Disclaimer: Neither Rurouni Kenshin nor its characters belongs to me. Sigh.

Notes: Thoughts are in italics. Sometimes emphasis is also expressed through italics. I've also used terms from the series. This takes place a couple of years after the Jinchuu arc, but with some changes.

Terms:
yukata - a casual kimono generally worn in summer (or when going to the bath house) because they were unlined and made of a lighter material, like cotton
busu - ugly, old hag
"saa..." - hard to define, kind of like "oh well" or "who knows." One of those noncommittal answers that can be taken in a variety of ways

Chapter 2

The next day was filled with Kaoru's final preparations for leaving the dojo. She wore a light summer yukata, nice enough to go to town but a few steps up from training clothes. Since she didn't know how long she would be in Kyoto, she told Yahiko that he could stay in the house.

"Someone's got to stick around. Besides, isn't it nicer than Sano's old place? I might be gone for more than a month, so…" Kaoru smiled.

"Yeah, yeah, busu. No worries." Yahiko waved a hand dismissively. Kaoru fought the urge to smack the back of his head.

Next, Kaoru paid a visit to the Akabeko. Aoshi accompanied her. The walk into town was quiet. If people were looking at Kaoru and her companion, the ninja's imposing form hushed them all into silence.

Tae and Tsubame, as usual, were bustling about the restaurant.

Kaoru called out, "Hi Tae!"

Tae spotted Kaoru in the doorway and rushed to greet her, not noticing her companion a few steps behind her.

"Kaoru-chan! How are you? I heard about—oh! Shinomori-san! What a pleasant surprise." Clearly, Tae was unprepared for to discuss such things with Aoshi present. It was quite a sight to see the tall, silent man looming above Kaoru's cheerful countenance.

"I'm all right, Tae. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I'm going to be out of town for while. I'm leaving Yahiko in charge of the dojo. He should be staying there as well, for the duration of my…vacation." Kaoru explained.

"Of course! Yahiko mentioned something about you going to Kyoto, but didn't know exactly when. He said he'd only be able to help out at night, so I'll be sure to send some food home with him. Well, come in, come in!" Tae exclaimed. "Here, have a seat. I'll get you some tea."

Tae ushered them over to a narrow booth. Aoshi assisted Kaoru as she tucked her yukata around her legs to slide in. Once she was settled, he sat down across from her. He could keep an eye on the rest of the patrons and the entrance this way. Tae returned shortly with some tea.

"Why don't you have dinner here tonight? It'll be little farewell party before your trip?" Tae was always enthusiastic.

"That would be great!" Kaoru's eyes flickered to Aoshi. "You don't mind, do you?"

Aoshi, completely silent until now, responded with a simple "Aa." Kaoru assumed that meant he agreed.

"We'll stop by Dr. Genzai's and invite him, too. I figure there will only be a few of us." Kaoru said.

"That's fine." Tae answered. "Why don't you come at six? You'll have plenty of time to rest before tomorrow."

"Sounds good." Kaoru agreed.

Kaoru and Aoshi sipped their tea in silence as Tae returned to the kitchen.

"I'm really looking forward to this trip." Kaoru admitted over her cup of tea.

"Aa." Aoshi responded.

"I'll get to see more of Japan in one week than I have in my whole life."

"Aa."

"Have you been to these cities before?"

"Aa." Aoshi sipped his tea quietly, his cup always in his hands.

"I hope you can show me what each city is famous for…but not too tourist-like!" Kaoru's mouth twitched with barely suppressed humor.

"Aa."

"You sure are a man of few words." Kaoru teased.

"Aa."

"However will you put up with me for the next week?"

Aoshi put his cup down on the table. "Saa…"

Kaoru burst out laughing. "This will either be very interesting or very frustrating for you."

The corner of Aoshi's mouth curved up slightly. "It will be fine, I'm sure."

Kaoru kept smiling. The two finished the teapot in companionable silence.

