Hey everyone! :] I'm back with another chapter! I hope I can keep this going, I love writing this fic. :3 Enjoy!

CHAPTER TWO

It was early morning. A cool breeze floated through Kenshin's red strands of hair as he sat on the dojo porch watching the birds search for their meal. He was calm. His sakabato rested lightly against his shoulder, a comfortable position for him. Deep thought was common for one such as himself, but this morning his thoughts were a bit scattered. He still hadn't decided how to bring up such a sensitive topic to Kaoru. What would she think of him when she found out that he had read her personal notebook? She would be very upset. Would she even want to listen to him after that? How could he bring it up without setting off red flags? Perhaps it was unavoidable... Kenshin sighed softly as he heard the person who was haunting his thoughts begin to set her bed away. What if... He suddenly smiled. Perfect.

"Good morning Kenshin."

The swordsman smiled and rose from his position. "Good morning Miss Kaoru, that it is." He observed the young woman as she fiddled with her hands a bit.

"Kenshin..." she paused a bit. "Have you seen a-"

"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru, but I must be on my way. I have some errands to run today, that I do."

"...Oh..." Kaoru's gaze fell. She mentally scolded herself. Kenshin wouldn't take my notebook. He's too much of a gentleman. "Okay." She forced herself to perk up a little bit. "Will I see you tonight?"

Kenshin smiled softly and nodded. "That you will, Miss Kaoru. Is there anything I can get you while in the marketplace?" The girl shook her head, eyes to the ground. "Well then, I must be on my way." And without another word spoken, he walked off. Kaoru looked after him, but said nothing. Instead she simply went to the kitchen to attempt to make breakfast.

Kaoru frowned to herself as she began taking out the things needed for tea. Her mind told her logically that Kenshin would never take her diary. It just wasn't the kind of man he was. But something felt a little off when she spoke to him. The way he interrupted her so abruptly... Like he was trying to get her off topic. She didn't want to believe he had taken it. And if he did she certainly didn't think he would read it. Sure, maybe he had read the first page to see who it belonged to, but he wouldn't go farther than that. He was... Well he was Kenshin! Maybe she had her standards too high, but he didn't seem like the type of man to take someone's personal property. For Kami's sake he still called her "Miss Kaoru", which irritated her to no end. They had been living together for such a long time now... No, it couldn't have been Kenshin. He was just too polite. And with her mind set and her hope replenished, she set to work making something similar to food.

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Kaoru trained with Yahiko for what seemed like hours, but in reality was barely one. Kaoru now had bumps and bruises all over. Not that they hurt much, but it was the fact of the matter. She couldn't get her mind together! The young boy could tell she wasn't in it, and openly said so. "What's wrong with you today? You're spacing out!"

Kaoru sighed, but shook her head. "Nothing, Yahiko. You haven't happened to see a small purple notebook around, have you?"

The boy frowned and shook his head. "No. Sorry busu." he said sarcastically. He could really tell she was occupied when she just nodded, not showing her usual violent comeback. Yahiko tried for a while to get her back to normal, but to no avail. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his stubborn black locks and tapped his cheek. His eyes lit up suddenly. "Hey Kaoru, why don't we go take Sano to see Megumi?"

Kaoru looked at him. She knew that he was trying to get her spirit back up, she felt bad for making him worry like that. Or maybe it was simply because he was bored with her... Maybe he was right though. An afternoon with friends was just what she needed to cheer up. "Sure." She gave him a small smile. "Thanks Yahiko."

The boy grinned devilishly. "For what, busu?" He grinned and began running when Kaoru raised her bokken. Aah, I'm good!

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Kenshin was in awe. There were so many! They were all so beautiful, how was he to pick one? There was blue, green, red, and even purple! How could he know what color she would like? The old woman who owned the stand smiled at him kindly, the bags under her eyes showing. "Looking for something special?" Kenshin nodded, lifting his head to look at her. "Wife? Girlfriend perhaps?"

Kenshin frowned. "Well, no. Well I mean, I'm hoping she will be..."

The old woman chuckled a bit. "I see. She must mean a lot to you." Again, he nodded. "May I point this piece out?" She pulled a box out from under the stand. "I've been waiting for you to come and get this. I think it will be what you are looking for." She opened the box, and Kenshin's eyes widened. It was... perfectly simple. A small sapphire set in white gold. It was small, simple, and completely Kaoru.

"It's perfect." He said simply. "How much?" He would work at the Akabeko to earn a little extra if he had to. He wanted Kaoru's eyes and smile to shine when she saw it. He wasn't an extravagant man, and he knew she liked simple things, however he also knew that when she went past the jewelry stands, Kaoru would stare and giggle with her girl friends about how pretty the gems were.

"For you, young man," she said, "I give it to you as a gift."

Kenshin held his hands up. "Oh no Ma'am, I couldn't."

The old woman smiled, her wrinkled face glowing with a sort of pride. "It is my gift to you, because I have seen what is to come of it. Take my gift, please. And promise me you will treat her right."

Kenshin's eyes were wide, but he accepted the gift nonetheless. "Thank you very much." He turned to leave, then said, "I promise she will have nothing but happiness." With that he walked off, to find what he needed next. The old woman smiled after him, watching the small but noticeable bounce in his step. She chuckled lightly. "Ah, love. So beautiful to watch bloom."

