Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or the characters. My second one-shot. Enjoy!
Everything
by Anime-Goddess-Sakura
The night was calm and peaceful, with only a few people still on the now almost empty streets. Usually the streets would be crowded right now, but the earlier rain had made most people think twice about going out.
They had also chosen to stay in tonight.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see her. Her deep sapphire blue eyes twinkled merrily as she gazed at the star filled heavens.
Fortunately for her the sky had cleared up for the most part with only a few lingering clouds visible, making it easier to gaze at the bright heavenly bodies adorning the dark sky.
She looked so much like a child sometimes; the simplest things pleased her and made her happy. He wondered sometimes if it was that childish innocence that had drawn him to her.
Kaoru Kamiya.
She was such a strange woman sometimes.
They met through mutual friends at a wedding. At first she had struck him as the usual young woman that would most likely be gaping at him the whole night. He wasn't vain or anything, but women just seemed to be unable to leave him alone. Even though he made it clear with his aloof and cold attitude that he wasn't interested.
So he hadn't expected her to be any different when she had approached him.
Nevertheless he had been proven wrong as she had engaged him in intellectual conversations. She seemed unaffected by his looks or his persona and had conversed with him, just like she would have had with any other person.
And he had been tempted to see how sharp she really was. He had proceeded on asking her opinion about certain situations, which he knew that not many could answer. And still she had calmly replied to all of them, all the while being sure to emphasize her point with such conviction and such intelligence that left him slightly taken aback.
His interest had undoubtedly been caught that day, even if he had been reluctant to admit it back then.
"You shouldn't be dwelling in the past, Aoshi." Her soft voice floated to his ears, causing him to turn his face to the side to gaze at her.
She smiled warmly at him, while moving closer to him. The night was slightly chilly, causing her to shiver lightly. She instinctively snuggled closer to him, her smaller frame pressing in his side.
He didn't say anything, but brought her closer to him, throwing his arm over her shoulder as he once again let his mind wander.
The second time they met had been at a party that one of their friends had thrown. He had been trying to get away from the women surrounding him, when she had appeared. She had promptly wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled herself against him, silently proclaiming him as hers.
Of course he had been surprised not knowing what she had wanted, until the other women had left them alone. With a smile on her face, she had pushed herself away from him and calmly explained that she was only trying to help and that he didn't seem content with all the attention.
He had been surprised that she had been able to read him so easily, but chose not to say anything. Still she hadn't seemed bothered by his reaction and had just offered him another smile.
And just like that she had disappeared into the crowd leaving him to wonder what was going on in that young woman's head.
Reluctantly he had found himself thinking about her as the days passed. She was an enigma to him, capable of throwing him off guard with just simple actions. And he hadn't been happy about it.
Being a lawyer, it was his job to throw people off and not the other way around. He was supposed to be in control, knowing exactly what was going on around him and yet he couldn't figure her out.
He couldn't figure a single girl out.
"You're doing it again." She muttered, this time with a certain edge in her voice that made it clear that she was slightly frustrated with him.
"I was thinking about when we met." He said calmly, hoping that it would calm the beginnings of her temper.
If there was one thing, he had learned was that she had a very fiery temper. She wasn't afraid to let anyone know what she felt or thought. Having been raised in a dojo, she was the epitome of discipline, courage and honor. And still she also had that nurturing and guiding spirit that only a teacher could possess.
She was the perfect combination, but at the same time she was so diverse in certain aspects. To put it simply she was mix of characteristics and feelings that were hard to describe and yet hard to ignore.
She was unique.
He was brought from his thoughts by her soft chuckling. Gazing at her, he could notice the amusement clearly on her face.
"Do you still remember that time I saved you from those hungry and obsessed women at the party?" she mused, teeth gleaming as she grinned mischievously at him.
He wasn't particularly fond of that memory, knowing very well that she had indeed saved him.
Yet being male, it was just normal that he denied her ever helping him. His ego demanded it.
"I didn't need your help." He murmured feeling slightly embarrassed.
Aoshi Shinomori did not get embarrassed and yet here was this slip of a woman who knew exactly which buttons to push to make the silent man make uncomfortable.
Another thing to add to the growing list of Kaoru Kamiya, he thought sardonically.
