And so it continued like this for a couple days, the sneaking around and the budding relatioship. One day, after Kaoru went to Maekawa-sensei’s dojo, she returned to see Kenshin outside chopping firewood. “Ya Kaoru-dono!” he chimed, putting down the axe and running to her, “Okaeri de gozaru!”

She reached over and wiped away some sweat on his brow. “Mou, what are you doing? You’re going to exhaust yourself.”

“I wanted to fix you up a bath, since I figured you’d be tired from all that training.” he said, sliding an arm around her waist. She gave him an uneasy look, but he replied, “Daijoubu, I sent Yahiko to go pick up some things in town. It’s just the two of us.”

“Oh then…” She slid her hands into his gi, smoothing out his chest. His eyes slightly widened. She smiled and took her hands out, wiping the sweat onto his shoulders, “You need a bath too. Go on ahead, I’ll start up the fire.” He still continued to stare at her. “I’ll go after you’re finished.” she explained to him.

“Aa.” he uttered, nodding his head. He then proceeded into the bathhouse. After folding his clothes neatly aside, then soaping himself down, he saw that the water was already heated up. He climbed inside and relaxed in the steam filled room. “Kaoru?” he asked, but didn’t hear anything. He then stood up and pulled open the window, peering down at her. She looked so cute, her sleeves rolled up as she threw in log after log. “Kaoru, arigatou. The water’s perfect.”

She smiled up at him. “Good. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

His eyes lit up with mischief. “Could you come in here for a moment?” She dropped the log she was holding and stared at him. “Just to wash my back. That’s all.”

“Baka… that’s… indecent…” she stammered, all flustered, “I can’t do that… we’re not married!”

“Funny, even when I was married, I never got my back washed.” he murmured, his chin leaning down on the window. “Please?” She bit her lip and tried to look away. He reached over and clasped her fingers with one hand. “Just for a little bit. If you come, I’ll wash your back later.”

She yanked her hand back, still very red in the face, “My back… no! I don’t need you to. Just finish your bath, will you! You’re being very bad!”

Kenshin grinned. “Honto? Saa, sessha will be holding his breath under water until Kaoru-dono gets herself in here.” With that, the blinds closed and not another word came.

“K-Kenshin!!” Kaoru cried, jumping up. She pressed her ear against the wall, trying to pick up sound, but nothing. “Oh… what am I going to do? Is he really…?!” She stood on top of the pile of logs and climbed up to the window, trying to pry open the blinds. “Kenshin…”

Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head. She went flying backwards, landing on the ground. Yahiko had yanked her back by the ponytail. “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Busu?! Since when had you become a peeping tom?! That’s gross!!” Kaoru didn’t reply, her eyes big swirls.

* * *
“Itai, this is all your fault!” Kaoru grumbled, her head on Kenshin’s lap as he massaged the bump she got from hitting the ground. It was much later; she had taken a bath and Yahiko had gone to sleep. The two were in Kenshin’s room, ready for bed. While he worked his magic, Kaoru sighed at the ceiling, “If you hadn’t been such a pervert, this would have never happened.”

“Eheheh, suman.” he chuckled, “Sessha was kidding. Just wanted to see how you’d react. I didn’t think Yahiko would be back so soon. Besides, it would have been fun if you could have joined me.”

Her face turned red. “Are you sure?” He nodded, leaning down to her. “Kenshin…” she stammered as his lips pressed soft kisses on hers. Suddenly the door flew open. Kenshin backed away to a safe distance while Kaoru sat up. “S-Sanosuke? What are you doing here?”

Sanosuke simply closed the door, and sat down on the floor in front of them, arms crossed, fish bone in his mouth. “You two making hot steamy love? If so, I wanna watch.”

As Kaoru growled and glared at him, Kenshin blushed and waved his hands, “Maa maa, it’s not like that, Sano! Sessha was merely massaging the injury on the back of Kaoru-dono’s head.”

“How boring!” Sanosuke whined, “Can’t you massage something else?! I want to see some action!!”

