Author's Note: This next chapter focuses on the recovery of Kenshin and the others after Shishio as Kaoru helps take care of Kenshin.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

Story 13, Kenshin's Recovery in Kyoto 1

The first night was the most difficult that Kaoru had experienced thus far in her life. She knew the battles tieh the Juppongatana would be difficult and a test to their skills. She and Misao handled Kamatari, Yahiko with Henya, and the rest taken care of by the Oniwabanshu. Thankfully Hiko Seijuro had come to stop Fuji, allowing there to be an end to the threats. Yet when Aoshi, Sanosuke, and Kenshin came back after the other battles, Kaoru was left with worry.

Sanosuke and Aoshi had bad wounds, but Kenshin was in critical condition. He was unconscious, badly wounded, and near death. Kaoru had called his name repeatedly but he never responded. They immediately took Kenshin to Shirobeko and got a doctor who did all he could. A telegram was sent to Megumi who responded about coming quickly to tend to everyone's wounds, especially Kenshin.

Kaoru had stayed by Kenshin's bedside that first night, refusing to get any sleep. She had been shocked at his wounds from the slash on his back to the bite marks on his shoulder. The wound on his right chest and the deep piercing on his right stomach were just as terrible. He was still in a deep sleep though and she kept a cool cloth on top of his head, but at times Kenshin would grunt or talk in his sleep about that battle he had just fought. All Kaoru could do was listen and help him, even at one point brushed his bangs from his forehead.

"You're safe now Kenshin. You're wounds will soon heal and then we will go home to where we all belong."

That was three days ago and Megumi had worked on Kenshin all morning since her arrival. When she was finished, Megumi tended to Sanosuke, Yahiko, and everyone else who needed her assistance. Kaoru had continued to stay by Kenshin's side, only leaving when she needed to as long as someone was there for Kenshin when she would not be.

Kaoru found herself there by Kenshin's side in the afternoon of the third day since he had arrived back. He was still sleeping but his chest rising and Yahiko by their side.

"Don't worry Kaoru, Kenshin will wake up. He won't leave us that easily."

"I know but I can't help worrying. He and the others fought hard but for Kenshin it was three battles with strong opponents. That's a lot to take on back to back without rest. Sano did a good job of treating Kenshin's wounds as best he could and I'm glad they are all safe. Still, I wish he could open his eyes once but for now he must rest and preserve some of his strength. It will be his only way to recover."

It was around three o'clock that same day when Kenshin finally opened his eyes. He had begun to grunt and thrash in bed. Another bad dream, before he shot up with a yell.

Kaoru grabbed his arm very gently and rubbed his back lightly. "Kenshin it's okay. You're safe and everyone is alright."

Kenshin held on to his chest as he took large breaths and allowed his heart to stop racing. He had a bad dream of the battle with Shishio who had pierced his sword through his love Yumi to stab Kenshin in their battle. It brought up memories of a time when Kenshin had committed a similar sin. One he tried to forget but could not. 'I don't want to think about that.'

"Kenshin?"

Kenshin turned to the voice next to him and found Kaoru staring at him, her sapphire eyes looking worried. Her hair was in its usual high ponytail but she wore her workout clothes rather than a kimono. "Miss Kaoru? What happened?"

"You've been asleep for three days. Megumi arrived this morning to help treat all your wounds. You should have some water."

As Kaoru grabbed the cup nearby with the pitcher of water, Kenshin stopped her. "What happened to the others?"

Kaoru felt nervous. After spending so much time worrying for Kenshin, she felt relief in him being awake finally, but to tell him about Saitou was a different situation. "Sanosuke and Aoshi had their wounds treated. They are improving as is everyone else, but I'm afraid Saitou did not make it. He perished in the fire of Shishio's headquarters."

Kenshin looked down at his hands, bandaged and clutching the blanket. 'Saitou can't be gone.' Kenshin felt a sadness come upon him. Despite their differences, Kenshin always had a great respect for Saitou and admired him as a swordsman.

Kaoru noticed Kenshin's changed demeanor and tried to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Drink this?"

Kenshin looked at the cup Kaoru held out to him. "It's water, you must be thirsty."

Kenshin stared at the cup and then took it from her hands. He did feel parched and gladly accepted the water, guzzling it down. He returned the cup to Kaoru who refilled it and handed it back to him. This time he sipped slowly and turned back to Kaoru. "Are you alright?"

