To See Her Smile: Chapter 2
A/N: I know I said this was a one-shot . . . but at work this morning I started to think though what Kenshin had been thinking as he watched them. Then I got home and found "Kenshin Obsessed's" review asking for more, and I figured . . . why not. So here you go, Kenshin's thoughts as he thinks back to what he just witnessed between Kaoru and Sano. . . (This really is the end . . . for now at least)
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From the shadows I watch as Sano carries the second love of my life away. How many men were lucky enough to have two? Two women that I loved, two women that loved me in return.
I threw them both away.
I heard her crying before I got here. Every sob tore me apart a little more.
The one person who mattered most to me in this world, and in the end, all I was able to bring her was tears.
I could see Sano standing in the shadows, watching her as she talked to me.
She didn't know that I could hear her. Every word wretched deep in my soul.
I wanted nothing more than to step forward and comfort her. Nothing was more impossible.
Jealousy slammed through me as Sano wrapped his arms around her. I could see his face in the moonlight. Sorrow and helplessness swam in his eyes as much as they do mine.
I realized the moment before he kissed her, that he loved her too.
He promised to never leave her.
Oh Kaoru . . . how I wish I could have promised you the same.
I know that half of you understood why I had to go, just as I know that the other half would never understand.
Every time I left, after the first, I promised to return. You always smiled at me, and waved goodbye, here in this spot.
I knew that every step I took broke your heart a bit further. But still, I went.
You never asked me for anything except for me to stay by your side.
I should have. Now, I've lost you forever.
It's been over five months since the incident, and it took me this long to build the courage to come back here.
I had to be sure you were alright.
You looked at him with an odd expression.
My heart broke as you raised your lips to his.
I have to accept the fact that I will never be able to hold you like he was.
I wish things had been different.
Then you fell asleep, held close in his arms.
I comfort myself with the knowledge that he can make you happy. I know he will protect you, and stand by your side, as I never did.
I'm sorry that I didn't keep my promise Kaoru . . .
I know she will be alright now; our friends will help each through the pain when word finally comes.
Stupid really . . . the legendary assassin, the greatest swordsman of the revolution, killed by falling tree . . .
[ Wee. . . okay, I thought I needed to clarify, as I did a bad job of it in the story itself. That last line is the only part of the story that I actually had to think about, as my muse apparently decided to abandon the story at that point. So. When I meant was that Kenshin is dead. Not that he dies at that point. Basically he left for his fight, and on his way home, he had a stupid accident that killed him before he arrived. (that was the incident Kenshin was referring to earlier). So in other words, he was killed about 5 months before Kaoru and Sano met by the river. . . one of these days my muse will return to this story and I'll figure out how to let the last line reflect all that . . but until then, Thank you all very much for your reviews and comments. : ) I'm glad you enjoyed it. Soon, my longer Sano/Kaoru fic will be posted, but I must finish 'Bended Shadows' first. ::bows:: ]
