A/N: Hi everyone! I'm really sorry for the long delay! I promise to try and be more...frequent in my updates:D

DON'T MAKE FUN OF MY 'PROLOGUE' SPELLING DISFUNCTION IN THE FIRST CHAPTER! T-T I know I spelled that wrong.. –sigh-

Also, I had a LOT of run on sentences x----­x

GUYS! DON'T BE AFRAID TO IM ME! REALLY! Oo;; I rather like getting IM's. E-mails bring in viruses. Ewww, viruses… XD

Reply to Reviews –

Piglet2006 – Well, I'm glad it makes you laugh! I aim to please :D Here's your update.

Tkdl – Well, I'm sorry I couldn't update any sooner, but here it is!

Kuikkick – Thanks for the advice. And yes, I noticed that this story doesn't have much of a plot to it. As Tsuki-san pointed out to me, this story sort of a relax-story for me. I'm trying not to rush (thought it may not look it XD ) Thanks again!

Enchantedsleeper – Calm down! Don't kill yourself! Here's your update oo Trust me, you'll find out about all that if you read on and be patient :D; Thanks for the review!

Ss1128 – Thanks! Well, no more need for wondering! Here's chapter four:D

Soniya Himoura – Well I'm glad you like it! If only you could influence more people:D Well, here's chapter four! Thanks for reviewing!

Shout2danorth – Hey! We never talk anymore D: -smacks – anyway, Kenshin's going to show a bit of his colors here in this chapter :3 Stay tuned! –love-

GreenEyedFloozy – Lol, I thought it was quite funny myself, actually. I'm trying to make a fic that's a bit more…relaxed, I guess, and detailed as well. Simple, but really good. Tell me how I'm doin'! Thanks for reviewing:D

Kaiwaii meeh – Well, Kenshin burning food is a first and definitely won't happen too often. The dream wasn't supposed to make sense… maybe I should say that. Anyway, I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing:D

Crystal Winds – It's rather awkward, though. People (I think) stopped reviewing because of that.. . . But yes, Aoshi will be in this fic. Lol, Thanks, I'm glad you like it! And yes, I make Kenshin unnaturally sweet here that you'd die to be in Kaoru's shoes. If you want in on some secrets I have about up coming chapters, you can talk to me on IM. :3 Anime Freakz 18! Thanks for reviewing!

Butterfly87 – Actually, I was thinking about having Sano X Megumi and Misao X Aoshi have a relationship in this story. It's neat that you mentioned that :3 Great minds think alike! Thanks for reviewing!

Royal blueKitsune – Patience, there will be fluff, trust me! ;D

Cadoodles – Oo;; Whoa, for a minute I could have sworn you were on the verge of flaming XD Lol, thanks! I'm really glad you find my story so wonderful! It really boosts my self-esteem! –hugs-

Fujigawa – I'm glad you think it's cute! I was aiming for that. :)

Neko-Yuff16 – Lol, Yeah, Kenshin's pout is pretty serious. Kaoru just so happened not to look him directly in the eye! Lol, who knew I could inspire people to eat food! Heh, thanks for reviewing!

CHAPTER FOUR REVIEWERS!

Kanzen ne Tsuki – Thank you for the support. I think I was just blowing off steam. You're right, though. This story is a relax story…Broken Legend would probably be more appropriate if she were looking for the plot. Though reading about severed body parts and lust filled men probably is among her fancies. Thanks for everything, Tsuki-san. I really appreciate it. :)

I like vader lots – I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Patience, they say, is a virtue. Even if you need to spare loads of it. See? I updated:D

CuteandPetite – Well, our breaks in my high school aren't that long…and we actually haven't had any breaks yet. We're quite strained. But here's the update.

Animelover – Oh diddle to excuses : As long as they're true! –curses high school – Anyway, thanks for reviewing, (And understanding at most ; )

Are-en1 – Thanks for your patience. Ugh, I'm so tired these days. ; For a 14 year old, I shouldn't be this tired… Anyway, I'm glad you love most my work. :) That's something I need. Thanks for reviewing!

GreenEyedFloozy – I'm very glad you all still love me XD I'd be rather sad if you didn't. Thanks for reviewing…even if it was just an authors note, lol.

