Karma – Kenshin's Point of View
What Did I Do Wrong?
---
So here I am, waiting in a small café in town for Kaoru to come. I called her earlier today to break the news to her. I never thought in all my years that something like this might happen. I'm moving to New York in order to be with Tomoe because she got this big promotion that requires her to move. I know it's a big step in our relationship, but I really think that I am in love with her, I think. I just hope Kaoru is going to take this well. I mean, I don't know what I'm supposed to do without her. She's been there for pretty much everything.
"Hey Kenshin," Kaoru says, walking over to the small table, two cups of coffee in front. She sits down, resting her elbows on the table, her chin in her hands. "How's it going?"
"Good. I ordered you the usual for you, if I remember," he says, pushing one of the cups over.
"And you did. Thanks." She picks it up, smelling and then taking a drink. Alright. This is starting out well. Gotta do a little prep work though.
"You look happy."
"I got a promotion today at work. More money and bigger title would make anyone happy."
"Congrats. You probably earned it." Kaoru puts down her drink, getting more serious.
"So, was there any special reason why you wanted to meet?"
"There was. Tomoe got a promotion as well."
"Congratulations to her. So, was that the only reason you wanted to meet up?" Here goes nothing. Please let everything go smoothly.
"The promotion she got would need us to move," Kenshin says, looking down and moving his cup around.
"Move where Kenshin?" Alright Kenshin, you can do this. Just go out and say it. Remember deep breaths.
"To New York."
"New York as in the one half way across the world?"
"It's a great opportunity for Tomoe and I can get my uncle to reassign me to one of our offices over there," Kenshin says, still not making eye contact. Silence becomes between the two, just staring at their drinks.
"So you agreed to go with her?" Kaoru says, breaking the silence.
"I love her Kaoru," Kenshin whispers. Silence ensues again.
"So you plan on leaving your home, your family and all of your friends who you have known for your whole life to go live with some girl you think you're in love with knowing for what, a year maybe?" Kaoru says, looking straight at her red headed friend. Kenshin looks straight at her as well.
"I have only one soul mate Kaoru. I can always make new friends," Kenshin growls. Kaoru leans back at the insult, closing her eyes and squeezing her cup.
"So all these years meant nothing?" she whispers, letting Kenshin realize what he has suddenly said. I did not just say that. I gotta do some damage control quick.
"Kaoru…"
"Don't you dare Kaoru me. After everything I did for you and all the times I did things for you. I almost died for you, you bastard. Go to the states for all I care. I don't want to see your ugly face ever again," Kaoru screams, slamming her cup down, causing some of the liquid to spill out. She stands up from her seat and stomps out the store, people silently watching the show before them.
"Kaoru wait!" Kenshin yells, standing up but not before Kaoru had left. What in the hell have I done?
--
I tried calling her after that, but she didn't answer her phone. I guess she just needed sometime to cool off. I can't believe that I said those things to her. How could I ever replace her as a friend? We've been through everything together and no one could ever fill her shoes.
"Hey honey, what are you doing back home so late? Rough day at work?"
"I met Kaoru today. To tell her about the move to New York."
"How did she take it?"
"Not very well. Some words were exchanged and she walked out. I haven't been able to contact her."
"She probably just needs some time. This is a big step for both her and you."
"I know."
--
I tried calling Kaoru the next day, but still no answer. Thankfully, I knew that today Megumi, Sano, Aoshi and Misao got together at Megumi and Sano's place. I figured that she must've talked to one of them over the few days. At least I hope.
"Coming." The door to reveal Megumi with a spoon in her hand. "Kenshin, what are you doing here?"
"I was wondering if anyone had heard from Kaoru the past few days?"
"Let me check. Come on in." She moves out of the way and lets him in, showing that Sano, Misao and Aoshi are there in front of the television. Perfect. They're all here.
"Hey Kenshin. What are you doing here?" Sano asks.
"I was wondering if you had heard from Kaoru lately?"
"Nope. How come?"
"I guess now would be a good time to tell you guys." He walks into the living space and sits in an empty chair facing all of them. Megumi moves over to sit on the armrest next to Sano. I should've told them earlier, but after Kaoru's reaction.
"Tell us what?" Misao asks, excited but concerned at Kenshin's tone.
"Tomoe got a promotion, so we're moving to New York."
