Part VII:
Enishi struggled to stay awake and alert as he led the carriage back to his farm. Tsubame slept in the back while Yahiko vigilantly scanned the area suspicious of attacks. It had been a near miracle to even have them agree to ride with him when it was apparent that Kaoru wasn't with him. Yahiko had solved the matter after a thorough inspection of the carriage for hidden weapons and then carrying a wooden sword over his lap. The steel katanas were still illegal to non-police officers, otherwise, Enishi was almost certain the dark haired young man would have insisted to holding one of those blades to his neck the entire ride.
Which would have been extremely awkward at the first dip in the rural road.
"You look like you're about to fall asleep," Yahiko said, his tone sharp. "Do I need to take over?"
"Have you ever ridden a horse?" Enishi asked. "Much less driven a carriage?"
Yahiko folded his arms over his chest and glared at Enishi with dark, narrowed eyes. "Seeing as you can do it in your sleep, it can't be that hard."
Enishi tightened his grip on the reigns. He'd be better rested if his sheets didn't smell like Kaoru. Even when she wasn't snuggled up in his bed, he found it difficult to sleep. It hardly mattered. He learned to get by with only a few hours of sleep while he was in the Chinese Mafia. One doesn't sleep soundly when assassination attempts were routine business. "Kaoru will be overjoyed at your visit. She's been looking forward to having you both here."
"I'm still curious how her week long visit turned into two months," Yahiko said grudgingly. He relaxed his arms. "She has sounded pretty cheerful in her letters though, almost like her old self."
They fell into another uncomfortable silence. They weren't exactly friends, though it was clear that they were no longer enemies. Perhaps it was simply the relationship any man might experience with their girlfriend's younger brother, especially when that younger brother idolized the last man in his sister's life.
"So why the hat? Why aren't you dying your hair anymore?" Yahiko asked, his voice curious.
Enishi reached up and absently touched his straw, conical farmer's hat. "The dye fades quickly and is quite a hassle." He shrugged. "Besides, Kaoru prefers my hair white."
Yahiko snorted.
"Did the supplies reach you?" Enishi asked.
Yahiko nodded. "The dojo looks like new. All the boards that needed replaced have been, the walls are freshly painted, and the floors are excellent quality that are superior to the most elite martial arts schools in Tokyo. I've got so many students right now it's insane." He cringed at the last word and cleared his throat awkwardly. He turned towards Enishi. "I have a feeling it looks better than it ever did when it was new. I'm sure Kaoru will appreciate the improvements when she returns home."
Enishi said nothing. If he had his way, Kaoru was already home. He directed the horses to his land and smirked upon seeing Yahiko's jaw drop. Kaoru's apprentice swiveled his head back and forth taking in both the fields and the large residence.
"This is what you call a small farm?" Yahiko asked. "The house alone, makes that island look akin to a run down inn. This place is magnificent!"
"And you haven't even experienced the running water yet," Enishi said. He pulled the horses to a stop and Kaito approached to take care of the horses and carriage. The three riders disembarked from the carriage. Enishi and Yahiko gathered the luggage.
"Wow," Tsubame murmured, her hands gripped her upper arm and she hugged herself. "We may never want to go home either," she said, elbowing Yahiko in the ribs teasingly.
"How does a criminal own such a place?" Yahiko demanded. He shifted the luggage over his shoulder.
"Simple, I'm no criminal in these lands." Though, when he was a criminal, he was clever about his financial investments and still had access to most of his accounts. "I am simply the orphaned son of a wealthy Chinese couple. My adopted parents were good people. I did not kill them," Enishi added pointedly. "I did whatever I needed to in order to survive. As you know, the world to a friendless fifteen year old can be quite inhospitable."
Yahiko thought back to his own days as a street thief, trying to work off the debt for his recently deceased mother. The debt was a fiction and he would still be in that terrible situation, or dead, if it hadn't been for the interference of Kaoru and Kenshin.
"I've been meaning to ask, how is your hearing?" Yahiko asked.
Enishi absently raised his fingers to his right ear. "I have a constant buzzing in my right ear, but my lip reading has improved impressively." He shrugged. "I hear fine for the most part, but I dislike big crowds. Too much background noise." He gestured towards the green fields. "Hence, life as a farmer."
Aimi waited at the door of the residence and let them inside. Kaoru and Kenji sat in the sitting room with a book, reading near the large front window. A potted orchard bloomed in the shadowy recesses nearby. Kaoru set the book aside and Kenji slid off her lap and ran towards Yahiko.
