A/N: First, thank you to all who reviewed/read this story! Second, I'm afraid you'll have to wait about the same time (a monthish) for chapter 3.


Chapter 2: The Welcome to Tottori

A week later, Kenshin shook his head before opening the gate and stepping inside the walkway leading up to the small clinic that would hopefully help him find the answers he wanted. His footsteps were the only sound he heard as the gravel walkway crunched under his feet. As he looked around the courtyard, he noticed that not much had changed since the summers in high school that he spent here. He had only spent three summers here and those had been some of the best months of his life. After University, he had never seen the need to visit because of the images that the clinic would bring to mind. This was where Tomoe and Katsura had decided to start their new life together. He hadn't- couldn't subject himself to that.

A short walk later, he was in front of the door to the dojo that had turned into home and clinic. Hesitating only briefly, he knocked on the door which opened shortly to reveal a slightly older graying man dressed in a doctor's coat-his uncle. In the three months since he had seen him, his uncle had aged a little- the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth were now more pronounced than they were before. He was also more wise- one look into his eyes reminded the younger redhead of that. Kenshin opened his mouth to speak but couldn't- he didn't know what to say. Instead, it was Dr. Genzai who cleared the air first.

"Kenshin," the man greeted clearly surprised, "what are you doing here?"

"Hi Uncle," Kenshin replied managing to say a greeting out of habit, "I came for a visit?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kenshin cursed them. They sounded hollow and strange coming from his mouth, almost as though they were something that was foreign for someone like him. He forgot how important his uncle was to him until this moment and as a result, he had forgotten the ease that he was supposed to feel around his uncle. And now, he felt odd. Visiting Tottori had been his idea but right now, he was wondering if it was the right thing to do.

"Of course. Come in."

Dr. Genzai smiled opening the door and welcoming his nephew in. The unease which he'd seen Kenshin in by the front door helped him realize that the visit was a while in coming but that it was finally here. He couldn't- in fact he refused to let the young man go anywhere but to the place he wanted at the moment. And it seemed Kenshin wanted to be here in Tottori. It would have been heartless of him to refuse him after realizing that fact.

Kenshin, for his part, was a little more at ease. He wasn't sure what he would have done if he'd received a different response. Leave perhaps? But to where? The only hotels open at this time of night were rather far from where he was. Nonetheless, he would have gone there if he thought it necessary- if his uncle had refused him. His uncle led him into the living room and the suitcase Kenshin dragged in settled next to him. The living room reminded him of many things but the most vivid was a reception much like this one that he had received when he had decided to come visit his uncle on a whim one summer in high school. Neither his father nor his uncle had been that pleased but that summer had been one of the best he could remember.

Genzai knew that his nephew had a lot on his mind but he decided to let his nephew deal with things on his own way. He and Katsura were alike in that manner- always brooding and only telling people their feelings when they saw it as a last resort. All that the elder man could hope for was that he could give Kenshin the help he needed just as he had offered help to his son when he was alive. His nephew was different today, there was something about the way he held himself and walked into the room that told the aging doctor Kenshin had finally realized something. It was as though he had finally given himself the ability to move on. And Genzai decided that he would be there for his nephew during this difficult process.

"There's an extra bedroom that opened up a while ago. My head assistant- Megumi- she moved out a few months ago." Megumi's decision was thankfully one that she had made shortly before she and Sano had announced their upcoming nuptials. She had stayed on for a while however and had only recently left after he had assured her that he and the girls and would get along just fine without her presence.

"Thank you." Kenshin answered trying to remember the woman.

He didn't remember some of the details from three months ago. He'd known that his uncle had an assistant in his clinic and he could vaguely remember the outline of someone that might have been the assistant. But he wasn't sure. Embarrassed, he followed his uncle down the walkway until he came upon the room that was to be his. The left hallway led to the clinic as he remembered and the right hallway was where the residential rooms were kept. His uncle opened the shoji and gestured for Kenshin to go inside following after him.

