I'm still trying to improve my writing along with my grammar. So I'll be making corrections to previous chapters.
Disclaimer: Watsuki is the rightful owner of Rurouni Kenshin.
"Prelude"
March, 1865
If he had had his top, surely it would be spinning at that moment, and he'd be lost in its rapid circular movements, managing to distract the mind for those brief moments when the toy rotated. As it was, Kenshin only had the blue ribbon for entertainment, somewhat surprised by how many games he could play with it.
An hour ago, - when Kaoru had been taken to her room - he had unintentionally undid the ribbon knot on both swords; now, these were held only by the obi; they would fall without problems if he was not careful -not that he cared at the moment-. Kenshin had tangled and untangled the ribbon in his left hand, looking without looking at the movement. At times, in frustration, he had pulled the ribbon tight until it was taut, then re-tied it, stealing glances at the fusuma in Kaoru's room.
Hiko, who had had to deal with him after the doctor started treating the miko, had had enough.
"Control yourself," he ordered, "there's nothing to worry about, her situation is not serious," he told him, irritation marked in his words.
His pupil did not hear him, of course. And if his teacher knew about the nightmare that still engulfed him, perhaps he would stop criticizing him. Then he dismissed that idea, knowing it was absurd.
The doctor came out just then, and Kenshin was in front of him in the blink of an eye.
"How is she?" He asked.
The man in front of him -Doctor Kimura- had to get over the shock the young man gave him by appearing so suddenly, before he could even answer him.
"She is stable now; she was just in shock. -he informed-. For the moment, she is sleeping."
Kenshin sighed in relief.
"Thank you so much."
"I told you." His master growled, standing behind him with his arms folded. "You worry too much."
The aforementioned growled in annoyance.
"It's normal to worry about the people we love," he refuted without looking at him.
Hiko didn't hide his smile.
"Are you confessing right now?" He teased.
His poor student was embarrassed to such a degree that even his ears were painted red. He gave his master a suspicious glance over his shoulder before deciding to leave.
"I'll take a bath," he said.
The Hiten Mitsurugi ryu master chuckled at his disciple's embarrassment. It was so easy to embarrass him with any detail related to the girl from the sanctuary.
Once the redhead had moved far enough away, the dark-haired man's face became serious.
"How serious is it? -He asked Dr. Kimura."
The doctor sighed.
"It seems to be a post-traumatic episode. Quite common in the age we live in," he lamented. "Although she does not show signs of having a mental problem, her body was seriously affected. However, that is to be expected considering where she was."
"How?" Hiko interrupted.
"Uh?" He exclaimed off guard, it took him a second to understand what Hiko was referring to and return to his words. "Fatigue mainly, followed by fever and headaches. She hasn't been able to keep anything down in her stomach as well. At least she hasn't consciously harmed herself, though I wouldn't be surprised if-"
"That's enough," Hiko cut in gravely. "You can leave now."
The doctor - who had been startled by the fierce gaze of the man in front of him - left as fast as he could.
When they had first arrived, Kaoru had been attended to. As soon as it was determined that she had no serious injuries other than a couple of minor bruises and scratches, Naoko had drawn her bath and tended to her herself. Afterwards, she returned to the room where she was offered food while the doctor had entered and finished examining her, this time hearing from her how she felt.
Hiko had barely had time to talk to her before all this hustle started. But it had been enough to say what he had to.
"You're both a couple of idiots," he declared to no one in particular.
He could only hope that Kaoru, similar as she was to his stupid student, had more common sense than the latter.
…
Kyoto.
"Another defeat."
The news came even before it was carried out the planned second assault that night. The group of generals of the Shinsengumi saw fit to meet after the events that took place around the rebellion of Mito.
"It doesn't look like the conflict will end anytime soon." Said Yamanami Keisuke, the current general secretary of the group and right-hand man of Kondo Isami, who was the commander. "Everything seems to indicate that there is someone helping them."
Kondo continued to meditate; the scroll with the news was still in his hands.
"What about Edo?" Questioned Kondo.
Shimada Kai, one of the main spies, answered.
"It has not been possible to reestablish control; every night there have been murders. Despite the fact that our twin group -Shinchogumi- has not stopped fighting them."
The commander felt a headache coming on.
"And even with everything, tomorrow, the new order will be presented." Kai concluded.
