Nobody has any faith in me! What have I ever done to merit such distrust? Ok, so there are quite a few times, but come on… Everyone's review made me laugh. Along with having no faith in me, no one seems to have any faith in Kaoru's foresight, or Kenshin in any way shape or form. However, that just means I have done a good job in molding them into my own characters. Enough of this… read on and see…

Disclaimer: I could only wish.

Chapter 28: Debt Free

Kaoru dressed in her new kimono at the urging of her demon. Carefully folding and tying each piece of clothing, trying her hardest to be as perfect as he could wish for. It took her nearly half an hour just to finish tightening the obi. Declaring herself ready, her hair already pulled high with the new, salmon pink ribbon, she picked up her geta and turned to the door.

Kenshin was waiting there, his eyes looking her over slowly, full of a pride that made her flush and a wistfulness that she hoped to soon replace with joy. Smiling as she closed the distance between them, she reached out a hand to smooth over the pale green gi he wore, vague patterns in white and a pallid yellow decorating the cloth. It set off the bright red of his hair, and her heart quickened as she realized how handsome he truly was.

"You look beautiful, little bird." Softly spoken, as much of his conversation was of late, he reached a hand to touch her, then thought better of it. Picking up his cloak and the two packs, he slid aside the door and bowed to signify that she was to go first. Blushing, Kaoru stepped through to the engawa, and waited to follow after he closed the door.

Out on the street she walked close behind him, and after darting her gaze around a few times, decided it best to aim it downward. Many of the people awake and about their business pointed, and she was afraid that their situation would deteriorate into something similar to a time before. If they were to start shouting angry curses at her so-called demon, she might just burst into tears. This was supposed to be a special day, and she did not know if she could take any type of mar on its splendor.

"Hey there, pretty little lady. Won't you be mine instead?"

Kaoru looked up in surprise to find two men, laughing and walking along beside her. They did not seem to be drunk, merely playful, but before she could politely refuse their invitation the hilt of a katana was shoved into one's gut. Grunting as the wind was knocked out of him, he fell to the ground while the other jumped back with a curse.

"The little bird is with me. I would appreciate if you would not talk to her in such ways."

"We were just joking, man! Give us a break!" Picking up his buddy on the ground they stumbled before retreating to a nearby alley. Following their actions that far, Kaoru turned back to Kenshin, biting her lip when he signaled that she was to walk beside him from now on. Taking his hand when he offered, she smiled when an old man they passed winked.

"That's right, sonny. You teach those kids how to speak to a lady."

Blushing, Kaoru glanced briefly at Kenshin again, watching as he looked to her, to the ground, and then focused back on the path they walked. Gripping his bicep with her free hand, she hugged his arm to her chest, showing her affection and appreciation. Happy when he finally smiled.

They left the town, which confused Kaoru, but said nothing as her companion's pace stayed steady. Handicapped by her geta, she slowed them down considerably, but by late morning she no longer cared for her aching feet as a building came into her view. It was large, and shrine-like in its own right, and with heightening panic and joy she knew this was their destination. This was where he would confess his true intentions.

Glad of the cool breeze to keep sweat from breaking out on her skin, Kaoru dropped behind to allow herself room to primp. Satisfied that she was presentable, Kaoru smiled when they stopped at the door, nearly beaming when he turned to her. Hesitating, his hands wanting to touch, but unsure if he should, she trembled in excitement when he finally cupped her face in rough calluses.

"Little bird… I wanted you to know…" His brows twitched and she encouraged him with a nod of her head. "that I do not like cherry blossoms." She frowned and he hurried to continue. "I much prefer jasmine." Though it was sweet, as she did not use any other scent but jasmine, Kaoru was confused.

What did cherry blossoms and jasmine have to do with anything? Where was the proposal that she wanted? Where was the confession she was hoping for? Feeling completely let down she slumped in his hands. "Oh." Smiling forcefully when he seemed to be confused by her reaction, his eyes darting to and fro as if unsure what he had done wrong, she wrapped her fingers around his wrists. "I-I'm glad." He swallowed, nodding in acceptance of her reply, before turning away.

Three rapt knocks on the door brought about a murmuring of voices from inside and Kaoru's interest peaked. Maybe he was just having a hard time expressing his wishes. Maybe, when they found the priest who would join them, he would let her know then. He was still, after all, much the same person he was nearly six months ago. Perhaps, though he was learning differently, he figured this was merely how it should be done. That since she owed him everything and was by rights his property, that marriage was simply a more human step to that possession. He didn't fully understand it yet, and therefore would not know the proper way of proposing such an idea. Or perhaps he's guessed that I already know and is keeping me in suspense.

Pleased with this conclusion, Kaoru smiled when the gate finally opened.

"What is it that you want, young man? These walls are not made for…" The brisk voice dropped away, gasping as she apparently recognized his figure. "Himura-san… you have returned." Glancing to Kaoru, the woman's dark eyes widened. "Is this…?"