"I'm afraid there's not a lot. Whatever furniture Megumi had she took except for the dresser. She said she wouldn't need it." Kenshin nodded settling his suitcase by a side wall. "Ah- there's a futon in the cupboard and blankets are in another room. Let me get them for you. And then, I'm afraid I have to run- I have patients stopping by later. "

Kenshin nodded as he took in the place. Soft tatami floors that were worn with use coupled with shoji doors that he remembered fixing from his teenage years. If he remembered right, this guest bedroom opened to the side garden. Shuffling towards the back door, he gently pried open the wall and let out a small grin when he realized he'd been placed in the same room he remembered from his days as a teenager. The bright winter sun and snowy landscape was truly remarkable especially in this part of the house where the snow remained untouched.

Genzai came back into the room to see Kenshin standing by the back door in thought. The young man turned to his uncle and gratefully took the blankets as the cold air from outside dissipated around the room. For some reason, Genzai could already tell that his nephew liked the room and that he appreciated the small comforts it offered. The room, he decided, would be Kenshin's and he was welcome to use it as long as he needed to and as long as he could.

An hour later Kenshin sighed as he took in his new room. It was simple with a futon rolled up to the side and a dresser on the left side of the room by a wall. The simplicity made him feel a tad like a hermit if it wasn't for the comfort of having his clothes placed within the dresser. He'd already unpacked his suitcase and the room looked a little like his now. His various personal items- not that there were many he'd decided to bring with him- were placed on the top of the dresser and his suitcase was hidden away in the tiny closet where his coat and other such items now hung. He wasn't sure how long he planned on staying but he had brought most of everything just to be safe.

The door opened and he turned to see what had caused the rather brusque sound. Two young girls ran into the room and he shook his head fondly moving to catch them as they ran into him. They were never too quiet about things were they? And, he winced as he caught them, they were quite the pair. Kenshin stuck with them as they clambered into his lap, batting each other for spaces until an appeased Suzume finally settled by his side and contended herself by playing with his hair. He wondered why they cared so much for him when he had ignored them after their parents' deaths. Did they forgive him already, not being able to hold a grudge as easy as others much older than them?

"Kenny!" Ayame- now two squeaked out catching his attention

She had only been a year and a half when her parents died and his uncle began to take care of them. Odd how much she'd grown since he'd seen her last. She was now walking properly- running even- and could even say his name somewhat. The little girl clutched his left arm tight in a painful grip and he gently eased her hold wincing when her nails dug into his hand instead. After adjusting her hold, he looked at the older and more astute of the two girls.

"Ayame, Suzume. How have you two been?" He wondered if his statement could be any more mundane.

"We're good!" Suzume announced as Ayame was too preoccupied with her uncle's hair and had found a comfortable seat in his lap. The elder sister didn't mind Ayame's actions since she knew that her uncle loved h-er too. Plus, Suzume had to look out for her. "What took you so long?"

Both the girls were beaming at his presence which made him cringe. He had really messed up here. Thinking back on Suzume's words, he flashed the girls a grin as he thought about how to answer them. A few months ago, the girls had been looking to him to take care of them after their parents' funeral. At that point, he was still grieving over their parents' deaths and hadn't been the best adult figure in their lives. Now, he was ready to move on and oddly enough, he felt his nieces would help him with that. Plus, they needed him and he needed them.

"I was busy." He finally announced when the girls had calmed somewhat. Suzume was fidgeting and while he hadn't seen her in a while, he knew what that meant. She was hiding something from him. Not liking the sad look on her face, he slowly brought Suzume's face up to his view. She was crying. "What's wrong Suzu?" He hadn't used that nickname in so long it felt like he was forcing it out making him wince inwardly.

"I'm- I'm just happy you're here."

The words were a punch to his gut. They were words Tomoe had spoken ages ago but hearing them come from Suzume's mouth made the statement more poignant. Suzume had suffered a lot in the past year and he had been selfishly mourning instead of helping her cope. It hurt to hear the words but it also made him understand things- namely the fact that while he wasn't there for his nieces then, he was there for them now. And that while the pain from the events wouldn't fade, it would dull over time. Together, he and the girls could be there for each other. He brought them closer and winked, the action causing them to burst out in a flurry of giggles and decided to take action starting now.

