Author's Note: Here's a long and fluffy chapter as the mysterious journey begins. Major spoiler warning here for those who have not seen ep 95, the last ep that was never televised but is on the DVD-a very different ep that has holes that could be filled so I tried to fill some of them. I'm of the mindset that many one-shots and stories could be written on that episode alone. Anyway, here it is and a huge thanks for all the readers and reviewers-your support means a great deal. And my knowledge of Japanese is limited so if I am incorrect in my usage, please let me know, accuracy in my writing is very important to me.

Glossary of Japanese words and phrases:

Ohagi-a treat made of rice balls and covered in a sweet bean paste

Maa, maa-Now, now

Hitokiri-assassin

Gomen nasai-I'm sorry

Rurouni-wanderer

Katana-Japanese sword-double edged

Sakabatou-reverse-edge sword-single edged used for defense not for killing

San, chan, dono-Japanese honorific attached to names-the honorific is a term of respect and each has different levels of familiarity-san is like Mr., Mrs., or Miss and is more polite than chan which is for familiar friends or younger people. Dono is another way to say Miss and Kenshin refers to the women around him in that context.

Sessha-Literally "this one" or "this unworthy one" Kenshin addresses himself this way

Tenshi-angel

Kanpeki--perfect

Kawairashii--sweet, lovely

Hakama-split skirt that was worn by men-Kaoru also wears this when she practices her swordsmanship or is in battle.

Yukata-a light kimono type garment used for sleeping

Oyasuminasai-Good night--formal

Ohayo gozimasu-Good morning--formal

Ishin Shishi-this was the faction Kenshin fought for during the Revolution-loyal to the Imperialists

Bakumatsu-the end of the Tokugawa Era-the Revolution Kenshin fought in

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The next few days before they departed were filled with activity, arrangements for the care of the dojo, Kaoru's students, and itinerary planning were the order as both she and Kenshin got ready to embark on this trip. Kaoru was more than a little curious as to the itinerary, the destinations seemed to have purpose to Kenshin but he was reluctant to divulge much information so she let it go. It was the evening before their departure and she entered his room timidly as questions swirled in her mind.

"Kenshin?"

The diminutive samurai who was completing his packing turned and smiled at her. "You need me for something, Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru replied, "Kenshin, I really want to thank you for taking me with you on this journey but I have a question."

His brow arched as he waited patiently. "Yes, Kaoru-dono?"

Kaoru lowered her head, suddenly shy. "Where exactly are we going? Besides Yokohama, that is."

Kenshin stood up and approached Kaoru with a smile. "Well, I have a plan, that I do. We'll be going to certain places I want you to see. The village I was born for one."

Kaoru's ocean eyes widened as she contemplated his plan. "You want me to see the place you were born?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Kenshin smiled wider as his eyes twinkled. "Oh, just because," he said enigmatically.

Kaoru sighed as she realized that he was not about to divulge any more information so she continued probing about the destinations. It appeared he had several in mind.

"Shimabara? We're going to Shimabara again?" Kaoru queried.

"Yes, Kaoru-dono. I would like to visit the place we stayed before my final battle with Shougo Amakusa now that I can see. I would like to actually see the place that afforded us harbor, that I would."

Kaoru's eyes became dreamy with reminiscence. "It wasn't much but we were able to stay there while I mended and cleaned your clothes. Shougo's attack had caused a few tears that needed repair." She smiled as she remembered their time of closeness and felt a warm glow at his desire to go there with her again. She smiled at Kenshin sending a warmth through him as well.

Yahiko's insistent calling interrupted them. "Hey Kenshin, Kaoru! Where are you, Megumi and Sano are here visiting. Megumi brought some ohagi so hurry up and get out here!"

Kenshin and Kaoru sighed in unison. He took hold of her elbow and said a tad resignedly, "We'd best go and greet our guests, that we should." He opened the shoji and after letting Kaoru precede him, he followed, resting his hand on the small of her back.


The next day Kenshin and Kaoru were packed and ready. Since they would be traveling to several different places, the pair packed sparingly, their need for freedom of movement paramount. Kaoru wore a hardy kimono and carried her wicker traveler, as she always did. Kenshin had his satchel and a blanket roll on his back, just like when he was wandering. He looked the same the only difference being that this time he had on his person a beautiful gem and the money Yamagata had given him, which he had tied securely in his wallet. Neither appeared shabby but also neither appeared to be wealthy so they could remain inconspicuous and unmolested.

