A Date with a Senpai

Chapter 11

Author's note:

Minna, this is sort of the prelude to the most awaited date in the history of RK. And I am doing everything to make the next chapter work, but it seems to me that I simply have no idea on where and what the date should be and should lead Kenshin and Kaoru. And so I decided this prologue thing. A prologue in the middle of a story, gee, what a great idea (bops self in the head with a boken).... But as I have said, it's more like to prepare my mind for the date. Which, I think, would generate some expectations, that I may not meet. (I'm putting all this hype on my fic! I'm such an ego-tripping weirdo!) Anyway, I sort of wanted to explore the relationships between Yahiko and Kaoru. Why? I have no idea. So, well, uh...that's all I wanted to say. I hope you all like this one. I'm not sure if this chapter worked. Flames will be understandably accepted. Reviews, C&C's are very much appreciated. Sorry for the very long, very unnecessary author's note and for the spelling and grammar error too. I plan on polishing this fic this summer (and my English too....)

A Date With A Senpai

Chapter 11

"What to do with a stubborn rurouni?" Kaoru asked herself. She had finished taking a bath and she was hoping to spend quality time with Kenshin when she caught him going out of the gate. He said something about a chore and he would be back in no time and then he was gone.

She was left alone and she mechanically began combing her hair. She didn't know why he had run off like that. He had been especially attentive the whole evening and she was expecting a little shift with their relationship. They had been done with the talking part, shouldn't be the time for the kissing and the other stuff Megumi was telling her. She felt the slight tingle in her back and smiled, a little too evilly at the thoughts that crossed her minds. She didn't really want to rush things with him, but she supposed that now was the best time as Kenshin seemed to have finally overcomed his shyness.

Maybe she made a mistake, maybe all Kenshin just wanted to strengthen their friendship. 'Nah, that can't be it'. Why should she start acting paranoid all of a sudden? Kenshin had said it was just a chore, she should trust him. Smiling to herself, she let the comb glide through her hair, imagining what it would be like to comb Kenshin's red mane. She would have to learn self-control when it comes to him, and by the way images keep popping in her mind, she ought to do it as soon as possible. Her talk with Megumi had turned her into a class A hentai! (When in fact, all Megumi had ever told her went as far as necking and nothing more.)

She made a face when she remembered that it was already late and Yahiko was still at the clinic. She hoped that Yahiko was doing fine. Maybe she ought to go there and check on him. After all what kind of a sensei was she if she didn't look after Yahiko. Beside it would give her the chance to get her mind off Kenshin. Maybe he just needed a break from her. After all, he should miss her once in a while too. Isn't that one of the things Megumi told her when they had their small talk?

Grimacing as the comb came through a tangle, she decided to ask Megumi for some help. Maybe she could give her an idea on what the hell was going on with Kenshin. She adjusted the length of her ponytail and secured it with her blue green ribbon. She watched her reflection in the mirror, tilted her head a little and noted how her ribbon complimented her blue eyes very well. She smiled, she had a feeling something was going to happen tonight, and her instincts never failed her. She felt unexplainably giddy inside, like the one time her father first brought her to the beach. That had been fun and she could still remember the way her heart had pounded that day, it was exactly what she was feeling today. Energized, full of life. She took a deep breath and giggled as her reflection stared back at her with bright eyes and flushed cheeks.

She was already dressed in one of her formal kimonos and made an effort to look exceptionally pretty today. Of course without the complicated hairstyle, or the red glossy thing that Megumi and Tae had put on her lips, but it worked for her. She had always looked this gorgeous anyway. Why change something that is already great? With a shrug and a brilliant smile, Kaoru wearing her blue geta, clutching at the matching small blue pouch walked outside her dojo, closed the gate and skipped her way towards town.

Kenshin had just finished making the necessary arrangements. It was a tough decision but he knew he had to make it. Anything to ensure a peaceful and stress free dinner with Kaoru. Tae waved good bye to him a big smile on her face, he waved back absentmindedly and returned to his previous thoughts. He only needed to talk Sano, Yahiko and Megumi and then to Kaoru and all will be set. He just wished that he would have the courage to ask her out. He still had a lot of things to iron out, the last thing he wanted was Sano and Yahiko falling off a tree, trying to see if he would and could kiss her. The thought of kissing her brought a surge of energy in his body and he immediately tried to put some restraint in his emotions. After all, this was just the beginning, he needed to get past the hardest part of his plan, which was to actually ask Kaoru have a date with him. He took a deep breath and headed for the clinic.

