Whew, fast update.

I have decided on an epilogue, but I need one/two more chapter to set it up, so hope you don't mind holding off to finalize the ending.

Tomoe will continue to be in this story despite many of your objections, sorry. I found pleasure in morphing her. This is the retrospection of that day.

Dedicated for those who wanted to know Kaoru and other sides of the story.

Hidden Thoughts
Chapter 32

Note: Important, this goes back to the day before Kaoru left. Behind the Scenes.

Kaoru stayed in bed after signing some paperwork Soujiro prepared for her. Glancing at the clock, she signed down her name, date and time delicately.

Kamiya Kaoru
June 3, 2004

A small tear dripped down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped it away.

Letter of resignation. Resigning her job, resigning her friends, resigning her past life, resigning Kenshin.

None of it was easy for her. Kaoru can still remember when Megumi would try to flirt with Kenshin, Yahiko would pretend to be really strong and offered to protect her, and she would always be laughing at someone's story in the break room. She would give it all up. Perhaps after all Sano did for her, she should spend a little time in memory of him.

Soujiro came in and sat on her bed.

"How are you dealing, Kao?"

"I'll be ok, just let me rest for a little while and I'll be back to myself. Oh, here's the letter."

"Ok, I'll bring it in today at 3:00 ok?"

"Thanks."

"Anytime." Taking the letter, he started to walk towards the door.

"I'll miss you." Kaoru said quietly.

"Why? I'll always be here." Puzzled Soujiro replied.

"I know, and thank you, but I won't be. I thinking I'm going away for a little while, far far away. Don't worry, it's nothing."

Soujiro gave her a silent glance before nodding and walking out. 'She's strong, I know she is.'

Akira arrived at the Hajime Corps, parked in the VIP spots, and quickly walked passed the security guard without stopping.

"Wait sir, I'll need to check your ID."

Akira took out his wallet, but realized he left it at home.

Groaning, he replied, "I don't have it, I left it at home."

"I'm sorry sir, I can not let you in."

"Are you kidding me? This is a case Saitou—I mean Hajime-san has requested for a long time."

"I… I could try paging him." the guard took his walkytalky(?) and started to page the secretary.

Just as the secretary picked up, Akira's phone rang, he stepped aside from the guard to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Where are YOU?" Saitou's voice came booming in.

"Me? Heh, I would be stuck with your guard at the door."

"Why?"

"I forgot my ID."

"Idiot"

Akira tried to reply but Saitou already hung up. Walking back to the guard, he watched him try to page someone else. Sighing, he leaned against the wall, knowing he'll be yelled at by Saitou—Speaking of the devil…

"Kiyosato! Get over here right NOW!" Saitou demanded, standing in the open elevator.

"Hajime-sama!" The guard finally noticed.

"And YOU! He's a VIP of the building and company, isn't it your job to know them?!"

"H-hai. You may enter—I mean, please come in." the security guard said, intimidated by Saitou's wolf eyes.

"here are the tape, it has already been confirm with the evidence that Tomoe Yukishiro, the prime suspect, is indeed the one at fault."

"That woman." Saitou puffed his cigarette.

"Um, Saitou?"

"Hn?"

"Are you allowed to smoke inside?"

"Shut up." He said as the elevator doors closed.

Aoshi entered Kaoru's room seeing she was surfing the web on her bed.

"Hey Kaoru-chan, what are you doing?"

"Hm… looking for airplane tickets."

"Why? Planning to take a vacation?" He went over and sat next to her. "To America?"

"Well, our company is become more and more international, and I was wondering if I could go there for, maybe a year or so to spread our name even more?" Kaoru said with a small smile.

"Kaoru, What's your real reason?"

"I don't know, I kind of just want to leave here for a while. Is that ok nee-san?"

"Of course, I understand, but don't run away from us, ne?"

Kaoru nodded her head, still trying to keep her tears in. She already promised herself no more crying.

"Hey nee-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you set me up with some industry so I can learn more about international fashion design? I know our own corporation only design modern and casual clothing, but I want to learn them all. Then we can become an even greater company."

"Sure, I'll go hook you up right now." He said with a bright smile.

Heading out the door, he knew she'll be ok, Kaoru's always his little sister, Kaoru.

Tomoe sat by her window staring down. Memories of Sano kept flashing back, haunting her. For once, she felt guilty about what she had done.

'I didn't mean it, I just wanted to teach him a lesson to not mess with me. I didn't intend to kill him, I can't kill him.'

"Hey, Tomoe! How are things with Kenshin going?"

"Ok I guess."

"What's wrong?" He said with his smiling face.

"I don't know, I think Kenshin doesn't like me that much any more. I don't see how he could lose interest in me."

"Trying cutting down the ego?"

Tomoe slapped him softly across the arm, "What ego?" she pouted.

"Okok, no ego."

"Stupid roster, your ego's as big as your hair."

"Hey! I'm just trying to help, don't go insulting my hair."

