Author's Note: Thanks so much for everyone reading this—I see by the hits and my stats that people are enjoying this story and it motivates me to strive for higher quality. And for my ever faithful reviewers—your approval and feedback is spurring me on—many thanks!—

BTW the flashback at the end was my description of ep 1 of the anime and chapter 1 of the translated manga—not a word-for-word transcription because I have a thing about copying others work—I hate plagiarism.

Glossary of Japanese words and terms

Busu—Ugly—Yahiko calls Kaoru this constantly—the brat--^__^

Minna—Everybody—the group that a person associates with

Baka---Idiot

Deshi—Assistant or apprentice

Shishou—Master

Hai---Yes

Aa—Yeah—mostly used by men.

Sessha---Literally "this one" or "this unworthy one"

HIKO'S BLESSINGS

It was May 3rd in the twelfth year of the Meiji and the warm and humid air was a harbinger of the summer to come with the sakura trees in full bloom, raining their petals down like a blizzard with each breeze. The Akabeko was teeming with activity, in the midst of their lunch rush and Tae, Tsubame, and Yahiko were kept hopping with the other waitresses to serve the hungry masses.

Sanosuke came sauntering in and approached a frazzled Tae as the steady hum of her patron's conversations enveloped the environs of the busy restaurant. He tapped the trim proprietress on her shoulder to get her attention.

Startled, Tae whirled about and upon seeing Sano's lanky figure smiled as she took a menu. "Ah Sanosuke-san, I take it you'd like your usual table?"

"Sure Tae but that's not the only reason I'm here. I just got a letter from Kenshin and Kaoru so I figured you and Yahiko would like to hear what they said."

"What ya say? You heard from Kenshin and Kaoru?" Yahiko's coal black head popped out of nowhere and his coffee eyes pinned the former fighter for hire.

Sanosuke nodded as he unfolded the missive and began to read:

Hello minna-

We are now in Nagasaki and will be leaving for Kyoto tomorrow. So far the trip has been interesting, Kenshin has taken me to the village where he was born and the place where he first met Seijuro Hiko. We plan to go to Kyoto and I wonder why because Kenshin has so many unhappy memories there but he just said that's where we're off to next with no real explanation. I sense something else with him but am not pushing, I'm sure he'll tell me when he's ready.

Yahiko, are you behaving yourself? Make sure you do all you can to help Tae and when we get home we'll bring you something.

"Sheesh, busu! Can't you ever cut me a break, I'm not a baby," Yahiko complained as Sano continued:

Sanosuke, I hope you don't mind but we visited Sayo's grave to say a prayer for her since Shougo and the rest are in Holland now. We know that it would be something you would have done if you could.

Sano paused as he pondered the written words. "That's jou-chan for you. Always thinking of others." He wiped his eyes, cleared his throat and went on:

We'll be home probably by the end of May. Kenshin figures that our journey's end will be about then. Until that time I send our warm wishes and regards—

Kaoru.

Sano folded the letter and shoved it in his pocket as he remarked, "Well, I guess Kenshin hasn't popped the question yet."

Tae's eyes widened as she demanded, "Popped the question? Are you saying that Ken-san is going to ask Kaoru-chan to marry him?" She grabbed hold of Sanosuke's arms. "I'm Kaoru's friend you have to tell me!"

Sano swallowed hard as he realized that he was doing exactly what Kenshin had forbidden him to do but with Kaoru not around he figured that no harm was being done.

"Hai, he is. He bought a ring and plans to give it to her when he asks her to be his wife."

"Oh how wonderful!" Tae exclaimed joyously. "I was hoping and praying that he was going to do that when she told me he wanted to go away with her."

"Hai, it's about time," Yahiko interjected. "We all knew since Enishi kidnapped Kaoru that Kenshin was ready to declare himself. He was destroyed when he thought she was dead."

Tae and Sano nodded in somber agreement. When Enishi had planned his jinchuu, he had made a mannequin that resembled Kaoru and marred it with a cross-shaped scar on the left cheek to make Kenshin believe that his beloved was taken away from him as cruelly as the grief-stricken Enishi had seen his beloved sister Tomoe snatched from him. Kenshin was so devastated, believing the mannequin to actually be Kaoru, he left to languish in Rakuminmura until his friends came and brought him back. He then discovered that Kaoru was still alive and in Enishi's clutches so he went to rescue her. After that ordeal, Kenshin, who had always been fiercely protective of Kaoru was almost obsessive about keeping her safe, insisting that she go no place without him.