Kenshin gathered the girls into his arms and stood up- a feat that wasn't easy. He led them to the dining room and plopped them down on the cushions deciding he may as well start with dinner. Back in Kyoto, before Tomoe had taken permanent residence in the hospital, Kenshin had seen her cook reminding him of his university days when she had taught him. But more than that, every single dish he made was either made using her recipe or tweaking her recipe to suit his bachelor requirements. Now, he felt he owed it to the girls to cook a decent meal, their mother's recipe of course- but with Uncle Kenshin's twist. Turning to ask them about dinner, his expression softened.

Ayame was half-sitting, half-laying down on the cushion and Suzume was watching her like a protective mother hen- just as she promised him she would at her parent's funeral. The scene made him realize that the girls needed someone other than his uncle to look after them, someone young enough to play with them and read them bedtime stories. He didn't want Suzume to become a mothering personality when she was so young. She was only four; she had her entire childhood ahead of her. Clearing his throat, he spoke when he had the girl's attention glad to have some distraction from the feelings the scene caused.

"So, what do you want for dinner?" Ayame looked up at him with narrowed eyes and clapped her hands when she made a decision.

"Den!" She yelled out causing Kenshin to ponder over her words.

"She means oden Uncle Ken." Suzume amended rolling her eyes at the younger girl. "What have I told you Ayame- it's o-den, not just den!" Stifling his laughter at the comical sight, Kenshin got in between them hoping to break up a fight. Apparently, sibling rivalry was still strong between the girls even after their stay in Kyoto.

"Now, now- Suzu- do you want oden for dinner?" The older girl stopped her admonishing of her sister and curled her hands into her lap. She did, but she wanted her mother's oden.

"I-" Hesitating for a moment, Suzume shook her head and gathered courage, "can you make mommy's oden?" The little girl shuffled and Kenshin found himself sympathizing with her. That was a recipe of Tomoe's that he never did tweak. It was the first thing she had taught him one cold winter's night in University.

"Of course I can." He wondered if his next words were too forward but maybe the girls would like his suggestion. "Do you want to help me make it?"

Suzume's eyes widened and she shuffled closer to her uncle, her hope etched clearly on her face. "Really?"

"Of course." Kenshin stood, Ayame latched onto his leg and making it difficult for him to walk. "Ayame can you let go of my leg? And Suzume, why don't you go look in the fridge for ingredients?"

The girls didn't need to be told twice and a half-hour later when Dr. Genzai came into the kitchen after closing his clinic the sight he saw made his heart lift. Suzume stirred a pot on the stove while Kenshin held Ayame and hovered by her. He was talking low, so the doctor couldn't hear what was said but he knew that whatever it was it brought the kids true happy smiles that he saw only when they were with their godmother. A squeal came out of Ayame as she clutched her uncle in fear when the pot on the stove boiled. Unable to help himself the doctor laughed catching the attention of the three in question.

"Grandpa!" Ayame yelled out squirming in Kenshin's arms. The doctor reached forward and took her from Kenshin as Suzume clambered down form her chair.

"Mmm, that smells lovely- what are you three making?" Suzume tugged on his coat and he bent his head to look down at her.

"Mommy's oden!" The girl announced proudly. "Uncle Kenshin made it." She leaned forward to whisper in her grandfather's ear, though really, it wasn't a secret at all. "It tastes just like mommy's!"

"Ah- oden!" He didn't reference his daughter-in law knowing that it was a subject best left for another day. Instead, he inclined his head to Kenshin's in a silent show of thanks. "Can I expect more food like this from now on?" The sheepish redhead rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.

"I guess? Though all I know is what-" Kenshin swallowed his words, "is what I was taught." The doctor nodded knowingly. He would give Kenshin the privacy he needed but it wasn't healthy for the young man to dwell on Tomoe's past. He wasn't going to force his nephew, but in time he wanted Kenshin to be able to say Tomoe's name without wincing or feeling sorry for himself.