“WHY YOU…!!!” Kaoru exclaimed, ready to pounce him, but Kenshin grabbed her from behind and held her still, “Sanosuke, just what the heck has gotten into you?!"

He sneered, “I’m in a foul mood!! The only thing that’ll cheer me up is a handful of money or some good porn! So you two better deliver, or else give me some money so I can go to the ‘Red Spot Light Center’!”

“Baka! Kenshin and I aren’t going to…” She stopped and looked over at Kenshin, who had gone off into his own little world. She smacked him back to reality. “MOU! NOT YOU TOO!!”

“Oro, sorry.” he uttered, clearing his throat. He then turned to Sanosuke, “Sorry, we’re just going to go to sleep, so you’d probably get bored. You might as well leave, Sano.”

“Not even just a little…?!” They shook their heads. Sanosuke got up and went towards the door, cursing, “Ch! Some friends you are!” He stormed outside, slamming the door shut. Kenshin and Kaoru just sat and stared. It was quiet for the longest time.

“Maa maa, let’s get some rest.” Kenshin said, going to remove the sheets, “Kaoru…?” She was just sitting, gazing off into space. He crawled over, waving his hands over her eyes, “What is it?”

She blinked. “Oh… what… nothing. Let’s go to sleep.” she said, turning for the futon. She stopped and kissed him. “Kenshin, not even just a little?” she uttered, moving to lie down.

“Oro…” he uttered as he crawled towards her, eyes fixated on her smile. He then blanketed himself over her, nothing but fabric between them. “Kaoru… are you sure?” he gasped, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Hai.” she said, nuzzling her nose with his, “If it’s okay with you. Please, I want to.”

“Oh Kaoru!” he cried, pressing kisses all over her face. She laughed and undid his ponytail, then slowly started to undo the knot on her yukata. His hand overlapped hers. “Wait.” he whispered, “Before we get started, I just want to tell you… Aishiteru. Since the day I met you, tomorrow and forever… aishiteru, Kaoru.”

Her eyes filled with tears, “Kenshin, watashi mo. Aishiteru!”

They then proceeded to share a long, passionate kiss. “Yakuso! Hurry it up!!!” Sanosuke grumbled from the door. It was open a crack and he had been watching the whole time, “Come on! This is dragging!”

“Oro? S-Sano?!”” Kenshin turned towards him. Kaoru screamed and shoved Kenshin off of her, scooting to the other side of the room. Kenshin dropped his head and sighed, “Sano… WHY?!”

Sanosuke was munching on rice cake. “What? You guys didn’t give me money and you’re going to do it, so why should I go anywhere. So go on and do it!”

“Well, we can’t now.” he mumbled, “Can’t you just leave us alone?” Sanosuke just started on another rice cake, pulling a bottle of sake over with his foot. “Sano…” he uttered in a low growl.

Kaoru suddenly stood up. “Mou, Sanosuke, if you don’t tell us what’s going on, we can’t help you. And if you’re just going to sit there to watch, I’m going to pound your face in!!”

“It’s Megumi.” he whimpered, going to tell them the long story about how she told him she loved him, then went on to go on a date with someone else, “She’s too good for me.”

Kenshin and Kaoru stared at him. “Is that all?” they mumbled.

“Kuso! It’s important to me!!”

“Sano,” Kenshin noted, “I hardly think Megumi-dono thinks you unworthy of her. She looks at you with the utmost respect…” He paused to hold his breath, “Most of the time de gozaru yo.”

Kaoru shook her head, “You’re being a pain in the ass. Megumi-san told you her feelings, therefore you should believe in her and what she feels.”

“She’s right.” Kenshin said, “You can’t let these doubts get in your way, otherwise you’ll be pushing her away when you really want to be with her.”

Sanosuke sighed, “Okay… then if I put aside my doubts and believe in her, what else should I do?”

“Talk to her.” Kaoru said, “Words can do a lot of difference. Tell her how you feel, how it affects you when she goes with other men. Tell her you want a commitment.”

“I DO?!”

“Don’t you?!”

“No, I wanted to get some…”

Kaoru grabbed him by the collar and started smacking him. “WHAT WRONG WITH YOU?!? THERE’S MORE TO A RELATIONSHIP THAN JUST… YOU KNOW… YOU PERVERT!!!”

