Hey guys, I am really sorry it has taken so long to get this up. I was having real problems deciding how to conclude the story so thank you for bearing with me.

Co chan

DISCLAIMER

I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters. Though I totally wish they had included the Enishi arc in the animated series... :'(

The Beginning of the End

Days had now passed at Enishi's mansion and the tension in the air could be cut with a knife. Kaoru had yet to waken from her ordeal which meant that could not yet be taken home to recuperate. Megumi stayed by her side every moment, having set up a spare bed for herself in the room. The room that Kaoru was now residing in was the main bedroom; in other words, Enishi's bedroom.

He had quite willingly given up his quarters to accommodate the two women. Sanosuke had taken up a permanent residence outside the door as he did not trust Enishi as far as he could throw him.

Every time Enishi passed by the two men would lock stares, turquoise meeting mahogany in a battle of wills. It usually ended with Enishi letting out a sigh and continuing on his way. He just could not bring himself to ask if he could see her. The pleasure it would bring that cocky rooster head would be too much to bear. He heard the female doctor and the rooster discussing what was to be done for the ailing Kaoru.

"She refuses to wake Sanosuke. If she does not awaken by the week's end it bodes very ill," she said quietly.

"What do you mean Fox?"

"I mean she mightn't wake at all. And her colour worsens by the day. I fear her body may be rejecting the pregnancy due to the trauma it has received," she explained with a cracking voice.

"Jou-chan's a tough girl Fox. She wouldn't let anything bring her down like this," Sano reassured, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Now come and I'll fix you some tea, Jou-chan isn't going anywhere," he suggested as he steered Megumi towards the kitchen.

In doing so he had momentarily forgotten his guarding role and Enishi seized the moment. Enishi crept slowly into the quarters, his sights set on the pale figure resting on the bed. Kaoru's skin was ashen and coated with sweat. She was dressed in fresh bandages but her body looked as if it were fighting infection. But there was no way her wound could possibly be as he had watched the lady doctor treat it with the utmost care.

He placed a hand on her forehead and whispered, "Please get well Kaoru."

After looking at her for what had only felt like minutes he heard the tell-tale signs of the doctor's return. He glanced at Kaoru one last time before he exited the room and moved towards his new quarters to spend the night.

A piercing scream shocked him from his bed. He looked out the window and deduced it was not yet dawn. Upon hearing a panicked voice yelling he quickly rose and hurried to the source.

"Sanosuke, go and boil some water. Also grab me some clean material," Megumi ordered.

Sanosuke went to the kitchen to do so but he realised he had no clue where to find anything in this place. As if summoned, Enishi appeared behind him with an armful of fresh towels. Sanosuke glanced at him and tensed before muttering gruff thanks. He then ran back to Megumi to deliver the items. Enishi followed behind him but upon handing over what was needed they were both shoved from the room by an exasperated female doctor.

Hours passed, and so intent were they on listening to the goings on in the room that the two men had forgotten to cast even one glare at each other. Eventually a tired Megumi stepped out of the room. Enishi tried to ask the question but words failed him.

Megumi turned her gaze upon him and explained quietly, "Kaoru lost the baby."

Enishi paled at hearing these words but forced himself to ask, "And Kaoru?"

"She is awake but I cannot stop the bleeding. The miscarriage has brought on internal complications and…"she took a shaking breath, "there is nothing more I can do."

At admitting this Megumi fell to her knees, her hands wiping at the tears streaming from her eyes. Sanosuke knelt to hold her, his own face riddled with shock. Enishi turned away from the two and began to walk away but was interrupted.

"She wishes to see you," the voice croaked.

He looked back and was met with the teary eyes of the doctor, "she wishes to see you."

With a nod he walked back towards the door and entered the room slowly. Instead of the limp form that had greeted him the day before he was received with a nod. He took a deep breath at the sight of her. With her eyes open he could see the sparkle that had once been was replaced by a dull blue-grey. She could not even raise herself to sit before him but he had never seen anything so beautiful.

"Kaoru, why?" was all that he managed as he looked upon her and seated himself beside her.

"I did not do it for you," she responded quietly.

He looked down at his hands as rejection set in but a voice cut in once more, "or maybe I did…"

He looked up in surprise at this statement.

"I wanted to protect you both for her," she said quietly. "Tomoe-san never would have wanted that. Her spirit needs to rest."

The mention of his sister set Enishi's mind reeling but he was quickly brought back to reality.

"She showed her to me you know? Tomoe-san showed me our daughter," Kaoru went on as tears began to trickle from her eyes.

Enishi reached out and took one of Kaoru's hands in his own as he watched on but her voice had begun to fail. As he sat there he could see the light start to fade from her eyes.

With one last effort Kaoru met Enishi's eyes, "I could have learned to love for her."

As the words left her lips Kaoru's eyes dulled and stillness crept over her body. Enishi cupped her face with his hand and put his forehead to hers as a sob racked his body.

An inhuman wail coursed from the broken man, echoing his heartbreak and despair.

"KAORU!"

The funeral was held back in Tokyo where many friends appeared to pay their respects. At the back of the procession a tall man wearing a cloak stood, a hint of silver hair revealing itself. He gazed upon the casket, and when he could not take looking anymore he turned to walk away. His stride was broken when he heard a baby-like giggle. As he turned Megumi appeared beside him holding a small bundle wrapped in a blanket.

She pulled back the material to reveal a baby. As he peered closer the baby looked back at him, sea-green met sea-green and he gasped at the miniature version of Kaoru before him.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you but I wasn't sure what Kaoru wanted…" Megumi started, her gaze not leaving the little girl. "She was going to call her Tomoe, but not meaning any disrespect we thought there was another name more suited for her."

Enishi looked at her questioningly, "… Onna no ko no namae wa nan desu ka?"

Megumi finally looked up at him, "Tohru."

He reached out his hand towards the tiny miracle, a smile slowly creeping across his face. As his hand came close to her tiny fingers reached out and curled around his index finger.

"Tohru…" he repeated.

As Megumi watched on she witnessed a light start to creep back into dull green eyes. She looked up and saw that just across the courtyard there stood two beautiful women; one with ivory skin and dark eyes that looked as if they hid many secrets and the other… she shook her head in disbelief.

There before her stood Kaoru, her eyes sparkling and with a smile on her face. With a nod from the pale woman, who she could only assume was Tomoe, Kaoru turned and the two women walked away. Megumi blinked and the vision was gone. She turned her gaze back towards Enishi and his daughter and smiled, knowing that somehow things would be okay.

Author's note:

I had a really hard time getting the ending right and I wanted to do a good job for you guys. Originally it was going to be a lot darker so I am happy that I managed to get a bit a light back into the story.

Also I have written the POV of Kenshin. It is called Through the Looking Glass. Feel free to take a look.

Co chan