The Kenshingumi were gathered at the train station to say good-bye and wish the travelers well on their journey. Dr. Gensai had closed the clinic and he, Megumi, Ayame, and Suzume had come to the station along with Yahiko and Sanosuke. They were grouped around the couple.

"Uncle Kenny, Auntie Kaoru why can't we all go with you?" Ayame asked in her inquisitive six-year-old way, hands on her hips as her little sister echoed.

"Yeah, we want to come too." Little Suzume tried to mimic her sister but Dr. Gensai interrupted gently.

"Maa, maa. We can't go with them girls, because we have to keep the clinic open for sick people. But we'll be here when they get back." Both children began sniffling, disappointment apparent on their round faces.

Yahiko knelt down to talk to the little ones. "Ayame, Suzume, Kenshin and Kaoru will be gone but they'll be back."

Both girls seemed to be placated but their tears dried up when Kenshin knelt down and wrapped his arms around the little girls. "Maa, maa Ayame and Suzume Kaoru and I will bring you both something when we come back, that we will," he promised.

"Yay! Bring me back a new fan!" Ayame squealed as she hugged the swordsman tightly and her little sister followed suit.

"Yeah a fan!" Suzume echoed as she too wrapped her arms around Kenshin, knocking him on his back, much to the amusement of the group.

Sanosuke knelt down and helped Kenshin to his feet. "Take it easy, girls. Kenshin's got quite a few miles to go and he needs his strength." He grinned conspiratorially at his friend who flashed him a warning from his eyes. "But why he'd choose to go aboard this teakettle with wheels from hell is beyond me." The streetfighter shuddered displaying his fear of steam locomotives as Yahiko scoffed in derision.

"Sanosuke, you're nuts. Train rides are safe, you're just a big coward!"

Sano's umber eyes narrowed as he grabbed the youth by his collar and shook him like a dog. "Who you callin' a coward, punk?"

"That's enough!" Kaoru scolded. "I expect to see both of you unscratched when we return so stop fighting. And Sanosuke, I expect that you'll keep the dojo clean while we're gone."

The train whistle blew and the time had come for Kaoru and Kenshin to leave. As they watched the couple, Megumi sidled up to Sanusuke and whispered, "Does Kaoru know that Kenshin's going to ask her to marry him?"

Sano answered, "Not by my lips she doesn't."

"Or mine," Yahiko added.

Megumi sighed almost wistfully as she smiled and waved, envying the tanuki girl that was walking beside the handsome titian haired swordsman. Her eyes followed the pair as they made their way to the passenger car.

The departure whistle sounded as Kenshin and Kaoru walked up the steps to the door of the car and as the locomotive lurched away, both waved at their friends and their adventure began.


The trip from Tokyo to Yokohama took about three hours and during the ride, the two chatted amiably, both feeling exhilarated by the journey before them. As she conversed with Kenshin, Kaoru could not help but wonder the reason behind this trip with the former hitokiri who was divulging no information. But as she relaxed more, she became resigned to the fact that even without knowing the true reason of the journey, she was glad to be alone with Kenshin. Before long the conversation waned and the excitement of the trip eventually caught up with Kaoru so she leaned against the window, the motion of the train rocking her and making her slip off into a peaceful slumber.

Kenshin watched her as she dozed and his heart warmed as the last verses of the Lord Byron poem came to him:

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

"A heart whose love is innocent," he said softly as his gaze drank deeply of the fetching picture Kaoru made, her inky long lashes in arcs lighting above her slightly pink cheeks. He fought the almost overwhelming urge to reach and caress one of her petal soft cheeks as the soft scent of jasmine tickled at his nostrils, sending waves of desire coursing through his body that he immediately quashed. She was no mere object of lust to him and to think of her in those terms was almost sacrilegious. So Kenshin sighed and turned away, bringing his mind and body both under ironclad control as he always had and sought comfort by fingering the hidden velvet box in his sleeve and the dreams connected with its contents.

