Ordinary. That was what Kaoru thought about her day in the dojo. Kenshin still reported to work in the Yamonoya but he returned to the dojo later than usual recently. She only saw him in the early mornings before he left for work. Yahiko had not woken up yet and she was starting to get bored with the cleaning of the dojo. There was a knock on the front door and she placed her broom down to greet the visitor. "What do you want?" Kaoru asked, her voice filled with annoyance when she met the young man. She was not expecting Enishi to show up in the morning and she knew this man was the reason why Kenshin was feeling down.

"This is for you," Enishi said crispy, handing her an envelope.

"What is this?" Kaoru asked, curious about the content of the envelope. It felt heavy.

"Open it."

Kaoru stared at Enishi trying to read his expression but found none. She opened the envelope and found a pair of train tickets to Yokohama and a stack of money in it.

"You are going to help me, aren't you?" said Enishi.
"I never agreed," Kaoru retorted and handed the envelope back to him, "What is this for?"

Enishi ignored her gesture and said, "It's my way of showing appreciation for your cooperation. The train will leave this afternoon." With that Enishi turned away and started walking away.

Kaoru exclaimed, "What? Wait! You can't just walk off like that. I cannot accept this." She ran up to him and blocked his way at the entrance. "What is your intention of doing this?"

"Do you think that man has no feelings for you?" Enishi said.

"What-? What are you talking about?" Kaoru stammered.

"If you want to know, use them," Enishi explained.

"…I don't get it," Kaoru said quietly.

Enishi frowned at the stubborn and guileless woman, "I believe it is rude to decline gifts repetitively in Japanese etiquettes."

"I am not," Kaoru replied weakly. It was so tempting. "This is too much."

"Just take it, woman. I care not what you do with it," Enishi said irritably.

"Still," Kaoru tried to argue but was stopped by his looks. She relented and changed the subject, "Anyway, when are you leaving?"

"Soon," Enishi answered vaguely.

"Oh, you know, I am planning to prepare a farewell party for your family and you before you depart Japan."

"That is unnecessary."

"I insist, who knows when we are meeting your family and you again," Kaoru argued.

Enishi shrugged his shoulder, "Whatever. Have a nice trip."

He walked out of the door and whispered quietly, "Farewell."

"Aren't we suppose to tell everyone we are going to Yokohama?" Yahiko asked Kaoru."Kenshin could be back any time."

"Well, we are in a rush and I left a note. Kenshin will know." Kaoru replied as she looked at the menu on the train. They were boarding the newest train line between Tokyo and Yokohama. The tickets for the economy class were way too expensive and Kaoru could never have been able to afford it. Yet, they were now enjoying the comfortable seats in the first class cabin.

"So, are you going to tell me how you get hold the tickets now?" Yahiko asked, his tone suspicious as he eyed the incomprehensible menu.

"I told you I won a pair of tickets to Yokohama, I am lucky," Kaoru answered, trying to decipher the name of the western dishes on the menu.

Yahiko stared at her with a "I totally don't belive you." look.

"Don't look at me like that, if you don't want to come along. You can always get down at the next station and go back to the dojo yourself. I am going to enjoy myself."

"Whatever," Yahiko huffed. He was not going to miss this good chance to travel on the newest train to the city port.

"Kenshin, have you seen Kaoru or Yahiko?" Sanosuke asked as he was having his lunch at Yamanoya.

"No, what happened?"

"I have not seen her since this morning when I go to the dojo. I thought she might be at the Yamanoya."

Kenshin shook his head, "No, I have not seen her."

"That's strange, even Yahiko is not in."

"Maybe they are training at other dojos," Kenshin suggested. That evening, Kenshin decided to go back with Sanosuke early to see if the Kaoru and Yahiko had returned to the dojo. They were greeted with silence at the door only to see a note on the desk.

"Kenshin, isn't this," Sanosuke said after they read the note.

Kenshin did not wait any further and said hurriedly, "We need to go to Yokohama."

"Are you hiding something?" Yahiko asked, looking at the luxurious ryokan. He was really skeptical of Kaoru winning a lucky draw. It was too good to be true.

"No, quit asking questions!" Kaoru replied.