Enchanted sleeper – Thank you for forgiving me. Much obliged. Here's your update!

RainPoet – You…crutch lady, you need to speak up when I'm talking to you! I couldn't even hear a word you were saying when I was on the bus, you dork! XD And! You didn't call me. Poop head. Anyway, here's your update, nerd.

A.N : I'm oh so very sad! ): Not many people reviewed chapter three…

Please review D: It makes me feel better!

I have a major sore throat x-x

Disclaimer – I do not own Rurouni Kenshin…but I own this story:D

Kenshin: D: -has a bandana and apron on, along with plastic gloves- I can't believe you made me-

Lendra: Shhh! The readers don't know that yet! ¬¬;;

Kenshin: -pouts-

Anyway! Onward with Chapter 4!

OH! SPECIAL NOTE – Kenshin does have his scar, folks. I just decided to keep it secret until now:D

Chapter 4 – A Subway's Perfume

"Kenshin, I'm home!"

Kaoru peeked around the door of her apartment and hesitated before she decided that all was well and entered her abode fully.

She glanced around her residence that was, strangely, lacking the grace of light. Kaoru stared and blinked a few idle seconds before putting her house keys on the counter and proceeding to place her extra accessories on the floor.

The apartment was the definition of eerie. Her heart beat began to increase slightly and she felt the sudden urge to escape the alluring darkness that drew her attention in such a terror-filled, breath taking fashion. Kaoru smoothed a path on the wall with her hand, searching for a light switch of any kind. Finally coming into contact with one, she hurriedly flipped it on, letting out a sigh of relief as luminosity flooded the kitchen area.

"Kenshin…I'm home," she called out to her roommate once again, this time with some restraint on the volume of her voice. Still, silence was her greeting. Kaoru bit her lip as the crease of concern started to show itself on her forehead. Making sure her steps were cautious, she padded her way over to the living room. The weight of the silence started to load its burden on her wracking nerves as her anxiety quickly transformed into panic once more.

"Kenshin…?"

Her call was still unanswered, left to hang in the hush filled air. She swallowed her dread and made her way to round about the curve to the hall and into the remaining shadows. She swerved around the corner and was presented with the outline of another being. She gave off a short lived scream, sided with a jump backward while the other mirrored her movements, dropping their possessions in the process.

Savagely searching for the light switch to the living room, Kaoru had almost failed to notice that the room's second occupant had already found it for her. She whipped her gaze into the path of his own and stared a few seconds before letting her surprise show in the dropping of her jaw.

"Kenshin!.? W-What were you doing in the dark! A-And why didn't you answer me!"

Kaoru was so bewildered from the scare the redhead gave her, she failed to notice the sizable amount of laundry that was scattered all about the floor around his feet.

Kenshin's cheeks were slightly ablaze due to his being so bluntly caught in his sneaking. He fiddled with his fingers a moment, creating a speaking noise from the Platex gloves he wore on his hands. Kenshin rubbed his neck, desperate to find some sort of sensible excuse for his sly slinking around the dark apartment. And as soon as Kaoru noticed, he'd have to explain the heaping load of laundry that was suddenly askew about the carpet to her as well.

"Uh…well, you see…"

Kaoru stared at her roommate, finally taking in his appearance. She cocked an eyebrow as she continued to gaze at the uncomfortable redhead. His head was topped with a blue bandana as his bangs escaped the fabric and hung into his eyes. His T-shirt was overlapped by a large apron that made its way down to his knees, while his hands were concealed within plastic gloves.

"…Why are you dressed like that…?"

Taken aback by her next question, Kenshin snapped into a straight posture and blinked a few seconds before formulating a justification into words that had previously brewed in his mind.

"Oh! Well, you see, I was just finishing up the laundry, and I decided that I'd do a bit of cleaning..!"

Kaoru's suspicions began to increase with every hesitation he made in his answer. She placed her palms onto her hips and balanced herself as she stared.

"You were doing laundry in an apron, bandana, and Platex gloves."

Kenshin hesitated before nodding.

"Yes…yes I was."

Kaoru's unbelieving stare did no good for Kenshin's nerves, causing him to fidget under her glower – the last signal Kaoru needed to confirm that her little friend was, indeed, stretching the truth.

