I have to say this… I absolutely love Jars of Clay! They are an amazing band and I get chills listening to them! Sorry for making you all have the sudden urge to hunt me down and kill me for the horrible cliffie I left you with last time… won't happen for sometime now, unless the story requires the suspense ^_~. Thank you all again for the encouragement from your reviews. I would have no real motivation to write more if it weren't for you all. Go ahead now, read and enjoy!!

Disclaimer: Nope, nothing's changed… sadly. I do not own Rurouni Kenshin *sniff sniff*.

Chapter 7

Kaoru was the first up that morning, the chill having given her a sore throat and stuffy nose. She sat outside her door wrapped securely in a knitted wool blanket. The only exposed skin was that of her hands, which were cupped around some hot green tea, and her nose, cold and slightly red from the exposure.

As steady as the quiet rainfall Kaoru raised the cup to her lips, blowing on the hot liquid she inhaled some of the vapors and allowed the rest to spread a blanket of warmth along her skin. The sound of footsteps vibrated along the wooden planks of the hallway. Ashe kept her eyes ahead, not wanting to give evidence to a feeling her voice was void of. Her walls of comfort, barriers of security from the world, had cracked, revealing to anyone willing to look a glance at her heart, itself cracked and bleeding. She felt the last footfall stop right next to her, just as they had that night when all went numb…

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Her lips were dry of any word. The sight before her unspeakable in its horror. While her voice stayed silent her mind screamed in agony.

*How could this happen? Whose cold heart did this?* With eyes fixed at what lay before her she barely acknowledged the crouching figure deep in the back of the room. Slowly, the man stood from his position among the bodies. The fire in his eyes speaking greatly of disgust yet shadowed by… sorrow. He walked to her, his last footfall being the only one she heard.

She remained still even when he came to stand right in front of her. Slowly, he came and drew her close to him, her cheek resting against his chest while his arms hugged her gently.

Though tears would have been understandable to shed, Kaoru's eyes were dry… dry and unblinking. She continued to stare blankly into the dark beyond Kenshin's shoulder into the darkness that shrouded the small house of worship. Soon she found herself being led out the door into the night. The first thing to break through the silence was shouting. Turning her eyes to the right of the house she saw Yahiko being held back by Sano's strong arms. The boy yelled and struggled to free himself from the tall man's hold.

"Let me go! Let me go! MOM! DAD!" His shouting ceased as he spotted Kenshin and Kaoru, his eyes taking over with questions of fear and confusion. "Kaoru? What…?"

His body went limp from the look Kaoru gave him, one of unspeakable pain. His mind put the pieces together and his shoulders began to shake. It was a revelation his young mind wanted to deny but couldn't. Sano held him tighter, the sound of sobbing reaching his ears. Yahiko turned and buried his head in the older man's shirt as tears of loss, too heavy to hold back, began to roll down his face.

Kenshin walked Kaoru home in silence, his arm around her fallen shoulders. Not one word came from her lips, still dry as they were, and Kenshin knew to keep silent himself.

He never thought he would see such bloodshed again, yet there it was in the house full of peaceful Christians. Hours ago they had been singing, laughing, and worshiping together. Now they were gone, slain by the hands of what Kenshin assumed to be a military group from the look of the wounds that were inflicted. He shook his head as they neared the dojo.

*Don't break, dear Kaoru. You'll get through it.* Opening the gate with one hand he led Kaoru inside, his eyes following her as she continued on towards her room without a sound. *She's still in shock from it all. I just hope she remembers it's okay to mourn and shed a tear.* He walked over to the porch and sat down, hanging his head in his hands.

Clenching his eyes shut he tried to forget the memories the night had triggered for him. He could still hear the rapid intake of breath coming from his panicking victims just before he did his job, no room for remorse after it was done. The outward flow of blood had not been disturbing to his eyes back then, yet tonight it violently turned his stomach.

He was brought out of his thoughts at the creaking sound of the dojo gates. Getting up, he walked over to meet Sano carrying a sleeping Yahiko in his arms. Kenshin's smiled weakly at the sight.

"Hey Kenshin." Even Sano's voice had been subdued and softened from the night's events. "Yahiko needs a place to stay for the night. I'm not sure if he has any other relatives in the city, and besides, its too late to check." As carefully as he could, Sano handed Kenshin the sleeping boy. "He fell asleep after crying his fill. Poor guy… orphaned in one night."

Kenshin nodded his agreement, the thought hitting him in a very personal way. He began heading toward his room, not knowing where else he could put the boy. Sano called after him one more time.

"Make sure you keep an eye on Kaoru as well. Her heart's been through enough as it is."

"Don't worry Sano, I will take care of her and Yahiko here, that I will." With one final wave, the brunette man was gone.

Sliding the door open, Kenshin walked over and tucked Yahiko under his covers. The tear trails could still be seen staining both of the young ones cheeks. Kenshin sighed and rubbed the boy's head affectionately.

"I know what your heart feels like, little Yahiko. My parents were taken from me when I was young too. But here I am, living proof, that one can make it through fine after it all." His words, barely above a whisper, were there to not fall on sleeping ears but the ears of a mind unwilling to accept it as a personal truth. His words were for himself, another attempt to get it branded onto his mind.

