This story has been in the back of my mind for so long. However, I just couldn't find the time or inspiration to finish it. I even contemplating just dumping everything that I had so there would be some finality to it. And then "Rurouni Kenshin' popped up in my Netflix queue. So, I started over from the beginning. Even dug out the DVDs I had bought years ago and watched the entire live action trilogy. And then I watched The Final battle. And then I started reading, everything I had written. And then I couldn't stop. And the final pieces I was missing finally came together.

I don't even know if anyone is still out there. I'm always surprised when I get notification that someone has stumbled upon my little chapter of these characters. Anyway, I'm going to do my best to keep this moving.

As always, I do not own the characters below.

Kenshin opened the door and was immediately met by a tall gentleman he didn't know. The man blinked in startlement. "Forgive me." He stated. He looked at the door and then at Kenshin. "I didn't hear the bell."

Looking him over and noting the all black attire, Kenshin deduced he had been chosen to butler for the evening. "I didn't ring it." He stated. "I live here."

"Ah, Himura-san." The man nodded slightly. "May I take your coat?"

Kenshin, unused to having a butler of any sort, slowly handed it over. "I take it the setup has gone well?"

"Guests should be arriving any minute." He answered. "However, it appears some have already begun the festivities."

Kenshin raised an eyebrow and went into the living room. A small banquette had been arranged and a server was pouring champagne. The woman glanced up at him and started. "One moment."

He held out a hand. "No rush on my account. I'm the one paying the bill." He told her.

The server gave a nervous laugh, her dark eyes darting down the hall. "Yes sir."

"Have you seen my fiancé?" He asked, wondering at the trepidation he witnessed in her gaze.

"I believe she and her friends are still getting ready. Kamiya-sama has not yet tasted the wines."

"Friends?" Kenshin glanced towards the hallway as well, wondering who would be back there. The thought of Sanosuke had his temper rising and he stalked back towards his bedroom, the unfamiliar twinge of jealousy coursing through him.

Opening the door, he was met with a shrill giggle, and he paused, his glance going to the master bath. Megumi appeared in the doorway, a champagne flute in her hand. She stopped when she saw him. "Kenshin!"

At the mention of his name Misao also stood in the doorway. "Well, it's about time you got here." She declared. "Maybe you can calm her down because she certainly isn't listening to us."

He tilted his head to the side. "It's her dinner party. She can act how she likes."

Misao rolled her green eyes and came to stand before him. "Tell her that everything will be fine, and she needs to let the cater waiters do their job."

Megumi sauntered past him. "I will check in with Beshimi. Convince her that she is not the sommelier tonight. That as the hostess of the party she is not expected to pour every course." She disappeared back into the hallway.

Misao shook her head. "Seriously." She added before she left as well. "Also, I hope you know what you're doing."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked her.

"As if you don't already know. Otherwise, you have a death wish."

Not sure what to think, Kenshin slowly approached the doorway. He stopped, startled not only by the sight, but the emotion it evoked.

They had agreed that she would have her own room and bathroom. However, with so many people in the apartment, they had consented to share the space for the duration of the evening. The woman had gotten ready in here and brought in her toiletries to look like she dressed here every day. Kaoru stood at the mirror, a tube of lip gloss in her hand. While she was dressed in a vintage inspired black cocktail dress, her feet remained bare. Her long dark hair was pinned away from her face allowing the tresses to fall down her back. She looked comfortable here, as though she already belonged. It hit Kenshin that he really had meant what he said the night before; he did want to see where their liaison might lead.

The woman paused when she saw him, her blue eyes widening slightly as they met his in the mirror. She pressed her lips together and put down the tube of gloss. "Sorry."

"For what?" He approached slowly, coming to stand next to her at the sink.

"I meant to be ready by the time you got home."

"I should be apologizing. I intended to be home sooner."

Kaoru cringed. "I'm glad you weren't'." He raised an eyebrow. "You missed the psycho Kaoru who had taken over my body." She offered a sheepish smile.

He studied her. "I would like to have seen that." He told her. That explained the comments from Misao and possibly why the servers seemed a bit timid.

