Part II:
Organizing crime was easy compared to farming. Enishi set aside his sickle and surveyed his lands. He'd chosen a good patch of ground in a remote part of southwestern Japan. No one knew him there, yet he was close enough to Kyoto and Tokyo that if he so desired he could pay a visit to either Tomoe or Kaoru.
His hands had callouses again, but this time it was from farming tools and not swordsplay. It was no wonder that during the ninja's golden age of the Feudal Era, that many were practicing farmers by day. Often under their loose farming clothing the ninja would wear heavy chain mail increasing their strength and endurance passively.
He set his sickle across the wheel barrel and began to haul in the last load of crops he'd harvested that day. He'd already sent home most of the extra workman he'd hired for the season. They'd be back in a week to help sow the next crop while the weather permitted. He had a promise to keep to Kaoru. It had been almost six months since he visited her dojo. While he hadn't been back to Tokyo himself, he'd created a small network of contacts that were to let him know once Himura returned. He still hadn't returned to his family.
Enishi took a quick bath that his house keeper had provided. He loved indoor plumbing. How people lived without it was beyond him. He relaxed in the warm water, his sore muscles soothed by the lavender and sandalwood oils, and scrubbed off the grime of a hard day working the farm. The weight he'd lost during his depressing following Jinchu began to return with healthy eating and increased physical activity. He'd traded his regular Kung Fu workouts for Tai Chi and his sword for a hoe and sickle.
He'd hired an elderly couple, Kaito and Aimi Nishimura, to maintain his property. They had a separate residence not far from the main house. The husband, Kaito, was an excellent groundskeeper, former apothecary, and Tai Chi Master. His wife, Aimi, kept Enishi's house spotless, prepared meals, did laundry, and prepared the most luxurious baths. She had asked him one favor and it was to order his favorite soaps and bathing supplies from a fine shop in Shanghai. He'd only had to order it once as she learned to concoct her own soaps and oils from the batch he'd purchased.
If the farming business failed, he'd try his hand at peddling Aimi Nishimura's soaps.
After his bath, he dressed and then returned to his suite of rooms to finish packing for his journey. He carried his baggage out of the house and stashed in into the carriage in his stable house. He had four horses — two drafting horses and two riding horses that could easily pull his carriage.
He gave his land one last look, before he urged his horse and carriage onto the road. He's spent the last few months worried about Kaoru. He'd hoped that seeing her would comfort him. Seeing her safe would bring him peace. But she wasn't safe. She was abandoned by all except that temperamental apprentice of hers. And no amount of meditation had been able to ease his mind of worry.
Two months ago, he'd sent her a package by post. It was a pale purple yukata with dark blue dragonflies. It was a luxury he knew she'd look beautiful in, but would never have spent her precious little money on. He wanted her to have it. Tomoe would have wanted her to have it.
He also included several of Aimi's soaps. He knew that Kaoru often waited for a message from Kenshin. He thought it might be a nice gesture to remind her of his promise to travel to Kyoto with her. And then last week he'd sent a gift to Kenji — a little red ball. It wasn't much, but then he really didn't know what kind of presents a two-year old would want. Enishi checked the box he'd packed in the carriage the day before once again. He'd collected various herbal seeds for Kaoru to plant. He planned to teach her the various calming teas she could make as well as medicinal uses for the herbs. Something he'd learned from Kaito.
OoO
Kaoru wrapped up the lesson to her students. She spent the morning teaching with Yahiko some of the advanced moves of her father's sword techniques to some of the more experienced students. Yahiko's girlfriend, Tsubame, had come over to watch Kenji and observe the practice. She'd packed a generous lunch for them to enjoy afterwards.
Kaoru smiled, a genuine smile, as she saw Yahiko successfully perform a complicated kata and then teach it to one of their sharp students. The student executed the kata nearly perfectly. Kaoru's father would have been so proud to see such progress at his school.