The train finally reached its destination as the noontime sun reached its zenith for early spring and the building that was the railroad station in the bustling city of Yokohama came into view, Japan's gateway to the West. The train shuddered to a stop as the whistle blew and the conductor called out.

"Yokohama! All bound for Yokohama please exit the train now!"

Kenshin gently shook Kaoru's shoulder. "Wake up, Kaoru-dono. It appears we're here, that it does."

Kaoru opened her eyes and stretched like a sleepy kitten as she smiled sweetly and yawned, "Gomen nasai Kenshin, I must have dozed off." She watched him stand and begin to gather his belongings.

"That's all right, Kaoru-dono. But we best be on our way, that we must."

She rose to her feet as her companion slid his sakabatou into his waistband of his hakama and grabbed his satchel and the blanket rolls so she grabbed her wicker carrier and followed his lead as he headed toward the exit.

Once off the train, Kenshin took Kaoru's elbow in a gentle but firm grip as they headed into town to find a place for lunch. After lunch, the duo strolled down the streets of the city that personified the Meiji government's desire to unite Japan with the rest of the world. The streets were teeming with people in both traditional and western style of dress and the shops were filled with western accouterment, most of what most Japanese had never seen and marveled at as they peered in display windows. Kenshin and Kaoru were no different as they too were transfixed by modern marvels such as phonographs.

"Kenshin, isn't that amazing?" Kaoru gushed as the sounds of Mascagni came from the ornate horn that was attached to a box with a rolling disk on it.

Kenshin studied the device with as much wonder as the lovely young woman by his side as he replied affably, "Yes indeed it is."

They themselves were objects of scrutiny as many stared at the red haired swordsman and the sword dangling at his left hip eyes filled with trepidation at what appeared to be a blatant violation of the government's ban on swords. Eyes also fell on the cross-shaped scar and the whispers of "Battousai" were heard among the throng.

Kaoru noticed the attention they were drawing and commented, "Kenshin, I think everyone's a bit antsy about your sword."

Kenshin smiled at her in his harmless rurouni manner as he dismissed, "They're all welcome to ask me about it, that they are. I will simply show them that it is not a katana as I did for you the day we met."

They continued gazing at window after window filled with such incredible things such as hurricane lamps, wind up music boxes, and other fascinating objects that seemed to be everyday western staples. Then Kaoru stopped dead in her tracks, her sapphire eyes widened in awe.

Puzzled, Kenshin stopped and noticed her mesmerized expression. "Kaoru, are you all right?"

Kaoru was so captivated that she did not notice that he had forgotten the honorific as he spoke to her. "Kirei," she breathed as she gazed upon an ivory lace creation on a wicker model in the window of a couturier's shop, a western styled wedding gown. It was ivory brocade and had a nipped in waist and puffed sleeves in Irish lace that came to the elbows, a scooped décolletage with seed pearls along the lace piping edge with a bustle in the style of the day.

The proprietor of the shop was a middle aged Japanese woman in western dress that was elegant in appearance and she approached Kaoru with a smile.

"It's my latest and finest creation. How do you like it?"

Kaoru smiled back, her eyes shining. "It's just beautiful," she gushed.

"Excuse me, miss but I wonder if you could do me a favor?" the woman asked in a soft cultured voice. "I am Kuri Midori and since you are the perfect size for the dress, would you be kind enough to model it for me as I have a buyer inside who would like to see it on someone? My daughter usually models for me but she had to run an errand and you and she are the same size."

Kaoru blushed as she demurred, "That's very kind, Kuri-san but I'm afraid I can't. My friend is with me and I can't keep him waiting."

Kenshin then stepped forward with a sunny smile. "Go ahead and do it if you want to, Kaoru-dono. I don't mind waiting, that I don't."

Kaoru regarded him hopefully. "You really wouldn't mind, Kenshin?"

His smile became affectionate as his violet eyes twinkled. "Of course not. The dress is very beautiful and sessha would find pleasure in seeing you wear it, that I would."

Kaoru's blush deepened as pleasure swept through her at his encouragement. She turned to the couturier and agreed, "Fine then, Kuri-san. I am Kamiya Kaoru and this is Himura Kenshin.