Tae was ecstatic. It seemed as though Himura-san had finally gotten over his shyness, and of course it was unnecessary to mention that her plan last night had been a great help with this sudden change. She contemplated for a moment if she should tell Megumi about this but decided that it would be for the best if she kept her mouth shut. And just go with Kenshin's instructions. Just for this time. After all, after this particular date she would have enough time to gossip about it. She instead hurriedly went and called out her best cook to instruct her on what Himura-san had requested for the dinner.

Sano wasn't too happy about this day. It started off pretty bad, since Yahiko the stupid brat had remembered everything that had transpired last night and had been constantly teasing and bugging him and Megumi to the roots of their hair. He was beginning to think that he was capable of physically hurting the kid.

"So, luckily there was no flirt-police last night." Yahiko said sounding relieved. He glanced at Sano and winked at him, the younger boy who was listening to him smiled and prompted him to continue with his highly amusing story about a certain chicken head and a fox. Yahiko gleefully complied and started reciting Sano and Megumi's conversation. The young boy blushed and giggled. His mother, who was still inside Megumi's clinic, will have the shock of her life once she gets home with her son, and little Yusuke starts blabbing about kisses and stuff Yahiko had been feeding him.

Sano meanwhile was near gagging and damn it, because he couldn't do anything about it. Megumi had ordered him to shut the boy up, but he was still unsuccessful about it. He had done almost everything, including stuffing a tabi on the brat's mouth but it still failed. He was hoping someone would come and shut the boy up. Permanently.

"Megumi? Are you in here?" The familiar, cheerful voice asked.

"Jou-chan!" Sano exclaimed, relieved to get the chance to pass on the duty of shutting Yahiko up. "You came just to visit me?" He asked smiling up at her.

She returned the smile, and went by his side to pat his head. "How's your ankle doing Sano?" She asked brightly.

"Fine. Hey somebody woke up in the right side of her futon today!" He exclaimed. "I'm glad, but try not to mess up the hair ok?" He added, inching away from Kaoru's hands. He wasn't about to swat her hands as he would normally do. She may be in a good mood, but he was smart enough not to tempt her, as she could change her moods with a flick of a finger.

"Actually, I didn't sleep." Kaoru said winking playfully at him ignoring the way he was strangely looking at her. Sano's eyes widened but before he can even ask her what she meant by that, Yahiko had already beaten him up to it.

"Oh! Like someone I know!" Yahiko retorted.

"Ohayou Yahiko!" Kaoru greeted with the same enthusiasm. "How's your back?"

"Fine. Fine. Actually, you should be asking Sano that." Yahiko said, carrying the younger boy and depositing him in a stool next to other patients. "He and Megumi had a very busy night." He informed her looking around to make sure that every one in the clinic was hearing what he was saying.

"Nani?" Kaoru asked confused.

Yahiko snickered. "Ya, know Busu, you're very bright, but I figured you'd be slow in this department."

Sano stared at him, his mouth dropping open. "Oh boy. You've done it this time Yahiko. You've ruined her day!" He hissed at him. Yahiko, the stupid idiot just shrugged his shoulders. Sano mentally cursed, why was it that every time Yahiko decides to irritate Kaoru, he always have do be there and be included in Jou-chan's wrath!

It took a couple of seconds before Yahiko's taunting registered in her mind and she was too scandalized to actually get mad at Yahiko for knowing such things and for telling her about it in front of almost everyone from their town. "Na-nani?" She said her eyes widening as she stared at Sano.

"Jou-chan, it wasn't like that. I swear. Yahiko's just...." Sano tried to explain but Yahiko beat him to it. Again. The kid was on a roll.

"....telling you that they started it at the floor....yeah, I heard the 'thud' and the flirting went on for about a couple of minutes before I heard Megumi shut the shoji door and Sano, lucky guy, was shouting 'Wait Megumi! Wait! Ouch! Ouch!"

Sano actually paled. "That was not how it happened!" He finally shrieked.

"Oh yeah? The why had Foxy said something like, 'Score one for me.' Explain that if you will Chickenhead."

"Why you...." That was it, the kid was really going to get it this time. Sano was about lunge forward he hadn't decided yet what he would do when he heard Megumi's voice.

Megumi heard the commotion and was quick to get there knowing that with Sano and Yahiko bickering, injuries could lead to far worse things she didn't want to contemplate on. "What on Kami's name is going on here?" She asked Sano and then at Yahiko. She immediately felt the pressure in the air and the silence around her. She turned and realized that everyone was staring at her....strangely. "Is there something wrong?" She asked first the young teen-age boy who was blushing pink to the very ends of his toes and then at the some elderly who was giving her a frown of the third degree.

Kaoru couldn't stifle the laughter bubbling in her stomach and let out a snort followed by a ripple of giggle. Megumi turned to look at her quizzically. She tried to explain. "Yahiko-chan was just...um...I mean" she swallowed to calm herself. "He told us what happened with you and Sano last night...Megumi, I never thought that..."