After the students were dismissed, Kaoru started for the corner where Tsubame and Kenji played with a little red ball. The toy had arrived in the post last week on his birthday. It was a gift from Enishi. Her son rolled the little red ball towards Tsubame and she rolled it back. Kenji burst into giggles whenever the ball came straight to his hands. He was really quite dextrous for one so young. She knew that Kenshin would have been proud of their son, if he only asked about him. Kaoru's joyous thoughts began to darken as her doubts returned. Why hadn't Kenshin written to them? Why hadn't he returned home yet? It had been over a year since he left — fifteen months. She thought for sure he'd have returned for Kenji's birthday.
She sat to the side of Kenji and Tsubame and her son, gazing at him fondly. "Watch me, Mommy!" Kenji said, as he rolled the ball to Tsubame. He smiled at Kaoru so proud of his achievement.
"Very good, Kenji," Kaoru said, clapping her hands together and smiling back. Kenji beamed at her praise.
"You two talk for a bit," Yahiko said, coming over to join them after the last student left the dojo. "I'm going to prepare a hot bath for you, Kaoru."
Kaoru looked up. "Thank you, Yahiko, but that's not necessary."
Yahiko scowled. "Of course, it's necessary. You stink of sweat and you have a huge basket full of fancy soaps." He turned to Tsubame and winked.
"It's true, Kaoru," Tsubame said with a small smile. "You should enjoy your fancy soaps. Yahiko will watch Kenji and then we will all enjoy lunch together." She caught the red ball and tossed it to Yahiko who started to back away slowly. Kenji immediately sprung to his feet and gave chase.
"I suppose since you strong-armed me," Kaoru agreed in amusement.
"Yahiko and I would like to treat you to lunch at the Akabeko," Tsubame said.
"But you brought over plenty of food, it's not necessary," Kaoru protested.
"That is so you do not have to worry about preparing food for a while. It will stay fresh two days at least," Tsubame explained. "Perhaps you could wear that new kimono?"
Kaoru thought of the lovely kimono that had arrived along with the soaps. They were both gifts from Enishi. To say she was surprised when they arrived in the mail would have been a gross understatement.
The bath was the only luxury Kaoru would grant herself. Though, the fancy soaps had made the bath decidedly more enjoyable. She felt her muscles relax, her skin soaked in the scent of cherry blossoms, and she closed her eyes to let her mind drift off into sweet nothings.
She imagined Kenshin walking up to the front door, his scar faded from his cheek, his amethyst eyes bright with love as he scooped their son into one strong arm and held Kaoru with the other. He leaned down to press his lips against hers and Kaoru closed her eyes in her dream and let herself enjoy the kiss.
"I've missed you, Kaoru," a deep voice said. Kaoru's dream eyes opened and show stepped back in shock. It wasn't Kenshin that held Kenji, had his arm around Kaoru, nor just kissed her. It was Enishi with his stark white hair and dark, serious eyes.
Kaoru awoke from her day dream and stared at the wooden walls of the bathhouse. She rubbed her hands over her face and shook her head. She did not think of Enishi that way. She splashed her fist into the cherry blossom bubbled bath water in frustration.
"It was just a dream. It means nothing," Kaoru muttered to herself. "It's just because this soap smells so nice and he was thoughtful to send it." She scrubbed the rest of her body briskly to finish her bath. She didn't have time to doddle in the tub, Yahiko and Tsubame invited her to share a meal with them at the Akabeko.
OoO
Yahiko wiped his sweaty palms onto his pants. The server had just brought their food and it was time to tell Kaoru the news. He'd worried about how she might react. He loved Kaoru very much. She was his family — she and Kenji. She was his older sister and Kenji his nephew in everything, but blood. Kaoru had protected him as best she could, but since Kenshin left he found himself having to protect her.
He thanked the server, a fairly new employee of the Akabeko and working the less busy shifts until she grew accustomed to the duties. He looked around the private room and marveled that they'd been given use of the best room at the restaurant.
