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

AN: Seriously tired. This chapter's a little short, but 1) I updated quickly, and 2) emotional development! Forgive typos?

You know what's kind of awesome? Reading previous chapters to refresh the material in my mind and realizing, holy cow, I did a bunch of research. I learned all kinds of stuff. Well actually, I suppose it's both awesome and a little sad in a way, since I don't really have the time now to do the same kind of in-depth research as I was able to earlier. Super sad Neomiko. :(

Having said that, a bit about Kiso-Fukushima. This area is also generally called the Kiso Valley (I couldn't quite find a consensus of what is was called for sure back then, because it depended on which route you took and what era it was.) I'll be calling it Kiso-Fukushima for this story, just because I like how that sounds.

Also, thank you so much, reviewers and readers! I seem to have the nicest readers – I've seen the kind of ridiculous flames others can get, so I really appreciate how supportive and thoughtful you all are. :)

– Neomiko

Chapter 9

The next morning, Aoshi and Kaoru decided to get an early start to Kiso-Fukushima. Though Aoshi had told Kaoru that they could take as long as she wanted to take traveling to Kyoto, Kaoru couldn't help but feel a little guilty for having Aoshi to herself for so long. She was sure he probably had more important things to do with his time instead of escorting one woman across Japan.

Once snugly ensconced in the carriage and on their way, Kaoru asked, "Hey, Aoshi? Are you sure it's OK for you to be away from the Oniwabanshuu for so long? I mean, what if they need you?"

Aoshi looked at Kaoru for a long moment before answering.

"There is nothing that could possibly come up that the Oniwabanshuu cannot handle without me. I no longer lead them – Misao does. And she decided that you were worth my escort to Kyoto."

"But you… you're so… I mean, I'm not important. I shouldn't be such a priority…" Kaoru trailed off, uncertain how to express her feelings.

"Kaoru, you are important. I am not so arrogant as to be above caring for friends. I'd like to think that we have become friends now, don't you?" Aoshi wanted for her to agree.

"Well, yes, but…"

"No buts, Kaoru. Misao deems you important enough. Having gotten to know you a little more these past few days, I certainly agree. Some people think you are a priority, Kaoru. I will always think of you as a priority."

Staring at Aoshi's serious face, Kaoru felt her stomach flip. Covering her cheeks with her hands, she could only mutter a little "oh!" of delighted, embarrassed surprise.

Leaning forward, Aoshi gently pulled her hands from her face. Still holding her hands, he asked, "Would you tell me what's bothering you?"

He tilted his head a little in question. "Perhaps it is the real reason for your visit to Kyoto? It may help you to feel better if you tell me."

Kaoru's eyes welled up at both her transparency and his unexpected kindness.

"I couldn't. I mean, it's so embarrassing and foolish and not really worth your time…"

Aoshi stroked the backs of her hands soothingly with his thumbs. "Anything you say will always be worth my time, Kaoru. I promise to keep whatever you say confidential, if you are worried about secrecy."

"That's not it at all!" Suddenly, Kaoru's invisible dam broke, tears flooding down her cheeks. "Oh, I'm just so, so stupid!"

"Shh, Kaoru. You're not stupid."

"Yes I am!" Her voice shrill.

"I thought everything could stay the same. I thought we'd be together forever, like a happy little family. But I knew. I knew he would leave me. I knew I'd never be enough for him to stay. Yet I still... I still loved him. I hoped I could... I hoped that we... I still kept hoping that one day… he'd realize… that he'd…" she hiccupped.

"And now look at me. Alone again. Abandoned, the target of all the Tokyo gossip, it feels like. They're like wolves...no, like vultures, just circling overhead, waiting for the opportunity to dig in. I just wanted to get away from it all for a bit. To be with people who wouldn't judge me. Not like that."

"Kaoru, you're not stupid. Though you risk your heart and yourself, still you give all you can freely to others. He is a fool to not treasure what you offered him. Friends would not hurt each other in such a way. He should have been clear with you from the beginning, and perhaps much heartache could have been avoided." He waited until Kaoru looked him in the eyes.

Kaoru sighed. "Oh, that makes me sound ridiculously naïve. But doesn't it seem like I'm just using Misao as an escape?"

"Trust me, you are not using Misao as an escape. She will be delighted to see you, and friends comfort friends and will be there for them, no matter what. You're a strong woman, Kaoru. This may hurt now, but it will get better in time."

Aoshi's penetrating gaze seemed to spear straight through her. "Perhaps sooner than you think. I would not underestimate yourself."

Kaoru shrugged a little, which was a bit awkward seeing as how Aoshi still had ahold of her hands.

"I have so few friends, but I thought… Anyway, I even joked with Yahiko about asking Misao to use the Oniwabanshuu resources to find me some potential suitors, since my reputation in Tokyo is in tatters. I bet she could ferret out all the ones who wouldn't be good for me."