He rarely ever lied, unless it was for a good reason. And when he did…he was horrible at it.

"Ok, what happened."

Kenshin gave off a small groan that indicated that the last thing he wanted to do was explain exactly what had happened. But he was a man of honor and dignity, and he would fess up to his actions. Besides, he concluded mentally – he'd much rather tell the truth than suffer another trial round with his intimidating, female roommate.

The sudden attraction Kenshin had to his fidgeting fingers had begun when he started his story, and by the time he had finished, he felt as though he was going to teeter on his heels and fall forward from staring at the bright yellow gloves for so long. His world was spinning and his mouth was dry. He had never been so embarrassed.

Not only had he told Kaoru what had happened earlier that same day, but he also had to admit his utensils for fixing it.

Now, Kenshin was the guru of all the tricks and trades of clothe cleaning. If one had any laundry question, he was the man to go to. He knew which article of clothing color-cooperated with another in the wash, and which ones could handle a rough cycle of heavy duty scrubbing. He even could tell which fabric could associate with a certain type of laundry detergent or not.

What turned out to be his saving grace was that of his cleaning abilities. He knew exactly what material was efficient with absorbing water. Cotton was quite successful in that aspect.

Kenshin had searched from cover to cover around the apartment, loading up on any cotton item of clothing he could find. Once his search had come to an end, he was nervous to find that not many cotton materials were in great supply within his wardrobe.

What proved to be the grand supply of cotton had turned the tables in Kenshin's mind. His cheeks heated and his tongue curled. Of course, with his record of luck, that 100 cotton clothing had to be that of Kaoru's underwear.

At that point in the story, Kaoru felt her nerves tense and her rationality lesson with her redheaded roommate. The only thing that kept her from lashing out on him was his obvious humility in the situation. And the fact that he went out of his way to re-clean up her drawers.

In the end, Kaoru could only shake her head and smile at her friend. She deemed it mathematically impossible to stay angry or upset at Kenshin for a long time period.

After Kenshin explained everything that happened, along with her forgiveness for using her underwear, Kaoru inspected her apartment space. She noticed that there had been little water damage due to Kenshin's haste in drying everything up. She smiled as she paced around the carpet and tile floors.

She almost forgot the news she originally was going to share when she walked into her apartment. Immediately remembering what it was she was going to tell him, Kaoru wasted no time in delivering the news.

She turned around swiftly to face her roommate with a large grin.

"Kenshin! I almost forgot to tell you!"

She clapped her hands together as she approached him quickly. Kenshin stared at her a moment, blinking in mild confusion at Kaoru's sudden increase of enthusiasm.

"You wouldn't believe what happened today! During the interview, they informed me that they needed a replacement as soon as possible, and so far, I was the best of the group that previously applied for the job! I have an eight out of ten chance to get the job! Isn't that great?"

Kenshin stared at her a bit more before letting his emotions show in the form of a frown and the crease of his brow.

"Kaoru…are…you positively sure that you want this job…? I mean, this is going to be tough work…it's not like the regular counter secretary who takes phone calls and has to memorize everyone's name in the building…"

Kaoru rolled her eyes and waved her hand at him, signifying her lack of anxiety on the subject.

"Kenshin, you worry too much. It's not like I'm dealing with life or death, you know."

Kenshin sighed and nodded his head.

"Of course you're not, ma'am."

Kaoru was in too much of a good mood to be brought down by Kenshin's sudden quietness. She pranced about the kitchen, searching cupboards and drawers and digging out pots and pans.

"I figure you haven't eaten dinner just yet, have you. How about we heat up some of that left over spaghetti from the night before?"

Kenshin sighed once more and shrugged his shoulders.

"Why not…?"

He tried to shake off that nagging feeling in the back of his mind and put on a smile for Kaoru. He sauntered over to the kitchen and retrieved the left over spaghetti from the fridge and proceeded in preparing their meal with a little help from Kaoru.

All through out dinner, he remained silent as he ate his supper. He couldn't get rid of that feeling in the back of his mind. It was starting to make him sick to the stomach. It was that familiar feeling he had long ago. That feeling of misfortune and upcoming disaster. No matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't go away. And it was starting to scare him.