He could see the worry in Kaoru's eyes as she too gazed around the room. Her brow furrowed as she did the calculations on just how expensive the private room was. She had one hand firmly upon Kenji's small back, making sure he didn't run around or knock over any of the decor of the room.
"Stop worrying about cost, Kaoru," Yahiko scowled. "The Akabeko loaned us this room complimentary. We're a little after lunch, but much too early for dinner — this is the off hour of the restaurant. No one is suffering," he assured her.
He exchanged a look with Tsubame and she smiled encouragingly. Yahiko took a deep breath and turned back to Kaoru. "I have asked Tsubame to marry me."
"And I said yes," Tsubame answered.
Kaoru's eyes grew wide. She was very happy for the two of them. "That's wonderful news!"
Kenji perked up at the word wonderful and began to clap his hands. Yahiko reached across the table and ruffled the toddler's bright cap of red hair.
"It's not going to be any time soon. We will wait until I'm seventeen. I'm not going anywhere either." Yahiko reached for Kaoru's right hand and held it between his own strong, calloused hands. "If it's okay, we'd like to stay in the dojo with you and Kenji."
Kaoru nodded, her eyes welling with tears. She didn't want to be selfish. Yahiko and Tsubame needed their own space once they were married, but surely Kenshin would return before then. It would be two more years before Yahiko was seventeen. "Of course, you are always welcome." She smiled at both Yahiko and Tsubame. "You're both always welcome."
They blessed their food and began to eat together. Tsubame refilled their cups out of habit. "Are you excited to journey back to Kyoto?" Tsubame asked.
Kaoru's hands tightened around her cup of hot tea and she didn't answer for a few moments. "It will be good to see Misao and Aoshi," she said finally.
"I'm still skeptical about you traveling with Yukishiro," Yahiko said. He'd been both terrified and confused when he'd returned home a few months back to see Kaoru in high spirits, the garden take care of, and the roof fixed. At first, he'd thought Kenshin had returned. To learn that Enishi Yukishiro was responsible for the change was mind blowing! "Though, he does seem to have good taste. You do look lovely in that yukata," he admitted.
A light blush stained Kaoru's cheeks and she ran her hand over the hem of her yukata. "It is pretty," she murmured. She looked back up and smiled at both Yahiko and Tsubame. "You should move back into the dojo, Tsubame. Your presence would be a blessing to us!"
After the Akabeko had been destroyed, there was a time when Tsubame lived at the Kamiya Dojo. However, with the restaurant being rebuilt she'd moved back to the workers' quarters.
Yahiko and Tsubame had discussed that possibility, but he wasn't sure it was a good idea. He was older now than he had been when she first lived with them. Kaoru had nice intentions, but she wasn't always present in mind so as chaperone, Yahiko wasn't sure he could trust her to keep him out of trouble.
"One day," Tsubame promised. "Today, let us enjoy this lovely afternoon in the company of family."
OoO
Enishi directed his horses and carriage towards the Kamiya Dojo. Yahiko, Kaoru's apprentice, sat on the porch in his training gii waiting for him. Enishi honestly didn't know what to expect from the dark-haired youth. Yahiko stood when Enishi tied up his horses and then started towards the house with the lacquered box full of seeds that he brought.
"I wanted to thank you for what you did for Kaoru in the fall," Yahiko greeted. "It took weeks before I could learn from her just what happened. You surprised me, Yukishiro."
"I've had time to reprioritize," Enishi stated. "I saw Kaoru when she visited Tomoe's grave. I grew concerned when I learned that Kenshin had left for some atonement quest."
Yahiko ran his hands through his unruly hair. "To imagine that it would be you that would be worried about her." He shook his head. "Not a word from Kenshin nor Sanosuke." He stared up into the trees bordering the property. "She doesn't deserve to be abandoned."
