AN: Because 1.) I never write for canon anymore and 2.) It is May 14th and this is to counter the sincere amount of sad pictures of Kenshin leaving Kaoru floating on tumblr today.

Amber & Jasmine

7. Satsuki

XX

May was supposed to be a month of warmth, spring, and cheer. Until last year, May had lived up to those expectations.

Last year in May, her rurouni had wandered once again. Last year in May, had perhaps been one of the lowest points in her life.

This year, she greeted May with trepidation. Much had passed since then. Kenshin had returned, her death had been faked, and unspoken feelings had been gently addressed, in very subtle, tentative ways.

The dojo was quieter now. Yahiko now lived on his own, and without having to support him and Sanosuke, Kaoru was faring a little better as far as finances went. Yahiko even paid her now for classes. She had tried to refuse, stubbornly so; however, the money seemed to mysteriously make its way into her coin-purse. How ironic he used his pickpocket skills in that way.

It was because the dojo was so quiet that she was painfully aware of when that day arrived. There was not enough to distract her from the countdown she had made in her mind. If Kenshin noticed the slight unease bubbling underneath her cheery exterior, he had not said as much. However, the rurouni was not as dull as he pretended to be.

So focused on the day that she panicked when she realized he was not doing his usual morning routine. It was when he reminded her he had promised Tae his help in a few odd-jobs that she relaxed—but barely.

Slightly confused, Kenshin promised he would be home in time to make dinner, and he would double up on the remainder of the chores the next day. So distracted by her overactive imagination, Kaoru agreed. It was not until after Kenshin had left did she realize how that made her look, and immediately berated herself for it.

The day dragged by, and she spent as much of it as she could in the dojo. Meditating had failed miserably, chores allowed her too much time to think. Only the reassuring feel of a shinai in her hands and the confident whoosh of the wood as she moved through her kata soothed her nerves.

Sweaty, agitated, and wishing she could just grab Kenshin and hold him tight to reassure herself he would not up and disappear—even though she knew she was being ridiculous—she did not notice him return, not until she rounded in her kata to find him watching her, smiling.

"Your bath is ready, that it is, Kaoru-dono." The gentle lilt of his voice had more of an effect than all the hours she had spent in the dojo, and the tension left her weary body.

She said thank you, but he would not know it was for being there and not for the bath.

Dinner came and went, and she greeted the stars with heavy thoughts and a far-away look. She almost did not notice Kenshin approaching until he placed the tray next to her, laden with a teapot and cups.

She was dressed in a yukata, and when she blinked out of her thoughts, she noticed he was dressed in one as well. The damp hair suggested he had just bathed.

"May this one join you?" Kenshin inquired as he took seat on the other side of the tray.

She smiled at him. "Of course, Kenshin." However, when she went to pour the tea, his hands reached out as well. His fingers brushed hers briefly, before he smiled and took the teapot, pouring their cups.

"Kaoru-dono has had a long day of training. This one would be most happy to pour her tea for her," He said in explanation, handing her a cup. For whatever reason, the statement made her blush, and she quickly brought the pottery to her lips to hide the fact.

They sat quietly, watching the stars and nursing their tea, until Kenshin finally placed his cup down. Kaoru glanced over at him to see his eyes on her. She bit her lip, as the look he gave her made her nervous—she was not sure why.

He smiled then, one of those little smiles that was not rurouni, but Kenshin. "Kaoru-dono... This one is home."

Her breath caught at that, shaky fingers nearly dropping her teacup before she put it down. Placing her hands in her lap, she felt an ashamed flush stain her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Kenshin..."

"No," He interrupted softly, taking the tray and moving it out of the way. She heard the rustle of his clothes as he scooted over beside her. "This one apologizes. This one did not realize that Kaoru-dono still had doubts."

She went to shake her head—to deny, and to apologize, to reassure and to hide, however the warm brush of callused fingertips against her cheek made time stand still. Wide eyes stared at her rurouni who was no longer rurouni. He held her gaze captive, warm violet open for her to see the unspoken love and dedication within. Things he had not directly said were all there, and she felt tears gather, threatening to fall. When one finally did, his thumb swept it away with the softest of motions—a reminder of how gentle he could be.

"Kenshin," She tried, but her voice broke and she bit her lip again, trying not to cry. She shook her head, closing her eyes.

His hand left her face, brushing her shoulder before she was enveloped in warmth and comfort and Kenshin. He held her close, hands moving in soothing motions, and when he spoke, she could not help the fall of tears just then—but they were tears of happiness. She hugged him, tightly, fingers gripping the material of his robe, as she buried her face in his shoulder.

"Tadaima, Kaoru-dono."

And he really, truly meant it. He was rurouni no longer. Kaoru was home.

XX

Translations

Satsuki – The month of May

Shinai – Bamboo practice sword.

Yukata – sleep wear/summer robe.

Tadaima - "I'm home;" "I'm back."

I did not proof this. It probably shows. -Rain

Edit: Yep. It showed. Now it's less embarrassing.