Fanfic by blueroseulan

October 30, 2005

Standard Disclaimers Apply! RK doesn't belong to me!

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Over the weeks, Kaoru's condition improved at a great rate. With Kenshin's support and Megumi's wise eyes, she had been able to cross the chambers of the room in one whole session. Everyone felt ecstatic about that. The dojo, the house, her condition, everything seemed to be finally working out for the better. Even her spirit and her hopes were up. She could walk again… she could … And I will… She refused to be carried inside her dojo to see how beautiful it had been rebuilt. No…

"I hope you understand Sano. I want to enter the dojo, once I can walk again… that way, I could show my father that in some ways, I have triumphed over my own disability .Please understand."

And the older man did.

Now, she knew it would only be a small matter of time before she could see her father's dojo once again.

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One particular afternoon, Megumi came in the Kamiya dojo to find Kenshin assisting Kaoru push herself in the wide lawns of the house. Nodding in approval, she watched as husband and wife helped one another develop one great task: Walking. Kaoru had finally moved the phase where she was only confined in one room. Now, she was allowed by her doctor to use her legs in moving her own weight around the house supported by the wooden beams that still clung in her waist. For one who had never experienced disability, it was one stupid thing to do. But for Kaoru, it meant everything.

Biting back the tears, she gripped the wooden arcs tighter. She was tired, she was in pain, she was happy, she was proud of herself. So many emotions had welled deep inside her that she felt that she would burst. Happy as she was that she could finally move around the grounds of the dojo, she couldn't deny how painful it still was. Collapsing in the arms of her husband once he had lifted her free from the restraints in her waist, she just buried her face in his chest, not wanting to say anything and yet wanting to feel his presence.

"K-Kaoru?" the man asked, uncertainty and worry evident in his voice as he felt her press herself tighter against his body. "F-feel so tired… want to rest…" she murmured from underneath her lips, eyes closed with pain and tiredness. Nodding in understanding, he threw a sheepish look towards the doctor who sat thoughtfully on the porch.

"Gomen Megumi-dono, I'll talk with you later… I have to help Kaoru first." He said in apology, slightly crouching low to carry his precious bundle safely in his arms.

Uttering a soft 'hai', Megumi watched the two together, marveling at how compatible and how perfectly thy seemed to be made for one another. Kenshin seems to be so much of a patient man… and Kaoru… I can't help but admire her spirit… Looking up towards the sky, a sad bittersweet smile found its way on ruby red lips. Now… now I know… why you chose her over me… Ken san…

"Megumi-dono…:"

Body whipping towards the sound of her name, her eyes softened when she saw the red head sit silently beside her.

"How's Kaoru?" she queried, noting the weariness in his voice. He must be tired too…

"She's alright now. I'm heating a bath for her. Demo, she's in our room right now. Resting." He murmured thoughtfully, amethyst eyes turning wistful. I know that this isn't right… I know I have to trust my wife… I have to believe in her demo…

"Megumi-dono, will this really work? I mean… Kaoru's been doing this for such a long time… and yet…" he trailed off, suddenly embarrassed with his lack of confidence with Kaoru. For a while, the doctor gave no answer, making the man fidget slightly in his seat. Finally, she spoke up, brown hazel eyes looking at him, face serious.

"Ken-san… What Kaoru-Chan's doing is not that easy. When she took the weight of the beam for you, her body was almost crushed. Knowing how petite she is, the muscles on her legs had atrophied by the time we finally put her on therapy and that makes the whole process twice harder. It's true, she's been doing this for so long now and yet so much little had seemed to change don't you think so?" she asked, peering at his amethyst gaze, "And that's exactly why I came here today Ken-san. I wanted to look how much she had progressed and to see any development." Surprised with her words, his eyes turned hopeful and he couldn't help but ask, "But did you see one Megumi-dono? Has my wife improved?" Seeing the man so hopeful and encouraged, she couldn't help but instill a smile on her lips. "Yes indeed Ken-san. The fact that she was able to walk and cross the yard with your help is so much of an improvement. At this rate, we could finally remove the wooden supports in her waist after about two weeks!" she beamed, glad that her news had brought happiness in the man's face.

"Thank you Megumi-dono. I cannot—" he was cut off when the doctor stood up and returned the bow he was offering.

"Don't thank me Ken-san…. For I had nothing to do with it. It was Kaoru's perseverance and determination… and your patience too that had allowed change to happen… It's all because of your attitude towards this… And that's why this worked." She explained softly, smiling even as the man looked genuinely surprised.

"D-demo Megumi-dono…" he stuttered, trying to argue.

She shook her head and rose up, turning her back from him. "It's true Ken-san…Believe me…I have to go now, be sure to check on Kaoru." She added, avoiding his gaze and walking gracefully towards the gate, never once looking back.

The swordsman watched as the raven haired doctor exited the grounds of the dojo. For once he felt genuinely sad for the woman. I'm sorry Megumi-dono… If I cannot return your love for me… I only have my heart captured in the hands of one woman… and that woman is Kaoru… I love her… and I am willing to do anything… everything for her…. I'm sorry Megumi-dono… You don't have to confine your heart only for me… I am sure there is someone wanting to hold your heart as well…

TBC…

Aww… poor Megumi… She's still a bit sore and jealous over KnK…

How do you think this story is faring? This chapter Is a bit shorter than the others but I'll make up for that one. ,

Kindly review and tell me what you think!

JA!

bluerose