Kenji latched onto his leg in a fierce hug. "Uncle Yahiko!"
Yahiko dropped his bags to the floor, scooped Kenji into his arms, and hugged him to his chest tightly. "Hey there, little man! How are you?"
"Read to me about Momotaro!" Kenji cried, reaching for Yahiko's face and holding it between his small hands to stare him in the eyes. While Kenji still had Kenshin's red hair, he had Kaoru's blue eyes.
"Momotaro?" Yahiko asked, casting Kaoru an askance look. "And um, why are his eyes different?"
"Momotaro — The Peach Boy," Kaoru explained. "And I don't know about the eyes. Megumi has read in some books about Western Medicine that children with colored irises sometimes change in their first years of development. Though, usually that happens in the first year of life." She enveloped Tsubame in a warm hug and then stepped back with a smile as Enishi moved to her side, his arm draped casually around her shoulders. "Momotaro is Kenji's favorite story. We were just reading it again when you arrived."
"Shall I show you to your rooms?" Aimi asked.
"Don't trouble yourself, Aimi," Kaoru said with a gentle smile. "I'll show them."
Aimi smiled. "As long as you're not trying to get out of your cooking lesson, Miss Kaoru."
Kaoru's cheeks flushed. "Of course not. I'll be with you in fifteen minutes."
"Cooking lesson?" Tsubame probed.
"Yeah, I've been practicing," Kaoru said with an embarrassed smile.
"As the sampler of those practice sessions, I can honestly say I have no complaints," Enishi said. He squeezed Kaoru against him in a hug and then released her. "Come here, Kenji. We'll finish the story while your mommy shows Yahiko and Tsubame to their rooms."
Yahiko barely restrained his surprise when Kenji happily went to Enishi's arms.
"Follow me," Kaoru said, an eager smile across her lips. She grabbed Tsubame's luggage and Yahiko took his own as they followed her down the hall.
OoO
"It's lovely, Kaoru," Tsubame said with a wistful sigh. She peered out the large window in her bedroom. "And the view is gorgeous!"
Kaoru smiled. "It's very relaxing. I'm glad you're both here. This big house needs people. I thought after all this time that Enishi and I would be getting on each other's nerves and start avoiding one another — but that's not been the case. Kenji loves exploring this place and Enishi gives us both plenty of space, but is always welcoming to our presence."
Yahiko leaned against the door post and frowned. His room was across from Tsubame's and catty-corner to Kaoru's. "Why are you still here, Ugly?"
Kaoru rounded on him and hit him violently upside the head. "Don't call me that, you lazy apprentice!"
Yahiko ducked away from future attacks while rubbing at his head frantically. He hadn't expected the dramatic re-emergence of his violent teacher. He couldn't help, but grin. "You're so abusive! No wonder you didn't have any other students!"
Kaoru laughed. "I prefer quality to quantity." Her laughter faded away and her expression became solemn. "I like it here. I don't have to worry about whether or not we'll have enough money for food. I don't have to pump the well and heat the bath if I don't want to be filthy. I admit, indoor plumbing is a luxury I am in no hurry to give up."
"So, you're being bribed with indoor plumbing?" Yahiko asked incredulously.
"Well I don't blame you for that," Tsubame said with a smile. She sat on the edge of her western styled bed and laid back, staring at the canopy over it. "It's like a fairy tale here!"
"Enishi has a library and I'm reading , something I didn't do much back home. My reading has never been particularly good, but that was due to lack of practice. I'm becoming voracious in my reading now. And there are so many stories I can choose from now to read to Kenji, though he prefers Enishi's story-telling. He does different voices when he tells a story." Kaoru laid next to Tsubame on the bed. "And Aimi has been like a mother to me. My own mother died when I was so very young. I don't even remember her." She chuckled and angled her face to look at Yahiko. "I can even cook now!"
Yahiko snorted. "You could always cook, you were just better at burning."
"So you're happy here?" Tsubame asked. "You sound happy."
"At the dojo, I'm just reminded of everything that I've lost. My father, our friends, and then my husband. You two are the only reason I didn't go mad before." A tear slipped from Kaoru's eye unnoticed. "I needed to be strong for Kenji and if it hadn't been for you, I don't know what would have happened. But you two need your own life. I don't want you to have to take care of me."
"You'd have found a way, just like you always do," Yahiko said quietly. "I suppose it's better that you're here. I hate to admit it, but Kenji needs you more than I do."
