Excerpt from the previous chapter:

He realized that certain people were associated with him closely and he didn't want them to suffer on his account and therefore he had to possibly alienate himself from them.

Both men's attention shifted when a noise from within was heard. "Dinner is served!" Both men had an innate feeling to cringe but when they realized this was not the voice of Kaoru, but of Megumi, they sprang to their feet and walked into the kitchen.

They all sat around the table in their normal sitting arrangement, Kaoru next to Kenshin who was next to Megumi. Kaoru hadn't taken to heart what occurred earlier, albeit she was upset and even hurt, but she decided now was not the moment to make a scene and it was probably nothing, after all she had been known for over reacting. The only thing that was noticeable was that Megumi was practically feeding Kenshin and Kaoru hadn't noticed, much to Megumi's distress because she was in the mood to tease this impulsive girl.

"Kenshin, did you wash my gi? I want to get up extra early and spar with Yahiko." Kaoru looked tentatively at Kenshin and ignored Megumi's tactics.

"What! Who said I want to wake up early and spar with you?" Yahiko protested.

"Yes," Kenshin took a bit of what he was eating.

"How was your day?"

"Fine."

"Where did you go this afternoon, you seemed to have left in a hurry." Even Kaoru could feel that she was asking too much.

"It doesn't concern you." He felt awful saying this to her, after all it did concern her, that's why he is acting so coldly towards her, but he knew she would never keep her distance, so he agreed with himself, this was indeed for her protection.

" Oh, I see. Excuse me," Kaoru got up and put her things away and walked to the dojo.

A few minutes later Yahiko walked into the dojo with uniform on and watched Kaoru practicing, also in uniform. Even though he was young he still sensed obvious tension and he knew exactly how to comfort her, to spar with her and be annoying.

"Come on and get me ugly," Yahiko shouted and he ran around her until she whacked him on the head.

Back at the table the mood was uneasy; Sano and Megumi felt the tension in the air and were curious as to why he, who is always a very passive gentle man, was treating Kaoru so coldly. Sano knew not to ask, but Megumi was just too curious.

"Um, Ken-san, is something-"Megumi was cut off as Kenshin got up and put his arms in his sleeves. She wanted to continue speaking until her gaze met with Sano's and then she knew it was more serious than she thought.

Kenshin proceeded to walk out of the home; he was already halfway to the exit of the court's entrance when he looked back to where the dojo was. Suddenly when he looked back he felt regretful and guilty, but he knew what he was doing was essential, not only to her, but for everyone's survival and safety. He only wished in his heart that he could have savored their last friendly moment together thoroughly because he knew after this was all over that she would probably not treat him the same if he indeed decided to return to the dojo. He was saddened at the fact but he also saw the practicality of it, if he would not do this now someone else might harm her in the future, he had been so careless in the past thinking that he could go on enjoying this happy life when so many people wanted him dead. He didn't feel this was an injustice on his life; after all he did have to be punished for his heavy sins. By the time he finished his long train of thought he had reached the river where he sat down and relaxed for a while.

After an hour or so Kaoru walked into her home sweaty and desperately seeking a bath when she encountered Megumi, who was leaning on the entrance to the bathroom. Kaoru already felt herself getting hot with anger at the sight of her; she knew that she was going to make some comment about the tension between her and Kenshin.

"I prepared your bath, enjoy it because it only happens once," Megumi flipped her hair off her shoulders as she walked away. Kaoru couldn't believe what Megumi did, had she felt the uneasiness too? Was she just a victim of pity? What the hell, she thought, she just wanted to get clean.

A couple hours later everyone was in bed. The home was dark and silent and through that silence Kenshin walked in, taking off his sandals at the door. He silently made his way to his room but not without first stopping in front of Kaoru's room. He stealthily slid open the shoji and saw her sleeping form, her back was facing him. He watched her slim body rise and fall from her steady breathing, he watched her for a few moments before closing the door and sliding into his own room.

The next morning Kaoru was awoken by a commotion in the next room. She got up to stop the disturbance. As she slide open the door and rubbed her sleepy eyes she spotted Kenshin in the hall and met his gaze, she felt her heart begin to beat faster as she awaited his reaction, he flashed his typical smile at her and walked away, her heart slowed down, but she felt something odd in the pit of her stomach. Not forgetting her mission she walked up to Sano and Yahiko's room and slid it open violently.

"What are you guys doing in here? I am trying to sleep!" She saw Yahiko on top of Sano trying to choke him while Sano sat there obviously unfazed by his onslaught of attacks.

"Shut up ugly, I'm trying to kill Sano," Yahiko kicked Sano in the shin and Sano, now affected, ran after him passing Kaoru.

"Get back here, I'm not done with you two! Yahiko stop right now before I make you do five-hundred strokes!" Kaoru followed them.

"Nyah," Yahiko looked back to see Kaoru's expression but bumped into Kenshin who was carrying a tray of food.

"Oro?" Kenshin was nearly knocked down but he caught himself in time.

"Breakfast is ready."

"I think I am going into town today and getting some supplies we need, we are running low," Kaoru commented and paused because she knew that Kenshin would offer to go with her like he always did, not only was he safety but also company on such a long trip, which could span the whole day. Only a bird in the distance was heard chirping as Kaoru waited. This heightened the frustration and anger she was already feeling.

"I'm not going with you if that's what you're getting at!" Yahiko expressed as he stuffed a rice ball in his mouth.

"Who said I wanted you to go? Stupid," Kaoru hit him on the side of the head.

"Sorry Jou-chan I have something to take care of today, but I'll go with you next time," Sano scratched the side of his head, he felt guilty and a little perturbed, why hadn't Kenshin offered to go as he always had? He hadn't even offered an excuse. He could visibly see how upset Kaoru was, even though she tried to hide it, she always showed her emotions on her sleeve.

"Well, I am going to take a shower and get ready, Yahiko prepare my bath," She walked off without looking Kenshin in the face, who's face was turned away. Sano's curiosity grew further and further when it came to Kenshin's behavior. He couldn't accompany Kaoru because of that reason; he was going to find out from his sources what was up.

"I'm not going to do it! You're crazy," Yahiko was interrupted by Sano, who patted him on the shoulder, and gave him a look to let him know that he should just do it and not put up a fight. Yahiko grunted.

Sometime later Kaoru finished her bath and was just getting some things ready for the trip when she spotted Kenshin. He was outside playing with the little girls and he seemed to her that he was acting the same as usual with everyone else, so why was he treating her so coldly and ignoring her? She decided to not digress any longer and head out; she didn't want to have to come back in the dark.

"I'm leaving! I'll see you guys later," Kaoru yelled back at her home as she left, it felt so odd going alone. It reminded her of when she was living alone, which wasn't the fondest period of her life.

Excerpt from the following chapter:

'Kaoru squinted as she looked up; it was hard for her eyes to adjust to the early morning's sun. She looked up at the person to excuse herself, she immediately got a sinking feeling; she knew who this person was. The young boy smiled at her but slightly changed his expression as he noticed the girl's stare. had she recognized him?'