Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Can't Run From The Past Forever ❯ Cooking Lessons ( Chapter 6 )

OMG!! Chapter 5! YES!!! I GOT IT UP BEFORE CHRISTMAS! I flippin' ROCK! Hehe...Sorry. I'm in a good mood.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Rurouni Kenshin characters, although I might make up a few to mach the story. I will tell you now, Megumi and Sano do not get together. I'm sorry to those who like the SanoXMegumi, but this is not one. There will be one main character I will make up, and she will be with Sano. In this story, Megumi is way too old for Sano, although I'm thinking of putting her with Hiko. Lol. That will be interesting. If you think I should, leave some reviews and we'll see what happens. Also, Yahiko is older in this story. He's not like…11, 12, or how old he is. Lol. Hope you like it!

 

Reviews

 

I am responding to your reviews so look for your name and my response will be next to it. =)

 

Derra: I tried to get all my stories off my old computer, but it didn't work. It is really messed up. But on the bright side I did get all my stories from this site and another one that I had posted them on. I just have to rewrite chapter five of Can'tRun From the Past Forever (Which I'm doing now YAY!) and New girl. Thank you for the advice though.

 

RedWingedAngel002: Kayko is sort of the main character, she just doesn't suppress Kaoru. Kaoru is who the story will be centered on the most, but Kayko is pretty high up there. Kayko's dream was about her own past. You will find out more about that later on in the story. I guess it was kinda rushed…but I just tried to make them sound friendly. Maybe it was a little TO friendly. Lol

 

AwesomeHachi1521316:I don't mind reading long reviews at all. =) I'm glad you really like it. I don't think it sounds weird at all.I'm actually REALLY flattered. I was trying to get Kayko's character like the others in the anime and manga. I did kinda match her personality to Misao's, but then again I didn't. I kinda made her a mix between Kaoru and Misao. Like…she has that really high energy like Misao, and has that temper like Kaoru. Then again she is her own character. Like, she will be similar to those two, maybe even a little Megumi, but she will also be different. You'll see later. Thanks for the advice on the way Kenshin speaks. I plan to put that in here as much as I can.

 

I hope that answered things. On with the story!

 

**

 

Megumi sat up in bed and stretched her arms out above her head, letting a huge yawn fall out from her mouth. Today she was going shopping with Tae. She glanced over at the clock and saw it was 8:42 am. She sighed and got out of bed and made her way over to the bathroom. Kaoru must have woken up late and was still in the shower. When she looked in she saw the bathroom was empty. Blinking a few times, she looked over at the bed to see that is was made. Blinking more, Megumi made her way over and saw that there was a small piece of paper on the pillow. She picked up the note and opened it to read.

 

Hey Megumi,

 

I got up a bit early and headed over to Kayko's for cooking lessons. I don't know how late I will be out, but I promise that I will call around dinner time. I hope you will have fun out shopping with Tae. Buy something cute!

 

Love,

Kaoru.

 

Megumi smiled and set the paper on the table. `She seems to be cheery. I wonder what the reason could be.' She let out another yawn and looked at the clock. She wasn't meeting Tae for another hour and a half. She smiled and headed over to the bathroom again. `I'll just do a little food shopping before I head over.'

 

**

Kaoru turned the last corner of the street and turned to look at the houses. She spotted Kayko's house and started toward it. She reached the door and knocked on it lightly, folding her arms across her chest as she waited for the door to be answered. A few seconds later the door opened, Kayko poking her head out with a smile. Kaoru looked at her and smiled.

 

“Hey. I hope I'm not here too early.” Kayko shook her head.

 

“No not at all! I was kinda expecting you a bit early,” Kayko answered, moving a side to let Kaoru into the house. Kaoru stepped in and looked around, seeing that Hiko wasn't home. She turned to Kayko.

 

“Is Hiko gone?” Kayko closed the door and turned to her.

 

“Yeah. He left early. I think he's meeting up with someone.” Kayko answered. Kaoru nodded her head.

 

“Wont doubt if he runs into Megumi.” Kayko snickered a bit and made her way into the kitchen, Kaoru following close behind. “So what are we starting wit today?” She asked, leaning against the counter. Kayko smiled and started to get some cooking supplies out.

 

“I thought we could start out with something easy. Miso soup,” the brunette answered. Kaoru blinked a bit.

 

“We are starting with soup?” Kayko nodded.

 

“Yup yup! It's pretty easy actually. Just try not to burn yourself,” she said with a smile. Kaoru giggled and nodded. Kayko got most of the things started and then stepped a side and started to guide Kaoru through the rest.

 

**

 

Megumi took a sip of her coffee while she continued to listen Tae go on and on. `I forgot how much this woman could talk,' She thought, nodding her head every once in a while to show she was listening. She looked off at the window and thought, `I wonder what Hiko is doing…' She blinked a few times before thinking again, `Megumi how can you think that!? You don't even know the man that well,' she told herself.

 

“Megumi?! Hello, are you listening to me?” Tae yelled, waving her hand in front of her friend. Megumi blinked and looked at her.

 

“I'm sorry Tae. I just kinda got side tracked,” she answered, smiling slightly. Tae just rolled her eyes smiling.

 

“Mhm…day dreaming. You use to do it all the time when you had a crush on a…” She stopped, then crossed her arms smiling slyly. Megumi blinked at her.

