Sorry toend this so abruptly but, I have more stories to work on. Sumimasen! Oh and this is the first and last story with this much Japanese in it.

Chapter 9

"Soujirou, guess what? My father just called and he promised he would take good care of me from now on and I should tell him all my prblems and we'll solve it together when I get back. I will be leaving excactly after sundown. You were right. Thank you for giving me hope." she told him excitedly. "So what was it you were going to tell me?"

"N-never mind."

"Soujirou-kun, if you want to tell me something, now's the time. I'll be leaving soon."

"I'ts just...I don't think it's appropriate now."

"If so, then I may just never know. But, I'm going to tell you something before I go." She said in a resigned tone, "I want you to know that you mean a lot to me. As much as it pains me to leave, there are things in my time that I have to take care of. I just hope that you will meet someone who could fulfill your needs. Thank you for being a nice friend and brother to me." she then slightly pecked him on the cheek. "Thanks for everything. Goodbye."

Soujirou flushed then said, "Karu, I want you to know that you are the only person that got this close to me. And the only one who understood me. I wanted to ask you a while ago if you could stay with me so that I wouldn't be so lonely. But, I guess that can never be."

"Soujirou-kun, I'll always be with you though not in body. As long as you remember me, there's no way I'm going to leave your side."

"Karu..."

####################

Sundown soon arrived and everyone went out to the garden of the dojou to see her off.

Kenji stepped up with a saddened look on his face. "Karu-neechan, watashi-tachi ni ai ni ikimasen ka [aren't you going to visit us anymore]?"

"Shiranai [I don't know]. Tabun ja nai [maybe not]," she hugged and carried him, "be a good boy for your parents and study hard. I will know even if I'm not here anymore."

"Hai, nee-chan." he told her as he got down from Karu's embrace.

"Kaoru-san, remember to follow every detail of the recipes I gave you." Karu reminded her.

"Un. Anata to Kimono wa ki-otsukeru [Take care of yourself and the kimono]."

"Shimpai shinai [don't worry]," Karu whispered, "I'm sure Kenshin'll get over his little inner conflict."

"Kisama. Why do you have to go now?" Yutarou complained, "I was just starting to like you a lot."

"Yuatarou, isn't one girl enough for you?" You should stick to one or you may lose all of them one day." Karu advised.

"I'll try."

"Ki-otsukeru [be careful]." Yahiko bade her.

"Tsubame wo ki-otsukeru [take care of Tsubame]." This statement of Karu's made both lovers flush. "And Kenshin, the scars of the past are never meant to be the wounds of the present."

"Oro?!" Kenshin looked puzzled.

"Never ever," Karu whispered in his ear, "Make Kaoru worry about you. For example, your silent treatment for her these past few days."

"Hai de gozaru yo. Thanks for the warning."

"Well, Karu, I guess this is goodbye, ne?" Soujirou shrugged.

"I guess so. Thanks again for everything." Karu took Soujirou's open hand and put something in it then closed it without letting him see what it was. "I will really miss you."

"You've given me enough already." Soujirou protested.

"You've given me more." Karu smiled then turned back as something swirled behind the dojou gate.

As Karu walked toward the portal, Soujirou couldn't help keeping what he felt for her anymore. With a helpless cry, he called out, "Karu, daisuki!"

Karu's held back tears suddenly gushed forth and ran towars the portal closing her eyes shut without even looking back. Soujoirou's own tears found their way out as he saw the last of her. He opened his palm and saw the ribbons that she had always worn on her pigtails.

Chapter 8