A/N: Kenshin, you mysterious bastard. He exhausts me. Thank you to everyone who is reading, reviewing, and subscribing to alerts! I appreciate your support more than you know.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Stay at the inn. Unless Soba-san goes with you, go nowhere else. It isn't safe." Kaoru is only just beginning to see the true differences between her husband and the Battousai, and while they don't scare her, they are certainly troubling. The man she has grown to love is quiet but kind, often hiding his sharp mind behind gentle smiles and pale eyes.

Battousai is...keen. He sees everything, and moves like flowing water. He does not lower his head and press his lips, fleetingly, to his wife's cheek as Kenshin would; instead he hovers at the door, looking momentarily torn. Kaoru makes the decision for him, stepping close and taking his hand. He squeezes her fingers tightly, nodding once before quickly leaving.

Kaoru feels rather bereft. Alone in Kyoto, ordered to stay in an inn with nothing to do...she is far too used to being busy through the hours of the day. Sitting here will drive her mad.

Perhaps an hour after Kenshin leaves, for whatever mysterious reason he has, when Soba finds Kaoru sitting in the little garden sipping tea and counting clouds.

"The war might be ended as far as the government is concerned," the old woman announces with a great sweep of her hands, "but it still rages in Kyoto. I'm not sure why Battousai-san came back so quickly."

"We have business here," Kaoru answers, before her shoulders round forward. She can't quite meet the older woman's eyes as she adds, "We are going to pay respects to his first wife's grave."

"Ah," Soba breathes, reaching out to lay a comforting hand on Kaoru's shoulder. "You're a good girl to come with him. Becoming the wife of a man who has lost one already is a difficult position; I know, I did the same. You always feel as though you are never able to fill the holes."

"I don't resent Tomoe-san!" Quick to point this out, Kaoru lifts one hand. "I just...it's very..."

"It's difficult. But don't worry, dear, it's plain as day how much Battousai-san cares for you. His eyes are soft when he looks at your face, and there is such happiness radiating from his very spirit."

Kaoru flushes, but cannot hide her smile.

"Come now," Soba says sternly, "no use in sitting around doing nothing. I have some cleaning to be done, and by the looks of you, it seems as though you need something to keep those hands of yours busy."