If there was one thing Kaoru enjoyed, it was teasing her dear boyfriend. Being quite a bit older than her, he was more mature and rarely showed a playful side. However that didn't stop her from trying to crack his immaculate composed persona.
She took pleasure in those few moments when she could actually make him squirm. Okay, so he didn't squirm, but at least she could embarrass him a bit. Grinning cheekily she made sure to scoot closer to him, so that she could whisper in his ear playfully.
"No? I'm certain that within only a few more minutes, they would have jumped you right there. Hmmm…maybe I should have let them. I'm certain even Megumi was ready to jump your bones and she was married." Her hot breath danced along his ear, making him almost shiver, but he resisted the urge by sheer will.
Still what she said, did make him mentally wince. If he had been anyone else, he would have cringed at the mention of that woman's name. The woman wasn't nicknamed fox for nothing. Even though she was married, she didn't mind flirting or better said harassing other men. And unfortunately he seemed her favorite victim.
"Oh…don't tell me you're scared of Megumi?" Kaoru snickered, knowing very well that he only tolerated the woman's presence because of her.
Aoshi narrowed his arctic eyes at his girlfriend as he watched her giggle amusedly at him. He still didn't understand how Megumi and she were friends. They practically argued and fought all the time, especially when the older woman decided to try to flirt with him.
If something could be said was that his Kaoru was quite jealous. She had promptly told him once that she did trust him, but it was the women that she didn't trust.
The admonishment had brought a smile to his lips that time and she had promptly tried to hit him afterwards, calling him an ego-centric male.
"You have weird friends." He said after a while, making her sober up.
An unlady like snort was her answer as she poked his side.
"You forget that they are your friends too." She shot back, smiling smugly, knowing very well that she was right.
"Unfortunately." He admonished, trying to find a reason why he considered them his friends.
What she said was true, it was ironic how they had always had the same friends and yet they hadn't met before that one time.
"Hey! That's just mean Aoshi. Come on, don't you like Sano?" She cried out defensively.
At this it was his turn to snort. She had to be joking.
"That rooster head? No."
"Okay, I admit Sano can be well Sano, but still you do tolerate him. So what about Saitou?" She asked hopefully and he once again, found himself wondering if she was kidding.
"Kaoru, you don't like Saitou." She pointed out, knowing very well that Saitou had nicknamed her raccoon; something that she still hadn't forgiven the man.
"True, but I like Misao. And she's married to Saitou, so I have to bear him. Even though I don't understand what she saw in him. Seriously that man is infuriating." She huffed crossing her arms over her chest.
He couldn't stop the smile that appeared on his lips as he watched her. In all his years, he had never used the word cute, not liking it and not wanting to use it. It was just plain degrading in his opinion and didn't go with his character and yet as he stared at his girlfriend, he couldn't stop himself from finding her cute.
He mentally berated himself, knowing that he was going soft. Trying to dispel such thoughts he tried to focus on the conversation.
"And what about Kenshin? Don't tell me you don't like him either?" She indicated knowing very well that she had won the argument.
If there was one person he considered a friend, it would be Kenshin Himura. Locking his arctic eyes with her sapphire blue ones, he could see that she knew that she had won.
"He's acceptable." He admonished in a bored voice, still to Kaoru it was like he had just told her that she had won the first price in something.
"See, I'm right…they are your friends." She cried out excitedly, while at the same time chanting something about her winning or something.
Letting out a sigh, he leaned further into the couch, enjoying the crisp night air. However her victory chant was getting on his nerves.
Having about enough, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against his hard chest. She let out a startled cry and blushed, but he paid little heed to it.
"Just enjoy the silence." He muttered tugging her head under his chin.
He smiled softly as he heard her huff, knowing very well that she was irritated. And yet at the moment, he didn't care.
All that mattered to him was that she was in his arms. It still amazed him how different they were and still they fit perfectly together.
They were so different and yet they could not be anymore perfect for one another. He was a silent man by nature and she was the complete opposite, loud and spirited. Yet she understood him better than anyone could.
It was times like these that he wondered what he would so without her.