"Well then, Ayame dear, would you climb down? I'll go wash up and get the plates ready for dinner."

The little girl did as she was told, following her sister to the dining room as Kenshin stirred the pot one last time. When it was ready, he brought the hot soup to the table and was surprised when Ayame thrust a bowl in front of him and climbed into his lap. Belatedly, he realized that this was something she did whenever she was hungry. Sometimes, he forgot just how young she was. She couldn't very well eat the hot soup on her own now could she? Tucking her securely in his lap, Kenshin spooned the oden out into bowls. It reminded him of when Suzume was younger and would only eat food he fed her when he was around.

The doctor arrived and raised an eyebrow at the arrangement but didn't say anything about it. The girls cared for their uncle so he would allow this. Plus, it meant he had a free lap at dinner that night. And as much as he found himself caring, he also realized, after years of wisdom, that Kenshin needed this moment of bonding as much as the girls did.

Kenshin slowly blew on the spoon and once he deemed the stew cool enough, fed Ayame. The little girl enjoyed it immensely and Suzume watched from across the table. Kenshin saw the envy on her face and wondered what to do. He had been acting based purely off what he remembered seeing in Kyoto when the girls had stayed over. This was a new territory and he didn't dare venture into it. He couldn't- in fact he wouldn't – get in the middle of that fight.

"Suzume," Uncle Genzai said noticing her expression, "do you know how many pictures I have of when you were a baby and being fed by your uncle?" The little girl blinked and then turned curious eyes to her grandfather.

"Yes, it was a few years ago- Katsura and Tomoe had decided to take you to Kyoto because your uncle wasn't visiting. And if I remember right, you were Ayame's age and wouldn't let yourself be fed by anyone but him." Suzume glanced at her uncle asking him if what her grandfather was saying was true.

"I remember that. You were two I think." Kenshin answered. "And all I remember is that you climbed into my lap one day and refused to leave until I fed you lunch. And you stuck to me like glue for a while."

"Glue!" Ayame giggled waving her hands and missing the spoon that was edging towards her only by sheer luck. "Suzu funny." Kenshin laughed and fed her once more before winking at Suzume whose eyes widened. She didn't even think he knew how to wink even though she had seen it twice. Even her daddy wasn't able to do it right.

"Read me a bedtime story?" She asked instead hoping to get her own snuggling time with her uncle.

"I promise- but only after we tuck this little girl in all right?" Ayame, thankfully, didn't hear all of what he said letting the rest of the dinner pass by in companionable silence.

Three hours later the girls lay snuggled into their futons after the promised bedtime story and Kenshin quickly stole away to help his uncle wash dishes in the kitchen. His uncle hadn't said much earlier that afternoon when he'd arrived, just asking Kenshin how long he was staying and then providing him a room. However, Genzai wanted answers and Kenshin knew he was going to have to give them soon. The answers however, Kenshin thought, would be hard to come by. Even he was still a bit hazy about them. Or actually, he knew what they were but he wasn't accepting them yet.

"Why did you come here?" The statement was said softly and hardly disrupted the silence in the kitchen. The younger of the two men paused momentarily in his task as he thought of an answer.

Why had he come? He'd come to escape the guilt he festered in he realized as he continued with the chore to keep his hands busy. Tomoe and Katsura had passed away and after their death, he hadn't really done anything but work. After his brain had knocked some sense into him, he had come to a realization. The two had always been there for him and now they weren't. Neither Tomoe nor Katsura were ever going to be erased or replaced but they were now a part of the past- his past. He wanted to escape that past for a while and get his bearings straight and surprisingly enough a life in the country appealed to him. His uncle had always begged him to visit and he felt that it was high time he did so. Living in the present would help him with the demons of the past.

"Kenshin?" Realizing he hadn't answered the redhead spoke again, giving his uncle the response he'd come up with.

"I guess Kyoto just held too many memories for me." Genzai didn't say a word; he knew what memories Kenshin was talking about. Hiko had warned him that Kenshin might come visit. He'd called a few days ago when his son had turned in his resignation to the ER, something that to both men was a task long overdue. Sighing, Genzai did the only thing he could- open his arms and home to his nephew.

