As soon as they had bandaged the arm, Kaoru was taken to her room and laid in her futon. She was given a concoction of Megumi's that helped her fall asleep. But even her dreams were haunted. She thought she would never see the one she loved again. She had lost him. Was she not good enough? Had she not loved him enough? What had gone wrong?
Three and a half days later, Kaoru had still not eaten anything, and she didn't look good at all. Everyone at the Kamiya dojo was utterly confused and didn't know how to help her. They all were very worried. If she didn't eat, she would certainly get very ill and even die.
Yahiko went to get some lunch for everyone at the Akabeko. He stopped to talk to Tae and Tsabume.
"Hi little Yahiko!"
"Konnichiwa Tae."
"How is Ms. Kaoru doing today?"
"Worse than when he left for Kyoto. She won't eat, she won't do anything. She won't even respond to us. It's like she's not even there. Like she doesn't hear us."
"That's too bad. Do you think the two government officials had something to do with him leaving?"
"Government officials? What are you talking about?"
"Well the other day, I had two officials ask me where a Himura Kenshin was. I told them where they could find him, and then they stayed for lunch. The bill I have it for the President of Security of Japan, and The Space President. Maybe they asked him to leave and he could tell us about it."
"Whoa."
"But you didn't hear it from me. That is confidential information."
"Thanks Tae!" said Yahiko running off.
"Aren't you going to get lunch?"
"I have to tell Sano!!!! But I will be back!"
"That makes more sense." said Sano.
"Yeah. Maybe there is something wrong, like with Shishio, and he didn't want us to get hurt."
"Yahiko, I know that we aren't supposed to follow him, he made that clear, but if we don't, Kaoru...."
"I know."
"I'll go to the Main security department and try and find him. You take Kaoru and go to the space headquarters. We have to find him. Maybe if Kaoru thinks she will see him she will respond and she can help out to bring him back to us. We have to bring him back."
"Right. I will go tell Kaoru. Maybe she will hear me."
"Right. Seeya Yahiko. Take care of the Missy. If I don't find Kenshin there, I will join you and the missy. Ok?"
"Seeya Sano. You be careful ya hear?"
"Yeah. You too, or I'll beat it outta ya when I get back."
-o-
"Kaoru?"
"......."
"Kaoru?"
"......"
"Kaoru, you've got to get up and respond. We gotta find Kenshin!"
"......."
"Kaoru, I have been patient enough, now we think we know where Kenshin is and we don't want to lose him. He was taken by government officials, that's all we know. He could be in trouble!'
"........"
"Kaoru, when you were in trouble what did Kenshin do? Did he sit around and mope? No! He went after you and brought you back! He risked his life for you! Now get up ugly we're wasting time!!!"
Kaoru let what Yahiko said sink in. She remembered. Kenshin had always come after her. He never gave up no matter the cost. She had to do the same for him.
"Yahiko?........"
"Yes!!!!" Yahiko exclaimed, happy she finally responded, "What is it Kaoru?"
"Thank-you."
"Ah... it was nothing. I knew you would come around. Come on, we'll eat and then we will go to find him. He needs you too Kaoru. I know it."
Kaoru let a tear fall. Then she stood up and reached her kimono.
"See you in a second Kaoru. I'll go get lunch ready."
Kaoru was left alone in her room. She pulled on her Kimono, and grabbed her bokken. She looked into the mirror and saw how tired and weak she looked.
"It'll do." She said aloud, "I will look for him no matter how I look. I just hope when and if we find him..... that he will want us. What if.... NO.... I won't think about if's. I just want to find him. Then we will go from there."
Kaoru walked into the kitchen and Yahiko smiled.
"Alright Kaoru. You don't have to worry, I didn't cook. I went down to the Akabeko earlier. Tae says she hopes you feel better."
"Tae. She's so sweet."
After they finished lunch they went on their way.
Meanwhile...........
Kenshin walked along the path. Sure he could have taken a bus or a boat, but he felt like solitude. It had been 3 days since he had seen Kaoru, and he missed her so badly. He hoped she was happy.
"I am sorry Kaoru. I truly am. Please understand."