darkened slightly as she watched the incredibly beautiful redheaded man before her, "... Yes..." She answered simply.

They both were now swaying to the slow, but lively song.

Kenshin slowly lifted a hand from Kaoru's waist to stroke his thumb lightly along her cheek.

He smiled at the heat from the cute blush staining her cheeks, "You really are beautiful..."

"Heh, yeah, you keep telling me that..." Her voice was slightly shaky.

"Because it's true..." Kenshin couldn't help but be a little distracted...

He'd touched her skin before...

When he'd cornered her in the alley...

When he'd zoned out at Shawnee's...

He'd even brushed his lips over her at the 'Scent' stage...

But he hadn't been paying attention...

And what he was feeling right now made him question his sanity and the exact reason why he hadn't...

Her skin was angelicly pale-looking already... And the brain-frying softness only added to the effect.

She really did look and feel like an angel.

His hand wandered back into her hair, lightly tugging at the rubber band until Kaoru's feather soft hair fell free, falling down past her shoulders and all the way to her mid-back.

Kaoru smiled slightly, "Hm, you like my hair?..."

Kenshin ran his fingers through the ebony locks and smiled, "Very much so..."

Kaoru smiled and revelled in the feel of his hands running through her hair.

She was so unbearably perfect...

Kenshin grit his teeth in effort to control himself as she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

So soft... And now her chest was pressed against his...

Sweet mother, he was going to explode...

"Kaoru..." He couldn't hide the almost undetectable lowering in his voice as he tried to keep himself.

"Mm?..." Her voice vibrated softly through his neck, causing him to wince slightly.

"... Wanna go get a drink or something?..."

Kaoru slowly lifted her head, bringing Kenshin's hand down from her hair, "Uh, sure!... I'm thristy anyway..." She turned quickly and hurried to the bar.

She had gone so fast that he almost hadn't noticed...

But the bright blush on her cheeks had shown itself before Kaoru had disappeared into the crowd.

Kenshin shook his head, rubbing his temples as he took a deep breath.

'She's getting to me...' He started through the dancing crowd, 'Way too easily...'

xXoloXx

Kaoru stared into her empty glass...

She'd asked for a Shirley Temple, being not much of a drinker.

Kenshin watched her as he sipped from his light beer.

She smiled slightly as she lifted her gaze to Kenshin's.

Kenshin waited patiently for her to say something.

"... Thanks a lot for taking me out tonight, Kenshin..." She turned on the twisty barstool toward him.

Kenshin smiled, "Well, thanks for coming..."

"I had a lot of fun... Really..." Her eyes were starting to get hazy as she leaned forward.

"... Good, I'm glad..." Kenshin watched her cautiously as he set down his drink.

Bracing her hand against his shoulders, she moved so they were face to face, "I should pay you back..."

Kenshin gulped...

Since when did he get nervous about those kinds of things!...

He answered himself..

Since he'd found the most beautiful woman on earth...

She smiled slightly, moving closer...

Then Kenshin nearly yelped when her head fell to his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his neck.

Kenshin sat stock still...

Then sighed heavily as her soft, even breathing classified her as sleeping.

He smiled slightly, lifting a hand to the barkeep, giving him the paper and retrieving their things...

He said a quiet thank-you and left...

As he walked out the door, he looked down to the sleeping woman he was now holding in his arms...

And nearly lost his balance...

If she was angelic when she was awake...

Shit, she looked like the princess of heaven when she was sleeping...

Why hadn't he noticed before?...

He settled her into the passanger's seat, adjusting the seatbelt around her before letting his gaze linger for a little longer.

'She does fall asleep easily...' Kenshin smiled and shut the door carefully.

"... Just like her mother said..."

He felt his chest contrict as her face flashed through his mind... And his cheek burned.

Reaching up to touch it lightly through the sheet bandage, a sad smile slid it's way onto his young face.

"Exactly like her mother said..."

Review Responses -

Interested Anonymous - So many questions! . BUT I'M TAKING THAT AS A GOOD THING! Just wait, and all those questions shall be answered! Thank you for asking so many, they give me things to think about and re-consider in the story! Also, I'm glad you like Yahiko, I think he's cute, too! Sorry about not updating for weeks on end... Really! XP

Angel Thorn - I think I've erad that one! XD Ooooh, thank you so much for reviewing and I'm overjoyed that you like it! Much love to you! And I apologize for not updating for sooooooo long!

KeNsHiNInU - Nyehehehe... You'll just have to wait and see... -evil laughter- ... THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!

ELLIE 31773 - I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOORRYYYYYYYYYY!... I made you wait... But at least the chapter's nice and long, right? Yeah! GOOD! Much love!

Chrispecks - I'm glad you can look at it that way! That's exactly what it's intended to be! -hearts- I'm so glad you like my story... Much love, and thank you for reviewing!

Bbzachariah - Thank you for tellling me! -points- I even used a Shirley Temple in the story! Just for you! -winks- YAY! One of my dearly beloved reviewers! I love chocolate ice cream.. And yet another idea coming from you... -thinking- I may use that later as well... You're great! Much love, thanks for the reviews!

RudeRudeBoy - Wow, your review made me feel so great about my writing! I'm so happy you like it that much! And I read it! It seems like it'll be a cute story as it progresses! -thumbs up- Keep it up! XD

Reignashii - Naruto, huh? I've only watched a bit! But Kakashi's still da man! XD Thank you for reading! Much love!

xiiaOpinkk - Realy! Thank you! Well, here it is! For you! XD

Happyeloveygirl - Thanks muchly! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter as much I I was hoping!

MikaylaMae - Thank you sooooooo much for telling me... I adjusted it and still am not happy with the fix-up, but whatever...I hope it didn't ruin the story or anything for you! Hope you enjoyed!

Jasmine Blossom625 - Oh, there will be fluff coming up! No worries! And no problem! It's fun responding to reviews! XP

Kiiu - Heehee, I'm glad you're so excited! And I'm sorry for making you wait! Hope you enjoyed! Much love!

Kaleena DragonMaster - Well, here it is! Hope it was fun!

Trickstar - Ahaha, I stress myself out all the time over stupid things... But thanks for caring! -hearts- Thank you for reading and reviewing! Much love to you, my dear reviewer!

Author's Notes

Just in case you peeps lost track, the day in this chapter is Monday. And I'm sorry if I confused you in 'The IceMan's Ice' because we went back in time there. Back to Sunday, when Aoshi took Yahiko to the carnival. Kay? We all got it now?... I confused myself with all the time changes as well, so I apologize... Okay. Tomorrow, in the story, will be Tuesday, which means that night is 'John' and Megumi's date! But the next chapter 'Deprivation' will be KenKao, but the chapter after that will be SanMeg! Cheer me on and I might get it up in TWO DAYS! Thanks for reading, folks!

-Nana Mae-

P.S.

Yes, there will be a YahTsu chapter soon, and the SaiTOkiO chapter as well, sp be patient... It may seem like this story is close to ending... Oooooh, but we have soooooooooooo much more to go... -evil grin- ...