Sorry it's later than others, but it's longer too. Glad everyone was well pleased with their make-up, and now for the day after. Always so awkward.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the fingers typing.

Chapter 14: Dreaming of Reality

Cold air skated across Kaoru's tabi covered feet, straight up her pant legs, and pulled a shiver from every one of her already tensed muscles. Crossing her arms over her chest and holding the large haori even tighter around her middle Kaoru sought the warmth she had fostered while in bed. Getting up in the winter time was always the hardest part of the day, and she thought longingly of the thick blanket she had been cuddled underneath not minutes before. However, it was time for breakfast and her stomach was demanding attention.

Sliding one hand down to press into her stomach when it growled almost angrily at her, she ground her teeth and grumbled irritably back. After everything that had happened the day before she'd missed supper, and she didn't want to miss breakfast or she was going to start feeling sick from lack of food. Which did not explain why she was now standing outside of the dining room door instead of sitting inside where it was warm.

Rolling her eyes she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. If she was going to be honest with herself hunger wasn't the only thing knotting her belly this morning. Kaoru was nervous, too; and embarrassed, and edgy, and expectant. Last night something had happened she never would have thought possible in a million years, let alone a short one thousand. The high and mighty master of the palace had apologized and showed humility by asking her, rather nicely she might add, not to leave. He wanted her to stay.

What would happen now, she wondered. Were they going to get along better? She wasn't going to be so naïve as to think they wouldn't still fight now and again, but she was hoping that the tension that had been present between them the last few days would be gone. It might just be enough for them to explore the tentative friendship they were hovering on the edge of. To be at such ease with him was something she looked forward to, and after his own words last night she was hoping he too wanted the same thing. After all, he hadn't meant what he had said to her at the cliff, and…

Looking down she plucked at the new silver chain holding her glowing pink bauble. This chain was shorter than the last so it no longer lay in hiding beneath her breast bindings, but it looked to her untrained eye to be even more beautiful. Now that it was no longer concealed the silver of the links seemed to sparkle in the light. The glass petal also put off a soft glow, one that was just a bit stronger than she thought it had been originally. Perhaps it too was happy with the new chain and circumstances, or perhaps she had never noticed it before because it was always kept from view by her clothing.

The new necklace did bring up many questions and theories to her mind. One was the idea that he might have chosen this shorter chain just so it could be displayed; just so he could see it. Only her second day there had proven his interest in it, and the frown that was so natural on his face had shown displeasure that she would not wear it openly. There were other thoughts she had that branched from these, but she was trying to process one thing at a time and she didn't want to think on it too much at the moment.

It would make her think of things like the way he had spoken his parting the night before. The way he had almost caressed the words that had followed it. "Goodnight… my lady." As if, for that one moment, he had wished she really was his lady.

Or maybe you're delusional from lack of food and are hearing things. Idiot.

Biting her lip to stall her nerves she shivered again and decided it would be best if she just went inside. She was going to either catch a cold or pass out from hunger if she didn't do something soon.

The door slid open soundlessly and the first thing her eyes landed on was him. Back straight, chin high, his wings were pulled in close to his back and his head was turned in her direction. Curiously his golden eyes searched her face as if looking for something suspicious about her. As if he knew she had been standing outside for the last ten minutes trying to talk herself into coming in.

"Good-morning, my lady."

Ok, there it was again. Smiling nervously, she stuttered a reply. "G-good-morning."

There was a long pause as Kaoru stood immobile in the doorway. "Perhaps you should close the door and come sit down? It's freezing outside."

"Oh, right." Stepping completely over the threshold she slid the shoji shut behind her and headed for her own cushion at the table. This is a little weird. He's never talked to me this civilly before. It's kinda nice… and its kinda a little more grating than before. Argh… no, that's just embarrassment for being such an idiot and gawking at him.

Struggling against the silence that was closing in on them Kenshin stumbled his way into a conversation. "I hope you slept well?"

Starting to feel more and more surreal Kaoru tried to answer without the squeak that was itching the back of her throat. Alright, now this is really, really strange. Did he hit his head when we fell? "Uh, yes, yes of course. Did you?" Blue eyes dropped to the bandages wrapped around his middle and she was happy to see they were expertly taken care of. It made her wonder how often he had been forced to wrap his own wounds. "You weren't in a lot of pain, were you?"

