Chapter 1: Exodus of a Vagabond

It was spring. The cherry blossoms had bloomed, spreading their bright pink buds among the limbs of trees, its rosy petals dancing through the wind. The smell of grass and flowers, that sweet, warm smell, warned of summer approaching soon. The sky was a bright, cheery blue without a single fluffy cloud to pierce it. The sounds of bugs were slight, and children were often heard playing out in the sun. A light breeze would slip through often, making it all absolutely perfect.

The day was paradoxical to what was going to take place. A thousand rainstorms couldn't be a good enough example to prove what sorrow she would feel.

It had all started a little afternoon, since the 'family' of Sanosuke, Yahiko, Megumi (who was visiting her dear Ken-san), Ayame, Suzume, Dr. Gensai, and of course, her dearest Kenshin had all eaten lunch. Megumi had gone out into town with Sanosuke for some odd reason while Gensai and his two granddaughters had retreated back to their home. Kenshin and Yahiko were in the training room, where the rurouni was trying to help the pick-pocket with his technique.

Kaoru herself was sweeping the path, since her student was busy, and that meant she had nothing better to do, when the man that she respected and admired arrived and made her hate him, not for him, but for the message he brought.

Yamagata Aritomo caught her eye as he approached. He was smiling under his mustache, but the usual exultant glimmer within his eyes was absent.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, dropping her broom and bowing. "Yamagata-sama!"

"Good afternoon, Kaoru-san," He said promptly. "It's very nice to see you again."

"What brings you here, Yamagata-sama?"

"I've come to speak with Himura-san and Yahiko-san if he is in," He replied.

"Oh, they're-" She began.

"Just finishing up," A voice replied, making her jump.

She turned around to find a tired out Yahiko that was dragging along, and a sweaty Kenshin who was looking… rather attractive. She blushed.

"Kenshin," She muttered.

"Sessha is sorry he is not presentable," Kenshin said, bowing to Yamagata.

"It doesn't matter, Himura-san," Yamagata assured, holding up his hand in pardon. "I need to speak to the both of you."

"What's the matter, Yamagata-sama?" Kenshin asked. "You need to speak with sessha?"

"Me too?" Yahiko asked, sounding pleased to actually be acknowledged for something. "What for?"

"It's a very serious issue, I'm afraid," Yamagata responded gravely.

Yahiko seemed interested, but Kenshin's face did nothing more but become emotionless. His eyes gave the impression that he was staring far beyond the one he was speaking with, probably thinking of who ELSE could possibly be out to get him… or even worse, someone else. Then, proving that he was indeed still with them, he said, "Let us continue this discussion inside. Kaoru-dono, if you would please make us some tea."

She nodded, bowed, and headed off for the kitchen area, steaming with anger. That was Kenshin's way of getting her to stay out of their business. She believed that she had the right to know too! Oh well… At least he was polite about it, unlike Yahiko, who would probably have told her that it was men business and to go away, which she would then reply with a comment about him being a little boy, which would thus result in a brawl that would embarrass Kenshin, not to mention herself, in front of Yamagata.

She stepped inside and began gathering up her ingredients, all the while wondering just what Yamagata needed to tell him. If it had just been Kenshin, she would have figured it was just another lunatic out to get revenge on the Battousai. It had been that way with Jin'e and with Shishio as well… but the fact of the matter was that he also wanted to speak with Yahiko, and this left her in concern.

She sat down at the empty table, waiting for the tea to finish. It had to be something serious… Kenshin was aware of it, but Yahiko seemed excited to be included. He truly was a little boy.

She folded her hands together and placed her chin on top of them. As she tried to figure out who would be after Kenshin, she then realized how little she knew about him. He did things that always made her feel like they were the closest of friends (and upon certain wishes and dreams, closer than that), but in the end she didn't know just how many enemies he had, who his allies were, or anything. She knew what foods he liked, what chores he did, swordsman style, and reason for being rurouni, but all of the really, really important stuff was missing.

Then again, she supposed that it all depended on one's opinion of importance.

The tea was ready. She hurried to her feet and grabbed it off the fire, then poured three glasses. None for her. She felt like a servant girl.

Of course, she decided not to be angry, for bringing in the tea would give the possibility that she could listen in on the conversation.

She padded down the hall with the tray of tea in her hands, being careful as not to spill it on her kimono. Kenshin had bought it for her birthday, and it was the prettiest royal blue with gold flower print along the shoulder and low hem. She loved it so dearly and tried to wear it as often as possible to prove how much she appreciated it.

She slid open the door to the room Kenshin had taken his guest and Yahiko and peeked in; they were discussing something quite serious.

"You must understand that we need you now, Himura," Yamagata said. She was glad they hadn't noticed her yet.

Kenshin didn't say a word, staring into his lap. The focused look on his face concerned her, but she became frightened when she saw how pale and horrified Yahiko looked. What was going on!

"There is no other option. The outbreaks in Kyoto have become too unruly for the police, and they're headed in the direction of Tokyo… They plan to start… a war…"

She gasped, and then bit her lip, hoping she hadn't been heard.

She hadn't. They were too absorbed in the conversation.

Kenshin's fists gripped the cloth of his pants. "How many?"

"Approximately three thousand in Kyoto now. We don't know how many there are hidden away though."

"H-how major a threat are they?" Yahiko choked, trembling slightly.

"Well, they're all following Shishio Makoto's logic… and according to the police, each one is as strong as him or at least one of his men."

"What are you planning to do?" Kenshin asked, barely above a whisper. "You think sessha can fight three thousand men like him alone?"

