Author's Note: This story takes place in the Jinchuu Arc, shortly after the battle with Enishi. It's an idea that came to me about Kenshin's scars from years of battle and tragedy. When I reread the series and looked more closely at Kenshin's past, I felt it fitting to focus on how scars tell a story.

This will be my a small angst chapter with spoilers for the Jinchuu Arc if you haven't seen nor read it. Some depictions of violence are here but extremely mild.

In addition, the next few chapters in this short story collection will be on the lighter side with a bit more humor.

Now onto the story….

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Story 6, My Scars Tell a Story

"I will clean up the dishes Kenshin. Why not make a bath for yourself," Kaoru said as she began to wash the dishes.

"Oro? But Miss Kaoru, I should be doing the dishes. This one sees that task as part of the chores."

Kaoru simply smiled, "You still need to rest and let your wounds heal. Aoshi, Misao, and the others are helping out with chores. In fact, Aoshi put some wood in the bath house a short time ago so it should be ready."

"Oro? Okay, if you are sure."

"I am."

So Kenshin left the kitchen to find the bath already prepared. Aoshi had placed the fire in the bath house and prepared the water while he got a fresh change of clothes. When Kenshin entered the bath house, he tested the water and began to strip his clothes before soaking in the tub. Adjusting to the temperature, Kenshin relaxed and began washing up.

The last two days had been the first time he could remove his bandages and allow his skin to breathe. The stitches on some of his wounds had been removed and it felt nice to no longer see the threads, despite faint pink lines that were left behind, no doubt turning into scars over time.

As he washed his body, Kenshin grazed his fingers over the marks that marred his body. The scars that told his story. He frowned. The memories offered plenty of stories, most of them painful reminders. Kenshin first touched the scar that was above his right knee. It was a scar he received in his youth before his family died. He had fallen off a rock while playing and got a scrap. Unfortunately, the wound was a little deeper than it should have been as a piece of shard on the ground made a small cut. He could recall his mother's worried cries as she treated the wound. The family could barely afford food let alone a doctor, so the first aid Kenshin's mother could use was all she could do.

Kenshin lowered his head as he stared at the water and removed his finger from the scar. Thinking about his family was not something he normally did. At times he could barely remember his mother's face or voice. Even that of his father's was hard to recall. The only memory that Kenshin could recall was their sudden deaths to colhera and then being sold into slavery.

Kenshin shook his head as he tried to rid the painful memories of his childhood away from his mind. Thinking about his childhood was never an easy thing. He touched the scar on his left shin that had faded over the years. The scar was from his early days of training with Hiko. Kenshin was still learning how to master a sword when during his first few weeks, he became careless. Similar to his youth, Kenshin had slipped and his shin hit the sharp edge of a rock. He recalled the blood and gaping wound. Hiko thankfully brought Kenshin to the doctor who stitched up the injury and allowed it to heal over time.

Feeling the faintness of the scar, Kenshin recalled the reason why it happened. He had been standing on the rock practicing swings when the slip happened. He had lost his footing, but Hiko was not happy about it. Kenshin got a good scolding that day and from then on never went near another rock with a sword. As an adult, he began to do it more but steadily watched his footing.

Kenshin then washed his back and came to the left shoulder where he felt the faint mark of Shishio Makoto's bite and moved to the right chest with a burn mark from him. The battle had been a painful one. Kenshin recalled having gone through two battles before with Soujiro Seta and Aoshi Shinomori. All three battles had left scars on his back and torso that were still fresh. In combination with other wounds from years of fighting, so many scars could be felt as his hands washed his skin. Marks from sword slashes and burn marks had marred his skin completely.

Kenshin then moved his hand to the scar on his stomach from Shishio's sword and cringed when remembering the piercing pain from the stab. It was amazing that the wound missed his vital organs. He then traced the diagonal line along his torso, the one Enishi Yukishiro gave him. Another sharp and piercing pain that made him cringe.