The worry in her eyes overrode the thick amount of puzzlement in her voice and it brought that foreign smile back to his lips as he looked down at the table. "The pain is much less now that the wounds have been taken care of."

"I'm glad. I… didn't want you to have to suffer because of my own stupidity."

"Part of last night's situation was my fault, as well." A dark frown pulled at his features and she was surprised by how different the look was compared to any of the frowns he had shown towards her. It was colder and much more dangerous. Perhaps he had never truly disliked her at all. "That rabble of troublemakers should have been dealt with a long time ago before they ever had the chance to hurt you or anyone else."

"But… you didn't… I mean, they weren't punished cruelly… were they? I'm sure this… situation has been hard on everyone." Not quite sure how much she needed to keep to herself and how much she could reveal about what she knew, Kaoru bit her lip when he gave her a considering look. The lord, however, decided not to comment on how informed she was or was not.

"Their - punishment - was well fitting to their crime. You can be sure of that, my lady." Looking her over as she accepted him at his word Kenshin let out a slow breath. Did she even realized how nervous he was? He hoped not. That she was still a bit unsure of their interactions after last night was evident and to be expected. After deciding that more care needed to be taken in how he spoke with her and reacted he had conjured up the only role model he could think of. Since he'd shadowed his eldest brother around for nearly seventeen years it wasn't that hard to mimic his cordiality, either. It felt a little strange on his tongue, though, and Kaoru had noticed that he was sure.

A sudden and amused smile pulled at her mouth and she laughed softly at a passing thought. Before he had the chance to wonder what had pleased her, or feel strangely resentful over its origin, she was dropping her chin on her intertwined fingers and meeting his gaze. "Yahiko-kun was absolutely thrilled with your compliment last night. I'm glad you took the time to praise him. He has a good, strong spirit and a kind heart. He would make a great student for the Kamiya Kasshin-ryu."

Momentarily puzzled Kenshin tried to remember just who she was speaking of. The boy. Nodding slightly to himself Kenshin could clearly picture the scrawny ten year old his mother had recommended to his father. At such an age he would have been used for running errands and relaying quick orders to the kitchens and stable hands. Izo had ignored him, as he had several others at hand to fulfill such duties, and Kenshin himself had been given the boy. The poor kid had been ignored by him, too.

Kaoru was right about his spirit, though. Kenshin had witnessed it first-hand. Not yet close enough to intervene he had watched as Yahiko had dove into her attacker without a moment of hesitation. He had been perfectly willing to protect her even if it meant pain for him. Though Kenshin was still angry at him and that loafer, Sanosuke, for leaving Kaoru alone while on the cliff, they had both redeemed themselves enough during the ambush to earn a pass on their punishment. Yahiko, through Kaoru's credit and Kenshin's own appreciation, might have possibly even earned himself a reward.

"Will his injury leave any permanent difficulties?"

"No, thank goodness. Megumi-san said he should heal nicely. He's not going to be able to get around easily for awhile, though."

Nodding his head again he sat back as Tae and her fellow helpers entered with the food. "I shall speak with him later today."

Kaoru was more than pleased with his interest in the boy and she smiled happily at her server as the snow monkey sat out her dishes and tea. Tae's helper did not look up at her, though, and the expression on her face was one of sadness. Curious and worried, Kaoru turned to the other helper but she too was staring downward.

"Is there anything else you require, my lord?" Tae's sweet voice spoke up next to Kenshin, but the edge to it was slightly surprising and it curled not only Kaoru's brow but the lord's as well.

"No, unless there is something the lady wishes for." Shaking her head when amber eyes glanced up to her Kaoru blinked as Tae nodded curtly and turned to leave with her aides in tow.

"That was strange." Speaking up after the shoji had shut, Kaoru pulled her eyes from the door to look across the table at the lord. "Do you think Tae-san is feeling well today?"

"Something has displeased her." Trying to shrug off the animosity her tan eyes had shown to him Kenshin picked up his chopsticks. "The physician did say last night that she might require the cook's help with the snake bite. Perhaps she did not get much sleep because of it."

