Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin in its totality is not mine.

Author's note: Oh my Kami-sama, we are down to the final chapter. Again, so sorry this took so long to write! For one, real-life work has caught up with me. Two, the fire that inspired me to write this novel has dissipated. I did say I didn't know when it would last but I'm glad it pushed me to finish this fic. RK will always be in my heart though. And finally, this ending was tough to write. I had the end in mind a long, long time ago but with the developments in the story, it was sort of difficult to express. I hope you'll find this a satisfying conclusion. WARNING: All aboard the fluff train.

Chapter Fifteen: To the New Age

Believing, being lost,

And stopping short, and everything

Maybe it's all an answer

To why I'm alive here and now

One week later…

New Year's Day was a quarter ago and yet that week felt like the real beginning of the protagonists' year.

Beginnings were harder to create, even more to set in motion, they realized.

Enishi began his new life in a maximum-security facility, reading and rereading Tomoe's diary everyday. Megumi and Sano started theirs draped in each other's naked arms on a cramped futon. Hiko initiated his in his mountain home, with a usual swig from his bottle of sake, but this time, with a satisfied grin on his face. Saitou commenced the year with finishing his bento box, as lovingly prepared by Tokio. Kenshin and Kaoru embarked on theirs dreaming pleasantly and recovering separately in their rooms.

Katsura celebrated his by summoning everyone to his office.

He clasped his hands in its usual triangular position and sighed deeply. "Thank you for meeting me today. Kenshin, Kaoru, are you sure you are both already well?"

The pair nodded, almost in unison.

Kenshin smiled encouragingly. "Yes, Katsura-sama. We're feeling much better."

Kaoru added. "Thank you for taking care of us."

Katsura smiled back, feebly, and nodded. He gazed upon the faces of the group who awaited the reason for their meeting today. "That is good to hear. I'm glad. Very well..."

He rose from his seat and stood in front of the crowd. "I've gathered everyone today for three things. First, to thank you for helping us retrieve Kaoru. We wouldn't have been able to save her if not for the strength and faith you lent us. Thanks to your efforts as well, we have captured Enishi. Their organization has folded and I'm confident that they will no longer be a threat to the security of Japan."

Katsura clasped his hands behind his back and hesitantly continued. "Second, I called all of you here to… to apologize."

Suddenly, Katsura folded to the ground, his hands in front of him, forehead almost touching the floor. "I'm sorry for ruining your lives."

The group gave a collective, soundless gasp upon seeing their prostrate leader.

Katsura tilted his body to where Sano and Megumi were seated and bowed again. "Sano, Megumi, forgive me for delaying your happiness. You two should have been together a long time ago and yet I held Megumi back because I was scared that if she left, Kenshin would never recover. Forgive me."

He then turned to Saitou who was leaning against the doorframe. "Saitou, forgive me for exploiting your loyalty. You have already paid your debt and twice over many years ago. If not for me, Jin'e would have been alive still. Forgive me."

Finally, he twisted to the newly-recovered couple directly in front of him. "Kaoru, forgive me for causing you all this pain. I should never have interfered with your life and did what I did. I am so sorry for dragging you back to my hell… I am so sorry."

"Kenshin…," this time Katsura looked up, tears already rolling down his cheeks, "where do I even begin? Forgive me for corrupting your innocence. For using your pure ideals for my own ends. For throwing you into madness, and into my own. I'm sorry…"

He glanced at everyone, bowing his head repeatedly and muttering endlessly, "I'm so sorry…"

Kaoru and Kenshin exchanged meaningful looks and nodded. They approached Katsura and rested a hand on each shoulder.

"Please stand up, Katsura-sama. It's okay. It's okay…" Kaoru urged.

Katsura looked up, seeing smiles on the faces of people he'd wronged.

"There is no need to apologize. We understand you, Katsura-sama." Kenshin smiled compassionately.

Megumi wiped a forming tear on her left eye. "Please don't cry anymore, Katsura-sama. I—" she looked at Sano, who nodded, "we have forgiven you already. We believed in your vision and we knew that all you've ever done was for the best."

Saitou drawled, blowing out a long trail of smoke. "Don't give yourself too much credit, old man. I wouldn't have stayed this long if I didn't want to. I'm not a mindless henchman, you know."

Katsura stood up slowly, assisted by Sano. He wiped his tears away, forming a sad smile. "Thank you… thank you everyone. I don't deserve your forgiveness. It is enough for me that you are all alive and well to live in this new age. This old man is happy. I can now rest."

"You mean you're retiring, Katsura-sama?" The matter was something Katsura hinted in his past conversations with Megumi and Saitou so she wasn't surprised if he would be retiring. However, she didn't expect he'd retire immediately after the ordeal with Enishi was settled.

"Hey, hey, Katsura-sama, we just barely got out alive of that Enishi shithole. You can't retire now." Saitou crossed his arms over his chest, flicking the ashen end of his cigarette.

Katsura shook his head, the poignant smile still lingering on his face. "As usual this is ill timing but it's better if I prepare as early as possible."

He returned to his seat and clasped his hands together. "The final item on our agenda today is a confession."

Kaoru felt a dark pit in her stomach as she anticipated Katsura's next words. From how he stared at everyone's faces, she knew it was more than retirement.

The corners of Katsura's lips tugged into a half-smile. Kenshin swallowed dryly. Katsura closed his eyes and sighed. "I have brain cancer."

This time, the soundless gasp became audible, shaking the room. The air became thick; the pit in Kaoru's stomach sucked her in. Kenshin pressed Kaoru's hand tightly. Saitou nearly let go of his cigarette. Megumi's tears spilled. Sano wrapped his arms around Megumi.

