Author's Note: Here's the second chapter already, I guess I'm just anxious to get to some of the meat of the story, with lots fluff coming. The emotions of the two are really going to simmer and the coming scenes are going to really bring all the pent up feelings to the surface. Thanks so much for reading and to those reviewing. Special note to PraiseDivineMercy (what a great pen name) I too use scripture verses in my writing—check out "Dangerous Déjà Vu" and "Before the Dawn" two of my Speed Racer stories where I used scripture verses in the dialogue.

SINGLE STEPS

The next day, Kaoru and Yahiko were hard at work, going through the different techniques of the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu in the dojo hall away from the cool breezes of the outside. As a complete turnaround from the previous day winter showed it was reluctant to leave, keeping its grip on Tokyo as snow flurries were spitting in lacy crystals that fluttered down to the crocuses peeking up from the ground, the first harbinger of spring. But the assistant master and her pupil were hard at work, continuing their actions in swordsmanship.

Kenshin had finished the breakfast dishes and sliding open the shoji to the practice hall, entered unobtrusively and took a seat on the side watching Kaoru spar with Yahiko. He smiled indulgently as the two traded verbal barbs as well as attacks, shinei and bokken meeting each other in clacks that echoed in the hall.

"Come on, Yahiko! Your thrusts are weak, haven't you been practicing?" Kaoru demanded as she went on the offensive, coming at the coal haired youth who was doing all he could to hold her off.

Yahiko snapped, "Yes, tanuki, I've been practicing! You just are taking unfair advantage."

"Complaining won't deter any opponent you come across. As your sensei, I have to do my best to simulate actual battles during class so you can benefit from my teaching."

Yahiko sneered, "Yeah well I'd rather be learning the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu from Kenshin anyway."

Kenshin spoke cheerfully from where he sat on the side, "I told you before, Yahiko I do not plan to pass the style down to anybody else, that I do not."

"Aw gee Kenshin, ya mean to tell me that if you find someone and get married and have a son you won't teach him the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu?" Yahiko wanted to know as Kaoru's sapphire gaze trained on the man who until that moment sat quietly against the wall.

At those words, Kenshin's eyes grew softly dreamlike as he thought of Kaoru giving him a son, a boy with his mother's spirit. He replied in a gentle tone, "If Kami so blesses me, I won't give my son the way of killing that I have adopted but I will teach him to stand strong against evil. That will be far more formidable to his enemies as he grows, that it will."

He rose to his feet and spoke again. "Well, I have an errand to run. I'll be back before the noontime hour to prepare lunch, Kaoru-dono."

She rushed over to him and grasped his sleeve. "Wait Kenshin. Where are you going?"

Kenshin flashed his serene rurouni smile at her, as he replied, "Oh nowhere special. I just have to go somewhere but I won't be gone long, that I won't. See you." He turned and exited.

"But Kensh--," Kaoru began but Yahiko cut her off with a snicker.

"He took off in a hurry, huh? And again without telling us where he was going makes you wonder if Kenshin's got something or someone else that's demanding his attention," the apprentice swordsman said artfully.

Kaoru frowned as she stared after the rurouni. "He's really acting strange. He usually tells me everything, especially where he's going."

Yahiko rejoined enigmatically, "Maybe it's too personal to tell you. Maybe he's found a woman he wants to be with and knowing how you moon over him he's sparing you."

Yahiko's barb hit its mark and Kaoru felt her heart drop to her stomach. She cried silent denials to her student's cruel words as she thought about the entire previous year, from the moment they first met in the alley that foggy day and the night among the fireflies when Kenshin held her and told her good-bye before he went to Kyoto. And then she thought of when they returned and Enishi had tried to accomplish his jinchuu, he had nearly killed Kenshin and it was her intervention that saved his life. Enishi had seen his sister Tomoe in her and he broke down before he could issue the final blow. Their adventures then took them to Shimabara, where in battle with Shougo Amakusa Kenshin had lost his sight and she had tended to him in the abandoned beach hut. Then he had risked his life again as he fought sightless and then upon defeating the self-proclaimed "Man of God" regained his vision and again she was captive to his amethyst gaze. Yet through it all, she could see the conflict in him, constantly putting his life on the line to right the wrongs of others as he sought absolution for slaying others and most especially his Tomoe.

