Author's Notes: Hi guys. guess we're back! im really sorry for not being able to update the fic for a long time... sorry. But hey, we're gonna finish this fic and that's one thing I can promise you guys... please don't kill us! Well, please enjoy the fic! Let's Go!

translations are provided in case there are some words u dont understand. :)

Disclaimer: as usual, we own RK... i mean don't... hehehe

Chapter 4: Developments

'Coming to this trip wasn't so bad... I never knew that the underwater world was so breathtaking... Maybe I should do this more often...' Aoshi pondered, gazing at the open sea. 'Everything here is nice... especially my partner... huh? I just said that?' Aoshi surprised himself, but he just shrugged it off. He took a peek at his partner to see what she was doing...

wait a minute...

what IS she doing!

Meanwhile, Kaoru and Yahiko were watching the fishes. Kaoru was able to keep her mind off Kenshin for a while. That's the reason she decided to stay with Yahiko. She stared off in a distance. 'Enishi and Soujiro... How queer, the total opposites... Sano and Megumi.. how envious. I wish Kenshin and I could be like that... Aoshi and Misao... What... are they doing? Is.. Misao-chan alright!' Kaoru quickly started to swim towards the duo. 'Something is definitely wrong... Misao-chan!'

'Is this the end of the line for me? Am I going to die in such a... pathetic way? But... I still have a life to live! How and... Why did this happen?' Misao thought frantically. 'Does Aoshi even seem to notice? Augh... Somebody help!' By this time, Misao couldn't hold her breath anymore. Suddenly, an arm slipped around her shoulders and a mouthpiece was placed on her mouth. 'A-re? I... can breathe again... Dare?' Misao calmed down, taking in deep and long intakes of oxygen. She looked up to see Aoshi... 'Aoshi, I don't know what would happen if it weren't for you! Without you... I'd probably be dead right now... Arigato...' Misao wanted so much to say it to him, but unable to do so. She just hugged him instead, and to her surprise (and relief), Aoshi did not pull away, but instead held her closely and gently. The two of them just holding each other, this time cherished, and in this moment the colors of the sky are all blending together...

'OH CRAP! I do not believe it! A FATAL MISTAKE! CRAAAP!' Tomoe cursed in her thoughts. 'That girl was Misao! Not Kaoru! But I don't understand! I thought that suit belonged to Kaoru? Could they have swapped? But why?' Tomoe wondered, still paralyzed of what she had done.

'Ooh.. Thank God Misao has Aoshi for a partner... Now I'm convinced that Aoshi deserves Misao...' Kaoru smiled at her thoughts.

After quite some time, the gang decided to resurface...

Aoshi kept on thinking about Misao... He was worried... Why? It was surely more than a coincidence... Someone definitely did it.. But who? Why? He couldn't stop thinking... "So you guys, did you enjoy?" the instructor asked. everyone answered enthusiastically. 'Grr... Kaoru! Once we get back to the hotel, you are so dead!' Tomoe thought evilly. "Ne, Misao-chan... Are you sure you're alright?" Tomoe whispered. "Yeah, I'm fine, thank you" Misao said with a smile, "Oh yeah, thanks for swapping suits with me last minute a while ago, Kao-chan. Yours is better!" Misao said. "No biggie!" Kaoru said. Tomoe was shocked. 'That explains it! How could I have overlooked it? Kuso!'

On the way back to the island...

"Aaah! I had a great time out there!" Enishi commented. "Yeah. did you see the Moray Eel!" Soujiro asked. "Oh yeah! It was GREAT! And did you see..." and the two chatted away... Kaoru froze. "Oro? Kaoru-dono? What's the matter?" Kenshin asked. "I... I just remembered..." Kaoru was pale. "Huh? Nani, nani?" Misao asked. "We have classes tomorrow!" Kaoru said. "WHA-! OH YEAH!" Everyone shouted. "Oh my! How do you expect us to get back? And it's already late, we might not make it on time! And even if we did, we won't get enough rest and we'll be exhausted the next day, which leads to drowsiness and then... the teacher will scold us.. and blablabla!..." Megumi said, panicking. Everyone just stared at her, quite worried of the situation at hand. A hand touched her shoulder, and she instantly stopped blabbering. "Hehehe... Um, i forgot to tell you guys something..." Sano said, smiling ear to ear. "What is it Sano?" Megumi asked. "Well... i uh... talked to the Principal about the whole matter.. and we have permission! All the homeworks and stuff are with me." Sano said, smirking. (A/N: how he did that? it's a secret...) Everyone just stared at him in amazement. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go and have fun!" Enishi shouted, going ahead. everyone followed suite.

Back at the hotel...

'Hn. Misao... What would've happened if I wasn't there to help? How will I react?' Aoshi frowned at the thought. It hurt. 'She's... precious to me...' Aoshi thought, pensively staring at a far-off distance. "Aoshi-san" a quite timid but enchanting voice called. Aoshi turned around. "Misao..." Aoshi said, acknowledging her presence. "I just want to thank you for... earlier..." Misao said in a tiny voice. "Arigato, Aoshi-san! I... don't know what... I could've died if it wasn't for you.. I owe you my life" Misao said, her voice unwavering. "Is there anything... anything at all, I can do for you?" Misao asked, the truth of her words engraved in her eyes. Aoshi gave a small smile. He slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer. "Hey... that's what friends are for... we look out for each other... I regard your happiness as mine.." Aoshi said in a calm, tender voice. His voice was soothing and Misao felt warm inside. "Arigato..." And she leaned on his firm chest and the two stared off into the sunset.

