Kaoru's Journey (Rurouni Kenshin Fanfiction)

1: Dealing With Kenshin's Departure

The day Kenshin Himura left the dojo, Kaoru Kamiya's heart shattered in little pieces. The first time in departing, he gave her a hug and a thank you before turning his back to travel the long distance to Kyoto. The second time was an overkill. But Kaoru should have seen his farewell coming. Kenshin was protective and secretive. Whenever Kaoru asked him what was wrong, he would answer with "it's nothing to worry about." And Kaoru believed him because she thought he would eventually tell her when the time was right.

The time wasn't right in this case. Saito had returned temporarily to the police station in Tokyo and had visited the dojo along with some other police men. He claimed it was important that he discuss some matters with Kenshin and the others. The stunned look on her face as Kenshin invited Sanosuke Sagara and Yahiko Myoujin must have shown, because Kenshin pulled her aside and calmly asked her to serve tea. Of course, she was the hostess since she had guests in her home. It was her responsibility to make sure her guests were accommodated for but she was spoiled because Kenshin usually took the role. Plus, he knew how bad she was at making tea. Her tea never came out as flavored or as soothing as his. But she nodded her head and dutifully made the tea as he asked her. Since Sanosuke and Yahiko were included in the batch of teas, Kaoru had to make seven teas and the amount of time it took to boil the water, to separate the leaves and to adjust the mugs on the tray seemed to take forever. She must have took a long time with preparation of the teas because by the time she went into main room where everyone met to discuss important matters, the men were already exiting the dojo. Kaoru stopped to look at them with a frown.

"Am I missing something?" she asked no one. She saw Sanosuke's usual carefree face turned grim as he sized up the officers walking through the yard to the gate. Kenshin's body appeared tense. His face hiding behind red bangs. Yahiko took a deep breath and shook his head. He raised his bokken at his side to sling it in the strap at his back.

"I think I should go to Akabeko to see if Ms. Tae needs some help," he said. He adjusted his clothes before he sprinted to the main gates. Kaoru was about to open her mouth to say something when Sanosuke beat her.

"I should go to the clinic to see if Megumi needs me to pick up something."

"This unworthy one should buy some tofu for dinner, that I should," replied Kenshin as he lifted his head to reveal a polite smiling face. Kaoru balanced the tray between her fingers, feeling as if the weight was tipping over on one side.

"But I made some teas for you," Kaoru said lamely at last. Sanosuke didn't hear her. He was already making his way to the main gates. Only Kenshin heard her and he moved to grab the tray from her hands.

"I'm sorry Miss Kaoru," Kenshin replied softly. Automatically, she noticed the change in his speech pattern to notify the talk between the police and himself was not a good one. "You made teas for everyone and we didn't get as chance to enjoy it."

Kaoru swallowed the questions she had in her throat, knowing he would deflect giving answers until he was ready to share them with her. Instead, she smiled and replied with, "My teas aren't as good as yours. It's better if no one drank them anyway."

Kenshin shook his head and lowered the tray on the floor with a grace that she secretly envied. He lifted one of the cups to his mouth, blowing gently before sipping the contents. His azure eyes closed at the blissful feel of liquid flowing through his mouth. "The tea tastes very good, that it does."

Downing the rest of it in seven gulps, Kaoru stared abash as he lifted the tray of teas and was about to head into the kitchen. Quickly, Kaoru grabbed one the cups and cradled it in her hands. Kenshin stared at her for a long moment, the intensity making her cheeks flush.

"Kenshin?" she whispered his name as a soft smile settled on his soft face. He turned and made his way into the kitchen.

Putting the edge of the cup to her mouth, she lightly sipped at the tea. Her face frowned at the bitter flavor spreading across her tongue before she forced herself to swallow it. "Yuck! How could he stand to drink my tea?"