Where the Broken Heart Still Beats
Part 5
By: Jean Lyons
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Hiko was true to his word and continued her training and when Katai had been away from home for about 7 months, Kenshin and Ryo came to visit. It was during practice one afternoon while Katai and Hiko were "fighting." Kenshin looked toward Hiko, who nodded. Kenshin went to attack from behind, where Katai fought him off superbly, having sensed his presence. Hiko hadn't been sure if it had occurred to her to watch her back. Apparently it had. Hiko decided to call it a day they went to talk to Ryo and Kenshin.
"What bring you all the way out here?"
"My baby sister, of course," Ryo said.
"So you have an excuse. Kenshin, why are you here?"
"I missed Miss Katai a great deal, master. I wished to see her and tell her so. The children miss her very much, as well. How is Miss Rumi?"
"She's fine. She missed Kenji after you took him home. Where is he anyway?"
"I've left him with the Shinomoris. Miss Misao was very enthusiastic. She and Aoshi had just moved to Tokyo, but I've known them for quite awhile. You'll meet them when you come home."
"That's a long way off, Kenshin. Still, I wish I could see the children and my brothers and Manatsu and Kenji and these Shinomoris you speak of. I've still got years of training ahead of me if I ever hope to be as good as Hiko."
"Why do you not call him master?"
"It just wouldn't do. If you were courting a girl, would you want her to call you master?"
"You and Master?" Kenshin tried to look happy for her, but for some reason it was more difficult than it should have been.
"Yes, Kenshin."
"Why didn't you write and tell me?" Ryo asked. He'd been quiet for awhile.
"It didn't occur to me."
"Do you think you'll marry him?" Ryo asked seriously.
"If he asks, perhaps."
"Well, now," Hiko said after being very quiet, "Let's go inside. I feel like I'm going to melt in this heat."
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That night, Katai went to bed early, leaving the men to do what ever it was men did. She stared up at the ceiling, Rumi at her side, doing the same thing. Both were deep in thought, though Rumi's thoughts only ran as deep as where she would go to play while Katai practiced the next day.
In the front room, however, things were not so quiet. The men argued over whether or not Hiko was right for Katai. Hiko thought he was perfect, Kenshin thought he was too old, and Ryo thought that nobody would ever be good enough for his baby sister and was firm in his belief that the best one was the Spanish guy that she'd met 6 years before and would probably never see again. Keyword: Probably. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and there stood Pietro.
"Who are you?"
"Ryo, you know me. Pietro. We met in Spain. I need to talk to your sister."
Good Heavens, was everyone in love with her?
Ryo, not wanting to stay for the brawl over his sister, scribbled a note and went to Katai's room and put the note next to her sword, which was in the floor close by. The note said, "Katai, I've gone because I can't stand this place. Let me know when you've picked one. Much Love, Ryo."
The note had left Katai puzzled, but if she was shocked by her brother's words, it was nothing to the shock she got when walk out of her room and found herself staring into the smiling face of Pietro. She recovered from the shock and threw her arms around his neck. She ran back into her room to get the guitar he'd given her. He went and got his, too and they went outside to play for old times' sake. They played all of their old songs that he'd written and taught her, and she played the songs she'd written for the children to him. He laughed at the silly stories the songs told. He played some songs he'd specifically written for her. She nearly cried at his thoughtfulness. Kenshin and Hiko watched from a window, each with more than a slight twinge of jealousy. Hiko, being Hiko, didn't like to be shown up by someone nearly half his age and had half a mind to put a stop to this foolishness. Kenshin, on the other hand, just was disappointed and had half a mind to admit defeat and leave.
Pietro came back inside alone smiling. Katai had explained that she and Hiko were courting, and so even though Pietro couldn't have her, he was glad she was happy. But, honestly, how happy was she? Hiko wasn't as sweet and kind as Kenshin and he didn't make her laugh the way Pietro did. The only thing that made him better than anyone else was his skill, and Kenshin was just as good if not better, so what was the point of staying with him? Because he loved her; even if she didn't love him. It really wasn't fair, was it? The thought had crossed Katai's mind many times, but what was she to do? She made it seem as though everything was great, and so Pietro was happy for her. They did all the things they had in Spain. Mostly just sang and danced and played their guitars. Hiko almost asked him for advice, but thought better of the idea. He didn't want to take the advice of someone half his age.