Tomoe Kaoru said to herself Kenshin's dead wife who was still indelibly etched in his heart, even eleven years later. It's hard enough to compete with her, now there was someone else? Kaoru thought then of Shura, the female pirate that Kenshin helped and she remembered how Shura had promised Kenshin that they would meet again, the promise filled with meaning as her eyes gazed at the rurouni with warmth. She was the owner of yet another feminine heart that had fallen prey to the former Battousai's gentle way. He appeared as oblivious of the emotion radiating at him from her as he was to that of Megumi's. The gorgeous lady doctor had never made a secret of her admiration for Kenshin who rescued her from Kanryu the opium dealer. And since becoming one of their group she certainly never missed an opportunity to flirt and try to lure Kenshin with her womanly wiles. She also was the epitome of the ideal Japanese woman, like Tomoe had been and Kaoru always felt woefully inadequate when in the presence of Megumi. Even though Megumi had taken her aside in Kyoto and told Kaoru of Kenshin's need for her having never heard the words from his lips, Kaoru still had doubts.

"Hey, buso are you listening?" Yahiko's strident call made its way to her conscious and without a word Kaoru walked away and headed for her room, much to the youth's dismay. He sighed as feeling immediately guilty, he realized that this time he might have gone too far in his relentless teasing of his sensei.

In town, the snow flurry had ended and the early spring sun was peeking out between the gray clouds that had sent the reminder of winter to the busy city below. Kenshin was exiting the shipping office where one purchased passages on the train to Yokohama and as he entered the sidewalk he was so preoccupied that he did not realize where he was going when he bumped into a familiar soft form.

"Well, Ken-san this is a pleasant surprise!" Takani Megumi cooed as her wine colored orbs beheld the surprised then embarrassed violet ones of the swordsman.

"Ahh, Megumi-dono," he stammered as he saw the warmth in the physician's eyes. "W-what brings you this way?"

"I had a patient to see." She gestured to the railroad tickets in his hand. "I could ask you the same thing. Are you planning a trip?"

Kenshin scratched his head as he laughed nervously. "Ahh well, yes I am, actually. A trip to Yokohama," he replied, shifting uncomfortably.

Her curiosity piqued, Megumi was about to probe further but the tall figure with the kanji character for "Evil" on his back came forward out of the crowd and rescued his friend from the impending inquisition. "Hey kitsune, lay off Kenshin, he doesn't have to tell you all his personal business," Sanosuke pointed out.

Megumi whirled on the street fighter. "Look, baka I wasn't trying to pry into his personal business, I was just asking a friendly question."

Sano snorted, "Yeah, right. You're just nosy."

"Oh!" Megumi gasped, outraged.

"Maa, maa," Kenshin soothed as he tried to make peace. "Ochitsuku now, you two."

Sano spoke up "Look, kitsune, whatever Kenshin's plans are, if he doesn't want to talk about it, it's none of our business, ne?" He took the indignant doctor's elbow and led her away protesting. Kenshin watched in amusement as he headed back to the Kamiya Dojo.

When they had gotten down the street a ways, Megumi wrenched her arm free and pushed against Sano's chest. "What is going on, Sanosuke? I want to know why you dragged me away from Ken-san like that! So spill it!"

Sano stared down into the classically lovely features of the lady physician and he felt a yearning in his heart that he quickly quashed as he drawled, "I promised Kenshin I wouldn't say anything."

Megumi's eyes narrowed and then deciding to take a different tact she pasted a sweet smile on her ruby lips as she purred, "Come on Sano, you can trust me. So tell me why would Ken-san be buying a ticket for Yokohama?"

"Tickets," Sano corrected.

Megumi's eyes widened knowingly. "Ah-ha. So he is planing to go somewhere with someone. And is that someone the tanuki girl by any chance?" She grasped his sleeves as her burgundy orbs pinned him.

Sano's eyes lit on her hands full of his sleeves. He looked at her and a smirk curved his lips as he said lazily, "Maybe."

That just served to make the doctor even more curious but she decided to use reverse psychology so she released him abruptly. "Fine, don't tell me. I don't really care anyway." She flounced off as Sanosuke laughed and called after her.

