Kaoru gazed down at the still water of the pond that lay before her. Kenshin sat beside her, his head resting on her shoulder. She had her arm around him, his long fiery hair hung loosely over her back mixing with her own. A soft breeze brushed passed, lazily rustling the cherry trees above their heads.

"It wasn't… just Shishio who wanted revenge," Kenshin began, not moving from her shoulder. "This one didn't even realize that… I did to, for lost memories."

He paused, he had decided to tell her but part of him still feared revealing the truth. "Tomoe… was someone close to me. This one… trusted her…" his voice was quiet so only she would hear. "She told me that Shishio had set a trap but… this one didn't listen. He nearly killed me but Tomoe… She died right in my arms… finishing the scar on my cheek."

He faltered, pressing closer to Kaoru, drawing comfort from her. "I thought I'd lost you too," he whispered. "In the same place in almost the same way. I want…ed to kill Shishio. After everything, this one went after him leaving Tomoe and her-" he bit his lip, he couldn't say it.

He couldn't speak about the promise Tomoe had asked of him. "The warehouse was being consumed by flames, uncontrolled in what they destroyed. A piece of beam fell on him, trapping him below the fire. I left him there to burn alive."

He stopped, feeling a shudder go through Kaoru. "This one's next memory is waking up in the hospital… completely alone."

He didn't know why he had added the last bit. He never expected anyone to be there. He was sure, back then, if he died no one would have cared. He wondered if that was still true.

The thought was banished immediately though, as Kaoru pulled him closer into her one arm embrace. He sat there silently, with nothing more to say. Now all he could do was wait for Kaoru's response.

"Thank you for telling me Kenshin," she whispered, resting her head on top of his.

He was shocked, he never expected her to say that. It confused him why she had. He'd scared her and yet she was grateful. He could only nod, his voice completely lost. He let his eyes close, feeling safe for once with Kaoru's gentle warmth beside him.

"Kenshin?" she asked after a long while. He shifted ever so slightly to let her know he was listening. "Megumi was really worried about you, along with me. Sano to, even though he didn't want to show it. We all were."

"Really?" he asked incredulously.

"We're your friends, we'll stick by you."

"You cannot say… that for others, that you can't."

"Then I'll stick by you, I promise."

"Promise…" he whispered, she could feel him tensing up. "This one can't promise-"

"It's a promise from me to you, you have no say in the matter." She lifted her head so she could look at him. "Got that?" The tiniest of smiles pulled at the corner of his face. She could see amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"Yes Miss Kaoru."

"Don't call me Miss, call me Kaoru like everyone else."

Kenshin lifted his head off her shoulder. "This one cannot."

"Why not?" she demanded.

He looked down at the paved stone, watching a bug slowly crawling along. "I… just can't." He couldn't answer her, so he began to pull away.

"Why are you so scared of me?" He stopped, the question taking him off guard. "You keep pulling away. Am I really that scary?" Despite her words, her tone was dead serious.

"This one can ask you the same Miss Kaoru, that I can."

"Do you see me leaving? How many times do I have to say it, I'm right here… for you," she paused for a second, neither looking at the other. Kenshin never saw the light blush that had appeared on her face. "I refuse to let you leave again. After you walked away… from me that night, I… I couldn't stand it. I wanted to see you again, I didn't understand it, I still don't, I just knew I wanted to see you again. I don't want to leave things like we did there. That's why I went after you… I've done some really stupid things since I met you, Kenshin. One of the worst was just sitting there letting you walk away. I've wanted to talk to you since then and now that I've got the chance, it's you who's too scared to listen, it's you who's running away. Please, just listen to me." Her tone was soft, pleading for him to stay. He reluctantly sat back down, not daring to look at her. "When you told me that you were Battosai, you expected that reaction out of me. You never thought that I would come after you, did you? That's why… you did it, you're… you're always running away from me."

He opened his mouth hesitantly. "This one thought I could keep you away, safe from… what would happen. I was… shocked to see the three of you there, to see you there. I want to protect you Miss Kaoru, shield you so… so… you'd never have to see who I really am." He gave a bitter laugh. "But you have, you've seen and heard what this one… what I am capable of."

