Author's note: This is a rather lengthy chapter. When I first started it, I had a hard time writing it but as I moved along, I had another problem, I had hard time ending the chapter. So, I hope that this chapter will not be too lengthy and boring for reader. And be warned that both Kenshin and Kaoru will be acting a little weird in this chapter – for a reason.

Because I have not been updating promptly,please take notethat this chapter sets offimediately after Kenshin asked Kaoru whether she would like to talk a walk (in previous chapter)

Thank you nes for reviewing my piece before it goes public. Sorry for making you review such a long chapter.

Disclamer: I do not own any character in Rurounin Kenshin. I just borrowed them to improve my vocabulary and grammar.

Mars Meets Venus

Kaoru strolled along the pathway, eye lids shut and her arms stretched all out in front of her, enjoying the breezy wind caressing softly her face and hair. The wind had lent a helping hand at drying her thick damp hair that was cascading down her back. Earlier back in the apartment, she didn't have time to dry her hair thoroughly as she would have liked. Or rather she did not allow herself time to dry her hair as she was all too thrilled and ready to go for her evening walk with Kenshin. It was funny how certain things you will never get tired of or surfeited even if you have been doing it just every other night. The law of diminishing marginal satisfaction certainly did not apply in this context – Kaoru evening walk with no other than Kenshin.

Kaoru had still kept her eyes closed. She need not look by her side to feel Kenshin's strong presence walking closely beside her – which was what mattered most. Even if, in Kaoru's opinion, within the one month of their stay together, they had yet to make any progress beyond their everlasting friendship, she was contented just being near him. His mere presence overwhelmed her to an extent that she could not describe.

Kenshin was gazing at her scrupulously, not wanting to miss a single movement nor detail as she slowly set free a dreamy smile with her eyes shut. Reflexively, he slowly gave out a small smile from the corner of his lips. 'What's in her mind right now?' He heard himself asking inwardly.

As Kaoru slowly released the breath that she had been long holding in her lungs, she sensed Kenshin's gaze upon herself. Wanting to meet him in the eyes, she opened hers and turned to Kenshin. "Hm? What?" She asked with a sweet smile that would probably melt Kenshin, like how a marshmallow melts in the centre when barbequed, if it wasn't for his strong restraint.

"Nothing." Kenshin shook his head and returned her smile simultaneously. He casually turned his head and looked ahead with the smile on his face been wiped off by the brushing wind.

Kaoru was rather disappointed that Kenshin had turned away from her. Her mind was telling her emotion off for impatiently having her eyes wide opened and turned to look at him. Otherwise she would have enjoyed the sensuality under his gaze.

Presently, all she got was the left hand side of Kenshin's cheek staring plainly at her. 'Come to think of it, this is not such bad idea. At least I get a closer look at one side of his face.' She consoled her herself. It would be a good opportunity to observe Kenshin's well defined features. She had resisted the urged to fix her eyes on him during dinner or any other time while they were together in the apartment. Sano's presence being the major constraint to her heart felt desire - she would not want to be caught dead by Sano for staring dreamingly at Kenshin's good looks. Neither would she have wanted Kenshin catching her in act as well. She would not think by shoving her head into the toilet bowl would ever save her from the utmost embarrassment if she was to be caught idolizing Kenshin by either of them. It was best to play safe – don't look at all.

After walking for approximately ten footsteps, she sighed mutely and looked up to the sky lighted by hundreds little wishing stars after losing all hope of Kenshin turning his head to eye her again. Another five footsteps before she felt, though physically he was just besides her but he seemed to be out of her reach, confined within the four walls his own.

'He is awfully quiet tonight. What is he thinking? I hope that it has nothing to do with me. It wouldn't be good if he is thinking of me with that expression on his face. Jeez…I am contradicting myself. Here I wish for him to think of me day and night and now, I do not want to be the subject of his thoughts.' She stole a glance at him again before she thought of a plan to confirm her intuition.