Megumi almost fainted at the implications of Kaoru's words and reaction. Oh boy. She turned to her patients, gave them her most profesional smile and asked for their pardon as she needed an immediate emergency meeting with these people. She didn't fail to tell them that the three were suffering from a strange effect from an overdose of....well...um....cheese. "Yes. They had eaten a bad portion of a cheese...very nasty virus in it and I should check up on them first." She said ushering Sano, Kaoru and Yahiko in.

"But I didn't....I just got here...."

"I've never eaten anything yet you damn Fox. What are you talking about...."

"That was a stupid excuse Megumi!"

Heads turned as they tried to capture what the three poor dear were saying. No wonder they had been acting really weird. It was a good thing that Takani-sensei was doing her job. They had decided, that no for cheese today.

Inside Megumi's clinic, Kaoru was shuffling her feet, trying not to laugh too much. Sanosuke was trying to explain, failing miserably at it and finally Megumi decided to cut his blabbering mouth off. "I told you to shut him up, not let him tell the whole world what happened....or rather what didn't happen last night." Megumi said imploringly at Sano.

"I know, I know. Look I tried ok. But no one can stop that foul mouthed brat...."

"Excuse me, I was just trying to tell Kaoru facts." Yahiko said stubbornly.

"I have never in my life tried to smother a brat, but I can do it now Yahiko if you want." Megumi replied icily. "What exactly did you heard and you told?" She asked crossing her arms.

Yahiko rolled his eyes. "Ok, it was stupid. I just sort of twisted the facts and told, basically everyone, that you and Sano..." He paused, embarrassed to say the word out loud.

"Me and Sano...." Megumi prompted.

"Yahiko implied that you did something to Sano last night, which me might and might not have enjoyed." Kaoru finished. "I believed the flirting part, but not up to the you know...." Kaoru said smiling.

Megumi sighed. She was not in the mood to argue, not even to think up of vile things to say. She looked at them closely and rolled her eyes. "Alright you two get out, before I decide to do something really nasty, which then I will enjoy." And before she could utter another threat Sano and Yahiko were gone closing the door with them. She turned to Kaoru. "And why are you here so early, Tanuki-chan? Any problem I should know of?"

Kaoru blushed, "Well, I...Kenshin and I spent the night together...." She paused and Megumi was left to think of the most possible scenario.

"You what? You...he didn't...did he? I told you not to let....Oh Kami...." She said her voice slowly rising.

"Oh, no! No! Not like that all. We just talked." Kaoru protested, frowning at Megumi who was laughing at her. "What?" Kaoru asked pouting, obviously Megumi had been assured that they never went that far.

"Nothing Tanuki. Just that....never mind." Megumi said, hiding her flushed cheeks.

"Wait, this has got something to do with Sano right?" She asked trying to hide the humor in her voice.

"Sano?" She asked acting perplexed. Kaoru raised her eyebrows. "Ok. Fine. I well....I....promise you won't tell anyone!" Megumi said lowering her voice.

Kaoru got all excited at once. This was going to be good. "I promise."

"I kissed him last night!"

The shriek that came forth from Megumi's clinic reverberated throughout the whole block and traveled way up into the police office, rattling Saitou's teacup and spilling it across some of his very important papers.

"Ahou!" He cried and cursed.

It was rather lucky for Kenshin that he had not heard it, because he would have easily recognized it as Kaoru's voice and he might have aborted today's plan. But luck, as it seems was smiling down at the seemingly clueless rurouni. He chanced upon Yahiko, who was sitting alone by the river, his previous position yesterday as he waited for Sano's further instructions on their bombed plan. He was tossing rocks on the surface of the river. It skipped two to three times, but the boy didn't look satisfied at all. In fact, he looked anything but happy.

Kenshin was glad that he found him first because the kid would be easier to talk to than his bigger counterpart. "Ohayou Yahiko." He greeted him, approaching the boy with a welcoming smile, not minding the frown that he received in return. "Good day isn't it?" He asked trying to open up a conversation.

"Not exactly." Yahiko saw Kenshin's questioning look. "Not when Busu and Foxy are meeting up for a conspiracy of some sort." He said dully.

"A conspiracy eh? I don't think so. Maybe she just wanted to check on you and Sano. But you seem better now. How is you back?" He asked.

"Fine. It didn't even hurt. We just kinda told you guys that Sano and I needed the extra care and attention and blah, blah, blah..." he rolled his eyes. Obviously the plan was not a stunning success as Kenshin was roaming around the market and Busu was out with Megumi today. He continued, "so you and Busu can have the opportunity to have a private talk or you know....whatever...."

