A/N: Daily updates as Power received in the past. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, and signed up for notifications. I appreciate it so much! I'm very glad you're all returning to this verse with me. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?" Sanosuke asks for perhaps the hundredth time. A rucksack is packed and leaning near the gate.
Subtlity is not Sano's strong point.
"I think I should come," he presses. "Just in case."
"I can take care of myself and Kaoru." Kenshin's words are mild and his eyes amused. It isn't that Sanosuke has no valid reason for his worry; the new government may have proclaimed peace, but the people are still adjusting, and many battles are still being fought in Japan. Kyoto remains a place of bloodshed in the darkest hours of the night, and if Kaoru were going at the side of anyone else, she knows Sanosuke's fears would not be misplaced.
"Yeah, I know," Sano grumbles, folding his arms across his chest. "But you just never know what might happened, and -"
"You're so stupid, Rooster Head!" Yelping as he is smashed across the back with a shinai, Sanosuke staggers as Yahiko pulls an exagerated face at him. "This trip to Kyoto is private, and they don't need you sticking your big hair in it!"
"My hair isn't big!" Sanosuke defends, squeaking in horror. "It's thick!"
"Rooster Head," is Yahiko smug, answering mutter.
"Take care of the dojo while I'm gone." Fighting the urge to hug to her apprentice, Kaoru settles for rustling his hair. "And keep an eye on Sanosuke, huh? Don't let him gamble all the ink paintings away."
"Will do, Kaoru!"
"You know how to reach us if something happens." Sano and Kenshin nod at each other, sharing some sort of silent communication. Sanosuke claps his old friend on the back before Kenshin turns, taking Kaoru's hand and drawing her from the dojo.
She can't help but feel that destiny twines around their ankles, guiding them forward. There is change in the air, a bittersweet tang that makes nervous energy boil inside her.
Some indifinable change is coming their way, and Kaoru prays it will be for the best.