The Night After

Takes place after the battle with Satio and the news that Lord Okubo let out for Kenshin and the others. The week…that followed…

A young woman tossed and turned in her bed. Her head filled with images of the glint of swords and a pair of flaming yellow eyes locked on to her mind's eye. She sat up, sweat on her forehead and her normally soft breathing labored. Still, it seemed the hellfire eyes watched from some tormenting shadow in the room, when nothing was there to begin with.

Only hours before, her world and her adopted family had gone from days of laughter of fun, to a dreading falling upon the dojo. All brought by one man. Kaoru, as she was called and named stood up, making no sound. Even the night seemed to be still from the earlier scene that had taken place in the walls of the training hall. She could make out the breathing of the others. The young man's snoring and muttering about swords, the lady vixens' soft whisper of parted lips, and the rosters loud and booming snoring the drained most others out. She quilt went to the door, and slid it open, stepping into the low glow of the moon.

Soon, her eyes adjusted to the lunar light. Kaoru took in the fresh air, letting the spring air wake her up. Walking as she did, she checked on each of her friends, covering up Yahiko, closing the door for the vixen so she would not awaken from the moonlight, and checking on Sano, making sure he had not taken to a late night snack. The young woman fell to the last door. She pressed her ears to the door, trying to her his steady breathing as she did night after night, make sure out of her own fear he would not leave her and wonder off like some stray cat. Frowning enclosed her lips slightly, nothing was in the room, no breathing reached her delice ears as it often did by now. Taking the slightest chance, she slid open the door, the man she hoped to see was not there, sitting as he often slept.

Worry and fear took her body. Her hand clenching the door tightly. Had he left? Gone and not telling them, leaving nothing as if had never been home? Kaoru turned on her heel, and stepped onto the sandy earth, she crossed to the front gate, the sleeping robe bellowing behind her in a rush of white. Yet as she came to the training hall, a slight light called her eyes. Cuaisty drove her to sneaking along the wall, peaking in though the doors of the light. There, in the dim light of the single candle, was the man she had feared had gone.

Her breath ought in her throat, not sure if she should turn away. There he was, the man she had feared gone. His red kimono has been slide off his upper body, letting it hang from his pants. Firelight gave his deep red hair a flame like glow, sending out the light tunes of copper red. He was small, as tall as she was. Even his small size relied sinewy like muscles of his arms and torso, showing off years of sword work and fighting. Had left no fat on his body. Yet upon his light skin, the dull white of scars of blades covered him. Revealing some of history to the young woman even more. She let out her captured breath. Eyes moving up to his face. The man had a skin jaw line, letting those who looked know he was male, just the slights line of her jaw. He had an angle to his nose, which might be called cute in some manner. Yet what made him again stand out, save for his crown of red hair, was those eyes. Eyes when at rest, the lightly lilac of spring, yet in the times of battle, a chilled and glowing blue, like that of a new sword. But still deeper, those sword like eyes. Amber glisten from behind. The lightest amber, much like that of a cat she had often seen him as. And more then once this man had lived up to his name ''Heart of Sword'' Kenshin. Going out of his way and travels to help those when no one else could or would.

Kenshin's hand, long of fingers and delicate in all nature, he held his blade, the sakabato. Edge forged the other way. To him, this was a symbol to make up for his crimes in war and death from it seemed a life ago. Up and down went this blade, sweat beading on his chest and body. He was turned, so she could not see his cross like scar, which was his mark to the world. Light played of the blade, shooting out now and then, dancing on the walls. He stopped for a moment, a sharp breath of pain, his left hand touching his bandage side. A wound he had gotten really from this night by an old enemy

Kaoru was in a middle of a battle in her self. To simple leave and let him go, or go in and help him. The help him won in the emotional battle. She opened the door; Kenshin opened his eyes, the deep metal blue look straight into her own eyes. For a moment the candles flame danced from the outside wind, cause both the shadows to dance on walls.

'Miss. Kaoru, what are doing up?'' his low voice asked. Breaking them of this staring contesting and unmoral silence. His right hand holding the blade more relaxed now then before, all tenseness gone from his body.

She looked down to the wooden floor. 'I had gotten up for a drink'' she replied in an almost whispered tone ' I saw the light in the dojo and saw you here Kenshin, and I was also worried about your wound.'' Her eyes scanning to his bandage side he held. Kenshin watched the slight rose pink touch her cheeks. And slight blushes cover his, he thanked the dim light, hoping it covers his.

'You must not worry Kaoru, I will protect you'' his voice holding a warmth and a smile, even his blue eyes glowed at her, with an emotion she could not name yet, but wanted to be real to her, and to him. She nodded, letting a smile bloom on her face again. She turned saying 'Good night Kenshin'', her hair capturing the flame as her did. He did something, neither had guessed to do. Kenshin grabbed her hand, softly taken the soft one into her rough. She looked up, startles almost into this eyes. Then faster then the reaction. His lips meet her cheek, then let go of both of hand and cheek.

Kenshin had not known why he did this, save the secret love in his heart and stepped out. He saw the pink grew grow even more. Taking the chance, he turned his back to her, saying 'You should get some sleep Miss. Kaoru ou should.'' He said calmly.

Confusion broke in her, but seeing how it affect him, thought it better for now to let this kiss go. 'Good night Kenshin,'' she whispered to him, walking back into the moonlight, and to her bed. The troubles no more bothering her again.

Kenshin stood there, in the dieing candlelight. Knowing what he had to do to protect the woman he come to see and love more then his own life…. He had to leave on May 14th, and say good-bye to her and this way of life once again. As he did to the other woman he had loved.

Turning he sheathed the blade, and put back on his kimono, then walked to the dieing light, and blew out the candle, and walked outside. The scent of jasmine hung in the air. He breathed deeply, holding this scent in his heart, more then of white plum. And it was also at this moment; part of his heart had healed, but soon would brake again. He would have to say something he had dreading more then the up coming battles.

Good-by Kaoru.