34Summary: What's a man to do when he returns from the battle field to find everything he'd left behind different. The girl he loves is no longer his and society lacks fulfillment. A Klondike Gold Rush drabble...
At the Pass
Boston, Massachusetts
September 3, 1898
He was home. After all the fighting and bloodshed, he finally made it back to Boston. To the woman he loved. He never thought he'd survive it all—the rain of bullets, the disease—to return to this. It was sudden and not what he had expected to find when he rode into town. His eyes took in the woman standing in front of him, dark hair piled elegantly on top of her head and soft brown eyes shining with happiness and even maybe a little pity. He looked away. Pity was in the faces of too many old friends. He could tell she was happy he was alive but it was the pity that wounded him. The face that got him through the worst of the nightmares was not his any longer. He didn't blame her. No, he blamed himself. He was covered in blood and the guilt of his crimes hung over him. Crimes he committed in the name of the Monroe Doctrine. The blood was gone now but the guilt would never leave. Looking up, he saw her watching him anxiously. He didn't deserve her. Probably never deserved her. She deserved the high-bred life. The social atmosphere and the attention that drew others to her. He had no place with her anymore. At one point in his life he might have easily moved within the upper circles of society with her help. Her soft, lilting voice broke through his depressing thoughts. "Don't look at me like that, Kenshin. Please don't look at me like that. Be happy for me, please?"
The red-haired man turned amethyst eyes away from her, tilting his head in hopes of hiding his guilt and regret. At one time—Movement distracted him from his thoughts and he saw her hand clasp a delicate necklace, seeking comfort in its familiarity. She'd kept it. He swallowed thickly, his hand shaking as he absently tugged on his coat. Kenshin felt out of place in the finery of her salon. His tattered jacket and limp hat seemed an affront to everything civil and proper. The young woman watched him, taking in his withdrawal as well as the auburn hair that brushed the tops of his ears, falling loose from the custom slicked-back style men wore in town. For some reason it now looked odd on him. Too confining. Finally, Kenshin turned to her, a polite smile on his face and his emotions carefully hidden. That was certainly a new trick and caused her to worry her lip. "I do wish for your happiness, Ms. Tomoe. I didn't expect..." he trailed off, changing his mind about what to say to her. "The wars were long, Ms. Tomoe. I'm glad you found happiness, that I am."
Tears filled the Tomoe's eyes and she took a step toward him but stopped at his slight grimace and dropped gaze. They'd never sat down and the tea tray remained untouched on the low table nearby. "I did love you, Kenshin."
Raising his head, he nodded, his eyes softening and warming to what she'd fondly remembered. Her gaze scanned his face, resting briefly on his left cheek before she dropped her eyes to her hands, clasping them to prevent the tremble that passed through her. "War is a terrible thing."
A soft chuckle caused her to start, frowning uncertainly, and Kenshin lifted a hand toward his bandaged cheek before it fell back to his side. "That it is, Ms. Tomoe. I am relieved you never had to witness it."
A young, dark-haired man entered the drawing room, smiling at Tomoe and nodding respectfully to Kenshin. "Will you be staying for dinner, Mr. Himura?"
"No, thank you, Mr. Kiyosato. I promised Sanosuke that I would return before supper."
He smiled and nodded though Kenshin could tell he was glad he wouldn't be staying but, formalities were formalities. "It is good you made it back to Boston alive, Mr. Himura. Many would miss your presence."
Tomoe blushed lightly as Kenshin stared blankly before smiling absently. "This one's company is not much to miss, that it is not."
The young man laughed, shaking his head slightly. "You have not changed, Mr. Himura."
Only Tomoe noticed the aged look in Kenshin's eyes that had not been there before but Kenshin smiled, fingering the brim of his hat. "I should be going. This one is pleased you are happy, Ms. Tomoe."
Kenshin bowed his head slightly to the couple before he donned his hat and turned to the door. Tomoe glanced at her husband before she hurried after Kenshin, grasping his arm before he went through the door. He tensed at her touch but didn't shake her off. "What are you planning, Kenshin? Will we see you again? Will I see you again?"
His head tilted downward, the wide brim of his hat hiding his eyes from her. His words were long and soft in coming, as if unsure of what to say. "I do not know, Ms. Tomoe. Perhaps staying in one place does not suit me."
Her fingers tightened reflexively, her breath catching. "You're leaving? Where?"
He stood silently a moment before he spoke thoughtfully, "West."
Tomoe bit her lip to keep from gasping and she tugged on his arm in attempt to make him face her. "Why? Why go west? You just got home. Relax and think about it. I've missed you."
A throat cleared behind them and Tomoe turned suddenly. Her husband stood in the door to the drawing room, his eyes watching them closely. "Tomoe, Mr. Himura needs to be on his way."
She looked between her husband and Kenshin, once again worrying her lip. Tomoe opened her mouth to protest until she caught sight of Kenshin's eyes. Wordlessly, she released him and Kenshin walked away without looking back. Boston had no hold on him any longer and to stay would cause unnecessary pain.
Kenshin slowed his pace as he rounded the corner and came within sight of his guardian's townhouse. He wasn't surprised to see Sanosuke rise from the steps as he approached, flicking away a blade of grass he was chewing and shoving his hands into his pockets. Sanosuke's gaze swept over the smaller man from head to foot, the corner of his mouth pulling up in a slight smile. "Glad you came back here instead of throwing yourself in the Charles."
Kenshin blinked up at his friend. If Kenshin looked a little worn, Sanosuke looked like a vagabond. He took a moment to ponder why his friend hadn't been arrested yet but pushed the thought aside. "What made you think I'd take a swim?"
Sanosuke shrugged casually, leaning against the fence since Kenshin hadn't moved far into the yard. "Heard the rumors. Didn't think you'd take it well."
Dark brows rose over violet eyes. "What if I had chosen the Charles?"
Sanosuke's dark eyes searched him seriously for a moment before grinning. "I'd pull you out, thrash you good, and then kill you myself. I still have my connections, Kenshin."
"Duly noted."
They fell into a companionable silence, watching the busy street. The setting sun cast the still bustling city in an orange glow; supper was long past due. Sanosuke finally looked at Kenshin when he turned to move into the house. "So, what now?"
Kenshin paused just inside the door, shrugging out of his jacket and pulling the hat off his head, running a hand over his hair to smooth it from the effects of the hat. "West I suppose."
Sanosuke snorted, removing his own coat and tossing it at the rack, ignoring it when it crumpled to the ground instead. "West? The day of cowboy is over, if you've forgotten."
Kenshin stooped to pick up the jacket, straightening the coat rack with a fond smile for his memories. "I was thinking about farming, that I was."
He didn't need to look at Sanosuke to know the scowl of distaste that crossed his face. "Farming? But that's so..."
They started toward the dining room. "Peaceful?"
"Boring."
"You don't have to come with me."
Sanosuke eyed him suspiciously. "You're not running are you?"
Kenshin studiously avoided his eyes. "No."
They settled down at the table and Sanosuke gave him a long look before turning to the food in front of him. "When do we leave?"
"Sano―"
"Don't say it. I'm coming. All the excitement disappears when you're not around. Besides, this town is boring."
Kenshin sighed. After so much time together he knew there was no talking Sanosuke out of something once he set his mind to it. Hiko would return from wherever he disappeared to and Kenshin would speak to him about purchasing a small plot of land out west somewhere. Maybe, with time, the pain of lost love would fade.
AN: Well, I've stared at this for about 4 years now and I have yet to come up with a decent plot to continue this. Suggestions appreciated.
