Hey guys! I'm back with the third chapter - I tried to make it longer than the past chapters because I know how frustrating it is when you read a really good, yet short chapter. SO! I hope you enjoy this chapter~ Reviews are appreciated! :]

Note: If you look at my profile, it says that my stories will not have OC's unless they are minor. However I am making an exception for this story! He's only here for [I'm not gonna spill the beans!] but like I said, this is my one exception.

Now, please enjoy this short chapter. :]

CHAPTER THREE

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It was dark; The only light to guide his feet was the emanating from the full moon. If anyone had been out walking on that night, they would have sensed the pure anger radiating from the simple wanderer. In the back of Kenshin's mind, he wondered if he could stop himself from killing this time. He had been able to stop himself countless times before, but this time his very last nerve was being pinched. This time, would he be able to stop himself from slaughtering Kaoru's kidnapper? The saddest part, he knew, was that he didn't care. That this time the only thing that could possible stop his hands was the young woman's eyes. She alone had the power to stop his deepest anger. But would it be enough this time?

Kenshin's legs slowly came to a walk as he neared the river. If he has hurt Kaoru, I swear I will never let him see the light of day. He looked at his own reflection in the clear, rippling water, and followed the bank until he saw a figure in his view. As he got closer, he saw another figure, tied to a tree behind the first person. "Kaoru..." he whispered. Angrily he began walking faster, until he was close enough to see their faces. Kaoru was, as he knew, tied to the tree. What he didn't know, however, is that she had an ugly blue and black bruise on her jaw. There were tears in her once pretty kimono, and her hair was full of leaves. Kenshin's eyes hardened when he turned to the next figure. The man was tall, with a square jaw and a nasty scar running down his left temple.

"Ryota."

"Finally, Battousai. For a while I wasn't so sure you would come for your woman. You must love her very much." He leaned down to the unconscious woman, tracing her jaw slowly with his finger. Kenshin's eyes flashed.

"Get away from her," he growled.

Ryota chuckled. "Why should I? I mean, you're obviously incapable of loving her the way I can. She was, after all, crying when I happened upon her."

Kenshin's heart clenched. I knew she would take it harshly, but was she really crying for so long? Kaoru, forgive me... I never meant to hurt you. His amber eyes watched as the finger went from her jaw to her lips, and his temper exploded. His hand grasped his sakabato so tightly his knuckles were turning white. "Ryota. Fight me now. She has nothing to do with our past."

The taller man frowned at him. "You took away my past, present, and future. I see fit to do the same to you."

Kenshin growled in frustration. "I have been telling you for all these years, it wasn't me who started that fire. I tried to save her-"

"Shut up!" Ryota snarled. He ran a calloused hand through his greasy hair. "Why were there burns on your arms then? From where she grabbed you and you pushed her back down into the fire?!"

"She let go, Ryota!" Kenshin yelled. "There was nothing I could do - she was already dead!" Silence filled their ears as neither men moved. The river's rushing suddenly sounded like the loudest thing either had ever heard. The older man began walking forward slowly, carefully. He held his hands up and tried to plead with him. "Ryota, I swear to you-"

"I don't want to hear it," the man hissed. Suddenly he drew his sword and rushed at Kenshin, who easily whipped to the side. He drew his own sakabato and got the man in the back of the knees, making him fall to the ground. Angrily Ryota rose, wiping the side of his mouth with his sleeve. His eyes glared in the dim light, focusing only on the redhead. "How can I forgive something like that? How can I simply let her go and accept that the only man able to save her got to her too late? How?!" In frustration he rushed at Kenshin again, his sword missing the man by barely an inch. He turned on his heel to see Kenshin taking his defense stance. He let out an angry cry, and raised his sword to kill. With god-like speed the wanderer shot forward and jabbed Ryota in the stomach with the hilt of his own sword.

Ryota knelt to the ground in pain. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and into the green blades of grass beneath his feet. Tears clouded his eyes as he stood, pain throbbing and flowing through his abdomen. He gritted his teeth, sucking in a harsh breath and glaring up at the older man. "Why do you haunt me so?"

