What Does It Matter?

"Everyone you remember Kaoru. Kaoru is going to be stay with us for awhile. She is also going to be helping around the Aoiya while she trains with us in the ways of the Oniwa Banshu. Any questions? No, good." Misao didn't give anyone any room to object before she started to leave the room and get back to business.

On the train they, Kaoru and Misao, had discussed what to do while Kaoru was staying. Kaoru vehemently insisted that she help in the Aoiya and the shyly asked Misao and Aoshi if they might be interested in training her. Misao had been surprised at the suggestion, but immediately was pleased and Aoshi, calm and cool just nodded. (Be ware! Aoshi nods a lot in this fic.)

Days had passed and Kaoru was progressing rapidly. In the Aoiya she could handle up to seven meal trays with out spilling and make a decent miso soup. As for her training she learned how to walk stealth fully and was starting to throw tobikunai (throwing knives commonly known as kunai in the fan fic world). Her Kamiya Kasshin Ryy already provided a base for hand to hand combat so her physical sparring lessons were more intense then her other lessons. Usually after sparring with either Okon or Misao, she'd take a bath then spend time in her room, which is where Misao found her

just before dinner.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Misao knocked on Kaoru's door and softly slid it open. Kaoru was sitting on the floor weaving thread together in a long strand.

"Kaoru?" The girl, or rather young women, in question looked up at Misao's voice as if she had been unaware that the door had been opened. "What are you doing?"

"I'm making a-," Kaoru looked embarrassed for a moment and then continued, "I forgot what it's called, but it's a charm worn as a bracelet or necklace that you weave or knot a question into and wear until it falls off. When it falls off your answer will be answered." Kaoru went back to knotting the colorful thread together. "At least that's the

way it's supposed to work."

"Can you teach me how to make one?" Misao looked in wonder at the pattern that emerged from Kaoru's hands.

"Of course. Pick three colors and I will tell you what they mean.*" Misao picked pink, green, and purple then handed them over to Kaoru who smiled. "Interesting combination, don't you think?"

"The colors seemed like they belonged together, but now that you point it out they do look odd. Maybe I should choose-,"

"No Misao, they're fine. I'll tell you what they mean." Kaoru held up the green thread, "Green stands for prosperity, growth, and or faith. Purple is for spirituality, devotion, and sensitivity. Lastly, but not least, pink. Pink symbolizes love, friendship, or

relaxation." Kaoru looked at Misao who was blushing slightly. "If I didn't know any better I would say this is about Aoshi-san."

Blushing madly, Misao shook her head and quickly changed the subject, "What colors are you using?"

"Me?" Kaoru asked as if she was one of many in the room. "Oh. I'm using orange, yellow, and white. Do you want to know what they stand for?" Misao nodded. "Well white in this case is protection or purification. Orange is the color of energy and yellow is the power of mind. Now did you come here to talk to me or tell me dinner is going to be served?"

"Dinner is probably already being served." Kaoru looked distressed and started to get up when Misao pulled her back down. "Don't worry, you're not on dinner duty tonight, that's what I came here to tell you. When will you teach me how to knot the threads together?"

"Tomorrow. I think I just lost the mood."

"I hope it wasn't anything I did." Kaoru gave her a smile to assure her that it wasn't. "Maybe I'll go and ask Aoshi-sama if he wants to spar with me and help me with my super-sneaky sneak attacks. Or maybe I'll just try to pounce on him instead?" Giggling and talking to herself, Misao left the room. Kaoru got up and was about to follow when she heard noises outside of her room. Thinking that Kenshin might have followed her, she allowed her body to meld with the wall and strained her ears to hear what was going on outside. After a few muffled movements and shuffling of feet Kaoru finally worked up the courage to peer out her window. She saw a wagon ladened with goods and Shiro and Kuro were unloading it. 'So Kenshin is not here. Mou Kaoru, why do you get yourself so worked up? Just because you followed once doesn't mean he's going to follow you. Besides there are two reasons you came. 1) You told him that you might not love him. 2) His past gives him difficulties with handling with Kyoto so you thought that it would be hard for him to follow you so he wouldn't. Are you backing down? No, I don't think so. Think about your life without Kenshin some other time. Be strong and relax.' Sighing a breath of relief, she headed toward the kitchen to eat dinner.

~*~*~*~*~Back in Tokyo~*~*~*~*~

"Stupid Rooster-head, your cooking is worse than Kaoru's! It tastes worse than rotting garbage. Can we go to the Akabeko and eat there? I want to survive long enough to eat Ugly's cooking and that must say something."

"Look here, Yahiko-CHAN! It was your idea to refuse to eat Kenshin's cooking and look where that got us." Sano had agreed to boycott Keshin's cooking, purely because it was something to do. Now, his patience wearing thin, he came to a decision. "Let's apologize to Kenshin, tell him we love his cooking, and eat a respectable meal. We'll hear from Kaoru soon so put up with it." That being said he grabbed the collar of Yahiko's shirt and carried him to his room, then went to the front yard where Kenshin was folding laundry. (AN: He has to do something besides washing it all the time.)

"Kenshin, Yahiko and me are sorry that we refused to eat your cooking after Kaoru left, but now we are willing to eat it if it will stop you from moping around the house."

"Tired of your own cooking already, Sano?" Kenshin chuckled. "I don't blame you guys for thinking that I drove Kaoru away. Yahiko seems to be holding a grudge so I take it your basically asking for yourself? But as I said, I don't blame him for being angry. In my mind I told myself that something like this would be for the best, but. I miss her terribly Sano."

Meanwhile Sano had become uncomfortable and hungry, "If you miss her don't tell me, tell her. But before you do, would you mind cooking dinner?"