"Hey kitsune, don't go away mad." He ran up to her and grabbed her arm, which she immediately wrenched away.

"Take your filthy hands off me," Megumi snapped but he was undaunted.

"Okay, okay I'll tell ya," the street fighter relented. "But you can't tell anyone, ya hear me?"

Megumi relaxed as she retorted, "Baka, I'm a doctor. I know how to keep a confidence. So let's have it."

Sanosuke heaved a sigh and began….

Meanwhile Kenshin arrived at the dojo gate and let himself in spotting Yahiko in the walkway doing his katas. With a look of puzzlement he asked the wild haired youth, "Yahiko, why are you practicing out here? And where's Kaoru-dono?"

Yahiko had the grace to avert his eyes from the rurouni as he kept his head down. "She went into her room."

"Why?"

Yahiko looked somewhat shamefaced. "We quarreled and I said something that I think hurt her feelings." Looking up and seeing the consternation on Kenshin's handsome visage he pleaded, "I-I didn't mean to hurt her, Kenshin! You know I love Kaoru like a sister." His head remained down, as he was afraid to see the stern expression on the man's face.

Kenshin sighed, "I know Yahiko, but she deserves more than your constant insults. Remember if not for her courage and compassion neither one of us would have the kind of lives we now have. We owe her a great debt, that we most certainly do." He stared off in the direction of where Kaoru's bedroom was.

"I don't hear her crying or anything," Yahiko said a tad defensively.

"It doesn't matter," Kenshin stated firmly. "She deserves all our respect and more. For the way she made us her family, us misfits who had no home and no one to care for us before the day that she crossed our paths, she deserves all our devotion, our undying love."

Yahiko's eyes flew open in astonishment as he heard Kenshin's impassioned statement, the mild mannered rurouni revealing more in his spoken words then he had in a year. Realization dawned on the former thief's face as he opened his mouth but Kenshin had headed in the dojo and down toward Kaoru's room . . . .

Inside her inner sanctum, Kaoru had sat on a cushion, quietly brooding about the man who was the source of her hopes and the subject of her dreams as Yahiko's words echoed in her ears. She gazed ahead at nothing as visions of a man swam before her with hair the color of an autumn sunset and eyes like the lilacs of spring, a man with a gentle demeanor yet beneath could be so fierce, a paradox that captured both mind and heart. Reading the love sonnets to Kenshin the previous evening unearthed her deepest feelings more intensely than she imagined, leading to the quick exit from him. Even though Yahiko's insinuation was probably said out of spite, the fear that the words were true was too heart wrenching to comprehend.

A knock on the wood frame of the shoji shook her from her reverie as she got to her feet and went to slide the portal open. Kenshin stood there with his gentle smile, concern in the violet depths of his amazing eyes.

"Daijabou, Kaoru-dono. Yahiko told me you were in here and I was worried, that I was."

Kaoru was touched as always by his concern and she smiled too brightly. "Hai, daijabou Kenshin. You needn't worry about me."

Kenshin smiled again, his eyes infused like sparking amethysts. "That's impossible, Kaoru-dono. I'll always worry about you. May I come in, I have something important to talk to you about."

Kaoru stepped into the room and gestured to Kenshin as he entered and slid the shoji shut. He approached the petite kendo teacher and knelt before her as she gazed inquiringly at him.

"What is it, Kenshin?"

Kenshin began, "I need to take a trip and I wondered if you'd mind---"

But she cut him off, the feeling of déjà vu overwhelming her. She adopted a casual air as she replied shakily, "Of course I don't mind if you take a trip, Kenshin. I'm sure having to drag us along on other trips you had to take was a burden and I certainly wouldn't want that."

Kenshin took hold of her elbows and entreated, "Kaoru-dono, I didn't mean I want to go alone, I want you to go with me."

Her sapphire eyes widened like saucers as she gazed at him. "You want me to go with you? And what about Yahiko, will he come too?"

Kenshin shook his head. "Not this time. This trip is for you and me, Kaoru-dono. Perhaps he could stay with Tae-san at the Akabeko."

Kaoru had a thrill of excitement go through her. "I would have to ask her but I'm sure she wouldn't mind, she watched him the last time we went away. Would we be leaving soon?"