He hadn't thought about it that way. He was silently thankful that at least one of Sano and Yahiko's plan worked for the best. He decided that he should thank them later, after all they had made things a lot easier for him...in a twisted sort of way. "You know, it's not really a lost cause. Kaoru and I talked about it last night. I think everything will work out fine, eventually." Kenshin said, peering at Yahiko's frown.

"When would that be?" He muttered darkly. He didn't need to hear the answer. By now, coming from Kenshin, it would be something like, 'We'll just have to wait and see de gozaru' which wouldn't mean anything at all. "So, why are you out here if you have worked things out with Busu? And what does 'work out things' exactly means?" He asked a little impatiently.

"Well, it hard to explain de gozaru. But I have already thought about and I think it's my turn to ask Kaoru out on a date." He said and before he can finish his sentence Yahiko laughed out loud. He looked at the young boy quizzically.

"I'm sorry. It's just that...you and Busu?" He stopped when he realized that Kenshin wasn't laughing with him. "You're serious aren't you?" He asked, not able to hide the tone of dislike in his voice.

"Yes I am." For a brief moment he studied the face of Yahiko and asked him softly, "You don't seem to be too happy about it Yahiko. I thought this was what you wanted?" He asked, settling down beside him, almost knowing that this would have been brought up sooner or later. Next to him, Yahiko was probably the closest person to Kaoru. He could understand if Yahiko started acting, well, possessive about Kaoru. He had hoped the kid would ask questions so he can explain things to him properly, but he never expected that he will be upset.

"This was what I wanted. I mean I want Busu to be happy and I know she would be happy with you but..." Yahiko had seen this coming. He had thought long and hard about this last night. He was happy for them, because he knew that they need each other. More importantly, he had sensed the love that they share. That was why he had agreed with Sano's plan in the first place. He wouldn't have done anything if he knew that there was no way the two could ever be together, because that would be a real mean thing to do for Kaoru and for Kenshin as well. Anyway, the plan had worked and now he was faced with the thoughts that made him, in a way, hate....not hate, but dislike the idea of Kenshin and Kaoru as a couple.

He wasn't that naive not to know what would happen next if they did get together and eventually decided to get married. They would be needing all the privacy and they would be starting a new life together. Which, ladies and gentlemen, will not include him. He was just a student, of course he had developed a strong albeit sometimes strange relationship with Kaoru. Bordering from sister and brother even extending sometimes to mother and son. And he'll be damned for life if ever denied that Kaoru meant more to him than anyone in the world. But he had also teased her mercilessly, had given her headaches of the worst kind, hell, he had destroyed one of her favorite vase! Sure, she was the family that he never had. But it would be easy for her to just let him go. A major brat, who had been nothing but a pain in her cute little ass.

Kaoru had given him food, shelter....and more than that. So much more, that he was afraid that he had been too dependent on her. But when Kaoru decides that he leave the dojo to make way for her new family, which will no doubt include a dozen of screaming ultra-hyper red haired brats, there would be nothing left for him to do but obliged.

"But what Yahiko? C'mmon, you can tell me." Kenshin said peering at him closely. Somehow, he already had an idea what Yahiko was thinking, or rather, what he was afraid of.

"But...but...just take care of her ok? If you don't and you make her cry, then I'm going to have to, I don't know, hunt you down or something. 'Kay?" Yahiko said looking at him straight in the eye.

Kenshin tried to keep his smile, after all the boy did look serious. "That's a deal." He said nodding gravely.

Yahiko let out a sigh and turned his head back to the river, he silently watched as it flowed almost endlessly. At least Kenshin had given him his word that Kaoru would be left in good hands. She would be well taken care of. He could leave the dojo peacefully just knowing that. He sighed again.

Kenshin seemed to have read his mind because he spoke his very thoughts. He was looking at the same direction as Yahiko was. "You know, she would never allow it that you feel that way." Kenshin said glancing back at him.

"Nani?" Yahiko asked, although he had a fairly good idea on what he was talking about.

"She may never tell you often...I guess she never really did, but she loves you like a brother. I know that for a fact." He simply stated.

Yahiko's eyes grew wide and he looked at him, almost pleadingly. "Hontou?" He asked, his voice a little strained and a little too small for his usual taunting screams.

Kenshin nodded again and looked into the horizon. "I know things are bound to change Yahiko, but one thing I'm certain is that Kaoru would never leave you. You would always be a part of her family. You were there when she needed you and she appreciates it more than you think." He said honestly. He leaned towards Yahiko and watched the frown in his face disappear into something more of a smile. "And do you honestly think that she would kick you out of the house just because she'll be having her own kids?" He asked him, raising his eyebrows.

