The moon seemed to be shining specially bright tonight, Kaoru thought. The stars twinkled brightly in their beautiful constellations. She shifted her gaze from the beautiful sky to her surroundings. She stood up from where she was sitting and glanced around. The dojo was very quiet, except for the occasional sounds of the crickets calling, and Yahiko's loud snoring. She tried to smile, but couldn't find a good reason for this, so she let out a sigh. She quickly reverted her gaze back to the lovely sky and focused her thoughts on the moon. Suddenly, a familiar face materialised on the surface of the moon. The angular face, the long golden brown hair, but especially, those lavender eyes which seemed to pierce through her soul. Her eyes welled up with tears with those thoughts..
"Kenshin.........." She whispered, and started weeping.
It has been a year since Kenshin left the dojo. Since then, the dojo has been free from threats from Kenshin's half-crazed enemies from the past. She smiled weakly at this, but her smile lasted for a second. Though she has been pretty busy with her dojo(during the past year, her old disciples and new ones came to her dojo to learn her ryuu) in the day, but at night, when the disciples have left, it's been very quiet.
Everyone has been affected by Kenshin's sudden departure. Yahiko, Sano, Megumi, the people at the Akabeko, Ayame & Suzume, and many others. The worst hit was the so-called Kenshin- gumi. Both Yahiko & Sanosuke were shocked, but acted that they didn't care. But Kaoru noticed that Yahiko was always murmuring Kenshin's name in his dream. As for Sano, no matter how much he hid his feelings, it could be seen that he missed Kenshin very much (he could be seen standing outside his apartment, looking at the sky, with those misty eyes of his).
Kaoru & Megumi were the hardest hit. How would you feel if your loved ones just left without a word? Megumi took the news quite normally(if you call crying for 2 days normal). But Kaoru could not accept it. Why did he leave ? Why must he leave ? Why did he leave without a word ? All these questions pounded her head so much that it hurts.
Quickly Kaoru removed her gaze from the moon in order to prevent those haunting memories from coming back, but was futile.
"I'm a rurouni , I might wander off anytime...."
These words revoked painful memories of the times they had together, both good and bad. The battle between Kenshin and Jin-e, then Aoshi Shinomori, then....
"NO!!!!" she shouted, shaking her head wildly . Her tears sprinkled around her and landed on the soft ground. "WHY ???WHY????" she screamed at the top of her voice. She fell on her knees, whimpering "why...why....why".
Yahiko looked at Kaoru quietly from his room. He pitied Kaoru, but knew that he could do nothing to console her. "Poor girl...." He whispered, and went back to sleep. Life must go on, with, or without Kenshin.
Kaoru remained on her knees for sometime, weeping. Nothing in this world could possibly replace the place she has for Kenshin in her heart. Silently she made a vow not to love again.
She got up, and walked around the dojo. It was quiet and peaceful, but something was missing. It pained her heart to think of what it is again. "Kenshin.." she said, forcing back her tears. She walked out of the dojo and into the dark street outside. A cold breeze was blowing, and Kaoru shuddered in the cold.
How could she survive in this cold cruel world, without love & protection?, she wondered. She walked back into the dojo and passed the calendar. She looked at the date and sighed. Tomorrow's her birthday, and Kenshin will not be there to congratulate her. At this, she couldn't hold back her tears anymore and wept again.
She was weeping when she heard the gate of her dojo open & close. She could hear footsteps approaching. She continued to weep as the footsteps got closer & closer until it stopped in front of her. She glanced up, expecting to see the cold gleam of a sword which will end her life. But, instead, she stared into a pair of familiar lavender eyes, showing concern to her.
"Kaoru-dono..." the all too familiar voice said.
"KENSHIN!" she shouted. She jumped up and grabbed Kenshin and gave him a hug, all the while sobbing.
"suminasen, Kaoru-dono...." Kenshin said softly in her ear.
"wh..where have you been, Kenshin?" she queried.
He put his finger to her lips and said "that is not important. What's important is that I'm back.."
"Yes, you're right. It's good to have you back..... "