"If that's the case… maybe you should give her the day off then, to rest. I can help clean up the kitchen for her." Something twitched on his face at the mention of her picking up the slack and she wondered if he was going to get angry with her again. Briefly she felt bad for even mentioning it. They had been getting along so well.

Closing his eyes and taking a breath Kenshin tried to think of a more appropriate reply than the immediate disapproval and denial her suggestion conjured. "If she needs more rest then she may take the day off, but you should not feel like you need to bribe me every time you ask me for a favor, Kaoru-dono. She has plenty of help already to take over her duties for one day. Besides, you were wounded yesterday, too. You need your rest as well."

"Oh, well… fine, but…" Bending over her meal and feeling contrite and foolish, Kaoru muttered around her chopsticks. "I wasn't trying to bribe you, I just thought…"

"That I wouldn't let her take a day off if I wasn't guaranteed my three meals?"

Well that made it sound like she was accusing him of being selfish and cruel. "Believe me, that's not what I was saying at all. For one thing I didn't say anything about cooking, and I'll just warn you now that you wouldn't want to even think about putting me in there if you expected something edible in return."

"Oh?"

Threading her hand through her hair in the pretext of scratching her scalp, she hid her embarrassment of the confession. "I can't cook, and I'd probably just burn the kitchen down if I tried."

"Hmm… sounds like the perfect excuse I need to order you to stay away from it."

Lowering her hand she glanced at him through her fingers and felt surprise at the grin he was hiding behind his tea cup. He was teasing her! Dropping her arm all the way she was momentarily at a loss on how to respond. Remembering childhood days she scrunched up her nose and stuck out her tongue. The smile behind his tea cup widened just slightly.

After breakfast Kaoru stood and stretched as she happily sighed that her stomach was full and no longer complaining. "Tae's food is always the greatest. Now all I need is a hot bath and I should be completely satisfied." Looking down at Kenshin's still seated figure she let her eyes drift over the bandages around his arm, lower stomach, and then to the hakama covering his legs. He was still wearing the torn pair of yesterday and she could just barely discern the blood stains in its dark color. "If you'd like to take a bath after me I'll change your bandages for you. They'll need to be changed regularly anyway to make sure the wounds stay clean." His mouth opened but he said nothing as if he didn't know how to exactly respond to either deny or bypass her offer. "It's no trouble at all, really. I want… to." Blushing she dropped her eyes to her fingers and watched as they twisted together.

Kaoru was embarrassed and in a very short time she was going to get angry. It was already building on her face as her lips pursed, her eyes narrowed, and her posture became just a bit defensive. A short second later and she was opening her mouth to speak her irritation with his silence, but he spoke over with a grin. "I would like that, Kaoru-dono." The annoyance on her face instantly disappeared and he was glad she had been appeased. It didn't matter that the wounds wouldn't get infected, negating any reason to change them unless he was getting the bandages wet, because it was something that Kaoru wanted. Whatever it took to keep her happy, he was willing to do. He much preferred her smiling, as she was this morning, to the sadness and frustration that had ruled them both before.

"Great! I'll go see about getting the bath heated up and when I'm done I'll come find you for your turn." Marching to the door she slid it open and braced herself for the cold wind that was blowing. The dining hall faced the western wall which gave a lovely view of the sunset when it was clear enough to see it go down over the ocean below. There was a good amount of space between its veranda and the outer wall, and that space was now covered in snow and seemed to be a picture perfect blanket of winter. The blinding white of the surface was not what greeted her when she walked out, however. Instead she was met by a hundred different faces of the servants she had befriended. Some of them she wasn't sure she recognized.

Astonished Kaoru froze once more in the doorway, and one hand instinctively went to the necklace on her chest.

"Wha-what's going on?"

Stepping sadly forward Misao stood up on her hind legs in the snow so that she could be seen better. "You can't go, milady. We want you to stay."

"Yes, please don't go away." Tsubame's soft, kitten voice spoke up next to her.

"We'd miss you, my lady."

