A/N: My name is Broomy, and I am the actual worst at updating lately. I'm SO sorry. In my defense, I am half out of my mind in pain/painkillers right now. But my trip to St. Louis and the BSB concert was AMAZING, and worth the physical pain it caused! I haven't so much fun IN YEARS! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, subscribed, and continues to read. I was shocked by the venom/anger most people had after the last chapter, and totally gratified. I'm glad to see you're all as much on Kaoru's side as I am in this debacle. ;)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Three days pass; Kaoru sees little of her husband, and only a little more of the man people claim to be the demon of Kyoto. At night he seems unwilling not to sleep by her side, but when she touches him he flinches, and there is something like shame in his golden eyes.
Kaoru's worries are endless.
On this third night, Soba brings her tea late into the night, brushing the hair from Kaoru's face and kissing her forehead, as though she is a favored grandchild.
"These times are rough and they twist a man up inside, tear him from what he desires with whispers of honor. Remind him of who he is outside of this place, and then take him far away, Kaoru-chan. Until he is settled, don't let him come back."
"What if...?" Unable to finish the thought, Kaoru falters. There are so many what if's.
What if Kenshin sends her home, and stays in Kyoto? What if he is killed on the streets? What if he never returns home? What if there is nothing she can do to ease his suffering? The litanies of her worries fly circles around her mind like shrieking sparrows, and Kaoru closes her eyes against tears.
"I think Battousai-san's love for you is stronger than his perceived responsibility to the last battles of this war." Soba advises with gentle wisdom, before leaving.
Kaoru waits,
and waits,
flinching at every faint sound, nearly in tears when she hears the voice of several men on the streets. Are they bringing back the body of the Battousai? Will she wash him clean and be forced to put him to rest next to Tomoe-san, or bring him home in a shroud before laying him next to her mother and father?
When Kenshin enters the room, as quiet and still as a shadow on a moonless night, Kaoru's heart nearly topples out of her mouth. He seems surprised to see her awake and waiting for him, eyes widening as she lets out a faint sound of relief.
She surges upright, very nearly leaping the entire width of their room before smashing into his chest.
He smells of blood, and it rubs off on her. A dark stain against her white cheek and neck, and Kenshin's reaction is...volatile, to say the least.
"No!" He pushes her back, uses the sleeve of his haori to roughly wipe the blood away. "No, Kaoru, this should never - I won't let this touch you, I won't let Kyoto soak you in blood as well -"
Kaoru catches his hands. The panic of a wild, cornered animal is reflected in Kenshin's eyes. His breathing is so quick and irregular she fears he may simply topple over.
"A bath," she orders quietly, "and then we will talk."
"Kaoru -" Whatever he might say is cut off with one single, darkly stern look.
"A bath," she repeats, "and then we will talk, Kenshin."
He nods, and stands quietly while Kaoru gathers fresh clothing.
(Kenshin weeps as she washes the blood from his body.)