Chapter 17

By Crystal

Author's Notes: I'm sorry I couldn't update these few days, I couldn't think of anything to write even if I had time. So I started on one of my other ideas... 'Crimson Puddles'. Hope you enjoy it! Mmm... sweet, sweet grapes. Oh right, thanks for everyone that's been reviewing ^^

*Screw the disclaimers ^^;;*

A week has past with Toshiko crying herself to sleep, usually with Kenshin beside her, sometimes even Kaoru. Soujiro was never coming back, Toshiko knew. He left her, even after promising that he would never leave. He lied. He lied. He lied to her. He betrayed her trust, but she couldn't hate him. Everytime she thought of his face, she would break into a small smile that wouldn't last long and a minute later, she would end up crying. It was a miracle nobody called her a crybaby, not even Megumi who had come almost everyday to visit them. Quite the opposite, she had come to cheer her up.

Afternoon quickly passed and there was another knock on the dojo gates. Toshiko looked up. Whenever someone knocked on the dojo gates, she would always hope it was Soujiro. Yet it never was. She busied herself with chores, doing Kenshin's laundry, buying the tofu, cleaning the whole house a few times a day, hoping it would get her mind off a certain rurouni. It never worked. Everyone was concerned about her, yet all she did was keep herself busy and cry herself to sleep. Kenshin went to answer the gate and she was surprised to see Saitoh.

After both of them talked for a few minutes, Saitoh left and Kenshin turned around to look at her. 'It was time.' Kenshin thought to himself. Time to tell that Soujiro had gone over to the Juppon Gatana, even though it was far from the truth. Time to lie to her and break her heart even more than it was. He couldn't bring himself to do it, yet it had to be done. Saitoh's wife had heard about the case, not the truth, but the lie. Saitoh had even said that they would probably meet his wife tomorrow, since she insisted on going and seeing Toshiko.

Toshiko finished the laundry and looked up, signalling to Kenshin that she was going to cook dinner. 'The news would have to wait.' Kenshin thought to himself, sighing.

An hour later, while everyone sat around for dinner, which included Sano who was coming for dinner yet again, Megumi, concerned about Toshiko, Kaoru, Yahiko, Toshiko and himself. As Toshiko finished her dinner and was about to stand up, Kenshin spoke up. "Toshiko, sit back down. Sessha has something to annouce, de gozaru."

Toshiko sat down and raised her eyebrow, trying to sound as normal as possible, failing miserably, "I thought I told you to drop the sessha and de gozarus."

Kenshin ignored her for now, "Toshiko... Soujiro... he's..." 'Help Kami-sama. How should I tell her this?'

Everyone was now listening curiously. "Soujiro? Where's Soujiro? You know where he is, Kenshin? Tell me!" Toshiko said desperately.

Kenshin nodded his head, "Yes. Sessha... no. Saitoh found out Soujiro's whereabouts, de gozaru." He took a deep breath, glancing at the curious looks he was getting. "He... he..." He gulped, 'No good, I can't get myself to say it.' He cleared his throat, "Soujiro... he..."

Sano interupted, "Kenshin, just say it. You're so annoying like that."

"Tori-atama, Ken-san's trying, so just shut it." Megumi said.

"Soujiro joined the Juppon Gatana." Kenshin finally finished, as he inwardly winced, still not ready for any of their reactions, especially Toshiko. Surprisingly, they all said nothing and looked at Toshiko. She didn't cry though, her eyes were devoid of any emotions, stood up and ran towards her room. Kenshin followed behind with the rest of the gang, Sano in the rear, knowing fully well he couldn't help a near-crying woman even if his life depended on it.

They found her in that position, her back against the wall, two trails of tears on her porcerlain face, her hands clutching a set of blue clothes for dear life. She wouldn't believe him. Kenshin lied. Soujiro would leave her, but he would never return to the Juppon Gatana. Never. Kenshin lied. Saitoh lied. She wouldn't believe it. Not even if hell froze over would she ever believe it. Soujiro said he regretted what he did, he would never go back to the killer he once was.

Kenshin went to hug and comfort Toshiko. During these few days that he'd known her, he had started to actually treat her like a sister. A real sister. When Soujiro was here, she would always joke with him like an older brother and a younger sister. They would talk about the past, tease each other endlessly, even if it was only for a few days. When Soujiro left, all he did was comfort her. Damn whoever was remaking the Juppon Gatana. He cursed inwardly, unaware that his eyes had turned to a complete golden colour. His eyes turned back to amethyst as he heard the young woman in his embrace whimper.