Katsura opened his eyes and addressed the surprised crowd. "I learned about it a year ago and kept it from all of you because I've already put you through so much. I've tried alternative treatment as the doctors said it's too late and too risky for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Recently, I learned that my health is not improving. I have only a year to live."

Jumbled thoughts ran through their heads but no one said anything. The shocked expression on their faces said it all however.

Katsura smiled, trying to appease them. "I have lived a corrupted life and for so long I have corrupted others. Now that I've asked for your forgiveness and that you've accepted my atonement… I can rest knowing that the people most important to me are safe. Knowing that out of that corruption, I was able to give all of you sincere hope for the new age, I am happy. That's what I've always wanted."

"So everyone, please don't be sad. Let's live with a smile and face the new age." This time, Katsura's smile became cheery.

"Hai, Katsura-sama." Kenshin was the first to reply, bowing his head to the man. Kaoru followed suit. The rest bowed as well.

Beginnings are hard to realize especially when it's the beginning of an end.

As fast as the events that escalated in Hikaru Medical Center was the passage of time.

In eight months, Death claimed Katsura. He died peacefully in his sleep a few days after he had turned over everything – his Minister of Defense title and his ownership of Hikaru. The new Minister of Defense was Yamagata Aritomo, the staunch General of the military. With a reluctant heart, he took over from Katsura, deftly maneuvering defense matters as in his previous capacity. The same deftness and reluctance were exuded by Hikaru's new legitimate owner – Saitou Hajime.

With a long-drawn sigh, Saitou signed the papers bequeathing him ownership to the center. "It's not like I have a choice, is there?" He griped in front of the dying man.

"Of course you do, Saitou. You've always had." Katsura pressed a weak smile. The curls of his lips wrinkled his sullen cheeks.

Saitou dragged a deep line on the "SIGN HERE" mark. "What I meant is that this is unnecessary. The public believes I own this place so there's no need to sign this shit."

"Of course you do, Saitou. Legally we have to abide by these things." Katsura's eyes lingered on Saitou's signature. It looked like a howling wolf.

Saitou turned the next page of the voluminous document. "What if I want to retire?"

"Of course you don't, Saitou. I know you too well." Katsura smiled again.

Saitou scoffed half-heartedly as he affixed his signature to the final page.

In a few weeks, Tokio became a fixture at Hikaru, talking to patients and mingling with the nurses. In time, the piss-ass charity events were held at Hikaru. The nurses never stopped murmuring about the crisp, white suits Saitou wore. Or the rigid state of his overly gelled hair. Or that one time they caught Tokio feeding him a piece of sushi. And wiping excess sauce on the corner of his lips.

Despite the unusual behaviors from the usually stoic man, the staff also noted how softer Saitou's eyes have become.

Megumi bowed as low as she could, both hands clasped to her side. "Please."

Saitou rested his right cheek on the knuckles of his fingers and sighed. "My first official day and you're already resigning. Kitsune-onna, do you really hate me that much?"

The black-haired woman stood up straight and rode along his line of thinking. "Is it that obvious, Saitou-sama?"

"Well, I can't stop this, can I?" Saitou placed the resignation letter on the table.

"I've made up my mind. And Katsura-sama, may he rest in peace, would have wanted this for me. And Sano…" The plan was Megumi would tag along Sano and his group's adventures. Now that they were married, that seemed an inevitable option.

Saitou shook his head. "I know, I know. I was expecting this already. And I have prepared for this a long time ago. Our doctor-in-waiting is a former colleague of yours – Dr. Oguni Gensai. He's old but he's been training a certain Sekihara Tae to follow his footsteps. So I think I've got it covered if he keels over and dies. Anyways…"

He stood up and drew his lips into a thin line. Bowing down, he said, "It has been a pleasure working with you, Dr. Takani Megumi."

Megumi chuckled and bowed down. "The pleasure is all mine, Saitou Hajime."

"I can't believe it's your last day." Kaoru sniffed, wiping her tears away.

Megumi sniffed back in response, patting her tears with a handkerchief. "One month has passed by so fast indeed."

"Hey, Roosterhead – take care of her, you hear me?" Kaoru jabbed Sano playfully.

Sano frequented Hikaru ever since Saitou announced Megumi's resignation. Sekihoutai took a break from "work" and will resume their "tasks" once Megumi was already on board. During Sano's visits, Kaoru and he became close, although not on a civil way. Sano often teased Kaoru and for some reason, Kaoru's fuse was very short for him, especially when the tall man points out how her eyebags make her look like a panda than a raccoon. Kenshin would mediate, though good-humoredly.

Sano rolled his eyes. "Do you even have to say that? Ya know the answer already."

Kaoru snubbed him. "I honestly don't get why you and Kenshin get along. Or what Megumi-san saw in you."

Sano grunted and wrapped his arm on Megumi's shoulder. "My charming looks and personality. Do you even have to ask?"

This time, both Megumi and Kaoru rolled their eyes. Kenshin chuckled.

Sano changed his expression into a serious one, untangling his hold on Megumi and approaching Kenshin. "Oi, Kenshin."

Kenshin took a step back and looked at Sano. "Yes?"

Sano landed a sharp pat on Kenshin's shoulder and said, "The next time I see the two of you, you better be walking the aisle, eh?"

Kaoru blushed furiously. She was uncomfortable being teased about their relationship and she knew that Kenshin felt the same. It's not that they're ashamed of it but it's just that lately, things were...

Kenshin sighed and patted Sano's shoulder back. "You betcha."

After the final waves of goodbyes, the final sniffles of tears, and the final glimpse of the happy couple, Kenshin led Kaoru back to the center.