Kenshin, however, didn't want to interfere. On one hand, he wanted Katai very much, and wished she were his, but on the other hand, he still wasn't quite over Kaoru yet, and even though he knew she would be happy for him, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He didn't want to accept that she was gone, but he tried anyway. He hadn't even cried when she died. He just couldn't bring himself to. That would have been the first sign of acceptance, and he didn't think he was ready for that. Until then, he couldn't in good faith do anything about Katai.
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"Hiko!" Katai cried, running inside out of the rain that had just begun to fall, "We need to talk."
No good could come of this.
She explained to Hiko that she had done a lot of soul-searching and knew that she would never forgive herself if she led him on any longer. She explained about not really wanting to be with anyone, much less someone who couldn't make her laugh or make her heart melt, not to mention someone so old. Hiko wasn't happy, but he accepted the fact that she didn't want him. He didn't ask questions. His only comment was that he never got to kiss her. So she kissed him and ran off to find Kenshin.
It wasn't that she didn't want anyone, as she'd led Hiko to believe. She simply wanted someone else. A certain red-haired someone else...
"Oh!" Katai said, as she ran into Pietro, "I was looking for Kenshin. I just broke off my courtship with Hiko."
Pietro pointed. "He went that way. He doesn't seem too happy, does he?"
"No. His wife died about seven months ago. He still isn't over it. Honestly, would you be?"
"I guess not."
"Well, I have to go find him."
"Why did you dump Hiko anyway?"
"I don't love him. Why else?" And she ran off once more in search of Kenshin.
"Kenshin!" she called as she found him sitting against a tree.
"Yes?"
"I just want you to know that I've decided not to court Hiko any longer."
"Why?"
"I realized that he cared more about me than I did about him and it wasn't fair to him, so I ended it."
"What will you do now?"
"I'm not sure. Go back to calling him Master?" Katai joked.
Kenshin laughed quietly but sobered quickly. He looked very serious when he said, "That is what Kaoru would have told you to do, that it is."
"Hmm... still mourning?"
"I can't help it, that I cannot."
"I can tell she was a lovely woman. You must miss her terribly. I'm very sorry."
"She was. Her students all loved her, Kenji loved her, I loved her. How was I supposed o tell Kenji that he would never see her again? He cried and cried for the first few days. Then, I think he forgot her. That is why I am afraid to move on. I am afraid I will forget her, too."
"Kenshin, you could never forget her and no one expects you to. She was your wife. She was a lovely person. There will always be times where you'll wish she were there, but that doesn't mean you can't move on."
"I didn't cry."
"What?"
"When she died. I didn't cry. I didn't want to accept it."
"I think a good cry is exactly what you need. Who knows? Maybe you'll fall in love again. She'd want you to be happy, you know."
"I can't fall in love. I just can't."
"Why?"
"I've been married twice and both times my wife has died. I'm not eager to continue the pattern."
"Why? You feel so guilty, but I don't see why. It's not as if you killed them."
"That's not true. I did kill Tomoe. I didn't want to, but I really had no choice. I still do not think it was right. At the time, though, it wasn't such a big deal. However, now I wish I hadn't killed anyone. Especially my own wife."
"But with Kaoru, there was nothing you could do."
"Perhaps there was and I was too stupid to realize it. Maybe Master has been right, calling me 'baka' all these years."
"No, Kenshin. You are no baka. There was nothing you could do. Stop feeling so terrible. Tomoe has been gone for years, Kenshin, and you got over her. You can't just drag her out of the back of your brain as an excuse to mope and be depressed."
"You obviously do not understand as well as I thought you did, that you do not."
"I understand just fine, Kenshin, but I love you and- That is not what I meant to say" She added hurriedly.
"Yes, but you did, and that outburst had to have come from somewhere, and if you must know, I'm afraid to feel the same way, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to control it, that I am."
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~*TBC*~
Ok, how was that? Its been awhile, huh? I'm very sorry, but this whole going to school thing really eats up your free time. I'm debating whether I want to put some MisaoandAoshiosity. (Misao and Aoshi- ness)
Hehehe... My mom's car got broken into and they stole her CD's. My question is who would want the Statler Brothers anyway? Maybe she'll get to replace those CD's with some MUSIC.