"I....I guess not." Yahiko answered faintly. It took him a while to process all the things that Kenshin had told him, but after a moment he let out a relaxed laugh. "I bet she'll even make me baby-sit her little monsters." He said playfully wriggling his nose, feigning disgust. They shared a moment of silence, admiring the view in front of them, then Yahiko spoke up. "Thanks Kenshin." He said softly.

He smiled again, his trademark goofy, I-can-be-such-a-baka smile. "Hey, Kenshin?" He said pausing to look at the once feared assassin of all time. The one name that almost every man was afraid to utter, but if they could only see him like this. He could almost be anyone's father. Kenshin looked at him expectantly. His open eyes encouraging him.

"Promise me you won't tell Busu about this talk ne?" He asked a little imploringly. "I get stupid ideas sometimes." He added gently.

"I won't Yahiko-chan." Kenshin said, it was the prefect time to pull some strings now on Yahiko. After all the kid owed him big time. This was exactly the kind of thing that Yahiko tried to keep private. That he was still, not matter how he tried to act otherwise....he was still a kid.

Much to Yahiko's chargin' he couldn't do or even say anything about the 'chan' Kenshin had threw in his face so he just gave Kenshin a pained grimace, which made the rurouni laugh. Or shall he say ex-rurouni as it seemed that he had finally found his place with them. With Kaoru.

As he had.

"Of course, in one condition." Kenshin finished with a flourish.

"Nani?" Yahiko exclaimed. He had never seen Kenshin this way...with subtle hints of Sano's deviousness. It was a scary thought. If Kaoru was doing this to him he didn't dare think of what other things Kenshin was willing and would be able to do for his Busu-sama.

"It's simple really." Kenshin assured him. "All you have to do is...."

As Yahiko listened to Kenshin he felt a weird sense of deja vu. It was like scheming with Sano all over again, only this time it was with Kenshin, which needless to say, a plan that would actually work. He began to nod his head enthusiastically. Hell, Kenshin's plan was better than Sano's. Way too good that he couldn't help stretch his smile up to his ears, anticipating the fulfillment and of course the aftermath of this plan.

Way to go Kenshin!

Megumi had just finished telling Kaoru what had happened last night just about the same time Kenshin had finished talking with Yahiko. And Kaoru was tingling in her toes. It was so romantic. She snickered a little more at the thought of their resident cat and dog cuddling up. She had a mental image of them biting each other and had said this to Megumi, which the usually cool and calm doctor responded with a delighted squeal, pinching Kaoru in the arm for thinking up such things.

She didn't get the exact same idea that had formed in Megumi's head, but she knew and saw to it that it caused Megumi to blush. She asked how serious this whole thing is, and Megumi assured her that it was really *not that* consequential or anything that would lead to....well, complicated things that was somewhat hard to explain. Kaoru had pressed which had brought up the topic of well....of sex.

Kaoru's first lesson. Megumi had felt sorry for the Tanuki as she turned so red and so hot, she thought that the girl might come down with a fever. She didn't want to be the one to explain to Ken-san why Kaoru had developed such a thing over some conversation. And she hadn't even gone to the details yet. Just the basic idea. She fanned the girl for some time, left her alone so that she could tell her patients that she would have to take some time with Himura-san and they should just go and have their check-ups with Genzai-sensei. She returned after a while, glad that Kaoru was back to her normal color and temperature.

Kaoru after having regained a few of her senses back deiced that that sort of thing was way too early for her....but then who knows. Beside it was just a kiss, Megumi had said flippantly as she tried to change the topic, which thankfully shifted to something that she could handle and discuss easily.

Kaoru smiled to herself, although she knew that it meant more than what Megumi was letting on, she had decided to keep her mouth shut. After all she was liking this newfound closeness with the lady doctor. And the fact that she does not have to worry about Megumi flirting with Kenshin anymore. She would have to find some time to get the rest from Sano, as she sensed that Megumi had been editing some very vital parts of her story, but that would be for later. She was sure to catch the Rooster later at dinner. She watched as Megumi absently smiled and guessed that it was exactly the same way she looked. No one can be a more perfect mirror for her. And Megumi looked really happy about it. She couldn't wait to tell Kenshin about this one, maybe even give him a hint or two. And if he gave her an 'oro' she would have to do exactly what Megumi had done.

Take the poor guy by surprise.

And so now it was her turn to tell Megumi *everything*. She doesn't have much to tell, yet. But someday, she would be barging in here, with a far more toe-tingling story than Megumi. It would only take a matter of time. But for now, she started with the way Kenshin kept glancing at her longingly on their way to the dojo last night.

