The morning was cold as Kaoru roused herself from an undaunted sleep. She pulled the warm winter sleeping kimono tighter about her slender body. Sleepily, she made her way to the shoji and pushed it open. The bitter cold winter wind nipped at her as she stepped outside. Her every breath came out as a white puff of air. The wood of the porch was cold against her bare feet.
Kaoru was thankful for the warmth of the kitchen as she stepped inside. Kenshin stood in the cooking area washing rice. "Good morning, Kaoru," Kenshin said, not looking up from his work. Kaoru didn't reply, only leaned her head against his shoulder. Kenshin turned around, drying his hands on his pants. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. Kaoru snuggled into his warm embrace. A tear trickled down her cheek as she thought about what was destined to happen that day.
Kenshin was going on a trip, a long trip to Kyoto by himself. She couldn't go with him. The only this he'd tell her was that it was a trip he needed to take.
"I'll be back Kaoru, that I will," Kenshin said, holding his wife tighter in his arms as she buried her face into his chest and sobbed quietly. Her black hair fell in around her face. Kenshin was at a loss of words. He hated to see her cry.
Finally, he loosened his grip on her and took the fish that were cooking off the fire. Soon he had laid out fish, rice, and tea on the eating table.
The two ate in silence, both unsure of what they should say to the other.
Kenshin tried not to look at Kaoru. He knew that if he were to look at her again, his heart would break. Her hair was uncombed, her gentle cheeks tear streaked, her eyes red and swollen from crying so much. Her forlorn look was almost unbearable.
Just then, Sano stepped inside followed by a sleepy Yahiko. Yahiko walked as though he had just been drugged. Both had arisen early to see Kenshin off and to comfort Kaoru.
The sun had barely peeked over the horizon, causing the snow to sparkle like a blanket of diamonds caressing the ground, the bare branches of the trees, parts of the fence, and any other object that might be protruding from the ground, as the four finished putting the breakfast utensils in their proper places.
Kenshin was dressed in a warm winter kimono and pants. He had put on a pair of thick, soft, woolen socks that kept his feet relatively warm.
Kaoru, now dressed for the day, threw her arms around his neck one last time. Kenshin returned the embrace, feeling as though he might be doing something wrong by going on the trip. Then, with a kiss, he was off. Right before he walked through the open gate, he turned and called to Kaoru and the others, "I will be back on New Year 's Eve, that I will. It is this one's promise, Kaoru."
Then, with slow, regretful steps, he exited through the gate.