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Hiko was true to his word and continued her training and when Katai had been away from home for about 7 months, Kenshin and Ryo came to visit. It was during practice one afternoon while Katai and Hiko were "fighting." Kenshin looked toward Hiko, who nodded. Kenshin went to attack from behind, where Katai fought him off superbly, having sensed his presence. Hiko hadn't been sure if it had occurred to her to watch her back. Apparently it had. Hiko decided to call it a day they went to talk to Ryo and Kenshin.
"What bring you all the way out here?"
"My baby sister, of course," Ryo said.
"So you have an excuse. Kenshin, why are you here?"
"I missed Miss Katai a great deal, master. I wished to see her and tell her so. The children miss her very much, as well. How is Miss Rumi?"
"She's fine. She missed Kenji after you took him home. Where is he anyway?"
"I've left him with the Shinomoris. Miss Misao was very enthusiastic. She and Aoshi had just moved to Tokyo, but I've known them for quite awhile. You'll meet them when you come home."
"That's a long way off, Kenshin. Still, I wish I could see the children and my brothers and Manatsu and Kenji and these Shinomoris you speak of. I've still got years of training ahead of me if I ever hope to be as good as Hiko."
"Why do you not call him master?"
"It just wouldn't do. If you were courting a girl, would you want her to call you master?"
"You and Master?" Kenshin tried to look happy for her, but for some reason it was more difficult than it should have been.
"Yes, Kenshin."
"Why didn't you write and tell me?" Ryo asked. He'd been quiet for awhile.
"It didn't occur to me."
"Do you think you'll marry him?" Ryo asked seriously.
"If he asks, perhaps."
"Well, now," Hiko said after being very quiet, "Let's go inside. I feel like I'm going to melt in this heat."
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That night, Katai went to bed early, leaving the men to do what ever it was men did. She stared up at the ceiling, Rumi at her side, doing the same thing. Both were deep in thought, though Rumi's thoughts only ran as deep as where she would go to play while Katai practiced the next day.
In the front room, however, things were not so quiet. The men argued over whether or not Hiko was right for Katai. Hiko thought he was perfect, Kenshin thought he was too old, and Ryo thought that nobody would ever be good enough for his baby sister and was firm in his belief that the best one was the Spanish guy that she'd met 6 years before and would probably never see again. Keyword: Probably. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and there stood Pietro.
"Who are you?"
"Ryo, you know me. Pietro. We met in Spain. I need to talk to your sister."
Good Heavens, was everyone in love with her?
Ryo, not wanting to stay for the brawl over his sister, scribbled a note and went to Katai's room and put the note next to her sword, which was in the floor close by. The note said, "Katai, I've gone because I can't stand this place. Let me know when you've picked one. Much Love, Ryo."
The note had left Katai puzzled, but if she was shocked by her brother's words, it was nothing to the shock she got when walk out of her room and found herself staring into the smiling face of Pietro. She recovered from the shock and threw her arms around his neck. She ran back into her room to get the guitar he'd given her. He went and got his, too and they went outside to play for old times' sake. They played all of their old songs that he'd written and taught her, and she played the songs she'd written for the children to him. He laughed at the silly stories the songs told. He played some songs he'd specifically written for her. She nearly cried at his thoughtfulness. Kenshin and Hiko watched from a window, each with more than a slight twinge of jealousy. Hiko, being Hiko, didn't like to be shown up by someone nearly half his age and had half a mind to put a stop to this foolishness. Kenshin, on the other hand, just was disappointed and had half a mind to admit defeat and leave.
Pietro came back inside alone smiling. Katai had explained that she and Hiko were courting, and so even though Pietro couldn't have her, he was glad she was happy. But, honestly, how happy was she? Hiko wasn't as sweet and kind as Kenshin and he didn't make her laugh the way Pietro did. The only thing that made him better than anyone else was his skill, and Kenshin was just as good if not better, so what was the point of staying with him? Because he loved her; even if she didn't love him. It really wasn't fair, was it? The thought had crossed Katai's mind many times, but what was she to do? She made it seem as though everything was great, and so Pietro was happy for her. They did all the things they had in Spain. Mostly just sang and danced and played their guitars. Hiko almost asked him for advice, but thought better of the idea. He didn't want to take the advice of someone half his age.