Throughout Kaoru's entire outburst, Aoshi never stopped rubbing soothing little circles on the backs of Kaoru's hands. Self-conscious after her emotional display, Kaoru attempted to pull her hands free, but Aoshi's gentle grip remained firm.

"Did you tell Misao all of this?" Aoshi asked quietly.

Kaoru gave a watery laugh. "Of course not! It's embarrassing enough just telling you now about it. There's no way I would have been able to actually write such a thing down on paper. I only asked if I could come visit for a while. I could never have written about asking her to research possible…possible what? Husbands? Love interests? Oh geez. I don't even know what I'm saying, much less doing, half the time."

"It's just as well. You may decide that you won't need to ask Misao for such a service after all."

Aoshi released one of Kaoru's hands. He reached for her face, cupping her cheek softly and wiping some tears away with his thumb. Kaoru stopped breathing for a moment, staring at him with wide eyes.

Blinking, she asked breathlessly, "Wha…what do you mean?"

But Aoshi only squeezed the hand he still held before letting it go. He leaned back with a mysterious little smile that somehow kicked Kaoru's heart into high gear.

When Aoshi turned to look out of the window, she looked down, taking the opportunity to wipe the rest of the tears from her face.

"Kaoru," Aoshi spoke softly.

She looked up to see Aoshi offering a handkerchief. She accepted it gratefully, patting her cheeks with the surprisingly soft material. She tried to hand it back, but he only folded it within her hands.

"Keep it," he said.

Nodding, Kaoru smiled at the little square of linen clutched in her hands, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

# #

# #

# #

They stopped for lunch in Niegawa. Kaoru, still somewhat emotionally drained from her earlier tears, did not want to linger too long in the hopes of reaching Kiso-Fukushima by nightfall, though Niegawa was pleasant enough and the scenery lovely. At Aoshi's mildly questioning look – Kaoru felt she was growing accustomed to the ninja's taciturn expressions and could discern his unspoken intimations – she explained her reasoning.

"I don't know that I'm in the right frame of mind to really enjoy this afternoon. I kind of want to just reach the next stop and get a good night's rest or something."

Aoshi murmured, "I see."

"Besides," Kaoru smiled marginally," I ought to save a few places to look forward to on the way back."

"You seem quite keen on planning your trip home already?" Aoshi asked.

Defensively, Kaoru said, "Not at all! I…" Suddenly, comprehension dawned on her face. She had said something about saving places to look forward to almost exactly the same the day before.

"Oh! Oh! You're teasing me." She waggled her finger at him, as if scolding a recalcitrant child.

"Are you certain?" Aoshi asked, completely deadpan.

Kaoru stopped wagging her finger and squinted at Aoshi. "Hmm…yes, yes I am."

"Then you would be correct. You're getting better at this." Aoshi couldn't hide the amused smile that spread across his face.

While Kaoru was slowly getting used to Aoshi's handsomeness (ha! She was lying to herself on that one; she might never come to grips with it in this lifetime,), she just discovered, when he smiled like that, he was absolutely devastating.

Oh my, she thought. If he smiled like that in public, women would practically throw themselves at his feet! She couldn't help but stare. Well, I'm certainly not immune to that.

Kaoru couldn't help but feel a bit possessive of that smile, though. She'd never seen that expression on his face before this trip – an expression of happiness that she had caused. She smiled back, cheeks warming at the thought of that smile blooming just for her.

Suddenly shy from her realization, she cleared her throat and looked away.

"So… think we'll make it to Kiso-Fukushima in time for dinner?" Kaoru asked, hoping to draw his attention away from her (probably) blushing face.

And then she promptly wanted to smack herself in the head. Why must I always ask about food?

"Even if we don't make it there in time, I'm sure we will find something to eat somewhere, either in town or along the way."

"Uh… what's it like there?" Kaoru knew she was grasping at straws a little, but she couldn't seem to control her mouth at the moment.

"It's one of the larger areas on the Nakasendo. In the Kiso Valley are a number of prosperous towns that travelers frequent, such as Narai, often called "Narai of a Thousand Houses." It's toward the northern end of the valley, and travelers often go there to refresh themselves and taste the cool, clear waters from one of the many wells in the town. Mt. Ontake is the featured mountain of the valley, rising impressively in the distance. Magome is a small town most known for its steep streets and old inns. And in the Kiso Valley…" Aoshi stopped talking, realizing that Kaoru had fallen asleep.

His smooth, baritone voice, the warmth of the carriage, and the gentle rocking relaxed her so thoroughly that she couldn't help it.

Aoshi ghosted his fingers gently over her cheeks, feeling the slight puffiness just under her eyes, the last remaining evidence of her tears.

"Potential suitors, hm?" He muttered thoughtfully to himself. "We shall see."

To Be Continued…