While Kenshin was figuring out what to do next, Katsura requested him to assist Saitou in tending to the center. Not that Saitou and Tokio weren't enough to manage it, but Katsura knew Megumi would leave soon and Kenshin's assistance was very much needed. The charity events were part of the philanthropic program Tokio launched for the center. Mostly, Kenshin ran errands for the Mibu Wolf, talking to nearby villages and communities that would benefit from the events. It gave him a glimpse of the outside world – the advancements, the realities, the ebb and flow of everyday life.

Kenshin loved it and he realized that helping others was his vocation. It was the truth to the answer he has found.

On the other hand, Kaoru was occupied with the center, absorbing the load of the deceased Yumi. Hiring a new nurse was the obvious solution but that was a long process. This is particularly because this time, Saitou was very meticulous of the applicants and their backgrounds; each one was thoroughly checked before hiring. They didn't want that fiasco again.

She enjoyed the "real" nursing work she did. Sure, taking care of Kenshin was a real job but now that she interacted with more patients, she felt that she was finally using her full potential. She also found a new mentor – Uno, who took over from Yumi's position. Just like before, Uno's cool demeanor was awash with sadness. However, this time, Kaoru thought she was smiling more. Maybe the events that unfolded in the past months have set her heart at ease.

Letting go. Moving on. Starting over.

Those resonated in the center. And although the main protagonists – Kaoru and Kenshin – were glad to do so, things were—

"…ru?" Kenshin called out, peering at Kaoru's eyes.

Broken from her trance, Kaoru shook her head and looked at Kenshin. They were seated at the lone bench amidst the sakura trees. "Eh? Sorry, you were saying something?"

Kenshin curved his lips into a smile and repeated himself. "I said the crabs we had this lunchtime were very delicious."

Kaoru nodded. "Though they were very difficult to eat. I hurt my hands and though I've washed it already, the smell hasn't gone away. In hindsight, we could have just bought crab meat instead of the actual crabs."

Kenshin caressed the red marks on Kaoru's fingers. "Sano said it's more delicious to eat by hand, like really experience cracking open the shells and fleshing out the meat."

Kaoru reveled in the way Kenshin soothed the marks. "Yes… maybe. But then why does it have to be so hard? Like why are delicious things so hard to get?"

Kenshin felt Kaoru's pulse racing as his fingers drifted to her wrists. "Perhaps so that we can cherish it when we finally eat it. Because we've worked so hard at it that we savor it."

Kaoru clenched her fists. "But is it really that delicious? Maybe because we've worked so hard at it that we think it's so delicious – much, much more than anything we've tasted – but in reality, it isn't? That it actually just tastes normal? But since we've endured the pain of the shell stinging us, the many steps to undertake in eating that sliver of meat, we delude ourselves that it's the best food we've ever eaten."

"Hmm." Kenshin let go of her hands, reaching out to a swirl of cherry blossoms that evaded his hand.

Kaoru picked at her cuticles. Something palpable surfaced in the past few weeks and they both perceived it but didn't acknowledge it. "I hope Sano and Megumi will be happy together. Be really happy together. They have been through so much. And for their love to surpass all those… that would mean it's meant to be."

"Their love persisted because they believed in the future. They knew there was a right time for them to be finally together." Kenshin stared at the sakura petals swirling away from him.

Kaoru's gaze fell on the same swirl. "They had to settle some things—personal things that would never be possible if they were together."

Kenshin lowered his gaze on the petal that landed on his outstretched hand. "But it didn't mean that they didn't love each other. They were still broken individuals, and though they both completed each other, they were broken nonetheless. To mend themselves, they needed to be alone."

Kaoru picked up the petal Kenshin offered. "So that one day, when everything's settled, they will know that enduring the pain of the shell stinging them, the many steps to undertake in eating that sliver of meat, were not a delusion."

"Exactly." Kenshin stared at her and smiled.

Kaoru smiled back. "I think we know where this is heading, Kenshin."

Kenshin cradled her in his arms, rubbing her shoulders for comfort. Kaoru nuzzled his neck and breathed him in. Pine trees and the forest. She'll never grow tired of his smell. Kenshin planted a soft kiss on her forehead, and Kaoru lifted her face slightly. He landed another gentle kiss on her nose. They paused, inhaling each other's scent. Almost simultaneously, they leaned to press each other's lips. Kaoru weaved her fingers on Kenshin's hair while Kenshin caressed her cheeks. Their kiss deepened, heads tilting to meet the other's angle, tongues swirling in an erotic dance.

It seemed like forever when they broke their kiss to catch their breaths. Opening their eyes, they saw each others' tear-stained faces. A tender smile rested on their lips. Drawing closer, they embraced and watched the sakura petals swirling in the wind.

Five years later…

Megumi leisurely walked towards the quaint coffee shop, already having seen the head nurse of Hikaru Medical Center. The said nurse had her chin resting on the heel of her palm, her eyes were towards her direction but the former psychiatrist doubted that she saw her. Kaoru's gaze was much farther away and Megumi knew why.

The bell hanging above the coffee shop's door frame rattled, prompting Kaoru to look at the new customer. Her distant expression softened, eyes lighting up upon seeing the pregnant woman.

"Megumi-san…" She stood up and welcomed the warm embrace Megumi greeted her with.

Megumi sat across the ponytailed girl and sighed. "Long time no see, Tanuki-chan."

Kaoru nodded, sighing back. "Long time indeed—and the last time I saw you, that tummy didn't have a baby yet. You should have told me you were pregnant so that I would have gone to a place near yours rather than you journeying all the way here."

