Hello and welcome to my story! I'm happy to see that you've clicked on it to either read or simply skim the text below to see if it qualifies to fit your tastes :) Now, I hope you like what I have to give, otherwise we're going to have a problem. . . Just kidding :) But please, enjoy!

Promise Me This

by This Writer's Essence

Kenshin fingered the object nervously from the confinements of his gi sleeve.

Should I give it to her now? He pondered, glancing warily to the young woman crouching by his side as she watched a group of little ducklings swim across the stream.

He took in her smile, so bright and warm that even the sun could not outmatch its' genuine shine. Her sapphire eyes scrunched in amusement, gleaming like stars. The red-haired swordsman shook himself from his reverie, sighing.

No. Not quite yet.

It was a lovely spring day in the middle of March. The melody of the song birds added to the beauty, giving the redheaded wanderer an idea to cheer up Kaoru after an exhausting day of teaching kendo to the dojo's that were associated with the Kamiya Dojo.

The idea was brought up to the assistant master when the two had finished eating lunch. Kenshin told her that considering it was such a pleasant day, they should enjoy it while they could and take the opportunity to go on a walk. Kaoru had been willing to accept his offer without so much as a thought. He silently prayed that things would go according to plan; it would be horrible if the occasion made a turn for the worse.

The place was thereby decided on, and their stroll began.

They walked along the same path Kenshin remembered telling himself that he was home after coming back from the battle with Shishio. So many events had happened during that time, but not one of them could amount the day when Enishi had announced his act of Jinchuu upon him. The dojo had been caught in complete chaos, and the peaceful life he had known was shattered in that very instance.

Kenshin's heart clenched in pain at the memory, forever remaining fresh in his mind. I thought I had lost the one love I'd ever known. . . He smiled sadly. It was thanks to Kaoru-dono that sessha was able to overcome his sorrow again, de gozaru. Without her, I would have never been able to move on with myself.

And that is why. . . I've come to a decision. . .

"Kaoru-dono?"

He waited patiently but with a still heart as her face turned in his direction. Kaoru blinked in curiosity at the serene silence suddenly broken between themselves. "Hai, Kenshin?" she inquired.

It took the redhead long moments to calm himself as he spoke. His voice was slightly pitched with anxiety, and a faint blush crossed his cheeks when he came to realize this. "Kaoru. . . There is something that I have wished to do in a very long time. . ."

"What is it?" Kaoru brought herself to her feet, hands clasped below her abdomen and ears fully attentive to what he had to say.

Kenshin shifted his feet in the dirt. He met her gaze steadily, finding himself smiling softly.

"The time we've spent together has been one of the best experiences of my life," he said. "What you have given me is the key to happiness that I will cherish forever. However long we live, I never want our journey to end."

Kenshin grasped the circular item firmly between his fingers. Now is the moment I have waited for. . .

As he withdrew his hand to present what he held to Kaoru, he saw her eyes stretch in surprise. "I wish for nothing but your happiness, Kaoru. Will you marry me?"

Kenshin heard a sharp intake of breath come from the young woman. Her hand laid over her heart as she stared at the glimmering ring in astonishment. He studied her face for any first reaction and caught a trail of tears streaming from her closed eyelids. He tensed, wondering if he had said something to upset her.

"Kaoru, I—"

"Kenshin, you baka!"

"Oroooo!"

A piercing pain sprouted on the top of Kenshin's skull, turning his eyes into a pair of swirly pinwheels. The unexpected strike to the head was followed shortly after by a strangling hug that nearly choked him to death.

Suddenly, he felt a wet spot forming on the fabric of his haori. He casted his violet eyes down, meeting strands of black hair tickling the tip of his nose.

Kaoru was crying on the side of his shoulder. Her fingers dug into his chest as quiet sobs racked her body. Before Kenshin had a chance to open his mouth, he caught the lowly murmured words that escaped the young woman's lips.

"I thought that you'd never ask. H-hai. . . I will. A thousand times, yes!"

Kenshin forced his jaw shut, burying his face into her mass of soft hair. "I love you, Kaoru," he whispered. He pulled her closer, his arms wrapped around her waist and his hands resting on the small of her back. "You have made sessha the happiest man alive. And I promise. . . to forever make you smile. . ."

Wasn't that the cutest thing you ever did read? It probably isn't. . . to me, anyway. I've always wanted to write about the day Kenshin came to propose to Kaoru. It's something I've imagined happening a thousand times over but never reading about it in the manga. Needless to say that this doesn't beat the other many fanfics where he proposes, but I tried my best to make it as good as I could manage. Reviews and criticisms are widely appreciated! More will be coming soon!

TTFN! Thanks for stopping by!