By the time that Kaoru had gotten to the part where she and Kenshin was talking by the front porch, Kenshin had caught up with Sano who was on his way to the Ruffian Row House to gamble and lose some more of his money. Kenshin had been unlucky this time as Sano practically pushed him inside the gambling house before he can even protest. The house was filled with men who were crammed in tables, noisily cheering each other or themselves.

Sano had ordered two jugs of sake, which for Kenshin's standard, and hell, almost everyone's standard was a little too early. But Sano didn't hear any of it. After finishing the first bottle, the second Kenshin had profusely turned down, Sano decided it was time to play. He found a table and sat down. He had played two times as Kenshin silently watched standing by his side, knowing why Sano kept loosing his money. First because he tend to gamble after he had a drink, which in every case was a bad thing to do and more obviously, he just didn't have the knack for winning. Both times Sano lost to the same lanky guy from yesterday and the day before and come to think of it, the week before and the week before that. Sano cursed under his breath.

It was as clear as the bright day that Sano was nowhere close to winning back his 60yen anywhere as close as Kenshin was to getting him to stay put and have a talk with him. Impatient and already suffering from an early attack of panic (after all it was nearing lunch and the next thing Kenshin would know it would be dinner and all his planning would have gone to nothing if he didn't drag Sano's butt away from the table) Kenshin took the dice and thank the good Kami because he won and had brought in an extra 50yen from the now grumbling lanky man.

"Yatta! Way to go Kenshin! Ok, pal, let's see how you do with this guy huh?" Sano said snatching the 50-yen with a flourish. He picked up the dice and gave it to Kenshin.

"Oro?" Kenshin asked. This was not how things were supposed to happen.

"Come on Kenshin, you're on a winning stake here! Roll the damn dice! Win dammit win!" Sano said and Kenshin was half surprised he didn't hear Sano cackled.

"Sessha....demo...." Kenshin began, absently accepting the dice from Sano's hand.

Sano dropped the cubed thing in Kenshin's hand and slapped him on the back, "I should have known you'd be good at this stuff. We should do this always." Sano said gleefully. Maybe hanging around Kenshin, he could rub off some good luck from the rurouni. And then hopefully, everything would change, not only with his winning streak, or should he say loosing streak, but also with his current status with Megumi.

He hadn't been able to get his mind off that damn Kitsune, especially not after sharing that kiss with her. He had hoped that spending some time gambling would take his mind off from wandering back to her luscious lips and curvaceous body, but it was failing miserably. "Now concentrate Kenshin." He said as he took a huge gulp at his sake, "Bet even." He said with certainty.

With a sigh, Kenshin rolled the dice in his palm, threw it across the table and bet an odd.

It was odd. They had won again!

"I knew it! I knew it!" Sano said triumphantly, pumping a fist in the air.

"You bet an even numbskull, if he hadn't change it, I would have won." Tall lanky guy muttered.

"What was that?" Sano asked irritatedly. "In case you missed the whole point of this, his role," Sano said pointing at Kenshin. "is to contradict me. That is how we win! You got that?" He asked hotly.

"Maa, maa Sano." Kenshin said, coming in between. "We have won twice already and you have gotten your money back, let's just quit now before I start loosing too, ne?" Kenshin said as he tried to moved Sano away from the table.

"But...but..." Sano looked longingly at the table which was now suddenly filled up with guys hoping that lanky guy was indeed in a loosing streak and they could take advantage of it. With no more table left he turned at Kenshin and scowled. "This better be damn good." He said as he let Kenshin dragged him outside.

Kenshin was on his way to the clinic and he still had the same smile on his face. The look on Sano's face when he told him that he was going to ask Kaoru on a dinner date was better than what he was expecting. His brown eyes had grown as large as saucers.. "You what?" He had asked him, suddenly the effects of sake drained from his system

"Sano, I haven't ask her yet." Kenshin corrected smiling slyly at the weird look Sano gave him.

"Oh." He said simply, seemingly at lost for words. Then a passing thought seemed to make him uncomfortable as he gave Kenshin a appraising look and then asked in a low voice. "Ok, what the hell happened between the two of you last night?" Sano had asked, sounding a little viscous.

And he had understood the reason for that tone. Sano was the older brother that Kaoru never had. And Kenshin was almost sure that any guy with the best intentions in mind that would come across Kaoru would want nothing more than protect her. The tough girl act that she played had been easily read by the both of them and they both understood that she was a lot more vulnerable than she let on. He had told Sano to relax and that they had just talked the whole night. Sano gave him raised eyebrow and asked again to be sure.

"Hai. Just talked Sano." He assured him.

