Chapter 4: Gone

The next morning, just as Kenshin had promised himself, he awoke early in the morning. He had cleaned the space he had slept in, and he had gone through the trouble of washing them and hanging them to dry. He prepared himself to leave, which was easy since he carried nothing but the clothes on his back and his reverse-blade sword.

He didn't look back as he walked away from the calm dojo. He sensed she was still asleep, and he could see her in his mind, dreaming. He had left her a note, explaining his best regards and thanks for having permitted him to spend the night.

As he was on his way, he found himself only ten minutes away by foot, but Miss Kamiya would not be able to reach him on time. He knew she'd feel sad at first once she realized he had left, but then she would feel at peace again. But he would never forget her, Kaoru Kamiya.

She was only sixteen years old, yet she was mature, and she realized her mistakes pretty quickly, even though she hadn't made any. He saw her eyes so respectful and her long, black hair. And he saw her thin figure, so petite. He could see it now. By then she'd be awake, about to enter the room where Kenshin had spent the night. She looked wistful as she saw the empty room, morbid at the fact he had left.

Now he felt bad for having left without paying his thanks in person. But he continued on his way. He was walking through a small forest. He wandered looking down at his own feet, one always before the other. He thought of her most on his trail.

I don't know her, but I feel guilt of having left her the way I did. Maybe I should've stayed to at least pay her my thanks in person instead of on paper. It was for the best, because otherwise, she would've continued to weigh on me hand and foot out of guilt. She felt bad for having treated me unfairly, but the truth was I respected her honesty. She felt under pressure when I was around, and I don't want to put anybody through that. I will stay once I feel I am wanted…

Kenshin went on drowning in his thoughts until he heard footsteps behind him. He didn't turn, it just might have been footsteps from somebody who was there the whole time, but he just hadn't realized it. The person ran, so maybe the person wasn't there the whole time, he or she probably only caught up with him.

Suddenly the footsteps come closer, and the next thing he knew somebody had patted him on the shoulder.

What's this?

Kenshin turned over to see who this might be. He slowly realized it was Miss Kaoru. She looked wearied. She finally caught her breath.

"You left!" She exclaimed angrily.

"Good morning."

"Is that all you're going to say? Why did you leave?"

"I see you are awake. It's fairly early for you to be awake, isn't it?"

"I could ask you the exact same question, but, instead I'll ask you another. Why did you leave? I thought…"

"I'm sorry if I upset you, Miss Kamiya, but I agreed to one night only, you said, until I decide to wander again."

"I know what I said," She turned angrily, "but, you just shouldn't wander around like that. Behind other people's backs, what's wrong with you?"

Kenshin smiled, "I'm very sorry if I worried you. But, I did say I would wander again."

"Well I do not approve. Now, get back to the dojo!"

Kenshin was confused. Why would she want him to stay longer?

She wants explanations, but, hadn't I already explained to her what I could? Maybe she wants more of me, a better answer; I guess she deserves that…

Kenshin lowered his head, respectfully. He then went ahead of her back to where the dojo was. Kaoru was amazed at how she was able to convince him so easily.

I don't want him to leave yet, and, I don't understand why. I don't want any more answers, and I don't need them either, I just want to know him. Something came over me once I realized he was gone, and it made me somewhat upset. Why don't I want him to leave? Why do I want to keep him around? All of this doesn't make sense…

Still paralyzed in thought, Kaoru began to walk a few feet behind Kenshin. He didn't look back to see her because he knew she was there. He could hear her footsteps, her breathing, and the silent contracting of her joints…

Her sight sunk into his back. She followed him without saying a word until they arrived back at the dojo. He finally turned to see her. She looked into his eyes, a light velvet color, so warm and honest she could not resist but to gawk into them.

"Well then, what would you like to know? I assume this is the main idea of why you brought me back here." Kenshin said.

"Actually, that was not the reason. I already told you that you owe nobody any explanation. I only felt you need a place to stay instead of sleeping at the side of the road all of the time. I will not take no for an answer, so save your breath and accept the offer." Kaoru said turning herself.

"If that is what you please, Miss Kamiya."

"Yes, and, I would also like it if you stopped calling me that. My name is Kaoru."

"Of course, Miss Kaoru."

Kaoru sighed heavily and made her way into another room.

I guess Miss Kaoru isn't so bad. I'm just glad he stayed and that he decided to address me as my own name, even though he just won't get off that "Miss" thing. ________________________________________________________________________________

She looked at me very often, but I didn't mind it. She was goodhearted, I knew that immediately. But I still do not understand why she wants me to stay here in her home. Did she feel a need of hospitality? Or did she want to stay on my good side? I guess I'd figure it out sooner or later. But how long did she expect I stay?

Kenshin again entered the room where he had spent the night before. He kept the sliding door wide open in case she wanted to keep an eye on him. He sat in the center of the room, meditating silently. He kept his distance for her, knowing it would make her more comfortable that way.