Kaoru slowed down her already torpid walk, falling three steps behind Kenshin on purpose. Under normal circumstances, he would have realized that he was walking ahead of her and; he would stop, turn around and wait for her catch up with him with a welcoming smile. However, on this night, he didn't seem to realize that she was actually walking with him!

'O…kay. Something is definitely playing in his mind? But what? He seemed alright when he got home from work. He was still good during dinner…. until he was nearly choked to death on my food….. when I announced that I will be repainting the apartment. Erm… it wouldn't have anything to do with me repainting the apartment, I hope.'

'Who are you kidding? Of course it has to do with you! You, acting as if you were really the mistress of the apartment, went on announcing that you will be repainting. Announcing? Not seeking permission from Kenshin, the official owner of the apartment but went on selfishly making decision for your own sake. Think of what Aoshi's reaction would be if you were to announce that exact same thing to him?' Kaoru was debating herself. She could almost hear and feel her body hair stand up to Aoshi's vocal hissing her name in annoyance and irritation. She shook her head from the imaginative Aoshi. 'Aoshi is not here. So, no need to freak out'

'Shouldn't he at least appreciate your effort to re-paint the apartment? Seriously, the apartment needs some colours. And it's for free! And you are not even asking him to help out. You are doing this out of goodwill! What right does he has to be angry or annoyed or whatever that is written on his face right now!" Another voice in her head remarked. Involuntarily both her lips were slowly protruding out more than it should, piercing onto one another with her arms folded close to her chest.

Kenshin was pondering over what Sano had said earlier while trying to ignore or rather momentarily erase the image of Kaoru's mesmerizing expression being caressed by the wind. He preferred to have the image replaying his theatrical mind when he was in the comfort of his bed where no one could see the expression that crossed his face every time he thought of Kaoru. For the moment, he wished to concentrate on touching sensitive grounds with Kaoru – her boredom. He had given his thinking cap one last try, before he hit the wall and had to call Tae for guidance. He felt uneasy having to consult Tae on this matter. Having to consult which also meant having to explain Kaoru's presence in which, for a reason that was apparent to him, he wasn't keen, even to Tae.

"What…." did you do today? Kenshin intended to ask as he turned to his side where Kaoru was supposedly walking beside him. He stopped his path, turned his head left right and backward searching anxiously for Kaoru. He found her dragging her feet like a snail behind him with her eyes fixed on the ground. He immediately noticed her intimidating body language and twitched his eyebrows together. "Is she angry at me for walking ahead of her?" He was surprised that he did not realize that he had paced up his walking, thus leaving Kaoru behind. He mentally kicked himself for being such an un-charming fool.

Her arms felt back to her side and her lips curled upwards the moment she heard, "Kaoru…?", forgetting the issue that was hovering in her head just seconds ago.

Relieved washed over Kenshin as he watched her pacing up next to him. Regardless he couldn't help wonder what she thought about moments ago. 'Well, at least it is not me that she is mad at'

"So, what did you do today?" He asked again, this time managing to complete his question. He had thought that he should at least build up the conversation slowly instead of jumping straight into the fire pit. He was also hoping to find out what had upset her a while ago.

"Hm… The usual – clean the house, cooking, pacing around the house. Just like any other day…" Little did Kaoru realize that she actually sold herself out– she was indeed bored with her current lifestyle. It was rather easy to read Kaoru through the monotonous low tone that her voice box emitted and her facial expression that practically stamped 'I am bored' on her forehead.

"Except….." Kaoru was weighing the idea of telling Kenshin about Aoshi's visit.

"Except? Did something happen today?" His voice grew a bit anxious. At the back of Kenshin's mind, he knew it wasn't something that he should worry about since the day has passed and she was walking besides him in one piece.

"No, it is nothing like that. It was just that Aoshi dropped me a visit today" Kaoru's eyes sparkled at the notion. Kenshin remained impassive and quiet.

Noting that Kenshin was not going to ask her further questions, Kaoru asked "Aren't you going to ask me who Aoshi is?"

