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Stranger from the Past: Part 2
It was when Kaoru walked past a shop on the far side of town, and felt her stomach wrap bitterly around her backbone, that she realized it was well past dinnertime.I should hurry back, they'll worry…
She arrived at the dojo, hearing Yahiko complain bitterly to Kenshin on why they were waiting for Kaoru to eat.
"It's okay, I'm here. Sorry I was late."
She said as she slipped into the dojo. She was surprised to find not only Kenshin and Yahiko there, but Sano, Megumi, and Tae as well.
"Well only a country bumpkin would leave her man hungry and waiting," said Megumi as she tossed her hair over her shoulder.
"Jo-chan, your timing sucks." Replied Sano indifferently as he began to dig into his meal.
Ksoru arched an eyebrow at Sano, "well you could just not come get free meals off of me you know……"
Tae looked at Kaoru and giggled, "I think that's all he knows how to do, how to get free meals."
"Definitely, that and destroy property….."
Yahiko laughed at Sano, and Sano whapped him on the head, which caused Yahiko to start gnawing on his hair.
Kenshin merely looked at them in amusement, smiled at Kaoru and handed her dinner to her.
Kaoru looked at them, her family, and felt her heart constrict painfully.
I have to tell them….
The meal was a normal meal for them, noisy, and full of affection. Kenshin noticed that Kaoru barely ate her food, that she picked at it and had a distant look on her face.
Kaoru-dono…..
Kaoru finally pushed away her food, and the others looked up at her.
"There's something I should tell you guys…." Kaoru whispered, staring at her fidgeting hands.
"A childhood friend stopped by today. I was surprised because I thought he and his family all dead years ago. But it's really him. And, our parents betrothed us to one another when we were young…"
Everyone looked at her in mild shock. Kenshin's startled violet eyes had widen in surprise, and then his head bowed, his hair hiding his face.
"Want me to go beat him up and tell him to get lost?"
"Yeah Sano and I can go beat some sense into this creep!"
"Who said you were coming, shorty?"
"HEY!"
Sano and Yahiko faded into the background as they wrestled one another. Kaoru merely sighed.
Tae looked up at her, "but I thought…. I would say he has no right anymore if you thought he was dead all these years…."
Megumi looked at her, "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, I just don't know…."
Her news had effectively interrupted everyone's dinner. Megumi had to get back to the clinic, and Sano decided to escort her back. Tae needed to return tot he restaurant, and Yahiko went with her because he had promised to come work that nite with Tsubame.
Kaoru gathered the dishes up with a sigh and went into the kitchen to clean them. Kenshin helped her.
I need to talk to Kenshin……
"Kaoru-dono, I have some errands to run, can you handle things here?"
"Hai," replied Kaoru softly in a whisper, feeling crestfallen.
"Ja ne, I'll see you later."
"Bye Kenshin."
Kaour looked after him as he walked out of the dojo, and her tears began to mingle with that of the soapy water in the sink.
What am I going to do?.. Kenshin..
The evening past slowly, Yahiko returned late, and with a sleepy yawned wished Kaoru goodnite as he sought his bed.
Kaoru sat on the dojo steps waiting on Kenshin, the day was long ago a memory, and she dozed off only to awaken from Yahiko's snores. With sad resignation Kaoru went to her room and fell into a restless sleep.
She woke a few hours later, unable to sleep anymore, and got up to get some water to drink and to wash her face.
As she walked towards the kitchen she saw the unmistable red hair leaning up against the dojo on the steps.
"Kenshin," she asked falteringly as she approacheed him.
"Kobanwa Kaoru-dono."
Kenshin closed his eyes in bitterness.
After all the things we've been through, after I told her I love her, I still lose.
"I hope you're happy with him Kaoru-dono, with him I'm sure you can find peace."
Kaoru stared in shock at the back of his head, tears falling unheeded down her cheeks.
"Baka, how could you just give me away like that? Throw what we have away...."
She stared at the back of his red head and stepped forward, he turned his head his eyes staring into her crying ones. With a sound that tore a anguished cry from her heart, and a hollow loud reverberating thwack, she slapped him.
She stared with him, horror in her eyes at what she had done, her hands coming in front of her mouth as she muttered apologetically...."Gomen... gomen....."
She muttered as she hurriedly turned and ran away, collapsing into her room, her feet turning numb underneath her, as she cried herself to exhaustion and then a very unrestful sleep.
Kenshin with tears misting in his own eyes gingerly brought a hand to the bruising welt on his face. He closed his eyes a few lone tears falling.
Kaoru-dono... I'm so sorry for hurting you...
He sat there thinking.
Maybe it's best if I become a rurouni again... She deserves to be happy...
With his decision made he returned to his room, he couldn't leave not without telling her goodbye in person. She deserved that. And he needed to apologize to her for the way he had hurt her.
He packed the few small possesions he had, and spent the rest of the night laying in bed staring at the ceiling, as he tried to cpe with the rage of emotions within him.
There will never be any peace for me...Tomoe... now Kaoru as well...
End Part 2