Kaoru was in her room, standing just inside of the door. Her legs wouldn't move on their own, not much could motivate them to. Something drew her eyes to the corner of her room were a dark cherry wood chest sat buried under papers and books. Without another thought she ran and pushed everything from off the chest onto the floor. Opening it she came upon a lightly wrapped piece of clothing. Her hands gently removed the thin paper and picked the kimono up from where it had stayed for fourteen years. The silver embroidered dragon and flowers shown as bright and full of the life as they were when she was a child, and a sad smile formed on her lips. She got up from the floor and lit a candle and walked to her bed, the kimono still in her arms. She sat on her futon, all the while fingering the beautiful pattern on the dark blue material. Lying down, she pulled her covers over her shoulders, and snuggled the kimono to her cheek. For about an hour she stayed in that position, lazily running her fingers over the stitching. As her eyelids began to drift together one word came to her lips before sleep took her in.

"Mother…"        

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Kenshin stood next to her for another moment before taking a seat against the wall himself. He too had some of the tea left over in the kitchen and the two of them sat quietly sipping their tea and watching the rainfall.

His heart broke over what had happened. His heart broke over the loss of life, both in reality and in the eyes of the woman next to him. She remained quiet, not uttering a word since that night a few days ago. Kenshin longed to hear her voice again, in the hope for some healing to be present. She needed to heal and move on, but he couldn't blame her. It was going to be hard. Her eyes hadn't met his once.

He prayed for grace to be imparted on them, all of them, in their time of dire need. Kenshin never really prayed before but as of lately he found himself on his knees several times a day. His prayers were sincere, yet he couldn't help but feel that they weren't enough.

As he sat there, in a reluctant silence, his mind wandered to the book that Lord Kamiya had been reading from, the Bible, desiring to read it for himself. He remembered some of what he had heard that night, something about salvation. *Salvation from what?* He thought, his brow furrowing in confusion. Another passage came to mind concerning the role of a good friend. *Something about iron sharpening iron…* Before thinking he spoke, his words speaking against the sound of the consistent rain.  

"Your salvation, I don't understand it. Salvation from what, a life so lost and confused? If that's so then why do you sit here in pain, Kaoru?"

A brief moment passed, the rain filling the silence again, and there was… a sob. Kenshin turned toward Kaoru's huddled form, worried that he had said something he shouldn't have.

"I'm sorry, Kenshin… I've forgotten what it is to mourn." Her eyes turned to his for the first time after what seemed like an eternity. He swallowed at the sight, holding back the tears his heart wanted to cry at seeing her eyes full of her own. "My mother died from Cholera when I was four and my father comforted me. We mourned together," she paused, her voice quavering more with each word. "I feel alone. God is the only comfort I have, but he helped me back then by giving me father. Now… I don't have anyone."

Kenshin reached an arm around her back, surprising her with a tender hug. She clung to his gi immediately, her knuckles turning white against the dark red material.

"I think God brought me here for a reason. I believe you are that reason, Kaoru." His words washed over her and she closed her eyes, tears spilling out at his sincerity. She trembled out of fear, sadness, relief, and thankfulness. Her heart was seen for what it was and Kenshin wanted to help mend it. He tightened his arm around her and brought his other one around to draw her closer. "I'm here Kaoru… you aren't alone."

Kaoru finally let go of it all, crying out all that she kept hidden from that night. Kenshin stayed there, his chin lightly resting on top of hers, his eyes closed as he shared her pain.

After a while her sobs had stopped their assault, yet she still clung to him until her breathing had returned to normal. Her next words brought him to open his eyes and meet the ones staring up at him. Eyes so honest… so innocent.

"What you said about salvation was true. I cry and hurt now, but I understand the hope behind this salvation that you do not." Her mouth formed a soft smile, this time taking Kenshin by surprise. "I'll see my father and mother again, someday." Kenshin nodded, trusting her word. Thinking that she was done talking Kenshin rested his chin on her head again as she snuggled back against his chest. He felt something whispered against his shirt a couple minutes later.      

"Hmm?" He murmured.

"I said, thank you." Lifting her head, Kaoru placed a gentle kiss against his cheek before standing up. His hand went up to the spot where her warm lips had brushed his skin, the touch as soft as a feather. He watched her walk towards the kitchen, leaving her wool blanket behind. Picking it up, he draped it over his own shoulders and smiled.

*Glad to have helped.* He stayed put, sipping at the tea that had gone cold, but not caring much about it. Kaoru was returning back to normal, as normal as things could be after such a loss. *A hope even among such despair. It seemed too intangible, that is, until now.*

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Lunch had been made and the three of them sat eating in silence. Yahiko winced for the fourth time during that meal, his chopsticks having rubbed against the bandages covering his palms. He had been practicing with his wooden sword non stop since he lost his family, willingly accepting the physical pain over the emotional. The only way he could think to keep his mind off it all was to train, believing he could make his parents proud from where they watched him up in heaven. He promised to train, and train to the best of his abilities.