Megumi snubbed Kaoru good-humoredly and crossed her arms over her chest. "Excuse me, Miss Kamiya, I'm not that weak. May I remind you that I gave birth to my first child in the middle of a remote jungle on a stormy night with over 20 men ogling at my vagina? I survived that so traveling here with this seven-month baby is a piece of cake."

Kaoru chuckled, recalling that story. Ah, that was two years ago. That was the time I saw Kenshin and…

"…ki-chan? Kaoru?" Megumi shook her out of her reverie, worried eyes peering at her.

Kaoru curved her lips into a strained smile, moving on to a different topic. "Oh, yes. I remember that story. So, seven months huh? Is it another boy?"

Megumi shook her head. "Thank goodness no." The little rascal, Souzou, was already as playful as can be. Two boys would be a handful.

"Congratulations, Megumi-san. I bet Sano is thrilled to have a little girl." Kaoru had seen him once and the little one was an exact carbon copy of Sanosuke.

Megumi lit up, fanning her hands. "Oh just not him but also the rest of his silly crew. They have been coming up with names already. I personally like 'Hikaru'."

Kaoru nodded, unsure if she liked the name. "Really, Megumi-san?"

Sensing her unease, Megumi scoffed. "It means light and salvation so you know, it's not a bad name. Either that or Haruka."

Kaoru nodded again, this time pensively, as she remembered the sakura garden at Hikaru. "Spring huh? That is nice indeed."

Megumi observed Kaoru's non-verbal expressions. Much has changed since she last saw the girl. She seemed more lonely and more serious. "When I give birth to this one though, Sano might retire from being Sekihoutai's shogun. Finally, after a decade of leading that band of weirdos, he's decided he's tired. He'll still participate though as an advisor of some sort. Besides, Sekihoutai is not a place to raise children."

"I'm happy for you Megumi-san. It's nice to hear that you'll both finally settle down." Kaoru smiled genuinely, noting that the last time they talked Megumi found it difficult to veer Souzou away from the crudeness of the gang.

Megumi rolled her eyes. "Well not really settle down. That big oaf took under his wing an apprentice."

"Really?" Kaoru mused on Sano being a mentor. In her interactions with him, she highly doubted his leadership skills and even more his mentorship competencies. Then again, he had been leading Sekihoutai for a good decade so that must mean he's doing something well. But still…

Megumi waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah really. As if he didn't have enough men! They saved this young kid from a Yakuza wannabe gang. Apparently, he was stealing for them to pay for his father's debts. Of course, my husband had to do something about that. They disbanded the gang, which was also terrorizing the village where the kid came from. Since he's already an orphan, Sano decided to train him as his protégé. Says he reminds him a lot of his young self."

Kaoru leaned in, interested with Megumi's story. "What's the boy's name?"

"Yahiko Myoujin." The spike-haired, brown-eyed punk, Megumi recalled. Indeed, the more she thought about it, Yahiko is a lot like Sano. If he grows up like him, I wouldn't mind.

"Myoujin. That sounds familiar." Kaoru looked up, trying to remember the name.

"Yeah, he came from a samurai bloodline. Last of his kind though. He lost his father during the war while his mother died of cholera before that. He was an only child so he was orphaned early." Megumi sipped on her mocha frappucino.

"I see." That story sounds so familiar, Kaoru pondered.

Megumi sensed the despondence in Kaoru's demeanor. She raised her voice a little to break Kaoru's melancholy. "Anyway, enough about me. What's up with Ms. Head Nurse?"

Kaoru tilted her head back and forth, sighing in exasperation. "As busy as you can imagine. I realized I hated meetings, which unfortunately, Saitou-sama loves. My only ray of light is Tokio-san. She bakes the best chocolate chip cookies that it makes the insufferable minutes pass by so quickly."

Megumi cooed, remembering the crisp cookies Tokio used to bake. "Ah yes. Tokio-san's cooking. I do miss that. I haven't visited Hikaru in years. I ought to."

"Yes you should. We have a new nurse and she's… she's something." The blue-haired, big-eyed teenager dashed through Hikaru's hallways like a strip of light. It soothed Kaoru. But it also hurt because Misao reminded her she wasn't that person anymore.

Megumi nodded. "I've heard from Akane-san that she's a perky one."

"Oh? You've talked to Akane-san?" Kaoru's eyes widened a little. Akane never brought up that she had talked to Megumi in the past. Not that it was disallowed, but she found it unusual.

"And why is that a surprise? There's a thing called smartphones and e-mails, Kaoru-san." Megumi tapped her smartphone.

But when I do text, call or e-mail you, you're mostly out of reach. Kaoru wanted to say. Instead, she chuckled glibly.

"So tell me more about this new nurse." Megumi pretended to ignore Kaoru's tics.

"She's a very perky nurse. Reminds me of my old self." And again, Kaoru curved her lips into that sad smile she's been exchanging Megumi with.

"Your old self?" Megumi stared at her.

"A lot of things have changed in the time we didn't see each other, Megumi-san." Kaoru picked at her cuticles.

Megumi stared at her fingers. That nasty habit. "It would seem so. Anyways, what's her name again?"

Kaoru stopped picking at her cuticles and fiddled with the straw instead. "Makimachi Misao. She was brought in by Katsura-sama's friend, Okina. I think Okina-san met Katsura during the war. Misao is the same age as I was when I entered Hikaru. Very energetic girl – she's always running around the facility helping out. Lately though she's become serious. It's probably because of the new patient."

"Ah, yes. That emo guy." Megumi crossed her arms over her chest.

Kaoru chortled, surmising that it was probably Akane who told Megumi that nickname. It was she who bestowed him that moniker after all. "Emo guy? I don't think Shinomori Aoshi is one."

