Moonlight Conversations 2

See part one for disclaimer. I'm tired of thinking up new ones. Even the gerbils are tired. Mouse snores, did I mention that?

Kenshin's voice was soft and low. "Why am I alive then, Georgina? These men tonight tried to kidnap you, yes. But the one who came closest to death had never even touched you! In my madness, I drove myself upon you; I tried to hurt you and make you fear me. Why then do I deserve the mercy you would not have given them unless I begged you for it?"

"Because they were after nothing but money, and a stupid idea for a power play that would have thrown your country into more war. Because they insulted me. Because they endangered my husband's peace of mind with their stupidity. He cannot lose me; I am his anchor until there is someone else for him to love as much. Those who threaten me and mine will receive little mercy from me if they have such petty reasons to hurt me." She turned so that the man could see her face and eyes clearly. "You were mad, Kenshin, as you said yourself. Mad with pain, despair, and fury at your life. You struck out in fear and pain, and should I have killed you for that? Not while there was a chance for your redemption. You caused me no harm; I told you that you wouldn't, and you took nothing from me that I wasn't willing to give you. We stood out side the world for that long day, and what happened then hurts no one. "

"But your husband?"

"Knows nothing and never will. You did not cause him fear and pain, these fools did. I am only sorry that you cannot meet, it would be too awkward for you, and you're not that good an actor." Moreover, I don't want him to see your hair or eye color either, that way there is no questions if my luck pans out.

"You have no fear that he will know it of you, Jina? That he will not feel me in your mind?"

"He does not have the training you and I have had. He is mind-blind to the chi. As for the rest; a woman lives most of her life in her own head. I can keep my own consul, if there is no evidence to the contrary. You will be long gone and the Captain is too afraid of us to pull anything."

Kenshin had to laugh at that. "True! He said that the traitors were so willing to talk because he threatened to set you back upon them, with me as your second. They were terrified of the "Devil Woman" and told him everything they knew! He would not wish to meet you in battle himself, he said. I wish I could meet your husband, Jina. He must be a very good man to hold such love from you."

"He is one of the two best men I have ever known, Red. You are the other. Remember, if you had not been there, I would have died in the road last night for striking out in the darkness. But he is my life, and I can only hope to be and give him everything he wants in this world. Your turn will come. Love will find you, just be careful to watch for it and don't let it get away from you. You think so much of others that you forget you have needs too, Red. The greatest is to never be alone, I think. And now, because what has been between us, you never will be alone again… It's time to go to bed Kenshin. Good night and I will see you at breakfast."

He bowed, unable to speak. It was true, he always felt her now, a presence in the back of his mind. Like, and yet unlike, Tomoe. Because she was alive and in this world and she had shared herself with him for no other reason except that she had wanted to.

The new room seemed so empty, the futons cold. He missed her breathing, the warmth of her body; that faint sweet smell she carried with her, mixed with the scent of her flesh. He tossed and turned, and thought about getting up to just sit and look out into the gardens until it was time to leave, to say a final goodbye. He even thought of slipping away now, but again her courage stopped him. How could he run from her after she had faced him at his worst? Besides, he remembered, his clothing had been taken to be washed, and all he had in the world was a torn yukata. He wouldn't get too far in cold weather with just that.

The sound of a woman's voice floated across the air. The song was slow, the words in a language he did not know, most likely her own tongue. It was lovely and sad at once; in the way of the meeting and parting of friends was lovely and sad.

…Tis the last rose of summer

Left blooming all alone

All her lovely companions

Are faded and gone

No flower of her kindred

No rose bud is nigh,

To reflect her blushes

Or give sigh for sigh…

Kenshin closed his eyes, and was back in the peaceful garden watching the leaves spin, black, copper-brown, green, and gold.

……..The song is "The Last Rose of Summer" a very old poem which is also an old and lovely folk song I learned in my youth. I just thought it fit.