A/N: Look see, more fic. Don't hurt me.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"Kaoru-chan?" Kaoru is busily - and happily - working at the laundry for the inn, content to have her hands occupied. Her heart is light after her morning visit to Tomoe's grave, and while she still has no idea of how to help Kenshin escape the torture his part in the war has brought him, there is such a lightness to her spirit that she cannot help but feel all things will, in the end, work out.
"Yes?" She smiles brightly up at Soba, who has a rather worried, pinched look around her eyes.
"There is a man here to see you."
"What?" Leaning back as she dries her hands, Kaoru frowns. Who could possibly be here to see her? The only person she knows in Kyoto is Kenshin...perhaps something has happened to him. What if he is wounded, or even... "Who is he?"
"He gave the name of Arai Shaku." It takes a moment to place the name. When it finally dawns on her, like a bolt from the blue, Kaoru is even more confused. Why would the famous swordsmith be searching her out?
Soba takes her to where Shaku is waiting; he is a tall man with a thick build, and there is something about his eyes - haunted and edgy - that reminds her just enough of Kenshin to make Kaoru slightly less nervous.
"Himura-san?" he questions with a bow. "Wife of the Battousai?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I had heard some interesting news from compatriots of your husband, and I had thought if anyone would be able to tell me the truth of the matter, than it would be you."
"I'm not sure what information you think I have, but I will do my best to assist you."
There is a long pause, and the gaze Shaku levels on Kaoru is direct, almost peircing. "They say your husband is seeking a new life. He desires to put down his sword, but since this is still a dangerous time and he has a new wife to keep safe, he is unwilling to leave you both unprotected."
"I don't know why this concerns you, but yes. What've you heard is true."
"Then give your husband this." Shaku produces a sheathed katana, pulling the blade free. Kaoru frowns at it for a long, long time, attempting to puzzle it out. "It's a sakabato. It's only scrap metal, but the Battousai can try his ideals on this blunt edge. If it ever breaks, and he finds that he still wishes to persue such a idealist life, then send him back to me."
"Arai-san," Kaoru nearly stutters as the blade is once more sheathed, and placed in her hands. "I don't - I don't know what to say -"
"He'll probably throw it away," Shaku grumbles with a shrug, turning on his heel. "I wouldn't blame him."
Kaoru's hands tremble with the force of her hope.