"My head assistant just left on her honeymoon. She's not going to be back for a while and I need some help. After she comes back we'll decide what to do but for now, consider yourself hired."

"Thank you." Kenshin relaxed somewhat though the tension never left his shoulders. He wasn't sure if it ever would but he would take what he got for now. Working here wouldn't be as busy as working in the ER but it'd be a welcome change of pace. And maybe, just maybe, living in Tottori would help him bury his past demons.


Kenshin smiled as he heard the laughter of two young children and wondered what made his nieces so happy. His uncle had mentioned a certain kenjutsu instructor who the girls had taken a fond liking to and who was planning to visit soon. Wondering if it was her, he made his way to the backyard, pulling off his latex gloves and throwing them away in a nearby trashcan as he did so. While he had grown up with his cousin, he had never visited him and Tomoe after they had settled in Tottori. So their life here was a mystery- it was new.

Ayame and Suzu were running around trying to chase the older woman who obviously had slowed down her pace to match theirs. She was young and athletic from what Kenshin could tell. Her straight black hair was up in a ponytail and she had a nice laugh. There was something about her that seemed familiar but he wasn't sure what it was. Standing by the porch, he simply watched, content to see the girls running around with smiles on their faces. It was a refreshing sight in the February chill. Ayame paused in her game and was the first to notice him.

"Kenny!" She yelled promptly leaving the game of tag and running up to him with open arms.

He walked down the three steps to the backyard and caught her as she barreled into him. Her puffy winter coat made her look like a tiny pink marshmallow but she was adorable to Kenshin all the same. Holding her, he felt at peace and calm. He also felt loved and vowed to protect the little girl from whatever demons befell her- whether it was a boo-boo or the monster under the bed. And he promised the same to Suzume- not that the girls knew it of course. They were much too young to understand things like that. And they were too young to understand why the sight of the plum blossoms in the backyard made him sad.

"More work?" The little girl asked when Kenshin stood up with her in his arms. He shook his head no. The clinic was apparently a little busy, this being flu season now, but there weren't anymore patients today.

"Good." By this time, the two had reached Suzume and the young woman who was playing with them earlier. Suzume immediately made the introductions feeling it prudent to do so. These two people were possibly the two most important people to her in the world (excluding her grandfather and parents) and it was high time they met.

"Uncle Ken, this is Kaoru nee-chan. Kaoru nee-chan this is Uncle Ken." Kenshin smiled as a greeting seeing as how his arms were full of the bundled Ayame. So that was how he knew her- she was Katsura's good friend- the girl from Tottori that he remembered in passing from his summers. And- he mused- she was the other godparent- the more responsible one.

Kaoru greeted him with a smile. She knew who he was and was surprised to see him here. She'd met Kenshin ages ago when he came to Tottori once during high school. And most recently, she had seen him at the funeral in Kyoto. She knew that he was close to Tomoe and Katsura but that he kept his distance. She had always wondered about that but she shook it off. Kenshin was looking at her with wide eyes and she realized that he was waiting for her greeting.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" If he noticed that she hadn't been paying attention, he didn't show it, instead continuing with his conversation.

"Would you like to come inside for a hot drink?"

"You have to nee-chan!" The girls chorused as Suzume began pulling her towards the house. "Uncle Ken makes the best hot chocolate!"

Kaoru raised an eyebrow at that as she nonetheless followed Suzume not minding the fact that the girls forced her choice upon her. She heard Ayame's giggles behind her and noted that the other two were following her. A wave of jealousy swept her suddenly, she had only been away for three days- three days of pottery work- and he had already wormed his way into the girls' lives. While she was happy that he cared, she felt a little left behind. Behind her she heard Kenshin's laugh as he spoke again and realized that he was talking to the girls. Curious about the relationship he had with them, she listened intently.

"I'm sure that my hot chocolate is not that great."

