Thank you for reading. This is my first attempt at fanfiction in quite some time. I'd appreciate constructive feedback. Thank you! m(_ _)m
Words: 502
Genre(s): Romance/Hurt/Comfort
Rating: Rated: T
Summary: Kenshin is blinded by Shoujo and Kaoru tends to his wounds after the
battle.
Inspired by the 30 second scene in the episode with the same plot.
I DO NOT OWN RUROUNI KENSHIN OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. ALL RIGHTS TO THEIR
PROPER OWNERS.
"How does it feel now?"
He sat still for a moment before turning toward her voice, a bell chiming through the darkness.
"Much better now, that it does. Thank you Kaoru dono." He shifted his weight slightly and tried his best to be an easy patient. "I'm sorry for worrying you, that I am."
Kaoru waved her hands hurriedly and smiled. "No, no! No trouble!"
Poor Kenshin... She didn't know what else to do. She wanted to help him, to have him need her. She couldn't stand seeing him in so much pain and her so useless to help him.
Kenshin... I...
"Everything alright, Kaoru dono?"
Even without his sight, he knows when I'm upset. Oh, Kenshin...
"Mhm! All is well! You just rest. Don't worry about a thing!" Her voice cracked in earnest as she patted his hands. She swallowed before continuing. "I'll change your bandages and then you can get some rest."
He nodded. She meticulously unraveled the bandages around his shoulder, wincing at his wounds, and moved carefully down his arm toward his wrist.
"Kaoru dono... I'm sorry..."
Startled out of her concentration, she glanced up at him pausing her nurse-work.
"Sorry? I can't think of anything you need to be sorry for..."
"I took for granted everything I saw every day, that I did. Now I miss them...
The river rushing, the leaves falling... I miss seeing your smile, Kaoru dono. I never realized how much I needed it."
She stared at him. If I knew that's what he needed from me...
Why didn't I smile more? Life would have went on if the laundry wasn't done or if the floors weren't washed... Why was I so...
He took her hand in his, interrupting her. She tried her best to keep her breathe steady, knowing all too well her heartbeat was betraying her feelings.
His head hung low as he leaned against the wall, sitting with his legs crossed and never letting go of her hand.
"Kaoru dono, I'm sorry I didn't tell you how beautiful you are. I should have the moment we met, that I should."
She felt guilty feeling so giddy while he looked so miserable. He sensed her confusion and turned to her smiling.
"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt much, that it doesn't." He paused. "Kaoru dono... please stop me if I'm being rude, that you should..."
He released her hand and gently cupped her cheek. Her face immediately warmed under his hand, turning pink. He smiled, relieved.
"I'm happy you're smiling, that I am."
He sighed and leaned back against the wall, grinning toward the ceiling.
"Just what I needed, that it was."