Chapter 20

She was pacing nervously and making herself crazy. The letter said he was coming back today. He had been gone for almost a week. She hated to admit it but she missed him. Checking her hair and smothering her clothes down gave her something to do with her hands. For some reason she felt dread along with her nervous happiness about his return. Why was a mystery even to her? Megumi had watched her fret and clean for two days. Since the letter arrived and shook her head at her younger sister.

"Calm down. Go sit down or do something productive. Your making me tired watching you."

Scowling Kaoru walked over and sat next to Megumi. She hated this feeling. She hated feeling so dependent or vulnerable over someone else. Someone she barely knows even! Megumi felt for her sister. When she fell in love with rooster head (her pet name for her husband) she felt that same way. At times she still felt lost.

"Kaoru, he will come back. He loves you even if you never heard him say it. You both have to learn about each other and learn to work together. Stop worrying and fretting."

"Megumi, it's not that. I can't shake this feeling of dread. It's like my happy nerves are shadowed with dread. I have no explanation or reasoning to feel this way. I believe and trust in him so it is not him."

Patting her sister on the back Megumi decided it was best not to tell her she had the same feeling for days. She could swear people were following her last few days. Town had become solemn and her patients were less talkative. They ran out of the clinic as soon as she was done treating them. It made her almost question her medical skills. Which she knew was not the problem.

Hearing walking and multiple people they both looked toward the gate. She could see kenshin's kimono colors followed by several others. Kaoru felt her heart drop as she recognized many of the ninja clan. Megumi stood up and looked at the group of men and women coming. This was a bad sign. Kaoru slowly got up and stood beside Megumi. Kenshin was in battousai mode and his eyes flashed violet when they landed on her just for a second.

Misao saw Kaoru and ran to her with open arms. The smile on her face not quite reaching her eyes.

"Kaoru, I am so happy to see you! Kenshin could barely wait to come back and see you too."

Letting go of Kaoru she stepped to the side. She did not want to be in the middle of this reunion. Watching Kenshin walk up to Kaoru with purpose and fast paced movement she almost felt sadness. When would Aoshi ever see her the way she saw him? Would he walk to her like that one day?

Kenshin had so much he wanted to do and say. He wanted to grab her and hug her. He wanted to kiss her blind. He wanted to take her into their room. He wanted to talk to her and get this anger off his chest. All that had to wait. With a glance he looked at her and let his feelings show. Seconds later his warrior face was back in place.

"Get everyone together we need to talk."

-Later that night-

Kenshin was tired, angry, craving blood of those wanted to hurt what was his, and wanting to lie beside the woman who made him feel calm and at peace all at once. Walking to their room he felt clean from his bath and better now that everyone was up to date on plans. He would soon deal with the problems and they would have peace. She had gone to tidy up and help Megumi after supper. Then she had excused herself and went to their room. He could see what was going on weighed on her. Yet, she asked little questions.

Opening the door he found her reading in bed. When she looked at him many emotions crossed her face. One he knew right away was worry and fear mixed. Shutting the door he walked to her. He would put her mind on something else. They both needed to relieve stress and put off the anger and negative emotions.