Author's Notes: Wow! Thanks for the overwhelming positive response to the last chapter. After I wrote that last bit with Sano and Kaoru, I realized that I am Sano and he is me and all I want to do is just write Sano and Kaoru together being snarky and drunk.

I'm pretty sure there would be an audience for that.

Another thing…yes I know Yahiko isn't on the field trip with everyone else. One of my betas actually pointed that out and I was like "gotta put in a line why he isn't on the trip" and then I totally forgot. Oh well. I have a lot of characters to keep track off, and I keep introducing more, so let's just assume that Yahiko didn't want to go because a new cute waitress just started at the Akebeko and he wanted to stay in town.

I'm going a little off script here in regards to Persuasion but I got a really positive result to this chapter from my betas so I'm hoping the rest of you like it too. Something like this could have happened in Jane Austen. Totally… Anyways! Enjoy. I'm off to polish the next chapter. Which is going to be…interesting.

*Cue evil laughter*

Betas: Sumiregusa (shameless plug for her stories both in the RK fandom and her own original work. Trust me…Arun and Naomi are fantastic characters. Check out the links on her profile to read her stuff) and Animaniacal (another shameless plug for her new story The Normals. Modern day AU done right!)
Rating: T
Warnings: Some swearing and mentions of blood
Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is owned by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Persuasion is in the public domain, but was written by Jane Austen.

Chapter 14

…for while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite,
she could not but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory
and experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either.
They were more in love with him; yet there it was not love.
It was a little fever of admiration; but it might, probably must,
end in love with some. - Persuasion, Jane Austen

Kaoru sighed as she slid into the warm water of the onsen, feeling her stiff muscles finally start to relax. They had spent a long day exploring the countryside, the highlight of which had been the many large shrines nestled among the mountains and lakes. Walking underneath the red tori, and seeing the beauty of Hakone had been a balm to Kaoru's soul. For the first time since her father's death she felt confident in herself and better connected to the inner strength she knew that she possessed. No matter what life threw at her from now on, Kaoru felt she had the will to face it.

The onsen was sprawling, with pools tucked into the side of the mountain. Large rocks lined the pools and the women's side was separated from the men's by a large bamboo fence. Kaoru could hear Sano's booming voice from the other side and knew the men had entered the pool, too. Both Sano and Kenshin had accompanied the women for part of the day as they toured the shrines. Sano had been in Hakone for a few weeks, so he was well versed in the local sites and had taken it upon himself to show them around.

After their conversation the previous evening, it seemed Sano had taken an affectionate liking to her, and had spent most of the day talking and joking with her, seeming to silently apologize for stepping over the line by hinting about her past relationship with Kenshin. His gentle teasing and friendly attitude had relaxed her, as she had honestly enjoyed Sano's company. She wasn't sure if his friendliness towards her was mainly to do with her past with Kenshin, but she was appreciative of the attention. He treated her like a younger sister, even though she was a few years older than him.

"This is heaven," Akiko said from the side of the pool. "I don't think I ever want to leave."

"I'm so happy we came," sighed Sayuri. Even her mood had approved with the easy day spent exploring the countryside. "My husband needs to take me on his travels more. I could get used to this."

"Me too," said Akiko. "I don't think I could ever be content to just stay in one place."

"I'm sure you will get to travel to many interesting places after you are married, Akiko. Kenshin seems to travel quite a bit. As his wife, you would be able to accompany him."

Akiko glanced over nervously at the other two women, and Kaoru couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor girl. Being in close proximity with Kenshin and Akiko for the last few days, Kaoru had been able to keenly observe the two together. While it was clear that Akiko was infatuated with Kenshin, it seemed that it was a one-sided affection. He was attentive and friendly towards her, but Kaoru knew Kenshin well enough to see that his heart hadn't been touched. He was a passionate person, and she saw none of that when she observed Kenshin and Akiko together. She was not naive enough, however, to believe that passion was all one sought when choosing a spouse. Even though he might not be in love with her, Akiko had all of the qualities of a proper Japanese wife and would be a tempting match for any man.

"Sayuri, he hasn't exactly proposed to me yet," Akiko admitted.

"But surely you've talked about it?" Sayuri swam over to where Akiko was sitting on the side of the onsen pool, lazily kicking her legs in the water.

"Well, he's asked me if I thought I would ever get married, and I told him yes, but I was waiting for the right man."

"So he's definitely interested," Sayuri laughed. "Don't you think so Kaoru?"

Kaoru turned, unsure about what to say. Memories of his rushed proposal to her passed through her mind. She decided to tell Akiko the truth, even if she would never know the context. "If Himura-san wishes to marry, he seems like the type of man who would make his intentions known."

