And a thank you to all my reviewers for their awesome reviews! They are: mijin, geckohawaii, Chi no Kaori, Scarred Sword Heart, donhisiewen, kokoronagomu, Althea M, Emi Violet, and caseyedith.
Soupcon
-noun
A slight trace, as of a particular taste or flavor.
The world stops.
Kaoru stares at the gi in her hands. It is old, and tattered, tossed into the rag pile after too many exposures to the wind and weather, held together more with stitches and patches than original cloth. It is a normal part of the dojo's business, no more significant a chore than the ash pile to be cleaned out under the bathhouse.
It smells like Kenshin.
She crumples to the floor, clutching the ragged bit of fabric, sobbing out her broken heart. On a night of warmth and fireflies, just another summer night, he left and isn't coming back. The faint scent of pine trees and ginger is comforting and destructive, cutting her to the bone even as it reminds of better times.