"Aoshi, are you enjoying yourself?" She asked breaking the silence and pulling herself away from him. He reluctantly let her go as she turned to gaze at him with large sapphire blue eyes that openly displayed what she was feeling at the moment.
She was an open book. He could always know what she thinking or feeling. It was that sense of knowledge and trust that fueled his affection for her. She was always honest to him, even if it was unconsciously.
His gaze lowered to her hands and he could see the way she wringed them. She was nervous. Even after all these years that they've been together, she still had her doubts when it came to certain things, one of them being able to please them. He didn't quite understand her doubts, knowing that she would always make him happy, but still he didn't hesitate to calm her fears.
"Very much." He whispered, pulling her once again against him.
She let out a relieved sigh and he was satisfied that she was at least calm now. He did mean it what he said. He could just spend eternity like this, with her in his arms and just enjoying the warmth that she offered.
He had never been a very emotional man, but she just seemed to bring that part of him out. She was like this beacon that he just couldn't resist.
He loved it when she was happy. For if she was happy, he would be too. No matter how bad his day could be going, she could always brighten his up with just a smile or her small shy kisses.
A soft smile quirked his lips as he thought about how shy she could be, when she kissed him. It still amazed him how shy she is when it comes to such a simple thing as kissing. It was perplexing to say the least, considering how strong-willed she usually was.
He was momentarily distracted from his thoughts as she felt her smaller hand touch his. Gazing down at her, he watched as her cheeks heated up, while she entwined her fingers with his.
It felt so strange to hold her small hand in his much larger than his. It also brought him to a certain conclusion. No matter how strong she wanted to appear to be, she was still so fragile. His protective instincts instantly kicked. He had long ago swore that he would protect her and he would keep his word.
"Hmmm…Aoshi, so what did you want to give me earlier?" She asked softly, as she brushed a strand of dark hair out of her face.
He was slightly confused by her question, until he recalled what he had planned. Slight hesitation took a hold of him, but he quickly brushed it away.
"You'll see." He replied softly, knowing very well that it wouldn't be enough for her.
He knew that she was surprised at his somewhat teasing answer. He would be the first to admit that he wasn't the most comical of persons.
However when it came to her, he just couldn't help himself sometimes. It had always mystified him, how easily she could change moods and he was ashamed to admit it that he had grown somewhat accustomed to her lively ways.
She was so easy to provoke and even easier to please, but most of all she was probably one of the most curious people he had ever met. His arctic eyes momentarily lightened as he noticed the inquisitive look on her face that she was trying so hard to hide.
If there was one thing she should have learned by now, was she could not hide anything from him.
"Come on, Aoshi…let me see what it is." She cried out after having enough of the silence that settled between them.
"No, not yet." She must have noticed the amusement in his eyes, for she quickly pushed herself away from him, crossing her arms over her chest and huffing at him.
"Fine, don't tell me!" she snapped and made to stand up, but he stopped her, making her trip and fall against his chest.
"Have patience." He whispered as she let out some frustrated sounds, while trying to sit up.
He finally let her up, but she made sure to jab him in the ribs.
"You're annoying sometimes." She said turning her gaze away from him and sticking her chin arrogantly in the air.
The picture she presented made him smile. He just couldn't resist her.
How the mighty have fallen, he thought sarcastically as he reached for her, bringing her against his body once again.
Nevertheless whatever emotion that she been feeling at the moment, seemed to vanish as she felt his lips on her forehead. She tensed, while her cheeks heated up instantly. Raising her eyes, she watched as he slowly backed away. He lingered for a moment, his eyes boring through hers, before slowly leaning away.
"Aoshi?" She asked confusedly, while blushing.
She resisted the urge to touch her forehead where his lips had touched her. It still felt warm; it almost felt like he was branding her in some way. The thought made her blush even more. It was always like that, when it came to him. Never had she met someone that could render so helpless with only the barest of touches.
While to many people, Aoshi might appear cold and distant, he was in reality the most passionate person she's known. Her face turned even redder as memories of their first night together flashed through her mind.
She didn't really have anyone to compare him with, seeing that he had been the first person she had been intimate with, but she was certain that he wasn't lacking when it came to his skills in the bedroom.
She wasn't complaining, really she wasn't.
She gasped as she felt his thumb caress her heated cheek.
