The Engagement…
OOC Disclaimer: I don't know anything about Japanese Wedding, or Engagement so I'm using my American Modern but romanticized version of things. Well actually Icka-chan who hates to see things done wrong, sent me a few links to information on Japanese Weddings so I'm throwing that stuff in as well. Other note. Okay Sano is suppose to be traveling the world right now, but it wouldn't be Kenshin without him in the middle of everything. Figure he left for a short time and will start his serious tour of the world after the wedding.
Here is a quick summary of what led up to the proposal. Kenshin, Kaoru, and Yahiko had traveled to Kyoto to visit Tomoe's grave as promised. Megumi, Sano, Misao and Aoshi meet up with them for a party at Hiko's cabin. Leaving the party, a blizzard appeared and everyone ended up in cabins together. Sano with Misao, Aoshi with Megumi, and Yahiko with Saitou who had followed Kenshin to keep tabs on him. Kaoru made her way back to Hiko's cabin, while Kenshin wandered around in the snow with delusions of Tomoe in his head. Hiko found the frozen Kenshin on his doorstep and tossed him in bed with the almost as frozen Kaoru. Upon waking up in the morning Kenshin was surprised and somewhere from a sense of honor or something drew enough courage to propose to Kaoru…Now for a short intro from the old as we go into the next part of the story…
That was when Kaoru and everyone realized that Kenshin was serious. Sure they knew he loved her and she loved him, but here they where, and actually stating such. He then whispered, but enough for Kaoru to hear. "I love you."
Kaoru about fell out of bed as she through her arms around Kenshin. Everyone else sweat dropped, because as Kaoru had thrown her arms around Kenshin, the blanket had stayed in place to cover her front side but her butt was shown to the world. "Yes. Yes. Yes." Giggled Kaoru.
Kenshin's response, "Oro?"
The other turned and left the cabin, closing the door to leave the two alone. Hiko's muttered under his breath. "Baka Deshi."
Now the new story….
Kenshin was shocked for a few moments as Kaoru madly hugged him. Slowly he put his own arms around her and returned the hug, this calmed Kaoru's happy giggles as they looked into each other's eyes. Kenshin moved to sit on the bed next to Kaoru. Kaoru sat up adjusting the blanket around herself, releasing Kenshin from her almost strangulation hug. Kenshin kept an arm around Kaoru's bare shoulders.
Kaoru lowered her eyes a bit, her hands moving to rest in her lap. "Kenshin…I love you too…" she stated. It surprised her that it wasn't so difficult to say, after having said it in her mind enough times. This made Kenshin smile, and he lightly touched her cheek with his hand. She looked up to see Kenshin's smile and had one of her own. This was definitely something called bliss.
"We'll discuss the plans on the way back to Tokyo." Kenshin stated as he brushed a stray strand of hair out her face. She had never looked so beautiful in all her life. Perhaps it was the fact that they where now going to spend the rest of their lives together. Of course Kenshin had thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with Tomoe as well, but… Kenshin pushed the thought out of his mind. "You really want to marry this former Battousai?"
"No, I'm going to marry the rurouni, Kenshin." Kaoru smiled, as she remembered back to one of the first conversation they ever had. At first Kaoru had not believed Kenshin's past but over time she had learned the grave reality of it. The pain of his scar that was on his face and in his heart as well. Was it the strength of the man who went through these things that she loved, or was it the smile and the way he said 'oro' that melted her heart. Kaoru sighed and leaned against Kenshin's chest, so comfortable.
Kenshin smiled at the content expression on Kaoru's face. "Well we should get fully dressed and be on our way. We have taken over Master Hiko's cabin for long enough I think. Besides if we don't hurry the others will think we are doing bad things."
"Let them. We are engaged, aren't we?"
Kenshin slowly moved away from Kaoru, lowering her to the bed. She just smiled at him, lying there. "Yes, but we also need to return to Tokyo." Kaoru closed her eyes and nodded. Kenshin put on the rest of his clothes and picked up his sword and headed towards the door.
"Kenshin…" called Kaoru.
Kenshin turned to look at her again. "Oro?"
"This isn't a dream is it?"
Kenshin shook his head and walked outside. Leaving Kaoru the privacy to change. It wasn't long before she was outside the cabin fully dressed. Kenshin sat with Sanosuke, Hiko and Yahiko, Megumi hovering around them. When they noticed her they all stopped their talking and stood up, ready to make the trip back to Kyoto and then Tokyo.
"This time we are keeping both of you in sight." teased Sano, remembering the snowstorm that had happened the day before having caused so much trouble for all of them.
Kaoru nodded and slowly walked over to Kenshin. Still unsure if it all wasn't a dream. She slipped her hand into his and with a smile they started to walk back towards Kyoto. A nod and a wave to Hiko who was heading back inside his cabin for some much needed sleep.
"You did what!" cried Misao upon hearing the news. Her head about ready to explode in anger, but then she started to cry, throwing her arms around Kaoru and Kenshin. "I'm so happy for you!" Aoshi stood to the side, didn't say anything but did give Kenshin a nod.
"Well you must stay then and let us celebrate." stated Okina.
Kenshin shook his head. "We need to return to Tokyo to take care of the Dojo and get plans set up, there will be enough celebration when the day arrives."
"That is true enough. Well it was again an honor to host you and your friends, and your soon to be wife." Okina smiled.
Misao had drawn herself away from Kenshin and Kaoru and stood next to Aoshi. "Aren't you happy for them?" she asked, still in happy tears.
"I suppose I will need to accompany you to Tokyo when the time comes." Aoshi stated. Leave it to him to ruin the fun.
Kenshin nodded to Aoshi, and with his hand in Kaoru's they turned and headed down the road with Yahiko. Sanosuke had already departed, offering to accompany Megumi back to her village. Besides Sano couldn't be caught taking the main roads, now could he.
Before leaving the city completely Kenshin and Kaoru had one last stop to make, Yahiko waited for them on the edge of town.
"I know she approves, it's as if she has told me herself." stated Kenshin, as he placed some more flowers on Tomoe's grave. The flowers already on the grave was from when he visited just a few days ago. Kaoru knelt down and put some flowers on the grave as well.
'I'll take good care of him.' Kaoru silently told Tomoe.