Hiraru got a letter the next day from her family

I know it's been a while since I posted, I've just been real busy. My editors can tell you that much. Not to mention one of them is standing over me right now timing how long it takes me to type this so I can get back to my homework. I'll keep this short. (Yes I know, I have five minutes left)

So anyway, I want to thank my editors for doing a quick edit on this chapter because I forgot about these passages. (Yes I know I said I'd post this chapter last week I was doing homework, LIKE you told me to.) I'd also like to thank you readers and yes I am going to finish this story if it kills me, so if I disappear after posting the final chapter make sure you mourn me.

Now let's get down to business. This is a short chapter but still Read, Review, and tell me if you enjoyed it.

Hiraru got a letter the next day from her family. She was working for the lumberyard when it arrived, so Kaoru gave it to her when she got home. Immediately she sat down on the edge of the porch and began to read.

Sano and Kenshin were sitting further under the porch, eating snacks Kenshin had made. Sano was staying over for dinner again. It was Kenshin that noticed the sudden tenseness in Hiraru's whole being. "Hiraru-san?" He asked.

The young carpenter neither moved nor spoke. Sano looked over at Hiraru and noticed the building tension in her shoulders, "Hey Haru… What's up?"

Hiraru began to shake very slightly. Kenshin stood and walked over, "Hiraru-san?" He placed a hand on the nineteen-year-old's shoulder.

Hiraru's mouth moved up and down for several seconds, mimicking a fish, before she spoke. Her voice was very small, and sounded fragile, "My… My grandfather…. He…" She swallowed with some difficulty, "He's taken a turn for the worse… My younger brother is worried…" Then almost to herself, "I'm running out of time… and I don't know how to tell him…"

Kenshin sat on one side of her and Sano took the other, "Do you need to go home?" Kenshin asked.

She shook her head, "If I go home… they'll insist on the ceremony… I'm not ready… I don't have father's swords…" She laced her fingers together and pressed them to her forehead, "I have no choice… I have to go visit him…"

"You mean the guy who worked with your dad?" Sano asked.

Hiraru's head tipped in his direction acknowledging that he'd spoken, "No, the apprentice of my grandfather's oldest comrade… but my grandfather said to use him only as a last resort… but if my grandfather's declining… I have no choice."

She stood up and started pacing the yard, mumbling to herself. The men watched her for a few more minute before Kenshin went inside to make dinner. By the time Kenshin came out to tell them it was dinner time, Hiraru was just standing in the middle of the yard not moving. Katsu stood next to and behind her, acting (almost) as a shield as the two of them seemed to watch the forest. Unlike Sano, Kenshin could almost see Hiraru's mind running in circles. He told Sano to go ahead and join the others inside, Kenshin would get Hiraru

He walked over so that he stood next to Hiraru, with Katsu's head between them, "So what do you really want to do?"

Hiraru took several deep breaths, "Saddle Katsu, and spur him home as quickly as I can…" Kenshin noticed her hands starting to shake, "But I can't do that…"

"Why not?" Kenshin kept his voice even and gentle.

"I'd kill Katsu, for one…" She said leaning further back onto the gelding's shoulder, "For another, I'd be trapped… I swore once I took my title I wouldn't leave. I have to find those swords before I can go back, its part of who I'm supposed to be."

Kenshin watched her, "I don't understand…"

She shook her head, "Its part of the ceremony for me to become the official Hiraru, and head of the shrine… It's kind of difficult to explain. Very interknit…"

Kenshin sighed, "I still don't understand, but it will do you no good to worry yourself sick. Come inside and have dinner. You can speak to me later if you wish."

Hiraru looked at him for the first time in hours; her eyes were a little bigger than normal, but the weak smile was reassuring. "Thank you, Kenshin-san," She said, "I think I already have my next steps planned out, though."

She turned, patting Katsu on the shoulder, and followed Kenshin to dinner, as usual.

Kenshin woke up at his usual early time the next morning. Quickly he dressed and began morning chores, so Hiraru could have a breakfast. Kenshin had finished setting the table when he noticed Hiraru hadn't made any noise that morning. He walked to her room, remembering her words about never sleeping past dawn. Perhaps she had worried herself into a fever.

Kenshin knocked on her door, calling her name gently. After several minutes of calling he opened the door and found the room empty. Her sword and most of her bags were gone, though several personal objects sat on a small shelf. The Futon was folded perfectly in the center of the room, two notes resting on the pillow. One was addressed to him the other to the whole group.

Kenshin took up the one addressed to him, and practically ripped it open. The contents were brief.

Kenshin-san

I know you must be worried about me, so I'll tell you now, I left early to visit a friend in a nearby town. I swear I will be back, the fact that I left Katsu and one of my packs should be proof enough for that. A lumber manager will come by to borrow Katsu each day, and will feed him each day. This man's name is Kyo. He's a big burly guy, but gentle, and most important he knows how to care for horses. Please make sure Yahiko keeps up with his work outs, and remind Kaoru not to add too much salt to sweet things, or too much sugar to the stew.

In case I haven't said it thank you for keeping my secret, I don't know how I would keep my sanity if I didn't know at least one person nearby whom I could speak frankly to. There shouldn't be too much to worry about the roof, I put a tarp on it but if there are problems, talk to Kyo. He'll get some friends to finish fixing it, he does owe me a favor. Finally I'll be back in about seven days, please keep an eye out for any more letters addressed to me, though I'm not sure how my brother got a letter to me through the mail system. I normally send him things through a personal messenger.

Thank you,

Hiraru

Kenshin bit his lip gently, why was Hiraru always running off, and not telling them? He was also upset that he hadn't noticed when Hiraru's presence had disappeared from the house, nor had he heard when Hiraru had open and closed the doors of the house. He carefully placed the letter in his coat, intending to burn it later, the other he picked up and brought to the main sitting room. The upside of this was that Kaoru and Yahiko wouldn't wake up complaining about all the noise 'Haru' was making.

Sudden endings… So much fun… I hope you liked it. Now, excuse me while I go jump in a lake.

Remember I post faster if I get lots of reviews.