Hey everyone, next chapter, we finally meet Kenshin! Hope you are all enjoying the story, I would dearly love some more reviews!

-Mia21


"Did you enjoy the freedom of my house?" Enishi asked her upon his return.

"I didn't do much with the keys, only chose a book from the library and peeked into your office." She told him.

"Guess what present I have brought you?"

Kaoru clasped her hands together. "Let me see…Is it a gilded boat to be pulled by swans on the lake?"

He frowned. "Is that what you wanted? A boat?" Kaoru's mouth trembled, unsure what to say now as he glared at her. That joke was certainly a mistake!

"No," She said carefully. "I was jesting. I don't want a boat. I -"

"Here," He thrust out a small package. "Take them." And stormed away. Kaoru opened the lid of the box to look sadly down at a beautiful hand-woven scarf and obi. Kaoru didn't want them now. Such lightning-quick changes of mood in Enishi sent her nerves twining and tingling. Kaoru must learn to think faster on her feet. The entire household and the very walls of the abbey reflected his temper. When she could pacify him, she performed a service to all. His wives had had to deal with him, she could too.

By the time she saw him again, Enishi was restored to good spirits and they spent the evening in the library playing Daifugo.


The next morning, Naomi was hovering outside on the veranda. She followed as Kaoru headed out across the gardens, and then stopped by a low brick wall. Kaoru continued on into the forest, loitering near a huge grove of bamboo trees. She followed one of the paths that wound inside, and soon found she wasn't the only one up early this morning. A man was practicing kata in the bamboo grove. Kaoru thought he was very handsome though he wasn't very tall, only an inch or so more than her. He had long red hair and his eyes were a strange mix of amber and lavender. Growing up in her father's dojo, she had seen many students, and masters, perform kata. But there was something different about this man, in the way he moved and his expression. She had never seen someone wield a katana so effortlessly, or look so focused before. It was clear to her that this man had been in his fair share of life or death battles.
Kaoru was concentrating so intently on him, she wasn't watching where she was going and ended up stepping on a twig which gave a resounding snap. Kaoru froze as the man's head snapped in her direction, and she realized immediately that it was time for another apology.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you."

"No worries," He said, shaking his head and smiling. "No one is around to make introductions, so I'll introduce myself. Kenshin Himura. And you are?" He asked.

"Kaoru Kamiya."

"Are you the…companion of Enishi Yukishiro?" Up until that moment his expression had been friendly and warm, but then something changed when he asked that question.

"Why yes…yes I am. How do you know of me? I wasn't aware my patron had any dealings in town." She asked, still confused by the change in his demeanor.

"Ah, patron," Once he seemed to realize the connection his demeanor instantly warmed back up. "He doesn't, but last summer people saw a pretty young lady riding in Enishi-san's carriage and they assumed - the word was spread - it is known that his wife passed away some time ago, so - "

"They assumed something very wrong." Kaoru told him.

"Yes, I realize that now that I've spoken to you, but you know how gossip is."

"If anyone wonders, you can tell them that Enishi took pity on me after my father died and became my patron."

He nodded. "Yes, I will."

They stood self-consciously looking at each other, wondering what to say next or how to take their leave. Instead, Kaoru's eye fixed on something else.

"Oh, dear, you've torn your gi." She said, pointing to the ripped seam.

"Yes, well, it happens. Sano's housekeeper will have to stitch it up, and she'll be most displeased. She lectures me regularly about the damage to my wardrobe from practicing out here."

"Let me mend it, I keep a sewing kit with me." Kaoru said.

"What admirable foresight!" He hesitated. "Well…if you really don't mind, I'll take you up on that offer. It's kind of you to save me from Tsukiko-sama's wrath." He removed the garment and Kaoru pulled out her sewing kit. As she stitched, they shared their histories. After he had finished with the revolution, he wandered across Japan for ten years. He had only recently ended up here, staying with a friend who owned Bella Vista estate.

"His property joins Enishi-san's, and I have no idea where one begins and the other leaves off. I confess I'm glad I don't know the boundaries, as I have leave from Sano to wander where I will and I don't like to worry about trespassing."

"I have no idea either," Kaoru told him. "I hadn't even thought of property lines."

Kenshin frowned. "Enishi-san allows you to go about unaccompanied?"

"No, actually, he doesn't, but I require my maid to wait for me at the edge. I need some time to myself."

He nodded. "Everyone does." Then he stood staring at her, opening his mouth and then closing it again, trying to decide whether or not to say something.

"Have you – Kaoru-dono, are you happy living at Fountains Abbey?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I had an encounter with Enishi-san after I first arrived here that left a bad taste in my mouth."

Kaoru finished sewing the rip and handed the gi back to him, nodding. "Yes, he can be…temperamental. What legends do they tell concerning him?"

Kenshin shrugged. "In town he's considered a romantic figure, shrouded in mystery. Can't you imagine the rumors? It's as though he's planned for that effect-his wealth, his looks. The ladies admire him from afar, of course, the men, not so much. They call him 'Bluebeard' even though he has no beard. Kaoru-dono, should you ever need help, I hope you'll know I'm your friend. At least once a week you can find me out here."

"I'm much obliged to you, although I can't imagine ever having to take advantage of your offer. I can see you don't like Enishi, but you mustn't talk bad about him in my presence. He has been very generous to me." Kaoru told him.

"I would never say any such thing. And I can't dislike Enishi-san, I don't know him. I just wanted you to know."

Kaoru rose to leave. "I enjoyed meeting you Kenshin."

"Yes, yes, the pleasure was all mine." He said. Just then, a great boom went across the sky and it was as if a drain had been pulled.

"I must go!" Kaoru cried over the pounding rain, then slogged off through the driving downpour.