I know, I should be working on 'Kaoru…the Saiyan??', but I had to write something full of sap, and I couldn't do that in my other fic without destroying my flow there. So, here we are! Hope you like!

Tears of Sorrow

Chapter 1: A Child's Loss

Kenshin padded on silent feet towards the end of the hall. Kaoru had locked herself inside that room earlier that day and hadn't emerged since. It was nearing lunchtime and Kenshin was becoming concerned. He tapped on the shoji with one knuckle and whispered out to her. "Kaoru-dono? Are you alright?"

He didn't hear anything for a moment but then Kaoru's voice came through. "I'm fine, Kenshin. I know I haven't helped with chores much. I'm sorry about that. I should be done here by dinner time."

He frowned at the forced cheeriness in her voice. Underneath the upbeat tone he could hear just a touch of grief and vulnerability. "I'm going to the market and Yahiko left just a moment ago to help at the Akebeko. Will you be fine alone?"

"Of course, silly. Don't worry." She paused and as Kenshin turned she spoke again through the shoji. "Ano…Kenshin…could we have tempura tonight?"

Kenshin paused, a bit perplexed at her question. "Kaoru-dono, it will be quite expensive to get what is needed…"

Kaoru cut him off. "I saved some money, Kenshin. There's a pouch in the blue vase in the kitchen. Use that please."

"Okay, Kaoru-dono. I'll return shortly." He was worried about leaving her alone, but didn't understand why she was so anti-social today. Perhaps she just feels a bit grumpy today. It's probably nothing. He tried to reassure himself, but his thoughts did little to help him. Why did she lock herself in THAT room?

There was one room in Kaoru's house that no one entered except for her. It was an unspoken rule, but well known. Kenshin had wondered what was in there, but never asked or attempted to peek. I'll ask what was bothering her tonight. She said she would join us for dinner. I'll ask then. He returned his thoughts to what would be needed for tempura and tried not to worry too much.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yahiko jogged down the street toward Akebeko. Tae and Kaoru have been friends for a long time. Maybe she knows what's up with her. He would have never admitted it to anybody but Kaoru's behavior today had him concerned. It wasn't like her to shut herself off from the world. And what was even more odd was the fact that she went into the room at the end of the hall. He'd only seen her go in there once to dust and when she came out she looked like she had been crying.

He reached the restaurant and quickly pulled Tae to a secluded corner. "Yahiko! What's wrong with you?"

She looked at the young man's expression and motioned for him to sit in a booth with her. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"Well, busu has been acting strange today. As soon as she came out of her bedroom she went straight into that room at the end of the hallway and hasn't come out since. That's not like her." He waited for Tae to say something. She fixed her gaze on the wall behind him and took a deep breath.

"I know what's wrong with her. Yahiko, you need to be extra nice to her right now. No name calling, no jokes about her cooking, nothing mean AT ALL." The force in her voice made him shrink back a bit. "Surround her with friends. I can't be there for her because of some business plans I have. But, ask Megumi and Sanosuke if they can stay over at the dojo tonight. Also, it might be best if you see if Dr. Genzai will stay over. He knows what's going on as well."

Yahiko's interest was peeked. "What's wrong, Tae?"

"It's not my place to say. Just be nice to her. Trust me. She needs support right now."

Yahiko was upset about being kept out of the loop, but tried to set his mind on his work. I'll invite everyone over after work. If Tae says to do it, it must be something that will help.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kaoru looked at the kimonos in the closet again. She ran her fingers over the fine silks. "You always had extraordinary taste, Okaasan." She gave a sad giggle and went over to a chest on the floor. "Otousan's gi and hakama sets." She closed it back up and sat in the middle of the room again. "I miss you both so much. I just wish you were here to tell me what I'm doing right or wrong in life. I'm so unsure of things most of the time, but I do as you both told me and follow my heart. I hope you're both proud of me." The tears just wouldn't come. She had felt like crying all day, but couldn't. It was simply impossible for some reason. She lay down on the floor and stared at the ceiling, waiting for someone to come home. "I really should go out and help with dinner. I can't make them worry anymore. It isn't fair."

She listened for the gate and sighed when she finally heard it open and Kenshin's familiar greeting was called out. She left the room, locked it, and greeted Kenshin.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

A/N: Well, there's the first bit. This will probably only have 5 or 6 chapters. Not a very long story. Please respond and let me know if you have anything you'd like to see happen. I'm sure you have the main idea already! This is the first story I've written without knowing how I'll end it! Kind of nerve wracking! See ya next chapter!

(I use exclamation points way too much.)