"I want you out of here this instant!"

"But sir, I didn't do anything, I swear! I-"

"I don't want to hear it! You're nothing but a troublemaker! So get out and stay out!"

Arctic cold, bone chilling snow met his face as he finally confronted the unavoidable impact of the icy ground. He stayed still for a few idle seconds, his eyes shut tight in attempts to block the frosty pain. Finally, he grunted a little with the picking up of his arms from the ground and weakly hoisted himself up.

He shivered as the chill of winter brushed by his flesh through his clothes. He pulled his jean jacket closer to his body and blew on his hands to warm them. Then, fixing the collar of his coat to block the air from hitting his neck, he turned his back to the bar and shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked away.

His purple eyes stared at the icy concrete sidewalk with no interest at all, yet all the interest in the world. His life had taken a turn for the worst after he had graduated from college and as the hoarfrost air took a nip at him, he figured that was a sign that it wasn't going to get better any time soon.

Suddenly, he hissed as pain seared his left cheek. He lifted a bitter hand to cover his scar. Even after three years, the cold still irritated it. He grit his teeth and built up the vigorous parts of himself to ignore the pain. Bringing his hand away from the scar, he grimaced a little bit as the cold air lashed at the wound. Refusing to be subdued by such a little inconvenience, the violet eyed teen stuffed his hands into the folded fabric of his pant pockets once more and lifted his shoulders in a pitiful attempt to block off the air.

His tongue darted out to lick off the blood that lingered at the corner of his mouth. He winced at the bitter flavor of the crimson liquid, quickly housing his tongue back into his mouth and depleting the awful taste. His head started to pound as a result from the blow he received near the temple. He bit his lip as he felt the beginnings of a vicious headache.

The sounds of the subway were brought to his attention as he lifted his head to come in eye contact with a dimly lit sign saying 'subway.' He sighed and tiredly stumbled over to the stairwell. He'd do anything to get out of the cold.

Suddenly, a bursting load of people came from the stairwell. The eighteen-year-old was met with pushes and shoves as people urgently bustled out of the confined area. Time was, after all, closing in on Christmas.

He grunted and pushed his way to the side and winced as his back met the hard metal of the wall. He panted lightly from his exertion to weave his way out of the sea of energy-filled people. He slid down until he was seated on the inclined steps and continued to wheeze - the subzero air and fowl stench of the subway doing nothing to aid his harsh breathing. It stung his lungs and lashed at his scar. He couldn't understand why so many people would just pass by him without a second thought. He was a teenager with no home and no one to go to. Why didn't they care about that….?

They didn't know…

They had no idea what he had went through…what he didn't' have. No one wanted to know…

Tears glistened and rimmed his violet eyes as his red locks hung over his face. He was alone. No one was there to help him. He had no one….no one…

"Sir…"

No one at all…

"Excuse me…sir…?"

Something…something smelled…good. Where was it coming from…?

He looked around, from left to right. That smell was coming from somewhere. His amethyst eyes roved about the dreary warren walls in search of the sweet aroma. Something tender met his ears and he looked up gently.

"Are you okay…?"

Jasmine…

Sapphire eyes collided into the pathway of dull lilac. He stared at her a few more moments, winded. Slowly, he shook his head. No…he wasn't ok. He was frozen, hungry, sick, exhausted, and most of all…alone.

"I've…no where to go…"

Her face remained soft as she gently brought her arm forward.

"Here…come with me and I'll help you…"

He stared at her hand as if it were a foreign object. Something that would burn him if he were to touch it. Unsure of the girl's decision, he turned his painful gaze to her eyes once more.

"…I don't even know you…"

"…I'm Kaoru…"

He gazed at her in disbelief, testing her words. She refused to leave him be. Slowly and hesitantly, he lifted his icy hand from his side and placed his palm atop hers. That was when heat clashed with ice and the his life was about to begin.

Lendra – Hello everyone! And a Happy Thanksgiving to you all! It snowed and I'm so happy!

Now guys, I want you to understand, that this last part was another dream! A very detailed filled one. You'll learn in the next chapter!

PLEEAASSE PLEASE REVIEW! I would love the feedback!

PLEASE!