She shook her head slightly and reached for a small jewelry box. "Be glad you didn't."

Kenshin watched her open it and take out the ring he had given her. Before she could slip it on, he grasped her fingers and plucked the diamond ring from her grasp. "Why did you take it off?" He asked, his voice hinting at an edge of steel.

"I took a shower."

He slipped it onto her finger and met her gaze. Gingerly he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the spot just beneath it. The woman flushed and pulled her fingers from his. She turned away from him and moved towards the closet. She leaned over and picked up a box. He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter watching as she pulled off the lid and dropped a pair of shoes onto the floor.

"Want some help?" He offered as she braced an arm against the doorframe as she pulled one heel onto her foot.

Kaoru cursed softly and her hair fell over her shoulder revealing her back. The dress scooped low, and Kenshin felt his fingers curl as desire washed over him. She rose and peered at him over her shoulder. "Are you going to just stand there?" She asked.

Realizing she had agreed to his help he strode towards her and immediately dropped to a knee. He took the other shoe in his hand and picked up her foot. He slipped it on but didn't quite release her. As he slowly rose, he allowed his fingertips to graze along the back of her calves and knees before her legs disappeared beneath the hem of her skirt. He stood and stared down at her. Gingerly he lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. Her lips parted and his gaze strayed to her mouth.

"Kenshin?" His name was but a whisper.

"Hmm?"

"We have guests."

He sighed and stepped away from her. "That we do." He murmured. He found her hand and tucked it into his arm. "Then we shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."

They emerged from the hallway to find more guests had arrived. Misao, Megumi and Aoshi were in a corner, the tall man and the petite woman arguing over something. Megumi also seemed as though she was attempting to make an explanation. Sanosuke stood awkwardly to the side, Akira next to him. Aya and Yvonne stood just to the left whispering. Another couple that seemed familiar, though Kaoru couldn't quite place, stood in the doorway, the server who had been designated the butler taking their coats.

On her arm she felt the redhead stiffen slightly and then he leaned down, pressing a kiss on her neck, just beneath her ear. "Remember what I said last night." He told her softly. "Nothing anyone else says over the next few hours means more than that."

And then he was leaving her to greet the couple whom she deduced was his business colleagues. Left alone, she approached Sanosuke, not really wanting to converse with Aya and Yvonne just yet.

A server held a tray pf flutes and she took one. "How are you feeling?" The brunette asked her.

She sighed and lifted her glass of cava. "Nothing a little hair of the dog didn't cure."

"Did you have your caffeine?"

"Yes." She looked up at him. He tugged at the tie he wore, and she took in his appearance. The dark suite fit him well, though it was obvious he was uncomfortable. While the details of the previous night were still fuzzy, she knew she had put him in a precarious situation. "Thank you."

The dark eyes came back to her. "For what?"

She put her glass down and straitened his tie. "For being my best friend. For last night."

He grinned at her. "Sure thing Jou-chan. That's what I'm here for."

Kaoru glanced over to where Megumi stood. "Have you spoken to her?"

He shook his head. "Not yet, not really. Have you spoken to him?" He indicated the redhead.

"Apparently."

"What does that mean?"

She sighed. "We came to an agreement. And he stands by it."

"Meaning...?"

She shrugged awkwardly. "I don't fully recall."

He stared at her. "You were pretty pissed at him."

Kaoru shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not saying I forgive him. He told me I didn't understand the context. I must trust him."

"Why?"

Kaoru sighed. "We've come this far. Other than this random kiss, he's upheld his end. And the source is Aya. Who knows what she really saw?"

One of the servers came by with a tray. Kaoru glanced down at the oyster shooter. Her attention was drawn to Kenshin. She lifted one of the shells and grinned at Sanosuke. He accepted one as well. "Here's to the night." He knocked his shell with hers. "Hopefully too much drama won't ensue."

They slurped the oysters down. "What do you mean that you and Kenshin came to an agreement? Isn't that what brought you to this point in the first place?" Sano asked her. He sipped from his glass, the dark brown eyes watching her.