"Aww. Those two are so sweet! I think they'll end up together..." Soujiro said, smiling ear to ear."Is that a good thing?" Enishi asked, closing the small gap in the door. "Course it is! Hey, how about a game of table tennis?" Soujiro suggested cheerfully. "Yeah!" Enishi replied, and they bounced off.

RING! RING! "Hello?" Kaoru answered. "Konbanwa. Um... We saw one of your companions leave something here in the lobby... and would you mind getting it at the reception area?" The lady asked. "Uh... Sure." Kaoru said, hanging up. "Oro? Where are you going, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked. "Um... Some errand, i have to run... Ja!" Kaoru said and spun off. 'Aug! The elevaor is too slow... The stairs it is!' Kaoru thought. Running down the steps and onto the next set, Kaoru fell from the top of the stairs. "Aah!" bam. Kaoru couldn't move. Her whole body felt numb. weak. Pain surged throughout her whole body. "Heeheehee..." Tomoe snickered evilly to herself. And with that, she quickly left the scene. 'This time, I have succeeded...' Tomoe smiled malevolently.

Kaoru slowly began to grow unconscious... everything became black...

After 15 minutes...

Kenshin was worried sick about Kaoru when...

Knock, Knock

"H-hai?" Kenshin called out. "It's me, Tomoe!" answered the person. Kenshin opened the door to see Tomoe standing in front of him wearing a very revealing bikini with a towel draped across her right shoulder. "Ano... Hai?" Kenshin asked. "Would you like to go to the beach with me?" Tomoe asked. "Uhm... thanks, demo... I think I'll just stay here..." Kenshin replied. "Eh...? O-ok..." Tomoe said, flustered. "Bye" Kenshin said while closing the door. Tomoe stood still facing the closed door.

Tomoe's POV

Wha-what in the world! He didn't even no-notice! Arrggghh! I wonder why! Kuso! Maybe it's that Kaoru! Wait! But I made sure she... No, it can't be her, but what then? I wonder... Haay... I better go back to my room, I should change...

Kenshin's POV

What was that all about? Anyway, I wonder what's taking Kaoru so long.. did something happen to her? Man, I'm gettin worried... I think I'll go look for her...

Kenshin went to Kaoru's room and knocked, no one answered so he began roaming around the hotel. He went to the swimming pool but didn't see her. He went to the gameroom, and to his amusement, saw a furious Enishi playing table tennis with an always-smiling Soujiro; apparently, Enishi was losing. He asked them if they had seen Kaoru, "No" was their answer. After going to all the places, except for the stairs, (A/N: My, how unfortunate, the only place he didn't go to is...) he decided to go back to his room using the stairs since he thought that maybe, by some weird chance, he'd find Kaoru there. He went up one flight when he saw something (or should i say someone) on the ground, he bent over to find out what it was. Much to his surprise (and horror), it was Kaoru! 'What happened? This is bad!' Kenshin immediately tried to call out to Kaoru, but there was no response, making him panic even more. He carried her on his back and went to her room. On the way, he met Misao. "Aaah! Kenshin! What happened? H-here, let me help you!" Misao said, growing pale. When they reached the room, Kenshin tenderly put Kaoru down on the bed. He let out a deep sigh. "Ne, Kenshin, what happened?" Misao asked. "I don't know. She left earlier to get something, it took her a long time. I got worried and looked for her. Then I found her in the stairway... unconscious..." Kenshin said, feeling depressed. "There, there, Kenshin, it's alright, she'll get better soon. She's strong, after all." Misao assured. "Yeah, that she is... Thanks for reminding me.." Kenshin said, gently smiling. "That's better..." Misao said.

Tomoe went in the room, sure that Kenshin was there for she heard his 'enchanting' voice. She pushed the mahogany door to the side and entered the room. She scanned the room for Kenshin. 'Ah, there he is... with Misao? And... what's that on the bed?' Tomoe went closer to Kenshin. "Ken-san?" Kenshin turned around. "Ah... Tomoe" Kenshin said rather weakly. 'Why does he seem so...so... torpid?' Tomoe thought. She looked closely at the figure on the bed... "Kaoru!" Tomoe couldn't believe it! Why was she here? With Kenshin! Tomoe went pale. 'What if Kenshin found out that I did it... and hate me?' Tomoe couldn't bear the thought of the man she loved most hating her. "K-Ken-san... What happened?" Tomoe said, putting her hand to her mouth (what she really meant was 'What happened? Why is she here?) "It was terrible, Tomoe. I found her on the stairs. She... must've fallen.." Kenshin said sadly, his eyes still fixed on Kaoru's unmoving figure. 'Masaka! Does Kenshin.. like... Kaoru? Iie! That's impossible!' Tomoe thought. Tomoe suddenly fainted (fake, of course, but Kenshin doesn't know that) "Aah! Tomoe fainted!" Misao cried. "Eh?" Kenshin shouted, and being the nice, caring guy that he is, immediately carried her so he can put her on the couch. Unfortunately, Kaoru chose that exact moment to finally regain consciousness, what she saw shocked her.. When Kenshin noticed that she was awake,

he froze...

Author's Note: DOOMED! hehe. well, how'd u like this chapter? i need some more feedbacks, people! come on, come on! GREAT! Hope you can bear with us a bit longer... hehhee (rar!) domo arigato, minna! (thank you very much, everyone)

gameroom: it's where the billiards, table tennis, arcade & etc. are

Translation:

1 Dare? - "Who?"

2 Arigato - Thanks (informal)

3 Ne, - "Hey" (calling someone/getting their attention)

4 Kuso! - "Damn!" (cursing)

5 Nani? - "What?" or "What is it?"

6 Konbanwa - "Good evening"

7 Ja! - "Bye!" or "See ya!"

8 Hai? - "Yes?"

9 Masaka - "No way.." or "Impossible..."

10 Iie - "No"