A/N: Hello all! Sorry for posting this so late! Now that Anime Central and finals are over, I'll start pumping out chapters again. ;) I don't know how I feel about this chapter… so please review and let me know what you think! Concrit is always welcome(needed)! Thanks for reading!

Kaoru woke up to the smell of miso soup… and the pain of a crying-induced headache.

She pressed a finger to her temple and sat up in bed, squinting her eyes at the bright light shining in through her bedroom window.

The memories of the previous day flooded into her mind. She thought for sure that Kenshin would leave upon reading the letter, but a new day brought a small glint of hope that maybe Kenshin would chose to stay in the dojo. She stumbled into the main room to find Kenshin pouring her a bowl of soup.

"Ah…Thank you Kenshin! You didn't have to get up this early to cook for me."

Kenshin's face was emotionless; a flawless poker face. He poured himself a bowl and sat down in silence.

Kaoru glanced in his direction throughout the meal…anxious to see some kind of reaction or sign of emotion.

What is he thinking?

There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but she couldn't find the confidence. He was in a different league from her: never showing fear, pain, or vulnerability. She was always upfront with her feelings and spoke her mind just as her father had taught her. And yet, Kenshin was different. Different from any other man she had ever met.

The day was beginning to grow hotter as the sun rose hot in the sky. Edo bustled with merchants getting ready for the summer festival that would take place that night.

Kaoru was cutting up vegetables for lunch when she heard the sliding door open behind her.

"Miss Kaoru? The summer festival is tonight…would you care to join me? …I'd like to try some Edo takoyaki, that I would."

Kenshin's eyes glinted warm violet as he waited for Kaoru's reply.

She dropped the knife, surprised at Kenshin's sudden request and turned around to face him. He smiled warmly and waited for her to speak.

"Oh, that's right! It is tonight, isn't it…. Sure, that'll be nice, Kenshin. After lunch, I'll pick out a kimono!"

That night Kaoru finished putting up her hair and stepped out into the main hall to meet Kenshin. Kenshin's eyes met hers and she blushed. Kenshin must think I got all dressed up like this just because of him… She quickly averted her eyes and began fumbling with her obi, embarrassed.

"Kaoru…" Kenshin paused mid-sentence and gazed upon Kaoru's bright red silk kimono from top to bottom. The floral patterns accented every curve of her frame and Kenshin couldn't help but be speechless at her beauty.

"Well…let's…" Kenshin awkwardly stumbled to the front sliding door and opened it for Kaoru.

She grabbed her small matching bag and hurried out the door in front of Kenshin, smiling to herself.

Let's have fun, tonight. I don't know how much more time we can spend together like this…but for now, I'll enjoy every minute of it.

Thanks for reading and see you in Chapter 5!