Hi! Sadly, Rurouni Kenshin doesn't belong to me. This fic was written for the sole purpose of enjoyment... so I hope you enjoy it and tell me what you think of it!
Kaoru propped the broom against the wall, surveying her dojo. She had already swept the floor, and the only thing left to do now was for Yahiko to mop it. It had been a busy day for them. She was pleased that several students have been coming regularly. The extra money she earned went into their meals, which they could afford regularly now.
"Of course, it's still a challenge cleaning up after a day of teaching kendo," she murmured as she stepped outside. She watched as Kenshin did the laundry while Yahiko played with Suzume and Ayame a little distance from them.
"Are you tired, Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked.
"Iie," she said, shaking her head. "I'm just waiting for Yahiko to mop the floor. Come on, Yahiko!"
"Matte, Kaoru, can't you see I'm playing with the girls?" Yahiko called out, hoping that his excuse would allow Kaoru to leave him alone.
Fat chance, Kaoru thought. She hopped down from the porch and walked over to the girls. "I'll play with them while you work on the floor," she said, smiling. There was nothing more fun than watching Ayame and Suzume toss paper balls to each other.
Yahiko stalked off grumpily as the little girls laughed. Kaoru laughed as well, kneeling down so that she could look them in the eye. "Now, what were you three playing anyway?" she asked. "Those paper balls look nice. Did your grandfather get them for you?"
"Hai," Suzume said, nodding. "A patient gave them to him as souvenirs, and he gave them to us." She tossed the ball to Kaoru, who tossed it to Ayame. The little girl ran after the ball, almost losing her balance before she caught it safely in her hands.
Kaoru laughed. "That's good," she said gently. "A little more practice and you'll be able to run as fast as Suzume-chan, little Ayame."
Suzume laughed as well, and Kaoru tossed her a paper ball. She looked over at Kenshin, noting that he was watching them. She threw him a wink. "You stopped working," she said teasingly. "Want to join in on the fun?"
Kenshin smiled and waved his hand, which was wrinkled from the water. "I'll finish this first, that I will," he said merrily. "And after this I have to go into town to get tofu."
Kaoru stood up and looked at the afternoon sun. "It's getting late," she said. "Maybe we can just have some of those fish we had for lunch so you wouldn't have to go to town anymore…"
"It's all right," Kenshin said. "I think I want to take a walk anyway. Besides, I have to drop Ayame and Suzume at Gensai-sensei's."
"I see," Kaoru said. She turned her attention back to the girls, but before she could resume her game with them, she felt someone standing outside the gate. "Someone's here," she said to Kenshin, but it was unnecessary. The former hitokiri was already walking towards the gate.
"I sense a strong ki," he said calmly to her. "Stay back, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru did not heed him, and followed a few paces behind him. Behind her, the girls continued playing, oblivious to the intruder. Kenshin opened the gate cautiously, and then his face broke into a warm smile. "I did not expect to see you here, my friend," he said, opening the gate wider.
Kaoru's eyes widened when she saw who their guest was. "Shinomori-san!"
It was indeed Aoshi Shinomori, but somehow it was also not him. He was still wearing his white coat, but the long sheath that housed his twin kodachi was nowhere in sight. His expression was still that of stoicism, but his eyes were clear and sharp. "Himura-san," he said in greeting. "I've come from Kyoto to ask a favor."
Kenshin raised his eyebrows. "A favor?" he repeated.
Aoshi paused. "Actually, it's Okina who is asking for it. I've come with a letter from him to Kamiya-san."
At this point, Kaoru stepped forward to greet him. "Shinomori-san, please come inside. You've come a long way."
"Thank you, Kamiya-san," Aoshi said as he stepped through the doors. He handed her a letter. "I think you should read this first before I start explaining anything."
Kaoru took the letter from him, noticing Okina's writing on it. "Come in and have a seat," she said.
Kenshin led Aoshi to the porch of the dojo, where they both sat. Ayame and Suzume finally noticed the visitor, and they stopped playing to gaze at the tall man. Kenshin smiled and introduced him. "Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan, this is Shinomori-san, a friend of ours. He came all the way from Kyoto."
"Is that far, Ken-nii?" Suzume asked.
"Hai," Kenshin said, nodding. "That is why Shinomori-san is very tired. We'll just sit here and watch you play."
