Chapter 5 : A step too deep? Kaoru came home to the dojo is puzzlement, but nonetheless joyful as usual. Although it was a surprise to meet up with her captive from the past, but no grudges were held, no feelings of fright were felt. She was surprised but at the same time glad how Kenshin handled the matter, with maturity and certainly putting the past behind him. Kenshin had changed, for the better. She looked at his sweet sleeping manner in his room, and blew a kiss before sliding close the door. The glowing moon shone it’s rays through Sano’s window, and fell on his open palm. He looked at it dearly and pretty much forgotten what happened the previous night. It was his fist that he once depended on for his meals, money. It was his fist which led him to know Kenshin and found a new meaning to life, and it was his fist that got him...closer to Megumi. He couldn’t be sure of the situation now, they still had quarrels and arguments sometime even leading to fights. But, he felt and knew it was different from the past, they were closer in a way, more than just friends, much more than a doctor-patient relationship. He wanted to know where it was going. The birds on the tree chirped happily, singing morning songs to those who were still asleep. Kenshin rolled on his bed, satisfied with the restful sleep he had, with no disturbance from dreams or the real world. In recent weeks had he been able to enjoy peaceful nights without waking up in haunting memories of the past he had tried so hard to atone for. The shameful mistakes had finally found their answers. He had tried his best. Really. He blinked the sleep away, and urged himself to awake and make breakfast. As he got up, the ribbon which was wrung around his soft red hair fell off, letting his red locks fall down on his shoulders and chest. “Oro?” the crimson ribbon he clutched had worn off from long usage, it was time to get a new one. He shook his hair to the back and proceeded to the kitchen, almost hearing Yahiko snore in the next room. Settling the dishes on the table, he took off his apron and settled down, waiting for the rest. But they had not arrived, perhaps still sleeping. Finding it weird that they were be up so late, Kenshin went about to their rooms and peeked in. No one. No one was at home. He shook his head in confusion and continued searching. If either Yahiko or Kaoru went out, they would inform him, especially Kaoru. Was he still dreaming? Looking at the food he prepared turning cold, he decided he’d tuck in first, and wait patiently, sure of some good reason behind it. “Still tastes better than Kaoru’s.” he had to admit, it was undeniable! Halfway through, the gate outside opened, and a commotion was heard. “I told you not to run with it! See, now we have to get new one.” “It wasn’t my fault ugly, I told you to hurry, but you had to take your own sweet time.” The familiar voices bought a smile to Kenshin’s face, who was starting to worry for their safety. He stood up to welcome them, then stopped abruptly at the figure standing at the back of the two. “Don’t look at me like that, you asked me to come.” Enishi claimed. “We met him at the market, and asked him to join us for breakfast.” Kaoru quipped, after snatching the tofu bucket from Yahiko, giving a ‘you’re-gonna-drop-it-again’ look. “Soka...” nodded Kenshin, walking forward to them, but could not help wondering at the suddenness of the situation. I did ask him for tea...but... Enishi placed his hands in his pocket, peering around curiously. The group had been ecstatic from last night’s supper, begging him for more. There was nothing much to do anyway, so he made his way to the market in search of food to steal, unexpectedly meeting up with them. Instead of pre-cooked stale food he would get, why not nice home-cooked food from someone who’s inviting him as a guest? It didn’t seem that bad after all, hence accepted the offer. “We wanted to surprise you with a feast, but she was caught up drooling over new kimonos.” Yahiko pointed to Kaoru, who lifted two bagfuls of new clothes, not feeling much guilty about it, even proud. “It’s okay, I cooked breakfast already.” Kenshin ushered them in, standing at the doorway till Enishi entered. He held his arm in a gentle manner, intending no harm. Though his character had changed to somewhat more friendly and optimistic, his appearance was still pretty saddening. “The towels are in the bath house, I’ll get you new clothes. Why don’t you go freshen yourself up?” Kenshin suggested, trying not to be the least insultive. But the point was obvious enough. A meal and a bath, why not? Enishi nodded and headed there, quite looking forward to it. The rest didn’t seem to notice how tightly Enishi gripped on his sword and the old diary. Kenshin looked at the