OMG I love this chapter so much!

The Kenshin's 'wild side' (including the Battousai) is so sexy and irresistible.

aw, poor kaoru... I hope that he is able to tell her to her face what she does to him! But I guess that will be when he's no longer on the edge of desire ;). I find it interesting that he'd run though, but I guess he still is very nervous at times. "Weak against people, especially women and children" as Sano once said.

interesting. I don't usually see Kenshin this way. But I like how it affected Kaoru. That's a notable impression. Good writing, as always!

LOVED the beginning lines. I know they're from the music, but a great way to start! I like how you inserted Kaoru here, as a sort of answer to his thoughts. Of course his love for her won't end in pain! (Seihousen does NOT apply...ever!)

but it's also good that you made it so that Tomoe wasn't replaced. And the ending lines simultaneously convey how he and Kaoru aren't really "together".

nice interaction between Ken and Kao! And I like how you highlighted the age difference... For some reason, that's one of my favorite things about them as a couple. Maybe because they convinced me that it wasn't always entirely weird.

Anyway, nicely written, and I love the use of the lyrics!

Beautifully done collection! I liked them all!

The lyrics are very appropriate, and "Edge of Desire" fits KK PERFECTLY. Excellent connections! I love John Mayer :).

I really liked the insight into Kenshin's "clumsy" antics in this chapter...how sneaky, getting hurt on purpose so she'd help him. If Kaoru knew that, she'd give him a little extra to hurt over I'd think! lol, but she'd always be there for him...

It's amazing how you used the lyrics to write five little drabbles! Great work!

This was lovely It was different and well written, and I loved the way you portrayed the relationship from Kenshins perspective. Very nice! xx

A stand out line in every one. In this, I loved, "Kenshin was able to control himself and have Kaoru all at once, and he loved it." I also appreciated the guilt he feels as he revels in the attention:"Easy, too easy, to let her be wifely and dedicated, as if this was the natural order of things. As if she was meant to be his crutch in time of need."

The sweet pain of love: Kaoru trying to get his attention backfiring into his panicked withdrawal. This forms a nice circle back to the first installment.

I love that last line, so evocative, every word just right.

I really like that entire paragraph about love and pain. It fits so well and helps underscore his hesitation in getting closer. The last sentence seems a bit ominous though. Is he not satisfied in his current relationship with Kaoru or does he feel something is lacking in his feelings about her?

I like the sense of fear and almost panic under the attraction that comes across in that last paragraph. Kenshin may have spent ten years being unsettled physically but he is very settled emotionally as distant from others. Anything breaking that wall would be hard for him.

These are touching little one-shots. I really do love them, even though some seem hopeless in the sense that it seems like they'll never become a couple. But thank you for posting these!

Absolutely adored this one! 3