AN: I poster this epilogue simultaneously along with Chapter 8 so don't miss that


This maybe the night that my dreams might let me know

All the stars are closer

All the stars are closer

All the stars are closer

- Kendrick Lamar, SZA, All the Stars


Epilogue

The bliss of their dreamless slumber lasted barely five hours before vacant stomachs announced severe displeasure. Kenshin burrowed further into the nook of his wife's neck in a rare occasion of shunning the waking world, earning him her bemused giggle. A secondary growl from his beloved's stomach finally prompted him to rouse, arms trailing indulgently and deliberately along her smooth skin. He stroked the curve of her cheek with three calloused fingers. "Kaoru, you can stay here and rest a bit more. Let this one take care of the meal today."

The shihandai held on to his arm to prevent him from leaving the warmth of their union just yet, brushing his bangs aside to look into his eyes. The pair of amethyst staring back at her seemed to glow with a hint of amber, but the gaze was unequivocally him. Smiling, she cupped his face and kissed his nose. "It's okay, Kenshin, I know just the thing that'll hit the spot."


Thirty minutes later the couple pushed through a flap of noren proclaiming "hot pot" in large print. A familiar voice rang out in greeting.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to the Akabek- GASP! Kaoru-chan! Kenshin-san! How are you feeling?! Are you two alright?!"

"Oro?!"

"Eh?!"

Red-faced, the two quickly sized each other up as Tae scurried away towards them from the table she was attending, suspicious that something in their appearance might give away evidence of their most recent "physical activity." Realizing this was not the case, and that Yahiko must have acted the informant regarding recent undisclosed perilous events, Kenshin immediately gave a standard placating reply.

"Hai, Tae-dono, there is no need to worry. Kaoru merely had to display her skills to a group of rabble-rousers, but she is alright now, that she is."

"That's right, Tae-san, I'm feeling much better now!" Kaoru chimed in, flexing her bicep good-naturedly.

"Oh, thank goodness, I'm so glad to hear that!" Tae knew there was more to the story, of course, but simply went along with it and seated them before proceeding to fuss over her best friend, especially when she noticed the lingering marks of struggle on Kaoru's skin. There were also some bruises on her neck which could likely be attributed to a certain red-headed swordsman, but at this point, who knows?

"Whoa, Busu, you're alive!"

"Gasp! Kaoru-san!"

The little swordsman and his squeeze trudged over from the back to join in on peppering Kaoru with exclamations of concern, their faces simultaneously awash with much relief.

Moments later, a lavish pot of deliciousness appeared at the weary couple's table. Having been deprived of food for essentially an entire day and a half, Kaoru didn't delay another second before diving in, though she quickly caught herself and apologized sheepishly for setting a terrible example to her already uncouth pupil. They all laughed, and Yahiko didn't even give her a hard time. With deliberate intent, the shihandai picked up some choice meat slices and passed them into the boy's bowl. "Here, have some - Kenshin said you guarded me all day yesterday and did everything to take care of our dojo's schedules. So eat up, you deserve it!"

She grinned in her usual sunshine cheer, but her eyes yielded a little bit more. Really, she wanted to say, thank you, Yahiko, you don't realize how important of a role you've played in our lives…

Though her true thanks were left unspoken, Yahiko felt something warm and akin to home well up inside him. It spilled across his face for a split second, but with Tsubame watching, his pride promptly wrestled back the driver's seat. "Heck, yeah I do – you better not regret it Busu!"

"Maa, maa, Yahiko, if you don't learn to say thanks you may never benefit from such kindness again, that you won't," Kenshin chided playfully, which only earned a "harrumph!" in response from the boy.

They all laughed again. As the little samurai vacuumed up tender morsels and savory broth with a vengeance, Kenshin and Kaoru shared a private knowing glance, fingers intertwined under the table, smiling the truest smiles.

