Wounds of the Past
After a lengthy flight and enough of Sano's bickering with pretty much everyone else in the group, they happily landed in Italy.
Sano stretched lazily after getting his luggage and waited for the rest to join him outside the airport.
"Alright where to now?" he asked as Aoshi and Misao dragged out their suitcases, followed by Kenshin who knowingly packed light.
"I've got the address written down" Aoshi pulled out a paper from his pocket. The air around them was crisp and fresh, the sun shown brightly in the sky above.
"Here let me take a look" Kenshin offered. After studying the address for a few moments, he quickly procured a large enough cab for all of them and their luggage.
"So how far is this from here?" Sano quipped as they rode along the beautiful Italian roads.
"About a half hour ride with no traffic I think" Kenshin replied. He asked the driver to double check and spoke fluently in Italian as his annual trips always brought him back here.
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After turning down a quaint paved road, the small van made its way through the winding city streets.
"Oh this place so nice!" Misao chirped while looking out the van windows.
"Doesn't she teach or something? I don't see this place having a huge university anywhere!" Sano asked.
"She said she was teaching at a local University" Aoshi grunted.
Kenshin looked out at the uniform arrangement of several houses and businesses as they whizzed by in the van. He wondered again what the young lady that Aoshi was related to would be like, and why she chose to live out here on her own.
Finally, the van halted to a stop in front of a large black gate and the group looked up at the rather large house that sat at end of a long driveway. The driver buzzed the keypad and a masculine voice asked in Italian who it was. The driver looked back at the group quizzically waiting for one of them to answer.
"Ah" Kenshin quickly sat up from his seat remembering his Italian, "Please let Ms. Kaoru know that her cousin Aoshi and guests have arrived" he offered in his best Italian.
The driver repeated what he'd been told and moments later the gates opened. The van filled with its occupants slipped in and slowly made their way through the expansive front garden of the estate. It circled the large fountain in front of the house and stopped at the front entrance.
After getting out of the van, they were met by a tall, slim, tan older woman who looked to be roughly in her 50's. She greeted them in English.
"Good afternoon, I'm Gina" she pleasantly offered. Another young man appeared and helped to unload their luggage which was being rather carelessly flung around my Sano.
"Hello" Misao greeted back.
"You must be Ms. Kamiya's guests. We've been expecting you. I hope your trip was pleasant" she customarily asked.
They all smiled at her and nodded, "Please follow me" she instructed in led them inside.
Kenshin looked around as did the rest at the staggering surroundings. The home was more of a small manor and was simply yet tastefully decorated. Stone floors and walls, along with warm colored wooden furniture all complimented the artistic embellishments of the stone statues, tapestries and frescos.
Gina escorted them toward the sitting room, but they heard a loud scream reverberate from the upstairs as a woman ran frantically down towards them.
"AOSHI! MISAO!" came the excited greeting as the dark-haired woman glided down the stairwell.
"KAORU!" Misao yelled back and ran up to greet her.
Both women threw themselves into an embrace and twirled around several times laughing frantically. They finally stopped and gave each other a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh you look so good Misao" Kaoru laughed and admired her longtime friend.
"And you look as beautiful as ever" Misao chirped back.
Both women hugged again and laughed.
"Ahem" Aoshi cleared his throat.
Kaoru looked up and if it was possible, her smile broadened even more at the sight of her cousin. She excitedly ran from Misao and practically flew into his arms for hug.
"I see you've been treating him well" Kaoru teased Misao after they broke from the hug, "He's as strong and tall as ever!"
Misao laughed as she joined them.
Kenshin stood in wonder as he silently watched the beauty before him. She seemed to have floated down the stairs on a cloud and her face instantly had lit up at the sight of her cousin and friend. "She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen" he remarked. But there was a distinct air of sadness to her. While she was obviously overjoyed to see Aoshi and Misao, her laughter had certain reluctance in it and her eyes a peculiar dullness to them.
What should have been brilliant blue reflections were more like dull and saddened ones. The delicate skin under her eyes seemed slightly dark as the weariness hung around her aura. After her ecstatic laughter, she was only content to give a small smile that seemed pained perhaps even forced.
He must have been standing there studying her rather crudely because he soon caught her attention and smiled.