"Aa," Sano said thoughtfully. "He believes the time has come to make an honest woman out of jou-chan. Not that there was ever anything improper between them but the local wags have had a field day with the fact that jou-chan is a young single woman living with a man who's a former Imperialist hitokiri. And the legendary Battousai to boot."

Tae and Yahiko nodded again as Tae brightened up. "Well, I'm thrilled for her. So when they come back, we'll throw a big celebration for them, an engagement party."

"All right! Free food!" Sano crowed.

Yahiko rolled his eyes and said in disgust, "Once a mooch, always a mooch."

"Who you callin' a mooch, punk?"

In Kyoto, the boat docked and the passengers were streaming down the gangplank, Kenshin and Kaoru as well as the sea breeze gently brushed them and followed them into the city from the dock. Kaoru was following Kenshin obediently as her mind was teeming with questions as to why they were in the city that held such sorrow for the former hitokiri.

"Kenshin?"

He turned and faced her. "Aa?"

She nervously plunged ahead. "Why are we here in Kyoto?"

Kenshin smiled somewhat enigmatically as he replied, "We are expected as guests."

"By whom?" Kaoru wanted to know.

"At the Aoiya for one place," Kenshin informed her as they headed toward the marketplace. "But first we are expected at my shishou's hut, that we are."

Kaoru was incredulous. "You mean Hiko Seijuro?"

"Aa."

Kaoru stopped and Kenshin turned to see what the reason was for her hesitation. She gazed at him in total bafflement as she asked, "And why are we expected at Hiko's?"

Kenshin took hold of her shoulders to reassure her. "There is a good reason but I can't tell you yet. Just trust me, koishii." He planted a kiss on her forehead and then took her elbow to continue their trek.

After stopping to purchase a jug of sake they headed out of the city and into the wilderness leading to Hiko's mountain. As they walked along silently, Kaoru was musing about the entire journey to this point. It was proving to be a sojourn of great import to Kenshin as it appeared that they visited places that had meaning to him and she sensed that he was going through a personal exploration as they journeyed forth. Kaoru could sense his introspection but even more so his wanting to confront past struggles again to set things in his mind. And his nearly continuous study of the bible he had found seemed to be assisting him to not only come to terms but to achieve total peace, something that had eluded him for over ten years.

As she thought about the bible and the words he had been sharing with her from its pages, she too could feel a peace that passed all understanding, as the words brought a strange yet welcome comfort to her. Her heart, filled with love for the rurouni swordsman, wanted to be in perfect synchronization with him and whatever he was putting himself through. She felt a deep sense of joy at being able to walk through the experience by his side and was thrilled to his wanting to have her with him.

It was nearing sunset when the hut that housed the ex-swordsmaster turned eccentric artist came into view. As they drew closer the door opened and the tall, lean, and imposing figure of Hiko Seijuro the thirteenth stepped out with his usual hawkish visage slightly scowling.

"Well, it's about time you got here! It's enough that you requested for me to receive you but to be this late in the day arriving is quite rude." He sighed in resignation as he continued, "Yet knowing my baka deshi, I suppose I cannot expect more. Well I'm sure you're both hungry so if you'll come inside, we can all have something to eat." He turned and headed into the dwelling while Kenshin and Kaoru followed.

Kenshin wordlessly handed Hiko the jug of sake. Hiko took it and said sarcastically, "It appears you did have the grace at least to remember to bring your host a token." He uncorked the jug and took a healthy draught.

Kenshin glared at his master and retorted, "You speak to me of bad manners yet you have not had the courtesy to greet Kaoru-dono properly."

Hiko glared back and then turned to Kaoru and said, "Forgive me, Kamiya-san. It is good to see you again."

Kaoru bowed in respect as she responded, "Thank you for receiving us, Hiko-san. We're sorry to be troubling you."

Hiko took another swig from the jug and then said, "It's never a trouble to me to host a lovely young lady." He bowed and a ghost of a smile played on his lips. "However, my baka deshi always seems be so bold as to beg favors from me depending on my innate kindness to grant them."

Kenshin bristled as he snapped, "If you didn't want us to come, you should have written me back before we left." He grasped Kaoru's elbow and said crossly, "We won't be troubling you." He pulled her to the door.