"We don't want you to go." A loud buzz of agreement began to badger her on all sides and begged her not to leave because they liked her and wished for her to stay. Behind her she heard the click of Kenshin's talons on the floor as he stepped up to peek over her shoulder. At the sight of him, however, their voices only became more insistent.

"Please, my lord, you have to get her to stay!"

"She shouldn't have to leave!"

"We thought you wanted her here!"

Understanding hit Kaoru and she smiled while she shook her head. Apparently Yahiko and Sano, and perhaps Megumi and Tsubame, had been busy overnight spreading the rumor of her leaving. Of course since no one else knew about their conversation the night before they didn't know that she was now planning to stay. It frightened her a little to see how fast word traveled, but she was touched by how many of them truly liked her. Casting a look at Kenshin to see how he was taking this uprising of servants since most of them sounded a little upset with him for letting her go she wasn't surprised to see him frowning.

Sharply one of his red hands lifted to demand silence from his servants, and quite reluctantly they all calmed down. "I'll leave it to you, Kaoru-dono." Leaning against the door jam he crossed his arms against the cold and looked quite angry and intimidating. Smiling at his grumpy face she stepped up to the edge of the porch and pitched her voice to make sure they all heard.

"There's no need to worry, I've already decided to stay." A loud cheer burst from the crowd and Kaoru giggled at the joy they were showing over such a simple announcement. A laughing whoop from the mutt caused the fox next to him to jump and she smacked him as he shouted. "I knew you had it in ya!" Which one of them he was actually talking about Kaoru didn't know, but it still made her blush.

"Alright, alright!" Jumping up on the porch next to Kaoru, Misao hollered over the din. "Get back to work you lazy good-for-nothings! We want to give the lady good reason to stay, don't we?!"

"Misao. Don't be so mean." Scolding her softly, the small weasel jerked her head to look up at her with a large grin on her face.

"I'm glad you're staying, milady. It would have been boring without you here." Ducking a quick bow the weasel hopped off the covered walk and scampered after the others as they dispersed.

"That was really sweet."

"It was really none of their business to begin with." Still cross, Kenshin stepped fully out of the dining hall and shut the door.

"Now, Kenshin-sama, they live here, too, and I've become quite fond of everyone I have met so far. I think it's nice that they would make the effort to try and convince me to stay. Any such effort should be rewarded, ne?" Looking just slightly away from him and down at the snow she felt herself blush again. Embarrassment really was an unreasonable emotion.

"And if I had not asked you to stay myself… would you have stayed because they asked?"

Meeting his gaze she was a little surprised to find he did not duck away from her scrutiny as she expected, but instead studied intently the response her features would give. Licking her lips nervously and trying to hunt out the truth of her own feelings she was silent for a few moments. "No." The harsh gold of his irises almost seemed to soften in that instant and it prompted her confession to go further than she had originally intended. "I would have been… too unhappy to stay."

There was a lot of pain in her voice and it reminded him of how deeply he had wounded her. Eyes closing, he listened in tortured silence to her intake of breath. She was reading herself to go on and he experienced a brief moment of anxiety that he had done more damage than he had imagined.

"My lord?" Opening his eyes he jerked his head to stare over his shoulder at the interruption. It was the cook. "I feel that… I should apologize for my behavior this morning. It was very rude of me, and it will not happen again." A little impatient with all the continued interference from his servants Kenshin waved his hand in dismissal.

"See that it doesn't."

Bowed low, Tae sighed in relief and nodded. "Of course, my lord." When she looked up he was already turned back away, but Kaoru was smiling at her and so Tae impulsively stumbled on. "I thought, as a way of celebrating the season and since we have not yet rewarded everyone for their hard work cleaning up the palace, that I would make that dessert I have been promising." Kaoru's eyes lit up, excited, but her lord once again waved his hand as if uncaring. There was a difference, however, between the regular indifference he showed to his servants and the nearly agitated way he was trying to be rid of her now. It widened her perspective of the situation and Tae realized in wonder that she was getting in the middle of something she should not be. "I had thought sometime in the next day or so would be good." Bowing again Tae started backtracking her steps. "If you will excuse me." Turning tail she fled and waved her helpers back around the corner of the engawa in the process so that the master and mistress were once again alone.

