Author's Note: Hello everyone! Quick update for Summer Heat with more to come! Chapter two up tomorrow once I get the final touches complete. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter 1: The Start of Summer

Kaoru wiped the sweat from her brow as she watered the flowers in her backyard and cursed that she had forgotten her hat inside. It was the second week of June, but the heat was already reaching temperatures in the high 80s. She had heard a lot from Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Honda about the rest of the weather this week reaching the 90s, as well as more.

'The local gossips as usual.' Kaoru sighed. 'Don't they have anything better to do.'

Kaoru had gone into the Sweet Crown Bakery-Café that morning for a mochi donut and matcha green latte. She had sat down at a nearby table to enjoy herself and took a moment when overhearing the two elderly ladies. Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Honda were old friends and longtime residents of Mystic Bay, a small town not far from the bigger cities on the West Coast. They were also the biggest gossips next to Mrs. Pelletier, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Donaldson.

"Did you hear about Alice Charles?" Kaoru heard Mrs. Honda ask.

"That she got married to Manuel Sanchez. Yes. I heard from Gabrielle last night. So surprising to hear, considering her affair last year with the school principal."

"I honestly don't know what she was thinking. Here she was engaged to Manuel and has a brief fling with a married man. Poor Marie. Did you hear how much the divorce would be?"

"No clue but I imagine a hefty sum. What I don't understand is why Manuel would still marry Alice after all that?"

"Well, word has it from Gabrielle that Alice is pregnant with Manuel's child. A way to trap him if you will."

"If true I still can't believe it. Alice Charles was such a lovely girl with so much promise. Granted she fell in love with a nobody, but Manuel is such a lovely man and deserved better than a cheating spouse."

"I agree. By the way, did you hear about Hiko Seijuro's nephew coming for the season?"

"No! Tell me more."

Kaoru had tuned out after that and left her table to leave the café for her family home. She would be lying if she said she hated gossip, but being on the receiving end of it was much worse and she knew from experience. Mystic Bay was the typical small town many would have read about in novels or seen on television. Sure, there were great community moments and friendly people but there was a level of darkness to living in a population of 2,500 and that was gossip.

Kaoru finished watering the flowers and turned off the hose as she thought about Alice Charles. What the ladies had spoken of last year was true. Alice did have a brief fling with Michael Anderson, the middle school principal, and the fallout had been brutal. Alice was the daughter of a prominent councilman and longtime resident, and had a position lined up at the local high school to be the new English teacher when Ms. Hino retired. Then news of the affair sent a shockwave and scandal through the town. Mr. Charles resigned in disgrace and put his house up for sale while Alice lost her intended position, and the Anderson's were headed for divorce.

Kaoru never had a particular fondness for Alice as the two had been rivals since childhood, but even Kaoru felt sympathetic. For all their rivalry, Alice had been someone trying to make the Charles name proud, especially her father and Kaoru recalled how devastated Alice was at the fallout. She had run into Alice by chance on a quiet morning walk during a church service where nobody would be present, and she just poured her heart out to Kaoru. How she brought shame to her family and broke not only a marriage but Manuel's heart.

"How can I get him back Kaoru?"

"You really think you can? You cheated on him. What I want to know is why?"

"I was drawn to Michael and if I'm honest, Manuel and I had been on shaky ground as of late. My parents have never approved, and his family would rather he marry someone more traditional. Someone expected to be a homemaker and not pursuing a career. We've tried so hard for so long to make everything work and please our parents, now all I've done is hurt him. What should I do Kaoru?"

Kaoru had looked at Alice and the kind nature in her decided to give the best advice she could give. "Leave Mystic Bay and start anew."

"What?"

"I love my town as much as you, but this is a big fallout. I don't know what will happen to you and your family, even Manuel, but starting over is the best. Besides Mystic Bay isn't all it's cracked up to be. While I don't agree with your affair, the town shouldn't put the entire blame on you or…well..."

Alice had dropped her head in shame, knowing what Kaoru meant and that some in the town were seeing her as a harlot or worse. Then there was another rumor. "I'm not pregnant with Michael's child."

"Even if you were it's not my business to know…and…I would have offered you help. A place to stay and get started again."

"I know you would have Kaoru. You were always kind. Your parents too. Oh, what they would have thought about this."

Kaoru flinched for a moment at the mention of her parents. Both were now dead, and Kaoru only had other friends to rely on. Thankfully, her father had left the house to her, and the money from the insurance policy would keep her going for another few years while she finished her master's degree. The last year had been tougher with her father gone but Kaoru found herself moving forward and taking it day by day. 'I have to.'

"I can't speak for my parents, but I believe leaving would be best. You can find your own path and maybe even love again when the time comes."

"But this will follow me…"

"Not if you go far away from here and besides, you know how schools work. They'll do anything to keep things like this quiet. Sad but true. A fresh start for you could be good."

Kaoru had spoken with Alice for a while after that and within a week she was gone from Mystic Bay. She never heard from Alice until a postcard came six months later that she had gone to Kansas City, MO, begun a teaching job at a charter school, and thanking her for the advice. Kaoru was happy for Alice but hearing that she had married Manuel was a surprise.

'I guess some can forgive.'

