The next day started much the same way as the one before. Though the weather was much improved Kenshin found his mood was not. It was a perfectly sunny day out, perfect to go about outdoors and perhaps drop in on old friends.

Kenshin wasn't sure why he felt so averse to the idea of Ikeda Asahi. Wasn't it perfectly normal for a family friend to visit while he was in town? Yes, that was to be expected of course, and there was nothing upsetting about that at all.

Ikeda Asahi would simply drop by for an hour or two, perhaps he and Kaoru-dono would reminisce a bit over tea. She would tell him about her brief infatuation, and they would laugh about how silly teenagers were and how obviously neither one of them felt that way now. Then he would take his leave, bowing politely. He would go back to wherever he came from and likely never return.

Reassured, Kenshin wasn't as bothered when Ikeda-san turned up at the Kamiya house. With three firm knocks at the gate and a deep male voice he announced his arrival, and Kaoru-dono excitedly opened the gate for him. Kenshin noticed that her cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of Ikeda-san. Kenshin didn't like that. He was suddenly not so confident as before.

He admitted to himself that he was actually a bit angry about her reaction and that was a little troubling. He didn't understand this strange combination of emotions, all in rapid succession. Dread, anger, doubt, desperation. Then he placed them, found the real word for them.

Jealous, he thought, and he hated himself for it.

Did Kaoru-dono not have the right to a friendship that had occurred before Kenshin and Kaoru-dono had even known of the others existence? Wasn't it to be expected that two young people in close proximity to each other for an extended period of time might develop an infatuation?

Kenshin had not had the opportunity for innocent flirtations with the opposite sex during his formative years, but if he had he imagined he likely would have indulged in them. Hadn't he fallen in love with Tomoe rather quickly, without really knowing much about her? But...this wasn't the same situation at all. He and Tomoe had been thrown together at a time of great turmoil, during a civil war when emotions ran high and no one was guaranteed that they would survive even the next hour. This always gave way to intense desperation, to deep hatred, and blinding passion. The relationship between Ikeda-san and Kaoru-dono would have been more innocent, free of the darker undertones of war. Like a blossom sprouting delicately from a cherry tree, soft and pleasant and easy.

The relationship between himself and Tomoe had been fallen petals on a blood soaked battlefield, tainted by half-truths.

"Ikeda-san, how nice to see you after all these years!" She exclaimed, a bit too enthusiastic for Kenshin's taste. Ikeda-san stepped into view and he towered over Kaoru-dono and Kenshin. He was athletically built, his shoulders were broad and he was well-muscled but lean. His eyes were dark brown, almost black. His hair which he wore in a western style was also dark. It was straight and neatly groomed, the sun behind it formed a soft halo of near-auburn. His face was angular, he had high cheekbones and his skin was smooth. No scars.

He was very handsome, someone a lady might fawn over.

He wore a simply decorated kimono of dark blue, but it did not escape Kenshin that it was made of fine silk. Expensive. The kimono and haori he wore over it was pristine, not a speck of dirt. So he was likely wealthy as well. Great.

"Ah, no need to be so formal with me! I am merely the old friend you sparred with, the same boy you once knew only a bit taller now. It would please me if you were willing to call me Asahi-chan again. And what should I call you, Kamiya Kaoru-san?" He said all this with a respectful bow. He was polite but also jovial, perfectly at ease here at the Kamiya Dojo. As if he knew he belonged.

"Asahi-chan it is! Since we're doing away with formalities you can call me Kaoru-chan, like old times." She replied, beaming up at him. She fanned herself. Was she... flirting with him? She was positively glowing..

Not great.

Ikeda-san noticed Kenshin then, and bowed deeply toward him.

"You must be Himura-san. I'm very honored to make your acquaintance. Shoko-san told me of your brave exploits, and that you protect this dojo and Kaoru-chan diligently," he said, and Kenshin was grudgingly pleased by his glowing commendation of him.

But still.

Kenshin returned his bow, though he wanted nothing more than for this interloper to be on his way and to never bother them again he tried very hard not to show it. His humble politeness was second nature to him, and most importantly he did not want to disappoint Kaoru-dono.