 

“What?” She asked. Tae just smiled bigger.

 

“You were thinking of Hiko weren't you,” She accused, making the woman across from her blush different shades of red.

 

“No I was not! I barely know the guy,” Megumi answered. Tae shrugged.

 

“So? You don't have to know a person for long to get a crush on them.” Her friend just rolled her eyes.

 

“Whatever, Tae. Believe what you want. Are we still going shopping?” Tae nodded and got up, putting her purse over her shoulder. Megumi got up and placed a tip on the table before putting her purse over her shoulder and walking out with her friend to go shopping.

 

**

 

Misao pulled up at Kenshin's house, a worried look on her face. She parked her car and got out, heading to the front door. She knocked a few times and waited. It was not long before she heard Buddy barking and foot steps heading toward the door. Kenshin opened, pushing Buddy back with his foot. He looked at her and smiled.

 

“Hello Misao-dono, would you like to come in?” He asked. Misao nodded and walked in. Kenshin closed the door behind her. “Would you like something to drink?” She shook her head and sat on the couch, petting Buddy on the head when he laid his head on her knee.

 

“I came to talk to you about something…” she said, looking up at him. He blinked at her and sat down on the coffee table infront of her.

 

“What would you want to talk about?” Misao sighed and folded her hands in her lap.

 

“I woke up this morning and had sick feeling in my gut…like something bad is going to happen,” she said. Kenshin nodded his head, telling her to continue. “Ever since I came back two days ago, things have felt a little different. It's like something is going to happen, and its not gonna be good.” Kenshin watched her for a minute.

 

“I'm guessing its going to include Kayko,” he said quietly. Misao nodded. “I'll talk to Sano and tell him to keep an eye on her,” he told her, placing his hand on her shoulder. Misao smiled and got up.

 

“Thanks Kenshin. Do you think you could head over there now, you know, just to watch her and everything,” she asked. Kenshin nodded.

 

“Will do.” Misao smiled and walked over to the door.

 

“Tell Kayko I'll see her later. I heard something on Aoshi again today, so I'm gonna go check it out. See ya later,” she said, opening the door and walking it out. Kenshin watched the door close and sighed. `Let's hope he hasn't found you, Kayko, that I don't,' he thought.

 

**

 

“Hey Kaoru, how is everything going on in he…OMG WHAT DID YOU DO!?”

 

“I didn't do anything!! It just caught fire!”

 

“Caught fire!? How do you catch soup on fire!?”

 

“I don't know!! I told you I couldn't cook!!”

 

“THE CURTENS ARE ON FIRE!”

 

“Omg Omg Omg! Kayko what do we do!?”

 

“We put it out!”

 

“Where is the fire extinguisher!?!”

 

“I don't know! Hiko moves it a lot!”

 

“Find it!”

 

“THE COUNTER IS ON FIRE!!

 

“Put it out Kayko! Put it out!”

 

“Hey Kayko. I wanted to know if…HOLY SHIT! What happened!?”

 

“Kaoru set it on fire!”

 

“It's not my fault! I told you I could not cook!!”

 

“How do you burn soup!?”

 

“I don't know! This is me we are talking about!!”

 

“Kenshin help us!!”

 

“Kayko go get a bucket of water, Kaoru go get the phone and call 911.”

 

The two girls nodded and ran out while Kenshin searched the kitchen for the fire extinguisher. He found it under the sink and pulled it out. He ran over to the stove and began to put out the fire. Kaoru ran in with the phone in her hand as Kenshin put out the last flame. He sighed in relief and looked at her. Kaoru blushed and set the phone on the table.

 

“I guess I don't need to call 911,” she said quietly. “I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to set the kitchen on fire,” she said again. Kenshin smiled a bit.

 

“It's not my kitchen, but I'm sure Kayko will forgive you, that I do.” She smiled.

 

“I have the water!!” Kayko yelled running in and throwing the bucket of water at the stove. Kenshin closed his eyes as the water splashed all over him and Kaoru blinked before wiping a drop of water off her face. Kayko blinked for a sec, then smiled. “Heh heh…sorry…” Kenshin glared at her slightly. Kaoru giggled a bit. Kayko twiddled her thumbs while rocking back and forth on her heals. “So…what now?” She asked. Kaoru shrugged as Kenshin continued to glare at her. Kayko blinked. “Why are you glaring at me? You are the one who told me to go get the water!!” Kenshin glared more and threw a crusty sponge, which had been in the fire, and threw it at her head. She blinked as it bounced off her head, then looked at it. She looked back up at him. “That wasn't very nice.” Kenshin rolled his eyes.

 

“Anyway, what are you two planning to do?” He asked the two girls. Kayko blinked before scratching her head. Kaoru twiddled her thumbs.

 

“I have an idea!” Kayko said, her finger pointing up at the air.

 

“This outta be good,” Kenshin said, looking at Kaoru.

 

**

 

Hiko yawned and pulled his keys out of his pocket, unlocking the door. He walked in and closed the door, then stopped. Something wasn't right. He looked around the entry way, then moved to the living room. Everything looked fine. He looked around and then headed toward the kitchen.

 

He came to the kitchen door to see it closed. It had a sign on it that read “Under Renovations.” Hiko blinked at it. His eyes narrowed a bit and he tried to open the door. `Locked,' he thought. `Kayko what did you do?' He asked him self.