"Ah?" Kenshin staggered at her question and blinked profusely. Kaoru couldn't resist rolling her eye at Kenshin's stupor and sighed. 'What so weird about asking me the question? Doesn't he want to know who Aoshi is? How could I tell him if he doesn't ask?'

Kenshin couldn't quiet comprehend why Kaoru had waited for him to ask the question. 'Couldn't she just tell me without me asking?' "If you wish to tell me…" He finally said after a long pause.

''If you wish to tell me'! What does that mean? He doesn't really want to know but because I put him on the spot and wanted to tell him who Aoshi is, he had no choice but to listen? Here I was contemplating hard on whether or not should I tell him about Aoshi and when I have made up my mind to tell him, I find him not really interested to know… goodness! I feel like an idiot.' Kaoru turned away from Kenshin, looking down to her hands, reconsidering her decision.

Kenshin had thought that Kaoru was taking too long to response, therefore he gave in to Kaoru's peculiar request and asked, "Who is Aoshi?" For some unknown reason, he felt ridiculous having to ask the question.

"Do you really want to know?" Kaoru needed his confirmation. She didn't want to torture him into listen to her just because she wanted to tell him.

At this point, Kenshin mentally shook his head in confusion. 'I did ask her, didn't I? Why would she think that I don't really want to know when I have already asked her?

"Why would you think that I am not interested to know? Was it something I said?" Kenshin mentally rewound their earlier conversation, trying to detect the error in his speech.

"You gave me the impression that you weren't interested to know who Aoshi is. I mean if you really wanted to know, you would have asked me about him rather than me prompting you to ask me. I don't want to tell you about Aoshi just because I wanted to tell you. I want to tell you because you wanted to know…" She explained in simplicity.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Kenshin apologized. He remembered Sano's word of wisdom in dealing with the female specie "Whatever it is, apologize first. You can think about what you did wrong later but most of the time, it doesn't really matter because you can never figure it out."

"So, you are saying that you actually want to know who Aoshi is?" There was some eagerness in her tone.

Kenshin nodded and was grateful that he had actually paid attention to Guru Sano's philosophy on women as Kaoru's cheerful expression lighten the air surrounding them.

"Aoshi is my brother. Well, we are not related by blood but he had been taking care of me, like how a brother would, since my father past away when I was four years old. My father died of sickness which I was too young to remember what exactly it was, leaving me to the care of Asako-san & Hikaru-san - Aoshi's parents." Kenshin saw a slight spark of sadness portrayed in her eyes as she spoke of her late father. However, that spark of sadness was immediately replaced by the spark of joy and attachment as she spoke further, "Aoshi is a prodigy in world of business. I am sure that you have heard of him before – Shinomori Aoshi, the person behind the infamous Aoiya International Hotel? Heard of him?" She asked eagerly as if she was showing off her glorious trophy.

Kenshin nodded, "I read about him in the papers". Kaoru was right. Shinomori Aoshi's biography was remarkable, so Kenshin was told by the media press. Hiko himself, who hardly praises any single individual, had spoken of Aoshi with high regards.

"He was only 16 when he took over the family business after his parents died from a fatal road accident." Kaoru continued. "At that time, everyone thought that the hotel business would be going six feet down under together with his parents. He shocked the world when he managed to turn the hotel which was one step from announcing its bankruptcy to the one of Japan's most renowned hotel today. And he was only 16! Can you imagine what it would take for a 16 year old teenager to convince the bank to give the hotel the leverage for it to turnover!" As she excitedly exclaimed, Kenshin was leading them to the nearest wooden bench where they sat with their back facing the apartment block.

"….It was almost impossible! But Aoshi did it. Of course he had assistance from Okina but it was Aoshi that made the difference. Okina was good but he was in no position to deal with the bank as he was just a mere employee, not even the trustee then. Oh… Okina is also the housekeeper for the Shinomori, just so you know. Aoshi is simply… how should I put it… erm… just simply brilliant. The way he carries himself is enough to confide you to turn to his allies. He is so damn gorgeous" Kaoru looked up to the sky to realize just how welcoming the dark blue sky was greeting them from above.