Aoshi followed his cousins' gaze and remembered the other two guests, "Oh Kaoru this is Sano who I'm sure you remember…"
Sano stepped forth and gave her a quick hello and peck on the check. She smiled sweetly at him, "How could I forget Sano."
The tall man only chuckled, for once having no comment.
"And this is Kenshin Himura" Aoshi introduced.
He took notice of the white cotton top she wore and how it contrasted brilliantly with her tan skin and dark hair. It was a simple caftan with nothing more than tan embroidery around the edge of the square shaped neck line. A pair of broken-in pale blue jeans completed the outfit and she wore simple flat sandals. Her hair was long and cascaded down her back and it bounced every time she moved about or spoke. He noticed that she'd flip it to one side in a part and then as stray bangs found their way to her eyes, she'd flip it to the other side.
Kenshin snapped from his stupor as the blued-eyed woman stepped towards him, "Hello Ms. Kamiya" he offered her his hand in a handshake.
Kaoru smiled warmly at him and took his hand, "Nice to meet you Mr. Himura, please call me Kaoru."
"Oh" Kenshin was at a loss for words, "of course, and please call me Kenshin."
She smiled at him and nodded and turned her attention back to Misao. Kenshin could still feel the warm soft hand he'd held seconds ago in the palm of his own. She seemed so sweet and warm, and yet why would she ever move so far away from her loved ones he wondered.
"You guys must be tired and hungry" he heard her announce. "Why don't I show you to your rooms where you can get cleaned up before supper?"
"Sounds good Kaoru" Misao added as she grabbed her attaché.
"Don't worry about your bags, I'll have them sent to your rooms okay?" Kaoru instructed as she led them up the stairs to the second floor.
Aoshi draped a brotherly arm around her shoulders as they walked and Misao happily bounced alongside Kaoru while Sano and Kenshin walked behind.
"So what's my baby cousin been up to all this time?" he asked and looked at Misao.
Kaoru smiled slightly at the attention, "Well I've been working at the local university as a professor and studying for my PHD."
"Oh really? That sounds so interesting; I didn't know this small town would have a University!" Misao asked.
"Yea, the town was actually built up around the University. Most of the people here are professors, students, or blue-collared hard working family folks. It's quiet and I like it like that."
"What're you studying?" Aoshi inquired.
Kenshin had decided this was singularly the only time he'd ever seen his ever-stoic friend so involved with someone other than Misao. He was openly affectionate with Kaoru, happy to see her, and able to convey his emotions. It was shocking how much they were like brother and sister, and yet lived so far from each other.
"Biology" Kaoru answered. "I'm teaching it too, but right now I'm on sabbatical so you guys have great timing!"
After a few more moments of walking, they reached the first doorway where Kaoru pointed to, "This guest room I set up for you two" she indicated towards Misao and Aoshi. "It has a great view of the gardens and the sunlight pours right in through the windows, which I thought was perfect since Aoshi is an early-riser!"
The room was a large suite with a king-sized poster bed complete with organza white canopy drapes. The walls were a soft pale yellow and held beautiful artwork. A dresser, armoire and other furniture was displayed perfectly around the room in warm woods.
"It has a his and her features, so you guys don't have to fight" Kaoru added. "Get freshened up so we can catch up okay? I'll show Sano and Kenshin their rooms as well."
With that the group left Misao and Aoshi in the privacy of their room. Sano, Kenshin and Kaoru walked to the other side of the hallway and she held open another room door. "And this room is for Sano who I know absolutely hates to wake up anytime before 11 am! So this room faces in the window face in the opposite direction of the sunrise!" she smiled sweetly.
"Missy you're the best. The only one that understands me" Sano feigned sadness as Kaoru giggled and Kenshin only smiled and shook his head.
"She's only being nice because she probably knows what a lazy bum you are" Kenshin joked. He looked towards Kaoru who only laughed at the comment.
"Fine, fine..whatever. I need a bath!" Sano retorted.
"Oh uh, there's a bathroom in the hallway. Second door to your right" Kaoru instructed.
Sano thanked her and went about taking his bags from the young man who'd carried them up the stairs after them.
"Kenshin this way please" she instructed and they walked out into the hallway once more.
Kenshin was a bit flustered to be semi-alone with her and wondered what in the world would cause someone so seemingly sweet, smart and pretty to just drop everything in her life and leave.