Kenshin pried her away from him, “Maa maa, just let him be.” he told the enraged girl. He then sighed; his hopes for a romantic evening were over. Sanosuke was now comfortable and gulping his sake contently, and Kaoru was in an untouchable mood. She preceded to the futon, curling on her side, her back to him. “Oro…” Kenshin mumbled, climbing in beside her, snuggling his face with the back of her neck, pausing to eye Sanosuke at the door, “I’m going to get you for this..."

* * *
The next day, Sanosuke walked home. He had ate everything in the dojo and got bored of watching Kenshin and Kaoru sleep. ‘What kind of a couple…?! Hmp, what a waste of time!’ He paused to kick a rock out of his way, then lifted his head to see a woman sitting outside of his apartment. “Huh? Megumi?”

“Where have you been?!” she exclaimed, eyes flashing, “You haven’t been here all night, not to mention the day before according to your landlord… Sanosuke, tell me this instant!!”

“Eh?” he gasped, staring at her angry face, “I was… just walking around and I stayed at the dojo… what’s it to you?!” She just walked over and grabbed him by the ear, “ITAI ITAI ITAI!!!!”

She released him and crossed her arms, “How can you be so inconsiderate of others?! I’ve been looking for you since yesterday! You’ve done nothing but worry me!”

Sanosuke sighed, rubbing his sore earlobe. “There was no need to worry, but why were you looking for me??”

“So I can apologize… about before.” she replied, “Sanosuke, I don’t want to see anyone but you.”

“Are you sure?” he mumbled, “I don’t deserve a classy doctor like you. You should find someone better. You shouldn’t waste your time with me. I’m holding you back from your true purpose.”

“BAKA!” she sneered, smacking across the face. He blinked only to see the hand coming back to his cheek, this time gently, “Sanosuke, my true purpose is to be with you.” she said softly.

“Megumi…” he uttered, “All this time… I thought… I was… just…”

“Iresai.” she mumbled, going to kiss him. They continued like this in the dark street for a long time. It was only interrupted by the sound of rushed footsteps. They stopped to see a gasping samurai standing behind them. “Ken-san??”

Kenshin’s eyes flashed. “Sano… you… you… annoying bastard!!” he grumbled, drawing the sakabatou.

“EH?!” Sanosuke and Megumi moved away from each other. The angry swordsman charged, the blade flying inches from Sanosuke’s face. “Eeep!” he cried, stumbling backwards against the wall. “K-Kenshin… what’s this about?!”

“TEME!!” he just growled and continued to attack him. Finally he got tired of chasing after his prey and leaped up in the air, “SUI RYU SEN!!!” With that, the blade came down on Sanosuke, causing him to crash into the ground.

“SANOSUKE?!” Megumi cried, running over. She lifted her head towards the yellow-eyed samurai. “Ken-san… no, I mean, Battousai… why…why?!”

Sanosuke chuckled up at the sky. “Aa… sou… gomen, Kenshin… I was being a pain in the ass… Arigatou for knocking some sense into me.”

“I’m not done with you yet!!” Battousai growled, pinching two fingers together, “I WAS THIS CLOSE!!!!”

Kaoru clobbered him from behind, making his eyes turn back to violet. “BAKA!! IS THAT ALL YOU THINK ABOUT?!”

“Ororororo… suman de gozaru yo, Kaoru!!!” he cried, bowing on the ground.

“Mou, what am I going to do with you?!” she grumbled, grabbing the back of his collar and dragging him back down the street. “You two, please proceed where you left off. We’ll be going now.”

Sanosuke and Megumi both nodded, very shocked by the strange events that occurred. He then took her hand, “I want a commitment. Please, be my woman.”

“Sanosuke… of course!!” she cried happily, hugging him.

They then got up and proceed into his apartment. Moments later there was a big smack. “Baka! You live in a dump! I can’t stay here!!”

“Yakuso!!! What did you say, Fox?!”

The arguing voice continued on as the sun was rising.

fin