The tension and anxiety hung heavily in the air. Megumi, Sano, Yahiko, and Tsubame left to give Kenshin and Kaoru some space. There was silence between them, as the terrible history of Kenshin's cross scar lay in exposed and bloody ribbons in their thoughts, as Tomoe's blood had lain upon the snow that day. The vision again haunted Kenshin's mind. But what Kaoru was thinking of him at this moment disturbed him even more.
"I'm sorry… Miss Kaoru," Kenshin said regretfully. His shoulders sagged with the weight of his guilt, and the knowledge of how much he deserved it, and how little he deserved her. "I wish you didn't have to hear all this. You, of all people, who have believed in me the most… I wish I was a better man, with a happier past… That way, I wouldn't burden you with this."
Kaoru, who had been grave and silent until now, looked at Kenshin's forlorn form, so sad and dejected…and lonely in his suffering. She was sad that she had never known how painful every day was for him until now. And she wondered how he could be any better of a man, in spite of his mistakes.
"Kenshin," she said softly. She placed her hand over his clenched fist, and smiled softly when he unclenched it. "Please, do not worry. I will always believe in you, Kenshin," she told him.
Though he felt he little deserved it, Kenshin was glad she said that, and he held her warm hand for a little while, before the others returned.