She rose to her feet, her back towards him. He was silent, watching as she stood there, gazing out at the cherry trees. She turned, a smile upon her face, she looked so beautiful with the pink blossoms behind her. She came before him, taking his hands, pulling him to his feet. She then leaned forward, whispering softly in his ear, "I already know who you are, Kenshin Himura."

She pulled back slowly, taking him completely by surprise when he felt her lips brush onto his cheek. She placed a gentle kiss upon the scar that marred his face.

Her eyes sparkled as she stood before him, a deep blush gracing her features. Their eyes met then, his mouth hung open slightly, unsure how he should react.

She giggled softly at his expression, stopping as a shy smile graced him. It wasn't the usual hollow grin but a real one that shone nervously in his eyes. The first one she could ever recall that he showed to her willingly.

Her own grew as the hesitance slipped from his smile. He clasped her hand in his, their cheeks both deepening in shade. They gazed into the depths of each others eyes.

Then slowly, ever so slowly, he began to lean forward towards her, their faces coming closer and closer. He closed his eyes, feeling her breath brushing against his face, his lips almost touching hers.

There was a crash from the trees, startling them. They immediately shot apart, faces bright red. They looked up, to see Yahiko come trampling into the small clearing.

Kaoru inwardly cursed her brother's timing, making a mental note to kill him for it later.

"There you are, you nutty raccoon, I've been looking for you everywhere," grumbled Yahiko, his eyes flickering over to the redhead.

"Don't call me that, midget," she snapped irritably. Kenshin steadily met the child's glaring gaze.

Yahiko snapped his attention back at Kaoru's comment. "Don't you dare call me short!"

Kaoru gave a dramatic sniff, she wasn't in any mood to deal with his antics. "I don't care what you say Yahiko, if I want to I'll call you a pintsized snot nose brat."

"P-pintsized," growled Yahiko, Kenshin could see a vain twitching in the child's temple. "I'll get you for that you half baked raccoon hag!" He yelled, winding up to charge at her.

The redhead glanced at Kaoru.

"Oro!" he squeaked, retreating quickly away. He could see the fires of hell burning in her eyes.

"Why you," she snarled, raising a fist.

WACK!

Kenshin winced as Kaoru's fist connected with its intended target.

"How dare you insult me!" she yelled, shaking her fist at him. "I'm still a recovering patient you know!"

Yahiko coughed from where he lay on the ground, clutching his stomach where she hit him, making no attempt to rise.

Kenshin made a mental never to make Kaoru mad. He moved forward, offering Yahiko a hand.

"You alright?" he asked kindly.

Yahiko grumbled, grabbing the redhead's hand to help himself up. As he rose to his feet, passing by the teen he whispered in Kenshin's ear, "Shishio's still loose."

Kenshin's eyes went wide, his whole body going numb. He didn't feel the child bump against his shoulder as he passed or Kaoru's angry shouts after her brother. Flames of rage filled the redhead, pounding in time with his heart.

Shishio was still out there- it wasn't over.

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So far grand total of four people are interested in a sequel to Tomorrow's Day. If anyone else is please drop me a message before the last chapter where I'll announce if I'll write one or not.

Now I know what you're thinking about this chapter, short right? Don't worry next one I promise will be much longer. I think this was my third time writing a romance scene in a fanfic, not to bad I think. The other two scenes would be in my other fanfic Broken Arrow. (See profile for details) ;)

Big thanks to my wondrous reviewers!

Reignashii: Mwahaaaaaaa! Cliffy strikes again! Don't worry there plenty more to come after this. (Gives a super evil grin)

MikaylaMae: Yes, Kenshin is still injured. Don't worry, I've got it covered! ;) Hope you enjoyed reading the chapter.

Summer Star: Things are going quite well for Kenshin and Kaoru, I think I'm about to change that though. Hee… (starts plotting)

Draconic Ban-Sidhe: I'm glad you've been enjoying the story. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

See ya next time! Till then guys!