Hello, all! Just wanted to warn you, one of the characters is kind of an original character since this person is never really discussed in the manga (as far as I've read anyway). Soooo, I took quite a few liberties and made this person the way I wanted them to be. Just wanted to let you know! Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Sony, etc. This is written for entertainment only and no money is made from this fic.
The Reunion
Chapter 1: News of the Stranger
Kenshin sighed and hung the last of the laundry to dry. "There! All done!" He held up an empty basked and Ayame and Suzume clapped and echoed him.
"All done! All done!" Ayame looked up hopefully. "Now, Ken-nii can play with us?" Suzume repeated her and they both gave Kenshin little pouts.
The red head melted and sighed in mock defeat. "If I HAVE to, I guess I can." He gave the two little girls a pout of his own and they immediately attached themselves to a leg.
Kaoru came out of the dojo with Megumi beside her. "Are you absolutely certain, Megumi-san?" They were speaking in hushed tones and Kenshin had to strain to hear what was being said.
"Really, Tanuki! How many people look like that? Come on, I'll take you to meet her."
Megumi began to stride toward the gate. "I'll be leaving now. See you later on, Ken-san!"
"Goodbye, Megumi-dono! Kaoru-dono, where are you going?"
"I'm going to the clinic with Megumi-san for a moment. I should be home soon. Have fun!" Kaoru waved and followed Megumi out the gate.
Kenshin had the urge to follow and see what was so interesting at the clinic, but stayed put. If it was dangerous, Megumi-dono would have asked for my help. No need for concern. I'm sure Kaoru-dono will tell me when she gets back!
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Megumi motioned to a small room at the clinic and Kaoru stepped in to see an older woman sitting up on the futon, gazing out the window. There was nothing unusual about her from behind, but then the woman turned to look at her and Kaoru gasped. But, Kenshin said…
The woman spoke first. "Well, hello dear! I didn't really expect to get any visitors since I'm not from Tokyo." She smiled warmly at Kaoru. "Come sit here, next to me. I won't bite."
Kaoru had to smile back. "How are you feeling?"
"Well, I'm fine now. I guess I just didn't realize how exhausted I had gotten from my travels. But, Takani-sensei gave me a nice warm meal, I had a bath, had a good night's
sleep and I'm ready to go again!"
Kaoru had made up her mind as the older lady talked. She would have to take her to see Kenshin. There was no mistake about what Megumi had said.
^^^Flashback^^^
Megumi came into the dojo, calling for Kaoru. "Kaoru-chan! Kaoru! I need to talk to you!"
Kaoru came from the kitchen. "Megumi-san? What's wrong?"
"Kaoru, I need to talk to you in private." Megumi was slightly out of breath and Kaoru began to worry.
"Should I get Kenshin?"
"No. This is something for you to help me with." Perplexed, Kaoru led Megumi to the sitting room.
Megumi took a few quick sips of tea and allowed a moment to regain her breath. "Kaoru-chan, a woman was brought into the clinic last night. If it hadn't been so late, I would have come for you then. That in itself is no big deal, what is surprising is the woman's eyes. And the name she kept asking for…"
Kaoru's eyes widened as Megumi finished the story and she set out with her.
^^^End Flashback^^^
Kaoru was snapped back to reality by a wrinkled hand waving in front of her face. "Dear? Are you alright?"
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I was just remembering what my friend said and was wondering if I can help you with your quest." Kaoru smiled warmly and the older woman looked like she was close to tears.
"I've tried for so long to find him. Please tell me you know him." The old woman began hopefully.
"Well, the name is not what we call him by, but the resemblance to you, is uncanny. By the way, I didn't catch your name."
The gray-headed woman spoke through a wave of tears. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is Akino, but you can just call me, 'Okaasan.' I feel more comfortable that way." Kaoru smiled again at her. She was just so friendly and likeable.
"My name is Kaoru Kamiya. I run the Kamiya Kasshin Dojo here in Tokyo."
The older woman wiped her eyes. "A dojo run by a female?"
Kaoru swelled with pride. "Yes. I'm quite proud of it."
Akino smiled widely. "As you should be! Not many women are strong enough to do as they wish in this life. Tell me, what sort of school is it?"
