I'm not too proud of this chapter, but please don't hold it against me... I was in too much of a good mood when I wrote it... so I think that reflected onto my writing.

Disclaimer: These people do not belong to me... they are probably happy about that too.

Chapter 5

Kaoru woke with a grin spreading across her face and a giggle erupting from her throat for the chirping birds outside her window. Jumping up out of the futon she rushed around her room and quickly rolled up her bedding and changed into the training gear her father had bought for her. Today he had promised to spar with her.

True she knew that there was no way she was on his level, but it was the fact that he would be focusing totally and completely on her. He would be forced to fix any problems she had in her stance and swing that he would not have been able to notice on different days because he was too busy with others. Today she would be learning more than the same old routine. Today he would be forced to realize she was better than he thought.

Running out of her room she barreled down the hall to his, intent on throwing open the doors and jumping on his sleeping figure. He was lazy like that. Always sleeping in until the last minute. Then again, he had his own personal alarm, so why should he not sleep in as long as he wanted. Kaoru giggled as she slid the shoji open and cautiously peeked inside.

Then frowned in confusion when he was nowhere in sight.

A wonderful smell drifted across her nose and she suddenly understood that he was already up and cooking breakfast. Odd, but a nice change. That meant she didn't have to wait in the kitchen impatiently as he cooked in front of her, denying her any stray bits that she could get a hold of.

Jumping again in her giddy state, she ran down the hall and slid around the corner of the kitchen.

"Otousan I…"

Kaoru froze, the breath constricting in her lungs as she took in the head of red hair that was in her kitchen. Not the dark of her father. And he was short. Definitely too short to be her father. There was a stranger in her house, and her father was nowhere to be found. The man turned toward her questioningly, amethyst eyes curious and confused. Kaoru finally sucked in a breath and looked for something she could use for a weapon. Though in the back of her mind she knew it would do nothing against the katana that was present on his hip.

Kenshin froze with the ladle in hand and the soup bubbling in front of him. Kaoru stood in the doorway and if the look on her face said anything, she was terrified. The range of emotions that swept through her eyes all suggested that he should not have been there, and she was trying to think of a way to get him out. With a detached sort of amusement and admiration he watched her sapphire pools scan the area around them. He'd seen that look before. She was searching for something to beat him with.

"Kaoru-dono?" An honorific for today, he decided. If she didn't know him, then he should treat her with every bit of respect he would show to a stranger. Though it hurt him horribly. Kaoru's eyes snapped back to him, wary. "Breakfast is not ready." He said softly, soothingly, trying to keep his voice and manner as unthreatening as possible.

"Who are you?" She took a cautious step back, looking around again for anything loose to throw in case he rushed her. "Where's Otousan?"

Oh shit.

"He went out today." Kenshin said slowly, carefully trying to mask the lie. "Something important came up and he asked me to watch you for him."

"Liar! He was going to spend time with me today!" Kenshin's eyes widened in shock at her outburst, but he was actually relieved to hear that she was more upset than disbelieving. I hope that doesn't mean that her father left her alone a lot though.

"Gomen nasai, Kaoru-chan." He switched to the more affectionate, just in case the other would make her more suspicious. He really had no idea how young she thought she was. "It was really important and he wanted me to make sure that you understood that he's very sorry he won't be here. He'll make it up to you tomorrow."

"Yeah, like he always does." Kenshin watched in horror as she slid down the far wall and buried her face in her hands, silent sobs wracking her body. Putting down the spoon, he walked over to her and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "This one is sure he will."

Kaoru sniffed under his hand, but didn't pull away. Looking up at him, she smiled tremulously and wiped a hand across her eyes. "You're really nice. I still don't know who you are, though."

"Himura Kenshin." He supplied with a smile. His silly rurouni grin that made sure everyone thought he was harmless and trustworthy.

"Arigato, Himura-san."

Kenshin's smile turned tense and he twisted away quickly to mask his own pain. That was definitely weird. She didn't even call him that when they'd first met. "This one will have breakfast brought out for you in a little while. If you want to wait in the dining room." Kenshin heard her stand up and whisper her thanks before walking off down the hall. As soon as he was sure she was gone, he dropped everything and hurried down the hall to Yahiko's room. Briefly he noticed his door standing wide open, but shook it from his mind in favor of getting Yahiko out of there before any more trouble happened.

"Yahiko." Kenshin slid open his shoji and walked in quickly, forgetting politeness and personal space for the moment. "Yahiko, wake up." He nudged him with his foot and watched with some satisfaction as he instantly jumped up and looked around groggily.

"Wha's up? Wha's goin' on?" He finally focused on Kenshin, and started rubbing his eyes dejectedly. Yawning loudly once he realized nothing dangerous was happening. "What is it Kenshin?"

"Kaoru-dono thinks she is still living with her father. This one thinks it would probably be safer if you were not here for today. Go run and warn Megumi-dono before she decides to come over."

"Kuso." Yahiko winced when Kenshin leveled a glare at him. "I mean darn." He smiled sheepishly and hurriedly grabbed clothes to get dressed. "Ok, I'm outta here. Just get back before she starts having a heart-attack or something."