"You're blushing." He mused, his calloused thumb tracing her delicate skin.
It was quite dark, so he couldn't see that well if she was indeed blushing, but by the way she squeaked he was certain that she was.
The question was, why was she blushing.
"What are you thinking about Kaoru?" He found himself asking, a part of him eager to get her back for her earlier amusement.
She was saved from answering him though as fireworks suddenly erupted in the sky. A startled sound left her lips, but she quickly composed herself and jumped to her feet as she gazed at the now illuminated sky.
Kaoru was secretly relieved by the distraction for she really didn't want to answer his question. Focusing on the fireworks, she found herself smiling as she watched the beautiful display.
"Look Aoshi." She pointed to the colors in the dark sky, as she smiled gleefully.
The dark haired man just sat there, enjoying the way she acted and came to the conclusion that what he was about to do, was the right thing. She was beautiful in both spirit and body and there was no one else for him.
Bracing himself, he quietly stood up from the couch and walked towards her.
She was by now leaning against the balcony's railing, completely oblivious to him as she took in every little detail of the colorful lights.
"I wonder whose fireworks these are." She muttered more to herself than anyone, so she wasn't expecting an answer.
"They're for you."
"What?" she asked turning to gaze at him with confusion clear in her eyes.
She was surprised by the look in his eyes; a look that made her heart race for some unknown reason. Aoshi wasn't the easiest person to read, but after having been with him for so long, she could clearly see when something was up with him. Right now he looked determined and at the same time hesitant. Concern quickly took hold of her heart as she thought that maybe something was wrong, but that notion was quickly pushed aside by his next movement.
Sapphire blue eyes widened as she watched her boyfriend and the man she loved go down on one knee. A part of her knew what was happening, while the other part was just trying not to faint at the sheer magnitude of what was happening.
"Kaoru Kamiya, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Aoshi asked, taking out a small silver ring from his pocket.
She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe as she just stood there staring at the man in front of her. It had to be a dream, she mentally mused.
However she wasn't waking up. So it was real. As the thought made itself known she found herself bombarded by different emotions.
Her voice refused to work as she gazed at the man at her feet. She knew what she wanted to say, but was having hard time trying to speak. Everything seemed so surreal to her.
And still everything seemed so right as she gazed into his eyes. There was doubt.
"It would be my honor." She found herself softly answering without even realizing it.
Yet that's all Aoshi needed to hear as he took her trembling had and slipped the ring on her finger.
Without waiting he stood up gathered her in his arms and proceeded on kissing her. She more than willingly returned the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was sweet and full of emotion that neither could express in words at the moment.
However their perfect moment was broken, by the sound of Aoshi's mobile phone. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he reached for the device, mentally cursing whoever it was.
"What?" He snapped coldly, but apparently the person on the other end of the line, didn't really care.
"Jou-chan, what did she say?"
Aoshi resisted the urge to roll his eyes as Sanosuke's loud voice reached his ears. He should have known.
"She said yes, baka." Aoshi growled in the mobile, making his Kaoru giggle.
The young woman giggled even more as she heard the rest of the gang in the background. Apparently they had all been in it.
"So planning to celebrate now? You know what I mean…a good roll in the sack should…"
"Goodbye." With that Aoshi cut Sanosuke off and turned off the phone, even after the rooster head yelled at him to not hang up.
Kaoru was by now laughing wholeheartedly.
Leave it to Sanozuke to make the worst comments at the moment. Finally regaining control of herself, she walked towards her fiancée who was still glaring at the phone.
"Sano? So they all knew about this?" She asked smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down so that their lips were only inches apart.
"Yes, they helped with the fireworks." He muttered his gaze boring through hers.
Both saw what they needed to see in their eyes at that moment. And everything seemed to finally fell into place.
"I love you." She didn't wait for a response as she sealed her lips against his.
The phone clattered to the ground as he hugged her tightly, while deepening the kiss. The fireworks were still going on behind them, but neither paid any mind to them.
This was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, one that both of them were eager to start. There was still a lot that they didn't know and they were certain that there would be hard times.
However that was life, there would be good times as well. It wouldn't be easy, but it would be worth it.
Everything would work out in the end as long as they were together.
End...