He concentrated on what he would do next. Would he leave the next morning despite what she had told him, or would he stay until he was unwelcome? It was confusing, since he had no idea why she wanted him to stay. Did she want company? Was she always alone?

I guess I'll just have to ask her. Someday we must get to know each other better, why not now? It would be foolish to not ask her anything about herself.

Kaoru cleaned the rooms of the dojo. She ran around wiping the floor with white rags on her hands and feet. She passed by the room where Kenshin sat, and as he saw her he stood and walked over to the rim of the door.

"Would you like some help? It's the least I can do for your hospitality."

Kaoru paused, still on her hands and feet. She then stood with the rag in her hands and turned to see him standing under the door. She hesitated, "If you honestly do want to help out, there is a clothes bin over there. You can wash them and hang them to dry."

Kenshin looked at her and smiled, then turned the other way towards the basket of clothes. He carried it to the medium-sized wooden barrel at the back of the dojo. Kenshin put down the clothes and picked up the barrel in his arms and walked down to the local well. He filled it with water and came back to the dojo and began to wash the clothes and hang them on a line out in the sun. Once he had finished, he came back inside the dojo as he watched her wipe the floor in the room he'd spend the night in.

"I finished the laundry. If you'd like, I could finish this room for you."

"I'm almost finished, there's no need for that."

She stood straight on her feet and smiled at him. She looked tired, and it was already three in the afternoon.

"It seems we're done for the day. I will go and prepare dinner." Kaoru said.

"Allow me. Why don't you take a bath? You seem tired. I will prepare dinner."

"Oh… Thank you then." She bowed her head and made her way around him and into the bathroom.

Kenshin prepared dinner quickly before Kaoru was able to finish her bath. When she came inside the room Kenshin had set up for them to eat, she couldn't believe her eyes. She hadn't expected him to be able to fix a descent meal for an animal.

"I guess I hadn't given you much credit, had I, Kenshin? You managed to pull off a pretty good looking meal."

"Thank you."

Kenshin came around a small table extremely close to the floor to the other side where Kaoru stood. He took her hand. A chill went down her spine as she felt his skin over hers again. He helped her kneel on the floor and then took his place on the other side. She watched him, the same exact way he watched her.

They then began to eat silently, until Kenshin decided he'd ask her some questions.

"How are you enjoying your meal, Miss Kaoru?"

"It is much better than I'd expected. Thank you, Kenshin. I honestly apologize for underestimating you as much as I have. I promise that will never happen again."

Both Kenshin and Kaoru smiled. They then suffered a long silence.

Kenshin decided to break the ice again. "Are you from this town, Miss Kaoru?"

"Yes, I am from this town."

"And how did you decide to open your own dojo at such a young age?" Kenshin asked.

"Oh, I didn't open the dojo; my father did, before he died. He wanted to teach Japan the swordsmanship he had created best known as 'The sword that protects others'. Once my mother and father died, I became the heir of his work, me being their only child of course."

"I see. I'd bet this place if fairly popular to young swordsmen."

"Not at all, actually. They've stopped coming once they became bored with it. It wasn't enough for them to learn about a sword that defends others instead of killing them. Children these days seem as if they'd belong better in the Revolution. They just don't understand."

Kenshin saw she began to feel sad thinking about the failure to keep her father's business up and running. She bowed her head and her hair fell over her face.

"My father would've been able to keep this place filled, and I can't even manage one student. I want to please him wherever he is, but he probably sees me and won't even spit in my direction. I know he must be disgusted of me."

"Don't say that, Miss Kaoru. I'd bet your father is proud of you no matter what you do. If your father created a technique to protect others, he must have been a respectful man. I know he loves you even if you fail and, I think he'd rather you try to live your life first and later take up on this responsibility."

"I wouldn't know how to live my life after all of these years on my own, trying to take all responsibility on this dojo."

"Neither did I, but you have better chances than I do," Kenshin said.

Poor Miss Kaoru, she hasn't learned how to live her life the way any regular teenager has. If only there were a way I could help after everything she's done for me in such very little time. But, I haven't even found a way to live my life the way I've hoped to. It is fairly difficult.

Kenshin heard Miss Kaoru sob, and quickly he stood and sat by her side. He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her arm repeatedly.

"Please do not cry, Miss Kaoru. Everything will be fine, I promise."

"Don't promise me anything, Kenshin," She continued to cry.

Kenshin turned her to face him, but she didn't lift her head to see him. He held her tight in his arms, rubbing her back gently. She had her chin over his shoulder as she cried. Her tears fell down her cheeks and onto the fabric of his clothing. She tried drying them before they fell onto his clothes.

"Don't worry about that, forget the tears. You're alright, don't worry, I'm here."

Kaoru then began to realize that maybe Kenshin was not any ordinary man.

How many men comfort people they barely know? He is extraordinary.