"What? You're kidding me?" Misao screams, jumping up from her seat.
"And you told Kaoru this? When?" Megumi asks.
"Three days ago."
"Dammit. Code Red?" Misao says, looking at Megumi.
"Code Red. I'll get the supplies. You start the chain."
"Right." Misao gets up and heads towards the phone as Megumi runs towards her room. What is code red? They seem to be in a panic.
"What's going on?" Kenshin asks outloud.
"No time to talk. We gotta get moving. Megumi, I got the car keys," Misao says, already at the door, cell phone to her ear.
"I got the stuff. Take care of the place. There's food in the fridge." Megumi says, carrying a large bag and rushing out the door with Misao. Something is going on here. I look at Sano and Aoshi for answers but all they do is stare at each other. I know Aoshi is quiet, but Sano.
"So Kenshin, want a beer?" Sano asks, getting up from his seat and heading towards the kitchen.
"Sure. But do you guys have any idea what that was about?"
"The girls had a feeling that something like this might happen one day and wanted to be prepared. Though Kaoru acts strong, she's still very sensitive," Aoshi says from his seat.
"So, did you say anything else that would make you worry so much, other than the fact that you were leaving?"
"I said that I could always make new friends in New York," he says, looking down on the floor instead of the others.
"I can't believe you would say something like that," Sano shouts, slamming his beer on the table.
"We just got in this moment of fighting and it just came out. I tried to apologize, but she wouldn't let me."
"That was like telling her everything you went through meant nothing. No wonder she's so upset." I know that now. But before, I wasn't able to control what was coming out of my mouth.
"So what should I do?"
"Wait until the girls give it the okay for you to go see her. Maybe in a few days."
"But I would still bring protection just in case. You know missy and her swing."
---
For the next few days, I couldn't stop thinking about Kaoru. I wonder how she was. I hadn't heard from Megumi or Misao, so I took that as a bad sign. Did I really hurt Kaoru that much? I just couldn't take it anymore. I tried calling all of them but no one would answer, so I thought that the next best thing to do would be to go there myself. SO after work on Friday, I stopped by and rang the bell. And boy was I surprised to see who was there at Kaoru's door.
"Uncle Hiko," Kenshin says, giving a slight bow. Oh man, I can tell this isn't going to be good.
"What are you doing here?" Hiko asks, blocking the door with hid body.
"Is Kaoru around?"
"This is her house."
"Can I talk to her?"
"I don't know."
"It's okay." They both look inside to see Kaoru peaking around the corner of the hallway, her hair down and dressed in a long plain shirt. Is that really the Kaoru that I know?
"Kaoru," Hiko says, approaching the girl.
"I'll be fine," she says, still looking at Kenshin outside. Hiko turns back around, opening the door a bit to give Kenshin entrance.
"I'm going to go out to the store on the corner. I'll be right back." Before he exits, he bends his head towards Kenshin's. "If I see her crying when I come back, I will put you through hell." He finally leaves, closing the door behind, leaving the two alone. Kaoru gestures towards the couch, letting Kenshin sit down before taking a seat some distance away. Silence envelopes the room before Kenshin makes the first move. I guess someone has to start.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"So, how are you doing?"
"What do you think?"
"Look Kaoru. All those things from before I didn't mean. I mean, I meant some parts. But not the parts about how I could just make new friends and forget about you and everyone. You were the best thing that ever happened to me and I wouldn't be where I am right now if it wasn't for you. No matter where I go, I could never forget about you. And being so far away, it's going to be hard but I'm sure we can make things work out."
"I guess I overreacted a bit too. But, it's hard loosing your best friend."
"I was thinking, maybe we could take a day for ourselves? Go do some of the stuff we did when we were kids to remember the old times," Kenshin says, attempting to make eye contact for the first time curing their meeting.
"Only if you pay," she says looking back at him and smiling a bit. He smiles back in return.
"Alright." Suddenly, his phone rings.Taking it out and looking at the ID, he gets up from the couch. Tomoe. She really has good timing. "I gotta get going. But I wanted to see how you were doing." She gets up as well and heads towards the door, opening it up for him to leave.
"And as you can see, I'm fine. Bye."
"Bye," Kenshin says, giving one last look at her before leaving and having Kaoru shut the door behind. I guess she has every right to be mad at me. But hopefully we can make things up before I leave.