Kaoru shifted uncomfortably. "When he and I agreed, he promised that he wouldn't make a fool of me with another woman. I don't fully know what is going on, but I trust him that he wouldn't do that to me."

"You believe him?"

"I have to. As you said, he's not given me no reason to not trust him."

"You two aren't in an actual relationship Jou-chan."

"Aren't we?" She looked up at her best friend. "I know that I clearly overreacted to whatever Aya told me. However, what is going on between us is more than just two people with an arrangement."

Sanosuke studied her with a sigh. "I don't know Kenshin well. Based on the night we had drinks, I believe you. He is definitely searching for more. But be careful; I don't want your heart being broken because you're reading too much into this."

Gnawing on her lower lip, Kaoru churned his words over in her head. Misao approached them and clinked her flute with theirs. "Hey, I need to tell you something before this night starts."

She looked at the petite woman. "What's that?"

The woman hesitated. "You should know that my cousin cares very much for you. I don't believe he would do anything to intentionally hurt you."

Kaoru felt her blue eyes grow wide. "What do you know?"

From across the room Kenshin caught her eye. He waved her over and Kaoru offered an apology to Misao. "Hold that thought."

"Kaoru…"

She waved Misao off and crossed towards the redhead. He stood with a man and a woman, his business associates. The woman was dressed simply in a pants suit, her dark hair flowing down her back. The blonde was surveying the room, seemingly bored as his grey eyes took everything in. She put her glass down as she approached. Kenshin held out his hand to her and she gingerly placed it in his. He pulled her forward. "Kaoru-dono, may I present Tomoe and Enishi Yukishiro. This is my fiancée."

Kaoru held her hand out the woman first. The dark eye blinked in recognition. "But we've met." She stated.

Kenshin turned to her. "You have?"

Kaoru studied her and nodded abruptly. The memory caught her by surprise. "We have actually." She cast a glance at the blonde at her side. "The other night."

The violet eyes darted between the two. "What night?"

"It was Monday?" Kaoru offered.

"She picked out a fantastic bottle of wine." The woman volunteered.

"That she did." The blonde, Enishi, stepped forward and took her hand in his. Now interested, the stormy eyes watched her, a glint in them that made Kaoru slightly discomfited. He bent over her fingers before kissing her knuckles. "It proved to be a fabulous evening with all the praise going to you."

She offered an uneasy smile. Something seemed off kilter about the man. "Well, I was just doing my job."

"But it offers me great comfort in the present festivities of the evening. Knowing you put this dinner together and the faith you are more than capable at what you do?" He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I am very much looking forward to it."

"I appreciate you joining us for dinner." She told him, not sure what else to say.

She turned now to Tomoe. "How long have you known Kenshin?"

The woman chuckled. She sipped from her glass of sparkling wine. "We've known each other a very long time." She stated, glancing at the redhead. Her dark eyes focused on Kaoru. "But I honestly can say that I'm glad he has met you." Her words sounded sincere.

Something she said triggered something within her and Kaoru needed an out. "Forgive me. I need to check on the wines for the rest of the meal before we sit down." She flashed them a smile and then moved towards the balcony.

Before she could cross the doorway outside, a hand on her elbow stopped her. "It was Misao. "Are you okay?"

"I need to check the wines, make sure they are okay. Otherwise, I won't be able to sit still."

The woman followed her outside. "You didn't answer my question."

Kaoru looked at her. She moved to the Chenin Blanc sitting in the ice. Several glasses waited. She poured a taste and sniffed the wine. "I'm fine." She took the sip and swirled it around her mouth. The bright floral and stone fruit notes burst on her tongue. She swallowed and looked back at Misao. "Why are you asking?" She blinked. "There was something you wanted to tell me."

The woman grew still. "Tell me exactly what happened yesterday."

Kaoru moved onto the white Rhône. "I told you. I saw a picture of Kenshin kissing a woman who was his ex-girlfriend."

"Did you see it clearly?"