Again, Kenshin noticed how her eyes had illuminated with so much live and energy when she spoke of Aoshi. He saw how Kaoru look into the sky with a gentle smile emerging from the corner of her lips, lost in her own world of thought.

"You are very fond of him, aren't you?" He couldn't help asking. He wanted to know but could not look her in the eyes to seek the answer himself. He just stared at his own clasping hands, both his elbows resting on his lap.

Kaoru turned away from the night view and looked at Kenshin. "Of course I am fond of him. He is my brother. I am proud to have him as a brother"

"But you're not really his sister…" Kenshin trailed off, unsure of how he should direct his query without sounding too personal. He was still admiring his pair of hands.

Kaoru's eyebrows raised questioningly. 'Do I smell a scent of jealousy here?' Before she could slap the back of his head and call him silly, she spoke, "Did you know that Aoshi is engaged? Nah… you probably wouldn't know since the media doesn't know it. You'll probably be surprised to know exactly who he is engaged to." She smirked slightly.

Kenshin didn't quite like the way she had said it. It holds too much surprise. Though it was ridiculous, he was rather afraid to discover whom Aoshi was engaged to.

"Aoshi is engaged to the last descendant of Makimachi."

'Makimachi? Well…. Makimachi it is...' He sighed in relief, nearly smiled. However, his sub-conscious self reckoned that scare he just gave himself was totally uncalled for as he knew that it was highly unlikely that a certain Kamiya girl would be engaged to a certain hotel owner. 'Makimachi……. Where have I heard that name before?'

Kaoru saw how he was trying to jog his memory at the mentioned name. "Makimachi Misao" She eased him.

"Misao is engaged to him! Never would occur to me that she is engage. She never did mention it" Kenshin straighten his hunched back and finally managed looked at Kaoru in surprise. Personally, he had thought that their profile was not one would call a perfect match. He would have thought that a man such as Aoshi would go for model type of girls. No offence to Misao, but she did seemed to be far too short for a six footer. He had thought that Misao would find someone that matched her happy-go-lucky character or at least enjoy talking as much she did- Aoshi was well known for his stoic and cold attitude, as termed by the media. Then again, love was blind, but on whose part, he was not sure.

"Yes. That is probably the only thing that Misao is capable of keeping silent about. They have been engage for two years now. Because of his stature, the engagement was kept very silent. He didn't want to the whole world to harass his fiancée. He thought that it was a private affair and thus, it shall maintain private. He is not very fond of the media." She casually explained.

"Misao, like me, lost her parents when she was young. Asako-san & Hikaru-san were family friends of the Makimachi, hence they took care of her. Actually, half of shares of Aoiya Hotel International belong to the Makimachi. Just that Shinomori had been running the show, so Makimachi remained hidden behind the shadow. Misao and I both grew up together in the same house. Aoshi have to constantly keep an eye on us, to make sure we stay out of trouble. After their death, Aoshi was like both father and mother to us. He was very protective over us to the extent none of us would bear it. He was stricter with his house rule and discipline to compare to Asako-san, Hikaru-san and Okina added together. Knowing me and Misao, we would not bend easily to his unreasonable rule. I would say that as much as Misao and I had a tough time with him, he had tougher time taking care of us. But we were happy together, like a family. Now that Aoshi and Misao are getting married, it would really bond the family ties. I am so happy for them. I love them both dearly." At the word 'family' her thoughts drifted to her deceased parents, her mood and expression took a sharp turn.

"They say blood is thicker than water but I sometimes think otherwise. I can hardly remember how my parents look like. My mother died when I was one and my father followed her to heaven a few years later. They say that he had died of grievance. At times I thought that was really romantic, mourning for the death of his wife, my mother, in such passion. Other times I refuse to believe he did so because then I would think that he did not love me enough to live for my sake." She smiled remorsefully looking at the infinite sky.

