Author's Note: I'm trying something a little more 'meditative' for practicing descriptive writing, and the first winter that Kenshin and Kaoru spend together is a good place to start, right? This is going to have 3 parts in total, and it's a way for me to take advantage of the winter season. Besides, I had this planned a while back...anyway, please enjoy and let me know what you think!
Before opening the door, Kenshin paused for a moment and rolled his shoulders. His muscles didn't protest, although they felt a little out of use. He did feel better, and he couldn't remain confined to the house any longer, no matter how strict the doctor's instructions had been. A short cough escaped him, but he continued his pace out to the yard.
Kaoru was sweeping the dojo floorboards, her brow furrowing at the amount of dust as she grumbled. "And after I told Yahiko so many times!" She glanced up, noticing him. "Kenshin?"
"This one is going to the market, for soy sauce and tofu."
"Oh, alright. Do you want me to go with you?"
"No, this one will be fine." He smiled at her. "The students will be arriving, and this one will be back within the hour."
Some concern remained in her gaze, but she nodded. "You know…you don't have to hurry. The weather's nice for a walk."
"Mm, it is." He understood what she was implying. Take your time. "Then, this one will go."
She waved him off as he closed the gate behind him, and he set off.
It had taken him a month and a half to fully recover from the summer's ordeal, and it was the first time he was leaving the house since their return from Kyoto. On the train, exhaustion had caught up to him, and Kaoru had tired as well. The trip had been worth it, but perhaps, they pushed themselves too hard and too soon. The following days were quiet while both of them were determined to recover, until a stubborn cold had found its way to him. He had lost his voice, and Kaoru had fussed over him because he wasn't getting better. Meanwhile, he had worried for her, because she seemed to be straining herself. It had been a rough period of healing, but at last, they were well again.
Most of the month had been cold but today was unusually warm. The air was humid and the scent of rain lingered, from yesterday's storm. Faded maple leaves were scattered along the path, floating in nearby puddles. The sky was gray and a quick breeze promised impending chill. Perhaps tomorrow, winter would be upon them. He took a deep, careful breath.
A year ago, he had spent winter alone on the road. If he had known then, that it would be the last season he lived in solitude, he might have quickened his journey to Tokyo. But then again, he would not have met Kaoru in the same way. It was the fiery-eyed kenjutsu teacher who approached him, who accepted him despite his burdens. She had offered him her home and her heart. And he was looking forward to cherishing her, in the 'forever' that awaited them.
Speaking of which, he had to figure out what he was doing. They were courting, or at least that was what he was attempting. Their relationship had never been 'proper', in the social sense of the word. There was no meeting between the families or supervision over their interactions. From the start, they had lived together, but now, they were both aware that he wasn't merely a boarder. He was here to stay, to have a life with her.
Now, if only this one can be more obvious. He crossed his arms. Since her declaration in Kyoto, she hadn't been quite as bold. She deliberated over her words a little longer, but for the most part, she acted like her usual cheerful self. It seemed she was waiting for him to make the first move, and he didn't blame her. She was probably nervous, but so was he. He didn't want to rush things, but apparently, his usual tasks of keeping her happy weren't enough. It was just as well, cooking her favorite meals and heating the fire for her bath weren't typical courtship rituals…
A flash of color suddenly caught his eye. He stopped, just at the edge of the path. A pile of brown leaves had buried a camellia bush, but one flower still defied it all to bloom again. It was out of season and would likely wither with the evening's cold snap. It was why he didn't feel any regret when he reached over and snapped off the pink blossom.
Half an hour later, he unlocked the gate and called out. "This one is home." The usual warmth spread through him, and he suspected that the only cure would be to say it more often.
"Welcome home!" Kaoru called out before quickly returning to lessons. The flower had been out of her range of vision, and he was relieved as he entered the house.
He had just finished preparing lunch and was about to carry the tea over, when Kaoru bounded in. She wiped the sweat off her brow, and her eyes were bright. "Here, Kenshin, let me take the teapot. Hm? A flower?" Her gaze had turned to the table, where the camellia sat in a cup of water.
