Strawberry Fields

"Kaoru wait!" Misao practically yelled as she gave chase to the retreating form of her friend.

Kenshin had stood dumbfounded even after both women left the room. It was as if his feet were glued in place. His eyes went back to the fire and he thought over Misao's words and Kaoru's reaction to them. "Married…"

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The two women sat on the edge of the stone patio connecting the house with the backyard. The moon had just risen in the night's sky and the trees shivered slightly under the cool breezes.

Misao wrapped her arms around her trembling friend and allowed her to cry on her shoulder.

"Kaoru I'm so sorry" Misao softly whispered.

The woman sniffled and wiped the tears from her face sitting upright, "No Misao, don't be sorry. I can't believe I let myself get like this even after all these years. It's just as soon as you guys came back everything felt like it was before. I guess I let myself get carried away. I'm the one that should apologize, maybe even to Kenshin for running out like that."

"No Kaoru, please!" Misao exclaimed, "I had no right to talk about your personal life. But Kenshin is really a good guy and you know how your cousin Aoshi is. He said a few things to Kenshin about not bothering you and this and that, and I'm sure the poor guy was only curious."

Kaoru took a deep breath and exhaled, "I understand. Just the same, I feel so ashamed for letting him see me cry and run off like that."

"Don't worry about that now" Misao chided. "Tell me, have you been like this even all this way from home?"

Kaoru's innocent blue gaze shifted to her friend, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, have you been crying your eyes out like this? And you didn't even have someone to comfort you."

Kaoru's gaze shifted and she looked up towards the moon, "I can't ever forget him Misao. He was…" her voice quivered and her eyes glistened in the moonlight but she composed herself, "my everything. I still feel his presence no matter how far away I go, still smell his cologne, and hear his laughter. People always say how it'll get easier, the pain will slowly fade and you'll begin to live your life again. But I don't see that happening. I just seem to pass from one day to the next. As if I don't live my life but just exist."

Misao placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, "Come home then Kaoru. At least be around us so we can be by your side when you need the support."

A sad smile crept across Kaoru's face, "No Misao. At least here I don't feel his presence everywhere I go. Here people don't have to worry about walking on eggshells around me and they don't insist I move on and start dating and what not again. Besides, you and Aoshi are well on your way to starting your life together and I don't want to be silly little step child you two always have to worry over."

Misao chuckled, "And you think by living thousands of miles away your cousin worries any less about you? Did you see the smile on his face today when he saw you? You're like his baby sister and I know that seeing you unhappy will make him unhappy regardless of anything else."

"Which is exactly why you have to make sure you keep him happy always" Kaoru smiled back. "Promise me? You'll take care of him no matter what!"

"You don't have to ask Kao, I love him very much."

Kaoru's smiled broadened, "I know."

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The early morning sun shown down happily on the estate as the occupants busied themselves in getting dressed for breakfast and a walk through the vineyards.

Kenshin had stepped out of the shower and padded around in this black terry robe with a towel draped around his neck. His night had not been an easy one. After the two girls had left him standing shocked in the living room, he'd considered going after them.

He'd wanted to apologize to Kaoru for probing into her life and not just asking her directly. He felt even more miserable after he realized that she was probably crying her eyes out and he'd been the cause of it. As much as he'd wanted to do all of the above, the time just didn't seem right. She would probably need her space alone with her long time trusted friend and he was just a stranger after all.

So he'd retreated back to his room and lay in bed thinking about the young woman he'd been so smitten with on first glance. "It's not like she's the last woman on earth for me, so why do I feel so down about the fact that her heart already belongs to someone else? Why do I still feel the need to see her again and hear her laugh? No…this is very wrong. She was married and is obviously still in love with her husband. I can't chase after her. For one she's probably not in the least bit interested, and secondly it'd just be wrong. Wouldn't it?"

His thoughts were interrupted at a soft knock at the door.

"Come in" he responded.

His breath nearly caught in his throat at the sight of the woman standing in the doorway. Her beautiful hair was gathered into a ponytail and she wore a simple white blouse and khaki pants. The earthy colors looked absolutely rich against her skin. Kenshin composed himself and saw that she was slightly blushing at the sight of him still in his calf-length bath robe.

"Oh uh…I'm sorry I just got out of the shower" he stammered.

"No my apologies, I'll come back another time" she shyly answered and averted her gaze.

"No please come in" he replied before he could even think, "Is there anything wrong?"

She seemed to think for a few seconds and then finally entered the room, closing the door behind her. She stood against the door, her gaze at first on the floor and then looking him squarely in the eyes.

"I-I just wanted to say about last night, I'm really sorry" she started softly. "It was childish of me to run off like that and not even bother to come back and apologize."

Kenshin was again dumbfounded, "Apologize? No there's no need for that. I should apologize to you. I didn't mean to discuss your life behind our back like that. I'm very sorry Kaoru, and you weren't childish in the least bit."

She let out a breath and smiled, "I guess we can just say that we're both sorry then."

It was comforting to see her smile for him, even if it was the slightest of smiles. "Yea, otherwise we'll be here all day apologizing to each other."