walking figure with a slight suspicion. He really just came for tea, did he? It seems Kaoru had fully accepted him, as she first easily accepted the Battousai. Her innocence was stunning and touching at the same time, but it greatly worried Kenshin what hard it may bring, the risks she would take. Please let him just come for tea. “So...” Kaoru smiled, thoroughly enjoying the meal Kenshin cooked. “where are you staying now?” “Where he once stayed.” he glanced in the direction of the one sitting facing him. Kaoru tilted her head to the side in puzzlement, winning a chuckle from Kenshin and a slap in the forehead from Sano, who arrived minutes after Enishi did. “Rakuninmura,” Yahiko voiced out. “He now lives in Rajuninmura, silly.” “That explains your dressing...opps!” she quickly covered her mouth with both hands. “I didn’t mean that, sorry.” Enishi brushed it off, it meant nothing. “It’s true after all, don’t be sorry.” “But,” Kenshin placed his chopsticks down, he showed genuine concern. “don’t you have other plans?” Sano added. “Yeah, you can’t stay in the dump yard forever.” He placed a hand to his now soft locks of white, clean from dirt and grime. He had not taken a bath for about a year, and if not for his well built, he’d be stricken with serious disease by now. The bath room had a clean sharp blade to shave with, put into good use at the end of the cleaning. He was refreshed and loved that feeling. “Well, I can’t go looking for another brother-in-law to take my revenge on.” he said jokingly, grinning a little. “Besides, I chose how I lived now, there‘s not much anywhere I could go anyway.” he tucked in more of the delicious food. Enishi had tasted the Battousai’s sword, but never his cooking. He definitely preferred the cooking. “Come stay with us then.” Yahiko said, as if the whole dojo was his. “You’ll only need to pay the price of eating Kaoru’s horrible food.” *BISH!! THWHACK!!* “Good idea! We still have rooms, if you don’t mind their small size.” she said cheerfully after beating the pulp out of her student. Kenshin froze at her quick reply, her care was authentic. She was really welcoming Enishi with open arms. Kaoru? Do you know what you’re doing Kaoru? Enishi stopped chewing his rice and looked down on his bowl, head bowed with an expressionless face hidden from view. Why are they being so nice to me? I almost got them all killed, cause the Battousai to go through hell and almost destroyed their home, their happiness. Am I in for a trick? Are they planning revenge? He planned to let it all go, nothing did matter anymore. But since that day he met Yahiko by the road side stall, something stirred inside him. It was emotions that he had lost long ago, since the day his sister left home and happiness lost it’s meaning. For years he had been born with hatred, to the bone and his very soul. From Tomoe’s diary, it all washed away, but too quick and sudden, leaving only emptiness, nothing else. Now was the cause of hatred showing acts of love, love that were gone long, long ago. Can I say yes? He so wanted to. “I...I don’t know.” he blurted out, still looking down. “I don’t...” “It’s okay,” Kaoru placed a comforting hand on his. “take your time, we’ll always be open to you.” He looked up, eyes wide with shock. “But...why? Of all...” She knows what she’s doing. She knew what she was doing when she asked a deadly killer to stay. No...she asked me, Himura Kenshin to stay. Now’s she’s asking Enishi Yukishiro, not her past captive, a friend. What am I to say she’s wrong? “It’s in the past. We are not holding any grudges against you.” Kenshin assured. “For my evil past of deaths and blood, I am no longer bonded to that. I took a new step, a painful one of truth and change, and I am grateful to be accepted.” He took and twined fingers with Kaoru under the table. Lovingly, they squeezed each other hands, securing their love with every word sincerely meant. “Don’t dwell in the past anymore, take a new step.” It’s not supposed to matter anymore, my only love is dead, the only person I cared for. I want to give everything up, but...I don’t see her anymore, it’s them who are smiling at me now. Sano slapped him in the back. “Come on, it’s not always you get an invitation by Jou-chan. Take it as my apology for yesterday, ne?” They smile like she did. So full of real love within. My heart doesn’t allow me to give it all up. Enishi lifted his head slowly, and smiled back at them. His face aching with tiredness from the frowns he’d been used to, but he smiled willingly abiding his heart. “Just let Kenshin do the cooking daily.” Kenshin desperately held Kaoru who was about to bite Enishi’s head off. The way she smiles. So full of real love within. My heart doesn’t allow me to stop her. He’s my brother after all.