Chapter Five: Enter Namida

*"Heart?" She flushed deeply and averted her eyes. Just what was Kenshin implying here?

"Heart." He nodded. He knew how it must have sounded, but he truly meant it. Were they not at the very least dear friends? He knew that he loved her, but did not know how deeply she felt for him. And even if he did know she loved him, he knew she was scared to admit it directly. That was part of the reason he was waiting to tell her- he knew she was not yet ready. But the title of friends should at least suffice for now!

"The last time I trusted someone with my heart I had my heart broken." She finally mumbled.

"Broken?" He knew very much how that felt.

"Broken. By a man."

"Would this man be named Jensai by any chance?"

"Jensai Tomogei was the son of a merchant who was friends with my father. We used to play together when we were children and his father would bring him into town. But when his father died and he took over, he became different, more cold-hearted. He took lessons at a dojo that was far to the south of here, and when he came back, he was brutal. I thought I had loved him, but he spurned me- not only that, but he spread rumors about how unmaiden-like I was. He ruined my reputation for a very long time. And to think I thought I loved him!" By now Kaoru had long since given up her tears and replaced them with seething anger directed at the man whom had shattered her delicate heart.

"Miss Kaoru, you are neither unmaiden-like nor have a bad reputation. You are the most kindhearted woman I have ever met, that you are." Kenshin gave her an imploring look with his softest violet eyes, then coughed and closed his eyes, fighting away the sheer weight that he felt had been dropped upon his shoulders. And just when Miss Kaoru needed him the most, he had become the weakest…

"Kenshin." Kaoru breathed softly. It was so nice to be complimented in Kenshin's sweet way. He always knew just what to say to make her feel light-hearted. Then she shook her head and frowned. "You should be lying down Kenshin, you are still sick."

"That I am. I will lay down a while longer." He told her, making the move as he spoke.

"Good. And when you wake, I'll have everything set in order with Megumi about you and Yahiko spending a week there." Kaoru nodded smartly. Kenshin shot up again, but instantly groaned.

"No. Miss Kaoru, I have sworn to protect you. How am I to do that if I am not here?"

"I told you Kenshin, I'll be just fine." Kaoru blushed at the worry he showed for her safety.

"Kaoru." Her eyes flew to meet his, and she noticed they hard grown harder, and their deep purple had become a lighter lilac. "Kaoru. I tried to leave once. And once was enough. I do not think I would be able to repeat that again."

"Kenshin." She drew her breath in sharply, and Kenshin was mesmerized by her beauty. Her eyes clouded over with confusion and thought made him tingle with excitement. She was so innocent and pure, such a flower he would never wish to damage or taint.

"Kaoru." He mimicked her. Then he flushed, realizing he had forgotten their positions. "Miss Kaoru."

"Kenshin. I never imagined leaving last time was that hard on you. I know how I felt about it… but why would you leave if it was so hard to do? What would you have done if I had never followed you to Kyoto?"

"I do not know Miss Kaoru, that I do not. I left the first time to protect you. But it seems that I have learned from my mistakes. I cannot leave again, for fear something worse might happen."

"What could possibly be worse than last time?" Kaoru let a small smile slip.

"I could lose you for good…" Kenshin whispered. Then he realized what he had said and blushed deeply, shamefully hiding his face beneath his burnt-red choppy bangs. Kaoru had caught what he said, and flushed herself with his forwardness. Truth be told, she didn't want him gone either. But she needed to earn money without worrying what he would think.

"Kenshin, it's only for a week. I promise, and you can visit me. I'll be here. I just need time to work, and Megumi can heal you the right way… you deserve a rest after all! You are the only one who does chores around here."

"That's not true! Yahiko and Sano help out a lot."

"Sanosuke? Chores? That's like oil and water!" Kaoru laughed. Kenshin grinned.

"Maybe. Why don't you just have Miss Megumi come here instead of us going there? She can watch us, and you can work, and I can watch you." Once again, Kenshin blushed as he finished his sentence. He really needed to work on thinking before he spoke.

"I just don't think it would work. Please Kenshin? Do this for me? For one week?" She gave him her dearest, most sincere, puppy dog eyes, hoping they would have some effect on the man.

Kenshin melted beneath her gaze. Her eyes were absolute and adorable. He knew at that moment he had lost. Never could he refuse her, the woman he had come to care for so deeply, anything with her eyes so adamant and pleading.

"Very well then Miss Kaoru. I will stay with Miss Megumi for a week. But only for a week, and I will come by every day to make sure you are safe."

"If Megumi lets you up out of bed, you mean." Kaoru snickered. Kenshin paled. He hadn't thought of that!

"Oroorooro!"

"Now, now Kenshin, none of that. You can't go back on your promise, so you might as well go sleep and get better. The faster you do, the faster Megumi will let you up to see me!" She chirped happily. Kenshin saw that any attempt to change her mind would be futile, so instead of beginning an argument, he lay down on his futon and closed his eyes, wondering how he might escape Megumi.

Kaoru watched her dear, sick rurouni close his eyes and smiled tiredly. She herself did not particularly like the idea of him leaving her dojo, even for the shortest span of time, but he really was being good about it. And when he was sick and dependent on her like this, it softened her heart and made her want to be gentler than she had ever been. Kaoru knew she was not the most elegant of women, or the most refined, but with Kenshin, she always felt like more like a lady. He treated her so well; with such tenderness… she loved him.

