Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.
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Weak
Words: 317
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"Kaoru, I can't believe you're staying at college while your best friend is getting married this weekend. What is going on? Are you having some troubles with college that you don't want to talk about?" her mother questioned, her tone a little desperate. "I'm just so confused right now. And I'm not the only one, I'll have you know."
Kaoru sighed, slipping further down in her chair and closing her eyes. She could feel a migraine coming on. She had dreaded this. Even to her, her excuses were feeble. They were so transparent, so flimsy that it was almost ridiculous. It didn't surprise her that her mother questioned her actions and was concerned about her atypical behavior. Her parents knew that her life had revolved around Kenshin while growing up; they had been an inseparable duo. It seemed so odd - so wrong - that she should miss an occasion that would change his life forever.
Pain wasn't something that Kaoru dealt well with. Especially when it involved her best friend. The girlfriends he'd had through the years had been difficult. But they were temporary, or at least that's she had always told herself. A wife…was a completely different matter.
To watch another woman walk down the isle, clothed in silky white, and living the dream that Kaoru had played over and over in her mind throughout the years made her chest physically hurt.
"No, Mom. I'm fine. There's just…too much work," she replied warily, swallowing with difficulty. Her excuse was weak. So weak…
She could still remember the disappointment in Kenshin's voice when she had told him she wouldn't be attending his wedding. He didn't understand. He would probably never understand.
Tucking her chin against her chest, Kaoru felt a heavy sigh shudder through her body. It was better he remained ignorant. He would be happy. That was consolidation enough to keep her feelings to herself.