"Good. Um, we'll be joining everyone for breakfast in about 10 minutes" she replied. He noticed the slight nervousness in her tone.

"Oh sure thanks. I'll be right down."

With that she silently exited his room and he sat back down on the edge of the bed. The room seemed to still radiate with her perfume. He'd struggled for a while yesterday to decipher the fragrance, but now it came to him so clearly.

"Jasmine" he thought dreamily. "She looked so beautiful" he caught himself mid-thought and mentally slapped himself, "I've got to stop that. She's just being hospitable and I'm looking way too much into it."

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After a hearty breakfast and a friendly conversation the group headed out. They walked on the pleasant sunny trail to the nearest fruit farm, making small talk and laughing loudly.

Kenshin noted that all the stress and sadness seemed to drain from Kaoru's face at the sight of her beloved cousin and his fiancé. He enjoyed hanging back from them with Sano and stealing glances at her laughing.

"It's so good to see her laughing like that" Kenshin smiled to himself.

"Ahem" Sano cleared his throat to get his friends attention, "Everything okay Ken?"

"Huh" Kenshin snapped from his thoughts and quickly averted his gaze from the girl ahead of him, "Yea, why?"

Aoshi, Misao, and Kaoru were all still wrapped up in their conversation about wedding plans.

"I was just wondering that's all. You seem a bit wrapped up in the scenery and all" Sano replied smirking.

Kenshin looked around him and took in the beautiful views of the rolling hills in the background, quaint houses and quiet and clean road. "It's really nice out here. Usually I'm stuck in the city, but this place is just so relaxing."

"That's' not the scenery I was referring to" Sano muttered.

"Huh?"

"What're you two whispering about back there" Misao turned and laughed.

"Nothing, just taking in the beautiful scenery" Sano grinned.

Kaoru had also turned to follow Misao's conversation and Kenshin looked towards her with a slight smile on his face. She smiled back just in time for Aoshi to drape an arm around her shoulders.

She turned her attention away from Kenshin and the redhead couldn't help but let out a small sigh. "Why do I get like that every time she even looks at me? I can't allow this to happen to myself…"

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After they had arrived at the farm, Kaoru introduced them to all of the family that lived and worked there. They gave them all baskets and even wide-rimmed hats for the sun and heat. After that, the group sauntered around picking whatever fruit caught their fancy.

Misao and Aoshi stuck together and soon disappeared from view completely. The rest assumed the pleasant weather and beautiful landscape must have triggered a romantic moment for them and decided to give them some privacy. Sano went to work on sweet talking the young, pretty daughter of the owner of the farm.

"So Maria, tell me how do you say 'you're very beautiful' in Italian?" he smirked at the brunette as they walked off.

Kenshin looked on and shook his head smiling to himself.

Kaoru walked up next to him laughing at the same sight, "Isn't he still with Megumi?"

Kenshin's attention suddenly snapped to the young woman besides him. His heart raced momentarily at her closeness and the sound of her laughter. He chuckled to hide his nervousness, "Yea they are. Although I think after this trip we might be burying him."

It was like the sound of bells going off every time she laughed. She looked adorable with the wide-brimmed straw hat on, especially since she had to let her high pony tail down.

The two strolled slowly together and she would occasionally stop to pick some plump, ripened strawberries. "I think I'll use these tonight for our desert!"

Kenshin smiled at her, "It sounds great already."

They walked on a bit more in silence.

"Ah Kaoru, I have to ask and I don't mean to bring up anything from the past and all so I'll understand if you don't want to talk about it, but did we meet before?" The question had just been plaguing him along with everything else since the night before. Misao mentioned that he'd probably seen her before but he just couldn't recall.

Kaoru looked up at him, "No I'm okay. Well lets see" she replied thinking to herself. "I think we probably met at a family BBQ back in the states. Aoshi had mentioned he'd be bringing over a few friends and I'm pretty sure I remember you and Sano being there."

Kenshin thought over the answer, "Hmm, I guess so. Wait! Was that at his parents' home in New Jersey?"

Kaoru laughed, "You mean Connecticut?"

"Oh right right. Sorry. I knew someone whose parents lived in Jersey" he laughed.

"Big white house, with the deck in the backyard and tiered gardens?" she reminded.

"RIGHT! That's the one!" he exclaimed happily. "Wait! I don't remember seeing you there though."

She chuckled, "Let's see, you probably don't remember but: shy, quiet girl. Always with the ribbon pony tail, glasses?"

Kenshin's brows furrowed and he tapped his chin with a finger as they sauntered along. Suddenly a small memory he logged away in his brain came back to him. The fact was he'd seen her several times since Aoshi always invited him and his friends to his family's home. She would always be there to say hello and would disappear inside the house not to be seen again.

His eyes widened and he chuckled, "That was you? I mean, you were so young and…I just can't believe it!"

Kaoru chuckled, "Yea, that was me. I'm not surprised you didn't remember me sooner. We hardly ever spoke. I'd usually be over on the weekends visiting and so would Aoshi, but he always forbid me to hand around his guy friends. He's very over-protective incase you didn't already know" she teased.

