Disclaimer: RK is property of Watsuki, I don't own it, and use the characters for entertainment only.

Children of the Revolution

Epilogue: What's on my mind

Tokyo, Meiji 16th (1884), early spring.

The sakura were in full blossom, their delicate sweet perfume permeating the air. Megumi sat on a bench, under a tree, and extended her hand to catch some feather-like light pink petals, to just let them flow away again in the spring's fresh breeze. She gazed at the group she had just left.

Ken-san had tried to convince Kaoru to leave Kenji-kun with Tae, so she could enjoy fully the picnic with her friends instead of looking after him. She had refused, but proved his worries wrong. She was less protective with her son now, and there were no more clouds hidden behind her bright smile. The couple was sitting on the grass, Ken-san leaning onto a sakura trunk, in that so familiar position, except that his hand was resting on his wife's shoulder, not on his sword. Kaoru-chan had fallen asleep, a happy smile on her face, oblivious of the rest of the world.

It was for the best, thought Megumi the next second, seeing Yahiko-kun throwing up a few yards away from the scene, under the very interested glance of Kenji-kun, who, according to his delighted squeals, found this new game very funny. The poor Yahiko would probably never, ever stand alcohol. Tsubame was next to him, rubbing his back, and from the incessant move of her lips, Megumi knew that she was lecturing him. Suddenly the girl began to throw up, too, although she didn't drink. Tsubame's swift blushing afterwards only confirmed the other symptoms that Megumi had already noticed. The doctor let out a sharp grin. Well, nothing could save Yahiko from Kaoru's bokken, now. Neither from a quick ceremony.

Her gaze then fell upon Aoshi. They had had a talk, the day before his wedding. She had never heard Aoshi speaking that much. He had apologized to her for not guessing that Kanryuu was abusing her. She had been so surprised. Of course he couldn't, they had no contact with her, except a few glimpses when she was working in the laboratory. Kanryuu had presented her as his mistress and willful associate. The bastard had no choice but to let his bodyguards see her, yet he had made sure to awake their contempt, ensuring that she wouldn't have any allies. Aoshi was still convinced that he should have known. She had apologized too, for her role in his companions' death. He had said that it was his fault, not hers, and their relation had pacified, once the misunderstanding at the base of their mutual uneasiness had cleared. The past was really behind them. He noticed her eyes on him, and gave her a little, friendly (according to him, but she decrypted that now) nod.

Being married hadn't changed him. It hadn't changed Misao, either, except for her acceptance to wear kimonos. She was currently bugging him so she could rest on his chest like Kaoru did with Kenshin, encountering his icy response. As Ken-san's lips opened on what Megumi knew was a sweet "Oro", Misao winked discreetly to him, and finally contented herself with her husband's shoulder. Ken-san closed his eyes, resting his head on the trunk, a smile lighting his face as he took a deep, happy breath, obviously enjoying the feeling of peace lingering around.

It was almost like in the old days..Sano wasn't here, yet his letter had announced his return. She would be the one to prepare him miso shiru, she had proposed, as Kaoru's one would only make him jump into the first boat going to the antipodes. Kaoru had only pretended to get angry. The girl had finally grown up and learnt to accept people's teasing.

Ken-san had discreetly asked Megumi if she wanted to keep Sano's letter. He had blushed at her puzzled refusal, and had then looked thoughtfully at her, his violet eyes shining with affection and hope. He had evidently gotten something.

She couldn't explain to him. She wished she could. Maybe, one day, she could tell him why. Why she could be in that park, with three happily married, or soon to be, couples of friends, and not feeling lonely like she did before.

Dearest,

I'm not mad at you. I had to take you with your flaws. It isn't like I ignored that you were Battousai's (I'll accept to call him "Himura at least" when you stop with that ridiculous "Ken-san" thing) friend. Have fun in Tokyo. I'd tell you not to spend half of your time there to take care of the Rakuninmura people and to just relax instead, but I know you will anyway, and that my father won't let you work too much. I'm sure that he won't let his precious little Goddess of Mercy getting exhausted.

It's cold here, it snows, and needless to say that my company does nothing to warm the atmosphere. The man still tries to pretend that he's my boss. I had to make things clear (none of us got seriously injured). It's actually more pleasant than I thought to work with him. The case is delicate, but we're going to see the end of it soon. I wish I could tell you how we plan to solve it. I can't wait to see the morons' faces when we do!

I don't find "cute" that Tsuyoshi follows you everywhere and destroys his mother's garden to offer you flowers. I know that Tokio-san is busy with the new little wolf (and if he looks that much like Saitoh he can't be "adorable", whatever you say) but she should look after her other sons better. I leave to her husband, who wasn't very pleased to learn that one of his offspring behaves like, and these aren't my words, a "besotted idiot", the pleasure to discuss it with her.

I'd like to tell you how much I miss you, and what kind of goddess you are to me, but it seems that you and Tokio-san share the news way more than you should (I'll forgive you if you tell me what he writes to her, I'm running out of arguments to piss him off.), so you'll have to wait until I can tell you in person. Or better, that I can show you.

Soon,

Enishi

Smiling, Megumi put the letter back in her kimono.

The end

Author's notes:

Sorry for updating so late, I've been terribly busy (T-T). Thanks for your patience, and I hope that the epilogue wasn't too disappointing.

Happy end all the way. The WAFF side of the force got over me..hopefully not too much. I had alluded to Kenshin and Kaoru's problems in earlier chapters.I wanted that to be settled, as Megumi/Aoshi's relation, and give a minuscule glimpse at Aoshi/Misao (frustrated author who's been unable to write a decent A/M yet).

About Tsubame/Yahiko, it's Japan in the 19th century, they're around 15: standards were different then. In the manga, Yahiko gets drunk several times, and Kaoru is concerned (bokken-like) about his behavior towards Tsubame, whereas he's only 11.

About the "Aizu circle", I hope that the previous chapter was clear enough concerning Tokio's intend to befriend Megumi, Saitoh's negative reaction about it (and on who wins this kind of arguments (-)). Of course, though they appreciate each other's mind and they work together efficiently, Saitoh and Enishi aren't the least friends. Finally it was (wayyyy) too soon for Enishi accepting that Kenshin even knows about him (he stated clearly in chapter 3 that he won't forgive him).

Special thanks: Firuze, you've been helping me so much, your enthusiasm feeding my own. This story wouldn't be what it is now without you. Thanks a million, for everything! (-)

I enjoyed every moment I've been writing this story. I already said it: I wasn't expecting any reviews, less positive. So a big, special thank to all the people who've been reviewing this story. Each of your nice words and encouragements meant a lot to me! THANK YOU!

Otsukaresama! See you!

Kamorgana