The autumn wind was amazing. It cut right through to the bones but it was just perfect for her plan. Pulling on the trees it made them look like they were on fire with their red and yellow leaves dancing and rustling. Some tore free and raced along the hillside as she watched with a grin slowly spreading on her face. The sky was clear with small clouds occasionally speeding past. Coming out to the local park on this bright day at the end of October had been her idea.
Kaoru wanted to be like the leaves. Wanted it to feel like the wind would carry her along and the dragon was going to help her do that. She had decided to make Kenshin her sole accomplice in this adventure and he now stood not far away from her with his red hair flying around him, looking at her expectantly. He looked truly elemental and as always the sparkle in his eyes took her breath away. It was a shame he seemed so unapproachable at times, hiding behind his past and the laundry in turn but this time it was just the two of them.
Then he grinned back at her and nodded firmly to let her know he was in position and she stopped wondering on what to do to get him close. A whole month of preparation and locking herself in her room would now pay off. The wind pulled at her pony tail and the first few strands came undone as she looked up, took a breath and ran.
Everything happened so fast from there. "Go!" She shouted and running backwards pulled on the strings in her hands. Kenshin let go and of it went racing up to meet the sky. Her own dragon. Reds and blues gleamed as the sunlight broke on its wings and it raced higher beginning to circle as the wind caught it and pulled it up. She felt herself laughing as the wind played with it and she kept its movements in check. Her first kite and it worked! As she started to gain confidence she tried some of the patterns she had seen her younger brother Yahiko perform the week before. Another circle, another bow...that was it!
She was so caught up in a complex manoeuvre that Kaoru did not expect the sudden gust catching her unawares tearing the dragon away from her. Before she could cry out two strong arms saved her from falling over and letting go of the strings.
She hadn't even realized he had moved and her eyes were wide. "That's better, don't let it take control." He whispered in her ear and it made her shiver, distracting her. He stood so close behind her, his left arm around her waist and his right covering hers to help control the kite. It felt...right. Kaoru started to smile which turned into a big grin as she snuggled closer to him while keeping quiet. She thought he'd stumble back as usual but after a brief moment of shifting his balance she heard Kenshin sigh and felt him strengthen the hold on her waist instead. The dragon danced over the sky and its tail flicked along with the rhythm as the wind played its games and she decided she couldn't wait to see where it would take them next.