Chapter 2: Shuichi

'Dinner is ready,' Shuichi called softly at the young lady walked in after her bath. It had been a long bath and he worried that she might decide to drown herself. She turned to look at him and nodded before leaving to change into a fresh kimono.

He wondered how she must have been before the incident. At times, he noticed her eyes glowing with happiness when she watches the birds flying in her yard. There was always a soft smile on her lips when Ayame and Suzume played with her. Her face was so calm...like nothing bad had ever happen to her. Even when the doctor cleaned her wounds, she no more flinched at the pain like she used to.

However, when she looked at him, there was so much sadness in those blue depths that reminded him of his own troubles. It was like she kept everything locked inside and never shared the key with anyone.

Shuichi knew how much he wanted to see her smile. She had a nice smile...soothing and calming all at once. Her laughter would be amazing. Her tears had caused him to be even sadder. But she had not shed another tear since two weeks after her recovery. It was like she had lost the will to cry. Her wells are very dry.

Kaoru walked out slowly. She raised her head slightly and saw the food on the table. Smiling softly, she sat down opposite him. Shuichi nodded his head and reached to serve the rice but she beat him to it. She filled his bowl before her own and sat down, waiting for him to start eating.

'What is your name, miss?'

Kaoru stared blankly at him before a small smile filled her face. She took another mouth of rice and begins chewing on them. Shuichi sighed before taking another mouthful as well.

'Kaoru'

Her voice was so soft he would have missed it if he wasn't paying any attention.

' Shuichi. You have a nice name.'

She smiled.

'Thank you for that night.'

Kaoru looked up in confusion. Then, as that nights memories came flooding back, she nodded rather thoughtfully. They continued eating in silence. Before long they were done and Kaoru washed all the dishes. As she walked towards her room, she glanced at the tall, lean fame watching the skies.

'I am the one who should be thanking you. And it is not just for that night.' Saying that softly, she left to her room.

Shuichi stared at her retreating back with a small-satisfied grin. She had a beautiful voice. Her voice reminded him of a young lady with pigtails. She too had a beautiful voice.

'Ne...onii-san, do you think okaa-san and otou-san will let me go with Yunichi-kun to the festival on Tanabata day?' Sakura asked, her eyes staring at her older brother.

Shuichi laughed loudly. 'Someone actually asked kaijuu to go out on a date?'

Sakura glared at Shuichi. She hit him hard on his hand causing him to yelp in pain. Turning away, she looked sadly down. 'There is no chance, is there?

Shuichi hugged his 10-year-old sister from the back. 'If I ask them, they'll let you. But only if you let me watch your back from behind,' Shuichi said, naming his condition. Sakura hugged him tightly.

'Arigato, onii-san!'

Shuichi closed his eyes, masking the pain he knew was there. He had lost everything that night of such a beautiful festival. He had learned that he was not strong enough to protect the ones he loved. And worst of all, there was no one else to be blamed but him. That one incident had changed his whole life.

A gentle touch made him turn up to gaze into a pair of azure eyes, watching him with worry. Kaoru settled beside Shuichi and kept her gaze on his face. He closed his eyes.

Kenshin

Kaoru looked away immediately. Tears welled up in her own eyes. Where had that thought come from she didn't know. It was just, looking like that, hiding his feeling from her was just like Kenshin.

'Kaoru?' Shuichi noticed Kaoru looking down, her eyes watery. What was wrong with her? 'Kaoru, what's wrong?'

Kaoru shook her head. A small strained smile on her lips. She shook her head sadly and got up. 'We all have our own problems. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Oyasumi nasai,' she said quietly before walking away.

'I'm here too if you want to talk.' Kaoru turned and smiled. Then she said quietly, 'You remind me of Ken...of a friend.' One that I don't want to meet anymore. Luckily he didn't ask anymore of that subject as he steered clearly away.

'Who were those guys? The ones who attacked you that night. They looked like they know you,' he asked keeping his gaze on her. She had finally begun to talk and he wanted to know everything about her.

'Someone who has wanted to get rid of the Kamiya family line since a decade ago. My father had fallen prey to the man. Now he is after me. But its no big deal I guess, if you don't hold the whole royal secret in your hands,' Kaoru said sarcastically.

'And I'm sorry. Gomen for being such a pain. You've tried talking to me before and I just didn't respond. It kind of hurt when my friends dumped me like that. Especially now that I'm a target. I guess no one new had come since you were here. Arigato. Anoo...if you are leaving, please tell me first. Or not, you are most welcome to stay here. Honto.'

Shuichi smiled when he saw a small blush appear on Kaoru's cheeks. She looked so adorable. 'I'd love to stay. For now I do not have any idea on what to do. And...I know you love someone else, Kaoru but I have fallen for you. Hard,' he said and suddenly leaned down and kissed her lightly on her lips before walking away.

