Deep Sea

Disclaimer: Don't own Kenshin, yep!

Joh: I did say I would finish this, so yeah.

0o0o0

Kaoru buried her face into her pillow, breathing in deeply. He didn't say that. He didn't just say that.

She lay there for a few moments not moving. Finally when restlessness took over she flung herself off the bed and flew to the door.

As Kaoru opened the door she found Misao waiting just outside it, looking startled. "Kaoru-san?"

"Oh, I'm sorry! I've got to hurry!" Kaoru said in a flustered way as she ran past Misao into the hall.

As she reached the end of the hall she paused and glanced back at Misao who was still standing confused in the doorway. "Misao?"

She looked up blinking her green eyes. "Yes Kaoru-san?"

"What…how do you know if you're in love?" Kaoru asked quietly feeling slightly foolish.

Misao smiled slightly. "You just do."

Kaoru stared at her friend for a minute before running after Kenshin.

0o0

"Kenshin!"

The red-haired man looked up from his drink. "Kaoru? What's wrong?"

The mermaid approached him at the table feeling anxious. "I…"

He sighed as he got up from his seat, peering into her eyes.

"Do you hate me Kaoru?"

She blinked and frowned slightly. Did she hate him?

"No. No I don't." she replied softly, locking eyes with him.

The two did nothing for a long moment, simply staring at each other, unsure of what to do.

"Kenshin…" she reached out a delicate hand and pressed it against his cheek. Sadness was swimming in her eyes. "If what you said was true, let me go home."

"You heard me?" he grabbed her hand firmly and closed his eyes. "Kaoru, do you love me?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tugged her hand away from him. "Don't ignore what I have said."

As she took a step back he took one forward. "Kaoru,"

"Let me go home!"

"I…I can't!"

Kaoru glared at him furiously, turning around, skirts whipping against her ankles.

Without thinking Kenshin reached out and grabbed her, pulling her flush against him. "Why can't you see, I can't let you go. I love you."

She wrapped her arms around him for a moment, returning the embrace. They were like that for a moment before Kaoru jerked away, her face showing frustration. "Why can't you see that I need to go home?"

Without answering her he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers.

Kaoru struggled for a moment, pushing against his chest but he held her firmly.

Finally she gave up and sunk into he kiss, letting her light azure eyes slip closed.

As the two pulled apart slowly Kaoru pushed away from him, flushed.

"You let me kiss you."

"So I did."

Kenshin smiled and cupped her face. "Does this mean you return my feelings?" he whispered.

Shyly she moved closer and buried her face in his shirt. "I…I think…" she trailed off, her voice muffled by his shirt.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on top of hers. "I want to be with you forever."

"I know."

0o0

Love.

Kaoru turned the hot water on, watching a stream of it burst out of the showerhead. By now she had gotten used to what Misao called 'showers'.

As she stepped in her body shivered when the hot water touched her skin. She closed her eyes and raised her arms, raking her fingers through her wet locks of hair.

Love.

She sighed. How was she to know if she was in love or not? How can one really know?

Misao seemed to be so sure though, Kenshin too…but she just didn't know.

Maybe it was because she wasn't human, but she loved the sea. But did she love Kenshin?

There was something about him that made her want to stay by his side, but at the same time want to push him away.

He was of the kind who took away her parents. He was of the kind she hated and yet…

She sighed again as she turned off the water, stepping out of the shower. The large bathroom was filled with steam.

Distractedly she shrugged on a soft white robe and toweled her long hair dry. Funny how accustomed she was becoming to these human things.

As she stepped out of the bathroom into her room she found Kenshin lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Kenshin?" she asked, putting down the towel.

He sat up quickly, eyeing her. "I'm sorry, I just…"

The old Kaoru would have screamed, thrown stuff, gotten mad. But this Kaoru simply smiled slightly and sat down next to him. "It's okay. You didn't peek, did you?"

"N-no."

"Kenshin…" her tone turned serious as she took on a troubled expression. "You say you love me, but how can you tell?"

He looked surprised for a moment, but he soon recovered and smiled gently. Placing his hands on her shoulders he pressed his forehead against hers, gazing deeply into her eyes.

"I feel happier with you." He kissed her gently, nuzzling her cheek.

"I can't stop thinking of you." Slowly he pushed her down, stroking her cheek tenderly.

"And whenever I'm around you I act different, I act like myself." He brushed his fingers across her lips.

Kaoru said nothing for a long moment. She reached up and touched his cheek gently, mimicking his actions. "Then I think…no…I know that I'm in love with you too." She whispered the last part as if afraid to say it.

Then she smiled, her sea blue eyes dancing. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up, kissing him firmly yet gently.

0o0o0

Joh: Short but sweet. Right?

Sorry I can't answer reviews, I'm running low on time here.

Thank you to all those who reviewed, it encouraged me to write!

Review please.

-Joh