"I've been looking forward to Tae's sweet dish. I wonder what it is." Curious and contemplating the extensive possibilities Kaoru blinked when the lord started to walk away. There was a look of frustration on the features she could see through the curtain of his bangs and she felt a pang of worry at not noticing what had apparently angered him. "Kenshin-sama… is there something wrong?"

"No." He paused "Perhaps." Shifting his hand as if trying to provoke his thoughts into bringing forth the correct terms he finally continued softly. "I did not mean for my words to hurt you so. I truly am sorry I have caused you such grief. I… mean to be more prudent in the future." The bow of his head was deep in regret before he left.

X

Laying aside her clothing Kaoru stood shivering in her skin as the warmth from the bathhouse washed over her. Glancing longingly at the tub as it steamed happily away she battled back the temptation to just skip washing off and jump in to soak out the cold. Fingering the bandages wrapped around her shoulder to stall the desire she sighed and began unraveling their linen length. She was way too dirty to be doing something like that, especially if Kenshin was going to be taking a bath after her. She doubted he would appreciate a filthy tub full of water. I wonder how he fits his wings in there.

Shifting her shoulder around as it was freed from the confining wrap she winced as the wound gave a twinge of pain. Her fingers, arm, and the shin of one leg were also burning, and she briefly thought that she might not want to soak in the tub at all. What if she left blood in it? That wouldn't be sanitary. I'll just make sure not to submerge my shoulder or left hand in. My shin's just a minor scrape. The hot water will hurt me more than I it.

Bending forward to reach for her first bucket of water and wash cloth, the shorter chain Kenshin had given her swung forward to smack against her nose. Huffing out a breath at having forgotten it she stood back up to unclasp it and place it aside with her clothes. The dim lighting within the bathhouse made its glow look even brighter and more noticeable within the bathhouse and she stopped to stare at it with it tangled around her fingers. Worrying her lip she held it up just a bit higher than her face as she remembered that scene that had flashed before her eyes out in the forest.

"Thank you, Kenshin."

In her vision he had smiled back.

"I'm glad you are pleased, little one."

Then another vision took over the first. A scene she thought perhaps she had seen in a dream.

"Can I keep it?" Her hand had held it up for him to see.

"Come along, little one." His hand had gently encouraged her to follow him out.

Shivering again, she could almost feel the sharp claws of his hand as they tickled the back of her scalp. The sensation faded a moment later, and she heard an echo of childish laughter rang as another vision came to mind.

"I am making you a necklace so that you may wear it around your neck." The patience in his had not wavered once.

"Will you promise to make it a pretty necklace, Kenshin?" Kaoru had thought nothing of the demands she had made.

"I will try, little one…" Though unsure of himself and his abilities he had been willing to try to do as she asked.

"Did you really give me this necklace, Kenshin? Or am I making up my own stories as I liked to do when I was younger?" Lowering the necklace to rest the pink petal in the palm of her other hand she wished that she could remember that day so many years ago. Her father had never spoken of her journey through the forest, and her mother was no longer around to tell her the truth about the gift. Come to think of it the one merchant that had ever glimpsed the necklace had spoken of how nice the old chain was in comparison to the bauble. If he had noticed the silver links and their worth then she was sure it would not have been a cheap gift to buy for a child. Her parents would not have been able to afford something like that as a small toy for her.

Kenshin, however, had replaced the chain with one just as nice, if not nicer, without a second thought or hesitation. Although that could have been because he felt responsible for the damage it had undertaken to begin with, but she didn't believe this to be the case. He had been a little too concerned with the necklace for her to dismiss the idea.

"You must keep it with you, always."

"Is that the reason I have always worn it? Because you asked me to, Kenshin? But why haven't you said anything to me? Why haven't you treated me like someone you have met before? Or have you?" Brows furrowing as she tried to think of every conversation or look they had ever shared she hunted for something that would give him away. "Have I just not noticed? Is this why you have been so angry? Because I do not remember?" Almost tauntingly another vision came to mind.

"When I grow up will I have wings like you, Kenshin?"

"I should hope not, little one. These wings are not a gift."

"Why not? Can't you fly with them?"

"Yes, but…"

"Will you take me flying?"