Kenshin rolled his eyes and laughed, "Yea so I noticed. I just can't believe you're the same girl from then and what's more we knew each other but I didn't even recognize you!"

"It's okay we all grew up quite a bit since then" she replied softly.

And that's when he saw the sadness creep back into her eyes again. The smile she gave him was strained and he could've sworn he'd seen a hint of longing in them. But just as quickly she brightened up and smiled, "Oh I see some great strawberries, hold on one second!"

Kenshin stood holding his basket and thinking over all the times he'd seen the shy young girl he'd regarded as nothing more than Aoshi's kid cousin. "She was cute back then, but I didn't even look at her the same way. I can't believe that shy, sweet kid got married and moved so far away on her own…unbelievable."

But then again back in those days he'd had his own worries with women. The entire time she'd been right there and he was probably so wrapped up with his long time steady girlfriend. "What a waste of time" Kenshin sourly thought at the memory of his ex.

"Alright all set" she beamed back in front of him. She frowned slightly at the sight of him, "Kenshin you look a little pale. You might be getting dehydrated, let's get back to the house and get some water."

"Yea, let's go" he muttered and they started walking back.

"Kaoru, mind if I ask you something else?"

"Mmh hmmm" she replied while checking over her bounty in the basket.

"When did you get married?" he asked simply.

She noticeably tensed at the question and looked straight ahead into the distance, "When I had just turned 19" she replied.

"So young?" he asked gently not wanting to sound accusing.

"Yea, me and Enishi went to the same school and we got along pretty well. In the last year we started dating and half way through the first year of college he proposed. My parents were a little concerned, but he met with them. Pretty soon they were just as excited." She chuckled at the memory but he noted the uneasiness in her voice.

"I'm sorry Kaoru" he replied solemnly.

"Thanks" she whispered.

Kenshin walked slowly alongside her and looked towards the sky after hearing a distant rumbling. They'd strolled slowly enough but were pretty far out in the field. "I think we're gonna get rain!" he exclaimed.

The quiet Kaoru looked up and saw a slight overcast forming in the sky.

"Summer showers, we'd better head back if we don't want to get caught" Kenshin replied.

The two picked up the pace and walked in silence. Kenshin still brewed over the details of Kaoru's life, "Married and a widow all before even hitting 25 years old. What did she ever do to deserve something like that?" he thought sadly.

Suddenly a few drops of water landed on his face and head. He stuck his hand out and a few large droplets of water splashed on his skin, gradually increasing in strength. He looked over to see Kaoru looking towards the sky, the water cascading down her face and neck. "Let's hurry" he instructed.

She looked at him and nodded, "Yea."

With that they both started a steady sprint towards the direction of the house. Kenshin ran and could hear her footsteps right behind him, sloshing in the soaking dirt.

He suddenly heard her groan and turned around. She stood looking back at her straw hat flying back and away from them. Her running must have caused it to fly away. Fortunately, her treasure of fruit was still safely tucked away in the basket.

Her hair gradually began to pat down around her face as the water hit it, and he reached to grasp her hand. "Come on, we gotta' get inside."

"She's so warm" he smirked slightly to himself as they ran hand in hand together towards the house and saw the rest of the group already standing under the protective canopy roof waiting for them.

He was slightly disappointed after he released her hand and stood next to Sano as she went over giggling to Misao. He noted the slight glare Aoshi shot his way, but the feel of her warm hand in his palm still seeped into his skin.

"Hey you two are soaked!" Misao exclaimed.

"Yea we wandered further out. I just had to get these yummy strawberries for desert tonight!" Kaoru laughed showing Misao her basket.

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Later that evening after they'd finished their main course, Kaoru triumphantly brought in an undeniably appealing array of deserts. The main selection was small round stacked cakes with strawberry syrup in the middle of each layer. She topped each on off with a glob of whipped cream and garnished it with fresh sliced strawberries all around.

"Oh" Misao drooled, "it looks so scrumptious!"

Sano laughed, "Yea Missy you've really outdone yourself."

"Take a bite, the strawberries are perfect!" Kaoru beamed.

After desert, the group still sat around the table and talked about their lives and future plans.

Finally after Misao had finished up about her and Aoshi's plans for a quaint house in the suburbs, and Sano defended his and Megumi's relationship, the attention shifted to Kenshin.

"What about you Kenshin? Anyone special in your life?" Kaoru asked sweetly.

Sano chuckled, "Kenny here is a bachelor. Bachelor for life I think."

"Yea Kenshin's a bit of a player if you will" Misao chimed in.

Kaoru had a dubious look on her face and along with a grin, "Is that so?"

Kenshin chuckled nervously, "No at all. I'm just not looking for a serious relationship just yet." He stuffed another bite of the dessert into his mouth hoping the specific line of questioning Misao was doing would stop.

"Oh Kenshin please!" Misao interrupted again, "It's time to move on from that tramp already."

The red head nearly choked on his piece of cake and had to quickly down some water as he coughed.

Kaoru instantly went over and poured him some more water as Misao patted his back, "Sorry" she replied.

Kenshin cleared his throat and gratefully took the refilled glass of water from Kaoru, "Thanks, its okay Misao."

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