A deep violet color began to thread through the gold in Kenshin's narrowed eyes, and he felt his chest tighten with pity, and sorrow. "She loved you, Ryota. I will never forgive myself to letting her arms go that night, that I won't. But it has been so many years... Instead of spending the rest of your life in pain, live with the hope that you will see her again someday. And until that day, with the hope that you will find someone to spend the rest of your earthly life with."

Ryota stood at full height now, his anger wavering. "How can I let her go?" His voice was filled with misery. "She was the only one who accepted me, who cared for me." He shook with an unexpressed emotion, his fists clenching and unclenching with every breath. "Why are you allowed to be happy, yet I am not?"

Kenshin looked over to Kaoru. Her breathing was ragged. He wanted to get her to Megumi to make sure there wasn't anything seriously wrong. "Ryota. I do not want her to die. She is my life now. I understand how badly you must want to take her away from me, but try to see. If this situation was reversed, would you not be begging for Saiyuki's life? Would you not try to barter with me, for me to spare her life so that her innocence would not be disturbed? If not for me, or for Kaoru, then for Saiyuki." He paused, watching the man's eyes widen and dart to the river. "Please, this one begs of you."

The other man looked up in surprise. "Love," he said sadly, "is pain." He watched a fish jump up out of the water and flop back in, the ripples mesmerizing him. "I guess, I would rather have you suffer than end your pain quickly." He turned and began walking away. Kenshin rushed towards the young woman, still bound to the tree and unconscious. "Battousai!" he barked. Kenshin looked up in surprise, standing defensively in front of Kaoru. Ryota, with a small, bitter smile, murmured into the night air. "Don't take advantage of happiness."

The redhead nodded, his eyes soft. "Never." He turned his attention to untying the beautiful woman in front of him. When he stood, Kaoru safely in his arms, the two of them were alone.

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"She's resting now."

Kenshin stood. "How is she?"

Megumi smiled. "She's fine. Besides the bruise and a few scratches, she's absolutely alright. I can't say when she'll wake up, but it won't be too long. If you like you can sit with her while I tend to the morning patients."

"Thank you, Megumi-dono." Kenshin's voice was flooded with appreciation, which showed everyone in the room how close he was to taking that final step. Yahiko had been worried when Kenshin had returned to the dojo to wake him. He had insisted on going to see her. Sano had stopped by that morning, hoping for a free meal, but after finding no one home he went to beg off of Megumi. There was where he found the occupants of the dojo.

Kenshin entered the room quietly, as to not disturb the beauty in front of him. He slowly sank to his knees, placing his sakabato next to him. You saved my soul from another stain on my hands, Kaoru. I will do whatever it takes to repent, especially if it means keeping you safe. He watched the young woman for close to an hour before her sapphire eyes finally began to flutter open. Her lips were parted and her cheeks flushed. Her breath was coming out in small pants, as if she was slowly realizing what had happened.

"Kenshin!"

Her eyes snapped open, blinded by the light of day. She groaned. Why do my muscles ache so bad? Where am... I?

"Kaoru, this one is here."

She turned her head to see the swordsman sitting next to her, his red hair glinting in the light. At first, she was delighted to see him, ready to ask him the questions floating around in her head. Then she remembered. The diary, his confession, that man... She froze, suddenly feeling the sting on her jaw. Her fingers itched to reach up and touch him, but she was still upset. It wasn't fair, he had saved her. But was it fair of him to take her personal thoughts? Her mind made up, she closed her eyes to avoid his curious gaze. "Am I well enough to go home?"

"Yes, Kaoru. Megumi-dono says there is nothing seriously wrong. You are free to leave when you are ready."

Kaoru noted the dropped honorific, but said nothing to it. "Then I would like to get dressed, if you don't mind." Her voice held a hint of anger, but she covered it well. Kenshin simply stood and turned to leave. "I will be waiting with the others outside."