"How's the school?" Kaoru asked. She sat up and wiped the stray tear from her cheek. "Enishi sent a bunch of materials a few weeks back."
"He also sent the money for me to hire workers to install the materials," Yahiko admitted. "The dojo looks amazing, Kaoru. And I'm up to my ears with students. I understand if you prefer to stay here, but maybe you could come visit to check on the progress of the school."
"I would like that," Kaoru admitted.
"I can watch Kenji," Tsubame offered.
Yahiko grinned. "Pretty soon he'll be old enough to join the class!"
"Well, he's not quite that old," Kaoru said with a smile. "Maybe after his third birthday, though his fourth would be ideal."
"Pshesh," Yahiko scoffed. "With you as his mother and Kenshin as his father, how could he not be a genius prodigy?"
Kaoru laughed. "Good point." She pushed herself off the bed. "I better go join Aimi in the kitchen. I need proof that I can do more than burn dinner!"
OoO
Enishi's muscles ached from spending all day working the harvest. He looked across the ripe field towards his house. Kaoru and Aimi had spent several hours each morning this past week harvesting the garden picking vegetables and then preserving them for the winter in the afternoon.
When Kaoru and Kenji had come to visit at the end of June, he hadn't dared to think that their visit would turn permanent. Now it was November and he couldn't imagine them not living under his roof. For the past three months, they had regular visits from Yahiko and Tsubame. He almost felt sorry for the teen. It was hard to introduce a woman to indoor plumbing and then return to a home with the old system of pumping your old water from a well. And once a month, Kaito would drive Kaoru and Kenji to the dojo in Tokyo so she could supervise her school. She boasted that Yahiko was doing such an excellent job, that she was mostly just a glorified visitor.
Kaoru and Megumi exchanged correspondence regularly. Kaito would frequent the post office in the nearest town to pick up the mail and to drop off Kaoru's newest letters. There would even be an occasional letter from Sagara, though how she read the illegible script was beyond Enishi.
Enishi couldn't help but keep a mental calendar of Kenshin's abandonment. Himura left his family twenty-seven months ago. In nine more months, Kaoru could file for legal divorce. He had less than a year to wait to make Kaoru his forever.
"Hey, boss," Akiro called out.
Enishi looked out towards the leader of his hired men. He was immediately alert and concerned. Had someone been injured? He hadn't heard anyone cry out in pain, but then with his hearing and the sound of the harvesting and the men chatting in the fields he might have missed it.
"Is something wrong, Akiro?" Enishi asked.
"Yeah, you shouldn't be out here," Akiro said. "We have this. Go on and spend some time with your wife. You missed your morning work out. Could be you might both do well to rid yourselves of some excess energy. Perhaps a little physical exertion?" Akiro raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Enishi had corrected his men countless times about Kaoru and his status of friendship. She wasn't his wife. They ignored him and kept referring to her as such and he had finally given up trying to convince them otherwise. "If your'e referring to our Tai Chi lessons, then yes."
"Sure thing, boss," Akiro said with a grin.
It was Kenji's nap time, so Enishi went straight for the library. Even with the preservations, Aimi let Kaoru continue with her library visits. Education was important for a woman, especially in this Meiji era with so many changes in their culture. He wasn't disappointed. Like clockwork, Kaoru sat at the table reading one of his books. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Kama Sutra, but he'd rather not add to the temptation right then. He still had nine more agonizing months.
"Am I interrupting?" Enishi asked, leaning his shoulder against the door frame.
His voice startled Kaoru and she placed a bookmark inside the book and closed it. She looked across the room and smiled at him. "I was just finishing up." She set the book down. "I missed you this morning. You left before dawn."
"I had to tend the fields. It's harvest," Enishi explained.
Kaoru gestured for the chair next to her, the jade bracelet from him adorning her wrist. "I know, but that doesn't mean that I didn't miss you."
Enishi sat beside her at the table. His eyes fell upon the title of the book. "Romance of The Three Kingdoms?"
"It's a rather romantic series," Kaoru said with a sigh. "I've been reading it for the past few days."
"It will take quite a few more days to get through that series, months even," Enishi mused. "Though, it will be time well spent."
"Kenji turns three next month," Kaoru said quietly. "I plan to start teaching him my father's technique. I started training in the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu when I was three." She looked up and met his gaze. "Would you be interested in learning it too?" she asked, nervously.
Enishi placed his hand over Kaoru's and grinned at her. "Tai Chi isn't stimulating enough for you?"