"Aa. I bought tickets for us to go to Yokohama today, that I did." Kenshin held up the passages. "I thought we could begin there since we went to the beach together there this summer and the tickets are four days departure. That should give us time to prepare."

Kaoru appeared thoughtful. "I'll have to go around town and let my students know I'll be gone. By the way Kenshin, how long is this trip going to be?"

He thought a moment and then releasing her he rose and went to the calendar on the wall beside her youdansu. He flipped through the pages and stopped at May 14th. Since the present day was March 12th he calculated that with the departure being on the 16th and with the trip being mostly wandering, the time span of the trip would be approximately two months.

"I've figured it to be about two months we'll be gone." At Kaoru's mild look of dismay, his own face sobered as Kenshin added, in a disappointed manner, "If you think you can't come, I'll understand but I really hope you will come, that I do."

Kaoru looked at the expectant glow in the violet orbs of the former manslayer that had become the very definition of a contradiction and she weighed the situation. From a practical standpoint the idea seemed a bit out there but to her girlish romantic heart and her eagerness for adventure, she found the entire idea quite appealing. So based on the latter, she leapt to her feet and gave him her answer.

"Hai, Kenshin. I'll go with you, if you want me to."

His face lit up in pleasure as he appeared like a young boy being given his hearts desire, making him appeal to her all the more. "Arigatou, Kaoru-dono. You have bestowed on me an honor, sessha is grateful, that I am."

Kaoru studied him, her arms akimbo as she admonished, "Now how many times have I told you not to use that term to refer to yourself."

Kenshin smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. "Forgive me, I forgot."

Kaoru giggled and smiled sweetly at him. "That's okay, you haven't used it in a long time so I forgive you but---," she added with a mock scowl. "Don't let it happen again."

"Yes ma'am," Kenshin said dutifully. He opened the shoji for her. "Shall we?"

Kaoru smiled at the show of chivalry and exited followed by her rurouni.

As they walked down the hallway side by side, they were discussing the trip, their voices echoing.

"I'll have to go today and pass the word to my students around the city, and then check to see if Dr. Gensai and Megumi can keep an eye on the place. Maybe Sano can stay here but I wonder if he could be reliable?"

Kanshin's voice answered, "I think Sano could be reliable. But you're right, we should ask Dr. Gensai and Megumi-dono watch things here." Their voices faded as they headed in the direction of the kitchen since it was nearly lunchtime.

Yahiko was in the practice dojo and his ears picked up on the conversation between the two people he looked at as family and had a feeling that something was going on, something he was unaware of. Curious, he crept over to the kitchen area and listened. . . .

Kaoru was reaching for the rice as Kenshin set a pot on the stove and lit the fire beneath. She began, "I'll have to go over to the Akabeko after lunch to ask Tae if Yahiko can stay with her for the two months we'll be gone."

Kenshin used the gallows to kindle the flames and then closed the stove door. "I'm sure she won't mind, Kaoru-dono. He's been over there often to work and visit a certain young lady."

Kaoru smiled as she nodded. "That's true. He's always there, working for Tae but he's really there for Tsubame."

Out in the hallway, Yahiko upon hearing their words turned and fled, his heart constricting painfully at the realization…Kenshin and Kaoru were planning a trip to take without him and for the first time. They had taken day trips together alone but not an extended one like this one was going to be. So why don't they want me to go with them? He silently fumed as he headed back to the practice hall and he ran right into the lean form of Sanosuke who had entered the dojo.

"Watch where you're goin', squirt," Sano complained good-naturedly.

Yahiko skewered him with a glare. "You watch it, baka!"

Sano grasped the boy's shoulders, taken aback by his manner, which was genuine anger, not just the boy's usual belligerence. "Hey, Yahiko, what's the matter? You okay?" His umber eyes were filled with concern.

Yahiko glowered at the street fighter. "Sano, do you know that Kenshin and Kaoru are plannin' a trip?"

Sanosuke nodded. "Aa. Kenshin informed me of his plans."

For all his bluster and posturing of his yet to be realized manhood, Yahiko was still very much a child with a child's fear of abandonment. His coffee eyes were bright with unshed tears as he asked, "So what's going on, huh? Or are you gonna keep me in the dark too?"

Sano clapped a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Yahiko, Kenshin's not keeping you in the dark. It's just that he has a plan in mind."