Kaoru stared at Kenshin for a moment. He was badly wounded, still recovering, and had just woken up after three days of sleep. Yet he was still worried about everyone else. Kaoru smiled at him and gave him the cup of water to which he took. "I'm fine Kenshin as are the others. We are more concerned about you. You suffered a lot of wounds and need time to recover. I'll let Megumi know you are up."

As Kaoru got up from her seating position, Kenshin grabbed hold of her hand. "Did my Master come through to help at Aoiya?"

"Yes he did. He defeated Fuji and stayed with us until you returned. In fact, he helped carry you to Shirobeko. Enough about that though, I need to get Megumi. Will you be alright for a few minutes?"

Kenshin nodded and Kaoru left to get Megumi. Kenshin finished his water and lied back down to look up at the ceiling, smiling. 'Then it wasn't a dream or imagination. That means I heard your voice somehow and you let me know it was alright. I am glad you are all safe that I am.'

Several hours had past and everyone had been relieved that Kenshin was up and alert. Kaoru had continued to stay by his side for the rest of the afternoon, even taking supper with him.

"You should try to get some rest though Miss Kaoru. It's getting late that it is."

"I'm fine. Besides, Megumi will be up here soon to check on you while I help do the dishes. I will not leave you alone without someone. Not now after you woke up."

Kenshin looked down at his water and took another sip, unsure of what to make of recent events. He had noticed the dark circles under Kaoru's eyes and knew she had not gotten enough sleep. 'Sometimes she worries too much about this one. She needs her rest too.'

Once dinner was finished, Megumi came into the room to tend to Kenshin's wounds and see his progress. Kaoru had left to do the dishes, leaving Kenshin and Megumi alone. As Megumi checked Kenshin's heartbeat and pulse, she shook her head.

"Ken-san, you must take better care of your body from here on out. The wounds you have are very severe. As your doctor, I need you to rest as much as possible."

Kenshin smiled. "I will Miss Megumi. Though I wish Miss Kaoru would get some rest that I do. She looked as tired as you do now. Are you getting any rest?"

"As much as I can. As for you, we have been worried about your health, especially the racoon. She's hardly left your side the last three days. She's been just as concerned as the others and myself. We all want you to be well."

It was the following day when everyone began to come into see Kenshin and speak with him. Sanosuke's hand was still healing and Yahiko's wounds were nearly gone but Okina was still heavily bandaged. Megumi had been kind enough to treat Okina and look at his progress. Kaoru had spent the afternoon helping in the restaurant while Sanosuke stayed with Kenshin.

They both talked about Saitou, unsure if he had perished or not. Then they discussed the battles they fought and the hope for better health although Sanosuke was anxious to get back to training.

Soon night fell and Kenshin laid in his futon, looking up at the ceiling and recalling his battle with Shishio. Kaoru had left to get his dinner, feeling a little more comfortable leaving him alone. The scene that Kenshin kept replaying in his mind though was of Yumi and Shishio once more. Yumi had loved Shishio deeply only for him to betray her. They did not see it as betrayal though when Shishio stabbed her to pierce Kenshin's stomach. 'How could they think it was okay? Normal even? He willingly killed her just to stab me. Then again should I judge him when I've done the same thing.' Kenshin's heart felt heavy for a moment. 'Mine was a mistake though, I never saw her coming.'

Kenshin touched the wound on his stomach and sighed with relief that the sword did not pierce his organs. 'It's amazing that I even survived when I lost so much blood.'

Kaoru then came into his room with a tray of food for his dinner. "Miso soup again Kenshin. Megumi's orders."

Kenshin sat up as the tray was placed in front of him and he began to slurp his soup as Kaoru ate her rice. "Was it busy today Miss Kaoru?"

"Yes. So many people came in today ordering everything from beef pots to sake. It's strange to be on this side instead of as a customer. You should meet with Sae when you feel better, she's Tae's identical twin and very nice."

Kenshin slurped his soup and nodded only to drop the spoon. He touched his right chest as he felt a stinging pain.

"Kenshin?"

"No worries Miss Kaoru, just soreness."

"I should get Megumi."

"There's no need."

"Yes there is. It's only been several days and your body went through a lot. Just let Megumi look at you to make sure its nothing serious."

Kenshin wanted to protest further but looking at Kaoru's sterna and determined face, he knew he would lose the argument. "Alright Miss Kaoru."

Kenshin was fixing the collar of his yukata after his wounds had been treated by Megumi and Kaoru. Kenshin's right chest was fine, but the wound would leave a bad scar, soon to fade over time.

Kaoru sat by Kenshin as Megumi left the room, strict instructions to rest. Kaoru got Kenshin a cup of water and he took it from her, gulping the liquid down quickly.