"I teach Kamiya Kasshin Style, which is the style my father invented. It's the 'Sword
That Protects Life.' Instead of aiming for the death of the opponent, the style focuses on controlling the pace of battle and bringing out the best of peoples' potential." Her eyes lit up as she talked about her sword style and Akino nearly laughed.
"Well dear, you look like you really enjoy your swordsmanship practices."
"I do. It's the one thing my father taught me that I will defend to the death." She looked at the clock on the clinic wall and began to stand. "Well, Okaasan. If you're ready to go, I'll take you to my home for dinner. The person you're looking for should be there."
Akino nearly leapt out of the bed. Kaoru was amazed at her speed since she had to be close to fifty. "Give me about an hour. Want to look my best!"
Kaoru nodded and went to see if she could help Megumi with anything while Akino got ready.
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Megumi glanced at Kaoru as they labeled the different bottles of medicine. "You look a little worried, but excited at the same time, Tanuki."
Kaoru bristled slightly at the nickname, but ignored it. "I am. I'm worried that poor Okaasan's hopes will be crushed if he isn't who she's looking for. She's such a nice woman, I don't want to disappoint her. On the other hand, if he IS the person, then it will be utterly wonderful for both of them."
Megumi nodded in understanding. "I hope it works out for her."
They continued to work in silence for several more minutes and then the office door was flung open. "I'm ready, Kaoru-chan! Let's get going!"
Kaoru and Megumi both giggled at her impatience. "Well, Megumi-san, we're on our way! Come by for dinner if you can."
Megumi nodded her agreement. "See you then, Kaoru-chan! Good luck, Okaasan! Hope he's who you're looking for!"
"Thank you for everything, Takani-sensei!" She gave a slight bow, which Megumi returned.
"Please call me, Megumi."
"Take care, Megumi-dono!" Megumi almost jumped out of her skin when she heard the honorific. She MUST be who she says she is.
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Kaoru and Akino chatted amiably as they made their way to the dojo. "Your kimono certainly is lovely, Okaasan."
"Thank you, Kaoru-chan! It's my favorite one, purchased just for this special occasion."
The kimono was a light gray with vines, leaves, and red and purple flowers embroidered on it. "When I saw the colors on the embroidery, I knew I had to have it."
Kaoru nodded and rounded the corner. "This is it, Okaasan! My dojo is the second house on this side."
Akino pulled Kaoru aside. "How do I look?"
Kaoru gestured for her to twirl around and she did. "Everything looks in place to me! Don't worry about it. You look lovely."
Akino wrung her hands nervously. "It's just that it's been 23 years. What if he's angry that I didn't find him until now?"
Kaoru gave her a stern glare. "He's probably the sweetest, most forgiving person I know. Even if he is a little upset, he'll get over it and forgive you soon enough. Besides, if this is the person you're looking for, the name is different. That alone would have made your search more difficult. Plus, you have been looking right?"
Akino nodded, tight lipped and brows drawn together.
"He can't fault you if you've at least been trying! Now, come on! It's been 23 long years. Why wait any longer?" Kaoru gave Akino a bright smile and motioned for her to follow.
Akino sighed and gave a slight smile. "You're right, Kaoru-chan. I need to be more optimistic. Onward we go!"
The two headed to the dojo and walked in. Kenshin was sweeping the porch when the gate creaked open.
"Welcome back, Kaoru-dono!"
He froze and dropped the broom when Akino walked in. Kaoru stepped aside to see what would happen next.
Kenshin slowly walked down the steps and crossed the yard to Akino, who was standing there with tears filling her eyes. "I've finally found you, Shinta."
Kenshin's eyes went wide. That's her voice! I'm not imagining it! She's really here!
Kaoru watched as Kenshin's expressive eyes filled with tears. "Okaasan?"
Akino nodded and opened her arms. Kenshin ran the last few feet to her and flung his arms around her, both crying openly.
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A/N: Weeeeeelllllll? Don't just sit there! Leave me a review and let me know if I should keep going! (I've tried begging, so I'm taking the forceful approach this time!)
^__^ I really like this story idea, so please review so I'll have a reason to finish! Hugs and kisses and love to all!