"No. That's why I supposed that while I was here, I would speak with Yahiko here. I know he's fifteen now, and therefore a man."

Yahiko looked into his eyes, unable to speak.

"It has been confirmed. We must prepare in case war does break out. All men are being…" He fumbled his hands over each other, obviously regretting what he was having to tell the boy. "-b-being… drafted…"

The tray fell from her hands, and the glasses crashed to the floor. All the men looked in the direction of the door. She covered her mouth with her hands, mortified.

A draft… All the men were going to… war…

She ran off down the hall as quickly as she could, considering the binding of the kimono around her legs.

"Kaoru-dono!" Kenshin's voice cried from down the hall.

She rushed out the door, slipping on her sandals, and rushing towards the gate. "No, no, no, no, no…" She whispered, running in the direction of the woods. She wasn't quite positive of where she was going, but the only thought running through her head was… A draft…All men are being drafted…She knew what that meant. Kenshin, Yahiko, Sanosuke… all of them would be taken from her, and she'd be left alone, waiting for them.

She collapsed from exhaustion, laying on the ground, and she burst into tears. She didn't even care that she had dirt on her beautiful kimono. It was her family that mattered now. She didn't want to spend day to day just worrying about them.

It was then that she realized, rising up from the ground and staring at her surroundings. This was the place… This was where Kenshin had left her before. She wailed out another sob, not wanting to think of the irony.

She wept for a long period of time, and then settled down, sniffling. The chirping of the birds angered her. They were too happy.

She sat, her face in her knees, shivering. Then, scaring her, a heavy palm rested against her back.

Kaoru gasped, raising her head and glancing over her shoulder. "Kenshin…" She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"Sessha has something important to discuss with you," He said, staring solemnly into her eyes.

"Please…" She whispered. Don't say it… Don't say goodbye… Her thoughts finished for her.

He sighed rather dejectedly and helped her to her feet. They were standing across from one another, staring into each other's eyes, and the wind was the only thing that made a sound.

She could hear the thumping of her heart in her ears. It was driving her insane. Half of her wished he'd just get it over with. The other half was dreading what he was going to say.

"As you know…" He finally began. "Sessha had a discussion with Yamagata-sama… Sessha is not sure just how much Kaoru-dono heard, but he's going to explain… There are men in Kyoto planning to bring war upon Tokyo and possible the entirety of Japan. They're drafting all of the men into training camps so we can stand a chance… All of these men are dangerous, each of them at least as strong as Shishio's men…Yamagata-sama has insisted that sessha help lead the army, one of the right hand men to the leader, you see… and sessha… cannot deny helping to stop what is happening… He must go. Even if he did not take the job as a right-hand man, he is still an able bodied man, you must understand."

"I… I see," Kaoru choked, and then managed a smile. "So, how long will it be?"

"Sessha does not know. Nobody knows these things until they happen, Kaoru-dono," Kenshin said solemnly.

"Yeah, but when the war is over… if there even is one… you'll tell me everything when you get back, right?"

He stared at her for a moment. "Sessha… might not be coming back."

Her entire body froze over. She'd heard what he'd said, but she didn't want to believe it. She couldn't. He wouldn't… come back!

"It took all of sessha's skill and strength to keep himself under control in the battle against Shishio… and now, sessha will have to be facing many of them… and he may be forced to flip his blade to defend Japan… Kaoru-dono… If sessha becomes Battousai, returns to hitokiri, he will not be able to face Kaoru-dono again. He will be too afraid of what he might do…"

"-but… you… what… about… what about… that is… I…" She whispered, beyond words. Her breathing had become heavy, and she could feel hot tears stinging at the edge of her indigo eyes. She looked around idly, hand over her heart. This couldn't be happening.

"What are you trying to say?" Kenshin asked desperately, afraid and concerned by the reaction. He suspected that she might hate him now.

"What about… Yahiko and Sanosuke?" She managed to say, even though it wasn't the subject really on her mind. "If they… If they see you k-kill… If they watch you slaughter, they'll believe it's okay or something… and they'll only realize too late… and they won't come back either because they'll be ashamed… like you…" She was putting forth every bit of power in her not to cry.

"Kaoru-dono," Kenshin whispered, barely audible.

"Wh-what about me, Kenshin! You… and Yahiko, and Sano… You're all part of my family! If you all go away… I… I'll be alone again… You can't do this… YOU CAN'T TAKE MY FAMILY AWAY FROM ME!" She screamed, and her sorrow slipped down her cheeks. "WHAT ABOUT ME! This sounds so selfish… but what about MY NEEDS! I NEED MY FAMILY, KENSHIN!" She was shaking now. "I… I can't let you do that… I can't… let you… WHY!" She threw herself into his arms, sobbing into his chest.

Kenshin lowered his face into her long, luxurious locks of raven hair. They smelled of the sweetest of lilacs, a pure spring scent, an aroma that was purely Kaoru and locked along in his memory of her.

"You can't… You can't leave me here…" She wept. "You can't leave me here all alone…

The words stabbed him. She definitely hated him.

"You always, always do this…" She whispered. "Why do you even come back at all…?" She knew that he only came back because she dragged him back, but she wasn't thinking straight at the moment anyways.

He lowered his face more deeply into her hair, and closed his eyes. The top of her beautiful tresses then began to dampen. "Forgive me…" He said. Her eyes flew open, but when she turned to look up at him, he had released her and started on his way back to the dojo.

She stared at his back, unable to move.

"Forgive me…"