Kaoru then began to roll up the hose and put it back into its proper place before going to sit on the chair in the yard and thinking about the gossiping in the town. She still struggled to know how anyone could have found out about Alice's affair or anything really. It's one of the reasons Kaoru kept her guard up constantly when it came to gossipers. The scandal with Alice was one of the reasons she felt it was time to leave Mystic Bay as well as the rumors in the aftermath of her father's death. Ever since his passing there had been rumors and gossip about her situation and even the alleged girlfriend her dad had. Then the ugly gossip about her failed relationship to her father's successor at the kendo school he ran.

Kaoru had loved kendo and enjoyed the sport and skill that came with it, but she had no desire to take over her father's school. She instead opted as a silent partner and working hand in hand with the current owner, Sojiro Seta. He was a childhood friend that Kaoru adored and still held in high regard, but their romance ended once her dad died. What could have brought them stronger together, tore them apart. The breakup was ugly and while they managed to get into a better place, the fallout had been brutal and enough to make it the gossip of the year until Alice Charles' affair.

Kaoru sighed. 'Leaving here will be good one day, but can I? It's where mother and father are buried. And there's Misao and Yahiko as well as the school. Surely, I can live and work remotely here once I finish school. Right?'

Kaoru looked up into the sky to see the blue color and white clouds. 'What should I do father?'

"Excuse me miss?"

Kaoru turned to her left to see the owner of the voice and was taken back by the sight of red hair and a handsome face. He had violet eyes, and the hair was long, looked as if held in a ponytail, and was peering over the fence.

"Ah…yes?"

"Sorry to disturb you but did any packages come for a Hiko Seijuro the last few days?"

"Uh…"

"I'm his nephew Kenshin Himura. My uncle said he would leave any packages with a neighbor, and I thought about asking you first, since you're out here."

Kaoru shook her head. "Not with me. You could try next door at the Makimachi's. If not, Mr. Seijuro may have instructed any packages to be left at the post office."

The red head sighed. "Sounds like uncle. He'll do anything to pull pranks on me."

Kaoru raised an eyebrow at the statement. "All due respect, Mr. Seijuro doesn't seem the type to play pranks. He runs the middle school with an iron fist. Great neighbor though."

"I suppose. My uncle is not for pleasantries and when he mentioned leaving a package with a neighbor, I was suspicious. He can be very private about his personal items. I knew it was too good to be true."

Kaoru smiled at the red head's observations about Hiko Seijuro. When he became the middle school principal last year, Kaoru was surprised by his impressive height, long dark hair, and stern demeanor. She found him through one conversation to be conceited and arrogant but took note that he cared about the kids and wanted to make the school a success. More importantly, Hiko Seijuro was free of any scandals and skeletons in the closet.

"I can believe that about your uncle. Is he enjoying his sabbatical?"

The red head looked at her and smiled. "So far. He enjoys his time in the mountains and being with nature. The family cabin can be very inviting and secluded."

Kaoru recalled the going away party for Hiko Seijuro and how much he loved the attention but was uncomfortable with the elaborate decorations that included rainbow-colored streamers and a large banner that read 'Bon Voyage'. She had spoken with him briefly and he was straightforward about how much he was looking forward to his time away.

Kaoru got up from her hair and began to walk over to the red head. "That's good. I remember him mentioning how much he was looking forward to that time. He didn't mention his nephew coming though."

"As you know, my uncle is a man of few words on personal life matters. I'll be here until the end of summer though. I'm finishing my pharmacy degree and taking an internship at the local one here."

"You're a pharmacist? Takes a lot of dedication."

The red head laughed. "Yeah. Lost a lot of nights and weekends studying, especially the organic chemistry but it's worth it in the end. My name is Kenshin by the way. Kenshin Himura."

Kaoru watched as he put his hand out to her and she smiled, taking his hand in hers to shake. "Kaoru Kamiya. Your neighbor for the summer."

Kaoru felt him shake her hand in rhythm and noticed how strong the grip was yet gentle. His hand had calloused, and she could tell he had done some kind of training at one point.

"Have you done kendo in the past?"

"Oro? Yes, how did you know?"

Kaoru let go of his hand and continued. "I can tell by the callouses and grip. I used to train myself and taught it too."

Kenshin smiled. "Interesting. Did you teach locally or elsewhere?"

"Locally. My father used to own the school here, so I picked it up."

Suddenly a phone rang, and Kenshin motioned a finger that it would be a second and took his cell phone from his pocket. "Hello?...Hello Uncle, how are you?...Yes I got here fine but there were no packages or mail. Did you by chance instruct the packages to be left at the post office, even the mail?"

Kaoru could hear laughter on the other end of the phone and knew then that Kenshin was correct about his uncle. 'Who knew Hiko Seijuro was like this.'

"Very funny uncle. I'll check with the post office later and call you about any packages. You know this would be easier if you just redirected the mail to the cabin or…What do you mean where's the fun in that?" Kenshin sighed and shook his head.

"Yes, I'll text you instead…Goodbye uncle."

Kenshin hung up the phone and placed it back in his pocket, he looked at Kaoru who noticed the nervous facial expression. "Sorry about that. Uncle is…well…"

"Playing pranks on you?"

Kenshin laughed. "Yes, but this might be a good thing. Give me a chance to explore the town more."

"There's not much to see but it has a lot of charm. I think you'll enjoy your time here."

Kenshin smiled at her, and Kaoru couldn't help but feel her heart beat a little faster for a moment as it dawned on her. A handsome man about her age was living next door to her for the summer. Suddenly, this summer might be interesting.

To be continued…

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