Ignoring a background of Tae and Tsubame's warnings regarding the hazard of choking, Yahiko watched from the corner of his eyes the way the couple's gaze seemed to reflect something much older and wiser than their years. He wondered if perhaps someday he would understand what transpired between them.

But in a way, that didn't matter, whispered his heart. They were all home again.


Billowing leaves of red and brown colored the air weeks later, as an ex-rurouni and his wife leisurely passed a bridge along the riverside, walking hand-in-hand. The clear night sky showcased a beautifully large and bright new moon, reproduced faithfully on the surface of the still waters. The couple settled down on a swath of sakura-patterned fabric draped over the grass for an indulgent session of sake and stargazing. The air would soon be too chilly to enjoy such occasions, so it was important to seize this chance while they could. Lying cuddled together under a thin blanket, they allowed pause in life to take in the vast array of brilliance spread throughout the heavens. Calls of river herons could be heard in the distance on this peaceful evening where few people lingered.

Kaoru's face was slightly tinged with pink from the few sips she had partaken, and Kenshin kept careful watch on how much she imbibed, knowing there could be dire consequences if a certain threshold was crossed. Side-by-side with heads touching, his left arm snugly wrapped under her neck and around her side, they hummed a dreamy tune from a theatre play they'd seen a few days ago, while their minds busied with counting the constellations. As a warm and comfortable buzz settled in, Kaoru draped her body over her husband's form and leaned across his chest to hold his face in her hands.

"Ne, Kenshin…" she breathed, bringing herself close enough to feel the puff of air from his nose on hers.

"Mmm?"

The raven-haired beauty brought her gaze up onto his and the redhead half-expected her to start mumbling incoherently, but much to his surprise, a piercing clarity shone from her eyes. In those depths of blues he realized that she was seeing through all of his layers and all of his selves, past and present, hidden and apparent, loved and loathed; the reflections of his amber and amethyst mixed together into a rosy hue inside a sea of sapphire.

She brought her lips mere inches to his.

"I love you, Kenshin."

He smiled a feeling straight from the heart.

"And I you, Kaoru."

When they kissed Kenshin felt like the stars above were falling to the Earth, shooting luminary streaks down all around him, onto him, through him. The light that filled every fiber of his being washed away all the darkness, leaving him a pure white. In this unconditional space, he laid himself bare to rest. Complete and loved.


When the rains came, young verdant shoots would spring up from the center of the bamboo forest. In time the clearing would be filled, holding out gentle shade for the little tuft of red hair that flitted about at play amidst their stems... hiding all traces of the story they once held.

.

.

.


Author's rambling post-script:

What started as something that should've only taken three short chapters turned into this. The story become much darker than I originally intended, but hopefully not unnecessarily so, and in the end I really liked where it went.

I wanted to write something that depicted real fights and struggles without needing any super-villains. After all, putting aside oppressive governments and brutal terror organizations, there's plenty of darkness and heartbreak in everyday life. And yes, I was disheartened when I read the news about Watsuki's arrest, which probably cast a shade on this story. In spite of it all, I believe we have to press on with love, hope, and courage; acknowledge mistakes, seek forgiveness, move on from our pasts, and do better. I think these are the true messages that shine unfailingly from the RK saga, and it is what I had hoped to convey with my little tribute.

My deep thanks for ChiChanz, who got me started by providing a skeleton for the first chapter, consistently encouraged me with valuable feedback, and inspired the ideas leading to what we have before us. Shout out to Ayezeur, a prolific writer here who wrote "Long Days of Labor" - a completely satisfying masterpiece that extended the canon, and serves as a true inspiration to me. I can only hope to write with such eloquence and poetry. (If you haven't checked out her works, what're you waiting for?)

Again, if you enjoy fanart, I'll be posting more works at Deviantart dot com [slash] marc21

Last and not least, many thanks to all my readers for sticking with me throughout. Please leave a review, let me know what you thought, I hoped you enjoyed the story as much as I did writing it. Cheers!