A Picture of Summer

by: Venusskies

email: venus_skies@excite.com

Standard disclaimers apply.

Author's Notes:

In this chapter, everything will be focused on the Kamiya Dojo. This takes place a month after Kaoru left, how Yahiko's coping with his sensei's absence and a little bit on the others' lives.

I've decided to remove "The Ivory Elephant" chapter in the old version since it was totally out of the story. I just put it up for the sake of putting up one, and I didn't think of it very much. So sorry for the inconvenience!

Hope you like this chapter. Please R&R!



Chapter 4: Changes

"KENSHIN!" Sano was ready to kick the wash bucket.

"Oro! Matte de gozaru!" Kenshin exclaimed trying to protect the laundry from Sano. "What is it?"

Sano squatted in front of his pal and squinted at him.

"You've been staring into space, your eyes like this," he mimicked Kenshin's look. "I've been calling you for kami knows how long, and you were not responding. Were you in outer space or something?"

"Gomen nasai Sano," Kenshin apologized. "I guess I had too many things on my mind."

Sano sighed.

"Kenshin, I know that. Demo, you're letting it bother you too much," Sano spoke, concern evident in his tone. "If Jou-chan were here she wouldn't want you to worry yourself too much. In fact, she would even scold you for that."

"Yes, I know," Kenshin smiled, imagining Kaoru in front of him scolding him for worrying too much. Then, he turned to his friend. "It's so different not having her around."

"Aa, it is," Sano replied. "I never knew it would be this quiet without her around, even with Yahiko's big mouth. Come to think of it, I haven't seen the kid in a while now. He always seems to be out whenever I visit. I used to think everybody came here, but ever since Jou-chan left, it seems that you have fewer visitors. I guess I'm the only one who visits regularly."

"Well, you can say that. People have been coming here less since she left. Yahiko's in the dojo right now teaching," Kenshin said. "He's teaching two classes a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. A few students dropped when they heard that Kaoru wouldn't be teaching for a while, but that hasn't affected the income so much. There're plenty of students even if she isn't around."

"So, it's Kaoru now eh? Not Kaoru-dono anymore," Sano teased.

"Eto… I can't call her Kaoru-dono anymore now that I've confessed to her how I feel," Kenshin answered blushing slightly.

"You two sure made a scene the day she left. I imagine how good a kisser she was back then," Sano chuckled. He found himself laughing when he saw Kenshin blush harder, his face almost rivaling the red of his hair. "But then I can't blame you for that, since, after all, she'll be gone for a long time."

Then, the doors of the practice hall opened, releasing the twenty or so students it held for the past few hours. Yahiko followed moments later, his face clearly showing his fatigue. He walked slowly towards the two men using his bokken for support. He sighed.

"My muscles hurt, my back aches, and my arm's getting stiff. If this continues I might not be able to teach the afternoon class later," he groaned.

"Take it easy will you?" Sano said.

"He's right Yahiko," Kenshin said. "Don't push yourself too hard. You needn't teach the afternoon class today since we're carrying on fine, even with just the money from the morning class. It's just the two of us anyway

"Demo, I feel so ashamed of myself," Yahiko confessed.

"Naze?" Kenshin asked.

"Because Kaoru supported us all alone without any help. She even manages to feed Sanosuke who freeloads off her every time," Yahiko answered. Behind him, Sano fought the urge not to pound the little punk hard. "She didn't complain a lot, but I did. She taught in three different dojos everyday just to keep the money coming, while I can't even manage to teach at our own dojo twice a day!"

"Yahiko, you don't need to compare yourself to Jou-chan," Kenshin said. "She's Kaoru, and you're Yahiko. I'm sure she doesn't expect you to do what she's been doing to support us. All she said was for you to take care of the dojo. That's it. No more, no less."

"Demo…"

"Kenshin's right," Sano spoke. "She doesn't expect too much from you. Why don't you just go to your room and rest for a while so you'll have the energy to teach later. You've worked out yourself pretty hard."

Yahiko nodded and started off to his room.

"I'll be making lunch soon Yahiko," Kenshin called.

"Hai. Don't take long," Yahiko replied and slid the shoji door shut.

There was silence between the two before Sano spoke.

"The boy's seemed to have matured a lot. He doesn't seem to be the pickpocket I've first known," Sano stated.

"I agree with you Sano," Kenshin replied. "Kaoru's absence has such an effect on him. I guess he misses her too. But he'll be fine. Yahiko's a strong person. He won't easily give up."

"That I have faith in," Sano whispered. "That I have faith in."

She wiped some perspiration from her forehead and leaned on the door. There were a lot of patients that day and this was the only time she had to breathe. Genzai-sensei was still checking up on a few. It was he who insisted that she take a break. She was getting tired and hungry, yet she still had so much to do. She sighed heavily. Being a doctor had so much responsibilities, nevertheless she didn't regret having chosen that vocation.

She could probably go to the dojo and see if Kenshin had cooked something, demo, it didn't seem like such a good idea. It was too quiet back there. Ever since Kaoru had left she didn't feel like going there anymore. There wasn't anyone left to tease, anyone to make jealous. Even flirting with Kenshin had lost its appeal. The latter was in love with Kaoru, and she had known that from the beginning. Yet she had tried to gain his attentions and win his affections. It was all in vain. Now that he had finally admitted to her his true feelings, there was no reason to go and flirt with the man. It would be just a waste of time.

Suddenly she lost her appetite. Her exhaustion was getting to her, and the hot weather only made it worse. Summer had already arrived. It was the season she hated the most since the scorching sun only shortened her temper and many people seemed to have accidents. It was usually the busiest time of the year for her, and she didn't like it one bit. She found herself wishing she could've gone along with Kaoru to Europe instead of staying here with nothing to do. She plopped down to the floor fanning herself and wiping another trail of sweat around her neck. Long hair sure had its disadvantages.

After a few minutes, she rose and began to tie her hair in a bun. Suddenly the shoji door opened and in came a familiar yet unwelcome figure chewing on a fishbone. She groaned.

"OI Kitsune!" Sano exclaimed. "What's for lunch?"

"I thought you came from the dojo," Megumi answered coldly, still tying her hair. "Didn't you eat there?"

"I did, but Kenshin didn't cook a lot. He only gave me one serving," Sano said, clutching his belly. "That's why I came here, to see if you had anymore food."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you rooster-head, but we don't have any more food. I myself have not eaten lunch yet and neither has Genzai-sensei and the kids. What we have here is enough for the four of us. Now leave and go find yourself a job to pay for your food," Megumi snapped. She then tugged a bit at her hair and turned around to leave. She walked a few steps and then looked back to see if Sano had left. He was still there.

"Why won't you leave?"

"What kind of a doctor are you, not feeding a patient whose only cure is food?"

"I'm a doctor and you're not my patient, so I will not diagnose you. Nor will I give you food because I am not the owner of a charitable institution who gives away food for free."

"Selfish!"

"Glutton!"

"You stuck-up doctor!"

"You chicken-brain!!"

"Is that all you can do? Insult me?"

"I have more important things to do than waste my time on you!" Megumi barked, her hands resting on her hips. "Now leave before I get my hands on you!"

"Alright alright! I'm gone!" said Sano as he dodged a slipper thrown at his direction.

When he was gone, Megumi sighed, thinking, How come everything's changed because Kaoru's gone? I never expected this… Why did everything have to happen anyway? Why couldn't she have just stayed?