~*~*~*~*Back in Kyoto~*~*~*~*~

While Kaoru had been staying at the Aoiya and training, Aoshi spent less time meditating and more time supervising his ninjas. He found amazing similarities between Kaoru's learning habits and his own. The purposes for their training were completely different, but Kaoru's determination and concentration were not wholly unlike his. For some strange reason he felt the need to find a connection between them. As if the connection would give him a reason to feel the need to protect her as instinct made him feel.

Coming up behind her, he leaned over to tap her on the shoulder. Instead of the surprised reaction he expected, he got two kunai flying passed his head. When she turned around she gave him a startled yelp.

"Aoshi-san! I'm so sorry. I thought you were Misao. Well, not that you were Misao, but it was she who those kunai were meant for. Are you hurt? I wouldn't have thrown them if I had know it was you." Kaoru was looking him over to try and discover any signs that her attack had connected.

"Kaoru-san, I'm fine." He held up the two knives that he had caught in the air.

"I'm glad." Kaoru smiled and Aoshi realized that it was her spirit and her ability to make everyone around her happy that made him feel the way he did. "Did you want something?"

"Yes. I wanted to know if you had a chance to talk to Misao yet."

"No, but I don't think that I should tell you whether I do or not. Remember a girl's feelings are precious and fragile and they should for the most part be private."

Aoshi scoffed at her. "That didn't stop you from telling everyone how you felt about Himura." He stopped when he noticed the dead silence from the room and the dull

coloring of her eyes. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. You are right I shouldn't try and have you betray Misao's trust. I had no right to utter that comment." He turned, ashamed

and ready to leave, but Kaoru's melodious voice bought him back.

"Do you think you could teach me how to meditate?" He stared at her, unsure of how to answer. "As payment for what you said. I have been meaning to ask you, but it seems that now was as good a time as any. What do you think?" For a second she reminded him of his mother who always tried to make everyone's mistakes into something better and beneficial. "Then maybe you could teach me your special water flow technique? And don't worry, in a way you were right about how the way I acted contradicting with my words. I'm dealing with that, so while you make your decision, know that you are forgiven." Kaoru looked up at him, hopeful and

now she reminded him of Misao.

'Do I want to try and teach her? Should I push her away like I do with Misao? If I do I could use it to my advantage. I could pretend to take a special interest in Kaoru and seem attracted to her, then Misao would see how wrong I am for her. Damn Kaoru for making me think of Misao.'

"Could you handle it? Meditation is devoid of all and any emotion. You seem to be filled to the brim with it."

"Then it would be a challenge, right?" Aoshi nodded. "It would take my concentration and keep my mind off other things, right?" Again Aoshi nodded his head affirmatively. "Then I'll do it."

"Fine. Tomorrow, before sunrise meet me at the front entrance. By the way, have you written those you left behind in Tokyo?" Aoshi left before she could answer, but his

choice of words made her think of another visit to Kyoto.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Of course Kaoru had sent a letter or two to Tokyo. The first one, Tae's arrived a day before the one destined for the dojo.

Sano was trying to teach Yahiko how to fist fight, but the boy only wanted to practice the Kamiya Kasshin Ryy. Tsubame came right up to the two bickering youths to hand them Kaoru's letter.

"Sanosuke-san, Yahiko-kun, Kaoru-chan sent you a letter. Where is Kenshin-san?" Tsubame's question went unanswered as Yahiko, with a hurried 'thank you' snatched the letter out of her hand and ripped it open.

'Dear Yahiko and Sano,

How are you guys doing? Yahiko, are you practicing?

Sano, are you taking good care of Yahiko-chan? How's my

dojo?

Kyoto is beautiful this time of year. I'm able to help

waitress at the Aoiya and can cook a decent miso soup.'

At that Yahiko laughed, "I'll believe it when I see it." To which Sano promptly hit him on the head. "Finish the letter, Yahiko-chan."

'Sano, since Yahiko's visit is already approved of, would

you mind accompanying him on his trip? You would be allowed

to stay for a while, if you want. Ask Himura to watch the

dojo if you decide to come. When you arrive you'll be in for

a surprise.

Love,

Kaoru'

"So what do you think the surprise is?"

"Have you decided to come?" Sano nodded. "Then you get to tell Kenshin."

"Now Yahiko, let's be reasonable, as next in line of Kamiya sword style doesn't that make you in charge of the dojo while Kaoru's gone?"

"Not since she left you charge of me. Good luck!" Yahiko stuck his tongue out at Sano. "Come on Tsubame, I'll walk you home."

"Thank you Yahiko-kun."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*Kaoru might have been taken as a witch if she told anyone things like that is she was in North America or England at the time. As I've said before and I'll say again, I'm not Japanese.

~*~*~*~Little Commercial Break Featuring Katie~*~*~*~

(Katie walks up to the middle of the stage and on comes thespot light.)

Katie: Hi. I'd just like to say hi to the entire cast of Rurouni Kenshin, with the exception of Megumi because I can't stand her. She is such a #^!%&, and I wish that she never met Sano. (Giggles)No better yet, she should be his sister.

LittleDragon5: (As the nice people in white help Katie into a nice new jacket.) Well wasn't that exciting. If that wasn't enough for you, today she also informed me that when she was younger she wanted her last name to be Mississippi. Gomen nasi for all the trouble that has been caused by this fictitious story and my sister.

~)~)~)~)~)~)~

Katie really did want me to do that. Also she really said all that. The part with Megumi as Sano's sister, I think was meant that that way no romance could happen between the two.

What can I say? She wants Sano all to herself. ^_^;