"…"

"Please? I've always wanted to fly."

"…Very well… but only a short flight."

Sighing again Kaoru laid the necklace on top of her clothing. If only she could believe the conversations in her mind were real. There was no proof for her to act on them as if their were truth. Perhaps she could just ask Kenshin, but she wanted some more time to think on it first. They were just starting to get along and she didn't want to bring up anything that might be uncomfortable for him. She would see if any other memories came to mind within the next few days before she started asking around. If she thought of something that she hadn't so far seen or witnessed since living at the palace, something completely foreign and new, then maybe she would act a little more strongly on the suspicion.

Rinsing off and then scrubbing at her hair carefully with only her right hand, she tucked a towel around the ebony strands and stepped into the tub. It was deliciously hot and she relaxed blissfully in the heat with the base of her skull resting against the lip of the wooden tub. Rolling her head to one side she stared blankly at the glimmer of pink light that reflected off of her necklace. It was so bright lying there in the dark, and as her eyes grew heavy she wondered again what made it glow so beautifully.

X

Someone was shaking her awake. There was a light pat of soft fingers on her cheek, a worried voice calling to her, and the sweet fragrance of violets spoke of her mother.

"Mama?" Yawning and rubbing at her lashes Kaoru smiled up at her mother's pretty features. There were tears in her eyes.

"Oh baby, I'm so glad you're safe." Warm arms wrapped around her smaller stature, hugging her to her mother's breast, and Kaoru let her eyes slide back closed.

"I'm fine, Mama. Had lots of fun… with Kenshin." Another voice, speaking away from them, cut into her ears and lifted the fog of exhaustion that was weighing on her young body.

"I do not wish to be ungrateful, my lord. If there is anything you ever need I will gladly repay this favor you have done by returning my daughter to me safely."

"I have no need of any favors from you." Kaoru recognized this voice, too, though it sounded much shorter than she was used to.

Blinking, Kaoru pulled out of her mother's embrace. "Kenshin?" Still rubbing at the sleep in her eye she focused on the dark figure silhouetted by darker trees. Smiling as she could see a soft flush of red skin from the circle of lamplight on their porch Kaoru scooted out of her mother's lap and to the edge of the engawa. "Are you going to stay at my house now?" A sheen of gold from one of his horns showed the tilt of his head in her direction. When he spoke to her it was in a much gentler tone.

"No, little one. I have brought you home and now it is time for me to return to mine."

"Okay. Can I visit again tomorrow?" Quite unaware of the upset her innocent question caused she stared only at the other hiding in the dark and did not see the horror on her father's face or the wonder on her mother's.

"No, Kaoru-chan. You must not walk to the palace by yourself ever again. It is dangerous."

"Then come get me." Sliding off the porch Kaoru ran to his side and latched onto his hakama with a delighted giggle. "I want to go flying again."

"Kaoru! Get back here at once!"

"But Father, Kenshin's really nice."

"Do as I say, aijou!"

"Anata…" Her mother stepped up behind her father and placed a hand on his shoulder. "be calm. He has not hurt her yet. Why would he now?"

Tugging on Kenshin's hakama Kaoru grinned up at the face that glanced down at her. "Kenshin wouldn't hurt anyone, would you Kenshin?" The smile on his face seemed just a bit painful.

"I would not hurt you, little one." Tentatively his hand touched the back of her head, and there was affection in the gesture.

"See, anata?" Stepping in front of her husband Sayoko smiled as she looked upon her daughter's happy face. "Did you have a lot of fun at the palace today, Kaoru?"

"Uh-huh. I made a lot of new friends and Kenshin took me flying and look! He even made this necklace for me." Lifting up the long chain of her necklace she held up the bauble for her mother to see.

"How very pretty. He made it for you, did you say?"

"Yep. I pulled the petal from a funny cherry tree and he let me keep it when I asked. Didn't you, Kenshin?" Slipping a hand into his she pulled on two of his fingers this time to grab his attention. His fingers curled gently around her small hand and he nodded.

"That was very kind of him. Did you say thank you?"

"Uh-huh."