 

He sighed and popped his knuckles, then pulled his arm back and punched the door. It fell back and showed the burned, watery, smelly kitchen. Hiko blinked, then glared daggers at the sight before him.

 

“KAYKO!!!!!!”

 

**

 

Miles away at Kenshin's house, Kayko was teaching Kaoru again, this time in Kenshin's kitchen, Kenshin watching. Kayko was teaching Kaoru how to make a cake. Kaoru set the cake pan on the counter. Kayko was about to get the cook book, then stopped suddenly in her tracks. Kenshin and Kaoru both looked at her.

 

“Kayko are you ok?” Kaoru asked. Kayko turned her head slowly, looking in the general area on her house's direction.

 

“I sense a disturbance in the force…” Kaoru blinked and Kenshin began to laugh. “It's getting closer…and closer…and closer...and closer OMG HE'S COMING!!” She yelled, running out of the kitchen. Kenshin leaned against the counter, laughing more. Kaoru watched her run out. After a few minutes, Kayko did not return and Kenshin's laughter had calmed down. Kaoru looked at him.

 

“Where did she go?” Kenshin chuckled a bit.

 

“Probably to Sano's, that or she's in the back under my bed.” Kaoru giggled, then blinked (A/N: OMG she does that a lot!!).

 

“Who is gonna teach me then?” Kenshin smiled.

 

“I will be glad to help, that I will,” he answered. Kaoru smiled.

 

“Alright. Just tell me what to do,” she said. Kenshin went to the pantry and got out the sugar.

 

“Get the eggs, milk and butter out of the fridge,” he ordered. Kaoru nodded and made her way over to the fridge. She got the butter out and placed it on the counter. She then grabbed the milk, but her being a klutz, the milk slipped out of her hand and spilled all over the floor.

 

“Omg I'm so sorry!” She yelled, picking up the milk quick. Kenshin sighed and grabbed a rag.

 

“It's ok. Just get the eggs out and stand back.” Kaoru nodded, placing the eggs on the counter and backed up. Kenshin cleaned up the spilled mess and threw the rag into the laundry room. He got another gallon of milk out of the fridge and put it on the counter. He got the rest of the ingredients out and motioned for Kaoru to come over.

 

She made her way over to him and stood at his side. “Alright, now I've already put the coco powder in there, I want you to put two cups of milk in there.” Kaoru nodded and looked around.

 

“Um…where do you keep your cups?” She asked, making Kenshin laugh. She looked at him confused. “What?” He chuckled and grabbed a measuring cup.

 

“Not really a cup. I mean measurements,” he said with a smile. Kaoru blushed with embarrassment.

 

“Oh,” she said quietly. She poured two cups of milk into the bowl.

 

“Good. Now one cup of flour and one cup of sugar,” he said next. She did what he said, then looked at him for the next command. “Now you need to crack two eggs.” Kaoru blinked at him with a confused look. Kenshin began to smile. “Do you know how to crack an egg?” He asked with his smile growing. Kaoru blushed and shook her head. He chuckled lightly and grabbed an egg. “I'll show you how to do the first one, “he said, breaking the egg on the side of the bowl and letting the yoke fall into the batter. Kaoru watched him as he did so. “You think you can do it?” She looked at the bowl for a sec and nodded.

 

“I think so. Can I practice first?” She asked. Kenshin nodded and grabbed another bowl and placed it infront of her. She grabbed her first egg and looked at the bowl.

 

“Also, make sure none of the shells get in the mix,” he told her. Kaoru nodded and broke the egg on the side of the bowl. It shattered everywhere, little pieces of shells lingered in the bowl. She frowned. “It's alright,” Kenshin told her. “It was your first try. Try again,” he said, she nodded and grabbed another egg. She went through five eggs, and completely broke her sixth one. She stomped her foot in frustration. Kenshin chuckled. Kaoru turned and glared at him.

 

“This is not funny! I can't do it!” Kenshin chuckled more.

 

“Yes you can you just have to keep trying,” he told her.

 

“I've tried six times, I can't do it,” she groaned. Kenshin snickered. Kaoru glared at him. “Stop laughing it's not funny.” Kenshin calmed down his chuckles and gave her another egg.

 

“Just give it one more try,” he told her. She took it and looked at him, then at the egg. She smiled and took the egg with both hands, then cracked it over his head, perfectly. She smiled with pride and waved her hands a bit, trying to get the yoke off her fingers. Kenshin looked at her with a shocked face.

 

“Was that good?” She asked with a smile. Kenshin opened his mouth, then closed it.

 

“I can't believe you just did that,” he said, still shocked. Her smile widened. “Fine then,” he said, grabbing an egg. Her smile dropped and she looked at it.

 

“You better no…” she closed her eyes as the yoke seeped through her hair. Kenshin smiled wide. Kaoru glared at him. “So its gonna be like that?” She asked, grabbing a handful of flour. She tossed it at him, getting it all over his face and hair. His mouth opened with shock and he smiled slyly.

 

“Oh it's on,” he said, grabbing the milk and pouring it on her. She screeched with shock and began to throw more flour at him. He grabbed the sugar bag and threw sugar at her. The battle was on.