"Lie to me, Kenshin... Tell me it's not true... Onegai, Kenshin. Tell me I'm only having a nightmare and I'll wake up in a few minutes. Onegai Kenshin..." Toshiko said painfully. "You're lying, tell me you're lying."

"You're not having a nightmare, Toshiko. This is... the truth. You can even ask Tokio-dono when she comes tomorrow morning. She is Saitoh's wife." Kenshin said, as gasps were heard behind him.

"Tell me this is a nightmare..." She looked up, her eyes bloodshot. Seeing everyone's look they were giving her, she spook softly, afraid. "It's real... isn't it, Kaoru, Megumi-san, Sanosuke-san, Yahiko-kun?" Without waiting for an answer, she said, "Kaoru... can you please buy me a journal tomorrow?"

"Of course...Toshiko." Kaoru replied.

"I'll be fine tonight. Have a great night's sleep..." Toshiko said, exhausted. Kenshin got the others out of the room. Megumi looked back one final time. She had no idea what this young woman, nearly half her age was feeling.

Kenshin stayed in the room, "Gomen nasai, Toshiko."

She looked at him, and smiled faintly, "It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself, Kenshin." Toshiko hesitantly said, "Could you stay with me? Just one night, Kenshin? I'm scared." Kenshin smiled a bit and nodded.

"Of course... You're my little sister, remember?" Toshiko nodded and slipped in her futon without changing. When she had fallen asleep, Kenshin went to his room to bring his own futon, not wanting to use Soujiro's and slept there beside Toshiko, just incase she needed anything tonight.

The next day passed miserably for Toshiko. She met Tokio-san who had gone to the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu dojo to visit the woman her husband had told her about. While Tokio-san was there talking with Toshiko, Kaoru had gone, with the help of Megumi to find a journal. They found one, decorated with sakura petals and a light blue background.

Kenshin was doing laundry and the chores while Tokio was talking with Toshiko, which he was glad. Yahiko was practising his swings even though Kaoru wasn't there, Sano had most likely gone off to gambling again.

Toshiko found out that Tokio was a kind woman, open and would talk about anything. In return, she herself told her everything about herself and how she felt. It felt good, but she ended up being a water sprinkler again. A little before dinner, she left, telling Toshiko she would visit again soon. Megumi stayed and cooked dinner, and both she and Kaoru presented Toshiko the beautiful journal which Toshiko thanked.

That night, she had followed her sister's footsteps, pouring in the journal all her feelings and secrets. Everyone of them. But there was one line she wrote that she wouldn't forget for a long while, 'You're in my thoughts again today as you so often are...'

'...and I cannot help but wish, you were the one beside me right now, instead of my brother-in-law. Not that there's anything wrong with him... But I miss you terribly, even if it has only been a week. Aishiteru, Soujiro. I hope we'll see each other soon, ne? From now on, I'll stop crying and worrying the others. I promise you that.' A crystal tear rolled down her flawless cheeks. "I miss you...Soujiro." She whispered quietly, clutching yukata as the wind blew towards her, making her shiver.

* * * * *

Soujiro was still in Tokyo, being followed by that annoying woman. He knew Uedo-sama wasn't even close to trusting him. But he needed to gain his trust. It had already been a week, they didn't dare to send a message out to anyone. He knew they were being spied on every second.

"I miss you...Soujiro." His head immediately snapped up to look at the stars. For a second there, he thought he heard Toshiko's voice calling him. He shook his head, it had to be a dream... It was already a week... Himura-san and Saitoh-san must've told Toshiko. She must hate him by now. No point in dreaming about her voice any longer. Uedo-sama hasn't even given him a hint to where the base was. Nothing.

Thank Kami-sama he was sitting up on a tree where Kiya couldn't reach him, or else she'd probably be sleeping on his shoulder. Even though Kiya wasn't with him, he felt the intense glare from the others hiding, spying on him. He wasn't going to come down tonight. He was just going to sleep there. It was too comfortable, and sitting here made him think that he could hear Toshiko's voice. For once this week, he felt contented, free of Kiya. Only him and himself on the tree... and a few darned spies.

Author's Notes: That's it, sorry I haven't updated for the last four days. Fanfiction.net was down and I started working on 'Crimson Puddles'. Try reading it and leave me a review whether or not I should continue it. Thanks everyone! I thank XenoMark for giving me the website so I can do my K/T fic. Thanks once again! Read and review!

Tori-atama - Rooster head, Sano's nickname
Onegai - Please
Aishiteru - I love you