Saitou wouldn't confirm stories about Shinomori Aoshi. Some nurses say he used to be an assassin for the shogun. Others claim he led a band of bodyguards who worked for Kanryuu. Whatever the rumors was, one thing was consistent – he is a man who strayed from his path and now at Hikaru, he aims to atone for his sins. Sounds very familiar once again, Kaoru thought.

"Well what would you call someone who likes to be alone, listens to somber music all day long, and has dark circles under his eyes?" Megumi raised both her eyebrows at Kaoru.

"He's just very reflective. Misao's presence seems to rattle him though. In a good way, I think. She never tires of reaching out to him."

"That worked for you and Ken-san. Might work for them too." Megumi looked at Kaoru, noticing the involuntary twitch in her eyes.

Kaoru realized she was holding her cup too tightly. "Yeah."

The updates seemed over. The two paused, sipping their drinks quietly.

Kaoru grasped for a topic to throw, knowing what Megumi's next question will be. She didn't want to answer her. She wasn't ready. But at the same time, she needed to talk to someone about him. It drove her crazy. Maybe now is not a good time to talk about it. I'm not—

It was too late.

"Tell me, Kaoru-san, what happened?" Megumi asked, her voice becoming softer.

Maybe I can still shrug this off. "What happened? What do you mean?"

Megumi rested her chin on the heel of her palm and leaned in. "Don't bullshit me, Raccoon Girl. You know what I'm talking about."

Kaoru scratched her head, fumbling. "Oh—Well… I… We… Hmm, how do I begin?"

"You can begin with telling me why the hell the two of you are not together." Megumi leaned back.

"He's in an overseas mission for UN so he's very busy." Kaoru tried to avoid the question again. Maybe Megumi will quit?

But she only rolled her eyes again. "I'm not talking about that. I meant back then, five years ago, why didn't you two settle down? Sano's been bugging Kenshin for years and that midget would just smile at him." Sano does talk to Kenshin but not as regularly as she made Kaoru think. It was a lie to bait her and she wanted to see if Kaoru would take it.

And she did. "So they talk huh?" It has been a while since she last heard his voice. And the last time, his voice broke a little when he said he loved her.

Megumi grunted. "Of course they do. They're best friends. Why? When was the last time you've spoken to Kenshin?"

"I don't know. Maybe a year ago?" Kaoru shrugged. Wow, one year of not hearing your voice. How did I ever manage through that?

Megumi's eyes widened, appalled by what she's heard. "A year ago? Why? What the fuck happened?''

Kaoru picked at her cuticles again. "You know the signal at Hikaru. And I rarely get days off ever since Uno-san retired. When I do get out, he's not available. The letters we write to each other take time and—"

Megumi interrupted and shook her head. "Oh, endless excuses. I ought to bitch slap you both really hard to get some sense knocked into you."

Kaoru tried to rationalize but even she was unconvinced of her reasons. "We tried, Megumi-san. We really did. We're just busy with each other's lives. Most of the time he's out in the field or in communities with no electricity that communication is just impossible."

This time, Megumi glared at her. She was furious—no, she was livid. The stupid girl had to be shaken. It's been too long. "So that's it? After all the sacrifices we've done for the two of you, you're giving up? Wasn't a decade of my life, Sano's life, Katsura-sama's life, Saitou-sama's life, our lives not enough payment for your happy ending? Wasn't the hell we all went through not enough for you?"

Kaoru's face fell. She was right and she knew it. For so long, Kaoru's been blinded by her own feelings that she failed to remember how it all even began. "I'm sorry, Megumi-san. It's not that. I recognize the hell we went through, the sacrifices you've made, all of it. But…"

Megumi's glare intensified. "But what? What could possibly be worse than what we've undergone? Please pray tell, Kaoru. I don't want to enumerate all the things we've done for you out of spite or anything, but I need to because you two are delusional."

Kaoru didn't want to tell her because it hurt remembering what happened then. Perhaps today might be the right time to finally tell someone the pain she has been feeling. So she let it out. "Five years ago, when everything settled down, we realized something. We needed to take things slow. We found our truths, our answers to our individual pains. And the answers, the truths didn't include the both of us yet.

"He enjoyed helping others and he wanted to do more. It was the perfect way for him to atone for his sins. And I, I had my own demons to face. Yes, Kenshin defeated Enishi. Yes, he showed me he loved me. But a part of me hasn't accepted the truth about myself. I needed to heal. Alone. And the work at Hikaru helped me to accomplish that. So when an opportunity came for him to work for Red Cross for two years, he accepted it. And we promised that we'd come back to each other—whole and content.

"But after his contract expired, he was different. He looked distraught. And his scar seemed more apparent. As for me, I was never the same again. I was no longer that optimistic Kaoru that first stepped through the doors of Hikaru. I have accepted my past but I've changed. We weren't exactly whole and content. We were broken even more.

"When we saw each other again, we couldn't say anything. We were just crying." Droplets of tears stained the wooden table. Kaoru wiped her cheeks immediately.

Megumi smiled, her expression softening. Since Kaoru's being honest—finally!—she told her truth as well. "That day he was actually going to propose to you. But when he saw how both of you were, he realized it was not the right time." Kenshin actually met up with them after that fateful encounter. She could remember how much his lips quivered when he told them what happened.

Kaoru gasped. She had an inkling he was going to, as she saw the rectangular box stuffed in his blazer. Instead of being happy though, she was frightened. And that reaction terrified her even more.

Megumi continued. "If he had asked you to marry him, would you have said yes?"

Kaoru clenched her fists on her skirt. "I honestly don't know, Megumi-san."