Kenshin leveled another glare at the boy before walking out. He knew that he truly cared for her, he'd proven that when he'd first come back, but it looked like having him back there to take care of her in his stead made the kid feel more secure that she was going to be ok and he could fall back into a regular routine with her. Though he made sure that it was down played considerably compared to what it used to be.

It didn't help that it had been two months since she had started these hallucinations with no sign of them letting up. Most of the time it was just her thinking it was a year earlier or when they'd first met. Every one of them included Kenshin and most of the time Yahiko as well. Things could almost be considered normal if it wasn't for the fact that she would suddenly change her mind halfway through the day or drop back into a deep depression that had her latching onto him as if she'd never let go.

Thankfully she had made a full recovery where her health was concerned. There was no more counting ribs and limp hair, only a healthy glow and rounded curves. Yahiko said he was looking better too, and he had to admit that he felt a lot better, except for the minor fact that his Kaoru was still suffering because he'd left her. Though that didn't seem to be bothering her as much any more. At nights, when she would revert back to remembering his departure, she would also remember every night they shared together and he was beginning to believe that those nights were healing her the most. When all he would do was hold her and assure her he was going nowhere.

On some level he believed that he was getting through to her this way. They still had yet to talk about why he left in the first place, though he thought she already knew. Anymore, after spending a year away from her and seeing the affect that it had on both of them, he realized that he agreed with her. His excuse was stupid. All he could do though was make it up to her for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, she would allow a rest of their lives. After all, he deserved any punishment he received, and he was wondering if Kami-sama wasn't the one handing it to him.

Walking back into the kitchen he removed the soup and set up a tray to take out to the dining room. Today looked like it was going to be a long day.

x

Kaoru sat dejectedly inside the dojo, staring morosely at the plaques on the wall. There was really nothing to complain about, she guessed she should have just expected it. It wasn't like it was anything knew or anything. Being disappointed anyway. She had just been looking forward to learning something new and sparring with her father that it hurt more today that he had to be away than any other time.

Laying her head down on her knees she sighed. Himura had been nice to her all day, but the looks she would sometimes catch from him made her think he wished to be somewhere else. He was really very sweet and made sure she was comfortable at all times, she just thought there was something wrong with him. Something that she didn't have a clue as to how to deal with.

Footsteps entered her ears and she looked up to find the object of her thoughts entering the side of the dojo, a cautious look on his face. That was something else she was trying to figure out about him. Although he was older and probably far more experienced than she was he seemed to be wary of her. Like she was going to jump over and attach herself to his head or something.

"Kaoru-chan, are you planning on sitting in here all afternoon?"

"Maybe." Kaoru turned away from him to stare at the other wall, hoping he would go away.

"Did this one do something wrong?"

She sighed, he liked to blame himself for a lot of things too. "Iie, I just don't want to be outside, ok?"

"But aren't you bored in here, just sitting and doing nothing?"

"I'm…meditating, ok? Didn't you every do that while you were in training? That is assuming you know how to use that thing you carry around."

Kenshin laughed, shocking the girl out of her grumpy mood for a moment to turn and watch him. "Hai, but this one found it to be very uncomfortable after a couple of hours. You've already been in here for more than that and this one is afraid you might get a cramp if you sit there too much longer."

Kaoru smiled at him before coming to a sudden decision. Kenshin watched, slightly wary, as her face lit up unexpectedly. "Father was going to spar with me today, but since he left me with you and you seem to know what your doing and…" Oh no, I think I know where this one is going. "well…do you think you could spar with me?" Kenshin shook his head slightly but she only plowed on ahead, more determined than ever. "I know I won't be much of an opponent, and I really don't know all that much and everything and you're probably really good, but I was really looking forward to sparring with Otousan today. I learn so much more that way, and how can I ever hope to master Kamiya Kasshin-ryu if I don't learn?"

"Well…" He would hate for her to think that he was avoiding her, but he still wasn't too sure how old she thought she was and how much swordsmanship she knew at that age. He didn't want to hurt her, but maybe he could humor her for a little bit.

"Onegai shimasu."

"Only for a little while. This one is getting tired in his old age." He joked good naturedly, trying to lighten the mood with her and make up an excuse to cut things short if he had to. Kaoru giggled.

"You can't be that old Himura-san." Then she jumped up and ran across the room to grab a couple shinai for them to use. Kenshin chuckled under his breath while removing his sakabato and placing it off to the side, then accepting the shinai when she handed it to him.

Squaring off with her he could tell that she was nervous, but hiding it bravely. He couldn't really blame her considering she wouldn't know him at this time and therefore didn't have much to build trust off of. Plus she wouldn't know anything about his skill or technique, therefore she was about to face off with someone who had an amazing advantage over her. Apparently his Kaoru was a lot more courageous than he gave her credit for.

The first strike was slightly off, leaving him to believe she was not concentrating, and when he said so she nodded her head and took up stance again. The next was better, but still something was wrong. She was still nervous, but she took any amount of criticism and suggestion that he would make, amazing him that she could swallow her pride in such ways. But then she had always been thoroughly immersed in teaching kendo, so why wouldn't she be that way about learning it too. Kenshin decided to take a more adamant interest in her own training after this. Maybe helping her wasn't that bad of an idea.

