Sayonara by flori-dono
Disclaimer: This is a Rurouni Kenshin-inspired fan fiction. The author is not 
making any money out of this. The characters of Rurouni Kenshin belong to 
Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shounen Jump, and Sony and others that should be mentioned but 
weren't.

This is my own interpretation of the departure scene when Kenshin said goodbye 
to Kaoru before going to Kyoto to fight Shishio. 
	

It was near midnight and all was quiet. The dark sky was studded with stars, 
like a million diamonds set in black velvet. Luna was in a melancholic mood as 
she shone her pale light on earth, forming dark silhouettes everywhere. The 
fireflies were like little flame-fairies, dancing. The cold yet gentle breeze 
was blowing through the cherry trees. Their blossoms fell on the ground, making 
a carpet of pink. 

Under one of the trees stood two figures that of a man and that of a woman. Both 
were silent. They stood there surrounded by the night mists, gazing at each 
other, letting their eyes reveal what they felt instead of words. Kaoru's lips 
trembled and her black eyes brimmed with tears that threaten to escape. Kenshin 
gently touched her cheek and caressed its silken softness as if memorizing the 
contours of her face. Then he slowly pulled his hand away. 

"I must do this," he said at last.

"I ...I...," she faltered, her voice cracking.

 Silence.

Kenshin looked up at the sky, smiling a little. 

"It's a waning moon," he said. "Do you remember the first time we met? It was 
also a waning moon."

"Yes," she said softly. How could she not forget that fateful night? 

"Ironic isn't it?" he continued.

Kaoru couldn't bring herself to even just nod. Everything was too painful.

 "Kaoru," he said. "It's time."

She looked up.

"No..." she said, shaking her head.

Kenshin gathered her in his arms and embraced her for the last time. His lips 
touched her forehead in a tender kiss.

"Aishiteru," he whispered. "Thank you, thank you for everything..."

Kaoru was in a daze. She just stood there in his embrace with her arms on her 
sides, pliant and unresponsive. Her tears fell unheedingly down her face.

Kenshin pulled back, and opened his lips to say something. Kaoru fell to her 
knees and covered her ears so that she could not hear. 

He looked at the weeping girl for a long time. Then hesitantly, he turned and 
walked away, fading into the shadows leaving nothing behind except memories.