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A/N: YAY! 3rd chapter:D Wow, we're updating really quickly, ne? Hope this chapter is enjoyable! Don't forget to review:D Thanks Reignashii and XKenKao12X for the reviews!

Forever In A Moment

Hanging Out At Aoshi's

Kaoru quickly ran into the living room of her small house. Not bothering to turn on the lights, she flopped down on the couch and sighed, relishing the peace and quiet of her home. Yes, she thought. It was her home. She was free, and as long as her father didn't find her, it wouldn't change. She hoped. Letting her thoughts drift, she recalled the events of her day.

A small smirk played on her lips as she remembered her striking and very, very conspicuous entrance into her first class. That ass of a teacher had walked straight out of the room under the heat of embarrassment and annoyance at her stupendously respectful class. And then the bitch had been replaced with Aoshi. Yeah. Great. He was the thread that would lead right up to her father finding her.

Father. Yeah, right. He was a sadistic, drunk asshole that would end up going to hell with his friends after she made sure every single one of them had been dipped in hot oil, tarred, and then feathered.

She shook her head. Having these kind of thoughts never lead to any good. Instead, she let her mind wander back to the previous subject, her first day at Sarayashiki high. It wasn't bad. Sano was good. He'd gotten left back a year, so he was a year older than Megumi, Kenshin and her. It was his senior year at that, too. She didn't understand why he still went to school. Maybe he couldn't stand not to see his friends everyday. Or maybe he really was just that stupid.

Then there was Megumi. Megumi was nice, too. She was way smarter than most of the kids in the class, but she was about as willing to speak up in class as a rock. Kaoru really liked her. She could be bitchy, but she was definitely a good person to have for a friend. She was slightly flirtatious, and Kaoru had noted with amusement that Sano always got pissed when she got too close to another guy. Kenshin had laughed and slapped him on the back when he muttered something along the lines of ".damn that whore."

Ah, yes, Kenshin. He was interesting. He puzzled her. Most of the people she met, Kaoru could read them and their feelings like books. But not Kenshin. He was different. He was always smiling at her. Hell, he was always smiling at everyone. It just seemed. wrong. Kaoru didn't know why. It just seemed impossible for someone to be so happy and calm. Every normal person got pissed at least a few times a day. She had the same schedule as him; she'd been with him the whole freaking day.

Suddenly, she was jerked out of her thoughts by a sound she couldn't identify. Immediately, she sat up, looking around her.

The lights were still out, so everything was dark with a strange shade of blue. She shivered, though it wasn't really cold at all. She strained her ears, but she heard nothing. Her eyes scanned over the simple room. There was the TV, where the screen was dark, with dull yellow light bouncing off it at the corners. It was a bit eerie. Next to that was a standing lamp with a yellow cover. Nothing fancy. She scanned across the doorway that lead out of the room to the small bookcase that was there. There wasn't really anything worth noting. It was too close to the wall, and not high enough to hide any grown man. Finally, her eyes game to rest on the small table in front of her couch. Again, nothing special. Sighing, she gave up.

But the noise came back, causing her to jump. She still couldn't tell what it was. At best, she could describe it as a soft tapping or clunking against an unknown material.

She was getting scared. Cold sweat was beaded on her forehead, and she quickly wiped it away with a sleeve. Shaking her head to rid herself of her doubts, she started telling herself it was nothing. 'Get a hold of yourself, Kamiya; you're being a cowared! It's nothing! There's no way they'd fine you this quickly! No, they wouldn't. Would they? No. They wouldn't.' She relaxed a bit.

Then the sound came again. Grabbing the denim jacket that was draped over the back of the couch, she jumped up and ran out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

Looking up at the sky, she noticed it was getting dark. What time was it? Reaching into her pocket, she drew out the set of keys Aoshi had given her. Thanking the lord (and Aoshi), she proceeded to go next door, only to realize that there were two next doors.

'Shit.' She didn't know which one. Running to her left, she whipped out the key and fitted it into the lock. It turned. 'Yes!' She quickly opened the door and stepped inside, shutting it slowly behind her. Somehow, even though she didn't know how it was possible, his house looked slightly more welcoming than hers.

Not knowing what to do, she quickly walked to the room to her right, discovering that it was a living room. of sorts. There was the couch backed up against a wall, and the floor was carpeted, but beyond that, it was something else. Hell, it was a library. She didn't even want to know how he'd gotten them all in here in such a short time.

Sighing, and for a lack of something to do, she sat down on his couch.

It was around eleven when Aoshi approached his door. Slotting in the key, he frowned at finding that it was unlocked. 'Stupid girl.' he sighed mentally. Pushing open the door, he let himself in, making sure to lock it.

He turned to the library, and immediately seeing Kaoru on his couch, he mentally grimaced. Already, eh? Flipping on the lights, he walked in.

Sighing again, he walked up to her sleeping form. She had probably fallen asleep after having one of her fits. Bending down, he shook her gently. "Kaoru."

Her head snapped up. Fear was evident in her eyes. Recognizing him, though, she relaxed. "Aoshi, I-"

He didn't let her finish. "He didn't show, did he?"

Kaoru shut up, shaking her head.

"Good." Was all he said. He walked out of the room, and appeared moments later with a drink in his hand. The girl looked pretty beat up. She was hugging her jacket to her chest, and her head was bent low, the bangs shadowing her eyes.

"What made you come over?" He asked, sipping his drink, making sure to keep his voice and expression free of emotion.

Kaoru didn't answer. Instead, she asked him. "Can I spend the night?"

Aoshi let an eyebrow quirk. This was not her home. Hers was next door. "Go home." He said, putting down his drink.

"Can you walk me?"

The girl was acting like a baby. Her house was freaking next door. She wouldn't be assaulted the minute she got onto the street. He'd make sure of it.

Not saying anything, Aoshi opened the door, walking out. "Are you coming?" He asked after Kaoru didn't move.

Slowly, she got up. He made sure she got back into the house. "Remember to finish your homework. No one's going to attack you." With that, he shut the door behind him, walking back to his own house.