"It's the bestest!" Ayame proclaimed and Kenshin felt a piece of his heart heal. The hot chocolate was his own dish, and the fact that the girls liked it so much made him feel proud.

A while later he sat down next to the young woman as the two girls quietly sat on the cushions with their drinks. He blew bangs out of his face as he studied the woman next to him. She was young but the love she showered on the two girls made him feel at ease. He'd only been here two days but he'd hardly gone out and the only people he'd met were patients who were older than him. To see someone young like her interact with the girls made him want to get to know the woman more, if only for the sake of his nieces. She had been there for them when he hadn't and he felt that he owed her something for that.

"The girls really like you." The statement caught him off guard but he nodded along with it anyways.

"I know." His words were wistful as though he was wishing to change things and he was. He wished he could have spent more time with them before. A silence descended between them as they watched the girls play and drink their warm treat. Neither knew what to say exactly.

"Why are you here Kenshin?" Kaoru finally asked after a while. "I- I thought that you were going to be in Kyoto."

Kenshin closed his eyes, the shame of his past decision coming back to haunt him. He'd distanced himself from Tottori because it hurt but it seemed that in the long run it was not the best of ideas. He had been running for so long from the problems in his life that when he finally came to terms with things, it was hard for others to believe it was real. Kaoru probed him more when he didn't answer.

"Are you here to substitute for Megumi?" Megumi- she was his uncle's assistant. He had found out a few days earlier that the woman he remembered taking care of his house months ago was indeed her.

"Not really. For now I'm doing that, but I'm not sure what I'll be doing later." And that was true- what would he do when Megumi came back? Where would he go?

Kaoru nodded feeling a little out of place. Kenshin, she realized, had grieved in his own way. After coming back to Tottori, she had found out that he was the doctor in charge. Megumi had explained to her that losing a patient was difficult and that for Kenshin, when his patient had also been his cousin's wife he had essentially blamed himself. She wondered if he had finally forgiven himself for what had happened. Or was he here out of some sense of guilt? She didn't think she could take it if the girls lost him again if he ever went back to Kyoto. The thought spurred a question of hers that had to be asked.

"Are you here for a visit then?"

"I suppose that's the best way to put it." He answered turning his head to meet hers. The girls were engrossed in playing a hand game and while he understood Kaoru's reason for the conversation, he wasn't sure he could continue it. Not if he wanted to answer truthfully.

"I don't mean to pry," Kaoru began again averting her gaze to the cup in his hands, "but this is a rather odd time to visit."

Kenshin smiled and his violet eyes twinkled momentarily as he replied her. It wasn't an odd question to ask. Normally one visited Tottori for the sand dunes, they came when the weather was warmer. Instead, here he was in February, the end of winter, and was helping his uncle with his clinic. He answered her nonetheless though not truthfully. He had come here for a reason and while he had come to terms with it, he didn't have the courage to talk about it yet.

"It took me a while to realize the girls needed me. I decided not to wait for the weather when that realization came to me." Kenshin quickly downed his cup and gathered the now empty cups by Ayame and Suzume. "I don't mean to rush you but are you done?"

Kaoru looked down at the cup in front of her. It was empty. She'd practically gulped it down after having one sip. The girls were right- this was the best hot chocolate ever. She gently handed the empty cup to him watching as he took them into the kitchen. She wasn't sure how long he was going to stay here or if he was looking for anything but she liked to think that she'd just gained a friend today. She looked at Ayame and Suzume who were still engrossed in their game and couldn't help but smile at that. She'd like to stay and watch them for a while longer.

"Kaoru!" The exclamation had her looking up to see Dr. Genzai walk in. He hadn't changed out of his clinic wear and took the seat previously occupied by Kenshin. "Here for the girls again?"

"Yes." Kaoru couldn't help it, everyone she knew had noticed that she doted on the girls. None of them had ever admonished her for it however. It was their way, she supposed, of telling her that they understood what she was doing and that they thought the girls needed the attention.

"I'm glad for that. They need someone like you around."