"I feel more for the Shinomoris, Misao and Okina than I can feel for my parents. I was too young to relive the time I had with them, too young to remember anything at all. I don't hold any memory of my own of them but only memories as told by others who have witnessed their living. I wish that I had a chance to know them better…." She trailed off, tears threatening to form in her eyes.

Kenshin had kept very silence while she did all the talking. He was observing her facial expression.

"I wonder if my parents are watching over me from above now, as we speak… It wouldn't be good to know that their only daughter had such ungrateful thoughts …" Her attention was caught by two very outstanding stars that were twinkling very brightly above her.

Kaoru suddenly felt ashamed and at the same time angry for feeling self pity. She was not alone in the world. She had the people at Aoiya who unconditionally cared dearly for her and most of all, she still had a blood related family member who was still very much alive and breathing – her grandfather. Though under circumstances, her grandfather could not personally take care of her, but she knew he loved her with all his mighty heart. She contemplated briefly whether or not should she tell Kenshin about her grandfather. Would it be too early to tell him? Suddenly, it had just occurred to her, after three years of knowing Kenshin, just how much did he knew about her, if Hiko had already known so much.

"You hardly tell me about your family background, Kaoru. I think this would be the first time." Kenshin had thought it was about time that he said something to change the subject slightly. He hated to see her upset but he couldn't turn back the clock to grant her wish to be with her parents nor could he say anything to change how she felt about her parents. He agreed with Kaoru that the bond between one human and another did not just center on blood ties but more of the time and interaction spent together.

"That's because you never asked." She smiled half heartedly. "I just thought that you might want to know me better. I mean, you would want to know more about the person that you are living with right?" In fact, she had wanted to tell him everything there was about her. 'Someday, perhaps…'

"The past doesn't really matter now. What matters more is the present time. Wouldn't you agree?" He felt. What was the past cannot be undone, he only had the present and the future to amend.

"True, what matters more now is indeed the present but it is our past that molded us to what we are today. Without the past there is no present. I mean, where will we all be without our past…" 'I wouldn't be here with you now if not for the past event' She looked at Kenshin hoping that he understood the underlying that she was trying to deliver but she doubted it.

"You never did tell me about yours anyway. I don't really know where you grew up, where are your parents and what do they do?" She realized she didn't know much about him except that he had a very powerful and influential uncle.

"That's because you never asked" He mocked her.

They both chuckled softly in amusement and at the some point of time, their eyes accidentally found their path to each other. Their chuckle slowly died down as both pair of eyes locked, searching within one another.

Slowly, Kenshin pushed his face closer toward Kaoru until the tips of their noses almost kissed with his eyes still boring into hers.

Kaoru felt a rush of blood surging underneath her face. She quickly turned away from Kenshin, facing the other side where Kenshin would not see her very flushed complexion.

'WHY THE HELL DID YOU PULL AWAY FOR!' Her mind was bellowing. She felt very hot in the face. 'I-I'm too nervous….' She answered herself. When she recollect what had just happen or what was about to happen, an unconscious foolish grin started to surface.

'Ok… ok. Calm down. Breathe Kaoru, breathe! The night is still young, we can start this all over again once you have calm down. We have all night. So, let's not make a fool out of our self.' She was biting her lower lips and she couldn't seem to stop grinning for obvious reasons. She took in a few deeper breaths to even out her breathing pattern. She was ready to turn to face Kenshin again and out of a sudden a gush of chilly wind blew from against her direction…

Kenshin was startled when she turned her face away very quickly. He was very confused over the whole matter. Did he just do something very wrong? Did he almost ruin their relationship or rather friendship? 'Why did she turn away from me? Why?' was Kenshin's biggest question mark.

