A/n hello everyone! So yeah it's obvious that I've taken a bit of a sabbatical. I had to take some time for myself and my family. Things are going better, and it shows...being that this is the 3rd story I've updated in two months. The joy of writing has returned. I've been working on my novel and a few more Kenshin/Kaoru fanfics. Which I'm sure I will post here. (so keep an eye on me.) We're on the downhill no with this story. Only 1 or 2 more chapters left.
Hope you enjoy, and so sorry for such a long wait.

"Not so much to drink next time." Megumi scolded.

Kaoru could only smile as she turned away to fold a blanket and set it on the now empty bed. The man being scolded was the man that had been accidentally stabbed a week ago. He was finally well enough to go home, but not before Megumi gave him firm instructions. "Better listen to her Kimo." Kaoru called over her shoulder with a smile. "She might not let you go home if you don't."

The older gentleman nodded, a grave look on his face. "Yes Ma'am." He winked over at Kaoru but quickly turned a serious face back to the lady doctor.

"I mean it Kimo. You might not bounce back from another accident." The woman planted her hands on her hips. "I don't want to see you here again unless you have a cold."

"Yes Ma'am" Kimo repeated. "I'm thankful for all that you've done."

Megumi finally relaxed a little. "It's my job." She said, setting her hand on the man's shoulder and guiding him down the hall.

Kaoru hid her laughter, setting the now folded blanket on the bed.

"There you are." Said a voice behind her.

Kaoru turned to find her father entering the room. "I'm glad to see that young man is already up and about."

"Young man? Tou-san, he's close to your age."

"But he's still younger than I am." The old man returned with a smile. "Are you doing anything tomorrow?"

Kaoru paused. She wanted to go visit Misao and help her unpack from moving, but that wasn't for a few more days. "No, other than helping with the shopping."

The old man waved his hand dismissively. "Megumi can do that. I need help cleaning the koi pond."

Kaoru perked up. "Yeah?"

"You seemed to have had such fun with it last time." His eyes were distant as he smiled. It seemed like so long ago, it was hard to imagine that it was only a couple of months ago that Kaoru helped him fish out the koi to sell. But Dr. Gensai kept his thoughts to himself. "I'm having a few men help of course. But I know you don't mind getting dirty."

… . . …

Kaoru tried not to wince as she stepped barefoot into the pond. Although summer was nearly over, and the heat of the day was still oppressive, the pond was very cold. It was also very slimy on the bottom, which made Kaoru shriek like…well like a girl. Careful, so as to not slip, Kaoru eased into the pond. All around her bare chested men of various ages were already in the pond and bailing water out by the bucket full. A section of the pond had been damned off and it was there that they would carefully place the caught koi.

Kaoru had her hakama up past her knees and tied securely. She had the sleeves of her gi rolled up to her shoulders and also tied to keep them from rolling back down as she bent at the waist to dip her arms into the murky green brown water. Moving in smooth side to side motions, the men and Kaoru slowly moved across the pond. Feeling something smooth and slippery, Kaoru carefully lifted a koi the size of an infant out of the water and carefully placed it in the dammed section. The men were less careful, and as such were rewarded with a struggling, flapping fish that tried to jump from their arms. Some fish were only palm sized, others were many, many pounds. Once all the fish were moved Kaoru joined the men in bailing the water with a bucket. It took over an hour.

Kaoru stood, placing a hand on her back. It was sure going to ache in the morning. Her back gave a soft pop as she gazed at their work. The pond was mostly empty now, with only a large puddle left at the deepest part. Dr. Gensai walked around with buckets of clean water and a scrub brush.

Kaoru took her bucket and brush from her father and bent back down to scrub every slimy rock that lined the floor of the pond. A single man stood in the puddle as the rest work and continued to bail as the dirty water ran down from where they were working.

Dip, scrub, dip, scrub. Kaoru lost how much time had pass but soon the pond was far cleaner than when it started. Shortly, the pond was being refilled and the dammed section of the pond was pulled down.

Tired, and certain that she had pond scum on her face, Kaoru climbed out and sat on the grass with a huff.

"Tired already?" Her father chuckled as he moved to stand near her and watch the men work.

Kaoru scoffed. They started after breakfast and here it was already near dinner time. "Tou-san, it's been hours! I'm not used to working like this." She arched her back and hissed as it gave a much louder pop than before.

"Yes, this is not work for a woman. But you do it without complaint." He smiled down at his daughter.

Kaoru huffed, blowing a lock of hair out of her face. "That's because it has to be done. And I'm not afraid of hard work."

Dr. Gensai chuckled and turned away. "That's my girl."