"It's for you." He managed to say, over the pulse in his ears. A sudden ripple of insecurity washed over him. He had plucked it off the roadside, the cheapest gift imaginable. "If you don't like it, this one can-"
"Of course, I like it." She blurted. Her cheeks were turning red, more beautiful than the colors of late autumn. She took the teapot from the tray in his hands and walked to the table. "I really like it, I've missed seeing flowers. And it smells sweet." Her head lowered and he caught sight of the nape of her neck, pale and gleaming.
He stood frozen, until she abruptly came back. He had enough time to set down the tray of cups on the kitchen counter, before she threw her arms around him. His own hands reflexively gripped her waist. "Oro?"
"I'm really happy. Thank you, Kenshin." Her chin pressed into his shoulder, and under his palms, she felt warm and soft.
He swallowed hard. "You're welcome, Kaoru-dono." He would have been content to keep holding her, but she gingerly pulled away. Her face was still flushed, and her hand trembled as she brushed away a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
"S-so, we should have lunch now. Um, I'll ask Tae to teach me how to dry the flower. That way, I can have it all winter." She beamed and changed the conversation to what they were going to eat. He answered as best as he could, with his skin throbbing where they had touched.
During the meal, he caught her glancing between the camellia and him. When his eyes happened to meet hers, they both looked away, feeling inexplicably shy.
Early winter crept onto them, and Kenshin received a letter from Chief Uramura. The man wanted some assistance, since the cold weather bred irritable tempers and subsequent disputes. He accepted, but only for financial reasons.
"There's not much money in the winter." Kaoru had informed him. "The snow makes it difficult for the students to get here, and it's hard to keep them motivated in the cold."
He had already begun preparations, by pickling vegetables and airing out the blankets. Kaoru had sorted through clothes, searching for weak stitches and torn seams.
"Kenshin, try this on. It was Otou-san's, and I want to see if it fits you." She held up a dark green kimono, slightly frowning as she contemplated the measurements.
He acquiesced, but it was too large, for his hands had disappeared in the sleeves. He lifted one arm, grimacing as the cloth flopped over. "Indeed, it doesn't."
She laughed. "Don't worry, I'll fix it."
He began to protest. "This one can get by with his old clothes."
"As if I'll let you do that! You shouldn't be cold. I'm not letting you go cold." She corrected herself, straightening her back. "Not as long as you're staying in this house. Got it?"
"Yes, yes." But he grinned anyway. In the evenings, he watched her work at the kimono. Her sewing was efficient, her fingers moving steadily, and she chatted to him about the day. Yahiko was preparing for winter as well, but she told him he could stay over, if his window wasn't secured properly. She had sent Misao a letter, inquiring about how she and Aoshi were. He listened attentively, until the candlelight waned and they reluctantly left for their separate rooms.
By the end of the week, he arrived at Uramura's office, wearing the newly fitted garment. He felt ridiculously proud, and his aching mouth reminded him that he was smiling for a while. His pleasant mood lasted, as he defused arguments in the police department and even as a brief shower battered the building after he was finished.
"Are you sure, Himura? It's bound to let up soon." Uramura warned him, as he shook open his umbrella.
"No, this one has to go home. There's more to do, to prepare for winter." Unfortunately, his umbrella wasn't large enough, and he was shivering by the time he reached the gate. The police chief had been right, the rain had stopped, but he didn't feel miserable at all.
Kaoru ran to him as soon as he walked in. "Oh, Kenshin, you could have waited before leaving. Geez, you're soaked through." She grabbed a nearby towel and proceeded to rub it over his head. "Come on, take off your clothes."
"Oro?!"
"I meant, take off your clothes so you can get in the bath! Honestly, if you get sick again…" She pouted, and he laughed. As she dragged him to the bathhouse, he smiled at her swaying ponytail and fondly thought.
It is good to be home.
Kaeribana: flowers out of season