Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.

Always and Forever

Chapter 9- The Truth

Kaoru stood outside the club, just a little ways down the sidewalk from the front door, her jacket folded over one arm while the other clutched her purse to her side.

"Kaoru," Kenshin rested his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"What are you doing out here?" She asked, not bothering to look at him.

"Misao wasn't ready to leave, so I volunteered to give you a ride home," he explained, walking past her a little ways.

"Don't bother, I'll get a cab," Kaoru shrugged, pulling her cell phone from her purse.

"Don't waste money on a cab. We need to talk anyway," he shrugged.

"I don't want to talk to you," she replied stubbornly.

Kenshin sighed, knowing that she wasn't likely to give in anytime soon. He watched as she dialed and held the phone up to her ear.

"Hey, give that back!" Kaoru spun around to face Kenshin, who held her cell phone.

"What, this?" He held the phone up so she could see it better, amusement in his voice.

"Give it back," Kaoru pleaded, watching as he hung up and slipped the phone into his jacket pocket.

"Only if you let me give you a ride home."

"Fine," she growled. She really didn't want to spend any more time around Kenshin than she had to, especially not after what had just happened.

Kenshin smirked as he led the way to where his car was parked. Before Kaoru could say anything, he opened the passenger side door and waited for her to get in. She glared at him, but decided not to say anything. After Kaoru was settled in her seat, Kenshin closed the door, went around to the driver's side, and got in.

"You said we needed to talk, so talk," Kaoru told him as they pulled out of the parking lot.

"I want to know what happened while you were in America. You said you hated it, so why did you stay after you finished school?"

"I had every intention of flying back here once school ended. I met Enishi at the airport while I waited for my plane, he convinced me to give America a chance," Kaoru explained simply, staring out the window.

"How did that lead to you getting engaged to him, especially after you promised to return to me. You've never broken a promise so easily."

"And I'm sorry for that, but I can't change the fact that I love Enishi now." Or do I? The thought ran unbidden through her mind before she could stop it. She loved Enishi, but then what about the feelings for Kenshin that were starting to resurface?

"Tell me," Kenshin asked quietly.

"Tell you what?"

"Tell me about it, everything that happened to lead to this. I want to understand."

"It's a long story," Kaoru sighed, closing her eyes.

"You don't have to tell me right now, but please, sometime before you leave Kyoto, tell me."

"I will, I promise."

"Thank you." Kenshin put the car in park and waited for her to get out. He raised an eyebrow at her when she didn't move.

"I really am sorry, Kenshin. I never meant to hurt you."

"And I told you before, you've been forgiven, for everything."

"Thank you," she whispered, slipping out of the car.

"You're welcome," he replied to the empty car as he pulled away from the dojo.

Kaoru slipped into the dojo quietly, knowing that her father would already be asleep, and not wanting to disturb Enishi if he'd already gone to sleep also.

Once in her room she quickly changed into a pair of loose pj's and slipped into bed. All the while planning to spend some time training with Koshijiro the next day, since it had been a while since the last time she'd trained with him.

She was almost asleep when a thought crossed her mind. Kenshin still had her cell phone, he hadn't given it back once they'd reached the dojo.

"Come on, pick up," Kaoru muttered to herself as she listened to the phone ring. It was three in the afternoon, and she'd just finished sparring with her father while Enishi watched.

"Hello?" Finally, Kaoru thought as someone picked up on the other side of the line.

"Hi, Kenshin?" She asked, recognizing the voice.

"Yeah?"

"It's Kaoru."

"I know."

"You have my cell phone," she told him, ignoring the amusement in his voice.

"Do I?" He asked playfully.

"Yes, you didn't give it back to me last night," she smiled at Enishi as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.

"I'm sorry, I completely forgot about it."

"I'd noticed," she replied dryly.

"I suppose you'll be wanting it back then?"

"I wouldn't have called you otherwise," she rolled her eyes, allowing just a little bit of her irritation to show in her voice. "Stop Enishi, I'm on the phone," she muttered, pushing him away.

""What was that?" Kenshin asked.

"Nothing, I was talking to Enishi."

"Oh."

"So when do you want to meet?"

"Well, I'm working today and tomorrow, so how about Sunday?" His voice turned serious.

"Sunday will work. I'd like it back before then, but as long as I get it back by Sunday night it'll be fine."

"Why by Sunday night?"

"Enishi and I leave for Tokyo Monday morning," she looked at Enishi for confirmation. He nodded.

"Oh. Well, I gotta get back to work, so I'll see you later."

"Wait. Where do you want me to meet you on Sunday?"

"The usual place." He answered and hung up.

"The usual place, huh. That's a little out of the way just to get my phone back…."

"He's giving it back on Sunday then?" Enishi asked, wrapping his arms around her waist again.

"Yeah. He has to work today and tomorrow, so Sunday's the only day he's free." She slipped her arms around his neck.

"I see."

"So, you'll get your phone back tomorrow, and we leave for Tokyo the day after?"

"Yep."

"Have you enjoyed your time here, love?" He nuzzled her neck.

"Yes. Thank you for letting me stay the whole week."

"It was no problem, after all, this is vacation for me to." Kaoru laughed at this.

"This week could have been better in only one way."

"What's that?"

"It would have been better if Kenshin would have just left me alone," she sighed.

"If he'd left you alone?" He asked, pulling back to look into Kaoru's eyes.

"He's been bugging me about a promise he and I made five years ago, a promise that I broke."

"What promise?" He asked softly, encouraging her to continue. Kaoru watched him closely, watching for any reactions as she spoke.

"When dad decided to send me to America to finish my schooling I was going out with Kenshin. We thought we were in love," she shrugged. "To make the separation easier on both of us we made a promise. Kenshin promised to wait for me, and I promised to return to him."

"He's having a hard time accepting that you didn't return to him then?"

"Yeah."

"I can go with you tomorrow to get your phone back if you want," he offered softly. "I doubt he'd bother you about it if I was there with you."

"Thank you, but I think I should do this by myself."

"All right."

"Thank you, Enishi."

"For what, love?"

"For understanding."

"No problem." He kissed her lightly on the cheek before heading towards the door. "I'm going to go watch your father teach. Why don't you join me?" He held his hand out to her.

"Sure." She smiled at him, accepting his hand and allowing herself to be led towards the practice hall.