Kaoru looked at the boy with sad eyes, sharing in the cold pain that bore into her heart as well. *We both lost our parents, Yahiko. All we can do now is live our lives and hope to fulfill the wishes they had for us.* She continued eating, her eyes lost in thought through the entire meal, occasionally glancing at the others at the table. Upon reaching Kenshin's form, she couldn't help the smile that appeared.

"Ouch…" Yahiko dropped his chopsticks, rubbing his left palm through gritted teeth.

"Let me see it, Yahiko." Kaoru demanded softly, reaching out her hand to take a look at his.

"Leave me alone. I'm fine…"

"No, you're not. Come now, don't be so stubborn." Reaching across the table she took his hand, removing the bandages to reveal much more than the bruises she had seen before. "You wait right there, I'm going to get something to clean those blisters."

Yahiko let out an exhausted sigh, showing irritation through his posture. Kenshin watched the young one with an odd mixture of sympathy and amusement. The boy slumped against the nearest wall with his arms folded across his chest, a pout on his face. He reminded Kenshin of a pouting little child, and in reality, that's what he was. Sometimes a maturity was displayed that was impressive, yet he always returned to act his age, and now it meant to pretending to be tough.

Kaoru returned with a bowl filled with a liquid with some herbs in it and some more bandages. Yahiko sent her a dirty look but she ignored it and managed to pull his hand out. Wincing herself, Kaoru poured some of the liquid onto the upturned hand in her palm, apologizing for the stinging it brought. He grumbled under his breath and wiggled a little in discomfort.

"The sting lets you know that it's disinfecting the wound, Yahiko." He huffed at her comment and turned his nose in the air. "If you want I could always have Miss Megumi chop your hand off if you don't want to put up with this." She glanced up through her lashes, watching Yahiko's eyes take on a hint of horror before he smothered it with another grumble.

"Yeah, whatever ugly." Kaoru finished the last knot to the bandage, pulling it tight enough to cause Yahiko to wince after his comment.

"I'll forget what you said for now…" She got up, taking the bowl and old wrappings with her. "But next week, after those wounds are healed you'll find yourself responsible for many of the chores here at the house and dojo." Yahiko's eyes became wide in dismay, looking over to Kenshin who shrugged, not able to do anything about it.

"Aw, man!"

"What was that Yahiko?" Kaoru asked, her back not turning to confront her student.

"Nothing… I mean, yes sensei." Kaoru threw a smile over her shoulder. Kenshin laughed quietly at the light hearted interaction between student and teacher.

*Things are as they should be. Life, so it seems, does move on for others other than myself.* Kenshin stood from the table and asked Yahiko if could help him clear the table. Yahiko agreed with a nod, disappointment still seen in the crease on the young one's brow.

"Kaoru could be so unfair sometimes." Yahiko complained.

"And you could be nicer to her for all she's done for you, that you could." Kenshin threw in. Yahiko gave him a look of slight disbelief and then sighed as he agreed.

"Yeah, I just think of her as an older sister. It's normal for siblings to fight, right?"

"Yes, I suppose. But she also deserves the respect for being your sensei. Even a sister should be respected." Yahiko placed the pile of dishes he was carrying near the water basin.

" I know… she's only the assistant sensei though. But I guess you're right Kenshin, as always." Kenshin smiled at the boy.

" I think it's time for your meditation, Yahiko." Yahiko nodded and wiped his hands on a kitchen towel nearby. " I'll finish up here." Kenshin's eyes followed the boy until he was out of sight. His mind took him to something the young one had said, something about Kaoru still being the assistant sensei.

*Does that mean she remains where she was when her father was alive? I thought she promised him that she would take his place after he was gone.* He continued washing the dishes, all the while his mind remained on the recent revelation. *I'll have to speak with her.* With a firm nod, he resolved to ask her about it later that night. For now he was content to finish up the dishes, watching and listening to the steady rain fall from the dreary sky.

"Like tears falling from Heaven…" Kenshin mumbled to no one in particular, his eyes staring out into the cold just beyond the window.          

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Okay, so what do ya think? I guess this chapter came out pretty quickly, huh? I just hope you guys like it ^-^.  I had a hard time writing all the super sad stuff… I even had a nightmare about losing my mom! It was horrible, but thank goodness she's only in Chicago on vacation. All of you have been awesome enough to write and encourage me through your reviews. I'll do a shout out next chapter, I promise. I have to get going so I guess I'll see you all again pretty soon. I hope to have the next installment up by the end of the coming week. Reviews, of course, are nice and welcomed with open arms ^-~.

Ciao! ~ The Honorable Gucci (or Gucci-baby according to Ari and Kat ^^, that was cute!)

Oh, before I forget… the verses I've been using or referring to are as follows:

1.The Kamiya Kasshin Ryu honor code: Psalm 139: 23-24

2.The thing about iron sharpening iron:  Proverbs 27:17 (I'll elaborate on it's importance in later chapters)

3.The reference to a passage about salvation: 2 Corinthians 6:2 (Again, I'll elaborate on this later on)