Chapter Eleven

The Passing

Battousai's POV

It had been a rather serene afternoon in Katsura's office. All the windows had been opened up, allowing a lukewarm spring breeze to travel through the room. It was highly welcomed since the entire base's residence had been coped up for the last couple of days due to some rainy weather. However today was sunny and promising, and just what the good commander needed. Stretching arms over his head Katsura leaned against the wall behind him to take a better look of his latest plan. He rested his over worked hands in his lap as he searched the map in front of him for any loop holes. During the stormy days earlier that week Katsura's army had lost a good portion of their advancement in the northern border. This hadn't set well with the commander at all, and he had quickly began conducting a retrieval operation. Analyzing the scribbles and notes across the map Katsura seemed rather pleased with his work "What do you think?" He finally asked looking to Kenshin for advisory.

The samurai set his katana in front of him and leaned forward to get a better look for himself. As always this plan would take place under the cover of night. Katsura had expended several of his men to capture the vital points of the enemy camp that now stood on the border, and right in the middle of the camp Kenshin would be deployed. He was to take out the general. It was well thought out, and Kenshin had to admit that Katsura seemed to know what he was doing. After all once they had taken General Eito down, the soldier's organization and confidence would crumble. That was the beauty of the entire plan. It wouldn't even matter whether or not the others had accomplished their assignments, because once the general was gone his militia would be diminished. They would be lost and confused without him, and that would make them perfectly vulnerable. It was exactly where they wanted them. Kenshin propped his katana against his shoulder and gave Katsura a nod of approval "It will work."

Katsura smiled and reached for the cup of tea sitting on the edge of his desk "I believe so." He murmured taking a small sip of his green tea "Now then what seems to be on your mind Himura?" He asked quietly returning the cup to its rightful place. Kenshin would never know how Katsura did it, but the man nearly always read him correctly. It was almost eerie at times.

Kenshin gripped the hilt of his katana tightly, and leveled Katsura with a hard stare. He did have something on his mind: the fact that he has Saito watching over Kaoru. It was absurd. Saito was dangerous and unpredictable. He was not a protector, but rather a cold blooded killer. He was only concerned about himself, and in the circumstance of sustaining his life against hers, she would be sacrificed. Saito was more worried about his own self-preservation, and so help him if anything ever happen to Kaoru because of that selfish coward… Kenshin's jaw set in a frigid manner as he choked down the bitter taste of anger "Saito." He finally hissed glowering at a serene commander "I don't trust him." Kenshin's face fell into a guarded, flat mask. He didn't want anyone to know that he was starting to have feelings for Kaoru, especially since he himself wasn't so sure about those same feelings. In addition Kenshin was all too aware of the dangerous life he led. Being an assassin brings about many enemies, and if for one second someone suspected his relationship with her… No, no one could know. Not even Katsura. It was a risk he simply wasn't willing to take, not with Kaoru.

Katsura raised an inquisitive brow "Oh?" The samurai replied with a curt nod "And this wouldn't have anything to do with that spat in the clinic?" Kenshin's golden eyes darkened. Saito had simply pushed him too far that night, he had let the fool get under his skin, but it wouldn't happen again. Because next time he would be sure to kill the bastard "Himura?" Kenshin turned his gaze to the window. Outside the sun shone brightly overhead, shimmering through the branches of the sakura trees, and filtering lazily to the damp ground below.

Kenshin shook his head "That's not it." He mumbled his attention still turned to the outside world "We have a strained history." The samurai admitted remembering all the ways Saito had wronged him, and how many times Kenshin had just let him get away with it. Why hadn't he just killed him? That horrified look on Kaoru's face came back to mind as he thought about it, and he had to shake the memory from his head. Next time he would assure the two of them be alone together "He's conceited, and blood thirsty." This had certainly captured Katsura's attention. The commander propped an elbow onto his desk and leaned his chin into the palm of his hand "He's not a good choice. He won't protect the doctor." Kenshin averted his concentration to the floor, falling silent as he waited for Katsura's response. He had tried to explain as little as possible in hopes to keep those pesky feelings concealed.

