Hello *waves nervously from behind laptop* Welcome to another one of my stories. I swear I'm still working on Through Rain and Fire, so there's no need to worry about that! ^^' I just needed to get my muse focused on another project for a while so that I could come up with some refreshing ideas for future drabbles.

Now then, this story is a little out of my comfort zones... mostly the last part is, and you'll probably see why after reading it. I guarantee that it'll be different though! It's definitely an idea I've had running laps through my head for months on end. I've just never bothered writing it out until now...

Despite my personal opinions, I sincerely hope you'll take a liking to it! :D So please, enjoy!

Warning: Rating may change in later chapters.

Someday Soon

by This Writer's Essence

Chapter 1

"Kaoru..."

"Mn...?"

"Kaoru, please, wake up."

"Ken...Kenshin...?" Kamiya Kaoru rubbed her heavy eyelids, trying her best to rise into an upright position but to no avail. It was pitch black in the bedroom with the exception of the street lights that blared through the window. It took her a bit of time for her drowsy mind to register what was going on, but the moment she did, a question hung in her thoughts.

'Why is he awake at so late an hour?' She gave a tired yawn, warily glancing to the clock hanging on the wall before looking back to the shadowed face that remained solemnly blank despite the swirling pools of lavender and amethyst showing the sadness and desperation the person truly felt.

"Is something bothering you?" She inquired, a small sympathetic smile coming to her face.

He never answered.

Only a second after Kaoru asked, she felt the pressure of his lips crash into hers, warm and fervent as if to tell her that everything would be all right. He pulled away, and she raised her hand to touch his marred left cheek, willing herself to stay awake as her worry started to grow. "Kenshin...?"

He grabbed her hand just as she was close enough to graze her fingertips over the scar. He lowered it some and squeezed the appendage tight. His eyes were quivering with unspoken emotion, and Kaoru could only stare as he opened his mouth to speak in a hushed tone.

He whispered, "I have to go now. Please, promise me that you'll wait until I return."

"Where are you—?"

His index finger pressed gently against Kaoru's lips, urging her to quiet. He smiled sadly, relieved that she silenced herself. However, once more, she gazed into the glowing orbs in an attempt to understand the situation.

"I know you must be wondering what is going on," he said. "And there is nothing that I wish to do more than to tell you everything that's happening. It pains me that I cannot let you know yet, but I hope that you will forgive this lowly self for the trouble I have caused you..."

"Before I go, will you please promise that you will wait for me, Kaoru?" The question sounded almost like a challenge against her loyalty, and she couldn't help the irritated crease that deepened across the line of her eyebrows.

"Of course, Kenshin," Kaoru replied, anger slowly dissipating to concern. "But... why are you leaving?"

Kenshin drifted away, sliding off of the bed and to his feet, heading for the door that was left ajar. He turned to her, the smile still there but filled with an intense amount of dread.

"That is one of the many questions I wish I could answer, Kaoru. For now, though, wait for me until the time is right..."

Eight years later...

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Yes, I will!"

Kaoru's tearful exclamations were blocked out by the eruption of clapping hands and congratulatory shouts and whistles that filled the restaurant as she accepted her boyfriend's proposal. She wrapped her arms around his neck and wept, the joy bursting out of her system in the form of tears.

Sagara Sanosuke drew her into a loving embrace, feeling on top of the world, happier than he had ever been in his life as his arms engulfed her in a hug. It was hard to believe that the two had once been mutual friends before they finally decided to form a romantic relationship; to some, the fact that they were dating was appalling and bewildering, but to others, such as most of their close knit group of friends, it had been something they could see coming for a very long time. He couldn't bring himself to blame those who were shocked by the news of their newfound affections for each other.

Kaoru and Sanosuke did not get along as well as they did with others. They honestly fought and argued more than anyone their friends had ever met, so the assumption that their bond was one similar to a brother-and-sister relationship seemed like an obvious explanation at the time.

Nevertheless, with Kenshin's mysterious disappearance, their friendship grew closer. That was how they came to confess their love for each other, and that was how Sanosuke gathered the courage to ask for Kaoru's hand in marriage after they had dated for five years.

The raven-haired woman composed herself, swiping away the tears with the back of her hand. She looked her fiancée in the eye for the first time since he popped the question. He smirked, leaving a quick chaste kiss on her lips.

"I promise to make you the happiest woman alive," Sanosuke declared.

Kaoru playfully smacked the top of his head, smiling. "You better keep to that oath, Mr. Sagara," she giggled. "If you do, I promise to hold my end of the bargain and do the same for you."

*shudders* In case you haven't noticed, the idea of Kaoru and Sanosuke (to me) in anything but a brother-sister relationship is something I don't like. I'm just not comfortable with it, but the need for Kaoru to have a man in her life besides Kenshin had to be filled for the plot. So, I had a few choices: Sanosuke, Aoshi, or Enishi. And honestly, I'd probably pick Sanosuke all over again if I had to because I can't imagine her with Aoshi, and the thought of her with Enishi scares me more (even if he was my first choice for Kaoru's fiancée ^^;;;;)

Your thoughts on the story thus far would be greatly appreciated!

TTFN! Thanks for stopping by!