She nodded and bowed. "A pleasure. Please come this way." She led them into the shop and Kenshin took Kaoru's elbow and escorted her inside. The shop was quite elegant with western style chairs all around and wicker models bearing very fashionable dresses.

"You made all these gowns, Kuri-san?" Kaoru wanted to know as she viewed the shop, impressed

"Hai. I learned the art of fine sewing from my mother before me. I met and married my husband who was a merchant of textiles and other materials from the West so we created this shop here when we first married and I began making western style clothing. Then our daughter was born and my husband went to fight in the Boshin Wars. He lost his life there."

Kenshin murmured, "I'm very sorry."

Once in there a petite lady also in western dress with chestnut curls stood up as the trio approached. Midori smiled as she said, "Forgive the delay, miss but this young lady has graciously consented to model the gown for you."

"She has? Oh, thank you so much," the girl said eagerly as she reached to shake Kaoru's hand, obviously not Japanese. Kaoru blushed but accepted the girl's gratitude with a polite smile.

Midori smiled and bowed to Kenshin. "Won't you have a seat, Himura-san?"

"Arigatou, Kuri-san," Kenshin replied as he sat down on a plush chair, taking his sakabatou out of his waistband and laying it to the side as the young lady patron eyed the weapon with fear widening her emerald eyes. Kenshin noticed her reaction and said with a smile, "You have nothing to fear, miss. The sword is quite harmless, that it most certainly is."

The girl blinked and then turned away. Midori hastily changed the subject as she said, "Kamiya-san will model the wedding gown for you if you'll just wait here." She guided Kaoru into the back dressing room.

As she was assisting Kaoru with the dress, Midori spied a slim gold chain around the girl's neck and the perfect pink shell dangling from it. She unclasped it and holding it up admired its pearlescent beauty.

"How beautiful, Kamiya-san. What an unusual piece of jewelry, where did you get it?"

Kaoru replied, "That's a shell that Kenshin gave me the last time we came here and walked on the beach.

Midori smiled knowingly as she took the necklace and put it carefully aside.

About twenty minutes later the curtain separating the two rooms opened and out stepped an absolute vision in ivory. Kaoru was clad in the beautiful wedding gown, and her straight glossy hair was swept up in a Grecian knot with a cascade of curls made by Midori's curling irons. Her creamy shoulders were partially revealed by the scooped décolletage and the swells of her breasts peeked from the lace-covered bodice. The crinolines beneath the rich brocade skirt made a gentle swish as she stepped forward and the cathedral train trailed gracefully behind her. Some rice paper had added a slight blush to her cheeks and her eyes were luminous. Kenshin and the patron rose slowly to their feet and stared.

"Oh!" the girl exclaimed in delight. "It's just breathtaking."

"What do you think, Himura-san?" Midori asked the speechless swordsman, a twinkle in her mahogany eyes.

Kenshin's eyes were violet pools of reflecting golden light as the sight before them mesmerized him. He was transfixed, hypnotized while his mind whirled and his heart pounded as he stood witness before the most exquisite creature he had ever seen. Kirei he said to himself as he continued to study Kaoru as she was at the moment intently like he wanted to commit her appearance in the gown to memory for all eternity.

"Kenshin, how do I look?" she asked, noticing his faraway stare and becoming uncomfortable under his scrutiny.

"Tenshi," he murmured. "Kanpeki, kawairashii. So very beautiful." His eyes became infused with the golden sheen.

Kaoru lowered her eyes and blushed. "Arigatou."

Both Midori and the young lady patron cleared their throats as they picked up on the emotion emanating between the couple. The girl blushed as she said, "T-thank you all but I couldn't do justice to that gown, not like that. I'll be going." She glanced at Kenshin and Kaoru as she picked up her reticule and left.

Kaoru looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Kuri-san. I seemed to have lost you a customer."

Midori shook her head. "There's no reason to apologize, Kamiya-san. I saw how the dress seems made for you and Himura-san's reaction is proof positive. Don't you agree, Himura-san?"

Kenshin nodded, still struck dumb by the transformation that had taken place on his Kaoru. Yet he managed to take a deep breath to collect himself enough and say reverently, "She's lovely, that she is."