Megumi sighed. "He was probably scared shitless as well. I'm so sorry for my potty mouth. Sano has rubbed off on me."

Kaoru laughed heartily. "It's okay. Just make sure your kids don't hear it."

Megumi tapped her hands on the table. "So, he went to afterwards? And both of you decided not to talk about what happened? That seems out of character, to be honest. The love I saw between you two was something great. It transcended time; it beat the odds. How can you not see that Kaoru?"

Kaoru shook her head. It wasn't at all. Their love endured but... "We've changed, Megumi-san. We're not the same people—"

Megumi held her hand and pressed it. "Yes you are. You've changed but what you feel for each other is still the same. You're just both scared of being rejected. He's probably realized that no matter how many people he's helped, he still aches for you. And that would be selfish of him because he said he'll atone for his sins and to do that, he had to shelve his own desires. And you – you've probably realized that you're not the same Kaoru he's fallen for but you care for him deeply so instead of hurting him by letting go, you choose not to do anything."

Megumi was right. She was fucking right. They separated to find each other's selves, to carry out their individual wishes, to become whole separately. In the end though, they were all they needed to become whole. They were just too scared to admit it.

"Now, little girl, if anything that I've said makes fucking sense, get your shit together and do something about it. Your happy ending is long overdue." Megumi pressed her hand again and smiled.

Kaoru smiled back, reciprocating Megumi's gesture. Indeed, it is.

Kaoru tapped her fingers on her laptop. How do I even begin this? She sighed and typed away.

How are you doing? I hope you're fine. As for me—

She clicked her tongue, pressing 'Back Space' furiously. She tapped her fingers again and debated on the message.

It's been a long time, Kenshin. Do you still remember me? It's just that—

She shook her head. That was lame.

What do I say to you, Kenshin? She sighed and reflected on Megumi's words.

"Hey, Kenshin,

Five years has passed by so quickly.

To be honest, it felt like forever to me. And it's maybe because I still…

What was the word Megumi said?

…ache for you. You know that feeling when you clutch at your chest because it hurts but then there's no wound, no blood? Then you realize it's probably that one thing, that one issue, that one emotion you buried deep down a long time ago. You thought you've mastered the art of pretending not to care. But what you didn't know was that the moment you dug that hole, you were already stuck. And now you're wallowing in that one thing you wanted to avoid.

I ache for you is what I meant. And I've long let it go because I'm scared of who I've become. I've changed and I'm scared to death you'll leave me.

I don't want to run away anymore.

I want to see you. I want to talk to you. I want to hold you.

I don't know if you have the time to read this or if you ever will in time. But I want you to know that I'm ready.

We've been through a lot, Kenshin. And I will go through anything as long as I'm with you.

Love,

Kaoru"

She read the message, poring over and over until her eyes hurt. When she was satisfied with the message, she decided to send it. She stared at the monitor, the insertion point blinking at her. Dragging her mouse to the 'Send' button, she hesitated.

With a resolute sigh, she pressed it.

"Your mail has been set. View message."

A week passed by and Kenshin didn't respond.

Maybe it was a mistake. But she knew it wasn't. What would be a mistake is if she continued this charade.

Maybe she phrased the letter wrong. But she read it countless times before sending it. There was no other way to put it.

Maybe she should call. But she wasn't ready for that. She wouldn't be able to speak once she hears his voice.

Another week and there was none.

Maybe he's just busy? He was always on the field, from what she remembered.

By the 150th time she checked, Kaoru expelled a cheerless sigh.

"Yes I've been there. But Saitou-sama, isn't it wrong timing? I appreciate this project but we are seriously understaffed. Maybe we can give this to another institution?" Kaoru's voice had a hint of frustration.

There were three charity events to be held within the month and that is in addition to the regular patient load, which has been difficult in the past few days. Aoshi suddenly went berserk on the sakura trees the other day. The other patients were also acting up. Accepting anything on top of these is crazy. Literally.

However, from the tone of the former Shinsengumi captain's voice, it wasn't a request but an order. WHO has launched a mental health program for victims of war in Japan. One of the pilot beneficiaries is former samurais who fought during the civil war. As part of the program, WHO enlisted support from top mental health institutions in the country to provide inputs and volunteer service for the samurais. Kaoru understood the appeal of the program as well as its propinquity to Saitou. Given their current situation though, it was impossible.

Saitou spoke calmly. "The project is very important to me, Kaoru-san. You're the best person to handle this. We'll be hiring temps in the meantime. Besides, it's just a few months of bi-weekly sessions, three hours each tops. Time flies by so fast before you know it, it's all over."

You don't say. Kaoru thought. She sighed and unclenched her fists under the table. "Fine, Saitou-sama. I'll do it."

Saitou took his packet of cigarette and tapped one stick out. "Great. I've set up a meeting with you and the chief of operations tomorrow."

Kaoru knotted her brows. "What? So I actually had no choice in the matter?"

Saitou shrugged, lighting the cigarette. "Technically, I did say it was a potential project. But yes, you didn't have a choice in the end."

Kaoru pursed her lips and sighed again.

"The meeting is at 7:00 pm. The company vehicle will take you to the meeting place. Forgot the name of the chief. I did hear his voice over the phone and I'm not sure if he's a he or a she. Well, you'll find out tomorrow. That's all. Thanks, Raccoon Girl." He waved his hand to dismiss her.

"Don't mention it. Saitou-sama." Kaoru stood up and bowed to him. When she turned around, she pouted her lips to make a face.

"Straighten that scrunched-up mouth of yours. You're starting to look like Kitsune-onna." Saitou drawled.

Kaoru grunted and left the room.

