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Crossing the Line	By : HauntedReality Category: Rurouni Kenshin > General Views: 5366 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Greetings. This is my first fanfic so please review. I
welcome comments, but please be gentle. J

AUTHOR'S NOTE ADDED 4/15/05: Now that this fic is complete I have started a sequel for it called X Marks the Spot. It can be found at http://adultfan.nexcess.net/aff/story.php?no=544182329. Please check it out!

DISCLAIMER: Of the many things that are mine to possess,
Rurouni Kenshin and his companions are not among them.

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Sano absent-mindedly kicked at the leaves on the ground as
he ambled toward the Kamiya dojo. This week had brought many bad dice throws,
and he was trying to think of a way to convince Kaoru to loan him the money he
would need to pay off his more, �pressing� debts.

�I can�t just ask again. She nearly turned me down last
time. I�m going to need to do something in trade. Maybe I could�er�no, that
won�t work. Oh! if I just�uh�that takes too much time. Well, I guess I
could�nah, Yahiko would never stop laughing. And then I would be forced to kill
him.

�Who knew thinking of something useful to do would be this
difficult?�

Arriving at the dojo, he spotted the red-haired man with his
arms elbow deep in suds, already hard at work completing the day�s tasks. �And
I guess offering to do laundry is out of the question.�

�Morning, Kenshin.�

�Sano,� the Rurouni replied with a nod, and his typical
smile.

�Is Jou-chan inside?�

�Buso, went out for a walk, and hasn�t come back yet,� said
Yahiko, forcing the intolerant attitude he didn�t really feel. �She is late for
traitraining!�

Adopting a cocky grin he added, �And isn�t it a little late,
or early, for you to be coming by for a free meal?�

Kenshin deepened his smile at the sight of the two friends
fighting like brothers, but he was also worried about Kaoru. It wasn�t like her
to be late. And she had been so quiet at breakfast. Perhaps the most
distressing, however, was that it seemed like she was avoiding eye contact with
him lately.

He shook his head hoping to clear away the troubling
thoughts. �I�m sure she would tell me if something were really wrong. After
all, nothing has changed since we got back from Kyoto. What could be bothering
her?�

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Strong arms engulfed her small frame. A warming sensation
spread throughout her body--taking the chill out of the night breeze. For a
moment, she lets herself forget that this is just a prelude to heartache. She
breathes in his sandalwood scent. She feels her cheek pressed against his neck.
How is his skin so soft after such a harsh life?

She closes her eyes, and lives a lifetime in that moment.
She is totally content in his embrace. Nothing can harm her here. She never has
to feel abandoned or alone again. She has found her home within these gentle
arms.

And then, the moment passes.

Kaoru stands in the same place, as she did that night, but
this time she is alone.

�I should be getting back. Yahiko will be upset his training
was delayed. I�ll have to endure many a �buso� comment, I�m sure. They may even
be worried about me.

�Is that why I�m still standing here in this place--reliving
that moment over and over? Do I want them to worry? Do I want him to
worry about me?�

Kaoru slowly crept backward so that she was leaning against
a tree. Perhaps she could borrow a little of it�s strength while her own seemed
to be dpearpearing.

�Three months have passed since the night he said good-bye
before leaving for Kyoto. I was born when he held me, and I died when he let
go. That was the moment I kwithwithout a doubt that I loved him. Everything
changed for me that night. So why is he the same?�

Without realizing it she slowly slid down the tree�s trunk
until she was half sitting, half kneeling on the ground. Her eyes glazed over
as she continued her reverie.

�And yet, here we are back in Tokyo. Every morning he wakes
up, and makes us breakfast. Then he sets out to complete his chores, while
Yahiko and I practice. Lunch brings Sano�s hungry stomach, and the afternoon
consists of cleaning the dojo, running errands, and light-hearted squabbling.
Everything is exactly like it was before that night--everything, but me. It is
like I�m the only one who remembers that it happened.

�It hurts. And I�m not sure if I want him to remember, or if
I just want to forget.�

The tears that had been threatening to escape made a
solitary dash down her cheek.

�Yo, Jou-chan, what are you doing down there?�

Startled--Kaoru whipped around toward the voice. �Sano!� she
exclaimed while trying to nonchalantly wipe away her tears before he saw them.

It was too late.

�Jou-chan?� he asked softly.

Kaoru tried to stand too quickly, and caught part of her
kimono with her foot. She stumbled--araceraced for a fall--when she realized
she was still standing. Sano looked down at her with worried questioning eyes.

�I�m OK Sano. Really.�

Unconvinced--but not willing to press the issue--he released
her. He took in the sight of a girl he had come to care aboand and rely upon
over the last year. Her face was still flushed, and her kimono was slightly
soiled from the ground. She wouldn�t meet his gaze.

He needed to find a way to bring her out of this state.

�Yahiko has been looking for you. Something about �a new
move, Buso won�t be able to counter�.� He added the last part hoping to spark
the fiery Kaoru he was used to.

His plan worked a little too well, and earned him a thwack
on the head with a nearby stick.

�Hey! I was just repeating what the kid said.�

�Well, you didn�t have to be so smug about it!�

�You don�t have to be so hot-headed!�

�At least I don�t have a Rooster-head!�

�Stubborn Raccoon!�

�Rooster-head!�

With that, Kaoru turned sharply, and stomped off in the
direction of the dojo. Under his breath he muttered, �You already said that.�

Sano reflected back to the image of Kaoru huddled near the
ground with tears streaming down her face. �I hate to see her like that. I hate
to see any woman cry, but especially Kaoru. She may come across like a tough
tomboy at times, but she is really very innocent and open-hearted.�

Sano kept pace behind her while walking back--but was
careful to keep his distance--not wanting a second helping of stick to the
head.

�Something has been bothering her ever since we got back
from Kyoto. I wonder what it could be.�

He turned the corner into the yard just in time to see Kaoru
stiffen as Kenshin greeted her. �That�s odd. Unless, Kenshin is the reason she
has been so upset lately. Of course! Anyone can see shkes kes him, but it is
harder to tell what he thinks of her.�

Sano�s eyes lit up as his plan fell into place. �That�s it!
If I can get Kenshin and Kaoru together then she will be only too happy to lend
me the money I need. It will work out for everyone, so it isn�t like I�m taking
advantage of her kindness!�

�What are you grinning at Rooster-head?� Yahiko asked with a
raised eyebrow. �You are up to something aren�t you?�

�Yahiko-chan, leave
it to me. Things around here are about to get interesting.�

Yahiko frowned as he thought about what Sano just said, and
pondered what it would mean for their little band of misfits. He watched as
Sano walked over to Kenshin, who was hanging the laundry out to dry. Then a
thought occurred to him�

�Hey! Don�t call me �Chan�!�

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I should have another chapter up very shortly. Please let me
know what you thought, but keep in mind it is my first fic, so be gentle. Also,
I�m still trying to get the hang of posting, and what will and won�t work on a
webpage, and I�ve had some trouble with the spacers between sections and the em
dashes.
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Crossing the Line