Hello! This is one of my short shots of RK, my native language is Spanish, but I'm studying and practicing english, some vocabulary I had to use a Translator so I apologize for that, if there's mistakes you notice, please notify me :)) Hope you like it


Rurouni Kenshin's characters do not belong to me, but to Nobuhiro Watsuki.

My feet are heavy, I find it difficult to breathe with each step, I feel that my lungs are going to explode, some people have wanted to stop me to give me support, but I do not let them, I do not want to stop moving forward, for a long time my thoughts are only of you , but, who are you? Kaoru, Kaoru, Kaoru, is the only thing I repeat in my mind, Sanosuke told me that if I came back to you, I would regain my memory ... I didn't even know that ... I wasn't aware of what I was doing in that place, I didn't know who that young man was until he came to me, I didn't even know my name was Kenshin, just that I desperately needed to go home.

Home ... a home to return to, is that where you are? Who are you?

Since I got off the boat, the sensation was so familiar, I don't know where I'm going, but my body moves on its own, as if my feet automatically recognized the ground I'm walking on, indicating the way to where my destination is.

"Uh ..." I brought my hand to my mouth and coughed when I choked on what I think is my own saliva, I was wrong ... I saw the blood stain on my hand, I need to rest ... I must stop to recover. But… I know that I should stop, why don't I? I continue advancing, with clumsy and slow steps, the afternoon is going very fast, or perhaps I am the one who is not advancing enough ... the sunset is by my side, the sound of the water flowing from the river calms me a little. The river…

"... It won't be long ..." I was surprised by my words, I can visualize the road to a town, the cherry blossom trees mark the entrance, and suddenly as if they inserted the image into my head, I can see you ... Sakura petals fluttering with the wind caressing your face, Kaoru ... how could I forget such a beautiful being ...? your whitish skin, your long dark hair, your beautiful eyes and your gentle smile ... how beautiful you are, but who are you? What are you to me that I remember you with so much love and pain ...?

As soon as I crossed the entrance of cherry trees, it was as if each step I took, a memory came to my mind, each one to do with you ... a young woman who I helped from a tyrant, you are a teacher of a dojo, you received me as a tenant, I rescue you from a murderer, we parted ways, you followed me to Kyoto, you helped me to come back, we kissed in a place not far from here, I rescued you on an island, we returned home ... you asked me to start a family ... you gave me a child ...

- ... How was I so blind? I thought, sighing. I almost tripped, my body doesn't help me much, but I don't want to stop, I want to go to you as soon as possible, fulfill the promise I made to you. I raise my gaze by hearing footsteps not far from where I am, weak steps but that come in a hurry, suddenly I saw you ... you were only with an inner yukata, your hair loose, I saw bandages on certain parts of your body, and your figure is different from my memories but ... you keep smiling just as warmly, your eyes did not lose their expression, you are so beautiful ... as soon as you saw me you began to open your arms to receive me, I am not going to deny it, I was excited, I staggered to want to move faster but I did not succeed, I felt you close and my legs could not answer me anymore, I dropped but I was well received in your arms, I reciprocated the hug with the few strength I had left and buried my face in your chest. Your familiar scent flooded me ... ah ... yes, this intoxicating fragrance could only come from you, my Kaoru ... my sweet and loving wife ...

"... I'm home ... Kaoru ..." I murmured smiling against her body and she returned my hug.

"Welcome home ... Shinta ..." With pronouncing the name my parents assigned me, all the memories I had lost, flooded me mercilessly, my whole life passed before my eyes and I understood many things that Sano told me nights ago. Your arms comforted me like never before, let me make the affections that you gave me at that moment, but when you looked for my lips, time stopped for me, as I could, I reciprocated hoping to return the same love that you were giving me.

"The cherry trees, we should take advantage of seeing them all together… with Kenji, Yahiko, Tsubame… Megumi and Tae, I'm sure everyone would like to see them. "I smiled as I recognized and remembered each name mentioned." And next year, and the year after that, I bet Yahiko will be a dad then." I agreed with you and you smiled at the latter.

" Shinta? You must be tired ... " I wanted to deny and answer that it was not like that, that I felt very good listening to what you were saying, but I knew that you were not addressing me, but rather my inert body that rested on your lap. I don't know at what exact moment it was, when you helped me to sit under this tree, you wrapped me up with your robe, you laid my head on your legs and you began to caress my hair ... I felt so peaceful and calm in your presence, Your sweet voice calmed me for a few moments and little by little it faded away, when I realized it, I was already sitting here next to you, listening to the rest of your conversation. "At last ... at last it disappeared ..." I saw how a couple of tears touched the place where my scar used to be, I put my hand in my cheek feeling my smooth skin again, I saw how you bowed and cried for my departure.

I'm sorry Kaoru, it was not my intention for this to end like this, for you and I to end like this ... after everything you did for me ... but I'm happy to be able, for the last time, to have been in your arms. I'm sorry I had to leave you alone even though you begged me not to, I'm sorry that it took me so long to come back, I'm sorry I couldn't give you the life you deserved… what can I do for you? Now that you are suffering again.

"It seems I was on time ..." I turned to see who had spoken, I just smiled when I recognized you

"Tomoe ..." I was with you again. "Have you been here long?"

"Not really, I was informed that you would probably cross over to this side today, and I see they were right," as always, you answered me serenely, then you focused your gaze on Kaoru who was still crying and hugging my body. "Ready?"

"For what?"

"I came for you, to accompany you so that you can rest, I was your wife once ... and that's what I owe you after what you did for my brother." You extended your hand and smiled at me like when we were together many years ago.

"Rest…?" She nodded, it was what I wanted the most, to finally leave my sorrows behind and be able to rest peacefully. For a moment, I was about to accept and hold your hand, until a new sob from Kaoru made me turn to her.

"... Shinta ... my love ... oh ... Shinta ..."

"Kaoru" I called you with my mind, my little and beloved Kaoru. I turned my gaze to you and after thinking about it I shook my head,

"I'm sorry to have to refuse your offer, but I'd like to stay here…" You looked at me in surprise.

"Stay? Do you wish to roam like a lost soul?" I laughed after your comment.

"I'm not a lost soul, I just… I want to wait for her… I thank you, Tomoe, for coming for me… but… Kaoru is the love of my life, and I am her husband… she waited for me so long that I don't feel good if I do not do the same. I'm so sorry that you had to come to take the trouble again… "I saw how you kept your posture and you gave me an empathetic look.

"It was nothing, if it's your wish, I'll respect it ... I'm relieved to know your feelings about this young woman ... well, then, this is the goodbye." After nodding with you again, you walked away and disappeared from my sight.

I turned my gaze to you, and without being able to help it, I knelt down and hugged you, I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but you stopped your wailing and whispered my name again. I heard the footsteps of Yahiko and Kenji, who took care of everything about my wake afterwards.

I am by your side, watching as they finish burying the container where my body lies, I see the great changes of these years in our friends and changes in the dojo.

"Shinta ... please wait for me ..." you murmured very softly, heading to my tombstone, no one was aware of what you said, but I was. I leaned close to your side, and whispered in your ear.

"As long as it takes ..." Your astonished face confirmed that you perceived my response, your calm face followed by your smile relieved me, just as you waited for my return, I will wait for you, and thus, we will meet again and this time I won't leave your side