"No, she doesn't," Enishi agreed. "I will return her home to you safely," Enishi promised. "She and Kenji."
"Part of me wants to deny this trip," Yahiko said. "A big part. But, even when you were mad with vengeance, you never harmed Kaoru. I do not believe you will do so now. Your sister would not approve if you did."
Enishi shook his head. "No, she would not." He heard the sliding of the front door and Kaoru stood there in the doorway wearing the purple and blue yukata he had sent to her. She held Kenji's hand and she smiled shyly at him. "Hello Kaoru, Kenji," Enishi said.
"You still look funny with dark hair," Kaoru said. She and Kenji stepped out onto the porch.
"I'll go get your bags," Yahiko said, brushing past Kaoru back inside the house.
Enishi walked towards the Himuras and held out the lacquered box as an offering. "A gift," he said. He opened the top and showed the displays of seeds. "Various herbs. I'll help you plant them when we return if you would like. I also have a journal that explains their proper care and how to use them for medicinal purposes."
"Thank you," Kaoru said. She released Kenji's hand and took the box. Her son launched himself at Enishi and hugged his leg.
Yahiko returned a moment later and dropped off the bags at Enishi's feet. He took the box from Kaoru, kissed her on the cheek, and then picked Kenji up for a hug. "You return them back to me unharmed or else I will hunt you until the ends of the earth. Shinomori expects you within four days. If you're not there, he'll hunt you to the ends of the earth too."
"Of that, I have no doubt," Enishi said. "It is a little over five-hundred kilometers between here and Kyoto." It would take twenty-three hours to cover the distance without stopping, but as he didn't want to kill his horses, it would take them just under three days. "We should be there within three days."
OoO
"This is unnecessary," Kaoru argued. Enishi had purchased them two rooms at a nice inn after a mere eight hours of road travel. "We can sleep in the woods inside of the carriage." She gestured towards the elaborate gardens and high walls of the inn. Kenji slept in the room he and Kaoru shared and she and Enishi stood on the balcony of that room. Enishi's room was next door. He'd jumped the distance between their balconies to join her. "There's no need for you to spend this sort of money."
Enishi sighed. "Stop fretting. I promise this isn't blood money, if that's what's bothering you. I made several investments over the years. And most were good investments." He stared into the distance, enjoying the blooms of the garden and the bright moonlight in the sky. "Besides, the roads are dangerous. There are still many bandits and I don't want to deal with those sorts of men. Not with a woman and her baby."
"It's just, I don't want to be a burden on you. Kenji and I are capable of making it to Kyoto on our own. We managed just fine last time," Kaoru said. Her blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. "If you're trying to seduce me, it won't work. I'm not interested, Yukishiro."
Enishi held his hands up in protest. "I am doing nothing of the sort. We both want to pay our respects to Tomoe, so I see no harm in making the trip together - as friends." He leaned down, his lips just a fraction from her ear, his breath warm against her cheek. "If I wanted to seduce you, you'd have no doubt about it, Kamiya."
Kaoru's heart hammered in her chest and she cleared her throat. "That's Himura," she corrected, stepping back to create some distance between them.
"Whatever you say." Enishi smirked. "By the way, that yukata looks even more lovely on you than I imagined."
"Th-thank you," Kaoru stuttered. "I should go check on Kenji."
Enishi watched as she fled back into the safety of her room, leaving behind the faint scent of cherry blossoms that he recognized from the soaps he'd sent her. He was being honest, when he said he didn't intend to seduce her. Though, she really did look beautiful in the moonlight in the yukata he had commissioned for her. He returned his attention to the view from the balcony. "Oh sister, what have I gotten myself into?"
He could see Tomoe looking back at him with a mysterious smile.
A/N: I've really appreciated all the interest and reviews for this story! This story might end up longer than I intended, but I don't think any of us will really mind that! And yes, Kenshin does show up soon, as does Sanosuke, but probably not how you might imagine.