"Ha, roster." She laughed and pulls on his hair as he whinnes but doesn't stop her.

"Hey! Your smiling." Sano pointed out, "Mission accomplished!"

He was always there for her, always there to cheer her up until THAT time.

"Tomoe, let's break up."

"Huh? Why Kenshin? Did I do something wrong? Please tell me, I'll change, I'll do anything for you."

"No, it's, it's not you. It's just that I can't seem to devote all my heart to you anymore. I'm being more and more torn away."

"Kenshin. I love you, I'll be your slave, I'll do anything you want, just don't push me away."

"I won't push you away. I promise, I'll always be there for you. I'll be your wall when you feel like you can't stand, and I'll support you in anything you do. But as of my heart, it's been taken. All my thoughts and emotions are poured over someone else now."

"By who?"

Kaoru and Soujiro came tumbling down of the school entry, giggling as they raced each other home.

"Kenshin?" Tomoe tried to get his attention, but he eyes followed Kaoru as if he trying to memorize everything about her.

"Kaoru." Tomoe stated.

He snapped back at Tomoe, "Huh?"

"You like Kaoru, don't you? In fact, you're obsessed with her."

Kenshin remained silent.

"Don't leave me please? I just want to stay by your side, always, even if we are just friends."

"Alright, let stay friends."

"Promise?"

"Oro? As long as you don't decide to become a mass murder with a cold heart, sure."

Tomoe smiled gently.

(three days later)

Kenshin walked up to Kaoru, "I'm sorry for everything, please forgive me."

Tomoe walked around the corner just as Kenshin had cornered Kaoru and leaning over her, but looking as if they were kissing.

"Um, Batt—I mean, Himura, sure!" Kaoru said happily, relieved to not have Kenshin glaring at her for once.

Tomoe's heart burned with jealously as she leaned back into the wall. She saw Kenshin smile at Kaoru, a small smile, but the most sincere one she's ever seen. He always helped Tomoe, and supported her, but never once has she gotten such a gentle smile like Kaoru did, and they've even been dating for three years.

Kenshin left, and Kaoru was walking towards her. Pushing herself off the walls, she stepped in front of her. When Kaoru tried to take a side step to get past, Tomoe shoved her down.

"You think you're so great?" Tomoe sneered.

Sano just entered that hallway, seeing Kaoru be pushed down.

"Tomoe! What are you doing?"

"S-Sano!"

Sano ignored her and rushed to Kaoru's side.

"Are you ok? I heard from Soujiro you've almost passed out today." Turning towards Tomoe, "I knew you never like Kaoru, and never held that against you since I believe no one could ever like everyone, but you don't need to push her. Why did you do that?"

"I-I-I just can't stand her."

"Tomoe, sometimes I just don't understand you, why would you pick on someone who's sick?"

At that moment, Kaoru started to black out again, grabbing the back of Sano's shirt just as she was falling down. Sano felt a tug at his shirt and realized Kaoru was half way down, quickly catching her, he picked her up and started to carry her to the nurse's office.

"Tomoe, you really are different than what I thought you were."

"but, but it's hard to explain when there's a hidden obsession in your heart." Tomoe whispered to herself after Sano left.

Although since then, they've grew quite distant, Tomoe never seemed to be able to forget Sano. Once in a while when she was down, and if it didn't involve Kaoru, she still called Sano up. For some reason, Sano had that ability to heal her problems. At times she wondered if Kenshin was nothing more than an obsession, and she really loved Sano. Wouldn't that have turned out better?

June 4th, 2004
2:00 pm.

Kaoru sat on her bed, waiting for something to happen. She didn't know what but there was something at the back of her head, something undone lingering there. She already told Akira and the others good bye, packed her clothes, bought her ticket, and emailed all her ex-co-workers about her plan.

Her plan was due to leave at exactly 3:45 pm, she had over an hour left before she really needed to head out.

Taking Sano's hat, she buried her face in it. Somehow it felt like a hug that Sano would always give whenever she was feeling said. His scent was still on it, and the fuzzy midnight blue top of it felt just like Sano's soft hair when he didn't brush it, or when he cut it by accident. She almost giggled to herself before she remember that Sano left already. Grief flooded her again, but like she promised, she wouldn't shed a tear.

What was that thing she was trying to remember again? All Kaoru knew is to wait at her house until 3:00 pm. She was waiting for something, but it never occurred to her what it really was.

Going down stairs with her small trunk of clothing, a bag of food and other supplies, she flopped down on the couch next to Soujiro.

"Hey Kao."

"Sou-chan…"

She drifted off, not knowing what to say, but nothing was needed as the comforting music filled the room. Sitting next to Soujiro made her fee at ease, and everything then seemed almost complete.

A beep interrupted the silence. Kaoru took out her watch: 2:55 pm.

"I suppose that's good bye." Soujiro numbly said.

"Yeah, but I'll call you, promise."