Holding up a hand, Kenshin stopped her, then waved it toward the courtyard. "Are we allowed entrance, Okami-dono?"

Shaking her head, she pulled her eyes away from Kaoru. "Of course, Himura-san. You are always welcome here." Bowing low, she urged them inside, but as Kaoru passed she could not help but notice her continued curiosity.

It was the same with every other person they met, and with their stares, Kaoru became uncomfortable. Sticking close to Kenshin's back, all thoughts of a proposal gone, she did not notice that all of the residents were women until they reached a far room. Here Okami knocked softly, calling out that the woman on the other side had guests, and at the same time Kenshin reached to remove his cloak. As it all sank in and Kaoru's brain began churning out undesirable conclusions, the least of which over how Kenshin knew all of these women, especially the one they were apparently visiting, her eyes swam as her chest constricted. This was not going to be what she wanted.

Passing through the door, still very much hiding behind Kenshin, she trembled as she listened to him address the other, Okami leaving with a click of the shoji.

"Nagoyaka-san." His bow was very slight, barely a twitch of his head, but it was the name that made Kaoru catch her breath.

"Himura-san, I am surprised to see you again. It's been nearly a year, hasn't it?" The soft voice of the woman was kind, though slightly sardonic when she spoke to him, but Kaoru would have recognized it in the darkest corners of hell. "I must confess you look much better than the last time I saw you. New clothes?"

"An insistent request."

"Oh? Did you owe someone else payment instead of the other way around?" Laughter could be heard now, and Kaoru closed her eyes, recalling summer fields of wildflowers and spinning circles through their majesty.

"Not quite." Kenshin did not return her banter, but turned to hold out his hand to Kaoru instead. Meeting his gaze unsteadily, she encircled her quivering fingers around his. Stepping forward as he urged, she looked away only when the other woman gasped. Almost fearful, tears already brimming her lashes, Kaoru met Nagoyaka's gaze. She knelt in the middle of the room, her knees cushioned by a pillow, and in her hands was the forgotten form of a book, for her blue eyes were only for her daughter.

"Kaoru?"

"Mama…" Stumbling forward, her hand ripping from Kenshin's, a sob tore from her throat as she dropped before her mother. Burying her face against her chest, she wrapped her arms around her waist as she had several times as a child. Seeking comfort in the protective embrace of her mother as she cried out her sorrows.

"My baby girl…" Slender fingers hovered over the dark head pressed against her, tears of joy and relief spilling over her cheeks. "I'm so glad your safe. I'm so glad…" Hugging her tightly, paler blue eyes clenching shut as emotion swelled inside her, bringing back a love she had thought long lost to her, and she smiled. "I thought I'd never see you again, my little Kaoru. I thought… that village had claimed you as well…" Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and looked over the rich kimono she wore, noticing with some sorrow how well her little girl filled it out. "But you're safe now… and so much bigger than I remember."

Finally coaxing a laugh from Kaoru's shaking form, Nago's smile widened. "You're a young lady now, Kaoru." Lips twitching back down when Kaoru pulled away far enough to meet her gaze, she touched a finger to her cheek. "Such a beautiful young lady you have become. I missed so many years."

Tears dripping from her chin unchecked, Kaoru smiled and laughed over a sob. "But we found each other again, Kaasan. It doesn't matter what happened before. Not anymore." But her tears came harder, contradicting her words, and Nago held her again.

"You are still the same. So optimistic. Always finding the brightest patch of sunlight." Chuckling softly, she sighed away her own tears. "It amazes me, baby-girl, that you are not sun-burnt by now." Another soft laugh came from the girl that could no longer fit in her lap. "Truly, though, you are warm enough to be a child of light."

"Are you cold, Mama?" Sitting back quickly, features full of concern, Kaoru looked her mother over fully. Brows furrowed as she found her to be thin, older than she remembered, but much more worn than her true age suggested she should be. Grabbing for a blanket that had fallen from her shoulders, Kaoru fluffed it out and draped it back over her figure.

"I am fine, girl. Do not worry yourself over me."

"But…" Wiping at the moisture on her face, Kaoru sniffed.

"I'm fine." Reassuring her, Nago held her back by the shoulders. "Tell me, though, how you came about this exquisite kimono. It's style suits you well."

"Oh." Eyes widening as she just remembered Kenshin's presence, she turned. "K- I mean, Himura-san bought it for me."

"Did he now?" Kaoru found her mother's eyes on Kenshin, and she looked to golden irises curiously as she was unsure what was going on. His features were passive, but when he looked away it was almost sadly; defeated. "That was very nice of him."

"Yes, well I suppose… he did not want you to see me in my dirty travel kimono." Grasping finally the truth, Kaoru let her heart sigh in disappointment.

"It has been a long journey for you, hasn't it?" Nago placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Does it make you glad that it is over?"

"I…" Kaoru's heart wavered, and she swallowed before meeting her mother's smile with her own. "I am glad to see you again Mother."

"Then come, make my heart glad by telling me all about your travels."

