Same as always-
""= speech
**= thought
italic=flashback
3 SS
Chapter 2*Hopefully he'll be awake…* Kaoru thought to herself as she padded softly through the dojo to Kenshin's sickbed. Now that she knew more about what had happened, she was determined to help his recovery in any way possible. She had risen a few extra hours early in order to prepare breakfast for him before he even had to think about it. Anything to make sure he knew she cared.
Slowly as possible, she slid open the shoji just far enough to peek inside. He was still fast asleep. A few rays of morning sun highlighted the steady rise and fall of his chest, giving him an almost child-like aura of innocent vulnerability. She couldn't help but smile a little; in this moment, he looked absolutely perfect. If only she was his mother, she could cradle him in her arms without fear of looking like a silly little girl.
It took a while for her to realize how absolutely ridiculous she must look, lurking in the doorway watching Kenshin sleep. As much as she wanted to avoid breaking the flawless peace of his slumber, Kaoru decided it would be worse to let her charge wake up wanting. So, she cautiously slipped in and set the tray by the side of his pallet.
Kaoru allowed herself one tender stroke of his hair before she stood up and lightly tiptoed to the exit.
"Miss Kaoru? Is that you?"
She froze. Her mind instantly returned to her departing action. *Could he have noticed? Oh Gods, please let him have been asleep still…*
"Kenshin! I hope I didn't wake you…"
"I noticed a slight change of ki, but you shouldn't worry about it. I've had enough rest, that I have."
*He's so sharp… even when he sleeps nothing escapes his senses. And yet… oh I hope he doesn't know…*
"It was very nice of you to make me breakfast Miss Kaoru, but I'm afraid I can't turn on my side to…"
"Oh! Don't move then, let me help you…"
He groaned softly as she propped him up with some extra pillows, "I hope you're not in too much pain this morning…"
"Not anymore," he placed his hand on top of hers and smiled. "I hope you know how grateful I am, for everything you do. I don't deserve your kindness, that I most certainly do not…"
They continued to smile at each other, her hand in his, until another face appeared in the doorway.
"Sir Ken! You should not be awake already…" Megumi glowered at the two of them as she entered the room. "Kaoru, how could you let him…"
"I…" The girl regretfully stood up.
"It's not her fault, Miss Megumi, I'm used to being up with the sun, that I am. Waking this late feels almost lazy…"
Kaoru lowered her eyes. The truth was, it hadn't been very thoughtful of her to disturb him in his state.
"Even so…" the doctor removed some ointments and fresh bandages, "You need to allow yourself to heal Sir Ken, a doctor can only do as much as her patient."
It was time for her to leave. Kaoru knew that there was no way that woman would let her stay while she changed Kenshin's dressings. Besides, what would she do? Watch? Certainly not.
The kitchen would be a fine place to go; she could put out breakfast for Yahiko and Sanosuke.
*Sanosuke… what was it he said last night…*
I'm always around if you want to talk…
It had been a sweet gesture, uncharacteristically sweet. Not to say that he wasn't a perfectly nice person when he felt like it… but that had been different somehow.
In the end though, Kaoru refused to bother herself about it; she had had far to pleasant a morning.