Reaching out, she slowly ruffled his bangs as he slept below her. His fever was down greatly, and his eyes had looked less glazed and more alert when he had been awake. Still… he was, she was sure, capable of hiding his illness if he had to. His soft skin was still covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and his lips were still dry. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Not handsome, or cute, no. Kenshin Himura was beautiful.

As Kaoru watched Kenshin sleep, her mind drifted away. She was so intent upon watching him that she did not hear the gate of the dojo opening, as she usually did. Finally, when a strange voice wafted through the courtyard, Kaoru jumped with surprise. Another visitor? She didn't want one. The last 'visitors' she had had had been downright rude to the point of worrying Kenshin. Not another today…

"Hello? Is anyone here?" The voice called again. Kaoru was forced by honor and obligation to see who was searching for her. Standing and glancing one last time at Kenshin, she quietly slid out the door and through the dojo.

"Hello! Some one, anyone! Please?" The voice implored again. Kaoru narrowed her eyes. It was a woman, and she sounded as if she were frightened. Quickening her pace, Kaoru stepped down the stairs and into the courtyard. Spying what appeared to be the visitor near her gate, she rushed over to her.

"Hello? Can I help you?"

"Yes, please yes! I'm looking for the Master of this dojo… please!"

"I am Kamiya Kaoru, the Assistant Master of this dojo, the one who is in charge."

"Oh please help me then! I beg of you!" The woman fell to her knees, and Kaoru noticed she was hunched over in a strange way, but a heavy cloak around the woman's shoulders kept her from seeing too much of her body. What woman would wear such a cloak? Not even on the coldest nights did women wear such articles of clothing, it was considered bad taste.

"What's wrong?" Kaoru asked the woman, kneeling to help her, incase she was sick.

"My name is Tangai Fafeiya." Kaoru gasped. This was the wife of an important Imperialist leader! What was this woman possibly doing here in her dojo seeking assistance?

"Are you ill Miss Tangai?"

"No… there were… men…three men, all after me."

"Three men?" Kaoru's eyes narrowed. "Please, let me help you inside the dojo. You look like you could use a rest from the sun, a drink of water, and a friend." The hunched over woman smiled at Kaoru's words.

"Thank you, but I do not have the time… I must get back to my husband- they are coming after him, and I must warn him. But he is a day's journey away…"

"I'll come with you, to protect you." Kaoru instantly volunteered. Her heart went out to the woman who would do anything to save the man she loved… she knew the feeling all too well.

"I'll be able to manage I believe. I have a head start. But, if you please… me daughter…" Kaoru's eyes widened in surprise.

"Daughter?"

"Yes." The woman straightened her shoulders beneath the cloak, and from the slit in the shroud brought out a tiny bundle wrapped in cloth. Kaoru gasped.

"She was born not two weeks ago. But I fear that if I take her with me, I will place her in greater danger. Please, watch my child for me? A week, that's all I ask…"

"Wa, watch your child?"

"Her name is Tangai Namida. Please?"

"But I… I've never…" Kaoru stammered. She had never taken care of a child so young before. Ayame and Suzumei were young, but it was Doctor Gensai that cared for them the majority of the time.

"Please? I beg of you… I must save my husband, and I need to know that my daughter is safe." The woman's eyes leaked tears as she implored Kaoru to take care of her daughter. Kaoru's own eyes began to feel scratchy and wet as her heart empathized for the woman.

"Alright." She whispered very softly. "Alright. I will watch her for you."

"Thank you… you'll never know what this means to me."

"I have a feeling I already do know…" Kaoru sighed under her breath. Carefully, as if she would shatter the tiny person, she took the baby from the woman's arms and cradled her in her own. "Go, save the man you love, I will keep your daughter safe- I swear my life upon it." The woman, who was so choked up with tears that she could not speak, nodded and quickly stood. She dropped the heavy cloak she had been wearing, and quickly set off towards the dojo gate.

"Thank you… I will find a way to repay you, this I swear." She managed to sob out. "Goodbye my sweet Namida. Blessed child… my daughter. Thank you." And then she was gone.

Immediately after the woman left, the baby began to fuss. She opened her tiny mouth and began to ball loud sobs of tortured pain. "Now, now Namida. There's no reason to cry. You're mother will be back soon." But the baby did not stop crying. Frustrated, Kaoru held the child at arms length and looked at her hard, as if trying to see through her.

"You'll wake Kenshin with that noise! You don't want to do that, do you? He's sick and needs his rest." The baby calmed for a moment, but then began again, just as loud as the first time.

Kaoru closed her eyes and tried to think back to when she was a baby. How had her parents quieted her? But she had no memories of that time of her childhood; she had tried to block them out since her mother's death had hurt her so. But… what had Gensai done with Ayame when she was upset? He had rocked her back and forth, comforting her with soothing whispers.

"Alright, if that's what will do it." Kaoru nodded. Very gently she brought the tiny child into her chest, one arm beneath the baby, her elbow supporting her delicate head, and her other arm wrapped around for insurance of safety. Then she began to rock her arms back and forth ever so gently, humming a soft tune. The effect was instantaneous. The baby stilled, her crying stopped, and her eyes dropped closed.

"What a sweet child when she's not screaming." Kaoru whispered, smiling. The angelically innocent girl-child had already captured her heart. "Oh no!" Her eyes suddenly flew open. "What am I going to tell Kenshin?" *

~~~I have decided to keep this on the lighter side… there could always be a little lime, but fluff never hurt anyone as far as I know, and Kaoru and Kenshin make the most adorable couple! Did any notice I have three 'had' in a row? Lol. I just thought that was interesting! Much love, Vixen~~~