"You better, or else I'll tickle you when you get back."

Silence.

"here, I'll get your bags. Enishi should be here by now."

"Enishi?"

Just as she asked, Tae came in the room. "Enishi's here to drive you to the airport."

"Like Tae said… he said he wanted to say good bye to you."

"Sou-chan, I thought you would drive me there."

"I was, but Enishi convienced me." Soujiro said while reaching forward to hug her, but she jumped away when a horn honked.

"Mou! I better go." Giving Soujiro a quick hug she walked towards the car, leaving him with all the baggage.

"Hey Kaoru!"

"Enishi! Even you knew?"

"Yeah, we were all thinking about throwing a party for you, but we decided that would be pointless."

"Pointless? O, great now I'm not worth it?"

"Pointless to celebrate you leaving. We'll throw you one when you come back, so come back soon. Ok?"

"Everything's all packed." Soujiro announced as Kaoru got in the car.

"everything ready?" Enishi asked.

"yup." Kaoru glanced at the clock. 3:04 pm. "Wait, just wait one more minute."

"Why?"

"I don't know, just wait one more minute."

Kaoru ended up hugging everyone all over again. 3:07 pm. Aoshi arrived.

"Kaoru! I made it! Whew, I drove like crazy, hoping you wouldn't leave!"

"Aoshi Nee-chan! I thought you had a meeting at 2:30."

"I did, but I left early." He said, reading in the car to give her a hug.

"Aww, you didn't have to."

"I know, but I wanted to. Remember to…"

"Mou! I know I know, eat three meals a day, brush teeth at least twice a day, take my naps and sleep eight hours etc etc."

Everyone laughed.

"Well I guess this is good by for now." Kaoru barely finished as Enishi's engine fired away.

"Sayanora!" They shouted after her.

Her eyes were attracted to the clock once more 3:12 pm. Enishi stopped at the traffic light that secure all the entry of the street.

"Hey, get me the map will you?" Enishi asked.

"You mean, you don't know where you are going?"

"Not really."

"Where is it?"

"Uh, oh, it's somewhere under your foot."

Kaoru looked down and saw a stack of maps, news paper and everything else.

"Mou! Your car looks like a dumpster." She bent down to find the Tokyo map.

3:13 pm. None of them paid attention to the blazing silver car zoomed right in front of them from a left turn. A silver sports car that had a certain redhead individual.

"I FOUND IT!" She sat back up again.

"Thanks, so where are you going?"

"Oh, New York first then anywhere that the company sends me."

3:40 pm.

While Kaoru sat in the first class airplane seat, Tomoe sat in jail. But she didn't mind, she was "with" Sano.

Facing the wall, she spoke to him as if he was the wall itself.

"Sano! Oh good, you're still alive. I swore I thought you died! Don't die, I'm sorry I hurt you, please forgive me? I'll forget Kenshin and my rivalry with Kaoru, ok? I will I will I will. Please hug me and comfort me as you used to in high school?

She sat there, waiting, but nothing happened.

"Sano, why? Why do you frown? Why won't you speak?"

"This way Hajime-sama, Kiyosato-san." A security guard led them towards Tomoe's cell.

"Bobby, give me the key, and give us some time."

"Yes sir" Bobby the security guard nodded.

"Tomoe." Akira said sullenly.

Tomoe's hair was disheveled, all her make up was smeared, and had tears streaming down her face. Running over, she grasped Akira's hands and begged in front of him, kneeling down.

"Please, Please let me see Sano. I won't believe it, I don't believe it." Looking at Saitou, "YOU, YOU ARE THE DEVIL, he told me Sano was dead, He dared to WISH Sano was DEAD!"

Tomoe continued to scream nonsense.

Akira looked over at Saitou, confused, but all Saitou did was shrug.

"I took her in, put her in the police car, and said she's arrested for second degree murder of Sagara Sanosuske."

"There won't be a trial, by Act of 239493, any one who is clearly insane will not even be presented in court by the Tokyo Law."

"Then where do you suppose we put her?"

"I don't know, I'm a lawyer, not a psychiatrist. I suppose… a mental institution?

A/N:

1. Is this enough punishment for Tomoe yet? (I have planned another half a year of punishment for her, and finally release her from this pain.)

2. Hopefully some of you won't criticize Tomoe TOO much now. She's an antagonist, but she does have her past too. I do plan on putting on a lighter ending for her.

3. Was this chapter boring? I know i didn't add anything too new here...

This was an early chapter because I'll be pretty busy for the next few weeks. I plan to finish this before May. There will be about two, at most three, chapters left. (That is, including the epilogue.)

I do plan on putting in happy endings and deal with my loose ends, such as Sano's death, Megumi, Misao, Soujiro, and possibly Akira… Depending on what you think.

Next Chappie: For those who wanted to see Tomoe suffer, here are the after math. What Kaoru will be doing. Other parts will be added, but it's quite obvious I squeezed my brain pretty hard this week.