He heard her heavy and uneven breathing with her back turned to him. Her hand was clutching the edge of the bench until her knuckle had turned white. He was about to tap on her shoulder, though he had yet to think of what exactly to say to her, he felt a few strain of her hair from her side caressed his face as the wind changed its course. Out of a sudden his nostril picked up a scent that was rather intoxicating, leaving him completely forgotten about the predicament that he was in …

Against his own will, he leaned closer towards Kaoru's back, to deeply inhale the very exotic scent that she was emitting. His hands were itching to touch her silky mane. Phantomlike, he ran his fingers on her hair until …"AH-CHOO! AH-CHOO!" The sound of Kaoru's sniffing nose had entirely pulled Kenshin from cloud nine down to reality land.

Kenshin jerked slightly before he placed his warm hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Kaoru? Are you cold?" He asked with extreme concern laying in his tone.

Kaoru turned to face him and before she could even answer his concern, she gave out another good loud sneeze. "Yeah, I am fine…" She sniffled and quickly dug into her pants pocket for some tissue. Thankfully, she found some and started to gently blowing her nose. Her mucus had been threatening to dribble down ward to her mouth. "Of all the times, why does it have to happen now? Even I feel gross to kiss myself now."

Kenshin saw she was still sniffling away and rose from his seat. "Come on, Kaoru. Let's go back. It is cold out here and you are catching a cold." He stood tall in front of her, gesturing her to stand up.

"Noooo… sniff I am not cold sniff and certainly not catching a cold sniff. It is a lovely night sniff and we just sniff got started sniff" She protested, unaware of her last four words with her bottom still warming the bench.

Kenshin listened to her sniffing and his tolerance level of 'Kaoru-might-get-sick' just hit the roof so much so that he didn't apprehend her underlying message. He wrapped his palm around her wrist and gently trying to pull her up. "Come on. Let's go. We can come back tomorrow."

"Kenshin…. It is a lovely evening. Let's stay a little while longer… please….. I am not cold." Kaoru refused to budge from her position.

Kenshin was still holding her wrist in the air when he noted that Kaoru was beginning to shiver slightly. Only then he realized that she was clad in just a baby-T. She was still pleading to him with her large eyes. He knew that she was one stubborn queen. Hence, desperate means called for desperate measures, he swiftly scooped her up from her sitting position into his strong arms and headed back to the apartment. He was mentally prepared to be hit at the head by Kaoru or having her screeching his name in his ears painfully. However, to his surprised, none of that came.

Kaoru was dumbstruck by his action and could not get herself to muster a single word. She could only stare stupidly at Kenshin's face with her mouth agape. Her ears had gone deaf along her other sensory being nullified. She could not longer hear the quietness of her surroundings nor feel the coldness that was sipping into her but only the erratic beating of her heart. She felt warmth slowly dispersed to her body. Instinctively, she strapped her arms across his shoulder and rested her cheek on the crook of his neck. She closed her eyes as she took in his scent. Her heart beat rhythm normalized. She was contended

He almost grinned sheepishly when he felt her warm breath on his neck. He need not look at her to know that her lips had curled upwards at the base of his neck. He was contended.

It was probably the longest evening walk back to the apartment for both them. Each one tried to relish the moment of their togetherness. Questions needed not to be asked. Words needed not to be spoken.

"Oh goodness gracious…Are you hurt Kaoru dear?" The sound of Mrs. Najimo's fretful voice was heard from above Kenshin and Kaoru as they were nearing the apartment building.

Kaoru shot opened her eyes and jerked her head toward the direction where Mrs. Najimo was coming from. "Mrs. Najimo!" She was stunned to see Mrs. Najimo looking at them from her balcony.

"Good evening, Mrs. Najimo" Kenshin managed calmly. "Kaoru isn't feeling too well. So, I am carrying her back to the apartment"

"Is that true Kaoru dear?" Mrs. Najimo raised her suspicion.

"I-I have this terrible headache and this nausea feeling" Kaoru had her finger pressing on her temple. She simply created her symptoms that would require Kenshin to carry her the way he did. She had to play it well otherwise she would be the topic of the month. Sensing that more neighbours would be sticking their nose in their respective balcony to see what was going on (Mrs. Najimo had not the softest voice), she hinted Kenshin to put her down.

