30 Moments: Kenshin and Kaoru

It's moments like this when you wish time will stop. 30 moments you wouldn't want to miss.

(MAY 02, 2009) I present to you, the 30 Moments Project – Kenshin and Kaoru! Compilations of One-shots I've made through the times.

A/n: (June 4, 2008) Lots of KenKao goodness were popping out of my head and I just have a great urge to type it down. So here you go, let me share my fluff. This is a collection of one-shots, some having a companion chapter, but not a continuous story.

ONE: What She Sees

Setting: Original

Word Count: 815 words

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is a copyright of Nobuhiro Watsuki and the makers of the anime. I simply borrow them for my own crazy world of fluff and romance.

It's peaceful. Strangely peaceful at the Kamiya Dojo.

Why, you ask?

Well, Megumi was at work, helping Dr. Gensai; Sanosuke's out gambling and Yahiko's working at the Akabeko.

That leaves us with a tanuki and a rurouni.

"I didn't know we could have peaceful days like this in the dojo, Kenshin." Kaoru said as she leaned back at the support beam. She gently closed her eyes and sighed. "With just the two of us around, this place can be really serene."

"Aa, Kaoru-dono." The rurouni said as he sat a safe distance from Kaoru. He yawned and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Neh, Kenshin…" Kaoru stared at him with worried eyes. "Are you alright? You seem to look really tired." Kenshin gave her his smile assuring her that there's no need to worry. "I'm alright. This peace just seems new to me, it's very comforting."

Kaoru gave a sigh of relief and smiled back at him. "You have to rest too, you know." She said and gently placed her hand above Kenshin's. Kenshin's eyes widened a little before giving a rare smile and closing his eyes. "Hai…"

He sat there quietly, feeling Kaoru's comforting presence around him and gave a sigh of contentment. Feeling more relaxed, he felt himself drift off to sleep.

With him asleep, Kaoru was given a chance to study him up close.

He was indeed beautiful.

Her face had the slightest tint of red when she noticed that her hand was still on his, but never dared to remove it. She smiled and stared lovingly at his face, taking every detail of his closed eyes, complexion and even his lips. Those lips were so inviting.

Kaoru shook her head, trying to drive away unnecessary thoughts. It didn't stop her from admiring his features though. This was only a rare chance for her to stare at him without being noticed and she wouldn't miss this for anything.

With unmentionable thoughts running through her head, Kaoru didn't notice Kenshin slightly tilting towards her and only got aware of it when she felt a light weight on her right shoulder.

"Eh?" Kaoru uttered and looked at the peaceful man sleeping like a child on her shoulder. No one can ever guess that the person sleeping on her shoulder was the same Hitokiri Battousai from almost eleven years ago.

Kaoru blushed three shades of red as Kenshin gripped her hand gently and sighing softly. It sent shivers down her spine when he breathed on her neck before uttering a word in his sleep.

"-ru…" He softly whispered that Kaoru barely heard it. He spoke the same name again and smiled.

"…Kaoru…"

If it was possible, Kaoru blushed more hearing her name spoken so affectionately… and it was even from Kenshin! She smiled a while later and gave a reply she knew he wouldn't hear.

"What is it?"

Her eyes shifted to his face and she couldn't help but give a sincere smile as she looked at him. She saw him smile wider and snuggle, causing him to tilt more right onto her bosom and making her panic a little.

"Mou, Kenshin…" She sighed and held on his arms, positioning his head on her lap, before she played with his bangs. "…You really are beautiful, Kenshin." She said to no one.

Her fingers gently brushed his hair, removing a few knots. She was actually quite surprised that Kenshin didn't wake up. But she just concluded that he was really tired.

Her eyes shifted to his cross-shaped scar, hesitantly tracing it with her fingers, and she was more surprised when Kenshin actually smiled. She yawned and looked at his peaceful face one more time. "You really look peaceful too…"

Kenshin twisted and turned slightly. Kaoru was surprised with the sudden show of movement and watched as Kenshin laid on her with his stomach flat on the floor and his face facing her lap. Kaoru blushed for the umpteenth time.

"…K-Kenshin!" She said in a not-so-quiet voice, but it wasn't enough to wake the sleeping rurouni. She sighed in defeat, still blushing. "M-mou…"

Kenshin's hands moved, startling Kaoru once more, and went around her waist, pulling her closer to him. It didn't help in keeping her from blushing but she just decided that a wide awake Kenshin wouldn't do something this — affectionate.

"Kaoru…" He mentioned her name once again, embracing her more, not aware that he was almost making Kaoru faint. She sighed; but instead of waking him or pushing him away, she rested her hand on the back of his head.

There was a dramatic breeze before she smiled. "I guess we'll stay like this for awhile, neh, Kenshin… Don't blame me when you wake up, okay?" Kaoru closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep a while later.

Tsk.

Too bad she wasn't able to catch the loving smile spread across his face as he looked at her.

A/n: I don't know how to end it. Oh, and I removed Kenshin's 'sessha' (lit. this unworthy one) and 'de gozaru' (lit. that it is.) for this chapter. XD I hope this is a good start for this KenKao collection. Please give reviews if you want more! :D It will make yours truly veeerrryyy happy.

"Everything's alright, when you're right here by my side."

-When You Look Me in the Eyes