Kaoru found it odd that she was meeting the chief that late. Well, he's or she's the chief of operations so he / she probably works long hours. Or has several meetings before ours. She nodded inwardly.

The meeting place was a good two-hour drive away from Hikaru, in Ame. It was on the other side of town, near the seashore. She's been there for a medical mission and loved the place. She recalled telling Akane that if she ever were to buy her own property some day, she'd want one there. Ame was a quaint suburban area, nestled in the middle of pine trees and the ocean. It was a quiet and salty town – the briny waves of the sea dusted the air, the pristine ocean calmed her nerves. As the waves lapped the sand, she felt that these washed away her sadness.

"We're here, Kaoru-san," called out the driver, bringing Kaoru back to reality.

Kaoru peered at where they were. Alighting from the vehicle, she was greeted by a tall, wooden door engraved with a floral design. White lilies, if she wasn't mistaken. The meeting place didn't look like an office or a professional establishment at all. The doorbell stared at her and she pressed it.

"I'll park around the block. See you later, Kaoru-san." The driver closed her door and drove away.

"Please come in." The distended voice urged her and she pushed the door open.

Kaoru nearly gasped from the vision before her. The serpentine walkway leading to the entrance of the bungalow was littered with white lilies, irises, red camellias, and forget-me-nots. Lampposts lit the way, highlighting the soft hues the flowers exuded. She removed her shoes before entering the doorway and looked around the house. The tall ceilings and walls were cemented while the expansive floors were wooden. The living room invited her to sit down as plush, indigo couches encircled a small glass table.

What a nice house. That chief must be rich. Then again why am I meeting him here? She pondered.

"Hello? Is anyone there? It's me, Kaoru Kamiya from Hikaru Medical Center." Her eyes searched for movement but instead fell on a painting of a woman playing the flute at the far left. That painting is just like the one she saw in Chibe. Before dwelling on the matter, she heard a sound from the end of a long hallway.

She decided to go to the source of the sound. The hallway's walls were littered with paintings – a woman cooking ohagi, a farmer plating rice, a samurai unsheathing his sword. These feel so familiar.

In the middle of the hallway, Kaoru saw an adjoining room which led to an empty room. It was a dojo. She entered it gingerly, seeing a lone sword resting overhead. There were empty wooden plates – spaces for students' names. At the farthest corner, she saw several bokkens. Her heart sunk further. She left the dojo and returned to the end of the hallway.

When she reached the end of the hallway, she let out another gasp at the sight she saw. Several sakura trees enclosed a small bench intimate enough for two. Kaoru's heart pounded loudly, painfully. What the—

She stepped out, wearing a readied pair of slippers at the corner, and sauntered to the bench. Beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead; her hands were clammy. Hesitantly, she sat down on the lone bench.

Closing her eyes, she caught the sound of the swaying sakura trees, the splashes of waves by the seashore. And…

The scent of pine trees and the forest.

The footfalls behind her whirled her around. Her breath caught in her throat, her knuckles whitened from surprise.

"Ken—shin?" she squeaked.

His red tresses blew in the wind, tendrils of which smoothing his scar. He wore an untucked, navy blue polo shirt and black slacks; his hands were in his pockets. With a smile, he greeted her. "Hi, Kaoru. Long time no see."

Kenshin approached her and stood beside the empty spot on the bench. Kaoru nearly jumped from standing to greet him. "Y-yes. Long time indeed."

"Please, take a seat." Kenshin led his hand and they both sat down.

Kaoru cleared her throat, which was unbelievably dry. "Wh-what…what are you doing here?"

"I'm heading the mental health program for 'ex-samurais' under WHO." Kaoru tried not to stare at him too much. But she couldn't stop herself. She missed him so much. The contours of his jaw. The thin lips he was currently licking. Those violet eyes that lured her in every time. And his scar. It's fading? She thought.

"Oh. You're the chief. The one Saitou-sama mentioned I will be meeting with?

"Indeed, that's me." Kenshin nodded with a smile.

"So you're with WHO now." Kaoru stared at her feet and realized she was shaking. She tucked them in to stop it.

Kenshin feigned not noticing her tics. "Yes. I started just a few months ago. They have an interesting program on mental health and luckily, I was assigned here to work on that."

"I see."

"How was your—" "How are things at—"

"You go first." Kenshin smiled, tilting his head.

Kaoru sheepishly smiled back and croaked. "How was your last project?"

"It was good, actually. I worked with several groups who teach out-of-school youth as well as provide trainings for basic livelihood to their families. I enjoyed seeing smiling faces and eager minds who wish to contribute something in this new age. It was a very rewarding experience." Kenshin answered cheerfully.

"That's nice. I'm glad it was a great experience for you." Kaoru missed his voice, she realized. She missed his smile. Fuck, how do I even behave around you? Why the hell are you so composed?

Kenshin looked at her, noting the red tint of her cheeks and the sweat pouring down her forehead. He was amused at the rattled girl. "And you? How are things at Hikaru?"

Kaoru tried to sound casual so she prattled. "Very busy. Uno-san recently retired and Tokio-san's gotten us involved in several projects so it's crazy. We have a new nurse, Makimachi Misao. And a new patient, Shinomori Aoshi. Naturally, we paired them together as baptism of fire. Same old things I guess."

"I see. Glad that things are crazy normal." Kenshin nodded. They both laughed at the 'crazy normal' comment, both understanding the reference.

When their laughter died, a pregnant pause hung over the air.

Kenshin broke it first, shifting to a somber mood. "I got your e-mail."

"A-and?" Kaoru stiffened.

Kenshin returned his hands to his pockets. "And I'm sorry if I haven't replied sooner. But I wanted to show you my response rather than tell you over the phone or e-mail."

