I was contemplating what occurred between Kenshin and I as I wandered into Aoshi's spacious house. He had the same décor as Sano, Yahiko and mine- a traditional Japanese and simplistic design, all Zen-like. Not like I know much about Zen in the first place.

I think I'm falling for Kenshin, though I do not know how it is possible. We had barely ever spoken, let alone know much about the other. Yet I feel this urge to be by him always and the pull of his violet eyes make me feel like telling him everything. I felt like I could trust him.

Yet, at the same time, I feel as if there is a dangerous part of him that is waiting to be released. I feel as if I should be sacred of him, yet all I want to do is melt into his arms.

My cheeks flushed at that thought. I must still be hormonal, I thought. Wait…is that steak I smell?

My nose tilted in the air, I followed it with half-lidded eyes to what I assumed was the kitchen. Sure enough, I saw Aoshi grilling a steak on a frying pan on, get this, an old fashioned gas burner! Precious. My mouth started to water, and I was surprised I didn't see anyone else around.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, my eyes trained on the piece of meat he was flipping about.

Flicking the spatula over his shoulder in the direction of the door to what I assumed as the patio, he answered, "Looking at the pool." My gaze snapped up. Did I see him roll his eyes? My suspicion was confirmed as he muttered, "They are such children."

"I'm surprised Misao isn't in here with you."

"The little green-eyed girl? Why? Even though she looks familiar I don't think I have any relations with her."

Instead of answering, I pointedly looked at the steak. "So, are you going to have that?"

He sighed. "I was planning to." He placed the sizzling hunk of meat on a plate and handed it to me. "There's salad on the counter too." He threw another piece of meat on the pan and threw some herbs on top of it. I walked to the counter he had gestured to and placed some salad and dressing on my plate and dug in. Even though I had eaten recently, I was starving again. Strange? Maybe. I blame the little person growing inside of me. Megumi told me that he – or she – should be a few inches long by now. Aren't babies miraculous? Every time I think about it, I get this little smile on my face.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust. The smell of the balsamic vinaigrette was cutting through my nasal tubes and I pulled my plate away from me.

"Is something the matter?" Aoshi's soft voice startled me.

"No, but the smell of the dressing is really bothering me for some reason."

"Obviously. Your nose is bleeding."

"What?" I brought my hand up to my nose and, sure enough, there was some wetness under my nose. I pulled my hand away and saw a spot of red on my index finger. "Oh God." I put down my plate and walked to the sink, dropping my head over it.

"Kaoru? What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine, Kenshin." When had he come in? I didn't even hear the door slide open!

A napkin was shoved under my face. "Use this. I don't think I want your blood all over my sink, thank you very much."

I glared up at Aoshi, but took the napkin anyways. "Thanks for the concern."

I saw him shrug out of the corner of my eye. "Your boyfriend is concerned enough to make up for what I lack."

I shot up. "What?"

As I said that, I saw Kenshin start in surprise as well.

"I'm not-"

"We aren't-"

Aoshi walked off, waving his hand and his steak on a plate. "Yeah, yeah. Don't think I didn't see you outside."

As soon as he walked out, the atmosphere in the kitchen got extremely heavy with unsaid words and unrealised feelings.

"Do you need another napkin?" Kenshin said for what I assumed as a way of breaking the silence, but his eyes were genuinely concerned, and I blushed as my previous thoughts about him ran through my mind in rapid-fire.

I carefully touched my nose, and seeing no resulting red splotch, shook my head. "No, it's done now. Thanks." I gave him a smile, and spun around to my food again. Even though seeing my own blood made eating less appealing, it certainly was more appealing to me than speaking to Kenshin with these roiling thoughts in my mind.

"Do you get them often?"

I chewed my meat slowly, savouring the taste of it. Damn, Aoshi was a good cook. Kenshin's intent gaze, however, prompted me into answering. "Nah, not as often as when I was a kid. But then again, that was mostly because I got hit in the nose a lot in kendo class."

He looked amused. "You did kendo?"

I cut a piece of meat and plopped it into my mouth. "Yup, best – and most gruelling – years of my life."

"Which school?"

I placed my plate down, holding down the sudden surge of tears. "My father." I wiped my eyes and faced Kenshin proudly. "Kamiya-Kasshin style."

"I think I've heard father talk about him before. My condolences." He bowed his head but then gave me a wicked smile, which had a tinge of sadness too. "We are both orphans."

I nodded my head. The most curious ties of fate were binding me to this man. We had much in common, yet we were still so different. "So anyways. Um, where did you come from? I never heard the door open."

His eyes sparkled in amusement. "The bathroom. Why so curious?"
I lifted my chin haughtily. "I pride myself in hearing people's movements."

"Want to play a game then? I'm sure I can beat you at that."

I crossed my arms over my stomach. "Sure, give it a try. But I'm warning you- only my dad was able to sneak up on me."

His grin was so mischievous that I started to doubt myself. Surely he couldn't be that good? Nah, I can win this. So I closed my eyes and stepped away from the counter. I allowed him to lead me into what I assumed was the spacious living room I had walked through, and stood with my head cocked so I may hear him. Surely, even if his feet made no noise, I could still hear his clothes rustle?

