Ch 6. – A New Journey...

As Kaoru woke up, she saw Kenshin sleeping next to her. She smiled while watching him sleep like a little kid. Then his scar caught her attention. As she reached up to his scar her wrist was caught by a strong grip, Kenshin was awake. "I...I...I'm sorry if I woke you up." Said Kaoru with a startled voice. As he let go of her wrist he smiled saying. "It's okay, I was actually awake for a while now." "Oh, I see...Kenshin, do you mind if I touch your scar?" asked Kaoru. He then nodded a 'no.' Kaoru tried to reach up to his scar, but was afraid that she would hurt him. Then he took her hand gently and put it on his scar. "Does your scar hurt?" asked Kaoru. "No, it doesn't...I have actually had this scar for a while. I sometimes forget that I have that there." Answered Kenshin. Kaoru then broke the silence by sitting up and getting ready to leave.

As they got ready to leave, Yahiko had brought their horses. Then Kenshin smiled at him saying, "Yahiko, I appreciate your help and your support to the horses while we were here. As your gratitude, I would like to give you this sword." As Kenshin handed him the sword, Yahiko just stood there acting like he wasn't listening. "Is there something wrong with the sword?" asked Kenshin. "No sir, I am most grateful, but I am not worthy to take such things from royalty." Answered Yahiko. Kenshin smiled and said, "Yahiko, I have seen you practicing your swordsmanship late at night. But you were practicing with a broken bokken." "My family is too poor to buy me another bokken or a sword even." Said Yahiko. "That is why I am giving you this sword. I saw it in your eyes, the true compassion of becoming a great swordsman. I want you to use this sword to practice your skills and to use this to protect the people you love, not to kill. Do you understand Yahiko?" asked Kenshin. Yahiko nodded a 'yes' and bowed down to him to thank him for the sword. "Sir Kenshin, please visit anytime you're around, you're always welcome here." Said Misao. "Thank you Lady Misao, but if any men come by here and asks for me or Lady Kaoru, please keep it a secret and not tell them about us coming here or where we went." Said Kenshin. "You can count on me about secrets." Said Misao with enthusiasm.