A/N: This was one of my earliest works concerning Rurouni Kenshin. I've just been digging through my folder and I found it. It's just some prose from Kenshin's P.O.V, about Kaoru and dealing with his emotions. It is a bit of an explanation of why he acts the way he does and why he's so darn polite.

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I am a simple wanderer, de gozaru...

But I see her, and I remember...

It's too painful, but, I must live with it, live with the pain.

I try to see her in her own way, but I look into those eyes-

Those beautiful eyes...

And I see Tomoe.

I can't get her out of my head.

I can't forget. But I don't intend to.

Though it is a wrenching pain-

Each time I think of her.

And in that split second,

It all returns.

Everything...

How can it be?

All those years relived

In the moment-

The instant

When I look into Kaoru's eyes-

She brings me such joy-

And yet invokes such pain.

With the memories of the lives-

Those countless lives

That I am bound to repent for taking

For the rest of my days.

I still care for her, de gozaru.

But I can't have her.

I won't hold her down like that.

I simply can't let her be hurt.

I can tell-

She already sees me in that way.

And I long to hold her-

How I do!

Though when that possesion is established-

the bond that is formed when those words are spoken,

Such innocent words-

The grip can't be easily broken.

For the day must come,

Must come soon-

When I must leave.

And I can't bear to hurt her.

Her fragile soul-

I haven't the grace to hold

Without breaking it.

Our hearts entwined-

It cannot be.

She has her path,

And I, mine.

So it must come-

That the Rurouni must move on,

Leaving dear Kaoru behind.

So it must be-

De gozaru.

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A/N: So how was that? Please do review! I would love that very much. Just any small tidbit of a comment/criticism would be welcome.