 

**

 

Hours passed and the kitchen was a mess. Eggs and milk covered the ceiling and walls, flour and sugar splattered all over the floor. Kaoru was on the ground laughing, and Kenshin was leaning against the counter laughing. He fell down next to her and sighed.

 

“That was the best food fight ever,” he said, lying down. Kaoru giggled and leaned back on her elbows.

 

“It was amazing,” she giggled. Kenshin smiled and looked around.

 

“It's gonna suck cleaning this up you know,” he said, turning his head and looked at her. She giggled more.

 

“Definitely. I wonder where Kayko is.” She said. They heard a scream and looked at each other, then got up and looked out the window. They watched as Kayko ran by, Hiko on her heals.

 

“I can't believe you burned my KITCHEN!!!” He yelled.

 

“IT WASN'T MY FAULT!!” She yelled, running with her hands infront of her.

 

“I DON'T CARE!! You live there so there for IT'S YOUR FAULT!”

 

“MEH!!! I'M GOING TO SANO'S!” She screamed, running down the street, Hiko running after her. The two in the kitchen busted out laughing. Kaoru leaned on Kenshin for support while Kenshin held himself up with the counter, his arm around her. They laughed for a good 5 minutes before they were able to breath evenly again. Kaoru let out a few more giggles and looked at him.

 

“That was hilarious,” she said. Kenshin chuckled and looked back at her.

 

“Oh trust me that's nothing. They have done some funnier (A/N: I dunno if that's a word or not, but it is now.) things.” Kaoru giggled.

 

“I don't doubt that,” she said smiling. She then realized that something was around the middle of her back. She looked back at saw it was Kenshin's arm. She blushed dark and looked at the floor. Kenshin saw her blushed and figured out his arm was around her. He moved it quickly, blushing lightly.

 

“Um…Sorry Kaoru-dono.” Kaoru looked at him and smiled slightly.

 

“It's alright,” she said, still blushing. Kenshin sighed and looked around the kitchen. “I guess we should start cleaning this up,” she said. Kenshin nodded. “Well then let's get started.” The two of them got some cleaning supplies out and began to work.

 

**

 

Sano leaned back in his chair, flipping through the TV channels.

 

“There is NOTHING on!” He yelled! Yahiko walked in and collapsed on the couch. Yahiko opened a bag of chips and started to munch on them. Sano looked at him. “What are you doing here? Eating my food…Don't you have work? How did you even get in here?!” Yahiko looked at him.

 

`I'm bored, I'm hungry, not today, and your bed room window was open,” the boy said, looking back at the TV. Sano glared at him.

 

“Yahiko you just don't come into a person's house,” he said.

 

“Sano's right,” Kayko said, sitting next to Yahiko. Yahiko and Sano jumped and looked at her.

 

“When did you get here!? Why are you here? How did you get in!?” Sano asked her. Kayko looked at him.

 

“Just now, Hiko was chasing me, and your bedroom window was open,” she answered. Sano sighed and looked at the TV.

 

“I'm gonna have to lock that thing. Hey wait a second,” he said looking at her. “I thought you were gonna help that new girl cook today.” Kayko looked at him and laughed nervously.

 

“Heh heh….Yeah…I was, but that didn't turn out to well…she's at Kenshin's right now,” She answered. Sano and Yahiko looked at her.

 

“Really now?” They asked at the same time. Kayko looked at them and frowned.

 

“Oh no you two don't. Don't go off and play match maker. You heard what she said the other day; she doesn't stay longer then a week. That's not enough time for them to get together. And even if they did get together, they wouldn't be together for very long.” Sano smiled.

 

“Not if we convince Hiko to convince that Megumi chick to stay,” he said smiling slyly. Yahiko smiled.

 

“I like the way you think, Sano,” he said. Sano smiled more. Kayko sighed and rubbed her temples.

 

“I can't believe you two are gonna bud into more people's business,” she said. Sano and Yahiko looked at her.

 

“You know you want to try to get them together,” they accused. Kayko bit the inside of her cheek as she watched them for a second.

 

“Yeah your right. Count me in.” Sano and Yahiko smiled.

 

“Awesome! Let's go come up with something over food. I'm starving,” Yahiko told them, rubbing his tummy. Kayko rolled her eyes. Sano nodded his head in agreement.

 

“You know Yahiko, sometimes I wonder if you have a tape worm or something `because you eat so much,” Kayko told him, getting up and heading to the door. Yahiko shrugged and got up, following after her. Sano grabbed his car keys and got up. The three headed out the door.

 

**

 

“Tae I think we bought too much,” Megumi said giggling. Tae shook her head, laughing lightly.

 

“It's not a lot! We just went to six different stores,” she told her with a wave of her hand. Megumi rolled her eyes.

 

“Yeah and bought at least 5 things at each store, well I did. You bought at least 10,” she giggled more. Tae giggled with her and shrugged.

 

“I love to buy things. We use to be shopping maniacs in high school.” Megumi nodded her head in agreement.

 

“Those were the days,” she smiled. Tae giggled more and hooked arms with her.

 

“So how long are you and Kaoru planning to stay?” She asked, looking for another store to visit. Megumi's smile dropped a bit.

 

“I'm not sure. When Kaoru wants to leave is when we leave. I've told her many times that her father isn't ever going to find us again, but she won't hear it. She's too afraid. She wants to keep moving around,” she said with a sigh. Tae looked at her.

