Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin. Good thing too, since I likely still wouldn't have finished the series...

Kaoru's breaths were rhythmic, and the quiet stillness of the night lasted forever. The tired former assassin watched her all through the night, trying to decide what to do.

From last night, it now seemed obvious that she was unable to make her own decisions. It was just as obvious that she wasn't about to let him decide things for her.

By the time the sun had risen, he still had no more idea of how to handle her than he'd had during the dinner at the Akabeko. He didn't know what she wanted; she didn't know what she wanted.

If only the two of them could talk without her anger getting in the way! Without her constantly asking for revenge, we might actually get somewhere. Things are so strained between us, and I don't know how to make them right.

Kenshin spent his time pondering how best to begin a conversation with his Kaoru. Words of love hadn't worked, though in truth, she'd been drunk. Trying to treat her as he'd treated her before had just made her complain that he was ignoring what had happened. If only he knew where to start!

It was almost anticlimactic when Saitou appeared before Kaoru had woken. Kenshin rose, careful not to disturb his sleeping lady-love, and went to meet the wolf in the main courtyard.

"You look unwell, Battousai."

Kenshin resisted the urge to purse his lips, but couldn't help the clipped tone in his response. "You had a reason for coming here, wolf of Mibu? Unless you came to check on this lowly man's health."

"The government needs you."

Kenshin nodded, and Saitou turned. Kenshin sighed briefly and made his decision. "Saitou."

"Something you needed?" He took a long puff on his cigarette.

"Your own family is kept safe?"

"Of course they are. I do not allow my wife the foolishness of a dojo near a main road in Tokyo."

Kenshin frowned. He could hardly fault the logic, yet... "Good wives, good mothers." It was a new phrase, but he'd heard the emperor himself had been a proponent of it.

"Hardly applies, Battousai. She is neither your wife nor the mother of your children." He took another drag. "Is that all?"

"No." Kenshin frowned. Asking a favor of a former enemy... It was humiliating! "This lowly one was hoping that perhaps Kaoru might stay with your family."

"With mine?" Saitou shook his head and turned around. "Presumptuous. I could arrange to have her set up in a local jail cell. Police protection, and she would be unable to follow you."

Kenshin shook his head, a slightly angry scowl appearing on his face. "That would not be proper accommodations for-"

"Battousai. I hardly see a reason to discuss this. Your woman followed you to Kyoto, against your wishes. Unless you are willing to chain her somewhere, she will follow you again."

"She will not." Kenshin almost surprised himself with the strength and anger in his voice. I usually don't speak with such convictions unless I am fighting. But perhaps this is a fight, more important than the ones I've fought with my sword? I cannot leave Kaoru unprotected. I may not enjoy Saitou's company, but he is more honorable than any of the men in the government.

Saitou blew out a breath, filled with smoke, and raised an eyebrow. "I am surprised that you would think to leave her with my family."

"You are a cautious old wolf, Saitou. You've most certainly kept your family longer than I have. And I have not been a man who has ever managed to keep his family safe, neither during the Bakumatsu nor during this era."

Saitou smiled, a cold smirk of an expression. "I do believe you are complimenting me, Battousai. Attempting to curry favor?" He held his hand up to forestall Kenshin's response. "No, I don't need your answer." The older man turned. "A carriage will come at noon. Be sure your woman is ready. I will arrive shortly after that, and we will leave." Saitou tapped his hat. "Until later, Battousai."

Kenshin nodded and watched Saitou leave.

Now all he had to do was convince Kaoru. He sighed. This would not be simple. Not at all. Breakfast first. I shall make breakfast for Kaoru, and extra in case Sanosuke and Yahiko come.

Kenshin walked to the kitchen and started the fire, then began to chop the ginger and vegetables. As the time passed, he tried to set his mind on how to best convince Kaoru not to follow him while his body worked to create the soup.

He could hear Kaoru waking just as the soup was ready, so he brought it out along with some rice and pickles. There was exactly one egg that had been left, so he decided to give her that as well. It would be easier to convince her with a proper breakfast.

He hoped.

Kaoru came out, the sleep still in her eyes, and knelt at the table. The two of them ate in an uncomfortable silence, so unlike how they usually ate. Even Kaoru seemed unwilling to bear the silence.

"You don't have any egg?" she asked quietly.

"This lowly one felt that 'twould be enjoyed more by Kaoru-dono."

"Oh. I should give you half."

"No, thank you, Kaoru-dono."

She went back to eating, slowly passing food between her dishes and her mouth.