Kaoru flushed under his knowing gaze as Kenshin came back out with a cup of hot tea in his hands. He handed it Uncle Genzai and sat down in between the girls asking them about what they had done that day. Their enthusiastic responses, filled with excitement and hand movements, brought a homely feel to the room that all the occupants appreciated. Kaoru found herself watching all of this with curiosity. And Dr. Genzai noticed. It had been a while since . It had been a while since he'd seen the young woman so interested in something other than Kendo or pottery. And Kenshin, well he felt that Kaoru would have a positive impact on his life, however she did it. Maybe he would talk with his nephew about fostering friendships while he was here.

"Kaoru," he stated noting Kenshin begin to ask the girls about dinner, "do you want to stay for dinner?"

It was getting dark outside which meant the young woman was either going to go home soon or stay and eat dinner with them. Kaoru wasn't the best of cooks and while she generally sponged off meals from others, he knew that the woman probably had no one to make dinner for her today. An idea popped in his head- what if he invited Kaoru to eat dinner at his house? It would give the girls time with Kaoru and he could make sure she was fed properly. Plus, Kenshin would finally have some interaction with others in his life.

"It's fine," she announced making a move to stand and gathering her coat up, "Tae asked me to stop by to get some food later."

"Kaoru," the old man stated again, this time pinning her with his gaze, "I insist. You haven't eaten a good meal in days- don't lie to me- and you will stay and eat one of Kenshin's meals."

She flushed again not sure what to do. His stare made her wince and she knew better than anyone that there was no way to lie to him again or weasel out of what he wanted now. She'd been on the receiving end of that stare more and more, especially since Megumi had moved out to live with Sano a few months ago and Katsura had passed away. Dr. Genzai had been the only father figure she had after her own father had passed away. She knew better than to worry him as he was now. Sighing, she gathered her coat, as well as Ayame and Suzume's and deposited them on the sofa before taking a seat again.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Kenshin had disappeared into the kitchen while she had been conversing with the doctor and she had to admit she was curious. Was this something that he had been doing since he arrived in Tottori? She had to stifle a giggle at that: Megumi was going to be angry that her cooking duty was taken away from her.

"Perhaps." Dr. Genzai uttered remembering the scene he had walked in on a few days ago. "I think it's best if you go see for yourself." Nodding, Kaoru followed Kenshin into the kitchen.

He was pulling vegetables out of the refrigerator- some daikon and leeks- whens she walked in and looked surprised to see her. But he didn't do or say anything which made Kaoru fidget and glower. Was he really going to make her be the first to talk? Shuffling her feet, and feeling like a shy little girl- really she was a grown woman- she spoke.

"I was invited over for dinner and came by to see if you needed help?"

"Oh hi, did you need something?" The redhead was a little surprised to see her. She waited while he took her in with a questioning gaze and she briefly wondered if he knew about her less than stellar skills in the kitchen. She knew that she wasn't that great but hey she could at least help with the prep right?

Kenshin didn't like being interrupted when cooking. Cooking was the sole thing that he had shared with Tomoe- she had been the one to patiently teach him cooking when they were in university. Katsura would always peek in, but his luck in the kitchen started and ended at the sink so his cousin was generally relegated with washing the dishes. He had let the girls cook with him the other day because he thought that they like him could use cooking as their emotional connection with their mother. But with Kaoru, he didn't know if he wanted to let her in. The time that he spent cooking had become his private time and he looked forward to it at the end of every day- at least now when he was in Tottori.

Kaoru looked nervous and she wanted to leave the kitchen. Kenshin looked lost and betrayed when she had asked the question. Had she intruded upon something she wasn't supposed to? But what was it? And why did she feel so guilty about it. She bit her lip and choked down the dread she felt in her gut. Kenshin was Katsura's best friend and she couldn't let him see how his gaze affected her. Straightening herself, she began to back her way out of the kitchen.

"Please stay." Kenshin's words made her halt and she looked up at him questioningly. "I- I'm not used to having others cook with me. It's-" he struggled for words before finally settling- "it's different."

"Oh." Kaoru didn't know what to say after that and waited to see what else he would do.