Soon she began to relax and her movements became more fluid and graceful, swirling, ducking, swinging all with the casual elegance of a swan. Kenshin was finding he was hard pressed to keep his own concentration when she was thoroughly distracting him with her actions alone. A smile spread across his face at her obvious enjoyment when he caught sight of her glowing eyes set in her fierce expression. She loves this. Let's see how much she really knows. She did say she wanted to learn.

Catching her off guard he ducked and swung low, intent on pulling out if there was any sign that she could not counter his attack. He watched her eyes go wide and he was about to divert when she suddenly rolled forward, over the shinai, and jumped up to her feet to block another blow. All thought put aside she flowed immediately into another more advanced series of blows that had Kenshin backing up under their force, more because he hadn't been expecting them than anything else.

Kaoru felt her body move in time with the beat, unaware to the point of fear about what she was doing or how she even knew what she was doing. Some of those movements were kata that her father hadn't even showed her yet. They were only seen when she had watched the older classes and even they had struggled, but she… had pulled them off like she'd been doing them for years. What the hell is going on? Panic welled up into her mind and she froze, staring with frightened eyes at the man in front of her.

"I… n-ani…gomen, but I think I need to rest now." Kaoru bowed hurriedly before running out the door, his questioning voice ringing in her ears.

Dropping the shinai at the door she sprinted down the walkways, intent on getting somewhere she could be alone and safely think about her own thoughts. Diving into her room, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it heavily, sliding down until she was sitting on the floor. Breathing raggedly, she wiped a hand across her sweaty forehead and tried to calm herself down. Something was wrong. There was no way she should have been able to do that, not like that, not so easily. Especially after only seeing it performed once or twice, and those times she hadn't even seen all of it at one time. Something was definitely not right… and why wasn't her father home yet?

Kenshin left the dojo after putting their practice stuff away, and re-placing his sakabato at his hip. Stepping out with every intention of finding Kaoru and talking to her he found himself distracted again as Megumi walked through the front gates.

"Ken-san, I know you said not to come today, but I think she'll be fine if I just tell her I'm a doctor. I was really worried about how her health might or might not be affected with all the stress she's been through. Even if she has been eating and exercising more."

"Hai, this one agrees, Megumi-dono, but Kaoru-dono just went to her room…she is not very happy at the moment."

Megumi put a hand on her hip accusingly. "What did you do this time?"

"Nothing." Kenshin held up his hands innocently. "She asked this one to spar with her, and this one only thought that if it kept her happy then she wouldn't get upset and hurt herself like last time."

Megumi sighed, thinking of how the tanuki had almost broken her neck falling off the porch in her hast to get away from whatever demon had been haunting her a few weeks before. "Alright, but what happened that way I know what to do when I walk in there?"

"This one thinks she might have realized that she knew more about kendo than she thought."

"Ah, well hopefully she's just slightly confused. Nothing that a little distraction won't cure. How about you go and prepare a bath while I go talk her into taking one?"

"Alright, Megumi-dono, but be gentle with her. She still thinks she's living with her father."

Megumi waved absently as she walked around the corner of the house, and stepped up to the door that belonged to Kaoru. Knocking she spoke through the thin walls softly.

"Kaoru-chan, Gensai-sensei sent me to check on you today. He said he was sorry that he couldn't come by himself, but the clinics rather hectic. Still he was worried about you being by yourself since he knew your father would be out. Can I come in?"

There was a small shuffle behind the screen and then the shoji slid open cautiously.

"Who are you?"

"My name's Megumi. I'm Gensai-sensei's apprentice."

"I didn't know that he had an apprentice? When did you start working with him?"

"Oh, just recently, you know. They sent me up from Aizu because they heard he was a really good doctor." Megumi smiled, hoping the half-lie would buy her a little trust with the lost looking girl gazing up at her from the inside of her room.

"Oh, well, I'm just fine, Megumi-sensei. There's really nothing to worry about."

"Well, how could you not be with such a good looking guy taking care of you?" Megumi laughed when the girl blushed and ducked her head. "Come now, you have noticed haven't you? What with that red hair you can't really miss him."

Kaoru giggled nervously. "Yes, but I'm not old enough to be thinking about something like that, Megumi-sensei. So please stop, your embarrassing me."

"Never too young, girl. Now, how about you go take a bath, you look like it would do you some good. I'm sure I heard Ken-san say he was preparing one for you. Wanted me to tell you to hop in when you were ready."

"Oh," Kaoru blushed again, obviously not used to being waited on so much. "I could have done that myself." Picking herself up she busied herself grabbing her bath things and then stumbling out the partially open door.

"I'll make sure Gensai-sensei knows you're all right, Kaoru-chan."

"Arigato, Megumi-sensei." Kaoru bowed hastily before taking off around the corner, intent on making sure the red-head didn't do anything else for her that day.

x

A/N: Ok, the next chapter I'm really, really nervous about... this is where the actually adult rating comes into play... don't hurt me if you hat it... onegai.