With that he left the room. Kaoru waited until she could no longer hear his footsteps, and began to dress herself. She would be alright. If I just pretend he never read it... That he never saw how I feel about it... Then it can go back to normal. With a sad frown, she finished dressing and shook her head a bit.

What if I don't want it to go back to normal?

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They group returned to the dojo, silent for the most part. Megumi had promised to drop by later, hinting to Kaoru that she wanted to talk. Kaoru had simply told her she was welcome anytime. It's a little chilly out today. Kaoru smiled sadly to herself. She should have been happier that everyone was safe, and no one was harmed by the man who took her. But with everything that had happened, it was pretty impossible for her to simply forget about it. She sighed lightly and walked a little faster when she saw the dojo gate. Home... Maybe a nice cup of tea will help my mood. In the back of her mind, she knew it wouldn't. But it was good to have hope.

She briskly walked into the kitchen, not stopping when Kenshin called her name. She began to boil water, waiting and leaning against the counter. As much as she wanted to forgive him, how could she? There was a part of her who knew that she shouldn't be making such a big deal out of it - it was a silly notebook. But in the same aspect, it was a silly notebook with all her personal thoughts, dreams, and emotions spread out on paper. It was the point of it all - it was hers and it shouldn't have been opened.

You know it's not because it's yours. It's because you confided in that silly notebook all of your childish feelings and dreams about Kenshin. Because he read it, and it won't be the same now. You're afraid of how he'll treat you now...

Kaoru scrunched up her face. That was all true. She didn't want things to change, and yet... She did. She was alright with the way things were, however there had always been that barrier between Kenshin and herself. No matter how hard she tried to comfort him, to tell him that she was there for him, to assure him that she didn't care about what he'd done in the past - it was always there. Of course there had been times that he had opened up a bit; For instance, she knew that he had been in love before, married before, had been deeply hurt before. She knew that he felt so awful about his sins he had banished his past, and attempted every day to make up for the horrors he had caused during the war. But no matter how much she managed to drag from his lips, it was never to be. He would never trust her the way she wanted.

And she knew no matter how much she pretended, she would never be able to stop loving him.

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"I hope Kaoru is alright. She hasn't come out of her room all day."

Kenshin observed the young boy. Yahiko had certainly grown, in body and mind. He didn't show it most of the time, but he really cared about Kaoru. He was always ready to defend her, and was even starting to use his insults less - though he would probably always call her 'busu' out of affection. Or perhaps just to rile her up for a fight.

"I think we should go see if she is alright..."

"I think I should go and see her." The group of men turned to the woman doctor who had just arrived. She shut the shoji behind her and entered quietly.

"Megumi-dono, it's nice of you to drop by."

The older woman brushed her hair over her shoulder and smiled. "Yes well, I figured I could stop by and sample some of Ken-san's fantastic cooking?"

The swordsman rose and nodded his head. "Of course, Megumi-dono. Supper will be ready shortly." He walked into the kitchen, three pairs of eyes watching him.

The lady doctor simply walked towards Kaoru's room. "I'll make sure she eats supper. Please don't bother us." She padded away softly. Sano and Yahiko simply stared after her.

Megumi called out Kaoru's name. "Kaoru? May I come in?" She heard a soft answer and slipped inside. She looked down at the younger woman sitting against the wall with her shoji open, looking out into the yard. Megumi softly sat down beside her. The two women sat in silence for a while, before Megumi finally spoke.

"What's wrong with you?"

Kaoru sighed and didn't tear her eyes away from the yard. "It's nothing, Megumi. I don't want to talk about it."

"Well I'm sorry, but you're going to have to." Kaoru looked up sharply at her. "It's my duty as your doctor, and your friend, that you are physically and emotionally okay. So," she whispered, showing an unusual display of friendship. "What happened when you were kidnaped?"

Kaoru opened her mouth, then shut it. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them frowned. "It isn't what happened while I was his captive. It's what happened before..." Megumi kept silent, staring at her. Kaoru took a deep breath and sighed. "Kenshin... Found my personal notebook... Oh Megumi!" Kaoru cried, bringing her hands to her face. "The things I wrote in there! All of my thoughts, my feelings, my dreams! It's so embarrassing! He must think me a fool now."