Hiko laughed harshly, "Kenshin, you really are a piece of work. Don't you know that when you have a lady with you, you're supposed to see to her comfort?" He came and took Kaoru's other elbow and said graciously, "Kamiya-san please have a seat and forgive the rudeness of my baka deshi. He was never schooled in the social graces."

The former manslayer scowled as Kaoru smiled and sat on one of the three cushions set up. "Thank you Hiko-san," she said sweetly as Kenshin took a seat on the cushion beside her.

Hiko took the final seat and set the jug of sake down. "If you'll be so kind to wait, dinner will be served shortly." He rose and headed to the other room and then came shortly out with a tray bearing bowls of rice, vegetables, and some tea.

During the course of the meal Hiko appeared to be quite talkative, regaling Kaoru with stories about Kenshin's boyhood while the latter seethed in total embarrassment. Kaoru giggled at some of the anecdotes but restrained herself when she saw the gold sheen in the violet depths of Kenshin's eyes so she settled down.

Hiko got up to bank the fire and then took another powerful swallow of the jug as he commanded Kenshin, "Hey baka deshi, go take the bucket to the spring and get us some more water."

Kenshin rose and picked up the bucket saying under his breath, "If he knew we were coming, why didn't he go get the water himself earlier."

"What was that, Kenshin?" Hiko barked.

"Nothing," his deshi said sullenly. "I'll be right back, Kaoru-dono." He headed out into the woods as Kaoru and Hiko sat wordlessly. Suddenly after about ten minutes Hiko spoke.

"I have something to say to you, Kamiya Kaoru." He took another long draught of sake and then continued, "I feel that you are an exceptional young woman both spirited and beautiful."

Kaoru blushed in pleasure as she murmured, "Arigatou, Hiko-san."

Hiko grunted as he drank deeply of the jug again. "I have something else to say. I was very impressed with the way you fought against Shishio's Juppongatana last year. You have an extraordinary swordsman's spirit. Kenshin is indeed blessed for if any woman could suit him, if would be you." He then rose to his feet and went into the other room then came out with a delicately wrought piece of pottery which he handed to a stunned Kaoru.

"I made this for you as a special gift."

Kaoru carefully took the pottery in both her hands and gazed at the intricate design painted on its face. It amazed her how so powerfully built and strong a man as Hiko could paint a design so fragile and fine, he was a true artist. It was a sword entwined by a sprig of jasmine enclosed in a heart, beautifully rendered and baked on.

"Oh, Hiko-san it's just lovely," she whispered, deeply touched.

"Humph," Hiko grunted as he heard the shuffling sound of approaching footfalls. The sight form of Kenshin filled the doorway, carrying a full bucket of water as he entered and placed it by the door.

"I see you've returned. It certainly took you long enough," Hiko growled as he strode over to the corner and picked up a bedroll. He gestured to the one Kenshin set down earlier when he and Kaoru entered the hut.

"Get your bedroll and follow me," the thirteenth master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryuu bade his deshi. Over his shoulder he stated, "The futon in the corner is for you to use, Kamiya-san. Oyasuminasai."

"Can't I say oyasuminasai to Kaoru-dono?" Kenshin asked peevishly.

"Then hurry up and say it and let her go to bed so we can," Hiko replied irritably.

Sighing, Kenshin approached Kaoru and took her arms as he smiled fondly at her. "Oyasuminasai, Kaoru. Have sweet dreams." He leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Kaoru responded, "Oyasuminasai, Kenshin. See you in the morning." They both gazed deeply into each other's eyes, words unspoken of both wanting to remain together but Hiko's flat voice broke the spell.

"Let's go, Kenshin."

Kenshin sighed and exited as Hiko pulled the door shut leaving Kaoru in the cabin with only the dying embers of the fire as her light. She laid down on the futon and closed her eyes, her mind teeming with the words spoken by Hiko until sleep claimed her.

Kenshin followed Hiko into the woods with nary a word spoken between them. He wondered what had transpired between his shishou and his koishii that had Hiko so willing to play the part of a gentleman a rarity for one as brusque as he. From the look on Kaoru's face when he returned to the hut with the water, something of great import had taken place and now by evidence of Hiko's manner, something that was affecting him as well.