"See," said Sayuri, taking Kaoru's advice as encouragement. "Don't give up. You just need to show him that you would be his ideal wife. I'm sure men like him look for certain qualities in a woman."

"Like what Tokio-san said," murmured Akiko, deep in thought. Her face broke into a grin. "I know exactly what I need to do!"

Akiko laughed and stood up, wrapping her small towel around herself. Then she walked over to the bamboo wall separating the men and women's sides.

"What are you doing?" asked Kaoru, swimming up to the edge, slightly alarmed.

"Kenshin needs a bold wife," said Akiko, as she found a small ledge along the bamboo wall. "I'm being bold." With a grin, she pushed herself up so she could lift her head over the edge.

"Hello!" Akiko called, waving at the men, naked in the pool below. Kaoru heard some splashing and cursing on the other side, as the men tried to cover themselves.

"Get down from there!" Sayuri yelled. Akiko laughed and hopped down, landing lightly on her feet. She laughed again at Sayuri's furious expression and Kaoru's shocked one.

"Don't be such a prude," she giggled. "A hero like Kenshin wouldn't want a timid women. I'm going to prove to everyone that I deserve to be Himura Battousai's wife!"

ooooo

"I think Akiko has had a bit too much to drink," Kaoru said to Sano as they sat together. The entire group had shared a lively dinner, mostly due to Akiko's antics. After the onsen she had stepped up her attentions towards Kenshin thinking that by only acting prim and proper Kenshin would never make a move. Now she was almost too outgoing and lively and to Kaoru it seemed like he was slightly put off by her overly aggressive actions.

"Yeah,"Sano mused. "I think you're right, Kaoru-sensei."

Across the room, Akiko was leading some of the other inn guests in a lively drinking game, where the loser of each match had to drink a dish of sake. Kaoru watched as Akiko dramatically took a drink, and from her flushed face and large grin, it was clear that she hadn't won many of the matches. As Akiko finished her drink she stood, yelling that she was going to dance for everyone's enjoyment.

The others clapped as she raised her arms, mimicking the refined moves of a geisha. Akiko was dancing around, when suddenly she lunged forward and grabbed Kenshin's sword off the tatami next to him. Kenshin rose swiftly, and Kaoru knew he was not pleased. Handling someone else's sword without permission was a great offence to a swordsman. Katana were sacred weapons, and were not meant to be disrespected.

"I think it's time for another lesson!" teased Akiko, as Kenshin held out his hand for his sword.

"Please give that back, Akiko," Kenshin reached for his sword, but Akiko danced backwards, clutching the weapon to her.

"Not until you show me how to swing it." Akiko swayed a little unsteadily. Kenshin moved forward to grab her but she again avoided him.

"Show me!" Akiko flirted, not caring that she was in the middle of the room with everyone else watching her.

"I should stop this," said Kaoru, as she turned her back the spectacle and shifted to stand. Sano looked at her, a smug look on his face.

"Ah, you're no fun, I was just beginning to enjoy this." Sano pointed over to where Akiko was giggling uncontrollably but somehow still managed to stay out of Kenshin's range.

Kaoru gave Sano a whack on the head as she stood. "Idiot."

Kaoru could tell Kenshin was trying to be polite, but his frustration with Akiko was growing. Kaoru moved behind Akiko, and as the girl stepped backwards raising the sword above her head, Kaoru reached forward suddenly and snatched it away. In the same smooth motion she threw the sword back to Kenshin, who deftly caught it.

"Come Akiko, I think it's time for bed." Kaoru put her hand on the younger girl's shoulder. Akiko glanced back at Kaoru with an epic pout.

"I don't want to sleep!" Akiko slurred.

"Yes you do. You will thank me in the morning. Goodnight everyone." Kaoru guided Akiko out of the room, despite her protests. As they were heading down the hall, they met Tadashi who asked if they needed anything.

"A sense of humour!" Akiko dissolved in to a fit of giggles as she leaned against Kaoru.

"Just some water," Kaoru said, and the young man hurried away.

Just as they reached their room, they saw Misao leaving it. She was dressed in a dark blue outfit and had a concerned look on her face.

"Misao!" Kaoru had hardly seen the younger girl all day. "Are you going out?"

"Uhm," Misao looked at Kaoru, and then at Akiko. "Yes, just for a bit. I wanted to visit one of the shrines."

"It's late," said Kaoru. "Are you sure you should be going out now?"

"It's okay, I can take care of myself."

"Maybe I should go with you?"

"No no, Kaoru," Misao shook her head and started to back down the hall. "I won't be gone long. And besides it looks like you have your hands full."

