Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Sadly, I never will.

Gin-Soaked Roses

Chapter Three

"It all began when you left us. I tried to live my life the best I could, really I did. But you destroyed me, Kenshin. You destroyed me."

"I'm sorry," he interrupted softly, his eyes on the hands resting in his lap. "I did it all to protect you. Leaving the syndicate, quitting my job as an assassin- it was all to protect you and Kenji. But quitting was never an option in my line of work. I didn't know that until it was too late." He stopped to look at her. She remained speechless. "When they started coming after me- you and Kenji too- I knew I had to leave. I had to leave to protect you." There was a seemingly endless pause.

"Baka," she said swiftly beneath her breath. "Baka, baka, baka! You think they left us alone just because you weren't there?" His eyes widened. "They thought we knew where you were, where you had gone. I wish I had. I couldn't defend myself- Sano tried for a little bit, but he had Megumi to take care of, her being pregnant and all, and I told him not to get involved. We survived for a time, them unwilling to hurt us for fear of losing your location, but eventually they decided force was necessary. When they hurt Kenji, we had to leave."

"I... I didn't know... I-"

"It's not your fault. We came here to Tokyo. We changed names, changed lives, changed everything. Do you know how long it took me to forget 'Kaoru', to forget 'Kenji'? Years, Kenshin. It took years. Or at least, it seemed like years. I don't know exactly. But I'm not Kaoru anymore. I'm not- so don't call me that. They could find us at any moment. I've worked too hard to protect Ken- I mean Jake. I've worked to hard to protect Jake."

The silence stretched on and on. Katie fought back tears from just remembering it all. Kenshin just sat and stared at the blank TV. Neither of them knew what to do.

"Mommy?" a soft voice reached their ears. Katie cursed in her mind and rose from the chair.

"Jake, go back to bed." He didn't budge. "Jake! Listen to your mother! Go back to bed right now!" He disappeared into his room, but it was too late. Kenshin could only stare at the closed white door, the thin plank of wood separating him from his son. He rose from the couch.

"He's... he's... so big," he said, his eyes moistening slightly as he walked slowly towards the door, staggering with the weight of his emotions. "So... much bigger than the last time... I held him." He stopped about three feet away from the door, away from Katie. He looked about ready to break down into tears. Katie felt tears threaten to fall just looking at the tender emotions crossing his face. "Has... he been healthy? I tried to send money, but they kept saying there was no Kaoru Himura in Kyoto. I said there had to be, but they insisted there was none. I tried to send all the money I had. Have you both been able to live okay?" His voice was barely above a whisper. He straightened up, meeting her tearing gaze evenly and obviously determined not to lose control of himself.

"We've been okay. I got a job down at the bar, and we've been fine." She took a breath that shook with the emotion that was stuck in her throat. She was too beat up by this whole night. "Look, we can talk more tomorrow. Do you have... a place to stay?" Katie regretted the words the minute they were out of her mouth.

"Kind of. I've been staying with Sano and Megumi and their little daughter, Mai. They miss you, Kao- I mean, Katie." He said the name strangely, as though he was forcing himself to say it. "You just left, without word or anything."

"I had to. Don't you think they would've followed, or at least tried to visit. I had to sever ties with all of my friends, just so they wouldn't get involved."

"I'm so sorry."

"Look, let's not talk about this. You can sleep on the couch tonight. But tomorrow, I want you gone. For good. No amount of apology can fix what you did to me and Jake, Kenshin. I just can't go back to where we were just like that." She turned away from him. "The bathroom's right here. And, I'm asking you seriously..." she looked at him square in the eyes, "don't go in Jake's room. At least not tonight, okay?" He nodded silently, as she disappeared into the bedroom.

She fell into bed, uniform and all, and cried herself to sleep.

To be continued...

A/N: Hi, everyone! Shorter chapter, I know, but lots of explanation. Sorry if it was a little boring, but I had to clear up the confusion. If you still don't understand something, ask me and I will reply personally. I do plan to reply to all reviewers at the end of the story, but I'll answer any questions right away. Please review! No one reviewed for chapter 2 and it made me so sad! The update will be soon, I promise! See you next time.

Preview:

"Kenshin, don't answer the phone!" Not hearing her, or ignoring her, he pulled the phone from its cradle.

"Hello?"

"Hi, this is Akemi. Who is this?"