Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters.
Kaoru's POV
I had slept well last night thanks in good part I believe to the smelly brew that Megumi had made me drink before she left. No nightmares had disturbed me, but I doubted that would last. For all my bravado to Kenshin the other night, the thought of that man dying on my blade sent shivers up and down my spine.
Once I was dressed in my practice clothing, I headed for the kitchen. I would feel better after a light breakfast.
Sano was sitting just outside the kitchen door when I came up and appeared to be sleeping. However when I approached, he lifted his head and smiled at me.
"Here for breakfast?" I asked with a small smile.
"Hey," Sano said loudly. "For you information, I'm only here because Kenshin asked me to stay because he was worried about you!"
"Where is Kenshin then?" He wouldn't dare break his promise to me! He said he was not going after this group!
"He left…"
"You let him leave!" I interrupted. I felt the sudden need to beat him on the head. "Sano, you free-loading idiot! How could you let him leave!"
Sano watched me with wide eyes and waited for me to calm down. "He went to talk to the police," he said slowly. "Apparently that's what he thought you wanted…"
"Oh," I said quietly. I felt a blush creeping into my cheeks. Of course Kenshin would not lie. "Well, are you going to stay for breakfast?" I started for the kitchen again.
"Kenshin already made breakfast," Sano said. "You kind of slept in."
Kenshin had made breakfast. I felt even worse about doubting him now. He had not only done what I had asked him to, but he had made breakfast and he had been worried about me.
I went into the kitchen and found the bowl of miso soup and white rice that Kenshin had left for me. I came back out and knelt opposite of Sano.
"Kenshin said you asked him to leave to these psychos to the police." Sano was giving me an unusually serious look.
"Yes," I said.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, they aren't exactly intimidated by using force." Sano looked down. "I don't doubt that given the chance, they would have killed you and Kenshin."
"But they didn't," I said, starting to get annoyed. What was he trying to get at?
"Yeah, but if they are trying to get to Kenshin and they are willing to attack those around him, then how safe are we?" Sano sounded almost angry. "Besides, I think Kenshin needs to beat on of these guys in a fight."
I rolled my eyes as I swallowed some of my soup. "He did beat one; he killed him, remember?"
And then Sano had a rare insight that had completely passed me up. "That's not the way Kenshin sees it," he said to me. "He sees that he lost control and killed someone. And that's all; he lost."
I stared at him in amazement. Yes, that was it, wasn't it? Kenshin had told me that he feared losing the understanding that death solved nothing. And now he had killed in anger. I knew that he had lost control, but I had not thought of that as the actual blow to him. It had hurt him more than if he had lost an arm or leg and I had failed to see it that way.
I realized my mouth was hanging open and quickly shut it, hoping Sano had not noticed it. "You're right," I said quietly.
Now Sano rolled his eyes. "Jeez, you don't have to sound so damn surprised. I'm entitled to some common sense!"
"I suppose it was about due," I muttered under my breath. Suddenly I thought about the other thing Sano had brought up. This was a dangerous group we were dealing with. "Where's Yahiko?"
"Kenshin got him to scrub out the bathhouse. He's still out there."
I nodded. "I don't think any of us should be going anywhere by ourselves for a while."
Sano nodded in agreement. He sighed and said, "Well, I'm going to head out." He stood up and headed for the door.
"Wait a minute, Sanosuke!" I yelled. "Did you just hear what I said or are you deaf? It hasn't been three seconds and now you want to leave!" I grabbed his jacket sleeve as he tried to open the door.
"Kaoru, I think if you can handle one of those guys, I'll be fine," he said, annoyed.
"So you're going to leave Yahiko and I alone?" I asked, expertly playing the guilt card. I was more worried about Sano than us. I suppose it was probably unfounded, but I wasn't going ignore the threat now.
Sano groaned and shut the door he was halfway through. "Fine I'll stick around at least until Kenshin comes back, but he owes me," he mumbled.
Kenshin's POV
Although I had left the dojo fairly early in the morning, it was now early evening and I still had not returned. Kaoru would worry, no doubt, but I could not go home yet.
I had gone to the police just as I said I would and the man I had talked to had not taken it the way I thought he would. Ha, man! The kid was barely older than Yahiko and probably could not handle a simple vandalism case.
I bit my lip as if to stop myself from thinking such things. It was not that "man's" fault that the police were so busy. I did not used to have this problem. By the time I had left, my slight frustration had turned into an almost blinding rage. It had barely been controllable. It had…frightened me.
Was this what I had let out when I broke my vow? I felt exhausted just from being in a constant state of fury all day. Better exhausted though than murderous.
I started to head home. As I walked I began to think about how lucky I was. I had deserved nothing, and yet I had gained everything. A family, a home, a purpose in life. I suppose that purpose was protecting my family and home, but apparently I was not supposed to do that any more.
As I opened the gate to the dojo I felt an odd feeling of confusion. I sighed when something suddenly hit me hard in the chest. I took a step backwards as I looked down at Miss Kaoru hugging me firmly around my chest. I felt a blood rush to my head and I was sure I was blushing furiously.
As soon as I was able to pry myself loose, I received a hard slap on the face.
"You idiot!" she yelled at me. "How could you just leave and not come back for hours while we sat around worrying about you!"
I lowered my head. I had seen this coming and knew I deserved her anger. "This unworthy one is very sorry to have worried you," I said. I certainly could not come home with my emotions so out of control though, I thought to myself.
She finally gave me a small smile. "Where were you anyway?"
"Er," I stammered. I did not think she would react well to the truth and I was ashamed of my lack of control besides.
"Well, it doesn't really matter as long as you're back," she said cheerfully and began leading me back to the dojo. "I've been doing some thinking, and we really need to talk."
A/N: Oh, those dreaded words! Don't worry, this is a good thing. Yes, I know Sano is definitely OOC here but if someone didn't give Kaoru the hint, she might never figure it out. Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