They ate lunch to the cadence of Kaoru's tale, Okami joining them at Nago's insistence. Kenshin was quiet as she spoke of their traverse through the snow and stumbling upon the hot spring, to the blizzard that trapped them in a cabin for two weeks. Indulging Kaoru's warping of events as she strayed past certain unpleasantries, as well as many that were not particularly appropriate. She left out the beginning of the tale completely, unwilling to let her mother know what it was she had asked of the demon, and though she spoke nothing of why she had agreed to travel with him in the first place, they did not ask.

"You used a piece of metal?" Kaoru's recount of the surgery she had performed on Kenshin had captured the other woman's attention. Turning pale blue eyes on him, she lifted a brow, suddenly as curious as her daughter. "Does it pain you in any way?"

Glancing to Kaoru briefly, seeing the light of excitement and happiness in her eyes, he looked away quickly and shook his head. "No. It was put there by a skilled hand." Kaoru blushed at his praise, but it was only her mother that noticed.

"Mama." Letting Okami take her bowl, Kaoru tugged on her mother's arm. "Do you still have an herbal garden?"

"Of course, sweetling."

"Have you planted anything yet? Can I help you if you haven't?"

"You can help me work the dirt, if you like."

"Yatta!"

Helping her mother to her feet, Kaoru chattered animatedly, elated to be back with her mother again, and more than relieved to know that she was alive. Left sitting in the room, Kenshin stared at the bowl before him, looking up when Okami took it away. Closing his eyes at her sad smile, he stood as well.

.

Kaoru sighed, her head leaning into her mother's shoulder as they stared out at the light drizzle of rain. They could do nothing with the weather as unruly as it was, but Kaoru was more than content to just watch. It's moisture would benefit the garden only meters in front of them, and for this she was happy. The slight chill was what bothered her.

"Mother… are you ill?"

Sighing, suddenly remembering how perceptive those eyes could be, Nago leaned her head into Kaoru's. "Yes, my love. I have been ill for awhile now."

"Is there nothing that can be done?"

"None that I know of, but it is not so bad… I merely tire easier than I used to."

"What… do you think made you sick, Mama?"

Pale blue eyes darkened with a vision she did not like remembering. Seeing the dogs of that village chase her through the trees and snow, laughing as she fell over and over again. Then the river and her chilling plunge into its heavy liquid. Shaking her head, she swallowed. "Do not worry about such things, my girl. I am not in any danger of dying yet." Kissing her on the crown of the head, she hugged her against her side tighter. "Tell me about Himura-san instead. Did he treat you well?"

"Of course, Mama. Better than any other man I have ever met."

"Is that supposed to impress me, Kaoru, when I know where you were forced to grow up?" Dodging her mother's eyes when she pulled away, Kaoru played with the sleeve of her kimono. "And just how much of your life did they take away from you, my daughter?"

Holding back tears, Kaoru tried to smile. "It does not matter now, Mama. I have gained much of it back."

"But there are some things you can never have back, Kaoru. I know this better than anyone else." Cupping a cheek tenderly, Nago held her gaze, amazed by the strength in the woman before her. The girl who had grown out of the child she knew into an adult now able to stand on her own.

"But there are still those experiences that are new that they would know nothing about."

"Truly, baby-girl, you have an answer for everything."

Smiling at one another, Kaoru looked over her shoulder when footsteps came to her attention. Almost automatically turning to Kenshin, she stiffened when she found him missing. Struggling to her feet, she twisted her head around, slightly panicked that he would not be within her sight.

"Mama, have you seen Kenshin?"

"Kenshin? Who…?" Pale blue eyes widened, staring up at Kaoru as she walked down the engawa to peek around both corners. Looking to Okami as she stopped next to her, Nago beckoned for her to help her up. By this time Kaoru had disappeared back around the corner toward her bedroom.

"Kenshin!" Pulling aside the shoji, Kaoru darted her irises around and landed on the smaller pack sitting placidly in the corner. And on top of its canvas, contrasting in brilliant purity, was a plain, white sheet of paper. Already guessing the worst, Kaoru walked numbly forward, kneeling carefully next to the bag to lift its crisp weight from its resting place. Tears swam to her eyes as she unfolded it, barely able to make out the symbols he had written.

There is nothing more that I want from you. You are released from your debt.

~Kenshin

Reading the letter a second time, unsure if she had deciphered it correctly, Kaoru let it drop to her lap as the meaning sunk in. Turning slowly when her mother entered the room behind her, Kaoru felt the tears, and did not try to stop them.

"Mama… he left me."

.

A/N: So there were many of you that guessed right, some of you even caught onto the small details, which makes me happy because that just means you listened when I asked you to at the very beginning. I will continue to ask you to check the details. Anywho… I hope that I tripped you up on at least one aspect of this chapter. And in the next, we might just get to find out why Kenshin knows her mother in the first place. Till then, leave a review and tell me all about it. XD By the way… I wanted them to get married too! I'm so mean!