Reminiscing The Past • Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter 7 | Losing Her Mind

It's been three weeks since Kenshin and Mei last saw each other and in all honesty, things weren't doing good - At all. After Mei's tragic confesssion to Kenshin, the brunette has promised herself never to face the scarlet haired man again.

Mei's state went from sad to completely depressed in merely a few days - And Sumiko didn't like that at all. The dark-haired ninja tried her best to cheer up her young friend, but nothing seemed to work.

Mei has been locking herself in Sumiko's home for the last few weeks, feeling that she has no motivation to do anything - Not even to go to work.

It's true, the young brunette hasn't showed up to the Akabeko, causing Tae to grow concerned. She hasn't even been to the Police Department, but Sumiko made sure to tell the Chief since she was working there as well.

However, It's been quite lonely for Kenshin and the gang - They missed having Mei around the Dojo. Kenshin hasn't even been the same ever since he remembered his childhood friend, he's been drowning in his guilt ever since it happened.

Everyone was worried for Mei - Because most of them didn't even know why she was depressed and locking herself in Sumiko's home, for Kenshin was silent about the matter and was quite sensitive when people brought it up.

Kenshin knew where she was staying, and he tried so many times to speak to her - But all Mei did was refuse to see the scarlet-haired Samurai.

Another dull, boring afternoon has made it's way into the Dojo's atmosphere; Everyone was either drowning in their boredom or having reluctant conversations. "Man, I never knew it'd be this boring not having Mei around..." The young, spiky haired boy sighed.

"That's true. Even though Sumiko still stops by, it feels lonely without Mei." Kaoru commented and let out a sad sigh. Sanosuke sat on the grass and watched Kenshin hang multiple kimono's on the clothesline.

The scarlet-haired samurai was busy reminiscing the past and drowning in his shame and guilt. He knew that it was his fault for bring her such misery and despair, and Kenshin being Kenshin - He couldn't forgive himself.

He found himself constantly thinking about the brunette, trying to figure out a solution to bring an end to Mei's despair - But he could think of nothing.

"If only...she hasn't changed so much..." He spoke his thoughts aloud, causing the gang to shoot him a confused look, "What was that?" Asked Kaoru. "A-Ah! N-Nothing Miss Kaoru!" He said and laughed nervously.

"Okay...?" Yahiko commented awkwardly. "Instead of just wasting time, how about we USE this chance to train?! This is TOO peaceful for my liking! C'mon Yahiko!" The sapphire-eyed girl exclaimed and pulled the poor boy by his ear.

"H-Hey! Wait! What if I don't wanna train, ugly!?" Yahiko yelled at Kaoru, "Who said you have a choice?!"

And so, as usual, the two argued their way into the Dojo. Kenshin and Sanosuke were now alone; And Kenshin used this short time as an advantage to speak to Sanosuke and try to find a way to fix his mistake.

"Sano!" Kenshin exclaimed as he turned around, causing the fighter-for-hire to get startled. "Geez, man! What the heck was that for!?" He said and sat up and looked at the Rurouni with annoyance.

"Listen, if this is some sort of trick to get me to do something, I swear-"

"It has to do with Mei, that it does." He said shamefully and sat beside him on the grass. "Mei?" Sanosuke replied with a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Sano, this one has made a terrible mistake, that he has."

• • •

"Mei, this is going too far!"