… . . …

Days later Kaoru's back was still punishing her when she walked across the city to visit Misao. The first cool night of autumn had arrived, so the morning was brisk and refreshing. Kaoru didn't bother with a wrap to keep the morning chill away, it would only be an hour or so more before the heat of the day returned. The streets were busy with people rushing to get to their jobs, to do their shopping and for school. Kaoru had lived in this city all her life, but suddenly felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people all around her. And the noise! Goodness, how could one think with all the noise?

Still it was a grand spectacle to see so many different people, the bright colors of their clothes and how even though there were so many people and animals and carts, that they all seemed to move in a smooth, flowing dance to get to where they needed to be.

Turning off at a side road, Kaoru found herself in a narrow walkway between homes. It was far quieter here and Kaoru paused to take a breath. Over a small curving bridge Kaoru found her sister's new home. It was a large family estate, with looming white walls and a dark wooden gate that reached far over her head. Kaoru checked the contents of the basket she carried. All was just as she had packed it. Then she tugged at her kimono and took a breath as she knocked on the gate.

A moment passed and then the gate was pulled open wide and an older gentleman rushed her inside with many bows and good mornings. His simple dress pinned him as a servant and Kaoru gave him a smile. "I'm here to see my sister, Misao."

His eyes went bright. "Ah yes, the young master's new bride! This way." The man took Kaoru away from the main building and over to the East wing. They only made it halfway across the yard when a voice rang out.

"Kaoru-san!"

Kaoru looked around the servant in time to see Misao rushing past him and she had just enough time to brace herself before her sister nearly tackled her. They didn't fall to the ground; Kaoru was only just able to keep her balance.

"Misao-san." Kaoru laughed as the sisters pulled away from their embrace. "You look so happy." It was true, with bright shining eyes, blushing cheeks and a smile from ear to ear, her sister never looked happier.

"I am." Misao said simply and linked her arms with her sister's and led Kaoru to the East wing. "How's things back home?"

"Well, very well. And how are you doing in your new home?"

The two women kicked off their shoes and went inside. Kaoru only got a quick look at the entrance before her sister pulled her to the small kitchen. The large kitchen would be in the main home, but this was enough for the two newlyweds and a few children.

"As well as can be expected." Misao answered as she took the basket from Kaoru and set it on the table. "Are these the supplies Megumi wanted to send?" She asked as she rummaged through the glass bottles of common tonics and medicine.

"Yes, she says to keep your medicine cabinet well stocked." Kaoru mimicked Megumi's stern demand. The two girls laughed. "How's married life?" Kaoru didn't want to pry, but she was so curious and wanted to make sure her sister was happy.

Misao motioned for Kaoru to sit at the table and she moved around a half wall to set a pot on the stove for tea. "Moving was hard." Misao admitted, her tone falling to a serious note. "I think I was more afraid of the move to Tataka's family home than I was actually marrying him. Would his family like me? I'm sure they would if they allowed their son to marry me, but still…you wonder."

Kaoru nodded. With the Estate as large as it was, it was obvious this family was one of money, and some power. But as far as rank went, they were on the same level. The match had been good and there was no reason to either family to disagree to the wedding. They were lucky.

"You worked hard." Kaoru admitted. "I'm sorry it took a while for me to understand why you would give up being a ninja for him."

Misao gave a dismissive wave as she turned back to the tea. "Aww, I understood." Misao turned back and set teacups on the table and brought the teapot to the table as she sat down. "And you understood after a bit." She added as she poured the tea.

Kaoru gazed at the steam rising from the cup before lifting it to her lips. "Is there still some unpacking left to do?"

Misao set her own cup down after taking a sip. "Oh! Yes, yes there is. I've had such a time trying to make this bachelors cave livable." The two girls giggled softly.

"Yes, it is pretty sparse in here." Kaoru mentioned as she glanced around. "Time to make it look like you live here too. I have all day, so put me to work." The sisters shared a smile and more laughter.

… . . …

Kaoru helped Misao empty trunks and bags. She neatly folded each of her sister's kimono's and put them in their own paper box. Each kimono came with a matching obi and a matching hair pin and they too had to carefully go in the box. Then one by one Kaoru set each box in its own little cubby in a specially made closet.

"I didn't know you had so many kimono's" Kaoru said in amazement as Misao dragged a second trunk filled with more of the silk garments. Kaoru had already put a dozen away, and here were two dozen more!

Misao looked a little sheepish. "My husband gave me many as gifts, and his family gave me many more as a wedding present." Misao popped open the trunk revealing it was filled to the top with silk. Misao got to work assembling the garment boxes, while Kaoru carefully unfolded and refolded each kimono and obi and set it in their box with its matching hair pin.

It was late in the afternoon by the time the girls were done.