"That bunch of idiots sure are shaking," Kondo snorted.
"All the more reason to keep recruiting soldiers," Haisuke remarked, "don't you think, Kondo san?"
His superior considered it. It was true that far from getting the support of the people of Japan, they had earned the rejection after the fear that the group generated in the interventions a year ago. But he couldn't accept just anyone.
"How many crews do we have?" He asked Okita.
"Just three groups," he replied, "and those that are useless will have to be discarded."
"Is Kiyosato among the ranks?"
"It is."
"Good." He nodded, then turned to his spy. "Send a notice now: Early tomorrow, before the probate, we'll prove its worth."
"Hai! (yes)"
It was arranged that for now, they could only concentrate on increasing their ranks. As long as there was no apparent threat, there was no point wasting effort. Kondo gave the pertinent orders, and soon his office was emptied of his generals, except for Hajime Saito.
"You don't look happy Saito." Kondo pointed out.
The aforementioned had his classic carefree expression -a smile with apparently closed eyes-, which was a mask.
"I just don't like snakes," Saito said, "and I have a feeling there's one growing among us."
Kondo sharpened his gaze; he had noticed it too.
"Then we'll have to get it out," he concluded.
"As the Commander says," the general answered, his smile widening.
…
Contrary to the night before, the movement in the inn had been interrupted and, despite not being that late, the members of the inn were sleeping. Kaoru supposed it was due to the closeness of the attack and the second encounter that must be happening at that moment. By the time the doctor had left, the inn's tenants had been reduced to less than half.
"Have they gone to fight?" the miko wondered, feeling her heart heavy.
Although she hadn't had a complete vision about the second attack, she knew that this last one would be much bloodier; a full blown battle.
She shuddered.
Then Hiko's voice invaded her mind.
"You have a lot to explain, girl"
It wasn't that she needed to hide anything from them, not for the moment at least; no, nothing to do with that solo trip. Nothing that was truly important… No, nothing that would interfere with them.
"…Argh" Kaoru put her hands to her head, aware of the lies she was trying to convince herself with. No. "Cheating would be more correct." Her hands ended up clasped, covering her mouth.
"I'll give you just one more day, then we'll leave with or without you." Hiko had told her.
He was giving her an ultimatum, although he wasn't forcing her to explain what had happened.
As if she could explain herself! She sighed in frustration. Then her spirits fell again.
The moon was hiding that night, at times behind the clouds, so it wasn't prudent to trust everything in its light. The lamp outside the room was still on, she considered.
Deciding that self-pity would accomplish nothing, the miko stood up to leave the room. She would go down to the kitchen for water and if she couldn't find it, she would go out to the patio where the well was.
She drew the fusuma, and a samurai fell back to the ground.
"Oro! / -Kenshin!" They yelled at the same time.
The redhead -who had been sleeping leaning against the fusuma- now had half a body inside the miko's room who was looking at him from above with confused surprise.
"Oh. Hi, Kaoru dono," he greeted embarrassedly, his smile uncertain.
She helped him up, both of them sitting on the tatami.
"What are you doing at the door? You should be asleep in your room."
He looked embarrassed, there was no way to tell her that he wanted to fulfill his bodyguard pact -not really made, by the way- from when they lived together in the sanctuary. In his opinion he would sound like a depraved man.
"I…" he started and then the words refused to come out.
Kaoru however, looked at him compassionately.
"You were worried," she said.
He sighed.
"Hai."
There was a small silence, not exactly uncomfortable, but a necessary space for both teens to control their respective storms in their minds.
Kaoru was the first to recover.
"I was going for water, would you mind?" She offered.
He smiled in response.
"Not at all."
The two went down to the first floor. It turned out that the lamp outside Kaoru's room was actually from Kenshin's room; he had brought it with him when he had intended to visit her. They used the dim light from it to reach the kitchen. Kenshin was the first to locate the jar.
"I can make tea if you like," he offered.
She hesitated for only a moment.
"Alright…"
He went to work.
There was something soothing about admiring the young man as he moved in the kitchen, as if he were an image from some memory, Kaoru thought. However, she knew that this was not the case.
Overwhelmed again by the weight of her duty, by her constant glimpses of uncertain futures, the young woman left the kitchen towards the patio; holding on to the wooden pillar after exiting the engawa. Looking up, she saw the well, and went to it almost as if in a trance. Her hands gripped the rock hard, as if she needed it to stay upright. The reflection of her face was drawn on the surface of the water, and finding herself made her feel tightness in her chest.