Kaoru furrowed her brows, confused. "Show me? What are you talking about?"

Kenshin looked at his watch and remarked, "It's almost time. Let's wait awhile."

Kaoru stared at Kenshin. He steadily gazed at the centermost sakura tree. She followed his stare and waited. And gasped again.

Soon, little orbs of light emerged from nowhere. Some flitted in all directions, while others perched on the blossoms. Fireflies. We're surrounded by fireflies.

Then it dawned on her. The flower garden, the dojo, the sakura garden, the fireflies. "The place feels like… our entire life strung together," she said aloud inadvertently. Tears poured down her cheeks.

This time, Kenshin knelt before her, taking her hands and pressing them to his cheeks. "I'm sorry it took me so long to return to you, Kaoru. It took a while to get this place built. Ame's quite a pricey place to buy property in. I also had a hard time looking for a spot where fireflies shone the most. You didn't get to wish at Chibe before, right? I thought you should afford this wonder. And wish for your heart's desire daily.

Tears began running down his face. "Megumi-san was right. I wanted to propose to you that day we met again. But when I saw how you looked at me, I got scared. You were so concerned. And I didn't want to be rejected. When I looked back on what I did, I realized how stupid I was for believing it was better that I left our relationship like that. So I built this house. I wanted to come home to you in a place we'll both belong.

Kenshin pressed further into her hands. "I had faith that by the time this place will be done, we would still be together. It was foolish of me, I know. How dare I? But I kept tabs on you, Kaoru. And when Saitou told me that you frequented the sakura garden holding that wooden top, I knew it was worth the gamble.

Kaoru's hands were trembling, sobs racking her chest uncontrollably. "The day you and Megumi-san met, this place was nearly finished. I just had to wrap some things up at UN before I came here and showed you around. That's why I didn't respond to your e-mail.

Kenshin looked up at her, smiling. "Remember what we said five years ago? When everything's settled, we'll know that enduring the pain of the shell stinging us, the many steps to undertake in eating that sliver of meat, were not a delusion."

Kaoru brushed Kenshin's tears away, smiling and laughing and crying. "Kenshin… I'm so sorry. I almost gave up on us. I was so scared. I didn't want to lose you. I didn't want to face the truth. When I talked to Megumi that day, I woke up. I couldn't stand not doing anything anymore. I love you and I want to be with you."

Kenshin lifted himself up, resting his palms on both sides of her body. Kaoru lowered her head to meet him. Their kiss was soft and chaste; Kenshin met her another time, and Kaoru dove urgently. They caressed each other's faces, pressed into each other's warmth. The kiss became passionate, hungry, and seeking. When they both pulled out of the kiss to breathe, Kenshin rested his forehead on hers.

Kaoru inwardly thanked all the people in her lives who until now helped her and Kenshin realize their happy ending. To think Saitou would aid in the matter made her laugh. Don't worry, minna. I will not fail you.

"So this project with WHO is just a set-up for us to see each other again?" Kaoru wiped the tears on Kenshin's scarred cheek.

Kenshin grazed her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. "It's a legitimate project. It will run for three years. And after that, I will head my own Foundation for mental health patients. My experience in the past five years has made me eager to lead something that can make a difference. I haven't come up with a name yet and I've only talked to a few colleagues to help me run it. But you know, I still lack an able-bodied mental health professional. Would you want to fill in that role?"

Kaoru laughed and hugged him.

"There's also another role I want you to fill." Kenshin shuffled in his chest pocket and brought out a simple ring.

"I love you, Kaoru Kamiya. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

Kaoru nodded but playfully slapped him on the cheeks. "You're a sly dog, Kenshin Himura. I love you too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

With all the roles she had to fill in Kenshin's life and his re-entry into hers, Kaoru knew one thing. Today, March 27, changes everything.

It was Kaoru's last day of work at Hikaru.

Laughing, crying, meeting you

The future ahead of us was shining

Under the sun where the sunflowers sway

I sing about tomorrow as I am

-End of Chapter Fifteen-

References:

Places/ Names: Ame means "rain" in Japanese.

Song: Taiyo no Uta (Song to the Sun) by Amane Kaoru.

End Notes: And that's it! 15 chapters of KenKao finally over. My end notes will contain my reflections and ramblings. You may skip this, as usual :-)

Looking back on my story, I realized that I had so many grammatical errors hahaha. I will revise those within the next months.

On another note, the story would have been complete without the 3rd chapter (remember, the one with the different conversations with Saitou, Sano and Katsura). I can't honestly recall why I inserted that chapter—maybe to characterize Katsura and Megumi further.

Anyways, another thing is that Kenshin's past could have been conversational (as pointed out by one reviewer) but I just had too much fun writing my own version of Tsuiokuhen that I had to go with two chapters.

As I was developing the story, I debated on using Shishio as the main antagonist. The context would have been he was a patient at Hikaru as well, but Yumi was the only one who knew about his existence because he's located underground or something to that effect. Still, the more I thought about it, the more difficult it was to realize for the world I built for the story. And so, I went with Enishi (also I'm partial to the Jinchuu arc sooo *blushes*)

[SPOILER] In case you wanted to know, I am not an AoMis shipper so the last part of the story will not become a full-fledged novel. Sorry if I teased about it. But I think you get the idea that it's going to be good for those two. Yahiko will also be in good hands, although that would not be without a good conking from Sano/ Megumi at certain times.

Gratis: Thank you to the following people who have followed, favorited, and reviewed my story.

As a special request, in your reviews, may I know:

a) what you liked most about the story,

b) what you disliked, and

c) what do you suggest for me as an author?

I would highly appreciate it as a writer. =)

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END OF STORY