Smile moving from Kaoru to the dragon scaled lord, Sayoko bowed slightly at the waist. "Then I must thank you as well for taking such good care of my child, and for gifting such a beautiful, and valuable, necklace to her. Please, will you not ask for anything to repay our debt to you? Such a favor would foster good relations between our family and yours. Is there nothing you would wish for?"

Kaoru bounced excitedly with his hand now clasped between both of hers, and though she did not understand the situation completely she did know that whatever Kenshin's answer was would decide if she got to see him again. A soft moment of contemplation trained his golden irises on her before he looked up at the woman and then past her to the father who was more than unhappy with his wife's welcoming words.

"There is nothing in this world I desire… except, perhaps, to have your daughter visit me again."

"Wonderful." Sayoko was pleased by the request, but sounded almost as if she had expected such an answer.

"And what will everyone else think when our daughter is gone half the time visiting the palace they are all afraid of? They will think evil things about her. It will not make her life easy." Koshijirou sounded less than thrilled by the prospect.

"Anata…"

"He is right. That is why she will only come one day a year. I will collect her before dawn and return her after dusk. No one will see her come or go and after her eighteenth birthday, or if she is married before then, she will no longer be obligated to come. I have no desire to ruin her life, and I promise to always bring her home in the same condition I find her." Kenshin's voice was steady and sure.

"But one day a year is so little time."

"Once a year? Is that tomorrow, Kenshin?"

Frowning at the question, he shook his head. "No, it is not tomorrow."

"Then when? Next week?"

"No, baby girl." There was a sad look of sympathy on her mother's features as she went on to explain. "Once a year is… like how often the cherry trees blossom."

Kaoru's eyes widened as the time frame finally sank in. "But that's so far away! Don't be mean, Kenshin! I want to come back tomorrow!"

"It is better if you do not." Tears were glistening in her bright, blue eyes and he looked away. "You will bring her to the clearing at the base of the mountain before dawn in one years time. There I will collect her and there I will bring her back. This way no one is sure to see."

"I don't want to wait that long. I don't want to." Beginning to cry in earnest, Kaoru yanked her hands free of his and clutched him once more around his leg. "You're my friend, Kenshin. Friends stick together. How can we be friends if I never see you?"

Voice lowering so that only she could hear him, he bent closer towards her upturned face. "Once a year is all that I dare ask for, little one. I would gladly give you more, but you are very young and belong with your father and mother."

"But what if you forget me? What if you don't come and get me like you said?"

"I will more than likely remember you for the remainder of my life. It is you, I fear, who will forget."

"I won't forget, Kenshin. I have my necklace to remind me."

"It is a promise then." Stepping gently our of her reach, he turned his back to the little house and her waiting parents. "I shall see you in one year, little one. By then you should have many interesting tales to share with me." A sharp gust of wind overbalanced her weight and she flopped down onto the ground to watch the shadow of his form disappear over the treetops.

X

Gasping as she sat quickly up and forced the water to slosh roughly around her Kaoru hissed when her left hand knocked against the tub and jarred her stinging fingers. Cradling her hand to her chest as she shivered under the cooling water, she looked back at her necklace. Whether imagined or real her dreams were becoming more insistent.

A part of her hoped they were true.

X

A/N: This took more time than I thought it would. It seems after having such a climactic chapter the muse kind of tried to hide from me. Such a fickle thing. So I had to beat this chapter out of me, and it has a lot of stuff that I liked, but felt a bit forced. Although it could seem that way to me because I've been a bit distracted lately. I hope everyone reading it finds it to be good, though I don't think it fair to compare it to the last chapter. I felt really good about that one. Anyway, this was a way for me to try and advance Kaoru into some epiphanies. Soon things will really get to rolling, and we can get past her insecurities and go straight into Kenshin's. Oh, and I haven't forgotten the other characters I've introduced, so don't be afraid, but they are side characters so they won't get as much spot light. Yahiko's doing well for himself, though, since Kenshin is taking an interest in him. This will be a good way for me to get him interested in everyone else, too. Yay! Alright, I'll stop giving everything away, and let you go. Please review, and hope to see you in a week. By the way, I was wanting to hold off this chapter until today, since it's Saturday, so me having so many issues with it was almost fortuitous. Ciao.