Yahiko snorted in derision, "Yeah and part of that plan's shipping me off to the Akabeko as he and buso go off. Well, let them go, who cares. Maybe I'll even take off completely, I don't need them or anybody!" He made to whirl from the hall but Sanosuke grabbed him by the neck of his gi.

"Now you listen here, punk! Kenshin and Kaoru both would be devastated if you did that." He shook Yahiko for good measure.

"Lemme go!" the former pickpocket demanded hotly as he squirmed but Sano continued holding on. He pulled him into the hall and spoke in a harsh whisper.

"Okay, okay listen up. I'm gonna tell you but if you blab one word to anyone else, I'll pulverize you with my Futae No Kiwami." The threat landed with impact as Yahiko's eyes widened. Sano continued, "Kenshin is planning to ask Jou-chan to marry him."

Yahiko was incredulous. "Really Sano? He's really gonna ask her finally? They haven't even kissed yet!"

"Hontoo desu ka? And how would you know, unless you've been spying on them?" Sanosuke scolded as the question crossed his own mind.

Yahiko blushed as he stammered, "I-I don't know, I'm just guessing since the two of them act all goofy around each other and never seem to do anything about it."

Sano released him and said thoughtfully, "You have a point there. Anyway, that's his plan but first he wants to take her on a trip. But don't ask me where, 'cause he didn't tell me. And don't you say anything to anybody because if you do and Kenshin goes Battousai on me for spillin' the beans, I'll come after you."

Yahiko relaxed, as he finally knew the reason for all the rurouni's recent secrecy. "Hai, I won't I promise."

After lunch, Kaoru headed down and over the bridge to the center of town and then over to the popular bistro known for its succulent beef-pots owned by her good friend Tae. The Akabeko was a favorite of this more modest section of Tokyo, and she chose her visit following the noontime rush.

Tae came forward as Kaoru entered the restaurant and flashed a welcoming smile to her friend. "Konnichi wa, Kaoru-chan. Ogenki desu ka?"

"Daijabou. Tae-san, I'm here to ask a favor of you. Would it be possible for Yahiko to stay here for a while? Kenshin and I are going away and we wondered if he could stay here while we're gone."

Tae's eyes sparkled with unbridled delight as she leaned closer to her friend. "Kaoru, are you and Ken-san getting married?"

Kaoru blushed at the implication, as nothing would please her more. However, she replied somewhat resignedly, "No Tae. But he asked me to go with him on this trip of his and I said yes."

"Oh," Tae said, disappointed. It had been her fondest wish for Kaoru to marry the handsome redheaded swordsman who took up residence at the dojo for the past year. From the day she first brought him into the Akabeko, Tae had hoped that Kaoru and Kenshin would eventually put all the gossip about the apparent illicit appearance to rest by marrying. But the two seemed reluctant to remedy the situation. Well at least they're going away together. Who knows what will happen.

"Tae? Tae, are you listening?" Kaoru's voice was laced with mild exasperation. She shook her friend energetically as she sighed, "Well, what's your answer?"

Tae shook herself and blushed. "Of course Kaoru-chan. Yahiko would be welcome here and I'm sure Tsubame would be very pleased."

Kaoru smiled, relieved. One arrangement made and a few more to go before she and Kenshin could leave on their sojourn. She was getting excited and she responded, "Arigatou, Tae-san. I'll bring Yahiko over just before we leave." She bowed and left.

Tae bowed in turn and then turned and headed to the kitchen, a speculative gleam in her sable eyes. . . .

All this while back at the dojo, Kenshin was in his room, putting the finishing touches the last of two outgoing letters. He folded the two pieces of parchment and slid them into envelopes, folding them and sticking them into his sleeve where he inadvertently touched the velvet box. A warm smile broke over his face as on impulse, he pulled it out and opened it to gaze at the ring inside. The sapphire had caught the light from his window dancing on the stone's surface and the blue fire was the exact shade of Kaoru's eyes. He then imagined those eyes widening as they fell upon this ring and felt a thrill go through him at the thought.

"Kenshin? Where are you?" Kaoru's voice called to him and Kenshin hastily snapped the box shut and replaced it in its hiding place as he went out to greet her.

NEXT---THE JOURNEY BEGINS