A/N: Okay, I had a few good questions in my reviews, and I'd like to clear up any confusion. Lolo popoki, you made an excellent point about Kenshin's age, and you are correct. I must have miscalculated that! (grins sheepishly) I have fixed it in all chapters! And also, Kawaii meeh, you were wondering about the name issue. Kenshin can remember being with Hiko, but he can't remember much about his stay there, so the name change is absent. And Mizz-Clumsy, I'd have to say it's after the Kyoto arc. Thanks for asking! Hope that clears it all up!

Part 5

They had finally gotten Kenshin calmed enough that he had stopped crying, and now he was eating some miso quietly. He still seemed on edge though, staring pensively at the bowl as he ate.

Kaoru put out a hesitant hand, placing it on Kenshin's shoulder. "Are you alright Shinta?"

He looked up at her, violet eyes calm and gentle. "Hai, arigatou Kaoru-dono. Gomen, for scaring you."

She smiled slowly, shaking her head. "It's fine, don't be sorry. You couldn't help it. Do you want to talk about what you dreamt?"

He looked back down at the miso, eyes clouding slightly. "I, I don't really want to right now Kaoru-dono. Perhaps later."

She nodded and settled back onto her knees. Sano had left a while ago, to go get Megumi so she could assess Kenshin's physical health. Since then Kenshin had been quiet and reserved, and hadn't spoken at all to Kaoru. She had started every bit conversation they had had so far.

Kaoru was incredibly curious, about what Kenshin had seen in his dream. He had said something about killing a woman, and Kaoru wanted to know who it was. He had been very afraid, that much was obvious. She watched him silently, as though she was trying to read his mind.

At that moment Sano and Megumi walked into the room, Megumi carrying a small bag. Sano had obviously told her what had happened, for the normally cheerful woman was subdued. She moved closer to Kenshin slowly, being careful not to startle him. "Hello Shinta. I'm Megumi."

Kenshin looked up at her, setting the now empty bowl on his lap. "Megumi-dono…." He repeated, trying to remember it. 'This woman must know me, she knew my name….'

"I'm here to make sure you're healthy, at least physically. I'm a doctor," she said gently, kneeling by the man. He nodded and she began her examination, checking his heartbeat, temperature, things like that.

She finished soon, and sat back with a sigh. "Physically he's fine, except for a bit of malnutrition and dehydration. But he's going to be fine." She glanced at Kaoru. "However, that knock to the head he got that started all this has caused him to lose his memory, as you have noticed. All we can do for that is try to help him remember." She smiled gently at Kenshin, who was watching her with thoughtful eyes. "We'll be here for you Shinta, we'll help you."

He smiled back at her, and then looked at Kaoru. "Arigatou." He narrowed his eyes. 'Why can't I remember?' He continued to watch Kaoru as she walked with Megumi to the door. 'I-I feel like I know them, but I can't remember….'

Kaoru turned and walked back to kneel by his futon. "Are you alright Shinta?"

The redhead nodded slowly. "Hai Kaoru-dono." He paused, and then began again uncertainly. "Kaoru-dono? Could I ask you a question?" As Kaoru nodded he looked into her eyes. "What happened to me Kaoru-dono? Why can't I remember you?"

She sighed. "I was wondering when you were going to ask me that." She hesitantly began. "You and I were walking back to the dojo; I had met you on your way back from the market. We crossed the bridge at the ravine not far from here, but before we got off it collapsed. You got me off, but," she bit her lip. "You couldn't make it. You fell with the bridge, and hit a ledge." Tears began to trail down her cheeks as she continued. "You weren't moving, and there was so much blood, I was so afraid…."

Kenshin moved over on the futon, hesitantly placing his hand on hers, which were folded in her lap. Kaoru looked up at him, shock written all over her face. Before the accident Kenshin had rarely showed such emotion to her, and this was partly a welcome change.

With a sigh she continued. "I ran back to get Sano, and I passed out. When I woke up you had been brought back, and Megumi, Sano, and Yahiko had cleaned you up."

"Yahiko….." Kenshin murmured, trying to remember this name that seemed familiar to him.

"Yahiko is a boy that we met in the market not long after you came to us. He tried to steal your wallet, but you gave it to him and said that he should try harder not to get caught. He came to live with us, and started learning my sword's discipline." Kaoru smiled lightly, remembering times with the younger boy.

Kenshin squeezed her hand lightly. "And me?"

"Megumi told me that you had gone into a coma, which is a long sleep. You've been sleeping for the past four years." Tears continued to creep down Kaoru's cheeks. "You were always so still, never moving. I was so afraid I was going to lose you, Megumi didn't think you could last much longer." A sob wrenched free from her throat. "And then you finally woke up. You finally came back to me. But you—you don't remember me….." Kaoru broke down, pulling her hands away from Kenshin to bury her face in her hands.

Kenshin was shocked. This woman had been with him all that time while he was sleeping, waiting for him to wake, and he couldn't remember who she was. She obviously cared about him very much, and he had broken her heart. He frowned, then slowly reached out and drew the sobbing woman into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "Don't cry Kaoru-dono, onegai. It hurts me to see you so sad." He held her at arms length, lifting her chin with a finger. "I can't remember who you are, but I know you." He shook his head, closing his eyes slightly. "I can't explain it, but I know you, even if I can't remember your name." He smiled gently at her. "But I will try to remember, for you. I will try."

Kaoru's tears slowed a bit, and she nodded with a shaky smile. Kenshin pulled her close again, setting his chin on the top of her head. "I will help you Kenshin, Shinta. I will help you remember."

HM: Sorry it's a bit short, and it took a while to get it done. Hope you enjoyed it, and please review!

Ja ne!