"What were your dreams about, Kaoru?"

The other woman blushed, looking away. "Megumi... I am not an... experienced woman. I dream of... having a husband, and a child. Someday I want those things." Flushed, Kaoru whispered, "Not someday. I want those things soon."

"I understand, Kaoru. You wrote down your sexual dreams." At Kaoru's embarrassed howl, she patted her hand. "It's okay, Kaoru. It's natural for a woman of your age to want to know more about those things. I assume you want Ken-san in this way, do you not?" Kaoru mumbled a small ...Yes and Megumi smiled at her softly. "I know I'm usually a crude woman, Kaoru, but let me tell you that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Ken-san is an older man, he knows about these things. If nothing else comes from this, he now knows you are no longer a young girl, but a blossoming woman who yearns for care and attention."

Kaoru looked into her eyes, confused. "If nothing else...?"

Megumi sighed. "You love him, don't you?"

"W-Well yes..."

"And now he knows it. Take it as this - if he loves you back, he will bring it up. Knowing Kenshin, if he does not return your feelings, he will simply try to avoid you for a while, and hope things will return to normal. If he does return your feelings, then hopefully he will try to make a move."

Kaoru's eyes shone softly, her face bright with a newfound hope. "Do you think?"

"Of course I do. I am, after all, an experienced woman."

"Megumi!"

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Kenshin finished bringing out the food and setting it on the table. He was still worried - they had been in there for so long, and a couple times had heard yelling from one of them. Hopefully Megumi wasn't tiring Kaoru out; She needed her rest after all that had happened. While waiting for the women to come out - he had sent Sano to tell them the meal was ready - he began to think about his now most important problem. How was he to admit to Kaoru his feelings? I don't even know if she'll forgive me for reading her personal thoughts... She hasn't spoken to me since she woke up. His eyes were clouded with apprehension, a small frown plastered on his face.

Megumi then walked in, dragging Kaoru gently into the room. "Now, let's eat, okay? The food all looks so delicious Ken-san!" She sat down and pulled the younger woman down next to her, handing her a bowl of rice. "Eat, Kaoru." The woman, silent, took the bowl and began to eat slowly. She seemed a little better, but was still so quiet. Sano and Yahiko got into a small dispute over the last pickle, which while they were fighting each other over Megumi plucked off the plate and put into Kaoru's bowl. Kaoru smiled her thanks, and gulped it down, grinning at the two boys. After that, however, it was back to silence. Nobody said anything for a while, before Kenshin couldn't take the silence. He couldn't stop himself from glancing at Kaoru every few seconds. Her hair was up again - most likely Megumi's doing - and shining in the light. Her eyes were shining, not as much as usual but more then they had earlier that morning. She had a bit of color in her cheeks again, and for that Kenshin was grateful. But he could sense negative feelings coming from her, and couldn't keep quiet.

"Kaoru, will you forgive me?"

The quiet murmur was loud enough for everyone to hear. Kaoru's hand froze as she was bringing food to her mouth. She didn't look at him, but instead closed her eyes.

"There is nothing to forgive, Kenshin."

Slowly she continued eating, which put everyone else at ease, though Kenshin stared at her. Eventually she opened her sapphire eyes and stared straight back into his violet ones. He couldn't look away, and it seemed that neither could she. For a moment the two of them were frozen in time, lost in each other's gazes. Finally, Kaoru looked away, feeling a heat rush through her that she couldn't ignore. She put her bowl down and smiled at everyone. "I am tired, so I think I'm going to bed. Thank you, Megumi." She bowed her head and rose to her feet, thanking Kenshin for the good food before making her way back to her bedroom.

Yahiko frowned. "She gonna be okay?"

Megumi put her bowl down. "She will be, I promise."

Kenshin simply stared after the woman he was truly, madly in love with. Can I tell you before it's too late?

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