 

“She can't run forever. She has to settle somewhere.” Megumi looked at her.

 

“That's what I say, but like I said, she doesn't want to hear it. That's why I'm really happy she met Kayko and all of Kayko's friends. I hope that they will grow on her and she'll want to stay.” Tae smiled.

 

“I think they will grow on her. Kayko has a way with people. If she chooses to stay, y'all can stay at my house until you two are able to get one of your own,” Tae told her. Megumi smiled and hugged her friend.

 

“Thanks Tae.” Tae smiled and looked at a restaurant across the street. Megumi followed her gaze and smiled. “I'm all for it. Pay half and half?” She asked. Tae nodded her head and they crossed the street to the restaurant. They entered the restaurant and saw that over in a corner sat Kayko. “Look there's Kayko,” Megumi said, tapping Tae on the arm. Tae looked over.

 

“Yup that's her, but she's not with Kaoru.” Megumi blinked and looked at Kayko again. Tae was right, she wasn't with Kaoru. Instead she was with those other two boys, Sano and Yahiko. `Wait if Kayko is with them, then where is Kaoru,' she thought. Megumi made her way over to them, Tae following after. Sano heard footsteps and looked at them.

 

“Tae! Hey how are ya?” Tae smiled.

 

“Fine Sanosuke, thank you,” she answered. He smiled. Kayko and Yahiko looked at her and smiled.

 

“Oh and your Megumi right,” He asked. Megumi nodded. Kayko looked at her.

 

“Hey Megumi,” she said. “I bet your wondering where Kaoru is.” Megumi crossed her arms.

 

“Yeah a bit.” Sano and Yahiko looked at Kayko. Kayko giggled.

 

“She's fine and everything. No worries.” Megumi nodded her head.

 

“Good to here. I'd still like to know where she is,” she said. Kayko smiled.

 

“She's with Kenshin,” she told her. Megumi blinked. `Kenshin?'

 

“With Kenshin?” She asked. Kayko nodded her head, taking a sip of her coke. “Really? That's different.” The three teens looked at her confused.

 

“Why?” Yahiko asked.

 

“Well she's not too big into being around guys, especially alone with them.” Kayko and Yahiko blinked a bit.

 

“She seems fine around Kenshin,” Kayko told her. Megumi smiled.

 

“Does she now?” She asked, looking at Tae. Tae smiled.

 

“Mind if we join y'all?” Tae asked. The three teens shook their heads. Megumi and Tae added on a small table and sat. Megumi looked at Kayko.

 

“So were you able to teach her how to cook?” Kayko shook her head before taking another sip of her drink.

 

“No, she almost burned down my kitchen.” Sano and Yahiko laughed as Tae and Megumi looked at her with huge eyes.

 

“Omg she did!? I'm so sorry I'll pay for it!” Megumi told her. Kayko smiled and shook her head.

 

“There's no need. She didn't mean to. I just hope she doesn't burn down Kenshin's next.” Sano chuckled.

 

“I'll laugh if she does,” he told them. Kayko looked at him.

 

“Yeah and then he'll sick Buddy on you and we'll all laugh at that,” she said smiling. Sano frowned.

 

“That's not funny. That dog is evil,” he accused. Kayko rolled her eyes.

 

“Only because you tried to drop kick him over the fence when he was a puppy.” Megumi gasped and looked at Sano. Sano shrugged.

 

“He shouldn't have bitten me!”

 

“You shouldn't have taken his chew toy away.” Sano grumbled and sat back. The tabled snickered, making Sano flip them all off.

 

**

 

“Counters, clean, sink, clean, ceiling, clean, floor, clean, walls, clean,” Kenshin said going over the invisible check off list in his mind. Kaoru giggled and continued to put the ingredients away. She placed the eggs in the fridge and sat on the counter. They had cleaned the whole kitchen, not missing a single spot. Kenshin smiled as he looked around. “I think we did pretty well, that we did,” he said, looking at her. Kaoru smiled.

 

“Yeah and it was hard. I'm never throwing an egg at the wall again. Cleaning it up is a pain in the ass,” she said, leaning back on her hands. Kenshin chuckled and walked over to her, leaning against the counter next to her.

 

“Cleaning this kitchen up isn't as bad as cleaning Sano's room up. That room is horrible. Every time his mom is doing her spring cleaning, she calls Kayko over to clean his room.” Kaoru giggled. “Kayko cleans it and two hours after she leaves its back to the way it was before.” She giggled more.

 

“I bet that pisses his mom off,” she said. Kenshin shook his head.

 

“No, she just sighs and moves on. Kayko on the other hand gets really pissed.” Kaoru laughed lightly. Things grew to a comfortable silence, the two teens deep in their thoughts. Finally Kenshin looked at her and asked, “You wanna go for a walk?” Kaoru snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him. She smiled.

 

“Sure. A walk sounds nice,” she answered. He smiled and pushed off the counter. He took her hand to balance her as she slid off the counter. When she was on her feet, he let go of her hand and they headed to the front door.

 

**

 

“So…you want me to convince Kaoru to stay, `because you three think, that she and Kenshin should go out?” The three teens nodded. Megumi watched them. Tae shrugged her shoulders and turned to her friend.