Kaoru saw that Akiko was slumped against the wall, her face looking slightly pale. Kaoru sighed and helped the girl in to the room.

"Okay, Misao. Don't be out late."

"I won't." Kaoru turned around to say goodbye but Misao had already vanished.

ooooo

Kaoru woke to the sound of tapping on the door to her room. Akiko was passed out beside her, and Kaoru saw in the dim light that Misao's futon was still empty. She crawled out of her futon and opened the door. Sano stood at the entrance holding a candle in his hand.

"Sano? What are you doing? It's late."

"I need your help." Sano glanced down the hall.

"What for?"

"Just come with me. I'll explain later."

Kaoru followed Sano down the hall. He led her down a set of stairs to another part of the inn stopping just before a door and motioning her inside. Kaoru opened the door, and was immediately shocked by the sight. A tall man lay on the floor in the middle of the room. His eyes were closed and he groaned in pain incoherently. A large slash was visible across his chest and his long white jacket was stained in blood, along with a good deal of dirt and grim. Next to him sat Misao, tears flowing down her face.

"What happened?" Kaoru came in to the room. Misao looked up, her tear stained face also covered in dirt. She looked like she had been through hell.

"Please Kaoru. You have to help Aoshi-sama. I didn't know who else to ask."

Kaoru knelt down, and examined the wound across the man's chest. It was a vicious cut, but shallow. His breathing was strained and Kaoru knew that he needed to be treated soon, or his life might be in danger.

"Sano," she called, "help me sit him up so we can get this jacket off."

Sano came over and together they pulled Aoshi into a sitting position. As they moved him up, he cried out in pain but remained incoherent and semi-conscious. Together they pulled his jacket off his shoulders. His held rolled forward and Kaoru could see bruises along his arms and torso. He had obviously been in a fight and had lost.

"What happened?" she asked again, as she lowered Aoshi back down with Sano's help. She wasn't a doctor but had seen enough training related injuries to know how to deal with them at a basic level.

"Him," Sano pointed towards the corner of the room. Kaoru glanced over quickly and then looked back again after seeing who was there. In the corner, cloaked in shadows, sat Kenshin. She could just make out his outline from the light of the lamp in the centre of the room. He was kneeling, utterly still, his sword to his side and his eyes burning bright as he scrutinized the other occupants of the room. He looked beastial, and Kaoru knew that it wasn't Kenshin who sat there, but the Battousai.

"Sano, you better start talking," Kaoru dropped her voice to a whisper.

"Aoshi represented a threat to the security of Japan. Kenshin was sent to remove that threat."

Kaoru's eyes widened, realizing what was going on.

"But…why is he still alive? And why is Misao here?"

"Aoshi-sama is the Okashira," Misao choked out. "Of the Oniwabanshu."

"He's a ninja?"

"Like me."

"What? I don't understand?"

"The Oniwabanshu have served the emperor for many generations. But, at the end of the Bakumatsu, we were betrayed and Aoshi-sama watched as our comrades were slaughtered." Misao broke out into sobs, brushing Aoshi's bangs back from his face. He groaned again.

"After that, Aoshi disappeared," Sano said, and sat back. "Kenshin and I have been tracking down an opium drug lord by the name of Jorogumo. Real elusive bastard. No one seems to know who he is. A few months ago, Kenshin enlisted the Oniwabanshu to help us. Through them we heard rumours that a powerful swordsman had been hired to work directly for Jorogumo. Doing his dirty work. We discovered a connection here in Hakone, and found out that it was Aoshi. The government decided that he was too dangerous and sent Kenshin to take care of him."

"He's still alive." Kaoru risked a quick glance at Kenshin, as she set to cleaning Aoshi's wounds. Kenshin hadn't moved or said anything, but she could feel his heated gaze on her.

"He might know the identity of this drug lord. And Kenshin refused to kill him, because of Misao. But once Aoshi realized who had been sent after him, he tried to kill Kenshin. Remember what I said about being the strongest? Aoshi wants that title, too."

Kaoru bandaged Aoshi as Sano continued to explain. Misao had recklessly confronted Aoshi at one of the local temples where he had been hiding, trying to get through to her former leader. But Kenshin had soon shown up, and when Aoshi refused to listen to reason, the two had fought. It had been brutal and fierce, and finally realizing that Aoshi would only face reality after he had been defeated, Kenshin had unleashed the full power of the Hitokiri Battousai on him, defeating him yet sparing his life.

"I think that will do," Kaoru said, as she finished wrapping a bandage around Aoshi's head.

"Thank you," said Misao. She picked up Aoshi's hand and held it close. Her tears had finally subsided, and she offered Kaoru a grateful smile.