The old commander sighed "We don't have that many able-body men Himura. And as it is I need you out in the field right now, if it wasn't absolutely necessary I wouldn't send you." Katsura explained.

"Is there no one else?" Kenshin pressed. Katsura shook his head "Fine." The Samurai growled as his lips formed a solid, thin line. He was not happy about the arrangement, but it seemed as though Katsura wasn't going to budge on this decision. Kenshin stood up and gave his commander a low bow "Excuse me." He murmured making a quick exit.

Kaoru's POV

The relatively warm sunny afternoon had brought upon a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere throughout the tea house. The working girls had opened up all the windows, and had decided to take their companion services to the porches. The samurai had likewise joined them in this conquest of a beautiful day, and were undoubtedly enjoying this rare occasion with those lovely ladies. It had been an unspoken decision, yet everyone at the base seemed to be on the same page with this fair weather, taking the opportunity to proclaim the day as a time of rest. However, one determined doctor had strayed away from this popular notion. Kaoru Kamiya had found equal opportunity in this blessed day, but not one of rest. Since it had become such a leisurely day it was only natural that no one would be occupying the training room today. This was a delighted discovery Kaoru had stumbled upon early that morning, and once she had finished her rounds in the clinic, she had rushed right there.

For Kaoru Kamiya, a retired dojo master's assistant, it had been entirely too long since she had picked up a practice sword. Stepping into the make-shift dojo, Kaoru inhaled deeply with an excited smile on her lips. The scent of pine and hard laboring practice filled her nose. It reminded her strongly of her family's dojo back in Tokyo. It was like coming home. Stepping over to the armory wall, Kaoru picked up a bokken and turned toward the empty room with a firm stance. Her arms were held out in front of her, her hands tightly wound around the hilt, and her feet spread apart. In the far corner her new body guard stood with his arm crossed over his chest, and his back relaxed against the wooden wall. Ignoring the unimpressed look on his face Kaoru concentrated on her breathing. The entire key of the Kamiya Kasshin was breathing. It makes one concentrate on their body, and become hypersensitive of their entire being. It was created to rejuvenate the swordsmen, and to sharpen the senses.

Closing her eyes Kaoru inhaled slowly as she lifted her arms high over her head. Every muscle in her body loosened, and she easily fell into a familiar deep concentration. Everything around her melted away as Kaoru zoned into the blow she was about to deliver "Hiiiya!" She exhaled her arms descending with the practice sword held tightly between her hands. Swoosh! Kaoru sliced through the air with a single powerful, precise movement. Her heart beat heavily, pumping red hot adrenaline through her veins. It was exhilarating. Quickly she ducked down practicing her maneuvering techniques. Kaoru fell into a back roll and bounced back up with a damaging upward stoke. She then slid to the left, and came in with a crippling sideways blow to her nonexistent opponent. Crack! Freezing in place Kaoru focused in on the solid object she was met with. It was a practice sword that belonged to a rather familiar face. "Yahiko?" Kaoru whispered in disbelief.

He gave her a wolfish grin "Hey sis." He scoffed pushing her blade away. Kaoru was dumbfounded by the boy—no—man that stood in front of her. He was tall, much taller than she had remembered. His scrawny awkward phase seemed to have passed, leaving behind a fuller bolder young man. And even more so that sweet boyish face was gone. Kaoru couldn't belief that this confident, strong man was her little brother. Yahiko scoffed "Are you done looking stupid?" He asked while falling back into the concentrated stance of the Kamiya Kasshin style.

Kaoru raised a daring eyebrow at him. Stupid huh? Rushing forward she drew back her practice sword and then slung it as hard as she could in Yahiko's direction. A loud cracking noise echoed in the empty room as the sibling's bokken met with each other. Kaoru smirked "Hiiya!" She screamed as she twirled around for a blow to his wide open side.