She felt Kenshin as soon as he reached her.
The young samurai had been aware that something ailed his companion; added to his own fears about what she might have faced that day during the confrontation outside the village. So he had wanted to care for her as much as they had cared for each other in what felt like a lifetime ago, when they resided in the sanctuary.
He had felt so disconnected from that connection they had shared then; that he had not dared to stop her when she had run to the patio. Deciding to continue preparing the tea and leave only until it was ready.
He had his own sorrow anchored in his heart, and he fervently wished that they could come clean like they had the night before. He left the tray with the cups of tea on the engawa and spoke to his companion as soon as he went out into the patio; staying a few steps behind her.
The silence stretched until it was tense, and then…
"I must look like a hypocrite to you," she blurted out suddenly, looking at her reflection in the water.
Kenshin looked at her confused.
"Why would I-?"
"Trying to comfort you," she cut him off forcefully, "when I haven't even been able to overcome my own fears."
He looked at her in disbelief.
"Kaoru dono..."
"I must sound like a joke…" she continued, cutting him off again, laughing. "Preaching something I don't fully believe myself."
He stepped forward.
"Kaoru dono I don't think so-"
"I see them every day!" She cried.
Aphonia.
Kenshin stood frozen to the spot; in that first step that he failed to take. Kaoru wept ahead of him, hands clenched on the cold stone of the well.
"Every day…!" She claimed again. Then her voice trailed off. "I dream of their deaths, one after the other, and it never stops... -she sobbed, she looked at her raised hands, palms up -I as well... I have blood on my hands."
He was shocked, almost offended.
"You never-!"
"We must protect you, that's what they said," she interrupted him again, raising her voice above his. "I should have known…I should have known, but I was distracted by being selfish…. And they died because of me..."
His partner felt faint, realizing at last that he couldn't speak now…not when she clearly wanted to get it off her chest. Not when he wanted with all his heart to know what was hurting her and how to help her.
So he waited.
With his hands in fists to contain himself and his heart hanging by a thread.
The tears kept falling. Kaoru opened her eyes again after getting a breath in the middle of her choking.
"I've tried to be better," she said, looking at her reflection as if her own soul were responding to her. Then the words came out like vomit... her voice rising in timbre more and more... ". I've been studying; inquiring, reviewing every particularity of the current government and the people of Japan. I have been trying to listen to them, all their voices, regardless of their class. I took charge of the sanctuary when Yumi sama left, I put everything related to the clergy and daimyos in order. I have worked constantly without stopping."
She stopped, the need to breathe and regain control at least a little, the pain of the lump tightening in her throat again. Her lower lip trembled to the same extent that the rest of her body did. Her hands fell back to the rock, her body bent forward.
"But I can't make them go away!" She shouted.
Crying open-mouthed... while Kenshin looked at her with tears in his eyes... Tears that fell silent at times.
His heart suffered the same as hers.
"…Why don't they leave me alone?!" She claimed again, and now there was a tinge of anger in her voice. "I have done everything to appease them… Every day I wake up and tell myself that I am not going to be sad, that I have to continue, there is so much to continue, and I cannot give up…"
Silence...
"But I'm sad and angry!"
She cried.
"Everything I told you... are words I try to convince myself with. Because despite everything, I haven't managed to change anything... Everything remains the same, I have no power or strength... I'm still a useless girl looking at a future that I don't even know how to change…! I'm not a miracle… I'm a failure…"
Her voice softened then.
"And I'm sorry…" her voice was now barely a whisper. "I'm sorry I'm nothing more than a lie…"
…
There are no words that can describe that moment suspended in time. The emptiness that had gripped them.
Kaoru was still standing in front of him, bent over the dregs, holding on tightly with her hands, crying uncontrollably.
And Kenshin…
Kenshin was aware of his own breathing; forced—his sound above the noises around him—… He had been crying too. Overwhelmed by the pain that dominated the heart of his friend; embarrassed even for not even considering the damage she would have suffered from the attack on the shrine. How much this had affected her.
He felt heavy... The oppression in his chest seemed to want to crush him until he burst. He didn't know what to say or do… He felt as broken and defeated as she was; desperate.