"Ah, so you're into biology?" he stammered. "Smooth Himura" he chastised over the lackluster opening line.
Kaoru smiled as they continued to walk down the hallway, "Yes, I've always had a love for the sciences and although I never thought about it before, teaching just came naturally."
Kenshin hung to nearly every word that dropped from her lips. She wore no makeup, not even any jewelry; just a simple sweet smile adoring her perfect face. He had to keep himself from staring overtly and smiling like a buffoon.
"Very interesting…very interesting" he chuckled nervously. "God Himura! What in the hell is wrong with you? Why can't you stop acting like an idiot and just talk to her? She's just a female! Not like you haven't had practice in THAT department. I must just be nervous because of Aoshi. He practically jumped down my throat at the mention of his baby cousin."
"So this is your room" she indicated and opened a door for them. They stepped inside to a similar room as Sano's only it was slightly smaller, but still comfortable for him. "I'm sorry it's a bit smaller than the rest."
Kenshin looked around and smiled, "Oh no, this is very nice. A change to the hotels I stay at in Milan."
"You've been here before?" she asked.
Kenshin smiled inwardly at the spark of interest he saw in her eyes, "Yes, I'm here often on business. My company is involved in a lot of import/export business out of Italy and France so I get a chance to travel quite a bit. In fact next week I have a luncheon in town so I won't be in your hair too long."
She gave him a shy smile, "It sounds exciting, but doesn't it get tiring to have to travel?"
"No not really. You see the company only sends me about 1 or 2 times a year. The people are so pleasant here, and I'm fortunate enough to come in nice warm or mild weather so I take as another vacation!"
Kaoru smiled again at his statement, "It seems like you enjoy what you do for a living then."
"Oh of course. Travel, business, meeting new people. I'm all about that. But you also enjoy your profession, don't you?"
She became a bit flustered at the attention, "Of course. I love teaching especially the higher classes. They're absolutely ready to learn and soak up all the information you have."
They stood in an awkward silence for a few moments, neither knowing what to say.
"Think, think, think Himura…" he raked his brains.
"Well I'll leave you to get freshened up and make sure supper is almost done" the sound of her voice broke into his thoughts.
"Yes, thank you" he managed to get out as she left the room and closed the door behind her.
Kenshin plopped down on the bed and sighed heavily, "What the hell is the matter with me? She's just another girl!"
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The group assembled in the dining room about an hour later. The four guests were showered, refreshed, and enjoying the warm environment. They seated themselves at the table, which was still not set and also missing its hostess.
"Mmmm, this place sure is nice. Teachers pay must be a helluva a lot better here than in the states" Sano mused as he looked around at the artwork and pottery in the room.
Aoshi gave him a stare as if to tell him to act a bit more dignified.
"What?" Sano shot back, "I was only sayin'. Besides its Jou-chan, she's just as much my baby sister as she is yours!"
"Just don't upset her your very first night here" Aoshi reminded.
Kenshin sat back and watched the two men when Misao intervened, "Hey you two are not helping by being down each others throats. Besides Aoshi, Sano is right. We're all family and friends here not strangers. Kaoru is just as comfortable around us now as she was back then…"
"There you all are" came the beaming chime of her voice.
Kenshin turned his head to face in the direction of the raven-haired girl. She stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips, a smile across her face and astonishment in her eyes. "I've been looking for you guys everywhere!"
"You said get ready for supper, so we're ready!" Sano answered.
Kaoru let out a laugh and Kenshin thought he'd never heard something so melodious and sweet in his entire life. Her entire face lit up when she laughed like that. He noted the perfect rows of pearly white teeth, the slight dimples at sides of her full lips, and the way her skin glowed.
"I'm sorry, I just remembered how antsy this one gets when it's concerning food" she grinned. "We'll have supper on the patio this evening. It's such a beautiful day and I'd hate to it waste cooped up inside. Follow me!" she led them out of the room.
The glass table was set perfectly. A summer's bouquet helped decorate the center as simple candles and colorful plates and napkins were set for each guest. Kaoru let Aoshi sit at the head of the table followed by Misao to his right, and her to his left. Kenshin quickly decided he wanted as much face time with her as possible through dinner so he seated himself next to Misao and Sano took the seat next to Kaoru.