She did not know what Enishi was planning to do. He gave her a pair of tickets, envelope stuffed with too much money for Kaoru to imagine. He even booked a ryokan for her.

"I am going to take a bath," she said, wanting some time for herself.

It was in the middle of the night when she heard whisper outside her door. Kaoru woke up sleepily and took a look at Yahiko whose blanket was tossed to a corner of the futon. She got up and pulled the blanket over Yahiko. Meanwhile the sound of people talking softly outside the door still persisted and she knew she could not fall back to sleep with the noise. Covering herself with an outer wear, she decided to ask whoever standing outside to have their conversation elsewhere. Opening the shoji, she was shock to find two familiar faces and the inn keeper. The corridor was illuminated by the lanterns.

"Kaoru dono?!" Kenshin exclaimed the moment he saw her and rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"

"Kenshin? Sanosuke" she looked at the two of them. "Why are you here?" … in Yokohama.

"We thought you were kidnapped" Sanosuke explained.

"What? Who told you? I left a note."

Kenshin held out the piece of paper. That was not the note she left on the table. Someone swapped it.

Enishi.

"Clearly, this is not the note Kaoru dono has left us," said Kenshin as he read Kaoru's expression.
"So why are you doing here in Yokohama? Is Yahiko with you?" Sanosuke asked heatedly, even though he was relieved that Kaoru was safe and sound.

"Eh, holiday?" Kaoru answered lamely. "And Yahiko is sleeping."

"Holiday? You had us worried and we thought you were in danger," Sanosuke seethed.

"Shh, you will wake the rest of the people," said Kenshin in a lowered voice.

"Whatever, tomorrow we will go back to Tokyo," said Sanosuke as he crossed his hands.

Kaoru nodded and apologized to both of them. Then they went to the reception area to request for two more sets of futon for all the ryokan was fully booked.

"I am glad you are alright, Kaoru dono," said Kenshin.

"How did you afford to stay a night here?" asked Sanosuke.

"I won a lucky draw."

"Really? Funny, we thought this must be a joke when the note directed us to this place."

Kaoru dismissed his comment and turned her attention to the rurounin. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to stop lying. She wanted to stop being selfish. Because she knew Kenshin cared for her, respected her, treated her well. Yet, he does not love in that way.

So, Kaoru breathed deeply before she spoke the truth, "It was Enishi who gave me the tickets to me."

"Enishi?" Sanosuke exclaimed. "Why would he do that?"

At the moment, both Kaoru and Kenshin knew the answer instantly. Enishi was not kind to his adversary. He was going to take his family to Shanghai. Tomoe was leaving. He needed to see her again.

Kaoru sensed Kenshin's apprehension and displeasure. She bit her lips and made a vow to make this easier for him. "Kenshin, what is Tomoe san to you?" asked Kaoru. She did not know she was trembling until she heard her own voice.

Kenshin looked away from her and slowly lifted a hand and placed it across his heart.

Times change but people don't change.

I am sorry but I cannot leave her.

Though she already knew the answer, it still pain her to see him admit it. Kaoru blinked to get rid of the stinging sensation on her eyes. "I….I…" she paused. It was no use apologizing now. There was simply no time for other things. There was not much time left. "Go find her…" she said softly as she pressed a few notes into Kenshin's hand. It would be more than enough for him to get trishaw to arrive back to Tokyo in the fastest way.

Kenshin bowed and whispered his gratitude sincerely before making his way out of the ryokan swiftly.

"Kenshin!" Sanosuke shouted, prepared to give chase but Kaoru held onto his kimono and shook her head. Sanosuke turned around, shocked at her reaction, "Where is he going?"
"To find his heart."

"Thank you so much for your help," Tomoe said with a deep bow.

"I will miss you," Okami said.

"Tomoe san," Natsuo said and hugged her, "Promise to write to us often."

"I promise," said Tomoe.

"Nee chan, it's time."

Tomoe's eyes scanned to look for a figure with red-hair but he was not there. Suppressing a sigh, she stepped onto the deck and boarded the ship.

Even if she wished to not bind him, refused him, he still see her as his one and only love. He needed to see her one last time, he could not lose her not like that, not again.

"Sir, where can I board the ship to Shanghai?"

