A/N: Still not claiming any kind of ownership of Rurouni Kenshin.

Chapter Two

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-Recap:

Kenshin thanked her then asked ever-so-casually, "Sano did mention that you had something to talk to this one about?"

"Hmm?" Kaoru sipped her tea, "oh that's right."

He waited expectantly.

She smiled serenely, "I received a proposal today."

"Ororo?"

-~-~-Gensai Clinic

"I ran into Yahiko at the Akebeko," Sano began his tale.

Megumi scoffs, "Trying to get free food again?"

"I was going to pay…" he responds hastily, guilty expression in brown eyes.

"Oh sure," her reply sarcastic, "please, go on."

"Um…right, Yahiko says Kenshin's cooking, so I head for the dojo…"

She interrupts once more, "And Tae looking to nail your lazy hide to the Akebeko's wall in no way affects your reason for leaving so abruptly."

"Let me finish Kitsune," Sano grumbled and continued the story, "that's when I spot Jou-chan outside this other dojo's gates, some guy holding her hand and kneeling on the ground."

~-~-~-Kamiya Dojo

"…he is rich…"

Kenshin heard her voice as if she was in a cave, a kind of echo from darkened depths.

"…traditional dress…"

Or maybe he was the one in the cave since her voice echoed aroundhim.

"…the Kamiya name could become history…"

And the cave was by the ocean, because there was this whooshing sound in his ears.

"…I wonder if Yahiko would be willing to be part of the ceremony…"

Yep that was it; he was in a cave, trapped by the rising waves.

"What do you think Kenshin?" Her eyes were bright with excitement, "should I accept?"

~-~-~Gensai Clinic

"I'm telling you Megumi. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Kaoru-who-can't-cook. Kaoru-raccoon-girl. That Kaoru?" Long hair rippled when she shook her head in disbelief, "She is going to get married to some rich business tycoon just because he asked?"

"Don't believe me?"

Megumi snorted, "No, I don't believe it. There is no way would she leave Kenshin after all they've been through."

"Then how do you explain the fact that Rich Guy was holding her hand and was down on his knee like he was a gajin with a wedding ring? And Jou-chan's blushing?"

"…"

~-~-~ Kamiya Dojo

Kenshin offers his wisdom, "it is your decision, Miss Kaoru, that it is."

"I don't know…" the woman hesitates, her fingers and hands moving restlessly in her lap.

Long crimson bangs mask the hopeful flicker of purple eyes.

She offers tenatively "I'll have to think about it. There's just so many preperations to be done and not a lot of time to get them done."

"This one will help, that I will." His voice filled with false brightness.

"Really?" Kaoru asks, delighted.

Kenshin smiles, "if Kaoru-dono wishes it. This unworthy one is glad to be of assistance, that I am."

"Well first things first, we'll have to get everyone together," She smiles.

"Very well," The red-head remarks then suggests, "Kaoru-dono why don't you get some rest? This one will take care of the dishes."

The assistant master nods in appreciation and with a soft good night departed for her room.

Still sitting, rurouni grinning, Kenshin waited patiently. Only after her footsteps faded and the sound of a door closing echoed softly from the far hall, did the rurouni dare stir. He raises his hand from the table, fingers quiver as he shakes uncontrollably. He stands slowly, his legs trembling. Black edges into his vision. He closes his eyes but now it feels as if the room spins around and around.

'Breathe…' Kenshin actually had to remind himself.

Several deep breaths later, his sight slowly cleared. Though his knees remained somewhat wobbly, the wanderer managed to go through the necessary motions to tidy up the kitchen. His mind miles from any coherent thought, his heart filled with disbelief and no small amount of regret.

~-~-~Gensai Clinic

"So what are we going to do?"

Her shoulders shrug, "It's her choice, and we can't take that decision from Kaoru."

"But Kenshin?" his question trailed off, the fighter frustrated by uncertainty.

"He will do as he always does," Megumi's retort sharp, "Smile and pretend happiness."

She watches the bandaged hands clench, and continues in a softer tone, "Otherwise he will blame himself."

Sano's eyes widen in surprise.

Megumi smiles sadly, "If Kenshin thinks he has denied 'Kaoru-dono' a chance at a normal life, he will never forgive himself."

She looks out the window, her gaze on the distant stars, she adds quietly, "Even if that chance is with someone else."

Silence descended, unexpectedly heavy between the two. The street fighter shoulders slump and the doctor's observation of the night sky becomes too-vigilant. She does not wish to see his defeat.

Sano cleared his throat suddenly uncomfortable and changed the subject, "so why did you write and ask for me to come anyway, Megumi?"

"You can always trust Sanosuke to find trouble and then ask what's going on," a small laugh, "Well, it's time for me to move on."

"Huh?"

"I'm heading back to Aizu. And I needed a sturdy beast of burden, that's you by the way, to carry my stuff."

Sano groans, "are you trying to kill me woman?"

A pair of fox ears appears and Megumi chuckles, "Ohohoho"

~-~-~Into the setting sun, a hastily written message was sent with a flurry of wings. ~-~-~

A/N: so there's my take on the Kenshin-gumi disbanding. Not completely canon, I'm sure, but that's why it's called fanfiction. (laughs)

Thanks to- reviewers: Sumiregusa and cherrystone. Artsycloe who added this story to their favs. And Ayla27, Queen Emily the Diligent, and femaleJoey for adding this to their story alerts. Shout out to all my readers, thanks for stopping by!