"Kaoru you should get home, my husband will be home soon and I don't want you out after dark." Misao said with a frown.

Kaoru laughed. "You've only just got married and already you've started to turn into a worrying old lady." Kaoru glanced about the room. "I came to help you set up your house and all we accomplished was putting away your clothes."

"Well, there was a lot of them. It would have taken me days to do it on my own." She swept her arm across the large closet filled with boxes. "With you helping, we got it done in one afternoon."

Kaoru smiled. "Yes, I guess we did get a lot done." She stood, pausing a moment for the feeling to come back to her legs. "You're right, I should get going before dark, and I know you need to start supper for that man of yours." Kaoru smiled at the happy little sparkle in her sister's eyes. "I can come back again and help with something else if you like?"

"I would like that very much." Misao said softly as she embraced her sister. "Come, let me walk with you to the gates."

… . …

Arm in arm the two girls walked to the estate gates and there Misao hugged her sister goodbye as they set a time for Kaoru to come by tomorrow.

Kaoru set back for home with a warm feeling. She was glad her sister was taking marriage well. So far she looked happy, positively glowing. Still….there was a slight nagging feeling in the back of Kaoru's mind. She didn't know what it was, everything seemed alright with Misao.

Kaoru crossed the hard packed road to take a turn that lead further into the city. The hustle and bustle of the evening shoppers did nothing to distract the girl from the nagging in the back of her mind. Perhaps it was just Kaoru missing her sister now that she moved out and moved on. Kaoru did her best to ignore it as she crossed over a bridge. There she paused and gazed down at the water. A few yellow and pale green leaves floated past her like little boats. The small breeze brought a chill to Kaoru. Summer was on its way out. The days were still warm, but the nights were starting to become cold. It wouldn't be long now until the river was crowded with colorful leaves.

… . . …

The days went by. And every day that she was not needed at the clinic, she walked to Misao's home and helped with the decorating. More things had been unpacked in the past days and put away. The small garden that was allotted to just Misao had been planted. The girls had become so dirty digging in the dark earth that they both had to bathe before going back into the home. But the garden was complete and ready for when spring came back around and woke the plants. Art was hung, guest rooms were decorated and dishes were finally placed in the cupboards. The girls laughed, had fun, and yet every time Kaoru left she still had a strange feeling in the back of her mind. But every day she tried to ignore it.

… . . …

"Kaoru, please gather your dirty clothes, I'm going to do laundry." Megumi said after lunch one day.

The youngest sister sat, her head propped up by one fist as she picked at her fish with her chopsticks. Misao's unpacking was finally finished and there was no need for her to stop by again. At least for a few more days. Kaoru found herself to be extremely restless. Quickly finishing her fish, Kaoru hurried to her room. Megumi slid pass with an armful of clothes. "Just grab everything. I'm going to spend the rest of the day on laundry."

"I'll help." Kaoru called after her sister as she dove into her room and gathered what clothes she needed washed. Gi's, hakamas, sleep clothes, Kimonos, socks. With her arms full she turned to leave but caught sight of the bright blue obi that went with one of her kimono's. Turning, she had to do a sort of squat to whip it out of her open chest. Yanking the long strip of material onto her pile the silk had grabbed a sharp corner of something in her chest, pulling it up and out to clatter loudly on the floor and scattering many small things.

"Arg!" Kaoru growled, setting her pile of clothes down with a huff and turned to the mess. She pulled the Kimono free of its snag, glad that there was minimal damage to the silk. She set the obi on her pile of clothes and hurried to pick up the jewelry that flew from the box. Megumi was waiting for her so she just scooped up the bits and bobs and pushed them back into the little box.

A sparkle of something red caught her eye and Kaoru paused. In her fistful of bangles, and chains, a red stone glinted at her. Blue eyes wide, Kaoru slowly untangled the gold and silver mess until the ring was free. She dropped the mess on the floor and held up the ring. The little nagging feeling that had been bothering her for so long rushed forward, setting her heart pounding and her blood draining from her face. A cold, creeping feeling of doom settled over her as she slipped the ring on her finger.

"Himura-sama" she whispered hoarsely.

At once Kaoru found herself flying down the hallway, through the kitchen and bursting out into the back gardens. "Megumi!" she shrieked, running for her sister who was bent over large wooden tubs. "Megumi!"

Her sister turned, mouth open in surprise . "Kaoru?! Goodness what's the matter?"

Kaoru grabbed Megumi by the arms and gave her a shake. "How long have I been here?"

"What?" She asked, clearly confused by her sister's panic.

"How long have I been back!"

Wide eyed, Megumi dropped her washing. "A couple months."

A/n Wow the time has really flown, Kaoru's in trouble. yep.
Reviews are loved!