Kenshin who believed that Kaoru indeed had a terrible headache reluctantly put Kaoru on her feet after she wiggled herself out from his arms.

"Well, Kaoru dear, you better go back to the apartment then. You might get worst under this coldness. Hurry and go" Mrs. Najimo gestured to move along with her hands. "Kenshin," Mrs. Najimo said in the most graceful manner, "...take good care of Kaoru. She is very delicate. I shall stop by tomorrow morning to check on her. Don't you worry."

'Delicate? Me? What was that all about?' Kaoru was baffled.

"Thank you, Mrs. Najimo. I will take care of her. Good night, Mrs. Najimo" Kenshin replied.

"Can you walk?" Kenshin had his hand on Kaoru lower, taking the hint from Mrs. Najimo that Kaoru was really delicate and fragile.

"Yes. I can walk..." 'Why does he think that I can't walk on my own?' She started to walk with Kenshin's hand still on her lower back. She almost chuckled.

Mrs. Najimo watched both Kaoru and Kenshin resuming their walk back to the apartment. She sighed. "Oh dear… It is happening..." She said extremely soft to herself.

XooooooooooXoooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooooooXooooooooooXooooooX

Kaoru stared with a smile at the ceiling of her room. However it wasn't the ceiling that she found amusing but the events that had taken course for the night.

When they were back in the apartment, Kenshin had hurried her to bed. He wouldn't take no for an answer- he waited for her to change into her pajamas. Of course, he did not expect her to change in his presence. Therefore she had no choice but to get under her blanket in her extra large Pikachu pajamas although she wasn't feeling at all sleepy. He had left her room once he had her tugged into bed but he returned shortly with a glass of water on one hand while he had his other hand opened up, apparently cupping something in his palm.

He sat on her bed, next to her laying form. He handed her some pills to combat her flu, nausea and headache. She knitted her brow and pouted. First and foremost, she wasn't really sick. She admitted that she felt a little cold earlier but she was not truly sick.

However, she loved the attention he was showering her, thus, she decided not to explain about her 'sickness' and allowed him to have his way around things. It wouldn't hurt to swallow some pills, she thought.

He placed the glass of water on the bedside table before he helped her to her sitting position. She obediently swallowed the pills and drink the water to wash down the pill from her throat. She was pleased to see a satisfied look on his face. His hands then reached for her shoulder and gentle pushed her down against the soft bed. He raised his hand onto her forehead to check if she was burning before he again tugged her blanket to cover her form completely except for her head.

"Don't bother about breakfast tomorrow. I will take care of it." He said softly and gently.

She had expectantly hoped that he would give her a peck before he rose from the bed. Unfortunately, it did not happen. He rose from her bed, bid her goodnight before he turned off the lights and closed the door behind him as he stepped out of her room.

She sighed softly to her ceiling. At the thought of 'kiss' she got really irritated with herself. She still couldn't believe that she actually pulled away from him when they were about to… She grabbed the extra pillow next to her and pressed it against her face. 'ARRGHHH! Kamiya Kaoru, you are such an idiot! ARRGHHHH!' Her scream was muffled by the pillow. Feeling the need for air, she tossed the pillow away from her face, breathing heavily. She wondered in silent when they would be able get a chance at kissing again. She swore to herself that she would not turn away again if there was a next time. She could not understand why she was so nervous and stupid. Wasn't that what she wanted? – to be kissed breathlessly by Kenshin?

Feeling the frustration and anger towards herself mounting senselessly, she got up on her elbow and fluffed the pillow hard and slept by her side. 'At least I got to smell Kenshin's neck…' She smiled. She could still faintly breathe in Kenshin's scent. She did not care whether it was just a figment of her imagination, his scent was so soothing to her soul that slowly, she drifted to slumber.

