Cold night
Snow, flying across the street.
Black skies,
Star shining brightly.


Each one smiles...
'I wonder if I'll get a chance to practice my Kamiya Kasshin Ryu before Kaoru makes me go to bed...'
'Lunch tommorow, lunch tommorow... I really should get a job...'
'Hiko-sensei... I wonder what you'd think of me, now?'
'Tomorrow starts so early... How am I going to afford these three...?'

"Ne, Kaoru-dono. It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

And each of them look at the skies, and then at each other.

'Even though I miss my parents... I'm glad I could meet all of you.'
'It's been a long time since I've had friends like these. What would I be doing now, if not for the three of you? Would I still just be a street gangster?'
'They really are like a family... these three boys I look out for. Kenshin, are you cold?'
'To live in peace, like this... This is my wish, forever.'


"Too bad it's so cold..."
"It's not so bad, with such warm company."
"Is Sanosuke feeling a bit poetic today?"
"Uh...."
"Yare, yare..."
Laughter, as the youngest begins to tease the ex-gangster.
The two scuffle for a few minutes, but soon, there is no sound,
Except for their wooden sandles making soft imprints in the snow.


"This is where I leave, guys. See you tomorrow."
"Why don't we walk with you home, Sanosuke? It's a nice night."
"You sure?"
"Why not?"

"'Night, guys. See you all in the morning. Hey, Jo-chan, mind if I stop by for lunch?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Ah. Well, see you tommorow, then."

Behind the door of his small house, Sanosuke smiled.
"Thanks, everyone."

Yahiko swung his boken, trying to imitate a technique Kaoru had taught him earlier.
"Like this? Or was it like this...?"
Yahiko paused as he heard Kaoru walk in, carrying a warm blanket for him.
"Yahiko, why don't you go to bed? It's getting late."
"I just want to get this right, Kaoru."
A warm hand on his head.
"You will, Yahiko. Someday, you're going to be an incredible swordsman. Kenshin and I can see it already. You've practice more than enough for one day, Yahiko. Go to sleep. Good night,"
"Good night, Kaoru."
The sound of a paper door closing.
"And thank you."

It was a nice night. He stood on the balcony, just staring up at the star-filled sky.
He smelt the tea ever before she handed it to him.
"Ne, Kenshin. It's cold out. Would you like some tea?"
"Thank you, Kaoru-dono,"
"It's no trouble."
The two sat in silence for a long time.
Finally, he yawned. "I think I will go to sleep now, Kaoru-dono. Thank you very much for the tea." "You liked it?"
He smiled. "Of course. Sleep well, Kaoru-dono."
"Sleep well, Kenshin."

Finally, Kaoru was alone. It really was getting cold out, so she had put on her warmest kimono.
She sat looking up at the stars.
She rubbed her thumb against her empty cup, staring into it for a moment.
'I'm so lucky... Kenshin, Yahiko, Sanosuke... All of my friends.'
"Someday, Stars, I worry - that we'll not be together any more. That something will happen."
A cold gust of wind made her close her eyes, bringing slight tears.
"But... tonight, I felt like the world had stopped. That this is the way it should be - that this is the way it will always be.
I don't know if it's true, Stars, that you can grant wishes... but please, if you can... keep this little family - my family - safe for me."
And she thought of each of them...
Yahiko, with his grim determination, but blushing at compliments, and smiling at her.
Sanosuke, giving her a thumbs up and calling her by her nickname, 'jo-chan'...
And Kenshin.
Kenshin would always protect her.

No matter what happened to them, she knew that they were meant to be together.
She knew how much she cared about Kenshin, but now she knew something else, to.
There were links between the four of them - different emotions, and feelings...
Kenshin, her other half. Maybe one day, they would be married.
Sanosuke, her older brother.
Yahiko, her son.

Kaoru stood up, and walked towards her bedroom.
"Goodnight, Yahiko," she whispered as she opened the boy's door.
"Goodnight, Kenshin." The red head was sound asleep, 'ororo-ing' a bit as he snored. Kaoru smiled warmly, and giggled.

And as Kaoru fell asleep, she felt that surely, while fate had brought the four of them together,
love would make sure they would never be taken apart.


Dark lonely winds,
Over Ice and Snow.

No matter how dark the past maybe,
The light of the morning star always comes.

May your dreams be full of hope,
Forever.