"Kenji will never meet his grandparents. I at least want him to know what his grandfather loved most," Kaoru said quietly.
"He knows exactly what his grandfather loved most, Kaoru. You," Enishi said. He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Now, I've been given a free afternoon. And the sun sets earlier these days. Perhaps we can enjoy the sunset and some conversation if you'll join me on the porch to watch the horizon."
They settled next to one another on the porch and watched the late afternoon sun.
Kaoru toyed with her jade bracelet. "Do you think he's staying away on purpose?"
Enishi felt his temper rise and forcibly calmed his ire. Kenshin was a coward and a fool. "Considering, I tracked him down myself, reminded him of exactly what he's left behind, and he didn't bother to come back, I would say yes."
Kaoru sighed.
Enishi reached over and tugged her dark hair. He didn't exactly deserve her either, but the idea of losing her now was enough to threaten his sanity. He hoped fervently that Kenshin remained lost in his quest for atonement. The only person he really needed forgiveness for at this point — was himself. Though now, he certainly owed his family a huge apology.
"Well since I was kicked off the field by Akiro, I don't suppose you could use an extra hand making preservatives," Enishi said.
"I would, except Aimi kicked me out of the kitchen," Kaoru admitted. "Her daughter is here with her three children. Kenji was having the time of his life with those other toddlers. Her oldest daughter is thirteen and was given baby-sitting duties. I'm pretty sure all four of them are still passed out in Kenji's room napping."
"Hm, now that's suspicious. We've been forced to enjoy a free afternoon." Enishi rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. He stood abruptly and offered Kaoru his hand. "Will you walk with me?"
"We might miss the sunset," Kaoru pointed out, taking Enishi's hand.
"The sky will still be above us if we're walking," Enishi said. He led her down the stairs and kept holding her hand, though it wasn't technically proper. He had a married woman and her son living under his room and she spent most nights sharing his bed. He was beyond carrying what was proper. It was only his fear that he might still lose her that kept him from making love to her. If Kaoru was his completely and then that bastard Himura returned and claimed her before he forfeiting his right it would devastate Enishi beyond repair. He'd only just gotten over his bought of madness and if he went down that road again, he might never recover.
"I'd like to bring some preservatives for Misao and Aoshi when we visit Kyoto next month," Kaoru said.
Her words penetrated Enishi's dark thoughts and he nodded at her. "Of course," Enishi agreed. Even with the situation with Kenshin, he really appreciated Kaoru's desire to continue her visits with his sister. It meant a lot to him. Tomoe approved of Kaoru. It would have been nice if his sister and Kaoru could have met. The war destroyed so many lives.
"I was thinking of installing indoor plumbing back at the dojo," Enishi said.
"If you install plumbing back at my family home, what's to keep me from returning there permanently?" Kaoru teased. "You know this luxurious lifestyle you've afforded me here keeps me coming back."
Enishi bumped his shoulder against hers. "You'd be too far from me and who would read to Kenji at night?"
Kaoru giggled. "Or massage the tension from my shoulders." A comfortable silence fell over them. "I received a letter from Misao," Kaoru said, breaking the quiet.
"Oh?"
"Soujiro asked for her hand in marriage. She wants me to help her pick out a dress," Kaoru said.
Enishi could admit that he was jealous that others could plan their future while he continued to wait in limbo for his chance to progress with Kaoru. He'd been researching jewelers in Kyoto and had one in mind. While Kaoru helped Misao pick her dress, he'd commission a ring for Kaoru. He wouldn't waste a moment, once her divorce was finalized.
OoO
Kaoru was nervous. That week marked thirty-six months since Kenshin left her and Kenji. She was due to visit Misao in Kyoto for last minute wedding preparations. Misao and Soujiro had an extended engagement. Kaoru wasn't sure why her friend waited to bind herself with her love, but she'd supported her none-the-less.
She had a major decision to make. For three years, Kenshin was an absentee husband and she could legally apply for divorce. She informed Enishi that she wanted to visit her family dojo and he hadn't pressed the issue. She visited regularly anyway with Kaito serving as her driver. Enishi was good about giving her space when she needed it.
Kenji had been upset, but had cheered up when she explained that he'd be visiting Uncle Yahiko and Aunt Tsubame.
His little face split into a wide grin at the unexpected sight of his Uncle Sano and Aunt Megumi waiting for them on the front steps of the dojo. Kaoru asked Kaito to make himself comfortable. They would only be in Tokyo for a few hours, unlike her usual monthly weekend visits.