The room was dead silent. All I could hear was Misao's exclamations from outside and the low rumble that was Aoshi. I'm sure I could also hear Megumi's light tinkling voice, too. But I couldn't hear Kenshin. A car passed on the street. A fly buzzed in my ear. The sound of my heartbeat was drowning out the in-and-out of my breath as I slowed my breathing. Yet I still heard nothing. He must be standing still, I mused. There's no way he could mo-

"Boo." His whisper at the back of my neck startled the crap out of me while at the same time sent chills down my spine. I clapped my hand over the place he had breathed down, spun around and swung my fist; a knee-jerk reaction. I couldn't help it!

Laughing, he leaned away and dodged my attack. "That makes two people who can sneak up on you." His chuckles were getting on my nerves.

"Again," I growled.

He grinned and shrugged. "Whatever you say. Best out of three, I assume?"

I nodded tersely, mulling over how it was possible that he could sneak up on me. I couldn't even hear the movements of his clothes! I looked at him critically. He wasn't wearing anything spectacular- a pair of jeans and a navy blue shirt. However, instead of looking at his clothes objectively, I started looking at how the shirt was taut around his shoulders, and the way it fell emphasised his slim figure, and the way his jeans fit him so well…

"Are we getting on with it or are you too busy checking me out?"

I blushed at both how he had hit the mark and the dirty connotation of his words. Get your mind out of the gutter, Kaoru! I stared at him defiantly, and almost gasped. His eyes were burning amber, and there was something in his gaze that made me feel warm all over. He brought a hand up and caressed my face, his touch leaving a hot streak of skin on my face. My breath halted, then sped up. My lips parted, and his smile was almost predatory. Then, as if nothing had happed, violet began swirling in his eyes again and he playfully closed my eyes.

"No peeking," he reminded me, his soft voice giving me goosebumps. I doubted I could get as calm as I was before, but I tried. My thundering pulse, burning cheeks and my mind replaying the last few moments made it practically impossible. I couldn't stop thinking about how close he was, his eyes, how close we were to doing something I have barely conceptualised in my daydreams because I had dismissed them as impossible, his eyes…

How did his eyes change into that colour? I shivered just remembering it. They were dangerous, but at the same time they made me feel extremely excited. One thing I knew for sure, though: even though that was Kenshin, at the same time it wasn't. Either way, I'm harbouring an attraction for this red-haired man, but I had a feeling he was more than he seemed.

At that moment, I thought I heard something to my right. I jerked my head in that direction and opened my eyes to see Kenshin barely five inches from me. Before I could jump away in surprise, Kenshin's hand shot out to grab my shoulder and held me in my spot. "Don't move yet," he muttered, bringing his hands up so that they cupped my face. He stepped closer to me, his hands still holding my head in place. Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against mine and started to breathe. Freaked out slightly, but mesmerised by the peaceful look on his face, my eyes also drooped closed. In any other situation, this would have been awkward for me, but with Kenshin, I could feel my shoulders loosening and what felt like years of tension…melt away.

I don't know how long we stood there nor why, but I really liked it. I wasn't aware of anything else but Kenshin, the feel of his hands on my face and his breath intermingling with mine. Unlike all the other times Kenshin was close to me, I didn't feel the urge to jump him. At this moment, this was enough. I didn't need or want anything other than the knowledge that he was close to me without any intention of leaving.

This was enough for me.

I slowly felt him pulling away, and with a sigh, I allowed him. I knew I couldn't hold onto him forever, but it was nice to pretend for a little while. I did one of those ok-that-was-slightly-awkward-coughs and rubbed the back of my neck.

"Told you that you couldn't sneak up on me." I teased weakly, my joints feeling slightly like jelly as what Kenshin and I were just doing – and possibly how we may have looked to passerby's – sank in. We were acting like a couple.

He gave me a smile. "Couldn't pull another one on you, could I?"

I shook my head, a smile forming on my face. "Nope, I'm the best."

"Maybe you should get a reward,"

"A job well done is a reward in itself," I retorted. My back bumped against the low wall that separated the kitchen from the living area, which gives people who now walk into the house a view of the kitchen while still separating the rooms. Which meant that I must have been backing up. Which meant that he was advancing on me. Also, judging by the fact that even though I was literally against a wall and still leaning back, Kenshin was still coming closer to me. This was a different closeness that we had just shared and it made me nervous.

"Are you sure? I think I should reward you."

I dry swallowed. "No, it's perfectly ok. That, erm, meditating exercise was good enough. So yeah. Please move?"

Kenshin chuckled but complied. "I'm sorry, Kaoru-dono. I can't seem to control myself around you…"

The last bit seemed to be more to himself than to me, but I felt I had to respond. "Neither can I." I gave him a sheepish smile. "Maybe something is wrong with us."

"Or maybe, something is right."

I shrugged, not knowing how to answer. What could I say, anyways? I gave him a weak smile, and walked into the kitchen. I had a lot to think about, feelings to sort (though I know for sure that I am undeniably attracted to Kenshin, but why?) and a steak to finish. Hopefully it hadn't gone cold yet.

Thanks to sexy-hitsuhina-forever for the site! It really helped me :D

Sorry these updates are taking so long. Usually I'll blame school work, but really, I haven't had any. My muse has been pretty quiet lately, so even when I wanted to write, I couldn't! it was most infuriating, so I finally forced this one just because I knew that I haven't updated in a while. Note to self: pre-write fics before posting. Writing chapter by chapter then posting is an extremely hard commitment to stick to…

Any thoughts? Comments? Criticisms? Like it? Hate it? Love it?

r.e.v.i.e.w.

please?

;]