Surprise! It's not WAFF! But it's still really short.

And once again my great thanks to older woman for the beta-reading and suggestions. My paranoid fears regarding posting something containing dumb errors are allayed now. Well, mostly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Are you sure this is fine with you?"

"Baka. I told you already, it's alright," she chided him. Indeed, she had - over and over again.

Each time, her answer had been the same. "I'll be fine. They need you; we both know that."

But still he kept asking.

He couldn't help doing it, one last time. "Are you really sure?"

"Enough!" She swatted him, and he smiled. Only briefly, though.

Maybe it was because he was worried for her safety. And Kenji's too, of course.

But it had been so long since they had been threatened, and he knew she could take care of the two of them. And Yahiko would be staying at the dojo in his absence. Between her and Yahiko, they could handle any trouble.

He spared a glance for the young man, who stood some distance behind Kaoru. Yahiko had been fidgeting slightly, clearly awkward. But his wife's student met Kenshin's eyes with a steady, reassuring gaze. Yes, they were going to be fine.

Then, maybe...maybe it was because he needed to be sure that his leaving didn't cause her pain. Well, not too much, at least. He still remembered how much he had made her suffer when he had left for Kyoto.

But this time, he knew that he was coming back, and so did she.

Perhaps that was why, this time, she could see him off with a smile instead of tears.

Yes. I'm definitely coming back, so it should be fine, right?

He got down on one knee so he could look his young son in the eye. The boy had been standing by Kaoru's side, silently watching his parents.

He reached out and patted Kenji's head. "Take care of Kaa-san for me, hm?"

With all the seriousness a five-year-old could muster, Kenji nodded. "Hai."

A proud smile tugged at his lips. "That's my boy." Yes, they were going to be fine.

But then he thought saw Kaoru's cheerful expression falter, ever so slightly, as he started to move away.

"Kaoru..." He frowned, and reached for her arm.

"Maa, maa, Kenshin, you should be leaving now! The chief's waiting." Her smile now looked as bright as before. Had he just been imagining things? "I'll see you in two months, ne?"

"...Hai."

He glanced over her shoulder. At Kenshin's expression, Yahiko averted his gaze, allowing them some privacy. A quick look back told him that Uramura had politely turned away as well.

Cupping her cheek, he pressed his lips to hers.

"Take care," he murmured.

"You, too," she whispered. "Now go."

For the first time, her voice was subdued. She was trying, he could see, but now it seemed like smiling had become too much of an effort for her.

"Remember, this one will be back, that he will."

At that, she gave a small nod, then lowered her head, hiding her face.

"I know."

Reluctantly, he released her.

With another affectionate ruffle of Kenji's hair, and one last nod to Yahiko, he picked up his satchel, and turned to where Uramura was waiting next to the carriage. He did not dare look back as they climbed inside.

The two men settled in, and the carriage began to move.

He sat quietly for several moments as it took him away, farther and farther from home. That was about how long his resolve lasted.

Rising, he leaned out of the window.

Kenji and Yahiko were no longer there, having presumably entered the house. But Kaoru was still standing by the gate, watching.

He was too far away to make out her expression. But he could see that one hand was covering her mouth, the other wrapped across her waist, and her shoulders seemed to be shaking.

And then she was gone.

He hung there in the window for a little while longer, not quite believing it.

He slumped back into his seat. He ignored the quizzical look Uramura gave him, and stared out at the passing scenery.

He was needed. He was certain of that, and she was too. That was why he had left, and that was why she had let him go.

And it wasn't as if he wouldn't be coming back.

And yet...

He closed his eyes.

Maybe...maybe he had just been hoping that she would say no.

I didn't really have Seisouhen in mind when I wrote this, but I guess most would associate this scene with it.

Don't forget to review. Please? Reviews make me happy. And if I'm happy, I'll post something less depressing next...