--

--

As they walked along the path to the clinic, Kaoru decided to ask him about the impending trip.

"Shinomori-san, how exactly are we getting to Kyoto if we're not taking the train?"

"You've ridden the train before, so I thought that taking a carriage would be interesting for you." Aoshi kept his gaze straight ahead.

"You thought…?" Kaoru smiled broadly as they walked.

"Aa… Misao tasked me with finding transportation." Kaoru peeked at Aoshi from the corner of her eye. Was Aoshi suddenly walking a little straighter?

"The trip will take about seven days, with stops in six towns between here and Kyoto."

"Really?"

"Yes. You haven't seen much outside of Tokyo, Kyoto and…Yokohama, I believe?" Aoshi glanced down at Kaoru, her smile growing a little bit dimmer.

"You're right. There's never been time to do much traveling since I've had to take care of the dojo. And before, being a young girl alone…" Kaoru's voice trailed off, her smile fading completely.

Aoshi said nothing. Kaoru stayed silent for a long moment. Aoshi was nothing if not patient, however. Finally, she spoke.

"I mean, it wasn't so bad. I was making ends meet, I was teaching kendo, I was in OK standing with the community…it's just, I was alone, you know? There was no one there for me to greet when I came home, to say goodbye to if I was going somewhere. I always had Dr. Genzai and the girls, and sometimes Tae would come over or help me out, but it wasn't the same. The house was so empty with only me, and yet I can still hardly cook to save my life, but I didn't really have anyone to teach me…and I'm rambling, aren't I? I'm sorry. You probably don't want to hear all this." Kaoru laughed self-consciously, remarking under her breath, "Why would you?"

"It's all right. It must have been hard for you. Have you never told anyone before?" If he had heard her last comment, his face did not show it.

"No, I… the opportunity just…it never comes up."

"I have been told I am a good listener. You can talk to me any time." Aoshi patted her shoulder.

"I…thank you." Kaoru gazed up at him, smiling lightly.

Aoshi left Kaoru at the front of clinic, stating that he needed to finalize the arrangements for the carriage, but he would be back shortly. Kaoru waved him off as she went inside to talk to Dr. Genzai and see if the girls were there, too.

--

--

Just as Kaoru was saying her farewells to Dr. Genzai, with him promising to be at the Akabeko that evening for the party, Aoshi showed up.

"That's impressive timing, Shinomori-san!" Kaoru smiled. Aoshi said nothing, but held his arm out in an "after you" gesture. Kaoru bowed her head politely and began heading back to the dojo. She stopped suddenly, turning to the quiet ninja one step behind her.

"Would you mind if we made one more stop?"

Aoshi raised a brow in question.

"I'd like to visit the shrine…and the cemetery."

Aoshi nodded his acquiescence.

Kaoru changed directions, heading for the shrine nearby. Along the way, she picked up some incense.

First, she entered the shrine to pray for a safe trip and pick up a protective travel charm.

Then, steeling herself, she went to the cemetery, locating her parents' memorial stones. She lovingly dusted off the memorial, tracing the names of her father and mother with her fingertips. Carefully, she set the incense up and got it burning. Kneeling in front of it, she addressed her father mentally with her head bowed, hands clasped in front of her. Aoshi observed Kaoru from a respectful distance.

Hello Father, Kaoru thought, I've come to let you know that I won't be visiting for a while. Do you remember that swordsman living with me? The one I thought I was going to marry? Well, that didn't work out, so I'm going to find happiness on my own instead of crying at home. I remember how much you loved Mother, even though I can't remember her. I want to find what you had.

Kaoru stood up.

"Wish me luck," she whispered, and turned to leave the cemetery. A slight breeze swirled around her, casting tendrils of incense smoke around her form. It was like a comforting caress on her back, urging her forward. A tiny smile on her lips, Kaoru squared her shoulders and set off resolutely. She had her father's blessing.