Kaoru froze after Shuichi left. Her heartbeat increased and her hand slowly traced the kiss she was just given. Can she really forget Kenshin and start life once more? Kaoru wondered as she made her way to bed. She never knew that her quiet demeanor had caught the young man's heart. And Kaoru didn't want to hurt him. If he really loved her...then maybe he is the one for her.

Shuichi watched her with love in his eyes. He knew she didn't remember him. To her, he was someone new. But to him...

Hello, my name is Kaoru. What is yours?

Would you like to be my friend, Shuichi-kun?

Shuichi-kun, look! The first snowflake of the season!

I'll never forget you, Shuichi-kun because you are the most important person in my life, ne?

He had a sad feeling that she would never remember him. Ever.

They stopped at the doctor's clinic, hesitating to enter. It was very quiet for most probably no one was home. Kenshin bit his lips. He didn't want to see Kaoru yet, not before he meets the doctor. He needed to know how she was.

'Kenshin, the dojo or somewhere else?' Megumi asked their silent companion. Kenshin looked at her coldly before letting out a deep sigh.

'Somewhere else, Megumi-dono.'

At that moment, all he wanted to do was to find Kaoru and make sure she was alright. But he did not wish to alarm her. Somewhere deep inside he felt she would be glad to see them. She would be very angry too. After all, he did leave the place he called home.

Apparently he wasn't the only one. Yahiko and Sano were practically happy that they did not need to see her so soon. It made him smile slightly realizing that they held the same fear as he did.

The sound of children laughter made them turn and they saw the doctor walking back with the two kids and a young handsome man. Suzume was tugging at his short brown hair making him yelp in child-like pain. The girls laughed again.

Dr. Gensai was not really surprised to see Kenshin and the gang in front of the clinic. But he was surprised that his granddaughters did not run to greet them. In fact Ayame and Suzume just bowed respectfully before kissing Shuichi's cheeks and running inside.

The old doctor sighed. He turned and smiled lightly at the Kenshin-gumi. Shuichi straightened and bowed at them before bowing at the doctor. 'I'll take my leave now, doc. I'll see you soon.' He smiled and walked away.

'This is a pleasant surprise. Why don't you come in? We will talk over some tea.' Kenshin nodded his head and the six of them went in.

The whole clinic has changed...for the better. Fresh flowers decorated the waiting room and pictures hung from the wall. Cushioned seats were arranged for the patients and there were papers and books staked up at a side. The little group sat down cautiously, amazed at the change that the clinic had gone through. In fact the whole place looked cheerful.

Dr. Gensai placed hot tea in front of them. Megumi couldn't help but comment on the change. 'Oh, all these! It is the help of Shuichi-kun. He's the young man you saw just now.'

'Where is he staying, doc? Who is this guy? We did not see him around here before,' Sano remarked staring at the clinic in awe. It really looked fabulous. Dr. Gensai smiled.

'I have no idea. He saved Kaoru-chan's life sometime back and is staying at the dojo now. We only know him as Shuichi Haname. I guess he is something like you, Kenshin. A drifter.' Dr. Gensai sipped his tea slowly.

The gang gasped when they heard the young man was living in the dojo, alone with Kaoru. Immediately protest flew out from everyone except Kenshin and Aoshi. Aoshi cleared his throat and they settled down.

'Doctor, we know someone is after Kaoru. What we are afraid of is this guy is sent to kill her. It is dangerous for him to be with Kaoru...san.' Aoshi's comment made the doctor frown. However before he could say a word, Ayame and Suzume rushed out angrily.

'Don't talk about onii-san like that! He is very nice. He protect nee-san when you not here. He is a good guy!' Ayame cried out, her face red. Suzume nodded her head, agreeing with her sister.

Kenshin looked at the children. They were not happy at all with any of them. It was like the kids despised them and was happy with Shuichi. Why? 'Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan, why are you two so angry? Did we do something wrong?' Kenshin asked quietly, trying hard to mask Battousai inside of him.

'You were suppose to protect Kao-nee. You left. We don't like you,' said Ayame and with that declaration of hate, they ran inside to their rooms. The Kenshin-gumi were shocked and sat quietly.

Once more Aoshi cleared his throat breaking the thick silence. 'We would like to meet him. Do you think you can arrange it?' The doctor smiled sincerely. Shaking his head he looked at them. 'Go see him in the dojo. He won't go anywhere else. Do you need a place to spend the night?' They shook their head.

As they left and walked towards the local inn, Kenshin felt the hitokiri in him protesting for leaving her. The thought of some else taking his place in the dojo angered him terribly. Besides, if the kids detests them so much, what more would Kaoru? Shaking those miserable thoughts away, he wondered about the young man. Who was handsome, his mind added causing him to grind his teeth in anger. I will find out who is he and claim what belongs to me. Kaoru.

If any of his friends noticed the change in colour of his eyes, they never commented on it.