As cherry blossoms fell from the Sakura tree, a few feet away from where she was standing, a young swords mistress named Kaoru Kamiya was sweeping up her front porch, to her dojo. The wind was blowing the cherry blossoms, and the few strands of hair gone astray from the pink ribbon holding it up in a high ponytail, into her face. She didn't really notice, or care, very much. She was lost in her own confused thoughts. She wasn't doing much sweeping, either. It actually looked more like she was dancing with the broom, than cleaning with it.

She thought about a lot of different topics, most of which, involving her future. She was confused, to put it mildly. She felt a great deal of pain; heartache. Her 19th birthday was nearing, and, surprisingly, she was bitter about it. It wasn't the age, that she could handle. She knew what was important was what was on the inside. Though, it mystified her, how anyone could think differently than that….

She needed a new start, perhaps….she knew she should be wed soon. Her father wanted her wed before 21, so she had to start looking fast…. She knew who she loved. He just didn't love her, back. She didn't know this for a fact, she just……could tell. The way she thought he always treated her like a little girl. Always saving her. Flirting with her friend……it just all made sense. He just didn't care….

Unfortunately, things could not be that easy for Kaoru. He had held her heart ever since they met. He had broken it many times. Yet…..somehow, he always knew how to make it better….

"Trying to fit a square into a circle is no life…." Kaoru said, out loud, to no one in particular. Her friends had left, off on some picnic. She had chosen not to go, and despite her friends objections, she has stayed firm with her decision. That put Kenshin in an odd position. He had wanted her to go so badly, but he wouldn't make her. He figured she must have had something very important to do back at home, that would have caused her to miss out on the 'fun'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kenshin was watching all of friends, sitting by the river. He, himself, was leaning against a tree trunk. Yahiko had decided to bring Tsubame, and they were talking softly, sitting at the edge of the river, holding hands.

Dr. Genzai had decided to stay home, but his granddaughters, Ayame and Sasume had decided to join them, and were currently picking flowers, and chasing butterflies together, occasionally rolling in the grass, getting grass clippings all over their kimonos…..

Even Megumi and Sano were having a good time. Together. Every once in a while arguing quietly, but, for the most part, they were getting along nicely. They were sitting rather close…..Kenshin observed, smiling slightly.

Just then, Ayame and Sasume came running over, flowers clutched in their fists. They dropped the flowers into his lap, disrupting his musings.

"For you, Uncle Kenny!" they said in unison, smiling widely, proud of their accomplishments…

"Oh, really?" Kenshin looked up, smiling. "That was really nice of you, that it was…." then he looked down at the 'flowers' in his lap, most of which, were only weeds.

"We're glad you liked them!" they replied. I bet Miss Kaoru would love some, too…Let's go pick some more!!!" and with that. They ran off, in pursuit of more flowers.

Kenshin picked up a daisy, courtesy of Ayame and Sasume, picking the petals off, one by one, slowly, repeating, "She loves me, she loves me not….."