Sano smiled and looked over to Kaoru who was sitting on the porch, eyes to the sky and a smile on her face. Up until now -- he had never really seen how beautiful she was. He blinked as his eyes traced down her slim body. Her beautiful black hair twisted down her backside, wrapping around her shoulders like a dark blanket. And her eyes… God, those eyes.
Kenshin, he was an idiot for leaving. He took a breath and looked away. "…You're really okay, Kaoru?" He asked silently.
Kaoru looked over. She had been thinking about a few things all day. She nodded. "I'm… getting better." She looked down for a moment and then back out to the sky.
Sano's eyes narrowed.
"I…" She paused. "I thought I couldn't live without him, Sano. I thought he was the only reason to live for a long time. I loved him." She bit her lip. "I…" She sighed and closed her eyes. "I was stupid."
"You weren't stupid." He said. "You were broken."
Kaoru looked over into Sano's eyes as tears welled up on the brims of her own. Sano inched closer and reached up, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "We aren't mad at you, Kaoru. We were just… worried and scared that we may have lost you. Yahiko," he looked over to him, sleeping in the dojo. "He was really scared. He would kill me if I told you this, but.. He was crying." He looked to his fist and back up into Kaoru's eyes. "It wouldn't be the same without you."
Her lips quivered. Her eyes fell to sorrow as she wrapped her arms around him, placing her head on his shoulder. "…I'm sorry, Sano."
He was a bit surprised as her hands slipped around him, but… he held her close. "It's okay, Kaoru. You're better now. Just… don't do it again." He closed his eyes. He couldn't say what he was thinking that moment he saw her, lying in a pool of her own blood. He couldn't speak it; he didn't even want to think about it anymore.
He could feel her tears on his shoulder and he held her tighter and tighter wishing he could rip her pain away, place it all on himself. He wished he could find a way to ease a broken heart, he wished he could find a way to make her feel wonderful again.
She pulled away for a moment with her eyes still closed. "…I don't know what to do, Sano. I can't--"
He placed his hand on her cheek and gave a small smile before pressing his lips to hers, softly. He closed his eyes. Her warmth was overwhelming and it made his heartbeat pound faster and harder than ever.
Kaoru closed her eyes. She didn't want to pull away, but her mind SCREAMED. She let her head drop to her chest. "S-Sano."
He sighed. "I'm sorry, Kaoru."
"No," she said. "Don't say it." She pulled him closer and kissed him one last time. "Just… Let's just stay like this." She whispered, placing her head on his chest. "Please?"
Sano looked down to her for a moment and nodded. "Alright, Kaoru." His fingers softly glided through her silky hair which smelt enchanting.
I love you, Kaoru, he thought to himself closing his eyes.
