-This is a story about Kenshin understanding Kaoru's feelings, and confronting his own. Also about Kaoru dealing with Kenshin's past, and their future together. It is called Through The Rain for a reason: )… (for later chapters). Rated T for Language and later chapters.

Note may contain spoilers later on in the story and Japanese definition are at the end of the chapter-

Enjoy!

‡Through the Rain‡

Chapter 1

1878

11th year of the Meiji

Near the end of summer

"Kuso, Kaoru! How do you always counter my attacks?"

"Gomen, Yahiko. But a good swordsman never tells his secrets. Ee? Anou…I mean a good swords-woman never tells her secrets." Kaoru laughed madly as she threw her hand to her mouth. Training was taking out a big part of Kaoru's and Yahiko's day. He was getting stronger, she knew. "Now, lets finish our training for the day and go eat at the Akebeko for dinner!" She threw a smile toward him, that almost made him second guess what he heard.

"Really! Alright!" shouted Yahiko. His face lit up. Just like when we used to go before Kenshin went to Kyoto. I'm starving!"

Kaoru stopped dead still. Before Kenshin went to Kyoto? That was? Kyoto…that was so long ago. Kaoru thought. She began to remember. Shishio is dead and peace has been restored. Demo, why am I so afraid of that place? Kenshin is alright. He has come back safely. To me. To….me. Kenshin….

Looking down as her thoughts wandered to Kenshin, Yahiko slammed into her chest with a powerful attack. It collided with force that a snap reverberated off Kaoru. Kaoru instantly grabbed herself and fell to the ground. "Itai!" she screamed, her yell filling the entire dojo.

"Baka! Stop daydreaming! We are still training!" Yahiko said as he dropped to his knee examine Kaoru.

What was she daydreaming about this time? Kaoru has been doing that more and more. Why?

Kaoru eyes flamed with Yahiko's remark and his attack. That really hurt! Yahiko's going to be cleaning for a month! She thought. But then she subdued. She knew that he was right, she should forget about those times, that place, and that Kenshin. It's over.

Kenshin isn't a manslayer anymore, he's a human being, he has mastered the final technique and even defeated Amakusa Shouga with Amakakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. He is invincible. Demo…when I saw him after his fight with Shishio, he was hurt so badly, and I...I…

"Kaoru?" Yahiko said. "Nani?" He silently stood as a single tear rolled down her cheek. It was soon chased by another, until many others flowed from her. She's crying? He thought.

Kaoru sat wide eyed with her face soaked from tears. Her wound no longer hurt anymore, and even if it did, she couldn't feel it. Swordsman ship had left her mind. She didn't focus, her world now collapsed when she thought of…Kyoto. "Ken-shin…" she whispered, barely audible by Yahiko.

What if it happens again? What is he leaves me?

"Kaoru? Daijoubu?" Yahiko said as he stood there watching her cry. I don't think she heard me. Kuso, Kaoru! What's wrong with you? He simply stood, as he watched her cry.

Yahiko wasn't the only one who Kaoru didn't hear. Kenshin was walking toward the dojo, after hearing Kaoru scream. He wanted to make sure everything was alright, because Yahiko rarely landed an attack on Kaoru. When he approached the room, he stopped and his heart skipped a beat. Kaoru-dono…

He slowly watched from the door frame, silent. No one knew he was watching. He stared at Kaoru. She was kneeling on the floor, her hands embracing it. Her head was now tilting downward, and her hair flowed around her, enclosing her in her closed environment. Tears stained her cheeks, still dropping onto her open lap, creating the illusion of a shadow upon her clothes. Her sword lay at her side, untouched and still, almost to be watching the scene with tranquil elegance. Her eyes were sharp glass, glinting with the threat that they soon would shatter into a million pieces.

Kenshin's eyes widened as he watching her. Kaoru-dono. What has happened? Kenshin stood still until he heard her mouth voice one word. "Ken-shin" she repeated again. Kenshin's eyes turned away. His face turned from the door way as his back embraced the dojo. For Kaoru to utter his name meant he had done something to hurt her. Pain her, and cause conflict in some way. He knew her tears were a result of some action, something he did. He couldn't watch anymore, he had to turn away. Get away from the scene before he destroyed it. Sessha will not hurt Kaoru-dono. I do not like to see her tears.

Kenshin turned away from the dojo, and silently walked away. He returned to the laundry, and gravely continued the chore as easily as he had left it. No one would know what he witnessed.

Inside Kaoru began whipping her tears with the back of her hand. Watashiwa….she thought. Please Kaoru stop crying, you are okay, she said to herself. Now you must be strong, for Kenshin, like Megumi said.

Slowly, she pushed herself from the ground, rising to meet Yahiko's face. "Kaoru?" Yahiko said. He was confused now. She was holding back her tears, her face was puffy from crying, and she was still shaking, but she was forcing herself to smile.

"Yahiko." Kaoru said crisply in his direction.

"Hai?"

"Let's get going to the Akebeko, alright? Go get Sanosuke, Gensi-san and Megumi-san. " Kaoru spoke confidently and softly. She was smiling with her eyes closed and smile sweet.

"H-hai…" Yahiko didn't know what to make out of this behavior, but all he cared about was getting a nice meal before the day was done. He ran out of the house and in the directions of Megumi's house.

Kaoru approached the door and wandered to where Kenshin was kneeling, doing the laundry. Kenshin stopped when he heard her approaching. He expected to see tears, but was visibly denied with sweetness. His face looked void and his heart again raced. This woman made his heart leap to incredible heights. Her face was red around the eyes from her tears, her hands were placed neatly at the center of her stomach, and her eyes were shaken, but strong, as they fought back every feeling she had. Kenshin was stunned.

"Kenshin. We are going to go to the Akebeko. I'm going to get ready. Everyone is coming with us so when you finish the laundry we can go. Is that alright?" Kaoru looked at Kenshin for acceptance.

Kenshin closed his eyes and smiled. Kaoru-dono is going to be alright. She is going to be fine. In is mind, he already knew that.

"Kenshin…" Kaoru said, beginning to get angry. Her hands were now on her hips, looking into his eyes, frowning. The tranquil ness from the scene was gone replaced with a mad stare and arched eyebrow.

"Oro?" Kenshin said blinking, bewildered. "H-hai Kaoru-dono. That sounds fine." He said, rubbing the back of his head, laughing. What a change.

"Alright!" Kaoru said confidently. "I'm going to change." She walked off toward her room, as Kenshin rose. "Sessha better get ready for dinner." He dusted his pants, roaming around looking for Yahiko.

She is strong, and she must be alright now, but for how long? Kenshin battled in his mind. Sessha knows that I must do something for Kaoru. Demo, First sessha needs to find out why she was crying. Kenshin knew what he was going to do. As he though about it, his face turned bland, and showed no emotion. Yes, it was time, to take Kaoru-dono's sadness away.

oNElASTwHISPER- I updated this note after reading reviews. Sorry for this chapter being so short; others will be longer I promise. PLEASE REVIEW! Tell me you opinion.

Arigatou for reading this far! Thank you very much!

Japanese Definitions (from this chapter)

Ee- what, huh?

Anou-uh

Demo- but

Itai- ouch, painful, hurting

Baka- idiot

Nani- what

Daijoubu- are you alright?

Dono- used to show politeness, shows that person addressed is of higher rank in social structure

Sessha- I, used humbly to show person addressed is of higher status in society

Watashiwa- I

Hai- yes

Oro- huh, what-(kenshin's word, hard to explain)