'Those battles were the toughest I have ever faced. Am I to face more in the future?'

Kenshin placed a finger to his left hand where he found the mark from his battle with Saito just months before. The sharp edge of Saito's broken sword hit his hand so hard that it created a deep cut. Then there was a more recent scar still waiting to fade on his right shoulder. A gunshot wound from Heishin Woo when he briefly went mad on the island where Kaoru was being held. Kenshin continued to rub his hands along more scars until he came to his left cheek.

Kenshin traced the line that went straight down to his cheek, the one he received from Akira Kyisato. Akira was a decent swordsman, but not a highly skilled one. Yet he managed to mark Kenshin with the first deep cut he received as an assassin. Akira's will to live had impressed Kenshin and little did he know that this killing would set in motion a change in his life forever.

Kenshin then traced the diagonal line across his left cheek that connected Akira's mark. The line received from the knife Tomoe was holding when trying to defend him in a battle, only for her to die by his sword. Kenshin lowered his head and felt a pain within his heart. Although he had now come to terms with his past, Kenshin still felt pain when thinking of Tomoe. She had a big impact on his life and helped him realize his original goal to help people in the new era.

'How it could come to that I can never understand. It was so quick and you came out of nowhere before I could see even see you. But I know that you did love me in the end. I will always love you.'

"Kenshin are you almost finished? You've been in there for a long time."

At hearing Kaoru's voice, Kenshin snapped out of his thoughts, "This one will be out in a minute."

Kenshin then got out of the tub very slowly and dried himself off before slipping into a clean pair of clothes. He then went into the kitchen to find Kaoru putting away the dishes.

"Hello Kenshin! I can make you some tea," Kaoru said. She smiled at him but then frowned, "You will remember to be careful though. Your wounds are still healing. I can put some clean bandages on you later."

Kenshin looked up at Kaoru as she got herself busy making tea. He never asked for it nor remembered agreeing, but the thought of tea on a cool fall night sounded good. As Kenshin stared at Kaoru, he recalled their time in the early summer when they spent a lovely evening under the moonlight. It was a happy moment that he continued to cherish before the arrival of Enishi Yukishiro.

"Are you fine with a cup Kenshin? I am making one myself."

Kenshin smiled, "Thank you. I would love a cup."

Kaoru returned a similar smile, "Great." She then noticed the large diagonal slash on his chest. The one he received from Enishi and her eyes softened.

Kenshin noticed her change in eyes and covered his chest to hide the scars, "Still noticeable. I am hoping it will fade soon."

Kaoru shook her head, realizing her stare, "It was a pretty bad wound. I still have a scar above my left knee from when I climbed a tree. I lost my footing and fell pretty hard. Thankfully it was a short fall otherwise I would have had a broken bone."

Kenshin simply stared at her and Kaoru felt nervous, "Not that it compares to you I mean."

Kaoru rubbed the back of her neck, feeling bad for staring at Kenshin's scar. Ever since returning from the island, Kaoru had been concerned for Kenshin's wounds. She had been trying to treat the injuries as best as she could and wanted to make sure Kenshin was alright. Then Kenshin's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I feel that scars tell a story. My story anyway. I've never thought about them much lately, but after everything that has happened I've been thinking about them more."

"You've been through a lot. Especially your body and heart. I wish...well…"

Kaoru then felt a pair of warm arms wrap around her. Kenshin held her tightly, not wanting to let go. She felt so small in his arms and the her scent of Jasmine filled his nostrils. A comforting smell that made him smile.

"I will be going to Kyoto soon. Much sooner than I thought. It's there that I feel my scars will really begin to heal for the better."

Kaoru smiled and hugged Kenshin back. She loved his clean scent and the way he gently held her. He was the kindest person she had ever met and, to feel and see his scars brought a lump to her throat.

'Yes. Your scars do tell a story, but each will soon only be a memory. A memory of your past. Let the present and future be fonder memories though. We'll do it together. You and I.'

End

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