And then all of a sudden Sano was telling him why had they 'Just talked?' and Kenshin grew so confused that he wasn't really able to answer that question. Needless to say, Sano understood Kenshin's need and desire for Jou-chan, he warned Kenshin just as Yahiko had but Sano had a better way of putting.

"I'll kill you."

He had said simply and once again Kenshin found himself trying not to laugh at Sano, for he seemed serious enough to actually do it. Kenshin had told him that he didn't have to worry about staining his hands with a rurouni's blood as he had never even thought of hurting Kaoru in anyway. And, crude Sano that he was, reminded him that he would, eventually, if he had gotten out of the 'dono' suffix, which Sano added drove Jou-chan absolutely mad.

Kenshin reluctantly answered that he had always known, but it had seemed at that time the best way to put the distance between them. After all the chitchat he had finally told Sano his own plan. Sano had cast him a dubious look and asked why he needed him. And so Kenshin explained. After a couple of minutes of trying to persuade Sano and promising that he would come along with Sano again to the Ruffian Row House to win some cash, Sano had readily agreed, slapping him heartily at the back and congratulating him.

"And now, if you would excuse me, I have a table waiting for me. " Sano had said and he watched the ex-gangster enter the gambling house. He was half way down the road when Sano screamed his name. He turned back expectantly and heard as Sano yelled the exact phrase.

"Are ya gonna wear that, um....pink gi of yours?" He asked a bottle of sake in his hand.

Kenshin nodded, smiling as he tried not to tell Sano that it was not pink, for crying out loud. It was magenta, a darker shade of red, if you would, but heaven's no, not pink.

"Well, uh, see....I suggest that you wear something....I don't know...less....less colorful." Sano had shouted again.

Kenshin had given him a tight smile and remembered that he had a blue gi somewhere. That should probably do and after promising Sano that he would change and would drop the 'dono' suffix, Sano bade him farewell with a clumsy salute.

Sighing at the memory he stepped into Megumi's clinic, which was surprisingly empty. "Megumi-dono?" He called out.

"Ken-san!" Megumi greeted him, she motioned him to enter and which he did, looking around the place, relieved that no one seemed hurt today. "No patients today ne?" Kenshin asked good-naturedly.

Megumi nodded and smiled. "You just missed Kaoru, she's on her way to the Akabeko and then to the kendo school at the edge of the town. She was looking for Yahiko by the way. Have you seen that kid?" Megumi asked sitting in front of Kenshin.

"Hai. I saw him by the river, but I asked him to pick some things for me at the market and he'll drop it at the dojo." He said a little tiredly, sitting down the tatami mat.

Megumi offered him some tea, which he gladly accepted. "Have you had lunch yet?" She asked him.

Well, a sorry piece of meat he had eaten at the Ruffian Row House, wasn't exactly what he would ordinarily call a meal, but he nodded. He was sure that even with all the food served right in front of him, he won't be able to eat.

"Well, as soon as you get home, go tell Yahiko that Kaoru had arranged him to have lunch at the Akabeko. And if Sano's there, well, tell him he can eat as well just as long as he have the money to pay for the tab. Which I doubt he has." Megumi added absentmindedly. "Have you seen Sano?" She asked, her eyes bright and expectant.

"Uh yes. He's at the....he's at a friend of his." He lied. He was saving Sano's but and he deemed it necessary that he lie in order to do so.

"A friend? Guy friend?" Kenshin nodded and Megumi was relieved, although she tried not to show it. "So what brings you here Ken-san?" She asked finally.

"I need you help Megumi-dono" He said quietly.

And Megumi was all ears.

Kaoru was on her way home, a few more turns and she would be seeing the familiar exterior or her dojo when she found Kenshin standing beside a tree, looking pensively into the dropping sun. And was her sight playing tricks oh her or was Kenshin wearing a new gi. A navy blue gi, which set off his hair and made it stand out. The red orange sun added to the color of his hair, making it seem as though it was flaming. He looked so hot! She wanted to run to him and just kiss him as what Megumi had done. "Kenshin!" She called reluctantly, ready to flee if it wasn't Kenshin, although she doubted there was any guy with the same bright flaming hair.

Kenshin turned and drew in a sharp breath. This was it. The moment of truth. He waved back and watched as Kaoru made her way towards him. She was wearing a formal kimono and her blue eyes were startlingly clear.

"Hey!" Kaoru greeted. "Nice gi!" Kenshin smiled, looking a little bit dumbfounded and Kaoru realized that it was such a stupid thing to say. She shyly looked down and tucked a wayward lock of hair that was blown by the soft cool afternoon wind. Behind them, the sun was taking a dip at the river, stars where slowly starting to show. It was a wonderful sunset and they were missing it. But it was ok, they were in their own world.