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Kaoru laughed with Yahiko and Sano as they made their way home. After the fun afternoon they had all shared, it was impossible not to be happy. Megumi's antics with Sano were hilarious, and the dinner was just what she needed to smile again. However, her mind still pulled at her a bit, not completely allowing her to forget the notebook. But for the moment, she was happy. She hadn't gotten the opportunity to ask Sanosuke about the notebook, but she planned on it later that night. With Megumi around she hadn't been able to catch a moment alone with him! She would though... She would.

When they arrived at the dojo, Sano and Yahiko ran inside, chasing each other in a mock fight. Those two were such children! She frowned, but shrugged it off with ease. She would catch him later - for now, she wanted to be alone. As she made her way to her room, a cool wind blew through her. She rubbed her arms to get rid of the goose bumps, then opened her door. Upon seeing what was lying neatly on the ground, she gasped sharply and ran to pick it up. There, lying where her futon would be, was her precious notebook, along with a note. She suspected it was an anonymous note from the person to stole it. She unfolded it angrily, and when seeing the writing let her mouth fall open. There was no mistaking that letter...

Miss Kaoru,

I wish to speak with you. Please meet me by the river under the bridge when you receive this note.

Nobody else wrote her name like that...

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Kenshin stared out at the water anxiously. He knew she would come, if not only for revenge. He had things planned out, and Kami he hoped things would turn out. Violet eyes looked up to the stars, and the man sighed softly. If it didn't turn out, what would happen? Could he stay? Would she allow him to stay? For the first time in his life, Kenshin could honestly say he was nervous over a woman. It wasn't as if Tomoe hadn't been important to him, but there was little romance involved. He hadn't had the chance to court her, and when it came to intimate moments she always led the way. He had only ever once had the courage to admit his love for someone. Kaoru was special, though, and he wanted everything to go perfectly. He wanted to sweep her off her feet, to hold her in his arms, to hear those words out of her mouth, to...

Well, there were some things that would most likely have to wait.

What am I thinking? I'm acting as though she's already agreed. He sighed softly again, closing his violet eyes. All he could see was her face, her soft smile, her deep blue eyes... The redhead listened calmly to the river flowing. The water was so peaceful...

"Kenshin."

The man's eyes widened, partly out of fear. He slowly turned around, calming himself before facing her. "Good evening, Miss Kaoru." Instead of finding anger, however, all he saw in her eyes was pain. She looked very upset. Her eyes were cloudy with tears, and her hands hung limply at her sides. He wished she would smile. Her beautiful smile was what gave him courage to move on and really live his life. He noticed she was breathing rather heavily. Her hair shone in the moonlight... I will make you smile Kaoru... Please allow me to make you smile...

"How could you?" Her voice was filled with sadness, a desperateness only a woman with a broken heart could muster. "Why, Kenshin?"

The redhead gave her a pleading look. "Please let me explain, Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru's eyes filled with tears. "Why?" she whispered. Before he could explain anything she ran off, one hand wiping the tears from her cheeks and the other fisted to her heart. Her raven locks flew out behind her and her sobs filled the swordsman's ears. He called out to her, but decided to let her run. His heart ached, but he told himself she may just need time. Kaoru was a sweet, forgiving woman. He would do everything he could to apologize. Hopefully he could reveal his gift to her under happier circumstances. Kenshin stared out at the water for a while, before heading to the dojo to await Kaoru's return. He didn't remember the last time he so desperately wanted someone to be happy.

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After what felt like hours of running, Kaoru's body stopped. She sank to her knees against a tree and panted. Things will never work now. He'll leave me. I'll be all alone again, without him. I can't believe he read all those things! Those dreams... Oh Kami why? The young woman felt like crying again. Her heart slowed to a normal rhythm. The sky was dark, not even the moon could shine through the thick grey clouds. Her blue eyes flickered with sadness as a single firefly floated past her cheek. Maybe if I go to sleep... Tomorrow I'll talk with him. I don't like being angry with him. But of all the people, why Kenshin? He's always such a gentleman!

Sighing lightly, Kaoru rose from the ground. She felt a little unsteady on her feet at first, but with each step she took felt a little better. The cool wind rushed through her hair. The woman frowned. Why do I feel so-?! A hand clapped over her mouth, and an arm around her waist to constrict her arms. "Mmph!!" Her body was cold with fear as a low, growling voice hissed in her ear. "I've finally got you. Let's see how Battousai handles it when his woman is in my hands!" Kaoru suddenly felt weak. What's happening? Ken... shin... He... Her body fell limp. The attacker chuckled lowly. "You will not escape me. Battousai."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Kenshin reached the dojo gates. He was quiet, hoping to reach his room without waking anyone. Perhaps Kaoru was home by now. He imagined her sleeping, her beautiful black hair spread out on her pillow, her calm breathing, her peaceful face... How desperately he wished to see that vision with his own two eyes. He smiled lightly at the thought, but frowned when he reached the front gate. There was a note wedged between the two doors. The swordsman pulled it out and read, anger filling his eyes with each word. A deep gold seeped slowly into his normally violet eyes, hate rushing through his veins. He crumpled the paper with a fist, staring at nothing in particular. I swear to you Kaoru, this is the last time you will ever be taken from me. Never again will I let this happen. Never! He began running, his fists clenched tightly and his eyes filled to the brim with golden anger. The note floated to the ground in the cool wind, forgotten.

I have taken the Kamiya woman.

If you do not meet me by the river where you spoke to her, she will be returned to you in pieces.

You have until dawn.

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Remember to review please! Reviews make Rachi very happy, that they do! :3