A/N: Yeah, I spent all of last week watching Rurouni Kenshin. That was fun. And boy, I never realized how good-looking Seijuro Hiko is for 43. And I love his outfit (actually, I just like that type of outfit in general…it was cute on young Kenshin, and great on Kenji, too). And every time I watch the episodes were Hiko teaches Kenshin the final technique, I realize how cocky Hiko is…isn't he just grand? Geez, I should have put him in my fanfic. Okay, that's enough rambling. Anyway, I'm sorry I haven't actually responded to any of the reviews I've been getting, but I am very grateful. I always get really excited when I get an e-mail telling me I got a new review. And I would especially like to thank Kura-sama, Midori Konbu, anime queen420, ELLIE 31773, and Jade Lotus for reviewing multiple times on my story (sorry if I forgot anyone).
Ooo…on another note. I leave for Japan in 6 days! And I finally got my host family assignment. I will be staying in Kisarazu, a port town in the prefecture of Chiba. And I'm really excited because they have a dog.
Chapter 10—Return of the Rurouni
"I'm sorry, Kaoru, but I cannot stay any longer. I must be getting back to the clinic. My patients need me," Megumi began, picking up her bags. She had dressed and checked Enishi's stitches early in the morning, and now she was leaving, even though she had only been at the dojo for three days. "When Sir Ken returns, please tell him I would like to speak with him." Before walking out the door, the lady doctor pulled something from her pocket, which she held out to Kaoru. When Kaoru took it in her hands, she saw what it was—it was the same ointment Megumi had told Kaoru to give to Kenshin when she followed him to Kyoto. "And give this to him. Wherever he is, I'm sure he needs this."
Kaoru simply nodded, still staring blindly at the ointment. She didn't really know what to say. Kaoru was ashamed of slapping Megumi, especially when she had taken the trouble to come out to the dojo and care for the wounded Enishi. And so, she felt ashamed to speak to, or even look at, the lady doctor. When Kaoru said nothing, Megumi turned and left, closing the front gate silently behind her.
As soon as Megumi had left, Kaoru abandoned the ointment in search of Enishi—she had found right before Megumi's departure that he was not in his bed. The search lasted only moments; Kaoru found Enishi sitting as the back of the dojo, eyes closed and legs crossed. He looked like he was in meditation. However, as Kaoru approached, turquoise eyes flung open, and the man was on his feet in seconds. Before she knew what was going on, Enishi's well-muscled arms had wrapped around Kaoru's lithe form, pulling her close to him. Simply since the accident, Enishi seemed more passionate. Maybe his near-death experience had taught him not to take life, and especially Kaoru, for granted. Whether or not that was the case, Kaoru would never know. But whatever the reason, it didn't matter; Kaoru enjoyed the new passionate Enishi.
"Good morning," Kaoru sighed into Enishi's bulging pectorals, while her slender arms pressed against his abdomen and the ripped muscles. As she leaned into Enishi, Kaoru couldn't believe how different Kenshin and Enishi were physically and emotionally, when they seemed so similar in spirit.
"Morning," Enishi returned, his breath ruffling ebony locks. He smiled. Enishi couldn't remember being this happy. Not even when he was young, and Tomoe was taking care of him. Tomoe had always been reserved, showing little emotion. But Kaoru was different. She wore her heart on her sleeve, allowing any and all to sense her emotions. It was a welcome change.
"Wuh you wike suh bweafis?" Kaoru asked, her voice muffled against Enishi's bare skin.
"Come again?" Strong hands rested on lithe shoulders as Enishi pushed Kaoru back slightly so that she would be able to speak clearly. When he did so, she proceeded to giggle.
"I said, would you like some breakfast?"
"Oh, of course." Enishi's words were followed by a hearty chuckle.
Kaoru matched Enishi's chuckle with laughter of her own. Her laughter quickly filled the room, and it was contagious; as soon as Kaoru began laughing, Enishi followed suit. Soon, the two were on the ground, laughing joyfully in each other's arms. And that's where they were when Kenshin slid open the door and peered inside—in each other's arms, a broad grin delighting the face of both. Kenshin didn't think he had ever seen Kaoru that happy, so long as he had known her. In fact, now he was beginning to think that all he ever brought Kaoru was sorrow and pain. Maybe she's better off with Enishi.