"I'll get you another cup."

As Kaoru took the cup from Kenshin's hand to refill the water, Kenshin stared at her. The dark circles under her eyes had faded a bit. An indication of her getting some rest. "I hope you can get some more rest tonight Miss Kaoru. I know you've been worried about me but I want you to be well too."

Kaoru smiled and gave him a full cup of water. "I'll get some sleep soon I promise. I'm glad your wounds are healing though. I've also been sewing up your torn gi but we can get you a new one if you'd like."

Kenshin sipped his water as he listened to Kaoru talk about his gi. It had been torn badly by all the battles he was in and while he appreciated her fixing his gi, Kenshin had no use for that one now. "Thank you Miss Kaoru. Perhaps a new gi would be good."

"Excellent! When you're well enough we can go into town and find one for you. Misao and Okina have been wanting to take us to see Kyoto and the sights too. Hopefully when everyone is well enough we can all go together, enjoy the nice weather, and have a good time. Don't you think?"

Kenshin sipped his water and smiled at Kaoru. "Yes that would be good that it would." He then looked down at his water and Kaoru noticed a strange look in his eyes.

"Kenshin?"

"Oh sorry Miss Kaoru."

"Do you feel another pain?"

"No, just a bit tired is all."

"Then you better get some rest."

"Promise you'll rest yourself."

Kaoru smiled. "I will."

Kaoru found herself washing some dishes after volunteering to help with the night shift. Yahiko was staying with Kenshin for the time being, putting her mind at ease. She found herself scrubbing everything and humming to herself.

'Kenshin's going to be okay. He's going to live and we will be going home. It will take some time for him to recover but he will be okay.'

Kaoru wiped the sweat from his brow and continued to scrub another bowl. She could hear the laughter and chatter from the restaurant dining area. Everyone sounding happy and fulfilled. It was only when Kenshin woke up that Kaoru could begin to rest.

Although she was happy that Kenshin was improving, Kaoru could not help but remember his condition when he first arrived. She had worried so much over his wounds, especially that piercing in his stomach. When the doctor told her that the wound missed everything vital, she could finally sigh with relief. 'I could have lost him with that. All of us could have.' Kaoru looked down at her hands, wrinkled from the dish washing. She shook her head. 'No I cannot think the worst. Kenshin and the others need all the strength they can now. I have to be strong too.'

Kenshin had spent a pleasant evening with Yahiko, discussing his battle with Henya. Kenshin was impressed at how well Yahiko had progressed and felt a sense of pride in the young boy. Just several months ago, he was less than skilled with a sword, now he had managed to defeat one of the Juppongatana. Just as Kaoru and the others had. 'Everyone has done well that they have.'

Kenshin heard a knock at the door and found Kaoru coming in with her hair slightly messy from her work in the dining hall. "Hello everyone. Did you two enjoy a pleasant evening?"

"We sure did Kaoru. I was telling Kenshin all about the battles with Henya, Kamatari, and the others. He's impressed."

"I bet he is but it's time for you to wash up and go to bed."

Yahiko sighed. "Alright. Good night guys."

As Yahiko left to take a bath, Kaoru came into the room and sat beside Kenshin. "Will your wounds need anymore treatment tinghit?"

"No this one thinks I will be fine. That I will."

"Good. We want to make sure those wounds do not reopen. Do you feel you can sit up better tomorrow? Maybe even move around?"

"Maybe. I could try."

"Good. We'll ask Megumi first though."

Kaoru and Kenshin sat talking for a while before she went to take a bath and go to bed. Kenshin found himself laying down on the futon once more, hoping that sleep would come. As much as he thought about that moment with Shishio and Yumi, Kenshin thought of something else. He closed his eyes and remembered the instant he felt true death. Lying on the ground with his stomach wound bleeding out of him. 'I lost so much blood and felt the end was near, but I couldn't die. Not then and not now. I needed to see everyone again. Especially...especially…' An image of Kaoru came to his mind. 'Especially her. I promised her that I would come back and I did. I need to get well again so we can all go back to Tokyo. I want to go back to the laundry, the Akabeko, and the cooking. I want to spend my time there again. Maybe even…'

Kenshin stopped his train of thought and found Kaoru coming into the room with a futon and Yahiko. "Well, Yahiko wants to stay with you and I tonight."

Kenshin smiled. "Sounds good."

As Kaoru rolled out two futons for her and Yahiko, Kenshin looked at the two of them but stared at Kaoru. 'Maybe even be with you. If you want to that is. There are still things I have to do though. We shall see.'

End

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