Unfortunately, no, I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Summary: Kaoru is a matchmaker extraordinaire. So when she met Kenshin Himura she saw him as only a challenge. Little did she know what she was getting herself into.

Cupid's Secret

Chapter One:

Easy Match

Matchmaking has always been something that Kaoru just did. It was like some type of intuition told her when two people were meant to be together. As she grew older, Kaoru's talents evolved from playground marriages to homecoming dates to serious relationships. She always did it secretly of course. No one had figured her out. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

At least. That's what she thought.

"Sano, pass the soy sauce."

"Sure no problem… oops"

"SANO you did NOT just spill soy sauce over my clothes!"

"Look fox, it was an accident…"

"Yes an accident you will have to pay for."

"Hey wait a minute here…"

"You still haven't passed the soy sauce."

"Kid, we're busy."

"Don't call me kid!"

Too tired to join in, Kaoru rubbed her sore feet that hadn't seen a break for the last seven and a half hours. It was fun to help out her older friend Tae in her restaurant but sometimes it had its disadvantages. Like today for instance. One of Tae's waitresses had run off with her boyfriend and as always, it was busy in the Akebeko so the young boss was in-between a rock and a hard place.

Looking behind her arguing adopted family, Kaoru smiled at the somewhat happy couple sitting a few tables away. There was Misao mouth moving constantly with a slight blush on her face and Aoshi sitting calmly across from her allowing a small amount of amusement to show around the corners of his mouth.

"Hey, Kaoru, what are you grinning about?" Yahiko questioned as Sano and Megumi continued their argument.

"Oh, nothing."

Earlier

"Hello, welcome to the Akebeko. Can I get you a drink?"

The black haired man looked up from his menu and Kaoru looked into his startling blue eyes.

"Yes, I would like just a coffee. Black." His face and his eyes held no emotion yet his look sent chills down her spine.

"Coming right up!" Kaoru smiled and walked off. Aoshi was a frequent customer at the Akebeko. The man was stunning but not really her type. Seeing him almost everyday (she was always either eating or serving at the Akebeko) she had gotten to know him pretty well. As well as you can know a guy nicknamed the 'iceman' that is. He was a nice guy; a well known business man but at the same time, he was so cold and stiff. Not mean, just distant. All he needed, Kaoru was sure, was just a little fun…

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T take care, TCB Oh!"

"Stop it Misao, you'll scare away the customers." Kaoru grinned at her best friend as she entered the kitchen; the one place after the Fire Incident, she was not allowed in except to take dishes out. Misao however, after the Dishes Disaster, was confined to the kitchen for the time being.

"GRR I'm going crazy locked up in here! C'mon let me out! You know I'm a good waitress. I promise I won't do anything stupid like last time. Let me have some fun!"

Wait a minute.

"You know what Misao. You're right you do deserve a second chance. Here take this to the table next to the left window." Misao looked at her blankly. Kaoru shoved the coffee in her hands and pushed her forward, "Just go."

"Whatever. You are acting weird again." And with that Misao slipped out the door.

Kaoru smiled evily, even though this was all on a total whim, she had a good feeling that it could work out. Peeking out through the window, Kaoru watched Misao approach the guy. And then stop. Dead in her tracks.

What's going on? Kaoru left the kitchen to get a better view. Misao's eyes were fastened on the unsuspecting victim …err… customer. Her mouth slightly hanging ajar, she stood there, stock still. And that was the scary thing --- Misao was standing still.

Without thinking of the consequences, Kaoru rushed forward, knocking Misao and the hot beverage into Aoshi's lap. Both gasped in shock and probably the burn of the coffee.

"I'm SO sorry! I really didn't mean to. I know I'm clumsy, I didn't know I was that clumsy." Misao glared at Kaoru who was just thankful that her friend had regained composure of her mouth. "But that's no excuse! This is my first time out of the kitchen and see what I've done? I can't believe this! Sano will never let me live this down… I'm so sorry it will never happen again just please don't tell Tae. At least the coffee cooled but look at your suit…"

"I'm Aoshi Shinomori." Aoshi stuck out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Misao."

And with that Kaoru slinked away.