Amae
"Amae" is a Japanese concept that is derived from our innately childish desire to have our loved ones take care of us. Definition: to depend and presume upon another's benevolence"or "a to wish to be loved."
Setting is ambiguous, but I imagine it's right before Kyoto. Be sure to brush your teeth after reading...I think I have a cavity now.
Note: a black "lucky cat" is supposed to bring luck and ward off evil and stalkers. Seems appropriate.
Kenshin sat on the porch, snapping beans and enjoying the sunshine. Everyone was out for the day and no one was there to see as he devoured yet another cake. Mmm...
Sweets always reminded him of his first home, far away and long ago, and his memory supplied him with a fuzzy image of a smiling woman with red hair. Shishou didn't care for sweets, it wasn't manly enough, and he hadn't had any such indulgences during his training. And of course, being a ruruoni did not lend itself to the money needed to buy such an extravagance.
Kaoru-dono, though, had apparently picked up rather quickly how much he loved anything sweet, and she made sure that there was always something sugary stashed away in the kitchen. He was certain that she had learned to bake just to keep him supplied with the treats. After all, sweets were the only thing she made well. He smiled at the funny little cake in his hand, lopsided and odd. They always tasted delicious, though, and he stuffed it in his mouth like a child, his smile so wide that his eyes crinkled.
He knew that she thought she was being subtle with all the little things she did. There were always tea cakes, and sweet potatoes, and she brewed her tea mild and smooth. His red kimono had disappeared for a few days, once, and returned with the seams reinforced, and a funny little black cat embroidered on the inside of the left collar.
He felt...spoiled, treasured. Kaoru-dono worried if he didn't take a umbrella. She fussed over whether he had enough blankets. She was saving money for a new hakama, she told him, because his own seemed worn.
He smiled down at the beans, and ate another cake.