Kaoru lowered her head demurely as Kenshin's words sent a rush of warmth through her. She murmured self-consciously, "We should be going. I better go and take this off." She turned and headed back into the dressing room. She emerged in a short while in her kimono as she re-tied her ribbon on her hair, the curls made for the presentation still intact and the rice paper had retained its color on her cheeks, making her appear like a Japanese porcelain doll.

Kenshin could not help but smile. "Are you ready to leave, Kaoru-dono?"

At Kaoru's nod and sensing the chemistry between the two, Midori asked, "Excuse my bluntness, but are the two of you planning to be married?"

Kaoru's eyes became like saucers as Kenshin took her elbow and answered cheerfully, "Not yet, Kuri-san."

"Oh," the couturier said a tad disappointed. She then asked, "And do you have anyplace to stay while you're here in Yokohama?"

Kaoru shook her head. "No, Kuri-san, we don't at the moment. To be honest, we don't know where we are going as yet."

"Well, I insist you stay with me and my daughter. We have a house that's close to the beach, if you don't mind."

Kenshin smiled politely as he replied, "That's very kind of you, Kuri-san but we couldn't impose."

"Oh please do. It's the least I can do after tying you up all afternoon." Midori gestured to the waning late afternoon sun. "At this hour, it will be impossible to find lodging and I have two spare rooms," she insisted.

Kaoru and Kenshin exchanged glances then Kenshin bowed and said, "Arigatou, Kuri-san. We would be most grateful to stay at your home."

Midori smiled and she said, "Very well then. And please call me Midori, we'll be leaving as soon as my daughter returns. The house is not far." She prepared to close up shop as Kenshin and Kaoru exchanged another look


Later, after dinner, Midori and her daughter Kaede both prepared their guests lodgings. The house was as Midori had said, near to the beach and even with the shoji closed, one could hear the rhythmic swish of the waves as they lapped at the shore. Midori and Kaede laid out the futons, with blankets and headrests, lighting the rooms with lanterns and supplying their guests with everything they needed. The evening was pleasant as Kenshin and Kaoru got to know Midori and her daughter who was Kaoru's size and age with eyes black as onyx stones. She was as polite and gracious as her mother.

Kaoru was in her room preparing for bed when there was a soft knock on the shoji. Kaoru got up to answer it and the flame haired swordsman stood there with a gentle smile.

"I wanted to wish you oyasuminasai, Kaoru-dono."

Kaoru returned the smile. "Oyasuminasai, Kenshin. Have pleasant dreams."

His smile widened and he reached for her hand to squeeze it. "You too." He turned and headed to his room, right next to hers slid the shoji entered and closed the door. She was amazed by the tender gesture as she watched him make his exit and then retreated behind her shoji and into her room.

Kaoru sighed as she undressed and donned the yukata that Midori kindly supplied for her. Once clad in the nightclothes, she blew out the lantern and slid under the covers on the futon where she laid her head down. But she sighed as sleep was eluding her and her mind played back the last time she and Kenshin spent the night away from the dojo. . . .

Flashback:

They had been on an outing alone together, interrupted by a sudden rainstorm that had kept them from making the boat back to Tokyo. A kind couple took them in and so assuming they were married, offered them a meal and use of their guestroom. Self-consciously they both prepared for bed, and she ordered Kenshin to stay with his back to her until she got into her futon and then she afforded the same courtesy to him as he blew out the lantern and slid into his futon.

Kaoru had lain there staring at the ceiling as the soft breathing beside her indicated that Kenshin had fallen asleep. Her heart pounding, she studied him, watching the gentle fall and rise of his chest as he slumbered thinking him the most incredible man she had ever known. She was transfixed as she spied his left hand, resting on the surface of the blanket and then slowly, tentatively, she placed her hand on top of his, finally closing her eyes and drifting off. Finally asleep she did not see Kenshin's violet eyes flutter open and then close again as he again drifted off in contented sleep.

End Flashback

Kaoru sighed as the memory engulfed her thoughts and she fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Kaoru opened her eyes to the early morning sunlight and the muffled sound of the crashing surf outside. She rose and dressed herself, remembering that she and Kenshin had wanted to stroll along the beach like they had before. The last time, she had awakened to see that he had gone and after having the nightmare about him leaving her again and the two of them separated by a chasm between them she had hastily dressed and ran after him, petrified that he was leaving her again. This time, she felt a feeling of peace, and she did not know why. Kaoru headed out the house and to the beach, the early spring sun bringing warmth to chase away the early morning chill. . . .

