As time passes 

Chapter 1 - A fresh new start


 

**Hi there to you all reading this! A billion thanks for your interest, I really appreciate it =) However, a note that my story is manga based, so there may be some characters not present as in the anime. But anyway, hope you guys enjoy it!** 

 


 

Kenshin laid on lush greens by the pond and looked at the starry skies, as Kaoru hugged closer to him under his warm and comforting arm. The fresh atmosphere surrounded the couple whilst fireflies danced atop the still water, beautifying the place with their soft glow. None said a word yet for the peace that was present was enough to leave them breathless in appreciation. Such quiet moments together was what they had longed for, where the fighting and hurting had come to a rest, leaving bliss behind to be thoroughly enjoyed. A year has passed since Kaoru was rescued, a fresh new start had begun. 


“Thank you,” Kenshin whispered close to her ear. “Thank you for happiness when I’m with you.” 


Kaoru looked up at him surprised, then smiled. “Thank you...for you.” She laid her head on his warm chest as he lovingly wrapped his arms around her. Nothing else mattered for they were together.


‘This time being it forever.’ Kenshin vowed in his thoughts. 


Under the moonlit night of spring with no disturbance, the two lovers slept with truly, sweet dreams.


**


“Two more beers, please!” chorused two drunkards in a corner of the restaurant. Tsubame came in a hurry from attending other customers, and brought two large ceramic bottles to them. She looked worriedly at the younger one as she poured into his cup already stretched out in front of her. 


“Yahiko, haven’t you had enough? Please don’t drink too much!”


He was definitely not sober and has gone to the point of puking out any moment. Which he did, unfortunately, on Sano, who shouted with rage in response. The volume of alcohol Yahiko drank were nothing compared to what would make him drunk. “You can’t even hold a candle to me, you idiot!”


“Oh yeah? Don’t let me whack you!” Yahiko said subconsciously, before emptying what he ate for dinner...and lunch. Tsubame chuckled for an instant, then quickly rushed to get some hot tea to lessen his intoxicated effect. Sano was in a joyous mood that day, hence did not brawl too much in fury or add a few bumps to Yahiko’s spiky head. From the usual visit to Megumi’s clinic that afternoon, his right fist had been completely healed, ridding an anxiety when using that fist to strut the attack he was proud of. Just when his tolerance had reached it’s peak, in came through the sliding doors, his saviour.


“I knew you guys would be here,” smiled Megumi, heading to where they were sitting, nevertheless bringing her medicine box with her, as she did everywhere she went. “Where’s Kenshin and Kaoru?” 


“Having their own quiet time,” Sano answered, but still not acknowledging her presence here, not bothering to make a space for her to sit. That is, until she pulled his ear and twisted it. 


“Is that how you show your gratitude, baka?” she warned before releasing her victim in a state pain, much accompanied by cursing. It was late into the night as the restaurant was about to close, hence after much persuading, Tae and Tsubame joined them for supper, relaxing from their work after a long hard day. The ‘happy’ reunion scene was much deserved of, after what everyone had gone through. Life went by each day as usual, but fulfilled with hope and joy, for the worst was over as they knew it. The laughter and smiles filled the air, going beyond the cellings and walls of Akabeko.


Deep in the dark of half-past three they bid each other farewell, Sano being the one to send Megumi home. Yahiko grinned at the scene of them walking together, but trying to keep a distance apart. He knew their relationship was developing and moving further out of being just friends. But judging how they usually treat each other was an amusing sight, leaving it quite impossible for them to be a couple. He shook his head and shrugged the matter away, waving goodbye to Tsubame and Tae and heading home to the dojo. 

Thanks to the tea Tsubame brought, he regained sense, but felt the night was still too young. Something told him Kenshin and Kaoru would not be at home yet, so it wouldn’t worry them if he came back late. The growling in his stomach convinced him to walk in the direction of a stand-by ramen shop by the streets which were opened throughout the night. He dug into his pocket for money, sufficient for a bowl of hot, steaming, delicious...he ran impatiently towards the shop.

“A bowl, please.” Within a minute, Yahiko was served. ’Just more practice tomorrow, and I’ll be fine.’ He thought to himself, comforting him of all the weight he was going to gain from all the food he ate that day, then without further thought, dug in enjoyably. A while through the meal Yahiko noticed the man beside him, who seemed to be acting in a way, strange. Dressed in old and worn clothes of what used to be of good quality, the tall man looked like another member of beggars from the street, making their home in Rakuninmura. His face was dirty and unshaved, and if observed carefully, there were old trails of bloodstain. Much worse, he stank badly, a little ruining the appetite Yahiko had. However the strange thing about him was his way of eating. It was unlike how other poor beggars from the street ate. Although it was just a simple meal consisting of a pair of chopsticks to eat with, the man sat up straight and ate like a prince, not slurping or gobbling the food, but savouring it in a most gentlemanly way. Strangely, he looked familiar too. 

“Thank you,” the man stood up and left the money on the table. He picked up some things on the ground blocked from view when he was sitting down. At that point, it was unmistakable. The long Japanese sword with two braided strings in loose threads at the end; and an old book who seemed dug from under the ground. 

Yahiko almost choked. “Enishi!”