Snowdrifts
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin. I only own this rather pathetic drawing of Kaoru I drew in less than 2 hours.
--oOo--
It's hard, trudging ahead in this deep snow. The snow has piled up into 5-foot drifts, causing me to feel that I've become a kid again. If this is hard for me, it has got to be hard for her. I turn around and I see her struggling. She's about the same size as the snowdrifts. This isn't the nicest thing to do for a lady.
--oOo--
The snow is hard to get through. It is very, very deep. My feet get stuck, and snow falls into my shoes. It is very miserable. I look ahead at him in jealousy. How nice to be a man, stronger than us females! Well, that's what they think. We women know better.
Suddenly, my foot catches in the snow, and I trip. I flinch, waiting for a face full of cold. Nothing happens. I open my eyes to find him holding me up, a blush making his already pink face even redder. I blush too.
--oOo--
I feel my blood rushing to my cheeks. Nuts. Hopefully, she'll believe that it's the frigid air that's causing that, and not her being so close. I set her upright again, dust her off with a numb hand, and continue on my way. I look at her from the corner of my eye. She's picking her way very slowly through the snow, not wanting to fall again. If she keeps up that pace, we'll be at the Akebeko at nightfall. Should I pick her up and carry her? No, that'll embarrass her. I get an idea.
--oOo--
It's freezing! I start to shiver from the ice in the sky. I see my breath curl in the air. It's pretty. All of a sudden, it gets easier to walk. I look down at my feet. Had I grown snowshoes?
There is a little pathway through the snow. I track it upwards to see him plowing through the drifts. Bless him; he's risking getting snow in his shoes and frostbite just to let me walk easier! He is so kind to me.
--oOo--
Is she catching up yet? I glance back. Yes, she is. But her hands look cold. Like they-could-drop-off-at-any-minute, cherry-red cold. My hands are cold as well. Two cold hands equal warm hands, right? The logic seems to be off, but it's true. I learned from experience about body heat. But seriously? Me holding hands with her? That would shock Tokyo's citizens. I check myself. Do I care? No, no I don't. I go for it.
--oOo--
I feel frozen fingers slip around mine. I gasp, and the cold air hurts on the way down. Ouch. I see that he's holding hands with me. There is no way that this is real. This has to be a dream if he is actually showing this level of intimacy. Usually he stays about a foot away; like he's respecting some sort of personal space issue. But if this is a delusion, I'm going to keep on hallucinating. I like the warmth he provides.
--oOo--
I'm walking when I her say:
"Thank you."
It's quiet, and quickly suffocated from the artic air, but I hear it. And that is all I need. When the Akebeko comes into view, I feel her fingers tighten, as if to say, "Don't let go." I respect her wishes. When we walk into the warm (YES!) restaurant, I note that Tae sure can squeal. I think I'm deaf. But she giggles, and moves in closer. I think I can die happy now.
--oOo--
He's toasty-warm, and as we settle down to eat the Akebeko's beef-pot stew, he doesn't let go of my hand. That warms me up more than the food. Inside, I thank the over-done cliché that is the damsel in distress. I guess I can hold on to my "hero" for a while longer.
A/N: Just a subtle romance, methinks. I hope it's not fluff. Is it? I think it's more of a WAFF story than a fluffy one. Who do you think the couple is, though? I know who they are, but can you guess it? Now this is MiekoYagyu, signing off! See you next time!