 

“I don't see the problem. You said yourself you wanted to stay. Maybe if you say a few things that will get her thinking and say she wants to stay, things would fall into place,” Tae said. Megumi looked at her.

 

“And what am I suppose to say? “Hey Kaoru. I really like it her and I think we should stay!” Heck no. She'll disagree without a second thought,” she said, crossing her arms. Tae rolled her eyes.

 

“No what you need to do is start off a conversation by asking how her day was. Then move on to how much you like the town, ask her what she thinks of it, then ask her if she likes the friends she has made, and lastly bring up the concept of staying,” Kayko told her with a smile. Megumi looked at her.

 

“I guess that could work, but how do I say it with out sounding suspicious?” Megumi asked. Kayko smiled.

 

“Bring up how you like Hiko,” Kayko replied curtly. Megumi's eyes widened, a huge blush crossing her face.

 

“I do not like Hiko!” She scowled. Kayko rolled her eyes.

 

“Please. The way you two acted last night at dinner. I really doubt that. You looked at him the whole time, laughed at everything he said, and hung around after and talked to him more. You like him.” Kayko smiled. Megumi's eyes narrowed.

 

“I do not. He's a very nice, funny, and easy to talk to man who happens to be attractive!” Megumi denied, crossing her arms. Tae snickered.

 

“Point made, dear Kayko,” Tae told her, making Kayko's smile widen. Megumi rolled her eyes. Sano looked at Yahiko.

 

“Girls are so weird,” He said. Yahiko nodded his head in agreement. All three of the women at the table glared at them. The two guys smiled and waved. Kayko rolled her eyes and waved them off.

 

“Anyway, speaking of Hiko,” Tae began, looking at Kayko. “You said you were running from him. Where is he now?” She asked. Kayko smiled, taking another sip of her drink.

 

“Hanging out with my little friends,” Sano looked at her.

 

“That poor, poor man,” he said, shaking his head. Megumi looked at everyone confused. Tae just shook her head.

 

“Don't ask…” Tae told her.

 

**

 

Kaoru pulled her room key out of her back pocket and opened the door. She tossed her jacket on her bed, closing the door behind her. After kicking off her shoes, she fell on her bed with a dreamy sigh. She and Kenshin had taken a walk through the park.

 

They had talked about many things, favorite types of food, favorite colors, his crazy dog, what he did for a living. He didn't ask much about her, and that she was happy about. She wasn't gonna tell him her past. She didn't see the point if she was only going to be here for a few more days. Still she smiled. He was a really nice guy. She would miss him a lot after her and Megumi left. Him and Kayko. They ended up sitting on one of the park benches, talking about everything. They ended up exchanging numbers during one conversation. It wasn't until it was turning dark that they started to leave. He walked her to the hotel and offered to walk her to her room, but she told him she could manage.

 

She heard the lock on the door click and sat up. Megumi walked in, setting all her bags on the table, closing the door with her foot. She looked at Kaoru and smiled, kicking off her shoes.

 

“Hey. When did you get back?” She asked. Kaoru smiled.

 

“A few minutes ago. Have fun shopping with Tae?” Megumi smiled and nodded.

 

“Yeah. It was a lot of fun. We bought a lot of things,” she answered, sitting on her bed. Kaoru looked at all the bags.

 

“Did you buy the store?” She asked with a giggle. Megumi giggled.

 

“No, but I think Tae wanted to.” They laughed.

 

“So how was your day?” Megumi asked. Kaoru smiled.

 

“It was good,” she told her. Megumi smiled.

 

“That's good. What did you do?”

 

“Well I went to Kayko's of course. She tried to teach me how to cook, but that didn't go to well.” Megumi smiled, remembering when Kayko told her about that. “Kenshin ended up coming over and helping us out. Afterword we went to Kenshin's and she was gonna try and teach me there, but she ended up running out screaming about someone coming.” Megumi giggled, nodding for her to continue. “So Kenshin ended up teaching me how to cook, but we didn't get very far. We ended up having a food fight, “she giggled. Megumi smiled.

 

“And was that fun?” Kaoru smiled.

 

“Yeah it was a lot of fun. Then we saw Kayko running outside from Hiko. Didn't see her for the rest of the day.” Megumi laughed a bit. “We then cleaned the kitchen up. After that we went for a walk in the park and didn't leave until it was starting to get dark. That's about it.” Megumi nodded.

 

“Did he walk you back?” She asked. Kaoru smiled again and nodded. Megumi smiled. “What a gentlemen,” she said. Kaoru giggled. “I'm glad you had a good day,” she told her. She smiled slightly.

 

“It was a great day. Kenshin really is something. He's not like any guy I've ever met,” Kaoru told her. Megumi sat crossed legged and leaned back on her hands.

 

“Sounds like you like him.” Kaoru looked at her.

 

“I don't think I like him, at least not like that. I like him as a friend though,” she said, lying on her stomach. Megumi smiled. `It's a start,' Megumi thought.

 

“I'm glad you made a friend.” Kaoru smiled.

 

“I think I made two.” Megumi smiled more. `Here it goes,' she thought.

 

“Kaoru what do you think of this place?” Megumi asked. Kaoru blinked at her.

 

“I think that it's a nice little town and it has friendly people in it,” she answered. “Why do you ask?”