"There is no more ship to Shanghai this week, you will have to board the next ship later this month."

Kenshin needed not ask any more questions for the ship had sailed and he was too late.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Aren't you going down the mountain to visit your friends?" asked Hiko Seijuro as he poured himself a generous portion of sake.

Fifteen years. It has been fifteen years since Kenshin's last visited Edo. After Tomoe left, he wandered for a year and more before returning to the high mountains where his master resided. His master did not ask any questions and let his disciple stayed with him in the mountains. Kenshin found a plot of fertile land and planted vegetables and fruits during his spare times.

Sanosuke had made short visits but stopped when he moved to Mongolia. Kamiya Kaoru married a decent young man who trained at another dojo and they had two children. Okami was still in relative good health and Natsuo had taken over the family business. His friends were happy, that was all he needed to know.

"I will be back," said Kenshin as he packed lightly and headed down the mountain.

He had visited the Kamiya dojo and decided to visit the inn.

"Himura san!" Natsuo exclaimed when she saw him at the door. "It has been a while. I am so surprise to see you. Why didn't you contact us?"

"I am sorry for visiting without prior notice," said Kenshin.

"No, no need to apologize, it's just so sudden. Oh, where are my manners, please take a sit," Natsuo quickly ushered him to a table and took his order. Natsuo was grinning when she left and Kenshin thought she was just happy to see him again. Kenshin helped himself with a cup of tea while he waited for his food. He did not like the taste and decided he would order sake later. It was not long before his order was ready and he drank the sake in a gulp. It tasted bitter and empty as usual. Before he finished his meal, Okami came out and greeted him with eagerness.

"Thank you so much. The meal was delicious."

"I am glad you liked it. Please come back again," said Okami with a smile, showing her wrinkles.

"Yes, I will."

"Take care. See you again," Natsuo waved to him.

He walked past the pathway along the river. There were many people around. He stopped in the middle of the bridge and looked at the narrow river. There was many changes to the Tokyo area, more robust and modernized with electric lamps. Feeling a presence neared him, he ignore it, there was no malice. Probably just some passerby who wanted to get a closer look at the river.

"Himura san, it seems you have forgotten something."

Kenshin could not believe his ears. The female voice was smooth like hers but her perfume, how could he not noticed. He turned around immediately and was greeted by her warm smile.

"It has been a while Himura san."

"Tomoe?" said Kenshin. Why? How?

"I am back," Tomoe greeted him with her sweet smile. Her hair was cut short and she was wearing modern clothing. He doubt he would recognize her from the back. She was still beautiful and looked young for her age.

He composed himself and calmly replied, "Welcome back."

There were so many questions. She simply joined him by the bridge and looked towards the river.

"When did you come back?"

"Two months ago," Tomoe answered. "Enishi is not happy with my decision but after talking with him, he agreed that coming back to Japan is the best thing for me. Shanghai is an amazing city but it did not feel like home. During my stay, I missed Edo, this river, Okami san and her family, everyone and you."

She missed his presence, she truly did.

"How about you? I could not contact you since you moved out of Kamiya dojo. Kamiya san told me you were staying in a village in the countryside." She seemed nervous to hear his answer.

"That's right. I have been staying near my Shishio. I built a house and I have a farm of my own."

"I see, then have you met someone?"

"There is only you, Tomoe."

Tomoe smiled and said, "You know, I am glad Enishi is wrong. He said you must have gotten married and settled down."

To keep the conversation going, he asked, "So what did I forget in the inn?"

Tomoe grinned, "You have already found it."

"I am afraid I do not understand you are referring to," said Kenshin.

Tomoe thought then, 'no wonder this man is called a baka deshi' from where she gathered from the diary.

Tomoe reached out and held his hand in hers before pressing it to his heart. "This."

It was only a touch and Kenshin looked at her, there was acceptance and passion in her eyes. She blushed and he was sure he was blushing as well. But he did not care.

"You are right, this." He clasped her hands with his.

"I am sorry for letting you wait so long," said Tomoe.

"I am always waiting for you but this time I will never let you go," Kenshin said, his tone was serious and his eyes told her how much he longed for her.

Tomoe smiled and said, "We are not young anymore."

"Then let's get married."

"Truly?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

…..