A/N: So basically I didn't spend any of my twenty-odd hours on a plane writing. And I didn't write very much while I was in Japan. Uhh…yeah. That's pretty much my explanation for why this took so long to get up. And school. I started about a month ago. Sorry. And just so you know, there will be one more chapter after this one—an epilogue.

Chapter 10—A Heart of Regrets

"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.

As soon as lavender eyes caught on the two before him, Kenshin felt something within him shatter. While away, he had sensed that he was losing Kaoru, but it happened much faster than he had anticipated. And now, the rurouni felt there was no need for him to remain at the dojo, a burden on the young assistant master. The swordsman had made up his mind in an instant. Kenshin Himura, once the legendary Battousai the Manslayer, would turn ronin once more. He would wander off again, just as he had told Kaoru he may have to do one day.

The memories of that day were still fresh in Kenshin's mind. "You never know when I may have to wander off again." Back then, Kaoru would have protested. But Kenshin's gut told him she would not protest now. The wandering samurai had created a void in the young girl's heart, a void that Enishi had now filled.

Kaoru could finally be happy with Enishi Yukishiro at her side and in her heart. No longer would she spend sleepless nights worrying over Kenshin's well being. The rurouni's mind warned him not to trust Enishi with Kaoru's fragile heart. But his entire heart and soul warned him that it was time to let go. Enishi was right for Kaoru.

Kenshin had every intention of leaving once more, but Fate would not let him off that easy. As the rurouni turned to leave and once more follow the path of a wandering swordsman, Kaoru looked up, her laughter dying as the entire room fell silent.

Navy eyes fell upon Kenshin, and Kaoru could not deny that she had missed her long-time friend, companion, and previous love interested. But although she had missed him, the young woman could no longer look upon him with eyes full of compassion. She could only stare at the man blankly, mutely. And she could no longer wish for him to return her love. She could only wish that he had never come into her life, that he had never caused her heartache and grief. And as she wished such, Kenshin felt her desires, for they gnawed at his very being, chipping away at his heart. After Tomoe, Kenshin had never wanted to love again, for fear of loss and heartbreak. And after Kaoru, Kenshin knew he truly would never love again, for too much heartbreak can destroy a man for good.

Kenshin turned to leave, a small piece of him waiting to hear Kaoru's voice, wanting her to stop him from departing. But the cry never came. As Kenshin Himura became a wanderer once again, there wasn't even so much as a parting wave from the watching girl. As far as Kaoru was concerned, Kenshin had left the very instant the Battousai stole into his heart in a fit of jealousy and rage.

For the first time since he had begun living with Kaoru, Kenshin's heart was once more filled with regrets.