 

“Well I was talking to Tae today,” she started. Kaoru's eyes narrowed.

 

“Talking to Tae about what?” She asked suspiciously.

 

“Well Tae and I were talking and Tae asked me if I liked it here. I told her I liked it here a lot, so she asked me…”

 

“No,” Kaoru cut her off. Megumi looked at her.

 

“You don't even know what I was going to say!” She yelled.

 

“Yeah I do. You were going to say that she asked you why wont you stay and you said you wish you could, but you can't `cause I wont want to so she told you to convince me to stay and the answer is no,” Kaoru snapped. Megumi blinked. `How does she do it?' Megumi asked herself. She then narrowed her eyes.

 

“Why?” Kaoru blinked at her.

 

“I don't want to stay,” she answered. Megumi's eyes narrowed more.

 

“Why?” Kaoru blinked at her more, then glared.

 

“I don't want to!” Megumi glared.

 

“That's not a good enough reason. Why do you not want to stay here? Do you not like it here?”

 

“It's fine here but…”

 

“Do you not like the people here?”

 

“The people here are fine…”

 

“Do you not like the friends you have made?”

 

“They are amazing! It's just…”

 

“Just what, Kaoru!? What is wrong with this place!? I like it here! You like it here! You have made great friends! I have reunited with some of mine and made some of my own! Tell me what is wrong with this place!?” Kaoru jumped up and glared at her.

 

“I don't need to give you a reason! I don't want to stay here!” Kaoru yelled. Megumi jumped up.

 

“Give me a reason why!”

 

“I don't have to give you a reason!!

 

“It's because your scared isn't it!!”

 

Things got really quiet. The two women looked at each other. Kaoru looked at Megumi with a shocked face while Megumi glared at her. Finally Kaoru found the voice to speak.

 

“What?” She asked.

 

“You heard me. The reason you don't want to stay is because you are afraid. You're afraid that your father is going to pop back up if we were to stay longer then a week. He's not going to, Kaoru!” Kaoru watched her.

 

“He did last time…” she said quietly. Megumi's face softened a bit. “Remember? It was a year after we left. We were in that town; we had been there for two weeks. Then one night I woke up and he was standing over me,” she continued. Megumi sighed.

 

“Kaoru that was years ago. We were only a few towns away from where we use to live. We are now far away from that place,” Megumi tried to reassure her. Kaoru just shook her head.

 

“No. I don't want to risk it. I don't want to stay!” Megumi sighed.

 

“Kaoru stop acting like this! You're 17 years old and you're acting like your 13 again!” Kaoru just slipped on her shoes and grabbed her jacket as she headed for the door. She didn't want to hear this. “Kaoru where are you going?!”

 

“Away from you!” With that she slammed the door behind her. Megumi sat back on the bed and put her face in her hands. `Oh Kaoru…'

 

**

 

“Kaoru walked down the side walk, her arms crossed. `I can't believe her! She knows how terrible that day was! How can she get over it and want to stay!?' Kaoru looked around and stopped. `Oh great. I did it again. I let my anger get a hold of me and now I don't know where I am.' She sighed and started walking again, hoping she would see something somewhat familiar.

 

After walking for a long period of time and seeing nothing familiar, she stopped again. Fear spiked up in her a bit, but she stayed calm. She pulled out her cell and started to look through the numbers. `Damn. I haven't gotten Kayko's number yet,' she scowled at herself. Her eyes lay on a number she had forgotten she had got. `Kenshin…I forgot he gave me his number at the park.' She smiled and pressed call. She listened to it ring, hoping he would pick up. On the fourth ring, the call was answered.

 

“Hello?” She heard Kenshin answer threw her phone.

 

“Hey it's Kaoru,” she started.

 

“Hey,” he said.

 

“Kenshin I kinda need your help right now,” she said quietly. He was silent for a minute before he responded.

 

“Oro? Is something wrong? Are you ok?”

 

“I'm fine. Megumi and I just got into a fight and I got mad so I left. Now I'm in the middle of somewhere and I don't know where. Could you…come find me?” She could here movement on the other side of the phone.

 

“Yeah. Can you describe where you are?” He asked. Kaoru looked at her surroundings.

 

“Yeah, um…I'm by a small row of stores. One of them is a flower shop. The street names are Yorkrin Street and Pibb Avenue (A/N: I'm drinking a Pibb Xtra).” She heard the rattle of car keys and the sound of a door being opened.

 

“I know where you are. Find a place to sit and I'll be there soon,” he ordered. Kaoru looked and saw a bench by the shops. She crossed the street and sat down.

 

“Alright. What color is your car?” She asked.

 

“Red,” he answered.

 

“Type?”

 

“Porsche.” Kaoru looked at the phone in shock.

 

“A Porsche!? Those things cost a lot of money!” She said in shock.

 

“I know. I'm on my way. See you in a few.” Kaoru sighed.

 

“Alright. See ya.” She hung up and phone and sat back. A few minutes passed and she heard foot steps coming. She looked over and saw a group of guys coming around the corner. Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked forward. She hoped they wouldn't see her, and if they did she hoped they wouldn't bug her. She glanced over slightly and tensed up. They were looking at her. She kept her head forward, but her eyes watched them. They were whispering to each other, looking and pointing at her. She closed her eyes and took a deep sigh.