Kaoru heard a rustling sound from the corner and looked over at Kenshin. He had stood from his kneeling position and moved further into the light. Kaoru gasped as she noticed the dark red stain along the right side of his gi.

"You're hurt!" Kaoru exclaimed, more loudly than she should have.

"It's nothing," Kenshin said through gritted teeth, his face hidden by his bangs.

Sano looked up from where he was sitting by Misao's side. "We've got this. Kaoru-sensei, you should take Kenshin to his room and patch him up."

"I'm fine," Kenshin turned towards Sano, a dark look on his face.

"Bullshit," Sano said as he stood. "She'll take care of you." He glanced at Kaoru as she nodded hastily in agreement. "Don't make me drag you out of here Kenshin."

Kenshin didn't reply, but left the room, wincing as he moved. Kaoru followed Kenshin to his room, a few doors down the hall. She entered and slid the door shut with an audible click, the light from the single candle she held casting an eerie glow about the room. Kenshin stood in the centre with his back to her. Kaoru was grateful she couldn't see his eyes, as she was rather terrified at what she might find there.

"You should take off your gi." Kaoru managed to say finally, trying to push her nerves aside. Kenshin needed her help to dress his wounds and that is what she would concentrate on. She set the candle on the small table, as he started to remove his gi.

"Top shelf, on the right," Kenshin shrugged out of his gi slowly, trying not to hiss at the pain. "There are some bandages and salve."

Kaoru took the items down from the shelf. Kenshin knelt in the centre of the room, his back and chest bare. He held his head down, his red hair surrounding his face like a curtain. Along with the bandages and salve, Kaoru filled a small bowl with some water she found in a jug on the table. She set everything beside Kenshin and knelt down next to him.

The wound along Kenshin's side wasn't deep and had stopped bleeding. Kaoru knew, however, that if she didn't get it cleaned soon, it could become infected. She gently raised his arm, giving her room to work. Kenshin flinched slightly when she started cleaning the area around the cut, but he didn't move again as she continued to work. She glanced at his face every few moments but it remained hidden behind his curtain of red hair. Occasionally he would clench his fists at her touch, but the only other movement he made was the steady rise and fall of his chest.

Once the wound on his side was cleaned, Kaoru applied the salve from the small black lacquer jar. She then started wrapping the bandages around his torso, binding the wound and applying enough pressure to ensure the bleeding wouldn't start again. Kaoru willed her hands not to shake at how close she was to him, and if he noticed, he didn't acknowledge it. Being so close she couldn't help but breathe in his scent. Even after all these years, he still smelled the same, that mix of sandalwood and something else that was just him.

Once she finished wrapping the bandages, Kaoru moved behind him to clean some small cuts along his shoulders and arms. They weren't as deep as the wound on his side but they still needed care to be safe. She gently lifted his long red hair and placed it over his shoulder. As Kaoru worked her way across his back, she couldn't help but notice similar older scars. None were as pronounced as the ones across his cheek but they were still visible.

"So many," Kaoru whispered, absently tracing one along the top of his shoulder with her finger. When he shivered under her touch, she realized that she had said it out loud.

"I'm…I'm sorry," Kaoru apologized, but as she pulled her hand away, Kenshin gently placed his hand on top of hers.

"Don't be," Kenshin said his voice low. For a few moments they just sat there, his hand on hers, alone in the dark room. Tears sprung to her eyes, as she realized how much he had endured alone, without her by his side. She wondered then, if this was what their life together would have been like, if she had made a different choice. Him coming home in the dark of night, and her tending to his wounds. Could she have handled it, at barely fifteen years old, waiting and not knowing if he would come back, and when he did, offering him comfort and bandaging him up so he could go out again the following night? Would their tender love have been enough to sustain her through those terrifying and sleepless nights?

"You should rest." Kaoru reluctantly pulled her hand away from his, and wiped at her eyes. She didn't want him to see her crying, as she had no right or claim to shed tears for him. She gathered up the bandages and bowl of water as she stood, turning her back to place them on the shelf. She heard Kenshin get up and pull his tattered gi back over his shoulders.

Kaoru turned around to face him and he finally met her eyes, and for a moment Kaoru thought she saw longing there. But it vanished in an instant, replaced by something she couldn't name. She knew that right now she was an open book, the anguish she felt at his pain clearly on her face.

"Thank you for your help tonight." Kenshin continued to look at her, his eyes searching hers in the candlelight. Kaoru opened the door and stepped out of his room, reluctant to leave but too frightened to stay.

"Good night, Kenshin." She dropped the formality and used his name, not really caring about maintaining distance from him anymore. Kaoru slid the door shut and started to walk away, but in the still of the night, she heard his soft reply.

"Good night…Kaoru."