XoooooooooXooooooooXooooooooooooXoooooooooooXooooooooXooooooooooX

Kenshin was in his room, staring at the ceiling with both his hands supporting his head. He couldn't bring himself to sleep because, for one, Kaoru was sick and second, his mind kept replaying the night's event – her beautiful smile, how he had almost kissed her and how she turned away from him….. He felt a tug in his chest area at that very last thought. Very soon, a picture of her snuggling close to him breathing his scent when he carried her lightened his mood. He was confused. 'Did I misinterpret her intention?'

He sat upright and looked at the clock. 'This isn't time to think about all that…' He got up from his bed and walked out his room

He slowly turned the knob into another room. Light weight he moved across the room and observed the sleeping beauty curling by her side. He gently sat by her side, watching her sleeping form intently. She looked peaceful and she was smiling in sleep! Although earlier he had tested her temperature with his palm, he did it again just to be sure. Satisfied that she was not coming down with a fever, his hand traveled from her forehead to her silky hair. He dared stroking her hair to his heart content because he knew that she would not be startled by his touch as an after effect of the medication.

He lowered his body, closer to hers. He closed his eyes to be enthralled by her sweet scent. Her scent was intoxicating him to the extent that he almost buried his nose into her thick lock. He opened his eyes and caught sight of her neck. His eyes trailed from the base of her neck to her small feminine lips. He closed his eyes and gripped his fist tight.

He was very tempted but this was not right. He could not make an advance on her, not while she was sleeping. Definitely not while she was sick! Then again, it was not like he would if she was awake.

Hiko was right about one thing – he was a coward. "Be a man and take possession of what is rightfully yours!" He remembered Hiko bellowing from the bottom of his lungs. No doubt there was truth in Hiko's words, but how could he have claimed her if she did not return his love in kind. It wasn't that he did not give it a try, tonight's event was an example. He was so confused and frustrated. 'I wish…I wish…' He sighed in defeat.

He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. He gave her one last gaze coupled with a soft peck on her cheek before he took his leave. He would happily stay beside her all night but he had to leave her room before he lost control over his mind and gave in to the lust and desire of his heart.

He went back into his room and changed into his running attire. He needed to sweat in order to clear his mind and set his priority straight. Hence, he went jogging in the middle of the night….

Author's note: I have this perception that if you are too bored with life and not being doing anything to occupy your life, you tend to think a lot of unnecessary things. Hence, Kaoru's weird thinking. She has nothing much to do hence she let her mind run wild. Well, let me know if you think otherwise.

Thank you for the following reviewer for reviewing:

Tkdl Glad to know you thought that my story is nice and you don't find chapter 5 boring. Was kinda worried that no one will appreciate that she is bored being a homemaker. Thanks for the support.

Via x Infinito Actually Aoshi is just worried that Hiko, the man is known not be meddle with might hurt Kaoru because she is staying very closely to his son. Hiko had spend too much trying keep Kenshin away from trouble to have some unidentified person to screw it up. Of course Aoshi didn't know how Hiko knew about Kaoru. And yes both Kenshin and Kaoru had something to hide from each other in which both guardian (Hiko and Aoshi) will find all means to protect them.

Glad to know that you did not find me over-doing Kaoru's boredom by re-arranging the wardrobe. I was having hard time trying to portray her boredom.

Thank you for your wonderful support and kinda words, Really appreciate. You did mentioned that the story line was kinda mysterious for the moment (and probably even more mysterious after this chapter), is that annoying? I was just wandering so, I would like to seek your opinion.

are-en1 Don't worry, Saitoh is definitely not the groom. That is too gross. I love Kaoru too much for that to happen. Not sure how old is he but he looks old enough for me to assume that he fits to be Kaoru's father instead. Hm.. very tempte to tell you who is the groom but really can't at this stage. So, please be patient and wait a little while longer ya? I am working on revealing the identity of the runaway groom soon.

Nes Thank you for your comment. It was out of nowhere I thought about the chap tittle. I am very happy to know that you found improvement in my writing. I am so happy. Thank you so much for your wonderful support and your effort to increase my review statistic.

MUUAAHH! Big kisses to you too.