"Heh." Easily he blocked her attack once more "Not bad for someone who's out of practice." He chuckled pushing her back. Kaoru slid across the dojo floor, kicking up some loose dust on her way. She took a deep breath and then slowly released it. This wasn't over. Parting her feet Kaoru lined her practice sword with her body, and turned a calculative gaze to Yahiko. He, in turn, gave her an all too cocky look. Kaoru took off at a full on sprint toward him, the tip of her bokken angled at his stomach. Again she was met with the sturdy wooden sword. She quickly moved away from him, and scanned her opponent for a weakness. Got you. Running straight into an onslaught of blows Kaoru distracted him with strike after strike, and then she saw her opening. Sliding underneath his arm she popped back up and delivered her final attack to his unsuspecting back. However just as her sword was coming down he had caught on to her little plan. Yahiko quickly dodged her attempt and effortlessly swiped her feet out from underneath her.

"Ummp!" Kaoru landed flat on her back, efficiently knocking all the air out of her lungs.

"Give up?" Yahiko asked leaning over his dazed sister.

Blinking once, twice Kaoru slowly began to regain her composure "I give up." Kaoru muttered as she waved her hand around in the air. Yahiko offered her his hand to which she gratefully took. With one tug he had pulled Kaoru to her feet, and she suddenly found herself wondering when he had become so strong. A few moments of silence filled the space between them, and then Kaoru finally spoke "So why are you here Yahiko?" She asked as she placed her bokken back on the wall. While Kaoru was overjoyed to see her little brother, she was not a fool. Yahiko would never have traveled this close to the front line just for a visit. Something was wrong. Her hunch was only proven as this somber, melancholy look crossed his face.

"She's gone Kaoru." He said wistfully as he reached deep into his hakama pocket.

"When?" Kaoru asked swallowing hard.

"Three weeks ago." Yahiko whispered solemnly. Kaoru cringed at the hurt in his tone. She wished that she could have been there, not for her mother, but for Yahiko. No matter how old her younger brother was, or how much of a man he looked, he was still the gentle hearted little Yahiko she had always known him to be. Kaoru knew that their mother's passing must have caused him much pain, and she deeply regretted not being there for him as he grieved. Approaching him slowly Kaoru placed a soothing hand on his arm. Yahiko quickly shrugged her away. It was something that Kaoru wouldn't take personally, she was aware that he wouldn't appreciate her comfort now, but she thought that she might try. Looking up Yahiko leveled her with a serious stare "She wanted you to have this Kaoru." He pulled a silver chain from his pocket and handed it to his sister.

Kaoru took the necklace between her fingers and carefully traced the contours of the pendant hanging from it. It was a simple sapphire stone shaped into a perfect raindrop. This was her mother's wedding present from their father. It symbolized the day they had met. That fateful rainy day in the market. He had claimed that he had never seen a woman more beautiful than their mother. Kaoru's fingers enclosed the necklace in the palm of her hand as the weight of the sentimental value overcame her "Yahiko, will you—will you put this on me?" She asked softly. Yahiko nodded and retrieved the necklace. Gingerly he draped the chain across her neck and fastened it in the back. Kaoru turned toward her brother with worn, saddened blue eyes "Did she suffer Yahiko?" She asked hoping desperately that it was not the case.

Looking as though he was fight back some tears Yahiko shook his head "No. It was peaceful. Like going to—to sleep Kaoru." He choked. Kaoru stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. That was it. Yahiko's head crumbled onto her shoulder, dampening it with warm tears. Their mother had not always been a good woman, nor had she done all the things that was expected of a mother. However Kaoru supposed that she had been their mother, and in that alone was the cause of those tears that now burned in the corner of her eyes. In the end she really had cared for Kaoru and her brother. Perhaps that in itself is why she allowed those few teardrops to slip down her pale cheeks.

Pulling her brother closer Kaoru tried her best to ease his pain, as well as her own.

A/N: Thank your for reading, and as always, please leave any comments below.