The Bloody Jasmine • Samurai X

Chapter 6 | Wounds Of Sorrow

"Actually, assassinations have been going smoothly since your departure to Otsu."

Said Mei as she sipped the warm, minty tea that Tomoe displayed. Kenshin nodded his head, "How is Katsura-san?" He asks, "He's fine, just overwhelmed." Mei answers.

Soon, as the two assassin's continued talking about the same subject, Tomoe walked in with two bowls in a tray. "Here, eat up." She says, placing a set of chopsticks on top of the bowl. "Oh, you...cooked?" Mei asked with a raise from her brow.

"I did. I'll be checking on the crops outside, excuse me." And so, the black haired woman got up and walked out, closing the door behind her.

"...Is it something I said?" Mei asked, looking at Kenshin for an explanation. Kenshin shook his head, "No, it's fine." He replied.

Mei shrugged and ate the rice with fresh fish, the taste of the warm rice melting in her mouth, "Hm." Mei said, as if she was suspecting something. "What?" Kenshin notices her slight hum. "'...Tomoe is a good cook, I must say." She commented.

Kenshin shook his head in agreement and continued eating, before noticing that the brunette opposite him was staring. "Is there something the matter?" He asks.

"No, you just seem to be enjoying the food - I never seen you look so satisfied in a while." The young girl said in a slight mumble.

"Her cooking reminds me of you," He comments. "How so?"

"When you used to make Miso soup for me and master, and always brag about how good it tasted."

Mei lifted her head and looked at Kenshin, in which he was already looking at her. "You...remember?" She asks, slightly shocked. "I'm surprised myself - Usually such a silly memory would never stay in my head..."

The two shared a moment of silence, causing Kenshin to speak up: "You've gotten so soft, Mei. In such a short amount of time..."

"So have you." The brunette replied, her gaze remaining on the slightly empty bowl. "I suppose we're like this when--"

"--We don't kill." Mei interjected, causing Kenshin to shoot his gaze towards her. Mei averted her eyes to his figure and slowly scooted closer, her hand making it's way up to his left cheek.

Her index finger gently traced the outline of his scar, causing him to slightly flinch at the cold feel of her finger. "How did he get you?"

"I told you; It was due to my carelessness." He replied, avoiding her gaze.

Mei removed her hand from his cheek and placed it on her lap, "I've been having a strange feeling lately.." She spoke, "So have I." Kenshin replied.

"After every assassination, I think of the families of those people who I just killed. All the sorrow and depression I've caused for taking away their loved ones..."

Mei sighed, realizing it was an idiotic idea to mention this now. "...It'll all be over soon - Remember our promise?" Kenshin speaks after moments of silence. "We'll live normally once this chaos is over." Mei says, her eyes resting on her lap.

"Shin--I mean, Kenshin, is it alright for me to say that I..." Mei began, but trailed off. "You what?" Kenshin asks.