They came to a clearing not far from the waterfall where they had trained by so many times so Hiko dropped his bedroll and knelt down to spread it out. Kenshin followed suit as he too spread his bedroll out. He hesitated as he opened his mouth then the curiosity got the better of him.

"Shishou?"

Hiko continued his preparations. "Aa?"

Kenshin pressed on. "Did something happen with you and Kaoru-dono?"

Hiko sighed as he replied, "She is an exceptional young woman. I told her that she had an amazing swordsman's spirit. And from what I saw at the Aoiya with the defeat of the Juppongatana, her father taught her well."

Kenshin's eyes grew soft as a small smile curved his lips. "That he most certainly did. She is a tremendous fighter and yet one of the kindest and gentlest people I ever knew, that she is."

Hiko studied his baka deshi with a knowing glint. "So you wrote me that you intend to propose to her?"

Kenshin nodded then reached into his sleeve and withdrew the velvet box, which he handed to Hiko. The swordsmaster took and cracked open the box to peruse its contents then took out the ring to examine it more closely. The sapphire caught a stray moonbeam and glittered with a blue fire.

"Hmmm. Nice." He replaced it and then handed the box back to Kenshin. Hiko pinned him with penetrating eyes. "So you're finally ready to go forward and are resolved to what happened in the past?"

Kenshin's eyes clouded for a moment as he thought about Tomoe. He was certain when she died by his sword and he wept bitterly cradling her still form that he would never again love another and would go to the grave having loved only her. But now he knew that it was not the case, he was very deeply in love again and even his love for Tomoe was not the depth of the love he bore for Kaoru. While Tomoe had rescued him from the battousai in him, Kaoru had the power to both drive him to that insanity and bring him back. She provided a healing haven where his soul was refreshed and the life of a normal man was made available to him. For that alone he would love and protect her forever. Yet still there was that hesitation, that doubt. . . .

"Have you done that, Kenshin? Have you put the past to rest?" Hiko asked softly. "I sense in you some lingering doubts."

As usual Hiko was immensely perceptive. "Hai, I am still wondering how one as Kaoru could love one as stained as sessha. It still makes me reluctant to burden her with everything that comes with me." Kenshin stared stonily off at the waterfall in the distance flowing like quicksilver in the moonlight.

Hiko probed, "And your feelings for Tomoe? Are you resolved in that? Because if you aren't, to marry Kamiya-san would be a grave injustice to her."

"That's the problem. There are times I believe it would be best if I remove myself from her life and allow for her to find a mate more suitable. And there's always Tomoe."

"Why should that surprise you? You loved her very much."

Kenshin nodded in agreement. "I know. I wanted to propose to Kaoru several times on this journey but I can't seem to bring myself to actually doing it. There's a part of me that believes that---,"

"You'd be betraying Tomoe," Hiko finished for him.

Kenshin nodded woodenly as his shishou continued, "Then you need to confront your unresolved feelings for your dead wife. To marry Kaoru-san with these feelings still evident is wrong."

Kenshin turned and inquired, "I'm curious, Shishou. When did you develop such a fondness for Kaoru-dono? It seems you have a softness in your heart for her."

Hiko leaned back as he replied, "When I saw that she had traveled all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto just to see you I at first thought that she was just another cloying female. But when I saw what she and the kid did with the Onewabanshuu to the Juppongatana before I came and defeated Fuji of the Destruction Team I knew she was extraordinary young lady."

He continued, "She was very worried for you when you were off at battle with Shishio. I had comforted her by assuring her that although you were a baka deshi, you still were my deshi. It was then that I knew she was the woman to stand by your side." He laid down on the bedroll and watched as Kenshin withdrew a small black book from his sleeve pocket and opened it to read.

Curious, Hiko asked as he yawned, "So what's that you're reading?"

Kenshin replied absently, "It's a book called the bible. A book of great encouragement and insight. It has given me strength, that it has."

"The bible? Isn't that the Christian book? What are you doing with it?" Hiko demanded.

Kenshin sighed as he closed the book, again marking his place. "I found it on the ship to Nagasaki before Kaoru-dono and I went to Shimabara. I began reading it and found I agreed with a lot it says, that I do."

"Are you considering becoming a Christian, Kenshin?" Hiko's tone was slightly mocking as Kenshin felt his ki rise and he bristled.

"I am considering a great deal for my future, Shishou. Oyasuminasai." Kenshin lay down and turned his back to his shishou, dismissing him.

