Rating: PG

Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: No no no no.

Notes: The title comes from the poem Titanic, by Andrea Gibson.

Beta: BROOMYYYYYY. Seriously, if you don't think Broomclosetkink is amazing, you're wrong. :P

Paint The World Prettier Than It Is

Kaoru walks out of the house to find Kenshin grinding herbs, his back to the warm morning sun. He looks up when he hears her, and smiles at her from under his straw hat.

The scene is more peaceful than anything she has seen in a long time. She can make out the roofs of Otsu in the distance, a few farmers working the fields close to their house, shapes and colours thrown in sharp contrast by the sunlight.

But the biggest changes are the space and quiet. The open horizon, so different from the narrow streets she is used too. And the only sounds she hears here are birds chirping, cicadas, and the rhythmic grinding of stone against stone as Kenshin works.

He, too, is a surprise.

It has only been a few days, but he has slipped into his new role as if it had always been meant to be. Their house is already full of herbs and roots ground or hung to dry, and he visibly enjoys the work. He is more open, more emotion slips into his voice as he speaks. Hard to believe that a week ago he was tearing Bakufu supporters down, engulfed in Kyoto's madness.

Kaoru feels suspended in time. Kyoto's darkness may well stand right behind them, but it doesn't have a hold here. She will not let it.

Today they are going into Otsu. Kaoru wears a simple kimono and walks three steps behind Kenshin, as any dutiful wife would. He keeps glancing back at her, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, she can tell, but appearances are too important. They hid, in Kyoto. In Otsu, they need to play their part without flaw. If their cover is blown… Kaoru doesn't want to think about the consequences.

Noticing her pensive look, Kenshin sends her a questioning one, worry immediately beginning to creep on his face. He is already slowing down and reaching out for her.

"It's nothing," she reassures him. You're too sweet. "I was just thinking we should make the most of our time here."

His ki trembles with something at her words, as if he is deeply troubled by them. His hand is still between them, perfectly still. He nods, hesitantly, and his fingers flex – there is more, more he isn't telling her, even here. But, he has already started to change, even after a mere few days, and Kaoru can be patient if need be. She is confident that he will tell her, in due time.

So she grabs his hand and pulls him along, and only falls back behind him as they reach the limits of the city.

Their arrival is barely noticed – Otsu has always been a city of passage, and strangers are nothing new. A few heads turn at Kenshin's surprising hair colour, but everyone goes on with their business. Even if less people travel these days, Otsu remains busy, lively, a welcome contrast from Kyoto. Almost as if the city has purposely decided to ignore the ongoing war and resist Kyoto's gloom.

Kaoru sees many known faces. Refugees like them, all putting up a brave front and hard at work - she knows many of them lost everything in the fires, and the thought makes her walk closer to Kenshin. She hasn't lost everything.

"Ah, so you are the new salve-maker! I've heard about you. But please, sit up!" Oguni Genzai's voice is raspy, but deep and kind. Kenshin and Kaoru straighten from their bow. The old doctor's face is open and affable, his eyes sparkling with intelligence. His entire posture radiates compassion and goodness.

He reminds Kaoru more of a grandfather than a doctor, and she isn't surprised he was so warmly recommended to them. He no doubt sees his patients as people and not just as diseases to defeat, and all know well what a difference that makes.

They are here to talk business, though. Kenshin has brought samples of the salves he has already made, and discusses their merits with Oguni-sensei. Which ones would he need, in which quantity?

Her fake husband, Kaoru realizes, is better at this than she thought he would be, and she wonders if he has ever had to sell something before. While training with his master, perhaps. Kenshin did mention that the man sold pottery for a living. Yes, that must be it.

Still, she isn't particularly competent in this, so she distracts herself by looking at the small garden behind the clinic.

That is when she notices two pairs of eyes watching.

Well, well, well…

Kaoru bows to Oguni-sensei and Kenshin, still absorbed in their talk, and scoots closer to the porch.

"Come out, please," she gestures to the two onlookers, "there is no need to hide."

Two little girls emerge from behind a bush. They hold each other's hand and refuse to approach, possibly scared of being scolded for interrupting.

"Come closer, please." Kaoru puts on her best smile. "There is no need to worry."

They hesitate, but eventually walk up to her, still tightly clasping each other's hand. There are several years between them, but they look too alike not to be sisters.

"I'm Kaoru", she offers. "And you are?"

"Ayame," the oldest replies. "And this is my sister, Suzume".

"And Ojii-san is our grandfather," Suzume supplies.

Kaoru nods, "And the redhead here is my husband, Kenshin." The lie is surprisingly easy on her tongue. "He is a bit of a doctor too, he makes salves and medicine. He may work with your grandfather."

"Why does he have red hair?" Suzume's question is pure innocence, and Kaoru can't hold back her giggles when she notices the way the little girl is staring at it. Ayame's eyes, too, glance back and forth to Kenshin, obviously curious.

"To make up for his height," is the first answer that comes to Kaoru's mind, sending all three into a fit of giggles. "That way," Kaoru explains, "I can always see him in a crowd."

"Does he get lost a lot?" Suzume asks when she recovers.

Firm nod, playing along. "Sometimes. But he is very nice, so it's okay."

They're getting curious glances from the two men, so the girls lean in close to reply, as if sharing a secret. "Ojii-san is nice too," Ayame says. "He cooks and plays with us a lot."

"Does Kenshin-san play too?" Suzume looks hopeful, excited at the prospect of a new playmate.

"Sure. I'm sure he'd love to play with you, next time we come here." Kaoru knows she is taking a chance, but…

"Great! When will you be back?"

She really could not have said no to that face.

"You made new friends today." They are on their way back home. Several of Kenshin's salves they left with Oguni-sensei, who promised to make good use of them. Grocery bags are heavy on their backs, but all in all, it has been a good day.

There are still several hours of daylight left but the world is already slowing down around them – the day's chatter quiets, workers and children are heading home, dinner smells drift by. Kaoru can't wait to share an evening cup of tea with Kenshin. It is becoming something of a tradition for them: they sit outside the house, the tray between them, to enjoy the evening glow… It is quickly becoming Kaoru's favourite part of the day.

"Yes! They are very sweet. They were looking for new playmates and, well, I thought next time, we could indulge them?"

"As long as all of you ladies don't gang up on me…"

Kaoru loops her arm through Kenshin's and leans against him, mischief shining in her eyes. "Oh no, honoured husband", she chuckles, "we wouldn't dream of it."