Out on the beach Kenshin was seated on a sand dune, staring at the pounding surf as it washed against the sand, renewing it as it refreshed his soul. He felt strangely content and excited at the same time as he felt his life at a crossroads. He never would have thought that day a year ago when he wandered into Tokyo that it would be a life altering event for him instead of another brief stop in his lonely sojourn. And after slaying his beloved Tomoe and burning the house they had been husband and wife in, he never thought he would ever experience love again. But so many improbabilities had become realities in this past year's time yet he could not have imagined that love would again come to him, a love so deep and profound that it nearly consumed him. Love in the form of a beautiful, feisty, yet kind and compassionate girl-woman who wielded a wooden sword as well as those he had fought with in the Ishin Shishi during the Bakumatsu who carried and swung katanas. A lovely countenance with eyes fathomless and deep like the ocean framed by midnight cornsilk hair that he ached to run his fingers through. A slow smile came to him as he saw suspended in his mind the eyes that drew him away from a life of wandering and into believing that a normal life was possible. He smiled as he fingered the velvet box in his sleeve.

"Kenshin?"

He was shaken from his reverie by the soft voice that was like the sweetest melody as Kaoru came hesitantly to him.

"Hai, Kaoru-dono?" the flame haired samurai eyed her inquiringly.

She came and sat beside him. "I went to your room and saw you were gone so I came out here and here you are. Ohayo gozimasu."

"Ohayo gozimasu to you, Kaoru-dono." Kenshin smiled at her and then turned his attention back to the crashing surf. They both watched the waves lap at the golden sand in companionable silence.

Kaoru closed her eyes and savored the early morning sunlight, the chill of the sea breeze causing her to shiver a bit, drawing Kenshin's attention. His violet eyes widened in concern.

"You're cold, Kaoru-dono." He moved closer to her and wrapped his right arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer to share the warmth, enclosing her in the circle of his arms.

Kaoru was surprised by his gesture, just another of many surprises of late by her once reticent rurouni yet she snuggled in the cocoon he created, his warm breath tickling her neck. He then took his hand and with his fingers gently brushed her hair aside and spied the delicate chain there that had missed his notice before.

"What's that, if I may ask?" he queried.

Kaoru turned and asked in turn. "What?"

"The chain upon your neck. I don't recall seeing it before."

"Oh that," Kaoru replied, fingering the object in question. She drew the necklace out from under her kimono and the pink shell dangling from it. "Don't you remember this, Kenshin?"

Kenshin reached his hand and took the delicate shell, letting it rest on his fingertips. His mind went back to the summer day on the beach when he walked and she followed as he suddenly stopped and presented the gift to her. He had found it, washing ashore during his time of solitude as the sun rose that day after waking in their room and finding Kaoru's hand on his, the sweet gesture meaning more than words could express. But again counting himself unworthy, he had removed himself from the innocent presence of the girl he adored and headed out to the beach away from the tender snare of her hand. His thoughts that morning were as restless as the waves upon the sand and it was there he had spotted the pastel pink shell, shed by some hardy mollusk yet beautiful and fragile, a perfect compliment to the girl he presented it to.

"Hai," he said huskily. "I remember. I didn't think you'd want to keep it, that I didn't."

She looked at him incredulously. "Not keep it? I treasure it Kenshin, as a reminder of one of the loveliest days of my life."

Kenshin's eyes crinkled as he gazed into the ivory piquant face and his heart swelled with love for Kaoru. He let the shell fall from his fingers as he reached to the cheek above it and ran them across its softness in a slow caress. A delicate pink tint came to the surface as his action caused her to blush.

Kaoru lowered her head, words coming in a whisper, "I-I guess we'd better head back, Midori-san and Kaede-chan will wonder where we are."

Kenshin sighed and nodded, rising to his feet. He proffered his hand to assist Kaoru up and they both headed back as the sun continued to dance on the waves.

NEXT---CHERISHED MEMORIES AND BITTER REMINDERS