I should just tell her. The news will not become easier with time. "Saitou came earlier."

"Oh." She put her chopsticks down. "So I suppose that means we're going. When?"

"This afternoon."

"I see."

Kenshin let out a bit of a breath. The easy part was over. "You won't be coming with me, Kaoru-dono." She shook her head. "You won't be staying here, either. This lowly one has made arrangements for you to stay with Saitou's family."

"You made arrangements? Unmake them." She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, obviously deciding that the discussion was closed.

"No. Kaoru-dono will not be safe here, nor would she be safe traveling. 'Twas the only option this lowly one could think of that would keep Kaoru-dono safe."

"Kaoru can take care of herself."

"I disagree."

Kaoru shook her head, placed her chopsticks straight up in her rice, then stood and walked away from the table, mumbling one or two words that sounded like choice profanities. Kenshin stood and followed.

She didn't stop walking until she'd found her way to the shrine in the dojo. She knelt in front of it. Kenshin paused for a moment: was it rage or tears that caused her shoulders to shake so violently?

It didn't matter which. Kenshin knelt beside her. "Please, Kaoru-dono, do as I ask."

"You don't trust me."

Kenshin closed his eyes and considered his answer. If he declared he trusted her, she would demand that he let her come with him. If he told her he didn't trust her, she would feel as though she needed to prove herself. If he told her it was the rest of the world he didn't trust, she'd tell him that the only place she would be safe was with him.

"'Tisn't a matter of trust. 'Tis a request that I make of you. Please, Kaoru-dono."

"Why should I? You want me to go stay with Saitou's family, of all people?"

Once again, there was no answer that would satisfy her, so he would give none. "Please, Kaoru-dono."

"I don't want to be all alone, somewhere I don't know," she said in an almost pleading tone of voice.

She doesn't want to say no, she wants me to back down. So then, if I do not back down, she will say yes. "Please."

Her shoulders slumped and her breathing calmed. "How long will you be?"

He smiled. "'Tis expected no more than two weeks."

"My arm will probably be healed by then."

"Yes." His smile widened. "By the time this lowly one returns, Kaoru-dono should be ready to resume teaching Yahiko." If she's given up on revenge, that is.

"Promise you'll come back?" she asked, her voice a quiet whisper. "If you don't promise, I won't stay anywhere."

"'Tis a promise, Kaoru-dono. On this lowly one's honor, whatever the worth of that may be, this lowly one will return to you." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Will you do this lowly one the favor of promising him that you will stay with Saitou's family?"

"I'll go there. I promise that." She sounded bitter and angry, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Thank you, Kaoru-dono."

"I'll bet his family's rich. I bet I'll look like a serving girl."

Kenshin sighed. "This lowly one will gather your clothing together. Saitou is sending a carriage. All right?"

She shook her head. "Not really. But I guess I don't have a choice. You've already made plans."

Kenshin frowned. Surely there was a way to make this more palatable for her. "Saitou's family was samurai, just as yours was. Perhaps that will make things easier?"

"What, I can look forward to washing heads there? I grew up in the Meiji era, Kenshin."

"Yes, I know, This lowly one just thought that it might remind you of your own family. That it might make things easier. He is sorry to have overstepped his boundaries."

"Hmph. He overstepped them when he made plans."

Kenshin shook his head. Arguing like this was getting him - them - nowhere. He took a deep breath and stood.

Times like these, one really needs the laundry.

Author's Notes

Okay, not as long as it could have been, considering... but I had writer's block! Every time someone wrote me a review, I tried to write, but nothing. Luckily, this last one worked! Yay!

"Good wives, good mothers" - actual slogan from the Meiji era. Of course, it was WAY after the Kenshin series, I think by 7 or 8 years!

Washing heads? Actual samurai female thing that they learned to do. Ick. From what I read, sounded like they didn't learn it till they were around 7, which, coincidentally, is around the time the Meiji got in place for Kaoru.

Sosoru: Thanks, hope you liked this chapter too

Jin: Thanks to you, too! Poor Kenshin, pretty much no matter what he says, it's going to be wrong...

incoherence: Yes, that's my thought... Everyone always writes it with HIM wanting the revenge and HER trying to calm him down...

Vash The Stampede: Well, I like happy endings, they're much easier to read (and write)

SvF-BD02-Wedge: Thanks

anima: Thanks to you too...

Menchi-Pie: Yay, finally a review when I could kill my writer's block!

Let's just hope I can do this again soon... *hits self on head* Yes, I will do it again soon. Tomorrow! Or tonight? What time is it?