 

`Please hurry Kenshin,' she thought. She heard footsteps get closer and her eyes snapped open. The guys were standing around her. She looked at them, fear spiking up in her. There were five of them.

 

“Can I help you?” She asked. The guys smiled, looking at each other. The one that stood infront of her spoke up.

 

“Why what would a girl like you be doing sitting here alone this late at night?” He asked. Kaoru turned her eyes to him.

 

“Waiting for someone,” she replied. The guy chuckled.

 

“And who may that be?” He asked. Her eyes narrowed.

 

“None of your business,” she replied curtly. The guys chucked. Kaoru groaned and got up. “Will you excuse me.” She turned and started to walk away from the group. She heard them chuckle more. It wasn't long until she heard their footsteps following after her. More fear filled her, but she pushed it back and kept walking. Maybe if she walked a few blocks they would give up and leave her alone. They didn't. They continued to follow her. She took a deep shaky breath and sped up her steps. `Kenshin is probably wondering where I am,' she thought. She looked behind her slightly to see that only two of them were following her. she looked back forward and thought,' where are the other three?' Suddenly something grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into an ally way. She turned to see who had pulled her in. It was the guy from earlier. She backed up slightly, making him smile.

 

“Hello again. Miss me?” He sneered. Kaoru narrowed her eyes.

 

“No. Now leave me alone.” She turned to leave. The two that were following her were blocking the way of the ally. She tensed, and turned to leave the other way, but the other two were blocking that way. Her eyes widen. She was trapped. The leader of the group laughed.

 

“What wrong sweetie? Not like feeling trapped like an animal?” He leered, walking toward her. She turned to look at him sharply and glared.

 

“Don't come near me,” she snapped, backing up to get away from him. He just smirked and continued to walk toward her. Her back hit a wall and her eyes grew wide. Fear filled her being as the men closed in on her. The head grabbed her chin and began to look her over.

 

“My dear you a beauty.” He laughed. Kaoru slapped his hand away, making him glare.

 

“Keep your hands off me,” she snapped again. He just laughed again.

 

“We got ourselves a feisty one, boys!” He told the others. They all laughed. Kaoru's heart pounded in her chest as she looked around. She was trapped. The guy turned back to her and pulled her face forward. “Your gonna be a fun one,” he said, before his lips crashed to hers. Her eyes grew huge and she began to shove against him with all her might. She pounded against his chest with her hands. In result he pinned her arms at her side, shoving her up against the wall. She struggled, trying her best to get free.

 

She felt his tongue push past her lips, making her want to gag. Getting an idea, she bit down on his tongue. Blood filled her mouth. The guy jumped away from her, holding his mouth in pain. Kaoru started to spit onto the floor, trying to get the taste out of her mouth. She turned to the guy and glared at him.

 

“Leave me alone!” He growled and shoved her against the wall again.

 

“You're going to pay for that, “he said darkly, raising his hand. Her eyes watched his hand, fear filling her being once again. She saw his arm swing and closed her eyes, waiting for the blow. It never came.

 

She opened her eyes to see a sea of fiery red hair infront of her. She gasped lightly and looked up to see Kenshin, holding the man's wrist in a death grip. His eyes were narrow.

 

“I do believe she said for you to leave her alone,” he spoke firmly, anger dripping off his voice. Kaoru's eyes widened when she heard him speak. He shoved the guys arm away. The man backed up and took off, his friends following after. Kaoru watched them, and then turned back to Kenshin. Kenshin turned and looked at her. His eyes were different. They were still their beautiful purple color, but it was darker.

 

“Are you alright, Kaoru-dono?” He asked quietly. Kaoru snapped out of her gaze and blinked.

 

“Y-Yes…I think so,” she answered. Kenshin put his hand on her cheek and examined her face.

 

“He didn't hurt you did he?” He asked. Kaoru shook her head,

 

“No, but he did kiss me,” she spoke. His eyes harden, letting his hand fall to her shoulder.

 

“Come on, I'll take you back to the hotel,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her out of the ally way. Kaoru stopped. Kenshin stopped and looked at her. She shook her head.

 

“I don't want to go back to the hotel,” she said quietly. Kenshin watched her for a second before speaking.

 

“Megumi-dono is probably worried.” Kaoru looked at him.

 

“I'll give her a call when we get to your house.” Kenshin sighed and nodded. He pulled her to his car and opened the door to the passenger's seat. She climbed into the car and Kenshin closed the door behind her. She buckled her seat belt as Kenshin got into the driver's seat. He started the car and drove off.

 

“You sure you want to go to my house. I can take you to Kayko's,” he told her. Kaoru shook her head.

 

“That's ok. I'll feel bad if I were to wake her up.” She paused then looked at him. “I didn't wake you up did I?” Kenshin chuckled.

 

“No you didn't. I was working late, that I was” he replied. Kaoru looked out the front window.

 

“I'm sorry I called so late.” Kenshin smiled a bit and patted her hand.

 

“Its fine,” he told her, putting his hand back on the wheel. Kaoru smiled and leaned her head against the window, closing her eyes.

 

**

 

I did it!!! I got it up before Christmas!! I'm so happy! Yeah it's like two days till Christmas, but hey. It's up! 23 pages! I'm very proud. I really hope you all like it. Review please!!

 

~Safrin~