"Ikeda-san, the honor is mine, that it is. This one is most pleased that you were able to find time to visit Kaoru-dono." Kenshin felt very tense, but he knew that he could act as he should without giving that away. He was practiced in concealing his true feelings, even from himself.

After a moment Kaoru-dono broke the silence by inviting Ikeda-san into the room where they received guests. Kenshin followed at a distance as she quickly led Ikeda-san forward. She was practically skipping. This part of her that was informal and a bit undignified was something he greatly admired about her. She was easy to be around, never one to put on airs or convey a facade of coolness and aloofness. But today he found it troublesome.

"Will you join us for lunch, Asahi-chan? Don't worry, Kenshin cooked." She winked at him conspiratorially. Ikeda laughed heartily.

"So not much has changed I take it. Still hopeless in the kitchen?" He said with a laugh. Kaoru-dono chuckled and bowed her head in exaggerated shame.

Kenshin did not appreciate his deprecating humor at Kaoru-dono's expense. Though she didn't appear bothered by it at all, he quietly seethed. This man hadn't been here five minutes and he was making fun of her.

Kenshin had never been fond of Yahiko's constant barrage of "ugly" and "baka" toward her either, and if it had been anything but false bravado and a cover for his actual affection for Kaoru-dono Kenshin would have set him straight long ago. Yahiko was starting to get too old for that behavior and Kenshin planned to have a man-to-man with him if he didn't grow out of it on his own soon. It helped too that Kaoru-dono dished it out to him as well, she never took his insults sitting down.

But Kaoru-dono only laughed at Ikeda-san's jibe. Where was her loud indignation?

Plus she had winked at him. What was that about?

They continued their reunion over lunch, sharing memories of their exploits together and laughing at inside jokes that Kenshin didn't understand. Ikeda-san expressed his deep regret that he hadn't returned earlier to see his old teacher Kamiya-san before his passing. Kaoru-dono reassured him that his self-censure was unnecessary.

Kenshin was silent for most of their conversation, largely ignored. He supposed he should have pardoned himself, made some lame excuse about an urgent task and left them to their privacy. However, he couldn't quite bring himself to do it. He didn't want them to be alone for any length of time. Kaoru-dono might need him, so he stayed.

Just in case.

When they finished their meal Ikeda-san praised Kenshin's culinary skill.

"Himura-san, arigatou gozaimasu for the delicious food! I can't remember the last time I had a meal this good." He seemed sincere in his compliment. Kenshin felt some satisfaction at his acclamation, though he very much didn't want to. Kenshin nodded and uttered a simple arigatou in acknowledgment of his praise.

Kaoru-dono asked Ikeda-san where he had been these past five and a half years, and he answered that he had been in Hokkaido briefly, but for the most part had studied abroad. He had returned to Hokkaido only six months before to settle his father's estate when he passed away quite suddenly.

Kenshin couldn't help himself. "Ikeda-san, how long do you plan to stay here in Tokyo?" He asked, and he hoped very much that he sounded as polite but disinterested as possible.

"Well, Himura-san, I actually plan to stay indefinitely. I've bought a property not far from here. I knew I wanted to return here someday, I always thought very fondly of this place," he answered, gesturing to silently indicate that he meant this place and not Tokyo in general. Furthermore, Kenshin inferred Ikeda-san's silent undertone, and knew what he was expertly hinting at. That he had not only thought fondly of the Kamiya dojo, but of her as well.

It just kept getting worse. Kenshin had hoped Ikeda would say that he would go abroad soon, far away from Japan and the Kamiya dojo and Kaoru-dono. It was with great difficulty that he hid his disappointment.

"How nice that you will stay, this one is happy to hear it." He nearly choked on his lie.

"You're staying! I'm so glad, you should come see us as much as you can! You have to meet Yahiko, Sanosuke, and Megumi! Tae-san and Tsubame-chan! Oh, and Dr. Gensai will want to see you too!" Kaoru-dono carried on enthusiastically, hardly taking a breath between her many exclamations.