"Perhaps, you could help me chop the vegetables?" He silently held out the vegetables as a peace offering and Kaoru smiled accepting his compromise.

"Do you cook often?" She asked the question managing to break the easy silence they had settled into. Kenshin turned from the stove, where he had been stirring the soup, and nodded. She was waiting for more and he wondered if he could share his reasons for enjoying the task with her.

"It helps me remember them." He stated looking back into the soup pot and seeing his own reflection reflected in the murky miso mixture. "Tomoe taught me in University and I've been doing it ever since." Kaoru hummed in agreement as she continued chopping.

"She tried to teach me." She murmured catching Kenshin's attention. "But Katsura always got in the way and well- I'm not exactly the best cook around." Kenshin caught her eyes and the wistful nostalgia in them made him relax. Perhaps his cousin had never really changed as much as he had thought. Silently, the two continued their tasks for a few minutes.

"Are these good enough?" The vegetables were chopped into squares, perfect enough for a soup, and he nodded his head taking them and adding them to the now simmering soup. The smells of cooking food and the thought of a warm dinner eased the silence in the kitchen.

"I can take care of everything else." Kenshin stated noticing Kaoru fidget. He smiled at her softly assuring her that what he was saying was true. "I think the girls are tired of playing with their grandfather. Why don't you relieve him of his duty?" Kaoru's eyes widened and she laughed at the last statement. It was true- the aging doctor was hardly a match for the energetic little girls.

"I'll take care of that then. Let me know when dinner's ready." Kenshin nodded and she disappeared back into the dining room.

Hours later, a tired Kenshin hummed in satisfaction as he placed the last dish into the drying rack. Kaoru had read the girls bedtime stories today. It was something that surprised him but his uncle had explained why it was a normal occurrence. Kaoru it seemed needed the girls just as much as he did. He couldn't fault her for that. He heard voices in the entryway and though he should have gone, he bided his time in the kitchen only stepping out when he knew Kaoru had left. His uncle narrowed his gaze in reprimand and Kenshin looked away from him in shame. Had he been that obvious when he tried to avoid Kaoru?

"I won't say I know why you hid in the kitchen." Dr. Genzai stated. "But I will tell you it was wrong."

"I'm sorry Uncle." The elderly doctor sighed and came forward to rest a hand on Kenshin's shoulder. It was a comforting touch.

"Kenshin, do not be afraid of what you could be. And don't be jealous of her role in Ayame and Suzume's life." The doctor sighed as his gaze met his nephew's. "She was there for them when they needed someone like her. Kaoru- she saw Tomoe as a sister Kenshin and she was able to fill some of the void in their lives. In fact, I think if the two of you talked, you could help the void in each other's lives."

"Uncle?" Kenshin questioned wondering if his words had a deeper meaning. Almost everyone knew he was in love with Tomoe, everyone but Tomoe and Katsura. But he couldn't tarnish her memory and move on so fast. He had tried and all his attempts had failed. So why was his uncle pushing him? Dr. Genzai knew better than to force others.

"No- nothing like that Kenshin." The doctor let his hand drop from Kenshin's shoulder. "The two of you understand each other's loss because you both are in the same situation. I think if you two befriended each other it will ease your hurt."

"She loved him." Kenshin stated understanding what his father had been saying. Kaoru had loved Katsura and had stuck through it instead of running away. She had been a much better than he was hadn't she?

"Yes, she did. While I cannot change the past, I want you to remember that she cares too Kenshin. And Kaoru has always had a bright smile on her face. Learn from her will you?"

"I'll try Uncle." The elderly man smiled glad that Kenshin understood what he was saying. Pain was hard to cure, especially if it wasn't physical. And he wanted to help these two young individuals. Sometimes, it wasn't comfort one needed but someone to confide in, someone who understood.

"That's all I ask for. Now, good night. Do you mind locking the doors?"

"No, I'll take care of it." The elderly doctor nodded and left to his room leaving Kenshin alone. A friend- someone who understood him. Kenshin thought he liked that. Maybe it was what he needed all along.