Author's Notes: Hiya!! This is the last chapter of my story. I am actually completing a story!! This is a first for me. :} Anyways, thanks go out to all of the people who have read and reviewed this fanfic. Arigato gozaimasu bows

Chapter Five: Out Of Reach

When the pleasant angels sing

It is the end of suffering

And with these hand I shall comply

To wipe the tear drops from your eyes

Still unworthy this one may be

But ever grateful for you is he

And though the shadows linger by

This one is yours for all of time

The road she was traveling down seemed to take so long. It was bouncing in her eyesight with every step she took. She was running. Running to a destination and still it felt like she was going at a snail's pace.

Her hands were in fists, swinging in and out to the side, helping her propel herself forward, steady and determined. At last, the hill came into sight, the one that overlooked the ocean, and her eyes flew instantly to the solitary figure standing there. She forgot her breathing, her heartbeat, how exhausted she was, and ran with a newfound burst of energy to him.

He noticed her and turned with a surprised yet content smile on his face and she collided into him, her arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace. He was strong and solid, however, so they didn't fall backwards. He must have been anticipating.. A sigh floated to his ear and his smiled broadened, his eyes closed and his chin rested on her head.

"Does this mean you missed me?" He asked, rubbing her back and chuckling.

"Mou..." she muttered softly and turned so that her cold nose was resting in his neck. She took in a large breath and then exhaled slowly, the tension of worrying just leaving her with all the air she exhaled.

"I could stay like this all day..." She admitted. Kenshin's eyes opened wide and then he looked down at her. Her eyes were still closed and a goofy smile was etched on her face.

'All day...like this...' He looked on, more towards the ocean. 'Could we?'

They arrived back at the dojo, expecting it to be noisy or something. But it wasn't. They looked around, splitting up to search for Dr. Fox but she wasn't there. Kenshin then headed for Kaoru's room and stood by the door, observing her pallor. She looked much improved. He told himself he would have to thank Megumi-san for all of her help. He stepped reverently towards the futon and then carefully sat down by it's edge, watching it's occupant.

Sano poked his head in the room through the doorway and frowned. He then cleared his throat.

"Me 'an the kid are goin to go look for Megumi. We'll be back in a bit."

"Hai." Sano stared for a bit before turning around and leaving.

"Sessha has been thinking..." he started, looking down at his hands as he spoke, "that, well, Sessha was thinking he could fix up the dojo, and ask Tae-dono to sew the kimono. Maybe Megumi-san could decorate... Of course, Yahiko-chan would help me. And Sanosuke would probably just be around to cheer us on..." His amethyst eyes flitted to her face and watched in complete fascination as her eyes fluttered open and her pupil's adjusted to the light in the room. Relief, happiness, all those feelings erased the mixture of dread and sorrow that had occupied his being for the better half of a month. He waited for her eyes to find him, unable to move for fear she'd vanish or fall under another coma. She spotted him and sighed. Her eyes...They were so blue; he'd forgotten.

"What for, Kenshin?" She asked, softly. She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"I forget..." He breathed, mesmerized. She looked around and realized Megumi had left after promising some soup or something to her.

"Kenshin..." she whispered. It sounded almost like a prayer. His eyes softened and a sad smile adorned his face.

"Kaoru." His heart became overjoyed when she smiled the most beautiful smile he had ever seen grace her face. A feeling of wholeness passed through them both, a silent acknowledgment of a secret desire. Things would be different from now on. And Kenshin welcomed that. He helped her sit up.

"I've prepared some soup. I will bring it to you-" He made to stand but a soft hand stopped him.

"It can wait. Kenshin?" she asked. "I'd really like to see the sun." He helped her up and she leaned into him as he led her outside. He didn't move away when they came to stand still on the porch. Kaoru then rested her head on his shoulder, watching the leaves ruffle in the slight breeze, taking in the shadows and the highlights from the sun and the tree's canopy. The laundry hanging on the rack, though she could tell that it wasn't Kenshin who put it up there. No, it was a little sloppy but she didn't mind the gesture. Megumi had done a lot for her. It felt good to feel her cheeks warm to the sun's caress and to have to squint her eyes because of it's brightness. But nothing felt better than the comforting presence currently at her side, her strength and weakness. She closed her eyes and turned into him, taking in his cedar smell and winding her arms around his body. There was no hesitancy in the return of the embrace.

"This is heaven."

It felt natural to be this way. Holding a small life in her arms, sitting on the porch, and watching the man she had given her heart to carry out his second passion in life. She watched him hang the clothing on the pole and then stand back and stare at his handiwork. Then her eyes danced downwards to take in their creation: a little baby boy with the same disheveled mat of hair as his father adorning his head, and rosy cheeks and the innocence radiating off of him so freely as it does with all babies.

Yahiko had asked her a while after she had woken up the second time to her family, if she had any regrets. She responded, "The only regret is that I didn't give you 1,000 strokes instead of that 300 I gave you the night before for criticizing my cooking. You haven't been consistent with your training!! I'm ashamed to call you my student!"

"AHH!!! Sorry for trying to have a civilized conversation!!! And EXXccuuuuuse me for caring!" He had stormed off. It was then she thought about how long it had taken for her to get this far. To be married. To be satisfied with what she was. And to finally feel like a woman, which she wouldn't have been able to do without Kenshin's help. Wink wink

Kaoru watched as Kenshin came up to her with the most recent improvement in his smile. He seemed completed now. Everything that was in the past was now and forever the past. He had finally accepted it. His cross shaped scar was slowly diminishing and Kaoru liked to think it was because of his acceptance.

Kenshin took their baby carefully from her arms and cradled him lovingly.

'Arigatou.... Tomoe-san.... Nothing is out of reach.'