She sniffed the wine. "I could tell it was Kenshin. It was blurry. It was taken from far away." Kaoru shifted her feet as she tasted the wine. The conversation was leaving her unnerved. After her moment with Kenshin in the bathroom, she was finding herself in so far over her head, she wasn't sure what to do anymore. Sanosuke's words came back to her. Could she be reading more into what was developing between her and Kenshin? A memory tickled her thought but eluded her.

"You didn't recognize her? The woman?"

"In the photo?" She shook her head and moved back through the door and headed towards the dining room where the red wines waited. "I told you it was blurry."

She was happy to see the table was set and the glasses looked much better than when she had first come in. One of the servers handed her a red wine glass and poured the Garnacha. "Who showed you the picture?"

Kaoru wrinkled her nose on the first sniff and then buried it to make sure she wasn't mistaken. She looked up at the waiter who stood anxiously at her side. "Decant the garnacha. It's a bit too earthy. It should be fine in an hour."

"We were only told to decant the Bordeaux."

"I know." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. These people were not her people. She opened them and smiled brightly. The persona she wore at work easily slipped on. "I'm telling you now to decant it. Please." She added, hopefully smoothing over any lingering feelings they might have based on her earlier freak out.

"Yes ma'am."

"Kaoru!"

"What?" She whirled on the woman.

"Who showed you the picture?"

Kaoru sighed and glanced through the doorway towards the living room where her guests waited. "Aya saw them."

"The lady with the auburn hair?"

"Yes."

"Fuck."

The word was but a whisper, but Kaoru looked at her sharply. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the emotions roll over the woman's face. "What do you know that I don't?"

The petite woman flashed a bright smile. "Nothing."

She studied the shorter woman. "What did you want to tell me? You said Kenshin wouldn't intentionally hurt me."

"Kaoru!"

The voice she had not wanted to hear finally approached her. "Aya." She rolled her eyes at Misao before flashing a grin. "How are you?"

"Your apartment is beautiful! And the view!"

"I know. I'm such a lucky girl."

"I take it you and Kenshin managed to work everything out?"

"Yes. You misunderstood what you saw."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I'm pretty sure - "The woman started to turn.

"Aya, I'm Makimachi Misao, Kenshin's cousin."

The woman turned, startled by the shorter woman. Forced to answer, she reached out to shake the woman's hand. "How nice to meet you."

"Kaoru tells me that you two have known each other awhile." As Misao searched for something to divert Aya's attention, it occurred to Kaoru that she hadn't really divulged any of her relationship to the petite woman.

"We were sorority sisters." She giggled. "That's why we have to look after each other." She glanced back over her shoulder. "I'm almost positive-

"Sorority sisters? So, you have known Sanosuke for years as well?"

"Um." The woman took a step back and sipped her glass of sparkling wine. "I guess, that yes, I have."

Kaoru wasn't sure exactly why Misao was distracting Aya from the situation that had occurred yesterday, but she was appreciative. "Excuse me, I need to check in with the chef."

She quickly moved away and headed towards the kitchen. She glanced at the time and saw it was after seven. She peered around the corner and spotted Beshimi.

He was leaning against the counter, a glass of something in his hands. "Is this an appropriate time to relax?"

He sighed before pushing up into a standing position. "I'm waiting for your signal."

"I think everyone is here."

"Then once you have seated, I will have the plates ready to present." He nodded to the server at his side. "I'd start pouring." He told her.

Kaoru moved towards the living room. She found her original flute that she had put down on the table and tapped it, catching the attention of everyone in the room. Everyone grew silent. Kenshin appeared at her side. She glanced at him. "I would like to thank you all for joining us this evening."

He took the glass from her hands and laced his fingers through hers. "I think we both say that we are honored to invite friends, both new and old into our humble abode." Lifting their hands, he pressed a kiss to her fingers.

Watching him, she wondered just which Kenshin she was watching. She was aware of the persona she put forth under pressure. Was he acting as well? Her friend's words flitted through her head. She grinned and released a breath. "Shall we adjourn to the dining room? I can't speak for all of you, but I'm hungry."

The room chuckled and they led everyone into the other room. Reluctantly she let go of Kenshin's fingers to take her place at the head of the table.

Cheers to everyone!