"Hey." Kenshin returned, his voice somewhat softer, a chill ran down Kaoru's back and she blushed immediately. "I was waiting for you." Kenshin said and this time his turn to blush.

Kaoru raised her eyes and smiled at him. "You were? I mean...um, thanks...I just went by Tomizawa's dojo to tell him that I won't be taking any lessons this week." Kenshin raised questioning eyes at her. "I just needed a rest. But I'll be back to teaching by next week." She said and then finally having the sense to look and watch as the sun, already half way down, descended once more. Half of the sky was already tinged with a combination of black and blue. It was as if someone had spilled a bottle of ink in the sky. She smiled. "Look Kenshin! It's gorgeous!" She exclaimed.

"Just like you. Actually you're a lot prettier than that." Kenshin mumbled softly and immediately realized that he had said it loud enough for Kaoru to hear. She had turned at him, her blue eyes wide, not quite believing what she had heard. She was blushing and her lips were slightly parted. She looked so beautiful...no...she looked perfect. It was the only word that he could think of to describe the way she looked.

'Ok, Kenshin, this is it. Don't spoil it. Just tell her....tell her....'

He swallowed hard and tried to look calm. He had been practicing what he would be saying the whole afternoon and talking to a dead silent tree wasn't particularly helpful. He took a deep breath and a step closer to where Kaoru was standing.

Kaoru's heart had now officially stopped beating, at least normally. She wasn't aware that she was holding her breath. His violet eyes were so intense and she didn't know if the glowing sun behind them brought about the amber glow. She cleared her throat and gasped softly in surprise when he took he hand and pulled her closer to him.

She could smell him now. He was so close. She had never been so close to her except that one night he had said goodbye. Suddenly she was overcomed with fear that he was going to say goodbye to her again. And this time, it would be final, there would be nothing for her to do. 'Don't...please...don't say it.....' Her eyes begged his.

He saw clearly her fear and he laughed softy, 'No koiishi, I will never leave you again' he silently answered. He laughed a little more, his breath teasing her hair. One strand flew to her lips and was stuck there. Deftly, with shaking fingers, he touched her lips and removed the lucky piece of hair. Later. He would have the chance to taste and to touch. He assured her fear by smiling at her and then, all of his fears, all of his guilt, the heaviness of his heart was gone. "Kaoru?" He asked, making sure that she would notice that he had dropped the respectful but distancing 'dono' in her name.

'Kaoru?' The word echoed all over her head, and then to her heart. 'Finally! Finally!' She screamed internally. She couldn't help but smile at him, fighting off the urge to throw her arms around his neck and squeal in delight. "Yes?" She softly breathed.

The surprised look that passed her face followed by the charming smile that she gave him was enough to give Kenshin all the courage that he needed. "Would you give me the honor of taking you out for dinner tonight?" He asked, surprised by how calm he sounded.

Tears pricked behind her eyes and she chided herself for being such a crybaby. And then for a brief numbing moment she heard him ask the question and now she wasn't quite sure if she was still sane and was imagining this whole thing in front of her. She didn't blink, she was half afraid that if she did, she would find herself standing in front of a tree, clutching at a dead branch.

Kenshin didn't dare breath as he waited for the answer, he didn't want to miss her saying yes. Or no. The silence was taking a little too long and Kaoru, for a moment had a glazed look in her eyes. When he was about to take back what he had said, her bright eyes smiled and she said "Yes."

She said yes!

She really did say yes!

Say something Baka! Before she change her mind!

But he couldn't find the rights word to say. They both let out a loud sigh and then laughed.

It was perhaps, one of the best moment that they have together, one that would be included in a long list of sweet moments. The first time their heart had beat in unison. As it would continue to beat as one for the rest of their lives. But for now, they have this moment. And they would both enjoy it.

Their first date.

"Why Kenshin, it took you this long to ask me out, this date better be really special." She joked trying to hide the nervous flutter of her voice.

"I promise." Kenshin said. And he silently took her hand and led her towards the dojo.

Short note:

ok, that's 11. A few stuff to explain.

Cheese? Why? Because I love cheese and I had to put it in my fic. I could be such a weirdo sometimes! hehehehe! I think that's how Yahiko would react to Kenshin and Kaoru being together, as I believe that Yahiko is a sort of possessive over Kaoru too. He just doesn't show it, so I showed it here. I hope I didn't confuse anyone with this bit. And geez, I let my sister read this and she said fluff, nothing but fluff! Was it? Anyway, loved it? hate it? (cowers helplessly) Please feel free to tell me. I'm starting chapter 12 now and I'd appreciate any help, ideas, comments, flames, cursing....absolutely anything you want to tell me! Keep 'em coming people! Thanks! To chapter 12!