"Humph! Well, oyasuminasai." Hiko himself turned and fell asleep.

Kenshin closed his eyes as the soothing sound of the waterfall lulled him and his ire cooled. His revered shishou could irk him like no other and tonight was no different. Yet what he said about Kaoru was just an affirmation of what he himself felt for the lovely kendo teacher that he intended to make his bride. He smiled as he recalled the day in Tokyo when he first met Kaoru:

Flashback:

It was a foggy evening when Kenshin first walked into the outskirts of Tokyo, the city that had been known as Edo and that Meiji government had decided to make the new capital of Japan. His ten-year wandering about the country brought him here, out of curiosity mostly to see the new capital started by the peaceful regime he had helped create. But the prize came at a price, the lives of countless men slain by his ruthless katana as he served in the Ishin Shishi. It was through that he had gained the name of Hitokiri Battousai, a name feared by all. The moniker that struck terror in the hearts of all was one he wore with regret yet it stayed with him and that fateful evening a feminine voice shouted it, causing him to stop.

"Hitokiri Battousai! At last I've found you!"

Kenshin turned slowly and beheld a lovely visage and petite figure with hair black as a raven's wing, brandishing a bokken fearlessly.

"For two months you have murdered at will. Tonight it ends! Prepare yourself!" And she charged at Kenshin who used his skill and godlike speed leapt up to dodge her attack and ended up crashing on some plants set out near a gate.

"Oro?"

She sneered, "Don't play the fool with me! Why else would you be carrying a sword when you know they're outlawed!" The girl reached and grabbed Kenshin's sword, sliding it out of the sheath and studied it and her sapphire eyes widened in surprise as she saw it was a sakabatou and an unused one. "The sharp edge is on the wrong side."

"That's right," Kenshin said as he rose and brushed himself off. "It cannot kill anyone."

"So you're not the murderer Battousai?" the girl asked her pretty face showing both repentance and dismay.

"No, I am rurouni. A swordsman with no destination that wandered into Tokyo." He smiled at the girl admiring her mixture of porcelain beauty and fiery courage. To take on a murderer calling himself "Battousai" by herself she had to be something.

She asked him curiously, "But why would a rurouni need to carry a blade as this?" But before he could answer a sharp report of a police whistle interrupted, taking the girl's attention. Without a word, she tossed the sword to Kenshin and grabbed her bokken to race over to where the police had a huge bearded man surrounded.

Kenshin slid the sakabatou on his left hip and said musingly, "Looks like something interesting to check out over there." He made his way to where the commotion was.

The police swordsmen all circled the bearded man menacingly. "You're under arrest for carrying a sword! Come peacefully or face the consequences!"

The man laughed as he snarled, "You dare to think you can take on Battousai? Then come and meet your doom!"

As the patrolmen were about to advance, there was a flash and the girl who had accosted Kenshin in the alley came at the giant. "Prepare yourself, Battousai! HYAHHH!" She swung her bokken at the behemoth but he laughed at her as he slashed the wooden weapon in two and then slashed her arm, drawing blood.

"Now wench, taste Battousai's blade as I send you into the afterlife!" The man drew back his katana and prepared to split the girl in two but a flash appeared before him, scooping up the girl and spiriting her out of harm's way.

The man slashed at the police officers sending them sprawling as he shouted, "I am Hitokiri Battousai! I use the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu!" He then took off into the night.

Over in the distance Kenshin cradled the slender form of the beauty who attacked him earlier as she called out to the retreating battousai, "No! Come back, battousai I'm not finished with you!" To the rurouni she railed, "Put me down, I can't let him get away!"

"You're being reckless. You can't go after him." His deceptively strong arms tightened around her, refraining her from taking off after the man battousai.

"You don't understand! He's killing in the name of my father's sword style and dojo!"

"But you can't do anything now. You're injured," Kenshin said gently.

She ignored him as she continued to struggle and then the exertion coupled with the wound she had sustained caused her to lose consciousness. She became limp in his arms.

Kenshin studied the piquant face with sooty lashes resting on high cheekbones and again was captivated as he murmured, "Well, she is a courageous girl, that she certainly is."

End Flashback

Kenshin smiled at the memory as he fingered the velvet box. His heart pounded with love as the relaxing sound of rushing water of the falls worked its magic on him and he fell asleep.

NEXT---BACK TO KYOTO