Kaoru left Kenji in Yahiko, Tsubame, and Sano's care. Megumi accompanied her into town.
"Are you sure about this, Kaoru?" Megumi asked. They stood outside of the judge's office.
Kaoru nodded her head and tugged on the sleeves of her yukata nervously.
"Divorce is very common," Megumi reassured her. She grabbed Kaoru's hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "He is a fool. Kenji needs a father. And you need a man that will hold you at night." Megumi smirked slyly. "And if I'm not mistaken, you've found just such an individual."
Kaoru thought about Enishi and how he read to Kenji nightly, joined her training sessions for Kenji, and how he held her at night when she was lonely without putting any pressure on her. She knew he was interested, as his body often betrayed him in the mornings, but he refused to further their relationship until Kenshin was not part of the picture. "Thank you for being here for me," Kaoru whispered.
Megumi smiled. "Of course, Kaoru. I love you. And I'll be here for you when you need me."
OoO
Enishi was on his way to visit Tomoe's grave by himself. He, Kaoru, and Kenji had visited his sister's memorial the day before, but this day she was busy with wedding preparations with Misao. His pocket felt heavy against his chest where the engagement ring he had commissioned rested. He planned to propose to Kaoru that evening. The timing for the proposal was suggested by the stoic Aoshi Shinomori. Somehow the ninja had discovered the jeweler that Enishi had hired. He's also gone so far as to suggest a double wedding should Kaoru be receptive to the idea. Apparently, Misao was in on the idea and that was the reason she delayed her and Soujiro's nuptials.
It was nice to have so many people rooting for Kaoru's happiness with him.
After Enishi passed the gates to the cemetery, he stared in shock at Tomoe's grave. Kenshin kneeled before it. The red-head looked weary and there were several patches on his old clothing. His hair was dull and lackluster and his skin was very dark from much time spent in the sun.
"Himura," Enishi greeted.
Kenshin looked at him over his shoulder. "Yukishiro," he rejoined in a tired voice.
"What are you doing here?" Enishi asked. He could feel a sharp pain in his chest. Kenshin's presence could ruin everything.
"Paying respects to my wife," Kenshin said, turning back towards the grave.
"Which one?" Enishi demanded, his eyes narrowed in anger.
Kenshin sighed. "Not this again, Enishi. I'm tired. I am just here paying my respects. I made a promise to visit Tomoe. Now, I'm keeping it."
Enishi's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He was done with reminding Kenshin of the other promises that he failed to keep. It didn't matter now. Kaoru was officially divorced from the red-haired runt. She was a free woman. Enishi started to turn around.
"There's no need for you to go," Kenshin said. He rose to his feet, his knees cracking audibly with the movement. "I was just about to leave."
Enishi was tempted to ask if he was attending Misao and Soujiro's wedding. But, frankly, he didn't care. It would serve him right if Kaoru agreed to marry him and Kenshin was there to watch. "No, take your time. I'll speak with Tomoe later. I have other, more pressing matters to attend."
Kenshin met his gaze, amethyst eyes flashed amber.
Enishi stared back at him, keeping his expression carefully neutral.
"How is Kenji?" Kenshin asked.
"Big," Enishi answered. "Kaoru is teaching him the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu technique. And he loves the story Momotaro."
A slight smile spread across Kenshin's chapped lips. "It's a nice story."
"Indeed," Enishi said. "Well, tell Tomoe I'll talk with her later. Enjoy your visit to the city."
"Oh, I'm not staying," Kenshin said. He stared into the distance to where the forests crept near the border of the city. "If I'm here for long Aoshi will find out. He probably already knows. I don't want to have to deal with him right now." He cringed and rubbed his shoulder. "The last time we spoke, we parted under unfortunate circumstances."
"I can't imagine why," Enishi said. He stared at Kenshin a moment longer, shocked that he wasn't even going to ask about Kaoru. He turned his back his brother-in-law and started back for the Aoiya.
"And Kaoru?" Kenshin asked.
Enishi didn't bother to turn around. "I am not your messenger boy."
"I won't be gone forever," Kenshin said quietly, but Enishi still heard him. "I just have to finish my task, then I'll be home."
A slow smile crept across Enishi's lips. He didn't care about enacting revenge on Himura for Tomoe any longer. She was at peace now. However, it was ironic that when Himura did finally want to return home, his home would no longer exist. Enishi was Kaoru's home now and there was no room for Kenshin.