Kaoru gazed at them before going to her room to change. She had been cleaning the dojo all morning and her gi and hakama were dirty and soiled. She changed into a kimono and tied her hair up in a tidier ponytail. Sitting down on the floor, she opened Okina's letter and read through it quickly.
Kaoru-san, I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. I am sorry to say that I cannot say the same about Misao-chan. She has been feeling a little lonely lately, and I am sure that it is because of Aoshi. He has been staying with us for months now, and I know that Misao still loves him. However, his lack of reciprocation has taken its toll on her, and she has been unusually quiet lately. It's not Aoshi's fault… one cannot force another person to feel a certain way, I suppose. But I'm concerned about Misao. She rarely goes out of the Aoiya now. I would very much appreciate it if you can come here and spend some time with her. I'm sure your high spirits would be enough to get her back into the main stream of life. I hope you accept my invitation and stay with us here at the Aoiya. We would love to have you here. Sincerely, Okina.
Kaoru frowned upon finishing the letter. "Misao-chan," she murmured, remembering the spirited girl. It was hard to imagine her quiet. Of course I'll go to Kyoto. Misao-chan doesn't have that many friends who can understand her.
She knew Okina had asked her to come for that reason. It was no secret that she loved Kenshin, though he never reciprocated it. However, over the months they had spent together, she had learned to deal with it, accepting him as he was and acknowledging that their love for each other will never be that of a man and a woman. Misao-chan just needs to realize that, she thought. Sometimes, we cannot have what we want because it's not meant to be. Something better will always come along…
She folded up the letter and rocked on her heels, deep in thought. Going to Kyoto would mean that she would have to leave her students. Just when things are picking up… but Yahiko can take over. It's true that he still has much to learn about Kamiya Kasshin, but he knows enough to guide them through the basics. I wonder how long I'll be gone.
She stood up and went outside, wanting to talk to Aoshi. She assumed that since he came to deliver the letter himself, it meant that Okina wanted her in Kyoto as soon as possible. He had sent Aoshi to fetch her.
She found the two swordsmen conversing, but they stopped when they saw her. Kenshin stood up, smiling. "Aoshi won't tell me yet about what is in the letter. I didn't want to press him, either. I'll leave you two to talk while I go into town to get some tofu. I'll drop off the girls, too. Come, Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan. Your grandfather misses you already, that he does."
Kaoru waved as the girls followed Kenshin outside. Then she sat down on the porch beside Aoshi. She went straight to the point, knowing that Aoshi was not one for small talk. "I read the letter," she said softly. "I had no idea that Misao-chan would ever fall quiet," she added, hoping to make it sound like a light joke.
"Aa," Aoshi said. "I'm sure Okina told you the reason why she has gotten like this…"
She could sense his discomfort, so she smiled to reassure him. "He did," she admitted. "He also said that you were not to blame. Misao-chan just… can't hold back. I've known her for only a short time, but it's enough for me to realize that she is the kind of person who gives it her all. Both of you did not do anything wrong, but her emotions just became too much for her this time. She needs to pull back a little."
He nodded. "That's what we all try to tell her. She just shakes her head, saying that we don't understand."
"Do you?" Kaoru asked him.
It took him several moments before he could answer. "I think so," he said slowly. "It's the same with me, but in a different way. When I used to fight before Himura-san knocked me back into my senses, I fought for the sheer pleasure of it. I always gave it my best shot, and when I encountered Himura-san, he told me to pull back. My over-extension led to my defeat."
Kaoru nodded, remembering the time they fought at Kanryu's mansion. "Misao-chan needs to realize that, too," she said. "You all care about her. She knows that, too. I don't know exactly how I can help her, except to tell her about my own experiences and how I managed to cope with them."
Aoshi met her eyes, and she saw the amount of concern in them. "I'm really grateful that she has someone like you, Kamiya-san," he said. "It must be hard for you to leave your home for some time. If there is anything I could do…"
"There is," Kaoru said, seizing the opportunity to befriend him further. "You can start by calling me by my given name."
His cobalt blue eyes widened slightly at her suggestion before his impassive mask slid back onto his face. "Only if you start calling me by mine," he answered, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Kaoru beamed. "Good. I'll be going back to Kyoto with you. When are we leaving?"
"As soon as you are ready," Aoshi said.
"Tomorrow morning, then," Kaoru decided. "I have to pack some clothes, and leave instructions for Yahiko regarding the dojo. You can spend the night here. We are always open to friends, Aoshi-san."
"Arigatou, Kaoru-san," Aoshi said, bowing to her. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."