A Fragile Moment

The day had started like any other, bright and warm, with a gentle breeze drifting through the Kamiya Dojo. Kaoru had insisted on going to the market alone, despite Kenshin's offer to accompany her. "It's just a short trip," she'd said with a smile. "Besides, Kenji will need you here."

Kenshin had hesitated, but Kaoru's confident smile convinced him. She had always been strong, and she enjoyed taking care of the day-to-day errands for the dojo. Kenshin stood with Kenji in the courtyard, waving as Kaoru disappeared down the path toward town.

Hours passed, and the sun began to dip lower in the sky, painting the horizon with hues of orange and pink. Kenshin frowned. Kaoru should have been back by now.

Kenji, who had been practicing his sword swings, noticed the concern in his father's eyes. "Dad, when's Mom coming back?"

Kenshin glanced at the path leading to town, his brow furrowing. "Soon, Kenji. She'll be back soon."

But there was an unease settling in his chest. Kaoru was never late. She was always so punctual with everything, especially when it involved Kenji. Without another word, Kenshin knelt beside his son and patted his head gently. "Stay here, Kenji. I'm going to look for your mother."

Kenji looked up, his face reflecting a hint of worry. "Is something wrong, Dad?"

Kenshin forced a reassuring smile. "No, everything is fine. I'll be right back."

But as Kenshin sprinted down the road leading to town, his heart was racing faster than his feet. His mind was already conjuring a thousand terrible possibilities—what if something had happened? What if she had been hurt? He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to him like a shadow.

As he neared the market square, he saw a small crowd gathered near one of the stalls. Kenshin's chest tightened as he heard whispers.

"She slipped…"

"...hit her head so hard…"

"...someone should get her husband..."

Kenshin's blood ran cold. He pushed his way through the crowd, and his heart dropped as he saw Kaoru lying on the ground, her face pale and her eyes closed. A vendor was kneeling beside her, pressing a cloth to her forehead to stop the bleeding from a small cut above her brow.

"Kaoru!" Kenshin's voice broke as he dropped to his knees beside her, gently cradling her in his arms. Her skin was cold to the touch, and she didn't stir when he spoke her name.

The vendor looked up, startled to see Kenshin. "Himura-san, she slipped on some spilled water and hit her head on the edge of the stall. She lost consciousness just a few moments ago."

Kenshin's hands trembled as he carefully checked her over. The cut on her forehead wasn't deep, but the sight of her still form, so fragile and vulnerable, sent a wave of fear crashing through him.

"Kaoru… please, wake up," he whispered, his voice cracking as he gently brushed her hair away from her face.

A few moments passed, and to Kenshin's immense relief, Kaoru stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and she let out a soft groan. "K-Kenshin?" she whispered weakly, her eyes slowly focusing on him.

He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his heart aching with both relief and fear. "Kaoru, it's me. You're going to be okay," he said, his voice trembling despite his efforts to stay calm.

Kaoru winced, touching her forehead where the cut was. "What happened?"

"You slipped and fell," Kenshin explained gently. "You hit your head pretty hard, but it's going to be okay. We need to get you home and let Megumi check on you."

Kaoru, still dazed, tried to sit up but immediately swayed. Kenshin caught her, holding her close. "Don't move too fast, Kaoru-dono. You need to rest."

She looked up at him, her face pale but her eyes filled with concern. "Kenji… I was supposed to get back to Kenji."

"Kenji's fine," Kenshin reassured her, though his heart still raced with fear. "You're what matters right now."

Gently, Kenshin lifted her into his arms. She was light, and the familiar weight of her in his arms brought a bittersweet comfort. He held her close to his chest as he carried her back toward the dojo, every step heavy with worry. The walk felt endless, each minute dragging on as he listened to her soft breaths, praying she wouldn't lose consciousness again.

As they arrived back at the dojo, Kenji rushed out to meet them, his face full of worry when he saw his mother in Kenshin's arms. "Mom! What happened?"

Kenshin knelt down carefully, keeping Kaoru in his arms as he spoke to their son. "She had a small accident, Kenji. She's going to be okay, but we need to let her rest now."

Kenji's eyes were wide with fear, but he nodded, understanding the seriousness in his father's voice. "Will she be okay, Dad?"

Kenshin swallowed the lump in his throat, forcing a reassuring smile. "Yes, Kenji. She'll be fine. She just needs some rest."

He carried Kaoru inside, gently laying her down on their futon. Her breathing had steadied, but the sight of her lying so still made Kenshin's chest tighten with a fear he hadn't felt in years. He brushed her hair from her face again, his hands shaking slightly.

"Kenshin…" Kaoru murmured, her voice weak but clear. "I'm fine. You're worrying too much."

But Kenshin couldn't help it. The thought of losing her, even for a moment, had shaken him to his core. He took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "I can't help it, Kaoru-dono. I… I was so afraid when I saw you like that."

Kaoru smiled weakly, her eyes fluttering open. "I'm not going anywhere," she whispered, her voice soft but firm. "You don't need to worry so much."

Kenshin leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers gently, careful not to hurt her. "I don't ever want to lose you, Kaoru-dono," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Kaoru squeezed his hand weakly, her eyes full of warmth despite the pain. "I'm not that easy to get rid of."

Kenshin let out a soft, shaky laugh, but the fear still lingered in his heart. As he sat by her side, watching over her as she drifted into a much-needed sleep, he made a silent vow. He would protect her and their family with everything he had, no matter what. Because losing her—even the thought of it—was more than he could bear.