Kaoru couldn't be more proud of Yahiko, though she was worried for the boy. She recognized the same recklessness she had once possessed, earning her a few hard beatings when she had rushed into battle without a thought.
"He needs to learn, that he does." Kenshin offered her some tea, then returned near the stove, preparing dinner.
"I wanted to spare him from the mistakes I had." She sighed, blowing at the hot liquid. "I guess we all have to learn the hard way."
His hand paused for a moment, eyes darkening at her implication, before he continued. Sometimes he forgot that behind her smiles, there was a great deal of loss and pain, though different from his.