But…
…
"Kenshin, you are a good man."
…
¡But…!
…
"And I want you to live."
…
A determination, fueled by his love and admiration for her, began to work its way through his core. He knew better than anyone, better even than she herself, how big the young priestess's heart was.
Those comforting words, a night ago, had not been a lie. And contrary to her fears, Kenshin admired her even more for being able to care for him and encourage him, despite the pain in her own heart.
He wiped away his tears then. And he advanced towards her.
"Kaoru dono…" He suddenly stopped. He shook his head, as if berating himself, and moved forward until he was standing to one side of her. "You saved my life, Kaoru." He declared, savoring her name without the keigo, and enjoying the surprise in his partner. "I don't know anything about the future that torments you, but be aware of this: you have already changed mine."
The Moon cleared up at that moment, and the reflection of both of them was discovered on the water of the well. It looked like a watercolor painting.
He waited.
Centimeters away...!
He waited.
Finally, Kaoru looked up, looking at the reflection of both of them on the surface of the water.
"…And, has it been any good?"
The samurai's heart expanded.
"It's been wonderful," he said, discovering that his lips drew a smile.
Kaoru gave him a look.
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No." He answered instantly, practically laughing. "No." He repeated, and turned to face her. "I could never."
The miko looked at him for a moment, still uncertain; not fully trusting, she searched in his eyes - which looked at her with the most infinite tenderness - for any hint of lies, of pity... but found none.
And still, it wasn't easy… She turned her gaze back to the well, Kenshin stopped her.
"I'm not good with words." He told her, holding her face by the chin in just a caress, and thanking her for not averting her gaze. "And even if you have shown the ability to make me talk more than usual, I don't know how to order my thoughts to give you the answer you need. I can only make you a promise."
"About what?" She asked before she could control herself.
"That I am not going to die for you." He told her, she looked at him blankly, and he smiled. "Kaoru, I swear I will live for you."
"Oh!"
Her eyes widened in astonishment… A lonely tear slid down her cheek, but the emotion was a thousand times different from before.
She was genuinely moved.
"It's how much I believe in you," he continued. "You have never disappointed me."
"Not even a year ago?" She questioned uncertainly, almost trembling.
He smiled.
"Especially a year ago." He told her. He then took her hands in his own "Kaoru…if it wasn't for you, I would have jumped into a pointless fight by now. I would have abandoned my master, and lost myself in the war."
She shook her head and her voice came out tired.
"But you still want to fight."
"I'm not going to deny it," he blurted out, cutting her off. "I still have something bothering me in my head." He confessed, struggling with the words. "But… I wasn't conscious before. I can't say I'm ready now, but I'm learning to understand my role and what I want to achieve. And I wouldn't have made up my mind if it wasn't for you."
She was still trembling, but she didn't look away from him. Both were connected to each other's eyes. Both trying to agree on a message. One trying to comfort. The other looking for comfort. It was the first who had the most difficult task, aware for the first time of the fragility of his companion's heart.
And how precious this one was!
"You say you're a failure. But I can remember a chubby baby that got born thanks to you. I can still draw you with that child in your arms" he said, closing his eyes to draw that memory in his mind. "Magnificent…" He exclaimed smiling.
The young woman's cheeks flushed red. If he wasn't holding her hands, she would already have covered her face in embarrassment. Kenshin chuckled to himself as he felt the fluctuation of her ki. He looked at her again.
"Your heart is so kind, that you feel more intensely than others. And that same kindness is what motivates us to follow you. While I lived in the sanctuary, and even now, I have witnessed your goodness."
Kaoru gasped, letting out the storm of emotions in her chest through short breaths. Her face drooped, suddenly not being able to look her companion in the eyes, and bear that emotion in them. The tears were gathering again in the sockets of her eyes, but she made the effort not to cry.
He didn't press her this time, but he wasn't about to let her sink back into the sadness and pain of insecurities born of old memories.
"You may not be a miracle, but you are definitely not a failure." He stated. She trembled, unable to contain the feeling that was forcefully breaking through. "You are hope, Kaoru. And that is a thousand times greater than a miracle."
That was the last string to break.
"Kenshin!"
Kaoru rushed to him, and hugged him tightly; clinging with her hands to the fabric of his clothes, sheltered in his chest...
And cried...