The feast was a delightful palate of Sicilian cuisine all stirring with mouth watering flavors. It all looked just as good as it tasted.
"Mmmmmh, Jou-chan this is really great. I see your cooking skills have improved" Sano smiled as he took another mouthful of food.
Kaoru blushed at the comment, "I've had some help, thanks."
Kenshin couldn't believe she could look any more beautiful than from before. But he quickly decided that seeing her blush like was singularly the sweetest sight he'd ever seen. "I don't remember the last time I saw a woman blush like that!"
He noted the point for a later time, "I'll have to see her blush again like that" he thought.
"So Kaoru, tell us more about Italy. It's so beautiful!" Misao chirped.
"Well it's actually really beautiful here. We'll go see the vineyards and farms tomorrow if you like? The strawberries should be in season right about now. They're so sweet and perfect for cooking with! And I think you guys will enjoy the wine that's made and bottled here as well. It's really very good."
They all agreed on those plans, "Yes let's do something like that everyday!" Misao clapped like a happy little child. "I'm so glad you have time off to enjoy with us Kaoru!"
Kenshin looked up from his plate just in time to see her smile again in agreement.
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A few hours of friendly chatting later, Kenshin found himself wondering out of his room at around 8 pm. He walked around the first floor and saw Misao sitting by herself in the spacious living room in front of a cozy fire.
"Hey waiting for Aoshi?" Kenshin teased.
Misao giggled, "For your information I'm waiting for Kaoru. She's taking a shower to get freshened up. We plan on having a serious girl talk all night. Aoshi and Sano are both out like lights. I guess the jet lag finally caught up."
Kenshin took a seat adjacent to her in the comfortable arm chair and stared into the flames.
"Misao?" he called out her name almost absentmindedly.
"Yea?"
"I get the feeling I know Kaoru from somewhere. I mean I know you guys mentioned she used to live in the states and is Aoshi's baby cousin, but I don't recall seeing her too often. Remind me again."
Misao took a thoughtful breath and considered telling him. She decided that he was good enough guy that had earned a great deal of respect from her and Aoshi. "I don't think you knew her too well. You probably met her only once or twice at some family events of Aoshi's. She moved away not too soon after college started."
"How come?"
Misao thought again before continuing, "She-she got married."
Kenshin's heart dropped into his stomach as all images of her shattered in his mind, "What?" that was all he could muster to say.
"Yea, her husband's name was Enishi. You probably didn't even know him. He was a good guy actually, and they loved each other madly" Misao's tone softened substantially at the sound of Kaoru's husband.
"Kaoru's husband?" Kenshin thought. The raven-haired, soulful-eyed beauty was well out of his reach. She was a one of millions and yet his heart fluttered painfully at even the thought of that, "Why?"
"Wait, was?" Kenshin suddenly snapped back to his senses, "What'd you mean by that?"
Misao looked up at him with apprehensive, saddened eyes, "Kenshin, he's been dead for years. Kaoru's a widow. That's why she moved here in the first place. Far, far away from where she met him and shared so many of her memories."
Kenshin thought his world was spinning, "Married now a widow?" he thought.
"I…I had no idea" he managed to mutter. "She's so young…"
"Yea she is. Her entire life has been ruined and she hasn't been able to completely put those pieces back together. Everyone tried to tell her to move on. In fact I think that's another reason why she moved so far away. They kept pushing her to try and date and marry again, but she just wasn't ready. So one day she packed up, called us and said that it would be best if she went as far away from her life as possible. We did nothing to stop it, I mean I could've tried but we knew ultimately she wouldn't waver on her decision. Aoshi was pretty broken up about it, but her happiness is all that matters to him."
Kenshin was still unable to completely respond to the information he'd just gained. "Married and widowed…I can't…" her laughter and face filled his head again.
Suddenly a small creak behind them caught their attention. Misao twirled around from her place to see what it was and a gasp caught in her throat. Kenshin looked up from the fire to follow the noises and turned to see an image of a sad and teary-eyed Kaoru standing in the doorway.
She'd heard everything and stood in stunned silence as Misao had gone on about her sad life to Kenshin.
His heart dropped again and if at all possible, lurched lower in his abdomen than before.
"Kaoru…" Misao managed to squeak.
A tear slid down her face as she turned and promptly ran from the doorway. In an instant he saw the place which had once occupied her was void.
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