"Arigatou Kaoru-chan. I'll be sure to visit often. You know, I'm so glad that we were able to fall back into our old friendship so easily. I was afraid you might not remember me, or that my presence would be very awkward for you. Especially given the words we exchanged before I left. But it's just as it was before."

What words had they exchanged? Perhaps they had fought. He was a little gratified by the thought. This hope was dashed when Kaoru-dono blushed prettily and smiled shyly. Ah, so they hadn't fought.

"Oh, it's not awkward at all. I'm just happy to see you Asahi-chan, and glad we could catch up. Oh, but I've been so rude! I forgot to ask if you're married! Your wife would be welcome here too, of course. Oh, and your children too!"

This thought had not occurred to Kenshin and he was cheered by it, maybe the man was married. Yes, he should certainly bring his wife along next time.

"Arigatou for the thought, but alas, I'm still a lonely bachelor. I have no children either." It did not escape Kenshin's notice when Ikeda-san's expression darkened as he said this, it was fleeting and Ikeda-san immediately brightened as if nothing had ever been amiss. Kaoru-dono gave no indication that she had noticed.

"To be honest I'm a little surprised to hear that, Asahi-chan!" Why was she so surprised that he was single and childless? Because he was handsome, rich, polite, and sincere? Ikeda-san laughed easily, not questioning Kaoru-dono on why she had assumed otherwise.

"I'd love to stay longer but I'd better get home. Before I go I would ask a favor though. If Kaoru-chan and Himura-san aren't busy tomorrow, perhaps you wouldn't mind accompanying me in the city tomorrow? It's changed so much, and I'd love to get reacquainted with it in the company of friends."

Kenshin cursed himself for making plans with Sano. He had been harassing Kenshin for months to try the new western beer that was becoming popular in the country. Sano had developed a taste for it abroad. Kenshin had finally broken down and relented and of course he had said he would go tomorrow of all days.

He thought of cancelling his plans but an image of an indignant Sano with his brash protests, which would be embarrassingly loud and undoubtedly catch Kaoru-dono's attention flashed in his mind.

Perhaps Yahiko would want to tag along with Kaoru-dono, maybe that would keep Ikeda-san from being too forward with Kaoru-dono.

But Yahiko had a shift at the Akebeko tomorrow, and he was a very dependable employee. Especially since Tsubame would also be working. Kenshin felt a bit sick to his stomach.

"My apologies but I'm afraid this one cannot. This one has made a commitment for tomorrow. Maybe another day..." he trailed off, not even daring to hope this time.

He was right not to, for Kaoru-dono offered to take Ikeda-san around town because of course she would be happy to and wouldn't dream of asking Kenshin to cancel his plans. Ikeda-san was grateful and said he would come by the dojo to pick her up mid-morning.

Kaoru-dono saw Ikeda-san out, and they exchanged their goodbyes.

Kenshin was still worrying over what Ikeda-san had said, about the conversation that had taken place between them before his departure from Tokyo. He wanted desperately to ask Kaoru-dono about it, but he couldn't think of a polite way to bring it up. Maybe... maybe he could make some innocuous comment that would spur her into volunteering the information. His mind worked overtime to come up with the right wording.

He knew he would not sleep well tonight.

Authors note: That was a loooong chapter!

In describing Kenshin's comparison between his and Tomoe's and his imagining of Kaoru and Asahi's relationship, I was afraid it might come off as derisive toward the former. That wasn't my intention.

Don't forget that our man is seriously struggling with some angsty brooding for like, most of this story. His perspective is a little skewed right now.

Kenshin and Tomoe loved each other, no doubt about it, and I really like their relationship and how it affected Kenshin but I also wanted to put it under a realistic lens. Their marriage was doomed from the start. Kenshin was -very- young at the time, embroiled in civil unrest, and let's not forget what put Tomoe in Kenshin's path in the first place. So yeah, not exactly chocolate hearts and roses!

But never fear, I have the utmost respect for Tomoe and will always treat her character with kindness and grace.

Coming up, a little bit of humor and a pinch of romantic desire to break up all of this despair.