She cried her way out of all the pain and fear she had held in for a year. All the insecurities and all the regret she had carried. The full weight of the punishment she felt she deserved. How sorry she had been to let him go…
…
Moments later -when the young woman's heart had been emptied of emotions to the point of numbness-, Kenshin and Kaoru remained seated against the well, the first holding the second, who was still leaning on him. With dried tears, and the tranquility of knowing that the worst is over, the storm has overcome.
"Have you visited them?" Kenshin asked then, after that silence.
"I went during the last lights festival," she answered.
"I see." He nodded. The two looked towards distant points of the sky. "They wouldn't have blamed you, Kaoru dono. I know you know that," he told her.
"…I know." She answered after a moment of silence. "I thought that seeing so much would have prepared me in some way. But… -she sighed, standing up at last, separating just enough to see him face to face -…Living it for real… I'm still afraid Kenshin."
Something in his chest tightened; he knew that feeling and would have given anything for her not to have to experience it.
"Me too," he said, eyes meeting his partner's.
"Will it ever end?"
He smiled anguished.
"I hope so" Because what else could he say? He had prayed for the same.
Kaoru nodded with similar emotion and leaned back against the stone. Her gaze traveled to her partner's right hand. There was a black beaded bracelet with golden kanji adorning his wrist.
"You carry their name beads with you," she pointed out.
He raised his hand.
"Did you notice? - He smiled, and equally admired the jewel. -Sasaki san and Sato san put them together for me, although they had a hard time convincing me to wear them." He confessed.
"They were your friends too," she said, somewhat confused as to why he would have a problem taking it.
"I met them thanks to you," he explained, understanding her question.
The black-haired frowned.
"They were your friends too," she repeated with more force. And he couldn't contradict her.
"Aa… They were…"
Then they fell silent again, leaning against the cold stone of the well. A comfortable silence within which they can rest. Now that the knot in her chest has come undone - that all the tightness in it has vanished - Kaoru can finally understand her release and pedal back on her words.
There are things that must be clarified, she says to herself.
"Kenshin… I'll sound contradictory now, but… I do think you're good and I want you to live. I'm glad I met you, and that you saved my life.
He had known of course. He would always know that she would be incapable of lying to him, of saying those words without feeling them.
And despite this, he can't help but feel his heart grow again in his chest, a relief from a grief he wasn't even aware he had.
"Are you real…?" He questioned.
Confused by such a question, she looks at him with a frown.
"Of course I'm real," she replies, stretching out her partner's cheeks, "what are you talking about?"
"Gomen." Said the latter, the syllables extended after the insult to his face. She finally released him. "I had a bad dream last night," he confesses, his voice becoming an almost inaudible whisper then as the cold runs through his body. "A horrible nightmare, actually."
Kaoru looks at him concerned. There are ghosts in those eyes, as real as his nightmares.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"…No."
Silence.
"Hold my hand then. -She says suddenly, without waiting for him to respond and takes his hand in her own. -Until you are convinced that I am flesh and blood."
Kenshin feels like crying. How easy it would be to interpret her words at his convenience! He says to himself, later berating himself, and then tries to put such thoughts away.
"Only until then?" He tempts, with a sly smile.
Kaoru punches him in the shoulder with her free hand.
"Don't abuse, Kenshin!" She scolds him, and he laughs out loud.
A moment later, still with their hands linked, the young woman confesses with flushed cheeks and her gaze elsewhere, away from him. "Although, I wouldn't mind if it was for longer than that."
The samurai smiles.
"Arigatou." He says and squeezes her hand in his. It is late and the moon has hidden again. "We should go back inside."
She nods, but doesn't move from where she is.
"Mm… just a little more…" She asks, leaning on him.
He laughs again.
"Aa (yes). He answer. Then he deposits a kiss on her temple, resting his cheek on it afterwards.
Side by side, they remain like this, with their hands linked.
It is quite early when they finally go back to sleep.
...
The next day, Kaoru has trouble waking up, even more so staying awake. Naoko -bless her soul- has seen fit to help her get dressed and fix her things so she can go down on time for breakfast. Needless to say, the brunette is still somewhat embarrassed at not having recognized the miko but Kaoru is too tired to deny her attention.
Kenshin's heart warms at seeing her eat with her eyes closed most of the time, and he reminds his teacher that they had agreed to delay their trip for one more day; and, incredible as it may seem, Hiko gives in for the first time to a request from his student.