Kenshin, however, didn't want to interfere. On one hand, he wanted Katai very much, and wished she were his, but on the other hand, he still wasn't quite over Kaoru yet, and even though he knew she would be happy for him, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He didn't want to accept that she was gone, but he tried anyway. He hadn't even cried when she died. He just couldn't bring himself to. That would have been the first sign of acceptance, and he didn't think he was ready for that. Until then, he couldn't in good faith do anything about Katai.
************************************
"Hiko!" Katai cried, running inside out of the rain that had just begun to fall, "We need to talk."
No good could come of this.
She explained to Hiko that she had done a lot of soul-searching and knew that she would never forgive herself if she led him on any longer. She explained about not really wanting to be with anyone, much less someone who couldn't make her laugh or make her heart melt, not to mention someone so old. Hiko wasn't happy, but he accepted the fact that she didn't want him. He didn't ask questions. His only comment was that he never got to kiss her. So she kissed him and ran off to find Kenshin.
It wasn't that she didn't want anyone, as she'd led Hiko to believe. She simply wanted someone else. A certain red-haired someone else...
"Oh!" Katai said, as she ran into Pietro, "I was looking for Kenshin. I just broke off my courtship with Hiko."
Pietro pointed. "He went that way. He doesn't seem too happy, does he?"
"No. His wife died about seven months ago. He still isn't over it. Honestly, would you be?"
"I guess not."
"Well, I have to go find him."
"Why did you dump Hiko anyway?"
"I don't love him. Why else?" And she ran off once more in search of Kenshin.
"Kenshin!" she called as she found him sitting against a tree.
"Yes?"
"I just want you to know that I've decided not to court Hiko any longer."
"Why?"
"I realized that he cared more about me than I did about him and it wasn't fair to him, so I ended it."
"What will you do now?"
"I'm not sure. Go back to calling him Master?" Katai joked.
Kenshin laughed quietly but sobered quickly. He looked very serious when he said, "That is what Kaoru would have told you to do, that it is."
"Hmm... still mourning?"
"I can't help it, that I cannot."
"I can tell she was a lovely woman. You must miss her terribly. I'm very sorry."
"She was. Her students all loved her, Kenji loved her, I loved her. How was I supposed o tell Kenji that he would never see her again? He cried and cried for the first few days. Then, I think he forgot her. That is why I am afraid to move on. I am afraid I will forget her, too."
"Kenshin, you could never forget her and no one expects you to. She was your wife. She was a lovely person. There will always be times where you'll wish she were there, but that doesn't mean you can't move on."
"I didn't cry."
"What?"
"When she died. I didn't cry. I didn't want to accept it."
"I think a good cry is exactly what you need. Who knows? Maybe you'll fall in love again. She'd want you to be happy, you know."
"I can't fall in love. I just can't."
"Why?"
"I've been married twice and both times my wife has died. I'm not eager to continue the pattern."
"Why? You feel so guilty, but I don't see why. It's not as if you killed them."
"That's not true. I did kill Tomoe. I didn't want to, but I really had no choice. I still do not think it was right. At the time, though, it wasn't such a big deal. However, now I wish I hadn't killed anyone. Especially my own wife."
"But with Kaoru, there was nothing you could do."
"Perhaps there was and I was too stupid to realize it. Maybe Master has been right, calling me 'baka' all these years."
"No, Kenshin. You are no baka. There was nothing you could do. Stop feeling so terrible. Tomoe has been gone for years, Kenshin, and you got over her. You can't just drag her out of the back of your brain as an excuse to mope and be depressed."
"You obviously do not understand as well as I thought you did, that you do not."
"I understand just fine, Kenshin, but I love you and- That is not what I meant to say" She added hurriedly.
"Yes, but you did, and that outburst had to have come from somewhere, and if you must know, I'm afraid to feel the same way, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to control it, that I am."
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~*TBC*~
Ok, how was that? Its been awhile, huh? I'm very sorry, but this whole going to school thing really eats up your free time. I'm debating whether I want to put some MisaoandAoshiosity. (Misao and Aoshi- ness)
Hehehe... My mom's car got broken into and they stole her CD's. My question is who would want the Statler Brothers anyway? Maybe she'll get to replace those CD's with some MUSIC.