It is noon when they are finally ready to leave.
"I hope you have everything ready," Hiko tells them.
"Hai," they both agree.
The eldest returns to the inn to receive a bag full of provisions, a small thank you for the help, and an apology for not been able to do anything more in return.
Kenshin and Kaoru are waiting for Hiko on the road that will take them to Kyoto when, in the distance, a young man can be heard calling her.
"Jouchan!" The voice says.
The girl jumped in recognition just like her heart did in her chest, and she separated from Kenshin.
He looks at her curiously while she walks in the opposite direction of where they should go.
"What's going on?" He asks.
She raises a finger in his direction, conveniently level with his lips, asking him for time to listen.
"Jouchan!" The voice calls again, this time closer.
"Jouchan?" Kenshin asks.
And then they finally see him.
"Sanosuke!"
Kaoru runs towards him.
"Ah, thank goodness I caught up with you," he says, resting for a moment with his hands on his knees, although still standing.
"Sanosuke" she pressed again.
The boy straightens up, and looks at her with a wide smile, proud of himself. Then he hands her a package wrapped in a pink cloth.
"Here, a gift from Katsu and me," he says, "on behalf of all the Kiheitai as well."
Kaoru takes the present out of inertia, but remembers right then Sano's partner, Katsu, who had exposed himself so they could escape back to camp, and her heart aches for not remembering sooner.
"How is he doing?" She asks with genuine concern.
But Sano dismisses her worry with a wave of his hand still smiling.
"A disaster as always, but fine, you don't have to worry," he assures her. "Less with everything that happened." He says. Then he finally notices Kenshin and greets him "Yo!"
"Oro?" He mutters confused, suddenly also being aware of his own presence within that encounter.
Kaoru mentally hits herself.
"Ah Kenshin, this is Sanosuke, a member of the Kihetai," she informs him. "He was the one who protected me during yesterday's meeting."
And it is then that the face of the samurai changes, there is respect and deep gratitude towards the young brown-haired man in his heart.
"I am eternally grateful to you," he tells him, with a deep bow.
Sano starts, a little uncomfortable at the gesture.
"Wah!, there's no need for such formalities" He assures.
Kaoru smiles.
"Sanosuke, this is Himura Kenshin, my most precious friend -his chest expands-. And the best samurai I know."
"A pleasure."
"I feel the same."
It is then that Kenshin's master shows, and Kaoru -finally released from the guilt of the night before- tempts him.
"And you already know Hiko san," she says, without really introducing him.
For all answer, the man growls before recriminating them.
"You are wasting my time; we must go."
Sano looks at him with a vein on his forehead.
"Geez, what a character," he complains, but his anger fades with Kaoru's next words.
"Thank you for coming to say goodbye; it really made me happy."
Sanosuke smiles, pleased that the match turned out like this.
"It was the least I could do after you saved our lives twice," he says.
Kaoru looks at him confused.
"Twice?"
She was only with him once, the previous noon, and in her opinion it was he who saved her; so she can't understand what the boy in front of her is referring to.
He notices, and rushes to explain.
"Yesterday, as soon as you left, I informed Captain Sagara about what you told me about the night assault. Needless to say, we won. -He declared, hands on his waist and a simple and perhaps even arrogant smile. -And don't worry, there were no real casualties."
She won't cry, she tells herself.
She can't cry, she claims.
Not when what she should feel is happiness at such good news.
"Don't cry" she orders himself, even when the tears have already made an appearance.
Her lower lip trembles, and she ends up biting it to contain just a little of the great relief that invades her.
"Thank goodness," she whispers, one hand covering her face, the other holding tightly to the present given.
Kenshin looks at her smiling, and he and Sano exchange a meaningful glance—both equally smiling, grateful that the priestess is pleased—before saying goodbye.
The three advance then to start the journey back to Kyoto; behind them, the members of the inn say goodbye to them, Sanosuke's voice above the rest.
"Come visit us soon, Jouchan!"
…
Kaoru is happy.
…
So much so that she ends up looking for Kenshin's hand. He is startled to feel her but doesn't reject her; he looks at her with a question in his eyes.
"Me too…" she says, cheeks flushed. "I also want to make sure you're real."
…
And Kenshin is happy as well.
…
If only that happiness could have lasted...
A/N: Let me know what you think.